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Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is celebrating a rare and hopeful milestone: the birth of twin mountain gorillas.

On January 3, trackers observed adult female Mafuko cradling two newborn males in the Bageni family, the park announced this week. “Both appeared to be in healthy condition at the time of the observation,” officials said in a release.

Twin births among mountain gorillas are exceptionally rare and can be risky for the mother and infants, especially in the first few months when the babies are fully dependent on their mother for care and transport. The park has since implemented additional monitoring and protection measures to give the newborns the best chance of survival.

Mafuko, now 22, is an experienced mother. She was born in 2003 into the Kabirizi family, but after her mother was killed in 2007, she eventually joined the Bageni family in 2013. This is her seventh birth — and her second set of twins. Her first, born in 2016, tragically died a week after birth.

The Bageni family is now the largest in the park, with 59 members.

“The birth of Mafuko’s new twins represents a major event for the dynamics of the Bageni family and for ongoing conservation efforts,” the park said. “It’s a rare and remarkable event.”

Mountain gorillas are listed as endangered by the World Wildlife Fund, with only around 1,000 remaining in the wild. More than half live in the Virunga Mountains, a volcanic range spanning parts of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.

Virunga National Park, Africa’s oldest, is a key stronghold for the species and one of the few places in the world where mountain gorillas live. The park credited the European Union and UNESCO for their continued support of conservation efforts.

This is the first recorded gorilla birth of 2026 in the park — and conservationists are hoping it won’t be the last.

Wild Mountain Gorilla Births Twins in Rare and Remarkable Event at National Park

BBC News

The family of a late U.S. Air Force veteran say the unexpected discovery of his dog tag buried in an English back garden — seven decades after it went missing — feels like “a blessing.”

Daniel Rapue served as a technical sergeant in explosive ordnance disposal for the U.S. Air Force during the 1950s. He was stationed at RAF Sturgate, near Gainsborough in Lincolnshire, and for a time lived in a home in nearby Kexby. That’s where, more than 70 years later, his military identification tag resurfaced.

The discovery was made by Adam Dreikluft, a metal detecting enthusiast who had been given permission to search the garden of Rapue’s former home. The tag was buried under just 8 centimetres of soil.

“I just couldn’t believe what I was holding in my hand,” Dreikluft said. “I’ve always wanted to find a piece of living history and to try and track the family down. We’ve done it.”

Once photos of the tag were shared online, amateur historian Anna Draper stepped in to help. Using historical records, she managed to trace Rapue’s descendants to Colorado in the United States.

“I thought, ‘Ooh this is just the thing I love to do,’” Draper said. “It makes it so worthwhile that I’ve managed to connect them.”

For Rapue’s daughter, Cathy Mosbarger, the news came as a surprise — and a comfort.

“I just feel like he’s reaching out to us, and it’s a really neat way to start the year,” she said. “It’s just been wonderful. I will be forever grateful.”

Rapue passed away in 2001, but the return of the tag has given his family an unexpected connection to his time in England.

RAF Sturgate was used by the U.S. Air Force during the Cold War. While the base itself closed to military operations decades ago, remnants of that era continue to surface in unexpected ways.

Dreikluft, who called the find the start of an “amazing story,” says it’s discoveries like this that keep him hooked on the hobby.

“I just love it. I love metal detecting, just finding history like this. It makes my day.”

Lost for 70 Years, a U.S. Airman’s Dog Tag Is Found in an English Garden — and Returned to His Family

Fox News

A metal detectorist’s chance discovery in the Scottish countryside has turned into a rare and historic find — a 900-year-old silver coin believed to be the oldest coin ever made in Scotland.

The coin, a silver penny from the reign of King David I in the 12th century, was unearthed near Penicuik, about 16 kilometers south of Edinburgh. It’s now in the care of National Museums Scotland, after being reported through the country’s Treasure Trove process, which encourages hobbyists and archaeologists alike to hand over significant finds.

Experts say the coin isn’t just old — it marks a turning point in Scottish history.

“It was minted in Edinburgh, making it the earliest example of a Scottish coin produced from a core Scottish mint,” said Alice Blackwell, a senior curator at National Museums Scotland.

The coin bears a faint image of King David I on one side and a cross design on the other. Its darkened surface shows signs of patina, but the markings remain partially visible.

David I ruled from 1124 to 1153 and is considered one of the most transformative figures in Scotland’s medieval history. He was responsible for major reforms to government and the church, and he helped turn scattered territories into something resembling a unified state.

In the 1130s, he introduced Scotland’s first coinage by taking control of silver mines in Cumbria, then under his authority, and using the English mint in Carlisle to strike coins. While Carlisle was eventually retaken by Henry II of England in 1157, the coin in question is significant because it came from Edinburgh — the first truly Scottish mint.

David I would go on to establish other mints in places like Perth, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Aberdeen, St Andrews, and Roxburgh. His reign also saw the founding of royal burghs such as Edinburgh, Stirling, Dunfermline, and Perth, laying the groundwork for Scotland’s urban and administrative development.

The penny is now a part of Scotland’s national collection, but there are no current plans to put it on public display. As for its value, Blackwell said it's difficult to estimate what the coin would be worth in today’s money.

"Determining the modern economic value today is complex," she said.

Scotland has had a run of intriguing archaeological discoveries lately. Just months ago, excavators at Culloden Battlefield uncovered new evidence about the final moments of the 1746 battle that ended the Jacobite uprising. On the island of Islay, archaeologists found ruins of a once-grand castle linked to a long-lost medieval kingdom.

But unlike those findings, this small, weathered coin carries with it the origins of a national currency — and a glimpse into a time when Scottish kings were still carving out the foundations of the country we know today.

Scottish Metal Detectorist Uncovers Oldest Known Scotland-Made Coin

Science Alert

Just 10 minutes of intense cycling can kick off a chain reaction in the body that may help fight cancer, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Cancer.

Researchers found that even a short burst of vigorous exercise releases molecules into the blood that appear to slow the growth of colon cancer cells in the lab. The blood chemistry shift triggered by exercise seems to speed up DNA repair and dampen the activity of genes linked to cancer growth.

"What's remarkable is that exercise doesn't just benefit healthy tissues, it sends powerful signals through the bloodstream that can directly influence thousands of genes in cancer cells," said Sam Orange, a clinical exercise physiologist at Newcastle University in the UK.

The study involved 30 overweight or obese volunteers between the ages of 50 and 78, a group at increased risk of developing cancer. After a short warm-up, each participant completed a 10-minute high-intensity cycling session. Blood samples were taken before and after the workout.

Back in the lab, researchers exposed colon cancer cells to the blood serum collected after exercise. The result? The cancer cells responded to the post-exercise blood by reducing growth-related gene activity. Though the study only looked at cells in the lab, not in human patients, the biological effects observed were significant.

"One bout of exercise, lasting just 10 minutes, sends powerful signals to the body," said Orange. "It's a reminder that every step, every session, counts when it comes to doing your best to protect your health."

This study adds to growing evidence that physical activity doesn't just lower cancer risk in general—it may actually play a role in stopping it once it starts. Previous research has shown that regular exercise can cut the risk of death from colon cancer by up to 37%.

What sets this study apart is the focus on immediate, molecular changes. The team was able to track how a single session of exercise changed the blood’s composition, producing a serum that had measurable anti-cancer effects.

That’s more than just interesting science—it could shape future treatments. By better understanding how exercise alters cancer biology, scientists could develop drugs that replicate or amplify those effects, potentially helping people who can’t exercise regularly because of illness or injury.

"In the future, these insights could lead to new therapies that imitate the beneficial effects of exercise on how cells repair damaged DNA and use fuel for energy," said Orange.

Still, researchers are cautious. The results come from a small sample size, and the post-exercise blood serum was only tested on colon cancer cells grown in a dish. More studies are needed to see whether similar effects happen in real patients over the long term.

Even so, the findings offer yet another reason to move. With over 100,000 new cases of colon cancer diagnosed each year in the US alone—and more than 50,000 deaths—any new approach is worth exploring.

Short, intense exercise might not replace chemotherapy, but it could become a useful addition to standard treatment, or even a tool for prevention. For now, the takeaway is simple: even a few minutes of movement a day can have real effects on your body, and possibly, your future health.

New Study Finds Just 10 Minutes Of Intense Exercise May Help Fight Cancer

Sunny Skyz

After nearly three years in foster care, two-year-old Khaza David Koon is home for good.

On December 19, inside a Hamilton County courtroom in Tennessee, Khaza was officially adopted by Anna and Brenden Koon, marking the joyful end of a 974-day journey through the foster care system.

The Koons began fostering nearly five years ago through the Chambliss Center for Children. At the time, they didn’t have children of their own and often referred to themselves as the “fun aunt and uncle,” opening their doors for short-term stays, holidays, and weekend visits. Their goal was simple: to support children while their families worked toward reunification.

That mission remained unchanged until April 2023, when they received a message asking if they would take in a new infant placement. The child was just 18 days old—his name was Khaza.

Like other children they had fostered, the expectation was that Khaza’s stay would be temporary. But as time went on, it became clear his path might not lead back to his biological family. Weeks turned into months, and Khaza became part of the Koons’ daily life—and their hearts.

By the time the state asked if they would consider adopting him, it no longer felt like a question.

On December 19, surrounded by loved ones, Anna and Brenden finalized Khaza’s adoption and officially became a family of three.

Khaza's adoption is not just a milestone for the Koons—it’s a powerful reminder of what it means to open your home and your heart, and how forever families are sometimes found in the most unexpected ways.

After 974 Days in Foster Care, This Tennessee Toddler Finally Found His Forever Home

Space

NASA’s Curiosity rover is still climbing, still exploring—and still capturing jaw-dropping views of Mars. Its latest image, released this week, offers a dramatic look across the rugged slopes of Mount Sharp, where the robot has been steadily working for over a decade.

The new "postcard" is actually a carefully crafted panorama, pieced together from black-and-white images taken on two separate Martian days—Sols 4,722 and 4,723 (in November 2025). One set was captured in the late afternoon, the other in the early morning. The resulting image was then tinted with cool blues and warm yellows to highlight the differences in lighting and bring out new details in the terrain.

“Adding color to these kinds of merged images helps different details stand out in the landscape,” NASA officials said in a statement.

In the photo, Curiosity is perched on a ridge overlooking a region called the boxwork formation—a striking area laced with hardened, mineral-rich veins that trace the paths where water once flowed through cracks in Martian rock. Over time, softer rock eroded away, leaving behind this intricate latticework of natural sculpture.

For scientists, these ridges are more than just beautiful. They’re clues.

“These features preserve evidence of ancient water activity and environmental changes on Mars,” NASA explained, noting their importance for reconstructing the planet’s past—and determining whether it once supported life.

In the foreground of the image, Curiosity’s wheel tracks mark its careful path up the mountain. The rover had just drilled into a rock site called "Nevado Sajama" at the top of the ridge, collecting a sample for analysis. In the distance, the image looks down the slope across boxwork terrain toward the vast floor of Gale Crater, with the crater’s rim faintly visible about 40 kilometers (25 miles) away. Another shallow dip behind the rover marks “Valle de la Luna,” where Curiosity had previously drilled another sample.

Mount Sharp itself rises 5 kilometers (3 miles) above the crater floor and has been the rover’s main target since it landed in 2012. The mountain’s layered sedimentary rocks record a slow transition in Martian history—from a wet, potentially habitable planet to the cold, dry desert we see today. Curiosity’s job is to study these layers, examining the minerals and chemistry locked inside.

And it's doing that more efficiently than ever. New software upgrades have allowed Curiosity to multitask, collecting science data while communicating with orbiters overhead. That’s a big win for the aging mission, which still runs on its original nuclear power source more than 13 years after touching down.

The rover’s continued productivity is a testament to both engineering and perseverance. Even after all these years, Curiosity is still uncovering fresh insights—and sending home spectacular views from the Red Planet.

Curiosity Rover Sends Back Striking New Image from High on Mars’ Mount Sharp

Good News Network

They’re already some of the flashiest birds on Earth, but scientists have just uncovered a new layer of spectacle in the birds-of-paradise: under ultraviolet light, many of them glow.

A new study has revealed that 37 of the 45 known species of birds-of-paradise emit biofluorescence, a phenomenon where molecules in the feathers absorb UV light and re-emit it as a yellow-green glow. The discovery adds another dazzling dimension to a bird group already famous for its extreme feather shapes, deep blacks, electric colors, and elaborate mating dances.

Researchers didn’t set out to find glowing birds. The finding came by chance, when a team of ichthyologists—scientists who study fish—were investigating UV fluorescence in marine life. While exploring museum collections at the American Museum of Natural History, they began shining UV lights on other animals out of curiosity. What they found in drawer after drawer stunned them: birds-of-paradise glowing like constellations in a dark sky.

“It could just be that the biofluorescent portions are helping enhance those displays even more,” said lead study author Rene Martin, a fish biologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The fluorescence was seen in various parts of the body—long shoulder plumes, fuzzy crowns, and even inside the birds’ mouths. The researchers also noted a pattern: species known to be monogamous had far less fluorescence than their more flamboyant, polygamous relatives.

The trait may be invisible to us, but not to the birds themselves. Birds have four types of cone cells in their eyes, compared to three in humans, giving them the ability to see into the ultraviolet spectrum. They also have tiny oil droplets in their retinas that act like filters, possibly enhancing their ability to see this kind of glow.

“To me, the interesting part is that it’s so widespread throughout the group,” said Edwin Scholes, founder of the Birds-of-Paradise Project at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, who was not involved in the study. “It’s not just all tail feathers or all flank feathers or anything specific—it’s pretty much all over the board.”

Why do these feathers glow? Researchers suspect the biofluorescence plays a role in mating displays or social signaling—an extra layer of visual communication during the high-stakes courtship rituals birds-of-paradise are known for. And while humans may only see their dramatic moves and color, the birds themselves might be seeing something even more spectacular.

“It’s like discovering a secret highlight reel hidden in plain sight,” said study co-author Emily Carr, a PhD student at the American Museum of Natural History.

In other words, those already extravagant displays? They might be even more dazzling—if you’re a bird.

Birds-of-Paradise Found to Glow Under UV Light in a Stunning Scientific Discovery

Rosie Grant’s favorite recipes don’t come from cookbooks. They come from cemeteries.

The 36-year-old librarian from Los Angeles has spent the past five years collecting and cooking recipes found etched into headstones. Her unusual ritual—preparing dishes that the deceased once loved—has grown into a personal mission to preserve memories, one bite at a time.

So far, she’s recreated 40 such recipes, including no-bake cookies, meatloaf, peanut butter cookies, nut rolls, yeast cake, and Texas sheet cake. Many were submitted by families hoping to keep their loved ones’ legacies alive. Others she’s discovered herself, carved into stone as a final, flavorful goodbye.

“It’s a tool to take forward that you get to do yourself,” Grant said. “An invitation to remember this person and eat the food they enjoyed in their life.”

It all started during an internship at a New York cemetery. While walking the grounds one day, she noticed a recipe for spritz cookies on a woman’s gravestone. Curious, she baked a batch—then returned to the grave and ate them there. That small gesture sparked an idea: what if food could be a way to connect across time?

“In the beginning, when I knew one recipe, I thought this would be a one-off,” she told SWNS. It wasn’t.

Over time, Grant’s project turned into a full-fledged archive of “recipes from beyond the grave.” In one especially moving experience, she was invited to Nome, Alaska, to cook a no-bake cookie recipe alongside the deceased woman’s family. They baked together—mother, daughter, and Grant—then brought the cookies to the cemetery.

“The family [was] so gracious,” she said. “It was the most wonderful experience I’ve ever had.”

Today, she still investigates headstones herself but increasingly relies on submissions from families or curious cemetery-goers who spot a recipe and pass it along. If a headstone doesn’t include a name, she’ll research the grave site, track down an obituary, and reach out to the next of kin before preparing the dish.

Once the family gives their blessing, she cooks the recipe, often checking back in to confirm the accuracy—or to tweak ingredients that may have been lost or adapted over time.

“It’s about the memory of us cooking it together,” she said, imagining one day including a recipe on her own tombstone.

Slabs of granite may seem like an unlikely place to store family recipes, but for Grant, they’ve become a powerful and intimate kind of archive: one that celebrates everyday joy, shared meals, and the flavors that linger long after someone is gone.

The food, she says, is “to die for.”

California Librarian Cooks Recipes Found on Gravestones—and Shares Meals with Them

Smithsonian Magazine

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is celebrating a rare and significant arrival: the birth of two sloth bear cubs, the first born at the zoo in over a decade.

The cubs were born December 7 to 8-year-old Molly in an off-exhibit den on the Zoo’s Asia Trail. Both were born healthy and are being closely cared for by their mother, according to the Zoo’s announcement. It marks the first successful sloth bear birth at the Zoo since 2013.

“These cubs strengthen the genetic diversity and sustainability of the managed population while also supporting global conservation efforts for this vulnerable species through research, education and public engagement,” said Asia Trail curator Michael Brown-Palsgrove.

Sloth bears are listed as vulnerable due to shrinking habitats, poaching, and increased conflict with humans across South Asia, where they are native. Fewer than 50 live in accredited U.S. zoos. Molly’s cubs are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan, which focuses on conserving species through managed breeding and public education.

Born blind and weighing about one pound each, the cubs will spend the next few months nursing and gradually expanding their diets. They’re expected to open their eyes around one month old and begin exploring the exhibit with their mother in the spring.

Their father remains uncertain. Molly had contact with two male sloth bears—11-year-old Niko and 7-year-old Deemak—so DNA testing will determine paternity. It’s even possible the cubs have different fathers.

Sloth bears are not related to sloths, despite the name. The confusion dates back to 1791, when British zoologist George Shaw noted their long claws and missing front teeth resembled those of sloths. In reality, sloth bears are unique among bear species for their insect-heavy diet, sometimes consuming up to half a million ants and termites in a single day.

For now, the Zoo is keeping the cubs off public view to allow bonding time, but visitors can expect to meet them later this year as they join their mother on the Asia Trail.

National Zoo Celebrates Birth Of First Sloth Bear Cubs In Over A Decade

MIT Technology Review

Concrete already supports the modern world. Soon, it might help power it, too.

Researchers at MIT have developed a new form of concrete that can store and release electricity—bringing the dream of energy-storing walls, sidewalks, and infrastructure closer to reality. The material, called electron-conducting carbon concrete or ec³ (“e-c-cubed”), just got a major upgrade.

Made by mixing standard cement with water, ultra-fine carbon black, and electrolytes, ec³ creates a microscopic conductive network that functions like a battery. And now, the MIT team behind it says they’ve increased its energy storage capacity by tenfold.

The breakthrough means that about five cubic meters of ec³—the rough size of a basement wall—could potentially store enough energy to power a typical home for a day.

That’s a game-changing leap for a technology that’s previously been limited by low voltage and scalability challenges.

“We found that there is a wide range of electrolytes that could be viable candidates for ec³,” said Damian Stefaniuk, a research scientist with MIT’s Electron-Conducting Carbon-Cement-Based Materials Hub. “This even includes seawater, which could make this a good material for use in coastal and marine applications, perhaps as support structures for offshore wind farms.”

By using high-resolution 3D imaging, the team learned how the carbon-based conductive network interacts with different electrolytes. That understanding allowed them to experiment with new electrolyte materials and concentrations, and to refine the mixing process—leading to thicker, more effective electrodes.

While ec³ doesn’t store as much energy as traditional lithium-ion batteries, it brings something else to the table: permanence. Once built into a structure, it can function as an energy-storing component for the lifetime of that building or bridge.

To prove it works, the team built a small concrete arch capable of supporting weight while simultaneously powering an LED light—offering a glimpse of how form and function could combine in future construction.

It’s still early days, but the potential applications are vast: smart roads that store solar energy during the day, buildings that double as backup power sources, and resilient infrastructure for off-grid and coastal communities.

For now, the team is focused on continuing to improve performance and scalability. But the direction is clear: if buildings are going to be part of the climate solution, they might have to do more than just stand there. With ec³, they just might start pulling their electrical weight.

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