Teachers share their sweetest gifts from students and it's a moving lesson in generosity

Some of the most precious gifts come straight from the heart. A former teacher shared an incredible story of a student's selflessness, generosity and thoughtfulness. Nine years ago, the student didn't have a Christmas gift for her, so he opened up a pack of crayons, gave her the purple one, and said "I hope you love it, I know it's your favorite color." Flex those love muscles; share stories that show you care and recognize heartfelt gestures with admiration 😊

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Why Drones Are Collecting Breath Samples To Monitor the Health Of North Atlantic Right Whales

Scientists may have found a new way to check in on the health of one of the ocean’s most endangered animals — by analyzing what’s in their breath. Researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in Massachusetts have discovered that bacteria found in the blowhole spray of North Atlantic right whales can offer clues about the animals' condition. Their findings, published in the journal International Society for Microbial Ecology, could provide a valuable, noninvasive tool for monitoring a species with fewer than 400 individuals left in the wild. “This is really exciting because we may have just found another way to conduct health checkups of these critically endangered whales,” said Carolyn Miller, a WHOI research associate and the study’s lead author. Since 2016, Miller and her team have used drones to collect breath samples from whales in Cape Cod Bay. The technique involves flying a drone with a petri dish above a whale until it exhales through its blowhole. The spray lands on the dish, and the drone returns to the boat, where researchers preserve the sample for analysis. While drone sampling isn’t new, the breakthrough came when scientists matched the breath bacteria to a whale’s physical characteristics. Using a long-running dataset that tracks things like body condition, length, skin lesions, and whale lice, they found distinct patterns. Thin whales tended to carry microbes linked to infections in mammals. In contrast, robust whales — the ones in better condition — had microbes associated with oily, fat-rich environments. “It’s kind of like a biomarker,” said Miller. “We're still understanding what it means, but we think this might be another way to assess the health of these animals and how fat or thin they are.” For a species under constant threat from ship strikes and fishing gear entanglements, even subtle insights like these could be critical. The drone method is not only safer but also less stressful for the whales. Earlier techniques involved getting dangerously close to the animals in boats, using long poles to collect breath samples. Miller said the old approach was both risky and invasive. “To get to the nostrils or the blowholes of the animal, you actually have to get quite close,” she said. “It’s very, very stressful for the animal.” Drones changed all that. “They don’t seem to notice the drone at all,” Miller added. “It’s quiet, it’s stable, and it’s a really easy method to do.” So far, the WHOI team has collected 103 samples from 85 individual whales. Sean Brillant, a senior conservation biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Federation, called the study “surprising and a really novel approach.” “What a great opportunity this tool is providing for advancing knowledge around this animal,” he said. “We have a very hard time approaching these animals, and if they don’t want to be approached, they outpace most boats and just disappear.” Brillant noted that many right whales carry long-term injuries from entanglements or collisions. Being able to monitor their health from a distance — without adding more stress — could be a game changer. As scientists continue to explore what these microbes can reveal, the hope is that each puff of whale breath could become another piece of a much-needed survival strategy.

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Family Invites Strangers On Disney Vacation After Hearing Baby's Heartbreaking Story

In the middle of a dream vacation at Walt Disney World, one family made another dream come true — not for themselves, but for a baby they’d never met. Kelly Shotwell, a retired firefighter and paramedic from Carlisle, Ohio, was scrolling through his phone during a break in his family’s Disney getaway when he came across a story that stopped him cold: a baby boy named Xaiden, fighting for his life. Xaiden had been born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare condition where the left side of the heart is underdeveloped. At just six days old, he underwent open-heart surgery. Then came a stroke, and a string of serious complications including hydrocephalus and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy — a type of brain injury caused by lack of oxygen. Recently, doctors told the Stauder family that their time with Xaiden was limited. The advice was devastating: take him home, hold him close, and make memories while they still could. That’s when Shotwell reached out. “I had a message on my Facebook and it just said, ‘Hey we're down here at Disney. If I can get you down here would that be doable for you guys?’” said Xaiden’s mother, Alexis Stauder, in an interview with WXIX. Shotwell and his family didn’t just make the offer — they handled everything. Flights, park tickets, accommodations, even a rental car. “It just worked out,” Shotwell said simply. For the Stauders, a Disney vacation had always felt out of reach, something they imagined doing years down the line when their kids were older. Suddenly, through the kindness of strangers, that wish became real. There was no fanfare, no big fundraiser, no strings attached — just one family offering a moment of joy to another in the hardest time of their lives. A chance to give Xaiden the magic of Disney, even if just for a few days. And in a place built on fantasy, it was a very real act of love.

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Scientists are Planning a Mission To Saturn's Moon In Search For Alien Life

Europe is gearing up for its boldest alien hunt yet — and it’s heading straight for one of the most intriguing moons in the solar system. The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced plans to send a spacecraft to Saturn’s icy moon Enceladus, in search of life. Enceladus is no ordinary moon. Though just 500 kilometers wide, it’s known for shooting massive geysers of water into space from its south pole — plumes that are believed to come from a salty subsurface ocean beneath its frozen crust. ESA scientists now believe it has all the right conditions to support life. “It checks all the boxes when it comes to conditions for a ‘habitable environment’ to potentially support life as we know it,” the agency said in a statement. Their plan? Fly a spacecraft through those jets of water and, eventually, land directly on Enceladus’s southern polar terrain to collect samples. If life is lurking in that underground ocean, this mission could find the evidence. “No space agency has ever landed on Enceladus,” ESA noted. “And yet this moon has enormous potential for new science, particularly in the realm of habitability.” The mission is part of ESA’s Voyage2050 roadmap — a long-term vision for European space science that outlines priorities for the 2040s. Enceladus is described as a “top target” due to its rare combination of ingredients needed for life: liquid water, energy, and key chemical elements. While the timeline is ambitious, ESA said preliminary studies are already underway. If approved at the agency’s upcoming Council of Ministers meeting, the mission would not only push the boundaries of planetary science but also develop critical technology. ESA says it would advance Europe's capabilities in fields like in-orbit spacecraft assembly, operating in extreme environments, and precision landing — skills that could shape the future of space exploration across the continent. “The impact of such a mission could be enormous for Europe and beyond,” ESA said. With NASA focused on Mars and other deep space goals, a successful landing on Enceladus would place Europe at the forefront of the search for extraterrestrial life.

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This American Poet, Activist and Model Just Became Unicef's Newest Ambassador: 'It Is An Honor'

Amanda Gorman is adding a new role to her already impressive resume: UNICEF ambassador. The 27-year-old poet and activist has been formally named the latest goodwill ambassador for the global children’s rights organization, UNICEF announced ahead of its 20th annual gala. The announcement comes just days before Gorman is set to perform an original poem at the 2025 UNICEF Gala on Tuesday, December 2 — a piece dedicated to children’s rights and support for young people in crisis. Gorman began collaborating with UNICEF in 2021, the same year she rose to international fame after performing “The Hill We Climb” at President Joe Biden’s inauguration. Since then, she’s been using her platform to advocate for vulnerable children around the world. “Working with UNICEF has shown me that when we choose to uplift children, we are choosing to uplift our shared future,” Gorman said in a statement. “It is an honor to become a UNICEF Ambassador and to stand with an organization that turns possibility into action every single day, especially for children living through crisis.” UNICEF highlighted Gorman’s work in emergency settings and her commitment to global equity, noting that she has consistently educated, fundraised, and advocated for the organization’s mission. “Throughout her tenure, she has used her platform to educate, advocate and fundraise on behalf of the world’s children,” UNICEF stated. “She has worked relentlessly to ensure that every child is healthy, educated, protected and respected.” Michael J. Nyenhuis, President and CEO of UNICEF USA, praised Gorman for her ability to communicate urgency and hope. “Amanda has a singular talent for communicating the weight of a moment in a way that invites conversation and enacts change,” Nyenhuis said. “We are thrilled for Amanda to formally join UNICEF’s mission of relentlessly pursuing a more equitable world for every child and look forward to watching her inspire the next generation of philanthropists.” This isn’t the first time Gorman has used poetry to advocate for change. At the 2022 United Nations General Assembly, she recited An Ode We Owe, a piece calling for action on global poverty and inequality. Her upcoming UNICEF gala performance will continue that theme, with a focus on children affected by crisis. The ambassador role is one more milestone in what’s already been a banner year for Gorman. In January, she published her fourth book, Girls on the Rise, a picture book celebrating community and solidarity among young girls. “Being a young girl in these times can be very difficult, very challenging,” she said on the Book of the Day podcast earlier this year. “Unless there's a systemic change that makes sure that girls feel safe and protected... there’s going to continue to be this feeling of being alone. And the more that we can stand with them and amongst them, as allies and as me, as a woman myself, then there's no longer this feeling of being alone but being part of a community that shares your value.” Gorman says she “couldn’t be prouder” to take on her new ambassador role and plans to continue using her voice — and her verse — to bring attention to the world’s most vulnerable children.

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Arizona Dad Makes It to Son's Birth Moments After Emergency Surgery

Matt Sharp didn’t expect to end up in a hospital bed just hours before becoming a father. But a burst of appendicitis nearly made him miss the birth of his son — until everything came together at the last possible moment. Sharp, who lives in Arizona, was rushed to HonorHealth Sonoran Hospital in Phoenix on Saturday, November 1, after falling seriously ill. Doctors quickly diagnosed appendicitis and told him he’d need emergency surgery that day. The operation went smoothly, but while Sharp was still recovering in his hospital bed, he got another surprise: a call from his pregnant wife, Steffanie Diercks. “She said, ‘I’m on my way in,’” Sharp recalled. She was going into labor — and headed to the exact same hospital. That’s when Sharp decided he couldn’t let a little thing like fresh stitches keep him from being there for the birth. “Hey, I need you guys to break me out of here ASAP,” he told a nurse, according to CBS affiliate KTVK. With the help of hospital staff, he was able to make it upstairs to the labor and delivery floor, just in time. His son, Colton, was born the next morning, on Sunday, November 2, at just after 10 a.m. He weighed 3.2 kilograms (7 pounds, 2 ounces). “He was there at the nick of time,” Diercks said. “It was perfect. It was really perfect.” Now back at home with their newborn, the couple is laughing about the timing. “The timing was good,” Sharp said. Diercks agreed: “It was good.”

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Spotify Unveils 2025 Wrapped: Everything You Need To Know About This Year's Music Recap

Spotify Wrapped 2025 is expected to drop soon — and all signs point to it arriving the week of December 2, likely on Wednesday, December 3 if past years are any indication. Here's a quick summary of what to expect: • What it is: A personalized recap of your listening habits from the past year — top songs, artists, genres, podcasts, minutes listened, and more. • Where to find it: On your Spotify mobile app’s home screen banner, or by searching “Wrapped.” A desktop version is also available at spotify.com/wrapped once it's live. How to prepare: • Update your app to the latest version via the App Store or Google Play to ensure full functionality. • Listen until the end of the year — contrary to earlier reports of an October 31 cut-off, Spotify says it continues counting data past that date. • New features: Expect some interactive twists. In recent years, these have included things like “music auras,” personality types, and even cities that match your music taste. And yes, artist messages are likely returning — with big names like Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny often showing up in fans’ recaps. Want help finding your top songs or making a playlist once Wrapped drops? I can help you create a Spotify playlist from your results. Just let me know!

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This HBCU Student Just Made History As a Triple-Threat Scholar and Rhodes Recipient

Aniaba Jean-Baptiste N’guessan, a senior at Morehouse College in Atlanta, has been named a 2026 Rhodes Scholar — one of the most prestigious academic honors in the world. Born in Côte d’Ivoire and now a U.S. citizen, N’guessan is triple majoring in economics, mathematics, and computer science at Morehouse, a historically Black college. His academic achievements are matched by a strong record of leadership and community service, qualities that helped him earn the scholarship, which will fund graduate studies at the University of Oxford in England. He’s the sixth student from Morehouse to receive the Rhodes Scholarship. N’guessan’s leadership journey began at the African Leadership Academy in South Africa before coming to the U.S. to attend Morehouse. On campus, he served two terms as president of the International Students Organization, working to foster inclusion and mentorship among the college’s global student body. His research has taken him far beyond campus. At Stanford University, he worked on AI-driven economic models. At Emory, he contributed to computational projects. He also co-founded Viridis AI, a platform that uses artificial intelligence to support life management. The project attracted backing from major institutions, including the Mastercard Foundation, JPMorgan Chase, and Blackstone. Beyond the accolades, N’guessan is committed to service. His volunteer work promotes financial equity and student success, tied closely to what he calls “45-Degree Leadership” — a philosophy that connects excellence with service to others. “Our achievements are never for us alone but to serve God and serve humanity,” he said, crediting Morehouse for shaping his view of leadership and purpose. The announcement of his selection was met with cheers, banners, and applause at the airport, where classmates, faculty, and friends gathered to celebrate. It was a moment that highlighted not just his success, but the community that helped nurture it. As he heads to Oxford, N’guessan represents not just academic excellence, but a broader story of resilience, ambition, and global leadership — one that inspires far beyond the walls of Morehouse.

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This WPHL Hockey Team is Rallying Behind Their Coach Amid Her Breast Cancer Battle

Carla MacLeod, head coach of the Ottawa PWHL team, has been diagnosed with breast cancer — but the outpouring of support from across the hockey community is helping fuel her fight. Speaking to reporters Monday, MacLeod said she’s been “humbled” by the response since making her diagnosis public a day earlier. “The overwhelming outpouring of kindness... has really humbled me,” she said at a post-practice news conference. “It was something I couldn't have imagined, so I'm very, very grateful to the hockey community and all the people that have been able to help me in this moment." A two-time Olympic gold medalist as a player for Team Canada, MacLeod has been behind the Ottawa bench since the PWHL’s inaugural season began. She’ll miss Tuesday’s home game against the Minnesota Frost as she travels to Calgary to meet with doctors, but said she expects to return later in the week. Despite the diagnosis, MacLeod emphasized that she feels healthy, is grateful the cancer was caught early, and urged others to stay on top of their medical checkups. “I’m looking forward to the next step in treatment,” she said, “and getting back to being healthy and continuing to do what I love.” Assistant coach Haley Irwin will lead the team in her absence. Players learned the news in a team meeting on Sunday afternoon. According to MacLeod, their response felt like “the biggest, warmest hug I could ever get.” Forward Emily Clark said the news came as a shock. “It hit us hard, as it hit everyone,” she said. “She’s been so brave and courageous, and you wouldn’t know because she shows up with the same energy, positivity, charisma every day.” Veteran forward Brianne Jenner, who leads the PWHL points race just two games into the season, said the team plans to rally around their coach. “Our whole team is behind her and we’re going to miss her,” Jenner said. “We’re a family and we want her to be OK.” MacLeod is also set to coach the Czech national women’s hockey team at the upcoming Winter Olympics in February. For now, though, her focus is on her health — and the massive community standing behind her.

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Utah Couple Welcomes Baby Girl Born on Roadside During Thanksgiving Journey

A Utah couple has a Thanksgiving story they’ll never forget — their baby girl was born on the side of the road. Daxton and Vannessa Lowe were racing to Intermountain Medical Center in Murray on the morning of November 27 when their second child decided she couldn’t wait. As they exited Interstate 5 at 5300 South, Vannessa realized labor was progressing faster than expected. “Nope, I feel like she’s coming right now,” she recalled telling her husband. “And I reached down and I go, ‘Wow, that’s her head!’” Daxton quickly pulled their minivan over and called 911. But before help could arrive, the baby made her entrance — right there in the front seat. “She just shot out, and I somehow caught her!” Vannessa said. “As I was pulling off, I literally looked over and just watched the baby launch, right into mom’s hands — boom, right there!” Paramedics with the Utah Highway Patrol arrived soon after and helped transport the family to the hospital. Both mom and baby are doing well. They named their daughter Luna Grace, and although she arrived weighing just 5 pounds, 6 ounces, her parents say she’s healthy and strong. “She’s tiny but mighty, for sure,” said Vannessa. Luna is the couple’s second child, and her arrival has already earned legendary status in the family. “A Thanksgiving never to be forgotten,” Daxton said.

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Study Finds Natural Molecule Clears Alzheimer's Protein Buildup

A molecule known for more than a century could hold the key to slowing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease — and scientists say it works a bit like cheese on spaghetti. Researchers in Switzerland have discovered that spermine, a naturally occurring compound involved in metabolism, may help stop toxic proteins from building up in the brain. That buildup is a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. In lab experiments, worms given extra spermine showed better health in old age. Their cells stayed more energized and didn’t wear out as quickly — a sign that spermine was doing something protective at the cellular level. So what’s actually happening? According to the team from the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), spermine changes how two problematic proteins — tau and alpha-synuclein — behave. These proteins, when misfolded, tend to form hard, sticky clumps called amyloids that damage brain cells. Spermine doesn’t stop them from clumping altogether, but it does something different: it makes the clumps soft, liquid-like, and easier to remove. Think of it like cooking pasta. “The spermine is like cheese that connects the long, thin pasta without gluing them together, making them easier to digest,” explained biophysicist Jinghui Luo, one of the lead researchers. Instead of letting the proteins turn into rock-hard plaques — the kind that stick to your brain like burnt crust on a pan — spermine causes them to form droplets that are much easier for the body’s clean-up system to handle. That system, known as autophagy, is responsible for clearing out damaged cell parts and proteins. According to Luo, it works better when it can grab onto larger, more flexible clusters. “Autophagy is more effective at handling larger protein clumps,” he said. “And spermine is, so to speak, the binding agent that brings the strands together.” Importantly, spermine seems to only step in when tau and alpha-synuclein reach unhealthy levels. That’s useful, because it suggests spermine doesn’t interfere with the proteins’ normal roles — just the misbehaving ones. Tau and alpha-synuclein are well-known troublemakers in neurodegenerative diseases, though scientists still debate whether the protein clumps they form are a cause or a symptom. Either way, they’re clearly involved, and finding a way to manage them is a major goal of brain research. Spermine, it turns out, might be one of the tools. It’s been previously linked to brain protection, but this study shows how it might work in more detail. The findings were published in the journal Nature Communications. The team hopes spermine — or similar small molecules — could be used in the future to treat a range of diseases beyond Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, possibly even some forms of cancer. “If we better understand the underlying processes,” Luo said, “we can cook tastier and more digestible dishes, so to speak, because then we’ll know exactly which spices, in which amounts, make the sauce especially tasty.” It’s early days. The experiments so far were limited to worms and test tubes. But the research opens a new direction: using small molecules to gently reshape how toxic proteins behave, rather than trying to block or destroy them outright. That’s where spermine stands out — not as a hammer, but as a kind of biological sous-chef, helping the body’s natural defenses work smarter, not harder.

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