How These Schools Are Helping Kids Reconnect With Nature And The Outdoors

Of 200 UK schools surveyed by the Forest School Association, as many as two-thirds have reported an increase in demand for places since March 2020. Some say they are booked solid for the foreseeable future, and many expect the boom to continue. The Forest School movement arrived in the UK fewer than 30 years ago from Scandinavia.

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Ronnie Wood Marks 50 Years With the Rolling Stones by Painting the Band That Made Him a Legend

**Ronnie Wood Marks 50 Years With the Rolling Stones by Painting the Band That Made Him a Legend** Five decades ago, Ronnie Wood officially joined the Rolling Stones. This year, he’s marking that milestone not with a guitar riff, but with a brushstroke. To celebrate his 50th anniversary with the band, Wood has released a new set of artworks titled *Paint It Black*, now on view at Redhouse Gallery in Harrogate, U.K. Each piece captures his iconic bandmates in bold, expressive portraits — Mick Jagger in full swagger, Keith Richards caught mid-balance with his guitar, and Wood himself leaning toward an unseen audience. Charlie Watts is there too, frozen in motion with a drumstick in hand. The images are high-energy, rendered in a loose, almost improvisational style against black backdrops. It’s a fitting visual metaphor for the music that’s defined Wood’s life for half a century. Signed and personalized prints of the series are available in limited editions of 100, each priced at £1,250 (about $1,630). In a statement, Wood described how his art echoes his music: “I apply musical theory to my art. I build limited editions in much the same way as studio overdubs; the more defined ones are things that stand out in the mix.” The release coincides with the reissue of *Black and Blue* (1976), the first Stones album on which Wood played as an official member. At the time, he was in competition for the job after Mick Taylor’s departure in 1974. What clinched it, Wood says, was “the ancient art of weaving,” referring to the famously seamless interplay between his and Keith Richards’s guitars. That, and, as he put it, his “musical versatility and bonhomie.” Wood’s creative career, though, didn’t begin with music. He’s been painting since childhood — longer than he’s played guitar — and attended Ealing Art College before fully diving into the rock world. Raised in a West London home where music and design coexisted, he was immersed in the arts from an early age. His website hosts works dating back to the 1970s, covering everything from trees and racehorses to nudes, guitars, flowers, and celebrity portraits, including Robert De Niro. Wood’s range doesn’t stop at the canvas. He’s also worked in bronze, sculpting torsos, horses, and even a rhinoceros. In 2020, a major show of his paintings and sculptures in Hertfordshire raised funds for the U.K.’s National Health Service. Not all critics have been kind. When Wood reimagined Picasso’s *Guernica* with the Stones at its center, *The Guardian*’s Jonathan Jones called it a mix of fascination and horror. “The Rolling Stones are the sexiest and most demonic rock band in history,” Jones wrote. “And Ronnie Wood seems as entranced and appalled by their devilish antics as any bystander.” Still, Wood has never shied away from putting his band on canvas. For the man who helped write the wistful lyrics to *Ooh La La* at 26 — “I wish that I knew what I know now, when I was younger” — 50 years of perspective seems to have only deepened his need to document. Now 76, Wood continues to balance his dual roles as rock star and visual artist, still finding new ways to express the legacy he helped shape — this time, with paint instead of sound.

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‘I Brought in a Dead Child’: Long Island Mom Reunites With Medical Team That Saved Her Son’s Life

Jack Carlin looks like any other 4-year-old boy — full of energy and obsessed with monster trucks. But just over a year ago, his life nearly ended in the back seat of his mother’s car. In July 2024, what began as a routine trip to the hospital turned into a nightmare when Jack suddenly stopped breathing on the way to Huntington Hospital in Suffolk County. By the time he arrived, his lips were turning blue. He had no pulse. “I brought in a dead child,” said his mother, Maria Carlin. “And they brought him back to life.” Maria, a nurse, had recognized the signs of what she thought was croup, something she'd seen before. But during the 10-minute drive from their home in Lloyd Harbor, Jack’s condition rapidly worsened. At the halfway point, he went limp. “None of my choices at the time were ideal,” she said, her voice breaking. “They were terrible, but I had to decide.” On a dark road, with no good options, she chose to keep driving. “It was horrible making this decision,” she said, recalling the terrifying ride. When she pulled up to the hospital, ER doctor Jennifer Gibb and her team were waiting. Within minutes, they had revived Jack. “This is exactly why I do what I do,” said Gibb. But even for experienced staff, the moment hit hard. “The mom started cheering him on, saying, ‘C’mon Jack,’ and then it hit me — that human emotion,” Gibb said. “I got choked up because my own son’s name is Jack.” Jack was quickly transferred to Cohen Children’s Hospital, where doctors discovered the cause of his cardiac arrest: a rare and serious separation between his trachea and esophagus. He underwent surgery, made a full recovery, and went back to being a kid — racing trucks and asking big questions. One of those questions is something his mother says she’ll never forget. “He turned to me and he said, ‘Mommy, why didn’t you want me to go to heaven?’” Now healthy, Jack returned to Huntington Hospital on Wednesday to say thank you to the team that saved him. “Thank you so much,” he said shyly, prompting smiles and applause from the room. His father remembers the first thing Jack said after waking up in the hospital. “He just looked up at me and was just like, ‘Dad, can I have a hug?’” he said. “It was like he never missed a beat.” For the Carlins, the reunion was a celebration — but also a powerful reminder of just how close they came to losing their son. And for the medical team, it was a rare chance to witness the impact of what they do. Jack is now back to being a regular kid with a second chance — and a monster truck collection to prove it.

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A Single Particle, a Tiny Spark: Could This Be the Key to Understanding Lightning?

For all we know about galaxies billions of light-years away, one of nature’s most dramatic displays — lightning — remains a mystery much closer to home. Now, a curious accident in an Austrian lab might have nudged science a step closer to solving it. When physicist Andrea Stöllner at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria set out to study how light-based tweezers charge tiny particles, she didn’t expect her work to touch on the origins of lightning. But when things didn’t go quite as planned, she stumbled into something bigger: an ultra-precise method to study how particles charge and discharge — possibly mimicking what happens in the early stages of a lightning strike. One of Science’s Big Unsolved Puzzles Despite decades of research and millions of lightning bolts striking Earth every day, scientists still don’t fully understand how lightning begins. The basic setup is clear: inside thunderclouds, ice crystals and soft hail (called graupel) collide, separating positive and negative charges and creating electric fields. But the catch is that the fields measured inside clouds are much weaker than what should be needed to make lightning happen. “This suggests that there is either something wrong with our measurements,” wrote lightning experts Joseph Dwyer and Martin Uman in 2014, “or there is something wrong with our understanding of how electrical discharges occur in the thunderstorm environment.” That gap in understanding has fueled theories involving high-energy cosmic rays, hidden charge pockets, or the idea that ice crystals might act as the first trigger for the massive electrical cascade that follows. Tiny Particle, Big Potential Enter Stöllner, a PhD student working with physicist Scott Waitukaitis and climate scientist Caroline Muller. In a new study, her team used laser tweezers to trap a microscopic silica particle — smaller than a speck of dust — and study how it builds up electric charge. As they increased the laser’s intensity, the particle began to shake inside the electric field. That movement gave them a precise way to measure its charge. It turns out that the particle likely absorbs two photons from the laser, kicking off electrons and becoming positively charged. But then came the surprise: after days of stable measurements, the particle would suddenly discharge — a rapid, spontaneous drop in charge. It wasn’t supposed to happen, and it was eerily similar, on a vastly smaller scale, to what might trigger lightning. “We don’t know how it happens,” Stöllner said. “But basically, the charge just drops very quickly.” That mystery discharge became the team’s new focus. Why This Matters for Lightning Science Lightning is complex. Most lab experiments to simulate it use strong electric fields and metal electrodes — a setup far removed from the messy reality of a cloud. What makes Stöllner’s method different is its precision and realism. The particle hovers in air, not attached to wires. The electric fields are weaker, more like the ones measured inside actual clouds. And the system is small enough to pick up subtle effects missed in larger experiments. “This is exactly the level of precision needed,” said Dan Daniel, a physicist at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, who was not involved in the study. “It’s a step toward a truly microscopic understanding of lightning.” He added that the technique could help scientists study how water droplets or ice crystals — key players in thunderclouds — get charged. More Than Just Lightning While the link to lightning is still speculative, the implications stretch far beyond weather. The way particles get charged or discharged is also a factor in atmospheric science, planetary research, and even space exploration. Lunar dust, for example, gets charged under ultraviolet light and solar winds, causing it to levitate and interfere with equipment — a real problem for future Moon missions. Stöllner’s system could help probe that phenomenon too. For now, she’s continuing to study what causes the spontaneous discharges. Could it be the size of the particle? The humidity or pressure in the chamber? She’s testing them all. “In one way, it’s a limitation,” she admits. “Ten electrons doesn’t make lightning. But it’s a very high-resolution way to probe this charging and discharging of a single particle.” And sometimes, in science, that’s all it takes — one particle, one idea, one spark — to light the way.

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Rescue Team Saves Young Dog Named Snow From 50-Foot Well In Romania

A young dog was saved after falling into a well in an abandoned yard in early November, according to Romanian authorities who posted this heartwarming footage of the rescue operation. Emergency officials in the Tulcea region said the female dog tumbled into the well, which was about 50 feet (15 meters) deep, in the town of Valea Nucarilor, and that she “wouldn’t have stood a chance” of getting out had she not been spotted. Footage shows a member of an emergency response team using ropes to rappel down to the dog, then hoisting her back up to safety. The dog, who was later named Snow by her rescuers, was “brave and cooperative” throughout the operation, authorities said. The well was “secured” to prevent further accidents, they added.

A Breakthrough Blood Test Can Predict Diseases 10 Years Before Symptoms Appear

he future of medicine might start with a drop of blood. Scientists say a groundbreaking new dataset — the world’s largest of its kind — could soon lead to pinprick tests capable of detecting early signs of diseases like cancer, dementia, heart disease and diabetes up to a decade before symptoms appear. The advance comes from the UK Biobank’s newly completed project, which measured nearly 250 key proteins, fats, sugars and other molecules in blood samples taken from 500,000 volunteers. The resulting metabolic profiles offer a detailed snapshot of each person’s health and how their body is functioning at a molecular level. “It’s going to be a real gamechanger for our work,” said Dr Joy Edwards-Hicks of the University of Edinburgh, who studies how blood metabolites influence the immune system. “If we have early predictors of disease, we can tell someone in their 40s that their biomarkers are not looking good for their age and advise on changes they could make.” Unlike static genetic tests, metabolic profiles capture the influence of both genes and environment — including diet, exercise, pollution, stress, and medications. And because these profiles change over time, they can provide a real-time window into how the body responds to damage, disease, or recovery. Working with Finnish company Nightingale Health, UK Biobank scientists measured hundreds of molecules involved in energy production, hormone regulation, tissue repair and waste clearance. When organs fail or malfunction, these compounds shift in detectable ways. A damaged liver can raise ammonia levels; failing kidneys increase urea and creatine; muscle damage shows up in lactate; cancer drives higher glucose uptake. “These metabolic profiles capture all of the genetic predisposition and the downstream consequences of that, as well as the environmental exposures,” said Dr Julian Mutz of King’s College London. “It gives us a snapshot of a person’s physiological state.” Researchers like Dr Mutz are already using the profiles to study dementia risk, with hopes that tests could one day flag warning signs 10 to 15 years before memory loss begins. That kind of lead time would allow for earlier interventions and lifestyle changes to reduce long-term risk. Others are using the data to study how diseases progress differently across sexes. Dr Najaf Amin, a molecular epidemiologist at the University of Oxford, said early analysis has revealed differences in how men and women age and how they respond to medications. Her team plans to investigate further, looking at whether certain treatments work better for one sex than the other. The UK Biobank, which began recruiting volunteers in 2006, has long been a key resource for medical research. It links detailed health records with genetic, imaging, and now metabolic data — giving scientists an unparalleled look at how biology and lifestyle combine to shape health outcomes. Prof Naomi Allen, chief scientist at the UK Biobank, said the new data could help researchers understand how diseases start and evolve, and how effective treatments really are. “Studying metabolites is a powerful way to unveil new warning signs of disease,” she said. While some metabolic data has been available to researchers in the past, having access to full profiles for half a million people is expected to accelerate the development of early diagnostic tools — including simple blood tests that could be taken at home or in a GP’s office. That shift could have major implications for healthcare systems by allowing doctors to focus more on prevention than treatment. “It fits with the model of prevention that we are moving towards,” said Dr Edwards-Hicks. “To be able to send off a little pinprick blood sample and get an idea of your health — that’s where we’re headed.”

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WWII Vet Runs Across America... Again

When a man running around the world passed through Prescott, Arizona, Ernie Andrus stood cheering on the sidelines — but something stirred inside him. “That sounds like something I’d like to do,” he thought. Then came the twist: “But I want to do something nobody else has ever done.” And so, at 90 years old, Ernie decided to run across America. A Navy veteran of World War II, Ernie had always been driven by purpose. After serving as a medic aboard a tank-carrying LST ship in the South Pacific, he never lost his connection to that vessel — or to the soldiers who served aboard ships like it. When he learned he could become the oldest person to run coast to coast, he saw an opportunity to turn the feat into something bigger. “If I run cross-country, maybe I can raise money for our ship,” he reasoned. That ship was the USS LST-325 — the last of its kind — which Ernie and other veterans had helped restore and sail from Crete to Indiana, where it became a museum. His dream was to send it back across the Atlantic for the 75th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy. That mission would cost millions. But Ernie, who once joined the Navy the moment he was old enough after Pearl Harbor, wasn’t one to back down from a challenge. Despite his children’s worries — “You can’t do that. That’s impossible!” — Ernie remembered his mother’s words: “There’s no such thing as can’t.” And so, on October 7, 2013, two months after his 90th birthday, he dipped his toes into the Pacific Ocean near San Diego and began a nearly 3,000-mile journey. Three times a week, Ernie walked and jogged 3 to 5 miles, hitchhiking back to his RV after each stretch and driving to the next starting point. Over time, he met strangers who became friends and supporters. His determination was steady: “I am determined to finish no matter what.” Nearly three years later, on August 20, 2016 — just one day after turning 93 — Ernie completed the journey at the Atlantic Ocean in Georgia. A crowd of 2,000 cheered him in. He raised $33,000 for the LST-325. It wasn’t enough to send the ship to Normandy, but he donated it toward its upkeep. More importantly, he proved what grit and spirit could accomplish — and inspired thousands along the way. Back home, he wasn’t done. “I’m getting bored,” he thought. “It’s time to run back the other way.” At 95, Ernie began a second coast-to-coast trip — this time from Georgia back to San Diego. Retired firefighter John Martin joined him. They stuck to the same routine: three miles, three days a week. But in 2020, heart and back issues forced Ernie to pause. He returned home to recover. “I’m going to finish the journey for you,” John told him. And on Ernie’s 100th birthday in 2023, John made good on that promise. Together, they walked into the Pacific Ocean, side by side. Now 101, Ernie lives in an assisted living facility in Redding, California — but he’s still not sitting still. For his birthday, he organized a 1.01-mile walk at a local mall. For his 102nd? Same plan. Even if he has to do it in a wheelchair, he’s committed to showing up. “I never doubted that I could do it,” he said. “Just like when I went to war, I knew I’d survive.” His steps, his miles, his mission — they were all about honoring the past, and showing the rest of us that you’re never too old to chase something bold.

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Paralyzed Adventurer Aims To Break World Record By Sit-Skiing To South Pole

A British adventurer left paralyzed after a devastating climbing accident is preparing to attempt a world record-breaking expedition to the South Pole. Darren Edwards, 35, is aiming to become the first person to sit-ski 137 miles (222 kilometers) across Antarctica, nearly doubling the current record of 69 miles (111 kilometers). Using two specially modified poles, Edwards will ski up to ten hours a day in brutal sub-zero temperatures next month. The journey is more than just a test of endurance. It's a symbol of how far he’s come since the fall that changed his life. On August 6, 2016, during a routine rock climbing trip in North Wales, a section of rock collapsed beneath Edwards’ feet. He plummeted 100 feet and suffered a severe spinal injury, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. “I have had dark times since my accident,” said Edwards, a former mountaineer and army reservist from Shrewsbury, Shropshire. “But I’ve tried to take adversity and turn it into something positive. For me, adventure became that kind of saving grace and I just kept testing myself and proving that I can achieve things with my injury.” Since the accident, Edwards has redefined what’s possible for adaptive athletes. He’s completed some of the most grueling challenges in the UK and beyond. In 2021, he became the first disabled person to kayak the entire length of Britain — an 870-mile (1,400 km) journey from Land’s End in Cornwall to John O’Groats in northern Scotland. He also pioneered adaptive freediving in the UK and was selected for Great Britain’s Paracanoe Team. This latest challenge, skiing across Antarctica, will be supported by a team of fellow adventurers, including explorer Lucy Shepherd, Chief Scout Dwayne Fields, and award-winning filmmaker Matthew Biggar, who will document the expedition. The team is hoping to raise $100,000 for Wings for Life, a charity focused on funding research into spinal cord injury treatments. It’s a mission that feels personal, Edwards says. “It’s about showing what’s possible when you refuse to let circumstances define your limits,” he said. If successful, Edwards won’t just break a record — he’ll rewrite what’s possible for adaptive adventurers across the globe.

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Humpback Whale "Pi" Returns to Isles of Scilly, Delighting Wildlife Enthusiasts

A humpback whale known as Pi has returned to the waters off the Isles of Scilly, continuing a tradition that’s now spanned several winters. The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust confirmed the familiar visitor had once again been spotted near the islands, which sit 45 km off the Cornish coast and lie directly along the whales’ migration route. Olivia Willmore, fundraising and communications manager at the trust, called the annual sightings “absolutely wonderful.” She said, “We are so privileged to have them pass by us every single year.” The whale was identified as Pi thanks to the distinctive markings on its dorsal fin, which researchers say function much like fingerprints do for humans. Pi has been observed visiting the area in previous years, including 2023 and 2024, though the whale’s gender remains unknown. “Those markings are incredibly unique from whale to whale,” Willmore explained. While the Isles of Scilly are already known as a hotspot for seabirds and rare wildlife, the return of Pi is adding a new layer of excitement for visitors. “Some people are starting to come with the hope of whale spotting,” said Willmore. The trust hopes Pi’s return will continue to raise awareness of marine conservation and strengthen the islands’ growing appeal as a destination for wildlife watchers.

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Six-Year-Old Names Beloved Hospital Rocking Horse, Now on Display at Guildford Museum

For over half a century, a well-worn wooden rocking horse brought comfort and joy to young patients at the Royal Surrey County Hospital. Now, it's starting a new chapter — with a brand new name. Six-year-old Jack from Sandhurst won a naming competition to officially christen the horse “Alfonso,” beating out more than 50 other entries. The horse has now taken up residence at Guildford Museum, where it will feature in the museum’s Playtime! exhibition, a hands-on display of vintage toys and games running until April 11. The horse was a fixture in the children’s outpatients department for decades, often helping to distract and soothe nervous little visitors. “So many local people have fond memories of the rocking horse from their time at the hospital,” said a spokesperson for the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust. “With so much history, we are delighted it will now be preserved and enjoyed by our local community at Guildford Museum.” Tom Hunt, deputy leader of Guildford Borough Council, called Alfonso’s arrival “a wonderful example of how we can preserve and share stories from our community.” “The rocking horse holds decades of memories for local families,” he said. “We’re pleased to welcome this new addition to our museum collection and we know Alfonso will continue to bring smiles to children for years to come.” Alfonso is now part of a broader exhibition designed to be interactive for kids and nostalgic for adults — a space where toys from the past are celebrated not just as objects, but as threads in the fabric of local life. Jack, the young winner of the naming contest, hasn’t shared what inspired the name Alfonso — but museum staff say it fits the horse’s character perfectly.

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'Kendal Kingfishers': How One Man's Love for Fishing is Giving Kids a New Cast on Life

Most Sundays, rain or shine, you’ll find Kieron Banks by the River Kent with a rod in one hand and a grin on his face. The 43-year-old Kendal native, known for his deep knowledge of the riverbanks, has been fishing the local waters for over 30 years. Now, he’s passing that passion on to a new generation — for free. Banks founded the Kendal Kingfishers Fishing Club in March 2024, opening up the river to children and their families. What started with just one boy and a borrowed rod has turned into a thriving local club that’s already introduced dozens of kids to the peace and thrill of angling. “It started from one little boy who wanted to learn,” Banks said. “I knew his grandad when he was alive and he helped me on my way so I thought it only right to reciprocate.” His motivation is simple: give kids a healthy way to connect with nature, especially those who may not otherwise have the opportunity. “Fishing helped me escape estate life,” he said. “It gives you a nice place to get away from it all.” Banks has lived on the same Kendal estate for all of his 43 years. “A lot of my friends and lads I went to school with didn’t get past the age of 40. It’s tragic,” he said. For him, fishing has always been a way to find calm in the chaos. “You sit by [the river] and put your thoughts in order.” That sense of peace is something he’s now trying to share. The club meets every few weeks, welcoming kids with any level of experience. Thanks to donations from locals and nearby businesses, the club has collected about 150 fishing rods — enough for every child to have one. "I want the kids to get engaged... that's the key," Banks said. Kids like Hunter and Teddy have taken the lessons to heart. "It's fun," said Hunter. "We get to see all the fish and meet different people. I've learned to be patient." Teddy agreed, saying he’s learned how to cast a line and reel it in. “We’ve seen trout, carp and a couple of otters,” he added. Joel, who attended for the first time, said he usually fishes with a net but was excited to try using a rod. “I haven’t caught anything today, but before I’ve caught catfish, bullheads and minnows,” he said. For twins Thomas and Elijah, the best part is simple: “catching fish” and “getting wet.” Banks doesn’t just teach how to fish — he teaches how to respect the water and everything in it. All fish are caught and released, and each session includes lessons about the river’s ecosystem. “If we don’t look after the river, the stocks and watch for the pollution, eventually there won’t be any fish,” he said. “I’m a conservationist first, fisherman second.” He proudly points out the creatures the kids have spotted — otters, kingfishers, salmon, and crayfish among them. It’s not just about what they catch, but what they observe. Bailey, another young angler, said being by the river is “relaxing and quiet” with “a nice feeling of fresh air.” He added, “My dad takes me out fishing and I’d love it if we could go out more... but this club gives me more chance to fish, which makes me happy.” Banks sees every smile, tangled line, and released fish as a small victory — a chance to get kids off screens and into nature. “Fishing has helped my mental health. It gives peace and tranquility,” he said. Now, with word spreading and more families showing up each week, the Kendal Kingfishers are only growing. As Banks put it, “The river is the jewel in Kendal. And I just want more people to see it that way.”

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