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A New Study Shows Birds That Learn to Make New Sounds Are Good Problem Solvers. Here's Why That's Important.
A study has found a link between a bird's vocal learning abilities and problem-solving skills. esearchers compared 214 individual songbirds representing 23 different species and found that species with more complex vocal learning capabilities tended to excel at problem-solving tasks. This suggests that vocal learning, problem-solving, and brain size may have evolved together and could provide insights into the genetic underpinnings of these traits in both birds and humans.
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Sibling Duo from Sweden Wins Olympic Gold in Mixed Doubles Curling
At one end of the rink, Rasmus Wranå pumped his fists. At the other, his sister Isabella jumped in the air, broom in hand, glasses slightly askew, and a stunned look on her face. The Swedish siblings made history Tuesday night, winning gold in mixed doubles curling at the Winter Olympics — Sweden’s first-ever medal in the event and the first time a sibling team has stood atop the podium. Their 6-5 win over the U.S. team of Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin came down to the very last stone. With the score tied and the pressure on, Isabella delivered the final shot. She crouched low, eyes locked on the target, while Rasmus swept furiously down the ice. Their red stone nudged the Americans' yellow rock just enough to secure the victory. The Wranås celebrated quietly, their small Swedish fan group cheering from the stands, while the largely American crowd roared in appreciation of a nailbiter finish. For the U.S., the silver medal was a historic moment of its own. Thiesse and Dropkin became the first American team to ever medal in Olympic mixed doubles curling — and Thiesse is now the first U.S. woman to win an Olympic curling medal. The two, who both live in Duluth, Minnesota, are more than just curling partners. They were college classmates, and after a failed attempt to qualify for the Beijing Games in 2022, Dropkin invited Thiesse to team up. They went on to win the world title in 2023. By day, they lead regular lives. Thiesse is a lab technician; Dropkin works in real estate. He's engaged. She's married. The Swedish siblings also have a long history together — one that began on home ice. Coached by their father, Mats Wranå, Isabella and Rasmus started as rivals. In 2024, they became world champions in mixed doubles. Still, their Olympic campaign didn’t start smoothly. Sweden lost three straight games in the round robin, prompting headlines back home dubbing the effort a “Curlingfiasko.” But the Wranås fought their way back, winning most of their remaining games and eventually clawing their way to the final. The gold medal match was intense from start to finish. The Americans thrived off the energy of a raucous crowd, with Dropkin rallying fans throughout the night. At one point, a teammate in the rafters shouted, “Show me your biceps!” and Dropkin flexed. But in the end, it was Sweden’s quiet, focused persistence that won the night — and the gold. For the Wranås, it was more than a victory. It was the culmination of years of family training, sibling competition, and shared dreams. And for Thiesse and Dropkin, it was the end of a remarkable run that redefined what’s possible for U.S. curling.
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This Hollywood Stuntman Transformed a Victorian Foundry Into a Multi-Million Dollar Stunt Academy
Damien Walters has thrown himself off buildings, flipped over cars, and faced explosions on film sets across the world. Now, the Derby-born stuntman is taking on a new challenge — turning a derelict Victorian foundry into a £13 million stunt academy and film studio. “It’s incredible,” said Walters, known for his work on Skyfall, Captain America: The First Avenger, and Jurassic World. “It took a long time to buy, it took a long time to convince people of what we’re trying to do. But once we started, it was a foot to the floor really.” His company, Damien Walters Ltd, bought the 80,000-square-foot former Aida Bliss factory in 2023 from Derby City Council. After years exposed to the elements, the site is finally taking shape. The western building has been cleaned, sealed, and fitted with a mezzanine structure that will hold multiple performance studios. A themed café, a large gym, and office space are all part of the plan, with a target opening date of September 2026. Next door, the project’s second phase is already attracting industry attention. Marv Studios, the production company behind the Kingsman films, has filmed scenes there for an upcoming movie. The space will eventually house a fully-equipped filming studio and interactive theatres aimed at blending artificial intelligence with physical performance. “We want to make next door a very creative hub — the magnet to bring anybody in the creative industries into this area,” Walters said. He’s currently seeking funding to install a massive 133-metre roof on the eastern building to make it watertight, describing it as essential to unlocking the site’s full potential. Derby may seem an unlikely location for a global stunt centre, but Walters says it’s exactly the right place. “We have a Spiderman stunt double here, a Doctor Strange, a Captain America, a James Bond, a Lara Croft — the amount of stunt professionals that come from Derby is incredible,” he said. The facility won’t just serve Hollywood productions. Walters wants it to be a launchpad for local talent. The new stunt academy will also become the home of Derby City Gymnastics Club, and will offer training in parkour, martial arts, dance, trampolining, preschool gymnastics, and more. “I could develop a system where we can take children from the grass roots, go all the way through and steer a lot of the children into a creative industry,” he said. “I don’t care if you’re seven or 77, we want there to be a place for you in this place.” It’s a bold plan with a clear mission: turn Derby into the beating heart of stunt performance in the UK — and possibly the world.
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Spider Silk Could Offer a Breakthrough Hope for Nerve Repair
In a lab filled with hand-sized golden orb-web spiders, Dr Alex Woods is working on something that sounds like science fiction — using spider silk to help humans heal. The NHS trauma and orthopaedic surgeon has co-founded a startup, Newrotex, aiming to transform nerve surgery by developing silk-based implants. These implants act like scaffolds, guiding damaged nerves to regrow — something the body struggles to do on its own. “It acts like a scaffold for nerves to grow along like a rose on a trellis,” Woods explained. The natural scaffolding the body produces after a nerve injury only lasts about 10 days, while nerves typically grow at around 1 millimetre per day. That means if the gap between severed nerves is more than 1 centimetre, the body often fails to bridge it. But golden orb-web spiders — native to southern and eastern Africa — produce a special type of drag-line silk that lasts up to 150 days. That extra time, researchers believe, could allow nerves to grow further and repair more completely. The silk is inserted into a vein or a hollow tube, which is then implanted at the injury site. Over time, the silk degrades harmlessly into the body. “These are huge problems, which are nerve injuries which, right now, struggle to be treated,” said Woods. He believes the silk-based approach could be used not just for trauma cases but also for nerve injuries that happen during cancer surgeries like mastectomies or prostate removals. The team at Newrotex keeps the spiders in individual terrariums to avoid conflict — they’re territorial — and maintains high humidity to mimic the spiders’ native environment. While the spiders may look intimidating, Woods says they’re harmless to humans. What matters is their silk, which is both strong and biologically compatible. The potential impact isn’t just medical — it could also reduce healthcare costs. “It’s an extra operation site that has associated harm and that has a cost you won’t need if you have a device you can take and repair the nerve straight away,” he said. Currently, patients like Helen Hide-Wright can require a second surgery to harvest nerves from another part of the body. After surviving a devastating car crash in 2022, she had nerves taken from behind her foot to repair her arm, leaving her without sensation there. “The surgery was brilliant, but what Alex is offering would appear to be far more beneficial,” she said. “A very exciting opportunity.” The device is now undergoing its first human trial at a hospital in Panama. The goal is to prove the implant is safe before moving into larger studies in the UK and the US. Still, Woods acknowledges the hurdles ahead. “Seeing all the steps you need to get through and the cost and the evidence you need to produce to bring that to patients has been really eye-opening, but there’s still a risk it’ll never see the light of day.” Even so, he remains confident. “I’m convinced that if my nerve was lacerated tomorrow I would have our implant put in.”
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American Skiers Rescued After Getting Lost Near Winter Olympics Venue
Two American skiers were rescued after dark on February 10 after losing their way in the mountains near Livigno, one of the venues for the Winter Olympics. Italy’s national fire and rescue service said the two young tourists raised the alarm, and were able to provide rescuers with their coordinates. Drones were then used to find them, in an operation involving the fire service and the CNSAS alpine rescue corps. According to Italian news reports, the two skiers were in Italy for the Olympics, and got stuck off-piste. Freestyle skiing and snowboard events are being held in Livigno. 📸 Vigili del Fuoco via Storyful
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Cows are Returning to London Fields in an Ambitious Urban Rewilding Effort
For the first time in over 50 years, cows are coming back to graze on fields in southwest London — part of a sweeping urban rewilding project that aims to bring nature back into the city. Three Sussex cattle will be released onto Tolworth Court Farm Fields as part of the Wild Tolworth project, a joint initiative between Kingston Council, environmental group Citizen Zoo, and community organization The Community Brain. The 42-hectare site, once home to birds like skylarks, lapwings, and bullfinches, has been undergoing restoration to encourage wildlife to return to the Hogsmill River corridor. The reintroduction of cattle marks a major milestone in that effort. “It’s about building resilience to a changing climate, reconnecting people with the living world, and creating something local communities can feel proud of every time they pass by,” Citizen Zoo said in a statement. The cattle will be free to roam, a move that supporters say mirrors how grazing livestock once helped shape and maintain healthy ecosystems. In modern conservation, managed grazing is often used to encourage plant diversity, improve soil health, and restore habitats for birds and insects. The return of cattle is just one part of the transformation. Wetlands have already been reestablished on the site, drawing back a variety of birdlife and helping to naturally manage flood risk. “What was just a dream five years ago is now becoming a reality,” said The Community Brain. “The new wetlands are already demonstrating their massive impact and now cattle [are] coming onto the site.” Tolworth Court Farm Fields sits on the edge of a densely built-up part of Kingston, making this one of the most significant urban rewilding efforts in the region. The project leaders hope it will inspire similar projects across London and beyond, proving that biodiversity and city life don’t have to be at odds.
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Copenhagen Switches to Red Streetlights to Protect Bats From Light Pollution
Along a major road just outside Copenhagen, the night now glows red. Not from brake lights or neon signs, but from a new kind of streetlight designed with wildlife in mind. In Gladsaxe, a northern suburb of the Danish capital, city planners have swapped traditional white lights for red LEDs in an effort to protect local bat populations. The change is part of a growing movement across Europe to reduce light pollution and its harmful effects on nocturnal animals. The project, led by AFRY Architects, has outfitted a stretch of road and a cycle superhighway with 31 low red-lit bollards, each about a metre tall. The lights are spaced wide enough to allow light-sensitive bats to cross safely without feeling exposed, while still keeping the road visible for drivers and cyclists. The science behind the decision is compelling. A long-term study by the Netherlands Institute of Ecology found that bats avoid white and green artificial light, but remain just as active in red light as they do in complete darkness. “We’ve found these bats to be equally active in red light and in darkness,” said lead researcher Kamiel Spoelstra. “White and green light, on the other hand, substantially reduce the bats’ level of activity.” That’s especially important for species like Natterer’s bat and the brown long-eared bat, which prefer dark conditions to avoid being spotted by predators like owls. These slower, more cautious fliers depend on darkness to safely hunt insects. By contrast, more agile bats such as pipistrelles actually benefit from white light, which draws insects into concentrated areas. Larger bats like the serotine or lesser noctule, which fly high above street level, aren’t affected much either way. The red-light approach is designed to support the more vulnerable species. According to Spoelstra, it’s a practical compromise. “It’s entirely suitable for use on country roads,” he said, adding that red lights offer a way to meet human safety needs while protecting animal habitats. The Danish project joins a growing list of bat-friendly lighting schemes in Europe. In 2018, Zuidhoek-Nieuwkoop in the Netherlands became the first town to install red streetlights specifically for wildlife. A year later, the UK added its first “bat crossing” near Worcester, with 60 metres of red lighting along the A4440 motorway next to Warndon Woodlands nature reserve. As urban areas expand, so does the challenge of balancing development with biodiversity. The Gladsaxe lights mark a step toward what some hope could become a broader shift in how cities think about illumination — not just for humans, but for the creatures that share the night with us. There’s an added bonus too: the LED lights use less energy and require less maintenance than traditional systems, making them both environmentally and economically sound. Red may not be a common colour for street lighting, but for the bats of Denmark and beyond, it’s a lifeline — and a small reminder that cities can be designed with nature in mind.
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This Sculpture Beneath Japanese Waters is Now a New Habitat for Marine Life
Five metres beneath the surface off the coast of Tokunoshima, a new presence is taking shape — not just as art, but as life. The 40-tonne sculpture Ocean Gaia, unveiled in late 2025, now rests in a limestone basin beneath the waves of this small Japanese island, known for its dramatic mountain ridges and unique marine ecosystems. The sculpture depicts a pregnant woman, sleeping in stillness, her arms wrapped protectively around her belly. Her name is Gaia — Earth, the mother of all life. Crafted by renowned underwater artist Jason deCaires Taylor, Ocean Gaia is both an artwork and a sanctuary. It was built using low-carbon, pH-neutral materials specifically designed to attract coral growth and provide shelter for fish. Over time, the edges and hollows of the sculpture will become part of the reef, gradually transforming into a habitat for marine life. Though it spans 5.5 metres wide, Ocean Gaia doesn’t feel imposing. The folds of the figure echo both the concentric sand circles made by the local white-spotted pufferfish and the surrounding limestone ridges above water. Light filters through the sea and dances across the surface of her form. Currents pass silently, shifting shadows and silt. She waits. Taylor, known for his underwater museums and installations around the world, says the sculpture is meant to be reclaimed. “Ocean Gaia stands as both a symbol of renewal and a gesture toward reconnection between people, the sea and the continuity of life itself,” he told Positive News. It’s also a way to protect what’s already there. As an artificial reef, the sculpture helps ease pressure on nearby natural reefs, diverting tourist activity to a controlled environment and giving fragile ecosystems a chance to recover. But its impact reaches further than ecology. Taylor hopes the installation will reconnect young islanders with their coastal heritage. In a region where modern pressures have pulled communities inland or away altogether, Ocean Gaia offers a reason to return to the water — and to care for it. The project is part artwork, part ecological tool, and part meditation. A gesture of hope, sleeping patiently beneath the surface, waiting to come alive.
Score (96)
Rare Loggerhead Turtle Rescued After Washing Up on a Beach During a Storm
A loggerhead sea turtle, a species rarely seen in UK waters, has been rescued after being found near-dead on a storm-swept beach in Suffolk. Steve Foreman, visiting Dunwich with his wife Sue, was walking along the coast when he spotted what he initially assumed was debris washed ashore. “It had been really stormy, and there was a lot of debris, but as I got closer, I realised this was a turtle — but it looked very dead,” Foreman said. “I picked it up and thought I saw a movement in one flipper, so I carried it back to the campsite.” After a quick online search, the couple contacted British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), who arrived within 20 minutes. The turtle was assessed and then transferred to the Sea Life centre in Hunstanton, Norfolk, one of the few facilities in the UK equipped to care for loggerheads. While loggerhead turtles are the most common sea turtles in the Mediterranean — nesting on beaches in countries such as Greece, Turkey, and Libya — they are not native to British waters. A BDMLR spokesperson confirmed the sighting was highly unusual for Suffolk, though more rescues have been reported around the UK in recent years, including in Scotland, Wales, the Channel Islands, and Kent. “Sea temperatures are rising, and they get washed up here in storms, usually suffering from cold shock or being ‘cold-stunned’, so they can't move, and some people think they are dead,” the spokesperson said. “The people who found this loggerhead did exactly the right thing — some try to put them back in the water, but that is the worst thing for them.” The turtle, which the Foremans affectionately nicknamed "Steve" — though BDMLR believes it may be a juvenile female — is now undergoing rehabilitation. If all goes well, it could take up to a year before it’s healthy enough to be released into warmer waters. “We might have to refer to her as Stevie, then,” Foreman said, adding that they’re keeping their fingers crossed for the “stunning little creature.”
Score (96)
In Milan, a Wooden Cross Built from Five Continents Stands as a Symbol of Olympic Unity
As the world gathers for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, one quiet but powerful symbol has taken its place alongside the global spectacle: the Cross of the Athletes. Now standing near the main altar inside Milan’s Basilica of San Babila, the cross is far less known than the Olympic flame. But for those who encounter it, it offers a striking message — not just of faith, but of connection through sport. It’s crafted from 15 pieces of wood, each sourced from a different part of the world, representing all five continents. “We think of sport not as an instrument that separates, but as one that unites,” said Rev. Stefano Guidi of the Archdiocese of Milan. “The cross represents this precisely through the way it was created.” Built by English artist Jon Cornwall ahead of the 2012 London Games, the cross has since traveled to every host city for the Olympics — except Tokyo, due to pandemic restrictions. Its arrival in Milan continues that tradition. For a few weeks, the historic San Babila church has been designated the “Church of Athletes.” On a recent morning, locals stopped by to admire it during Mass. Giovanna Spotti, a Milan resident, said the cross held deep meaning. “It moves us a great deal,” she said. “And San Babila is important because it is a very old church, truly characteristic of Milan.” The cross is part of a broader initiative by the Catholic Church to recognize sport as a force for good — for peace, for growth, and for human dignity. In a message titled Life in Abundance, released to coincide with the Games’ opening, Pope Leo XIV emphasized sport’s ability to unite across differences. “It teaches us that we can strive for the highest level without denying our own fragility,” the pope wrote. “That we can win without humiliating others, and that we can lose without being defeated as individuals.” To reflect the international nature of the Olympics, San Babila is also hosting Masses in multiple languages, including Italian, English, French, and German. At one recent German-language service, the priest, Rev. Stefano Chiarolla, smiled as he asked German speakers to raise their hands — and found just one, an Italian man named Marino Parodi. “I searched on the web and I found this option,” Parodi said. “I was glad to find it.” The Archdiocese of Milan is using the Games as an opportunity to highlight values of fraternity and inclusion. Alongside the cross and multilingual services, there’s a youth-focused “Tour of Sports Values,” plus art exhibitions, concerts, and inclusive sporting events. The Cross of the Athletes will travel again in 2028 to the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. But for now, in the heart of Milan, it offers athletes and visitors alike a moment of calm — and a reminder of what the Games, at their best, are really about.
Score (97)
Erin Jackson Honors Parents' Sacrifices As She Aims For Gold At 2026 Winter Olympics
As Erin Jackson laces up for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, she’s carrying the legacy of two people who helped shape her journey — her late mother Rita and her father Tracy. Jackson, who made history at the 2022 Beijing Games as the first Black woman to win an individual medal at the Winter Olympics, was raised in Ocala, Florida. Before she ever stepped onto ice, she dominated the world of inline speed skating and roller derby. Her transition to ice didn’t come until adulthood, but her discipline and drive were already deeply ingrained — thanks in large part to her parents. “They were really education-focused,” Jackson told Forbes in 2021. “At a young age, I was tricked into thinking that books and dictionaries and all that were really cool.” Her parents started a college fund for her early on and made sure she had the resources to excel. She later graduated with a degree in materials science and engineering from the University of Florida in 2015. Her mother Rita, a pharmacy technician, passed away in 2011 while Jackson was still in high school. In a tribute post on Instagram, Jackson wrote, “I wish she could have seen me graduate from high school or college or compete in the Olympics… I miss her every day.” Jackson has spoken candidly about the grief she still carries. During her time on FOX’s Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, which she went on to win, she reflected on the pain of her mother missing out on life’s biggest milestones — especially seeing her win gold in Beijing. “I cried a lot in those moments, and part of it was thinking, ‘Oh, my mom would really love to see this,’” she said. Her father, Tracy, a U.S. Army veteran and retired fire truck builder, has remained a constant source of support. After her Olympic debut in 2018, he moved to Utah so they could live near the Olympic Oval. Jackson often refers to him as her “biggest supporter” and said he’s always been in her corner — even when he didn’t know she was chasing Olympic dreams. In fact, when she first showed up to the 2018 Olympic trials in Milwaukee, she didn’t even tell him. “I didn’t even tell my dad and my family that I was going to the Olympic trials,” she told Sports Illustrated. “To me, it wasn’t the Olympic trials. I was going to do this race that just happened to be a place where other people were trying to qualify.” She made the Olympic team anyway. Now a two-time Olympian, Jackson carries with her not just the hopes of a nation, but the memory of her mother and the unwavering support of her father. “I will forever be grateful to my parents for the sacrifices they made to help me excel in academics, athletics, and life,” she wrote.