Here's How Large Herbivores Can Help Prevent Massive Wildfires

Large herbivores play a crucial role in regulating nature's fire systems by consuming plant matter that fuels wildfires and altering vegetation composition. However, these herbivores are in decline, contributing to the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires. To mitigate this, experts suggest reintroducing large herbivores into fire-prone areas as an effective and cost-efficient part of wildfire prevention strategies, highlighting the need to prioritize such efforts to protect lives, economies, biodiversity, and the environment.

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How A New Breakthrough Could Solve A Billion-Dollar Problem

Researchers have made strides in improving crop yields by tackling the challenges of photorespiration, a process that can reduce productivity by up to 36 percent. A team from the University of Groningen and Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf is working on innovative technologies as part of the GAIN4CROPS project to address this issue. According to INSociety, inefficiencies in photorespiration cost billions annually in agricultural productivity. "Our work shows that overcoming photorespiration through engineered pathways can provide a dual benefit: increasing carbon fixation while reducing energy losses," said Matthias Heinemann, a professor at the University of Groningen. This advancement could lead to crops that are more productive and better suited for changing climates and global food demands. Published in Science Advances, the study used mathematical models to explore 12 pathways for improving photorespiration. Researchers focused on pathways that enhance carbon fixation, converting inorganic carbon dioxide into organic compounds like sugar. The findings indicated that alternative carbon-fixing pathways could boost carbon export by about 20 percent, with one pathway, called TaCo, showing promise for yield improvement. Environmental factors such as light intensity and carbon dioxide availability influenced these pathways' effectiveness. The research aims to genetically engineer crops with reduced photorespiration losses, optimizing them for higher yields and contributing significantly to food security amid climate change. "With the ability to more rationally engineer alternative photorespiratory pathways into suitable crops and identify their optimal growing conditions, our work will hopefully contribute to realizing the maximum impact of alternative photorespiratory pathways for improving crop yields," said Andreas Weber, coordinator of GAIN4CROPS.

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A Heroic Firefighter Just Rescued 3 Sleeping Brothers from a Blaze

Three brothers narrowly escaped a house fire on the Okanese First Nation in Saskatchewan, thanks to the quick actions of their friend and firefighter, James Dieter. On the morning of May 10, after staying up all night monitoring a nearby blaze, Trey, Trevor, and Tristan Walker fell asleep believing the danger had passed. However, the fire unexpectedly jumped a back burn set by firefighters. Dieter, who is also a band councillor for the First Nation, arrived at the scene to find flames engulfing the west side of their home. Despite firefighters being present outside, no one had checked inside. "I know the people who live there. The boys are my good friends," Dieter said. He kicked open the locked door and found his friends still asleep inside. Within minutes of waking them and getting them out safely, their home was completely consumed by fire. The brothers' mother, Loretta Walker, was not home at the time. Although overwhelmed by events and unavailable for an interview, cousin Connie Walker expressed gratitude on behalf of her family: "We want to thank all of the volunteer firefighters who worked so hard and we are especially grateful to James for his bravery." The brush fire began five days earlier and saw efforts from multiple communities, including Peepeekisis Cree Nation and Star Blanket Cree Natio,n among others. The Walkers' home was unfortunately the only one lost in this incident. "All the communities came together and fought the fire," Dieter noted. "It was just awesome to have all that help and support." Okanese First Nation is located about 100 kilometers northeast of Regina.

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Rescuers are Wearing Bear Suits To Help Orphaned Cubs Get Ready For the Wild

California wildlife experts have taken an unusual approach to raising a tiny orphaned bear cub by donning bear suits. The two-month-old male cub was found by campers in Los Padres National Forest on April 12. Wildlife officials initially tried to reunite him with his mother, leaving him overnight in the area, but she never returned. With no sign of the mother nearby, the cub was brought to the Ramona Wildlife Center two days later in a fragile state. After 30 days of care, he is now eating well, gaining weight, and showing playful behavior. "He was extremely fragile when he arrived," said Autumn Welch, Wildlife Operations Manager at San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center. "But now, he’s active, eating well and gaining weight steadily.” This cub is the youngest black bear ever cared for by the organization and one of only four this young to enter rehabilitation in California over the past five years. Due to his age, he will likely remain under care for up to a year. If another orphaned cub is rescued in the state, they may be paired together—a technique used to prevent imprinting on humans and prepare them for life back in the wild. "This is a very unusual case," Welch noted. "We don’t often see bears this young without their mother. It’s an honor to care for him, but it’s also a significant commitment."

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Eurovision Unveiled: What Makes This Pop Extravaganza A Must-Watch?

As the 69th Eurovision Song Contest gears up for its grand finale in Basel, Switzerland, excitement is in the air. This Saturday, musical acts from 26 countries will light up the stage at St. Jakobshalle arena, vying for the coveted title of continental champion. Eurovision has been a beloved spectacle since 1956, often described as Europe's biggest cultural event. "It’s not just about the show and glitter," said Dean Vuletic, a Eurovision historian. "People see it as a reflection of Europe’s zeitgeist." This year, 37 countries entered the contest, but only 26 remain after public voting in the semifinals earlier this week. The host nation, Switzerland and the “Big Five” — France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.K. — automatically secured spots in the final. Among this year's favorites are Sweden's KAJ with "Bara Bada Bastu," Dutch singer Claude with "C’est La Vie," Austria's JJ with "Wasted Love," and Israel's Yuval Raphael with "New Day Will Rise." The lineup also includes diverse acts like Lithuanian emo rockers Katarsis and Ukrainian prog rockers Ziferblat. While Eurovision is known for its campy Europop hits like “La, La, La,” it has also launched stars such as ABBA and Celine Dion. This year features songs in a record 20 languages. The winner will be determined by a mix of global phone votes and music-industry juries from each participating country. As results roll in on Saturday at 1900 GMT (3 p.m. EDT), tensions will rise until one act claims victory.

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Sunny And Gizmo, Big Bear's Internet Stars, Are Ready To Take Flight!

Sunny and Gizmo, the eaglets captivating audiences worldwide, are on the brink of their first flight. At around 10 weeks old, these young bald eagles from Big Bear Valley in Southern California are preparing to fledge, according to Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV), a nonprofit that streams live footage of the birds. In recent weeks, Sunny and Gizmo have been strengthening their bond with each other and their parents, Jackie and Shadow. They've been busy building their nest and sharing meals. "Sunny and Gizmo practiced stealing fish from each other but also continued to remain civil and share their meals," FOBBV shared on Facebook. The eaglets are honing essential skills like self-feeding by "unzipping fish." The nonprofit told "Good Morning America" that Sunny and Gizmo have grown almost as large as Shadow. "We are watching how the parents and the chicks prepare for flight and life outside of the nest," said an FOBBV representative. The eaglets' curiosity is growing daily, along with their physical prowess. Their 'wingersizes'—exercises to build flying muscles—are paying off; Sunny has already hovered for about half a minute. This fledgling process will continue over the next month. Sunny and Gizmo were named following a contest that drew over 54,000 submissions after they hatched in early March. Their journey has captured hearts since Jackie and Shadow's previous eggs failed to hatch in 2023.

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'You Are My Heroes': Soccer Star Reunites With The People Who Saved His Life

Michail Antonio, the 35-year-old West Ham striker, is on a journey of recovery and reflection after a life-altering car crash nearly six months ago. The accident left him with a broken leg and a challenging path back to fitness. Now, he's up and walking, continuing his rehabilitation after his Ferrari skidded off the road in Epping Forest. Antonio recently revisited the events of that fateful day with BBC One's Morning Live. He met with Essex and Herts Air Ambulance paramedics Rob Moon and Dr. James Moloney, who were among the first responders. "I want to say thank you," Antonio expressed to them. "You saved my life, so you guys are basically my heroes." The Jamaican international was trapped in his car until the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service freed him for ambulance care. Despite having no memory of the crash, he learned from Moloney that he was speaking post-incident: "Yes, you were incredibly repetitive... but that happens when people bump their head." Antonio also connected with Trish Burton from the air ambulance's patient and family team, acknowledging how his loved ones endured more than he did during his hospital stay. Reflecting on mental health challenges exacerbated by his injury lay-off, Antonio has become an advocate for therapy. He shared insights from past counseling sessions on the High Performance Podcast in May last year. In conversation with former footballer Clarke Carlisle, who has faced similar struggles, Antonio resonated with Carlisle’s experiences of mental health stigma: "I definitely could feel what he was saying because that's what I had to experience when I was younger."

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How These 3 Endangered Animals Are Making a Comeback

Endangered Species Day, observed every third Friday in May, serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle to save our planet's most vulnerable inhabitants. With over 900 species already extinct and at least 28,500 listed as endangered or critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the urgency is palpable. Despite these daunting statistics, conservationists worldwide are making strides. In February 2025, an okapi returned to the Okapi Wildlife Reserve in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Ituri Rainforest after more than a decade. The rare relative of the giraffe was rescued and relocated by rangers from the Okapi Conservation Project. "The okapi is the pride of Mambasa," said Andy Kambale Matuku, coordinator of Journalist Friends of Nature. In South Africa, efforts to protect Cape vultures have paid off. After decades on the brink, their population is stabilizing thanks to extensive conservation measures like power line retrofits and rehabilitation centers. "With a stable to increasing population at present, the Cape vulture does indeed provide hope for our conservation efforts," said André Botha from IUCN Vulture Specialist Group. Meanwhile, on Australia’s Yorke Peninsula, the brush-tailed bettong has made a remarkable comeback. Once declared extinct in this region, its status improved from critically endangered to near threatened due to local conservation projects that included creating predator-proof sanctuaries. "We are on a mission...to bring back some of these native species," said Derek Sandow from Marna Banggara initiative.

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How Nature's Power Is Helping Teens Rebuild After L.A. Fires

When Katharine Hart’s family evacuated during the Los Angeles fires in January, they never imagined their Altadena home would be lost forever. "We all thought we would be back, so we packed for the next day of school," said Hart, 18. "We didn’t think our town would be gone." To aid young fire survivors in healing, nonprofit Outward Bound Adventures is organizing camping trips for Altadena teens in the nearby mountains. The group also meets every Wednesday at John Muir High School to share their grief and experiences. “I’ve heard the youth say, ‘I feel peace when I’m here. I feel like I can be myself and not have to hide how I’m actually feeling right now,’” said Brandon Hammerli, development coordinator for Outward Bound Adventures. Their first weekend camping trip in April took five students to the San Gabriel Mountains in the Angeles National Forest to build kinship and connection. Activities included painting pictures of their old homes, naming emotions, and writing about identities. “One of the leads in this group led us in breathing exercises, letting out our anger, our feelings and our emotions,” Hart said. “That was really good to just have that peace and reflection.” As Altadena rebuilds, Outward Bound Adventures plans to continue monthly trips to the mountains for students. “My hope is that with this program, we can have them take that experience — the destruction but also the life — and use that to grow what’s going to be a new Altadena,” Hammerli said. For more on how Outward Bound Adventures is supporting Altadena teens' recovery journey, watch the video above.

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Her Hometown Just Honored This WNBA'er With A Name Change

Paige Bueckers' WNBA debut is not just a milestone for basketball fans but a celebration for her hometown of Hopkins, Minnesota. The town temporarily renamed itself "Paige Bueckers, Minnesota" to honor the Dallas Wings star's first game. The festivities include a ribbon-cutting ceremony and renaming streets to "Bueckers Boulevard." Local businesses are joining in with unique tributes: a brewery has crafted a beer in her name, an ice cream shop offers a special flavor, and even a sushi roll bears her name. The day will culminate with a watch party at Hopkins High School as the Wings face off against the Minnesota Lynx. "Every business I can think of has something going on where they're trying to help celebrate and it's just all about having fun," said Patrick Hanlon, mayor of Hopkins. "We're proud to name our city after her for a day." Before achieving national fame at UConn, where she won the Wooden Award and led the Huskies to victory, Bueckers was already making waves at Hopkins High School. She guided her team to the 2019 state title and earned accolades as Gatorade National Player of the Year. Beyond sports, Bueckers is celebrated for her community contributions. In high school, she initiated a food shelf for low-income residents—a testament to her ongoing commitment to local causes. "I think it's just the fact that we are a small town," Hanlon said. "People in this community know her as more than an athlete; she's one of us."

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New Feathered Fossil Discovery Sheds Light on Early Bird Evolution Secrets

A remarkable fossil discovery at the Field Museum of Chicago is shedding new light on the ancient Archaeopteryx, a creature that bridges the gap between dinosaurs and birds. This pigeon-sized specimen, one of the best-preserved among 14 known fossils since 1861, offers fresh insights into its anatomy and lifestyle. Using ultraviolet light and CT scans, scientists have uncovered soft tissues in the fossil, revealing details previously hidden within rock. These findings suggest that while Archaeopteryx could fly, it likely spent much of its time on the ground and may have been adept at climbing trees. Notably, this fossil displays specialized feathers called tertials on both wings. "To generate lift, the aerodynamic surface must be continuous with the body," said Jingmai O'Connor, a paleontologist at the Field Museum. "So, in order for flight using feathered wings to evolve, dinosaurs had to fill this gap." The presence of these tertials supports theories that Archaeopteryx was indeed capable of flight. The fossil also shows soft tissue on its hands and toe pads, indicating mobility for climbing and limited flight capability. Another intriguing feature is its immobile palate—unlike modern birds—but hints at early evolutionary stages allowing beak movement independent of the braincase. This Chicago specimen includes a complete vertebral column with two tiny vertebrae at its tail tip—one more than previously thought—bringing new understanding to this ancient species. "This specimen is arguably the best Archaeopteryx ever found," O'Connor noted. Acquired by the museum last year after being held by private collectors since before 1990, it continues to reveal secrets about life 150 million years ago during the Jurassic period.

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