Scroll For More
Score (98)
This Ultra-White Paint is Cooling Homes for Low-Income Families in India
In India's Thar Desert, an uplifting initiative by the Mahila Housing Trust (MHT) is providing hundreds of poor women with cans of solar-reflecting white paint to coat their roofs. This simple yet effective solution helps cool the living areas by reflecting the sun's radiation, reducing temperatures by up to 7.2°F (4°C). The impact has been transformative, enabling families to withstand the scorching heat and engage in activities that were previously impossible, such as studying and working, ultimately improving their quality of life.
Score (96)
Ryan Reynolds says 'Green Lantern' flopped—but taught him everything he needed to succeed
Ryan Reynolds isn’t running from Green Lantern—he’s owning it. At The Wall Street Journal's CMO Council Summit on Nov. 18, the actor opened up about the 2011 superhero film that’s widely seen as one of the biggest flops of his career. But for Reynolds, it wasn’t just a failure. It was a turning point. "Creatively speaking, it's hard to say. Someone might say Green Lantern," he said with a grin, when asked to name a past misstep that turned into a valuable lesson. “You laugh, but my son, it's his favorite movie, and he watches it every f------ day,” he added, to laughter from the audience. “Do you understand the work I've had to do to get to the place where I can just pass by that screen and not go, 'Well, we could have [done something to make it better]?' ” Green Lantern, which starred Reynolds alongside Blake Lively, bombed with both critics and audiences when it hit theaters in 2011. But it was also where Reynolds met Lively, now his wife and the mother of their four children. Back then, Reynolds said, he didn’t have much creative control—and that left a lasting impression. “That was a time in my life when I was 'Yes, sir, no, sir. How high can I jump, sir?’” he said. “You sit there and you go, ‘I have really strong thoughts and opinions on a creative matter,’ and someone else on another movie made a creative decision, and I thought, ‘Well, that’s a nail in a coffin that I alone will lie in.’” Reynolds said the failure taught him one of the most important lessons of his career: take ownership. “They don’t say ‘This producer’s movie flopped’ or ‘This director’s [movie flopped].’ That’s me. So if I’m going to be on that headline, I’d like to be the architect of my own demise—or success.” It wasn’t the first time Reynolds has reflected on what went wrong with Green Lantern. At the TIME 100 Summit earlier this year, he said the movie suffered from a bloated budget and a lack of creative focus. “Too much money, too much time wrecks creativity,” he said. “It just murders it. Constraint is the greatest creative tool you could possibly have.” At the time, he recalled watching piles of money go into special effects rather than sharpening the story or direction. Reynolds didn’t even watch the full movie until 2021—ten years after its release. But despite its commercial failure, it helped push him toward a more hands-on approach with future projects, especially Deadpool, the R-rated Marvel antihero film that turned him into a global box office star. Now, more than a decade later, Reynolds is the first to admit the movie didn’t work. But he’s also not sorry it happened. After all, it gave him some of the biggest lessons of his career—and his family. He and Lively, who wed in 2012, now share four children: James, 10, Inez, 9, Betty, 6, and Olin, 2. So yes, Green Lantern may not have aged well. But in the Reynolds household, at least one fan watches it every single day.
Score (98)
At 94, Anne Twitchell donates 105 acres to protect New Hampshire wildlife and water
Anne Twitchell isn’t just leaving behind a legacy—she’s protecting one. The 94-year-old from Peterborough, New Hampshire, has donated 105 acres of land to the Monadnock Conservancy, ensuring that forests, wetlands, and waterways in Fitzwilliam will remain untouched and preserved for generations to come. Her gift includes two parcels: one 84-acre stretch that contains forested wetlands, a stream, and habitat for local wildlife; the other 21 acres, with two streams that play a critical role in supporting the town’s water supply. “I am pleased that Monadnock Conservancy will be the guardian of these two lots in Fitzwilliam,” Twitchell told the Keene Sentinel. “They will be carrying on the forestry practices that David Kent has done for the past number of years and the wildlife will continue to have a home.” The land has been in Twitchell’s family for over a century. Now, she’s made sure it will stay wild and protected. Anne McBride, the Conservancy’s land protection director, called the donation an incredible gift. “We are hugely grateful to Anne for these gifts of land,” she said. “We look forward to continuing her thoughtful stewardship of sustainable forestry and maintaining important wildlife habitat.” The Monadnock Conservancy focuses on land conservation across southwestern New Hampshire. Their work goes beyond simply preserving open space—they restore native habitats, maintain hiking trails, protect water quality, and offer educational programs, especially for children. That means Twitchell’s donation won’t just sit idle. It will be actively cared for and used as a resource for both the environment and the community. Mount Monadnock itself is a major focus of the Conservancy’s efforts. The mountain’s summit was left bare after fires in the 1800s, but further down the slopes are alpine bogs and rich ecosystems that need protection. In 1987, the area was designated a National Natural Landmark. By preserving key watersheds and wildlife corridors, contributions like Twitchell’s help secure the environmental health of the entire region. And while few people have 105 acres to give away, the Conservancy says everyone can make a difference—whether by donating, volunteering, or simply caring for the land around them. Twitchell’s gift may be rooted in family history, but its impact will stretch far beyond it. Thanks to her, the forests and streams of Fitzwilliam have a future.
Get even more good news on the free app!
Score (98)
This Border Collie Knows 220 Toy Names — and He’s Helping Scientists Study Dog Intelligence
Harvey might just be the smartest dog in Britain — and scientists are taking notice. The seven-year-old border collie, who lives in Reading, has memorized the names of about 220 different toys and can fetch each one on command. His skill isn’t just a party trick. Researchers say it could unlock new ways to identify and train other highly intelligent dogs. Dr Juliane Kaminski, a dog cognition expert at the University of Portsmouth, has spent years studying dogs like Harvey. In a joint project with the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena in Germany, her team found only 10 dogs worldwide that can reliably associate hundreds of spoken words with specific objects. “I have spoken to people who proactively try to train their dogs and I thought: ‘this is really hard,’” Kaminski said. “It’s not something that you can train any dog [to do].” That led her to a key question: “Is there something about these dogs that is different… something that is special, something that is unique about them in terms of their cognition?” The study found that certain traits — like curiosity and a drive to engage with objects — were critical for dogs that excel at label learning, the ability to link words with items. Harvey checks all the boxes. His owner, Irene Hewlett, has been playing retrieval games with him since he was a puppy, giving commands in both Dutch and English. At home, the floor is often scattered with plush animals, ropes, and chew toys — all of which he knows by name. “We play this game all day so it’s kind of his job,” Hewlett said. “Border collies are working dogs so they need a job to keep their minds occupied to make sure they don’t do naughty things. He plays this all day.” For Harvey, it’s a game. For researchers, it could lead to something more. Dr Kaminski believes dogs like Harvey could help charities and service dog organizations improve how they train animals to assist people in their homes — particularly individuals who could benefit from a dog that can understand and retrieve items by name. “If we could identify these dogs, we could then work with charities to train dogs to assist people in their homes,” she said. “For charities to train any dogs, it’s quite hard. But if they have these pre-tests as a way to exclude puppies or a way to find the right puppy then that would make it easier for them.” In other words, dogs like Harvey might one day help identify future service animals — not just with their wagging tails, but with their brains.
Score (98)
This Teen Innovator Just Won a Prestigious Prize For Turning Seaweed Into a Climate Solution
At just 16, Anisha Dhoot isn’t waiting for someone else to fix the climate crisis. The high school student from Oregon has launched a sustainability project that’s already earning national attention—and delivering real-world impact. Anisha recently won the 2025 Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, an award that celebrates young people who make a positive difference. Her winning initiative, Smart Carbon Recycling, tackles two major environmental problems at once: climate change and soil degradation. Her idea? Use seaweed. Anisha developed KelpNutriBoost, a low-cost fertilizer made from seaweed collected along the Oregon coast. The fast-growing kelp captures carbon from the atmosphere efficiently, and when turned into fertilizer, helps restore damaged soils. But she didn’t stop there. To supercharge the impact, Anisha combined her kelp-based fertilizer with biochar—a charcoal-like material made from recycled plastic and treated sewage. The result is a mix that not only nourishes crops, but also locks carbon into the soil. Anisha says the project was born from a simple but urgent concern. “Climate change is real, and we must do everything in our power to ensure that human beings don't destroy this beautiful planet,” she said. Her work goes beyond chemistry and biology. She also created Earth-AI, a digital tool that predicts which crops will grow best based on local soil and climate conditions. Anisha taught herself how to code by taking online courses, eventually building an AI model accurate enough to help farmers make planting decisions. Her goal is to make the app accessible via smartphones—especially for small-scale farmers in developing countries. “I want to share my passion, spread awareness, and inspire other people to act,” Anisha said. Back home in Oregon, she’s already making that happen. She distributes her fertilizer to local farms and raises awareness through fundraisers. And now, with the $10,000 prize money from the Barron Prize, she plans to take her project even further. In an interview, she said she hopes to spend the next 15 years becoming “a successful STEM professional working in a technology company on some of the world's hardest problems to improve the life of every person on Earth.” Anisha’s story is part of a larger wave of young climate leaders stepping up around the world—developing solutions, mobilizing communities, and rethinking the way we live on a rapidly warming planet. “As a community, if we all work together, we can actually make a real impact,” she said. “I can’t wait to see what comes next.”
Score (97)
New Alzheimer’s study shows brain cells can ‘vacuum’ toxic plaques—if given the right boost
In a promising new development for Alzheimer’s research, scientists at Baylor College of Medicine have found a way to supercharge the brain’s own clean-up crew—potentially reversing memory loss and slowing disease progression. The research, published in Nature Neuroscience, focuses on astrocytes, star-shaped brain cells that handle maintenance tasks like clearing out waste and supporting memory. In mice with symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s disease, researchers discovered that a protein called Sox9 can push these cells into overdrive, helping them remove the toxic clumps of amyloid-beta plaques more efficiently. “Most current treatments focus on neurons or try to prevent the formation of amyloid plaques,” said neuroscientist Benjamin Deneen, one of the study’s authors. “This study suggests that enhancing astrocytes’ natural ability to clean up could be just as important.” In Alzheimer’s, the buildup of amyloid-beta plaques is widely believed to damage neurons and lead to cognitive decline. While it’s still debated whether these clumps are a cause or a symptom of the disease, they remain a primary target for many drug therapies. This new study offers a different approach—rather than prevent plaques, it aims to empower the cells responsible for removing them. Lead researcher Dong-Joo Choi, now at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, explained that as the brain ages, astrocytes lose some of their efficiency, but boosting Sox9 levels appeared to reinvigorate them. “As the brain ages, astrocytes show profound functional alterations. However, the role these alterations play in aging and neurodegeneration is not yet understood,” Choi said. The researchers found that increasing Sox9 led to greater expression of a receptor called MEGF10, which astrocytes use to identify and absorb waste—including amyloid-beta. In mouse trials, the animals not only had fewer plaques in their brains, they also performed better in memory and behavioral tests after receiving the treatment. Critically, the study didn’t just look at prevention. The mice used in the trials already had cognitive impairment and plaque build-up, a scenario that mirrors the reality faced by many people already living with Alzheimer’s. “We believe these models are more relevant to what we see in many patients with Alzheimer’s disease symptoms than other models in which these types of experiments are conducted before the plaques form,” Choi said. To confirm the importance of Sox9, the team also genetically engineered mice to remove the protein. Those mice fared worse—showing poorer memory and more plaque accumulation—suggesting that Sox9 isn’t just helpful, it may be essential for astrocyte health in the face of Alzheimer’s. Interestingly, previous research has found elevated levels of Sox9 in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. That might indicate the brain’s own attempt to fight back against plaque build-up—an effort this new study could help boost or replicate with targeted therapies. While these results are still in the early stages and were tested only in mice, the findings open the door to a new type of treatment—one that doesn’t rely solely on targeting neurons or halting plaque formation, but instead supports the body’s own waste-removal systems. With the field of Alzheimer’s research rapidly expanding, and multiple strategies being explored at once, it’s clear that no single answer will solve this complex disease. But studies like this one bring scientists a step closer to understanding the full picture—and finding new ways to intervene. For now, the next step is translating these findings into human trials, something the researchers hope can happen in the near future.
Score (98)
8-Year-Old Boy Who Saved His Mum’s Life Turns on Town’s Christmas Lights
Eight-year-old Jacob didn’t just save his mum’s life—he also brought Christmas to his town. The schoolboy was given the honour of switching on the Christmas lights in Loughborough on Friday, weeks after calling an ambulance when his mum, Hollie, collapsed at home in October. Hollie had gone into septic shock, a life-threatening complication of infection that can cause blood pressure to drop to dangerously low levels. She’s now recovering and awaiting surgery, but says she owes everything to her son. “Jacob is a star and I couldn’t be happier for him,” she said. “He’ll never know how grateful I am that he called the ambulance for me, but he knows how proud I am of him for being such a brilliant boy.” Jacob’s quick thinking earned him the top spot in Charnwood Borough Council’s Light Up Loughborough competition, which recognizes local heroes. Council officials praised his bravery and calm response during an emergency. “I don’t think he realises what he did and how important it was,” Hollie told the BBC. That night in October, Jacob didn’t panic. He called emergency services, opened the door for paramedics, and held his mother’s hand until help arrived. “He told me he was scared but he held my hand and sat with me until the ambulance came,” Hollie recalled. “He was watching it the whole time, he didn’t take his eyes off me.” Jacob admitted he was frightened. “It was hard to see Mum that way, but I used courage,” he said. Now fully in the holiday spirit, Jacob stood proudly in the town centre on Friday to flip the switch and light up the town—a symbolic reward for the life-saving act that made him a local hero. It’s not the first time a member of Jacob’s family has taken part in the tradition. His dad, Chris, also helped turn on the lights back in 1998. Now, watching his son take the stage, he said he couldn’t be prouder. “He makes me proud every day, but that was an amazing thing that he did,” the 41-year-old said. As Hollie continues her recovery, Jacob’s actions remain a reminder of just how much can depend on one small person with the courage to act.
Score (94)
Tattoo Artist Celebrates Young Prodigy by Inking 6-Year-Old's Design
Marlon Blake has spent over a decade inking skin at Iron Palm Tattoo Studio in Atlanta, but he says the work still feels more like play than a job. “I literally get the opportunity to wake up, come to work, draw on people,” he said. “That’s when the job becomes less of a job and more just fun.” But recently, Blake came across a drawing that stopped him in his tracks. “It absolutely blew me away,” he said. The artwork wasn’t from a seasoned tattoo apprentice or a fellow artist—it was from a 6-year-old named Sage Williams. Sage entered Blake’s annual tattoo drawing competition, which invites aspiring artists to submit original designs. The winner’s piece typically gets tattooed on a willing client. But this year, no one volunteered to get Sage’s design. So Blake stepped in himself. “What he submitted was like, okay, this can’t be real,” Blake said. Sage might be small, but his confidence is outsized. “I’m only like 6 years old. I’m only still a kid,” he said. “Yeah! He’s only 6 years old,” Blake echoed, laughing. Art comes naturally to Sage. His dad helps guide him, but Sage is clear about where the talent lies. “I’m just very intelligent,” he said. He’s not wrong. One of his paintings now hangs proudly inside Iron Palm Tattoo Studio, where customers can admire the young artist’s work while they wait for their own designs. “I worked very hard for this,” Sage said. “You just have to practice a lot.” Blake saw something familiar in the boy’s early talent. “Around that age is when I realized that I had the talent as an artist,” Blake said. “Seeing that in that kid, I would like to be a part of his life.” Or maybe, Blake said, it’s Sage who’s become part of his. Blake decided to tattoo Sage’s winning design onto himself, making it a permanent tribute—not just to the drawing, but to the young artist who made it. “This is me begging you, Sage, to take your art serious, follow through with it, don’t look nowhere else,” he told him. It’s a reminder that inspiration can come from anywhere, even from someone who’s still figuring out how to spell "tattoo."
Score (96)
UK Becomes First Major Economy to Halt New Oil and Gas Licences in North Sea
The UK government has confirmed it will issue no new oil and gas exploration licences in the North Sea, a decision environmental groups are calling historic. In response to the government’s North Sea Future Plan, Greenpeace UK said the move signals a turning point for the country’s energy future and its climate commitments. “Britain has just made history,” said Areeba Hamid, co-executive director of Greenpeace UK. “Closing the door to new exploration marks the beginning of the end of oil and gas in this country. By standing firm on its manifesto promise, the government has shown genuine global climate leadership, making the UK the world’s largest economy to call time on new fossil fuel exploration.” The announcement puts the UK at the forefront of a growing international push to phase out fossil fuels. It comes amid mounting pressure to meet emissions targets and shift to renewable energy, especially as the impacts of the climate crisis become more visible and costly. But while the move to halt new exploration has been praised, Greenpeace also raised concerns about the government’s support for workers currently in the oil and gas industry. “The current plan – and the cash – to support North Sea workers doesn’t go far enough,” Hamid said. “It’s vital they are at the heart of Britain’s transition to a clean-energy superpower, not left behind by it – but a £20 million jobs package doesn’t cut the mustard.” According to Greenpeace, oil and gas production has contributed significantly to both climate breakdown and the UK’s ongoing energy price crisis. The group argues that continued reliance on fossil fuels leaves households vulnerable to volatile prices, while enriching oil giants. “The future of Britain’s energy is and needs to be clean, stable, home-grown renewables – not expensive, volatile, climate-wrecking fossil fuels,” Hamid said. She called on the government to back up its announcement with stronger investment in renewable infrastructure and job training for workers currently in fossil fuel industries. “A fair transition will create thousands of new jobs, strengthen communities, and prove that climate leadership and economic security can go hand in hand.”
Score (99)
She Delivers Homemade Breakfasts to the Homeless, One Loving Plate at a Time
Every Monday at dawn, 76-year-old Janai Mestrovich is already in the kitchen. By 5 a.m., she’s finishing up scrambled egg and beef burritos, laying out fresh fruit, and adding pastries and sausage to 30 colorful plates — breakfasts made not just to nourish, but to feel like home. For nearly two years, Mestrovich has followed the same early-morning routine, bringing hot meals to people experiencing homelessness in Ashland, Oregon. What began with just a dozen plates has more than doubled as the need has grown. “Homeless people don’t have a lot of choices,” she said. “I do this like I do it for my family. What would I want my family to be receiving?” She makes every plate herself, often staying up the night before to prep ingredients. She shops, cooks, and delivers — all as a one-woman operation, though friends and strangers pitch in by donating food and money. Her goal isn’t just to fill stomachs, but to provide dignity through food that looks and tastes like care. “I want it to be appetizing,” she said. “It’s colorful. It’s something you’d want to eat.” Before she leaves, Mestrovich sings a blessing. “I love my heart and soul. I love all humanity. Join hearts and souls together. Love, peace, and harmony,” she sings, quietly but purposefully, over the trays. Then she heads out to the night lawn — a patch of public space where dozens of people now live in tents, despite the cold and rain. Some come to her car as soon as she pulls up. Others she visits directly, walking from tent to tent, handing out meals, coats, and even toys. She brings a gift for one resident’s child and checks if others have what they need to stay warm. Her colorful hats — a signature accessory — make her easy to spot. But it’s the love in the food and her presence that people remember. “She always brings breakfast made with love,” said one resident. The Monday breakfasts are just one piece of Mestrovich’s volunteer work. She also runs Superkid Power, Inc., a nonprofit that helps children learn compassion and emotional resilience. Each year, she also transforms into the “Christmas Fairy,” giving out toys and clothes during the holidays. Her drive to help others goes back to early childhood. “When I was between two and three years old, I remember hearing a voice — it wasn’t my parents or anything — that said, ‘You were born to help.’ I trust that,” she said. Despite ongoing efforts from volunteers like Mestrovich, homelessness in Ashland remains dire. Many residents, including former healthcare workers like Denise Gerkey, have been living without housing for months or longer. “It’s the most difficult experience of my life,” said Gerkey, who was a radiology technician before becoming homeless. She believes the crisis is being normalized — and ignored. “It’s really not a political issue. It’s not a financial issue. It’s a humanitarian issue,” she said. “And it’s getting out of control.” Ashland is preparing to open a new winter shelter on December 5, operated by Opportunities for Housing, Resources, and Assistance (OHRA). But even with that addition, the city’s year-round 72-bed facility remains full. For many, the night lawn remains their only option. Still, Mestrovich is there, rain or shine, every Monday — showing up, bringing breakfast, and reminding people they haven’t been forgotten. “I have unlimited compassion,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to help. And I always will.”
Score (97)
Polly the Golden Retriever Honoured After Her Barking Saved Her Owner’s Life
When Hannah Cooke woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of her dog barking, she thought it was just a disturbance. But that bark may have saved her husband’s life. Hannah and her husband Adam, from Ballinamallard in County Fermanagh, are convinced their four-year-old golden retriever Polly sensed something was wrong before anyone else did. Moments after Polly’s bark, Hannah turned to find Adam breathing abnormally. Then he stopped breathing altogether. “I used to be a carer and I’ve been with people at the end of their life, so I know what that end-of-life breathing is like,” she said. “If anyone has heard it, you’ll never hear anything like it.” Despite believing she might be losing him, Hannah acted fast. She began performing CPR until the ambulance arrived. Paramedics shocked Adam with a defibrillator seven times en route to the hospital. He woke up six days later. Adam was just 37 years old and a keen runner. Doctors later diagnosed him with dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition that affects the heart’s ability to pump blood. He now has an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) fitted to help manage his heart rhythm. He credits Hannah’s quick action — and Polly’s warning bark — with saving his life. “Polly is a part of the family, so I just wasn’t shocked when I heard she had such a big role to play,” Adam said. “I cried, I was in tears. I think she was too.” The reunion between Adam and Polly after his time in hospital was, in his words, emotional. “She was whimpering because I think she was thinking, ‘Wow, you’re back home. I didn’t think you’d be back here.’” Hannah believes Polly sensed the cardiac arrest before it was even underway. “She is so in tune with Adam. After she barked, she was silent. I would say Polly knew before it was even happening,” she said. “I love her to bits. She is the best dog in the world.” This week, Polly was honoured with a “CPR Hero” medal as part of the British Heart Foundation’s annual Heart Hero Awards. While she didn’t travel to the ceremony in London, her medal was presented at her favourite walking spot near home. “Neither of us did anything special,” said Hannah, “but we did it together.” The British Heart Foundation hopes stories like Polly’s will encourage more people to learn CPR. “In the UK every year there are 40,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. Fewer than one in ten will survive,” said Fearghal McKinney from the charity. “For every minute that passes after a cardiac arrest, the chances of survival decrease by up to 10 per cent. That’s a vital window, so more people having confidence to intervene will save lives.” Adam nominated both Hannah and Polly for the award. “They are heroes,” he said. “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them.” According to dog behaviourist Louise Glazebrook, the instincts Polly showed aren’t entirely surprising. “Dogs are constantly picking up signals from us that we as humans either don’t understand or we don’t see them do it,” she explained. “Dogs have something like 220 million scent receptors and we have around five million.” She added that dogs are already being trained in disease detection — but Polly’s natural reaction was extraordinary. “This is incredible. Polly managed to save a life and change the trajectory of that life forever.” So how is the canine hero handling the fame? “She loves attention, she always has since day one,” Adam said. “In her mind she’s number one — even though we have a son, and another child on the way.” And at home, there’s no doubt who’s in charge. As Hannah puts it, “Polly rules the house.”