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Meet Stumpy, the Cherry Blossom Tree Stealing Hearts by Persevering
Move over, lush and full cherry blossom trees — Stumpy is here to steal the show! Despite being a little different from the other trees in the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial, this scraggly and worn-down tree has captured the hearts of many Washington, D.C. residents. While the flooding in Stumpy's neighborhood unfortunately means his days are numbered, there's good news: Stumpy is still going strong three years later and even reached peak bloom with his friends on March 23, 2023.
Score (97)
Meet The Wimbledon Superfan: 33 Years Of Camping Out For Tickets
Harry Taylor might just be Wimbledon’s most dedicated fan. The 51-year-old pub landlord from Bridge, Kent, has camped outside the renowned tennis tournament for 33 consecutive years, starting in 1992. Despite harsh weather or personal injury, nothing has kept Harry away from his annual tradition. This year, Harry arrived at the queue a full 48 hours early on June 28 at 8:30 am. His punctuality paid off as he secured the number 17 spot in line and a coveted Centre Court ticket for the first day. Speaking about his experience in the queue, Harry said, “As of this morning, there are about 6,000 people queuing. And there are more of them coming in.” His setup is far from amateur; equipped with a waterproof and windproof tent, tables, chairs, and ice buckets, it resembles a glamping site. He proudly calls himself “very experienced” with his three decades of queuing expertise. Wimbledon organizers have come to expect thousands of campers each year and provide amenities like toilets that Harry claims are “better than Glastonbury toilets.” There are also numbered cards to prevent line-cutting and stewards checking tents. Phone chargers and food stalls serve those waiting. The Met Office recorded this year’s opening day as the hottest ever for Wimbledon with temperatures soaring to 33 degrees Celsius on court. To combat the scorching heat, staff handed out free water. Fortunately for Harry, his front-row position allowed him to claim a seat in a shaded area. He remarked on the challenges posed by the heat: “There are some years where it is raining and muddy and horrible. This year, the problem is the heat.” Adding to his difficulties this year was sciatica pain that left him struggling to move his legs. Despite this setback, backing out was never an option for Harry. The tournament organizers offered assistance by transporting him across locations via buggy—a gesture he found very helpful. “I have been in pain for about two months,” said Harry. “But I thought ‘I must do the queue.’ I am hobbling on one leg in incredible pain but for the experience I have to suffer it.” Even if it required using a wheelchair, he was determined to attend. Beyond securing tickets annually, part of what keeps him coming back is the camaraderie among fellow fans. Over time these queuers have formed their own community; they even maintain group chats discussing matches and often help each other manage luggage. On what makes Wimbledon so special compared to other tennis tournaments worldwide? For Harry: "If you don’t win Wimbledon then you are nobody." His favorite player is Carlos Alcaraz who aims to defend his title after defeating Novak Djokovic last year.
Score (95)
Ancient DNA Reveals Surprising Ingredient in Roman Fish Sauce Recipe
In a fascinating twist from the past, scientists have traced the origins of an ancient Roman condiment to European sardines. This discovery comes from a study of DNA found in a Roman-era salting plant in Spain, revealing the key ingredient of garum—an iconic fish-based sauce that was a staple in ancient Roman cuisine. The Romans were known for their love of fish and made sure it stayed on their table year-round by processing it at coastal plants called cetariae. Here, small fish were crushed and fermented into various sauces like garum, which is similar to modern fish sauces popular in Southeast Asia or even Worcestershire sauce. But figuring out exactly what types of fish were used has been tricky. The intense processing at these plants left behind only tiny bone fragments, making visual identification almost impossible. To get around this problem, an international team of researchers tried something new: DNA analysis. Despite the challenges posed by grinding and fermentation, which break down genetic material faster, they managed to sequence DNA from fish remains found in a salting vat at Adro Vello in northwest Spain. This breakthrough offers fresh insights into Roman-era sardines and provides a new approach for studying ancient fish remains. "The bottoms of fish-salting vats offer a myriad of remains," the researchers noted in their study published in Antiquity. They emphasized that genomic studies have yet to fully use this resource for understanding past diets and fish populations. To test their method, the team extracted DNA from small bone fragments identified as European sardines at the site. Co-author Paula Campos from the University of Porto led efforts comparing these ancient sequences with those from modern sardines. The results showed that ancient sardines were genetically similar to today's sardines living in the same region—a surprising find given how widely these fish can disperse. "Here, the authors demonstrate that, despite being crushed and exposed to acidic conditions, usable DNA can be recovered," explained the researchers. They believe this data could open new avenues for exploring ancient subsistence economies and cultures while providing information on historical fish populations unavailable through current fisheries data or modern specimens alone.
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Score (96)
Why A Quick Nap Could Be Your Secret Weapon For Creativity
The old adage to "sleep on it" might hold more merit than we thought. Recent research from the University of Hamburg suggests that a quick nap could actually lead to those elusive "aha moments" we all crave when faced with tricky problems. In a study published in "PLOS Biology," researchers Anika Löwe, Marit Petzka, Maria Tzegka, and Nicolas Schuck examined how sleep affects insight during problem-solving. The team recruited 90 participants to engage in a task involving tracking dots across a screen and responding via keyboard. Unknown to them, there was a hidden trick that could simplify their task. Participants tackled the dot-tracking challenge four times before taking a 20-minute nap while hooked up to an electroencephalogram (EEG) to monitor their sleep stages. After resting, they returned to the task. Astonishingly, 70.6 percent experienced an "aha moment," discovering the task’s hidden shortcut. All groups showed improvement after their naps, but those who reached N2 sleep — the first deeper sleep phase — had the most significant breakthroughs. Of these, 85.7 percent had the insight revelation. Löwe remarked on the findings saying, "I think a lot of us have made the subjective experience of having important realizations after a short nap." For her and her team, having data backing this intuition is gratifying. In comparison, only 55.5 percent of participants who stayed awake and 63.6 percent who only achieved light sleep (N1) reported similar insights. EEG reviews identified that a steeper spectral slope correlates with deeper sleep and breakthrough moments. Schuck found it intriguing that such brief periods of rest could foster connections previously unseen by participants. He expressed hope that understanding EEG spectral slopes will further illuminate these findings. Prior studies using this same dot-tracking test without naps saw less than half achieving creative breakthroughs. This new research underscores how deeper sleep phases might be pivotal for enhancing problem-solving abilities. "The EEG spectral slope has only recently been considered as a factor in cognitive processes during sleep," said Löwe. She finds the association between spectral slope steepness during sleep and subsequent insights exciting, given her team's earlier computational work identifying this connection's significance for aha-moments. For creatives relying on their problem-solving prowess, these results resonate deeply with personal experiences of post-nap creativity boosts. Löwe noted how people around her could relate personally to these findings. So next time you catch yourself nodding off at your desk or contemplating a quick snooze when stuck on something tough, remember: science just gave napping its stamp of approval for productivity perks.
Score (97)
From Dog Bed to Reindeer Herd: The Heartwarming Journey of Lars the Baby Reindeer
Lars, a seven-week-old reindeer, is set to return to his herd after spending his early days in a rather unusual setting. Born on a reindeer farm near Corby in Northamptonshire, Lars faced challenges right from the start as his mother couldn't produce enough milk for him. Angie Nelson, the farm's owner, stepped in to help when it became clear that nature wasn't providing for Lars. Nelson took Lars into her home, where he found unlikely companions in her pet spaniels. For two days, she fed him every two hours with the assistance of her friend Helen Chown. Their combined efforts ensured that Lars not only survived but thrived. As Chown humorously noted, "When I found him in the dog bed, I thought 'you do need to go back and learn to be a reindeer.'" The nightly feeds were demanding for Nelson, who would often find Lars nuzzling her for attention as they shared the lounge floor. After some weeks of this round-the-clock care, Nelson felt confident enough to let Lars sleep in the kitchen with her dogs. But now it's time for Lars to transition back into reindeer life. Nelson plans to pair him with an older "buddy" from her herd who can teach him about herd dynamics and keep him safe. "It's important he becomes a reindeer now rather than a dog so he understands the herd hierarchy," said Nelson. This transition marks the end of a hectic period for Nelson as she balanced caring for Lars with planning her wedding. During dress fittings and even on honeymoon, neighbor Chown stepped up to care for Lars. "I didn't want to get anything wrong because he was so tiny," Chown recalled. In keeping with their animal-loving lifestyle, Lars even featured in Nelson's wedding photos alongside her groom and their dogs.
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Pakistan Takes a Bold Step: Churna Island Becomes Nation's Second Marine Protected Area
In September 2024, Pakistan marked a significant step in marine conservation by designating Churna Island as its second marine protected area (MPA). Located about 10 kilometers offshore from Manjhaar Beach near Karachi, this new MPA covers an area of around 98 square kilometers. It follows the establishment of Pakistan's first MPA in 2017 around Astola Island, known for its coral reefs and sea turtle habitats. These MPAs represent early efforts to protect Pakistan's marine ecosystems, but they are small compared to the vast oceanic territory that needs safeguarding. This comes as part of a broader commitment under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity to protect 30 percent of global oceans by 2030. As Naeem Javid Muhammad Hassani from Balochistan's forest department notes, "Churna Island has vast coral biodiversity and Astola is home to both a variety of corals and avian species." Despite the designation, activities like trawling and unregulated tourism continue around Churna Island due to the absence of an effective management plan. This situation raises concerns about the real impact of these protections without enforcement mechanisms in place. Coral ecosystems globally face severe threats from rising sea temperatures linked to climate change. These conditions cause coral bleaching events where corals expel symbiotic algae and start deteriorating. In Pakistan, local factors also pose significant risks. According to Muhammad Moazzam Khan from WWF-Pakistan, industries near Churna Island release warm wastewater into the sea, contributing to temperature increases and ocean acidification which harm corals. Amjad Ali from the University of Karachi highlights that while corals can adapt to changing conditions, human activities like sediment disturbance threaten their survival. Sediment stirred up by scuba diving or fishing can choke coral pores, leading to death. The fishers from nearby Mubarak village rely on Churna Island’s waters for their livelihoods. Shabir, a local fisher, points out how trawlers with small-mesh nets deplete fish stocks significantly; he describes his frustration over declining catches despite spending full days at sea. While trawling is technically illegal within Churna’s MPA zones under provincial law, enforcement remains lax without a finalized management plan. Khan mentions that although a plan exists for Churna’s protection, obstacles such as staffing shortages and funding delays prevent its implementation. Meanwhile, there have been recent positive developments regarding MPAs in Pakistan; earlier this year Balochistan endorsed Astola Island’s management plan after eight long years since its initial designation. Observers hope that similar progress will occur more quickly for Churna Island so that declared protections translate into tangible benefits for marine life there. Churna Island stands as an essential environmental asset worth preserving amid challenges ahead.
Score (97)
Meet The Twin Prodigies Eyeing Olympic Glory In 2032
Ava and Amber Snell, 14-year-old identical twins from Gloucester, are making waves in the archery community. Known as the "archery twins of Gloucester," they have set their sights on competing in the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, Australia. The twins recently added another accolade to their growing list of achievements after receiving a "Global Child Prodigies" award for archery. The ceremony took place on June 26 at the Houses of Parliament in London. Speaking with the BBC at the event, both Ava and Amber expressed excitement about their future prospects. They hope to make it to the Olympics together, saying they have their "fingers crossed" for a chance to compete on such a prestigious stage. Amber reflected on their journey: "It's such an amazing achievement for both of us and when we started, we thought it would just be something fun for us to do. But it's grown into this, and we never thought it would." Ava echoed her sister's sentiments: "[It's] an amazing achievement. Very, very shocked when we heard about it." Their interest in archery was sparked back in 2019 during a school event that offered students a chance to try out various sports. An instructor noticed their potential immediately and told their parents that the girls had "a good eye." This initial encouragement led them to join a local club, where they honed their skills over the years. Their talent did not go unnoticed. Patrick Huston, a double Olympian and triple world champion in archery, spotted them during one of their sessions and now serves as their coach. Under his guidance, Ava and Amber train three to four days each week while balancing competitions almost every weekend along with schoolwork. Their parents, Jason and Zoe Snell, couldn't be prouder of what their daughters have accomplished so far. Zoe remarked that they've "never looked back" since starting archery, while Jason added that they are "over the moon" with what the girls have achieved thus far. The sisters train at Newnham Archery Club, where they recently brought back their award to share with fellow club members. Their dedication and success serve as an inspiration not only within the club but also among aspiring young athletes everywhere aiming for greatness in competitive sports.
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Autistic Actress Brings Authenticity to Her Role in Groundbreaking New Musical
Katie Cailean is making waves in the theater community with her debut role in the musical Indigo at the Curve Theatre in Leicester. Diagnosed with autism as a teenager, she’s using her personal experiences to bring depth and realism to her character, Emma, a non-speaking autistic teenager with synaesthesia. For Katie, this role is more than just acting; it's about representation. "It feels really nice to represent a group of people who aren't often represented authentically in theater," she said. Her enthusiasm for the role stems from a desire to educate audiences on autism through storytelling. Indigo tells the story of three generations of women in one family coming together after the grandmother Elaine is diagnosed with Alzheimer's. The plot centers around how they navigate this new dynamic when Elaine moves back home with her daughter, Beverly, and granddaughter Emma. Katie notes that everyone who sees the show brings their own perspective and connection. "Some people say they're coming into it with one particular angle, maybe with a family member who is dealing with Alzheimer's, or they might know someone who is autistic or perhaps don't know about autism," she said. The musical offers an opportunity for audiences to learn something new from its narrative. The songs for Indigo were crafted by Scott Evan Davis. He emphasizes that while Katie's portrayal is central to the story, it’s not solely about her character's disability. "I want this to be a story about a family, healing, connections - with a character who happens to be autistic," he explained. Davis highlights that Emma teaches others how to communicate better even though she struggles herself. Originally from Glasgow, Katie graduated from The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts earlier this year. Her education and background have shaped her approach to acting and storytelling, allowing her to infuse authenticity into Emma’s character.
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Meet the Man Who Received a Double Hand Transplant After 17 Years
Luka Kriszanac, a 29-year-old from Switzerland, recently returned to the University of Pennsylvania Medicine with smiles and handshakes for his surgical team—a testament to the success of his life-changing procedure. Kriszanac underwent a double hand transplant, known scientifically as vascularized composite allotransplantation. He's one of only five people to have this surgery at Penn Medicine, a leader in hand transplantation. Kriszanac's medical journey began at age 12 when an undiagnosed strep throat infection led to sepsis, resulting in the amputation of both his legs and hands. After years without hands, he expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity to regain them. "Regaining hands after 17 years, I don’t think there is a bigger dream than that," he shared with CBS News. He also extended heartfelt thanks to the donor's family for transforming his life. In 2018, Kriszanac learned about U. Penn’s hand transplant program and started working with a team to assess his eligibility for the procedure. L. Scott Levin and Benjamin Chang led the surgery team after years of waiting for a suitable donor match. Levin highlighted the everyday importance of hands, noting prosthetics can't fully replace their function. He proudly mentioned their team's pioneering work in several areas: "The first child; the first transatlantic vascularized composite allotransplantation; the first in a patient with no lower extremities; the first woman to have hand transplants who later gave birth." The pandemic delayed procedures due to government restrictions on hospital activities, but in 2024, Kriszanac finally received good news through the Gift of Life program about finding a matching donor. Finding compatible donors is complex since requirements go beyond genetic and blood compatibility—the donor's hands must also match in muscle and bone density, skin color, and age. Last autumn, a 10-hour surgery took place overnight involving two teams: one preparing Kriszanac and another focusing on the deceased donor present in the operating theater. When Kriszanac awoke around lunchtime post-surgery, he was amazed by what had been achieved. Through extensive rehabilitation, he's now able to perform tasks like propping his head on his hands or typing on a smartphone. Despite these advancements, ongoing contact with U. Penn will be necessary throughout his life due to potential complications.
Score (91)
How Vitamin C Could Be Your Skin's Secret Weapon Against Aging
A team of Japanese researchers has found a way that humble vitamin C might just be more powerful than we thought. In a study using a 3D human skin model, scientists have shown that vitamin C can regenerate skin cells and potentially counteract the thinning of the epidermis that comes with age. As we grow older, our skin naturally becomes thinner and more fragile due to a slowdown in cell production. The outermost layer of the skin, the epidermis, is particularly susceptible to this thinning. Since it serves as our primary defense against pathogens, its loss of strength can pose significant problems. The research, led by Dr. Akihito Ishigami from Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, indicates that vitamin C helps thicken the skin by activating specific genes responsible for cell growth and development. "C seems to influence the structure and function of the epidermis, especially by controlling the growth of epidermal cells," said Dr. Ishigami. Using laboratory-grown models that closely mimic real human skin, called human epidermal equivalents, they observed how vitamin C interacts with these cells. Over 14 days, they noticed an increase in thickness in the inner layer of the epidermis while the outer layer thinned slightly. This change suggests that vitamin C promotes keratinocyte formation and division—keratinocytes make up about 90 percent of epidermal cells. One key finding was that vitamin C aids in cell growth by promoting DNA demethylation—a process where methyl groups are removed from DNA. These methyl groups generally suppress gene activity when attached to DNA's cytosine bases. By removing them, vitamin C enhances gene expression necessary for cell proliferation. Vitamin C isn't just any nutrient; it's a hot topic among nutrition enthusiasts for its notable role in skin health and antioxidant properties. But there's concern over declining nutrient levels in modern produce compared to decades past. For example, an orange today contains significantly less vitamin A than one grown in the 1950s. Similar trends might apply to vitamin C content. Other studies suggest American produce contains about 30 percent less vitamin C than it did 70 years ago. Plus, there are nine types of vitamin C; foods rich in one type might not be rich in others. While current recommendations suggest around 90 milligrams per day for men and up to 120 milligrams for breastfeeding mothers are enough to prevent deficiencies like scurvy, optimal doses could be higher if aiming for benefits like those observed in this study. Interestingly, bell peppers contain some of the highest amounts of vitamin C per calorie among commonly consumed produce, not oranges or lemons as many might assume. This research sheds light on how even something as simple as adjusting dietary intake could help maintain healthier skin as we age.
Score (96)
Can Sound Waves Shape Your Body? New Study Suggests Surprising Benefits
It seems your body might be more responsive to sounds than you'd think. Recent research from Kyoto University has uncovered a surprising link between audible sound and gene activity in mouse cells. This finding could lead to exciting new medical applications, according to the study published in Communications Biology. Scientists have long known that ultrasound can influence biological processes, but this study shifts the focus to sounds within the range of human hearing. Masahiro Kumeta, a biologist at Kyoto University, and his team experimented with cultured mouse myoblast cells by exposing them to different sound frequencies. They used a low frequency of 440 hertz (the A above middle C), a high frequency of 14 kilohertz, and white noise for either two or 24 hours. The researchers discovered that over 100 genes showed changes in activity due to these acoustic waves. Many of these genes are involved in essential processes such as cell adhesion and migration, which respond to mechanical forces. Sound increased the size of attachment sites where cells connect to surrounding tissues. This effect is likely due to an enzyme known as focal adhesion kinase (FAK). FAK senses mechanical forces and plays a role in tissue development by influencing other genes' activity. Interestingly, sound also affected fat-cell precursors called preadipocytes. The exposure suppressed their differentiation into mature fat cells, leading to a reduction in fat accumulation by around 13 to 15 percent. Kumeta highlights that audible sound is noninvasive and probably safer than drugs. While it lacks the precise focus of ultrasound, it's easy to generate and could potentially cover large areas of the body with sonic waves. His team is already investigating how this approach might suppress fat tissue development in living mice. Looking ahead, Kumeta sees possibilities for using this method on humans if results continue positively with mice: "If it works well in mice I think this could be achieved in five or ten years," he says. Other potential applications might include advancing regenerative medicine and tackling cancer growth. As research progresses, scientists like Kumeta remain optimistic about moving from cellular studies to human organoids that model diseases—and eventually clinical studies—to explore the full potential of sound-based treatments.