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Score (95)
A New Discovery Could Lead to an Effective Long-Term Treatment for Lupus
Australian researchers at Monash University have made a groundbreaking discovery that could offer long-term treatment for lupus, an autoimmune disease with no cure. The study found a way to reprogram the defective cells of lupus patients using protective molecules from healthy individuals, effectively restoring the immune system's ability to prevent autoimmunity. This new method shows promise not only for lupus but also for other autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis.
Score (95)
'America's Notre Dame' Cathedral Undergoes Renovation, Gargoyles Included
For more than a century, a collection of sharp-toothed gargoyles has stood watch over Covington, Kentucky, perched atop the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption. This year, they’re getting some company—and a facelift. In January, workers began installing new terra cotta gargoyles on the cathedral’s facade, one of the final steps in a two-year, $7.8 million restoration of one of America’s most ambitious Gothic revival churches. Known by many as “America’s Notre Dame,” the cathedral’s design was modeled after its famous French namesake, complete with flying buttresses, pointed arches, and rows of grotesque stone figures. Unlike the Notre Dame in Paris, which underwent massive repairs after a 2019 fire, Covington’s cathedral has suffered a slower erosion—125 years of rain, wind, ice, and Ohio River air taking a quiet but steady toll on the building’s limestone, metal, and terra cotta features. “We consider ourselves blessed to be able to ensure the cathedral is taken care of for coming generations,” said the Very Rev. Ryan Maher, rector of the cathedral. The recent work has included replacing large sections of limestone, sourced from the same quarry in Bedford, Indiana, that supplied the original 1901 construction. The new gargoyles and 26 rooftop chimeras are exact replicas of the worn originals, recreated using high-resolution scans and hand-finishing techniques. “It’s hard to believe that you’re able to replicate a piece that was built a hundred years ago by men that are no longer with us,” said Brian Walter, executive vice president of Trisco Systems, the company leading the restoration. Walter called the work “an art and a science” that’s been passed down through generations. “Every part of it is challenging.” Crews have been hoisting massive stones high above a busy Covington street through winter winds and summer heat, all while trying to preserve the intricate character of the original design. The cathedral has undergone previous renovations, including new statues in 2019. But the current overhaul was triggered by a startling discovery in 2018—a chunk of stone had fallen from the building. Maher took it as a sign that more serious restoration work was overdue. This time around, workers replaced corroded carbon steel with more durable stainless steel pins and brackets, ensuring longer-lasting support for the facade. The cathedral itself is an architectural statement. Opened in 1901, it was the vision of Belgian-born Bishop Camillus Paul Maes, who wanted to build something grand enough to reflect what he called “heaven on earth.” At the time, Covington had a population of just over 40,000—about the same as today—but Maes believed the fast-growing immigrant Catholic community needed a sanctuary as awe-inspiring as any in Europe. Inside, the high vaulted ceilings and massive stained-glass windows were inspired by another Paris landmark, the Basilica of Saint-Denis. Outside, the facade was meant to echo Notre Dame de Paris—albeit at half the scale and without the iconic twin towers. Cathedral historian Stephen Enzweiler said the design was part of a larger Gothic revival movement in the U.S. around the turn of the century. “At the time, no one had ever heard of Covington,” he said, but the cathedral’s quality and ambition made it stand out. “It shows the talent of the bishop, the architect and the craftsmen,” said Duncan Stroik, professor of architecture at the University of Notre Dame. Ironically, much of the “medieval” Gothic revival was itself influenced by 19th-century renovations to Notre Dame, spurred in part by the success of Victor Hugo’s novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The chimeras—those fantastical, non-functional creatures atop Notre Dame—were added by architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc during that era. Covington’s versions are purely decorative too; unlike traditional gargoyles, they don’t serve as rain spouts. What exactly gargoyles were meant to represent remains up for debate. Were they spiritual guardians? Warnings to the wicked? Or just the creative whims of medieval masons? Whatever the answer, their image has softened over the years—from demonic protectors to cartoon sidekicks, garden ornaments, and even the name of the cathedral’s newsletter: The Gargoyle Gazette. Funding for the $7.8 million project came from more than 2,000 individual donors, plus several foundations. Maher said the community rallied quickly. “It was kind of an easy sell, because of what the cathedral means to not only our parishioners but to the whole community.” If all goes to plan, the restoration will be finished by March. For Maher, the timing is perfect—and symbolic. “When everything is upside down, this is a place where people can experience the calm of the Lord,” he said.
Score (94)
Edmonton Startups are Teaming Up to Tackle Canada’s Next Wildfire Season
It may be freezing in Edmonton right now, but three local tech companies are already looking ahead to wildfire season. FireSafe AI, Wyvern, and AIRmarket—three startups based in Edmonton—are joining forces to roll out a modern, data-driven wildfire detection and prevention system ahead of summer 2026. Together, they’re hoping to create a faster, more accurate way to detect wildfires before they grow out of control. The collaboration brings together each company’s strength: FireSafe AI specializes in early wildfire detection using artificial intelligence. Wyvern provides hyperspectral satellite imagery. AIRmarket handles drones and real-time aerial surveillance. “Ultimately, it’s really about creating that… 2 a.m. operational view where [FireSafe AI] can be trusted to respond, detect, and ultimately reduce losses in business continuity, property and in lives,” said Nafaa Haddou, founder and CEO of FireSafe AI. FireSafe AI is the core of the system FireSafe’s AI platform combines data from its mobile fire detection towers, traffic cameras, and satellites to produce fire hazard scores and send alerts to emergency crews. In 2025, the company began integrating satellite imagery from Wyvern, which allows the system to get even more detailed and localized. “What [it] allows us to do is to get a layer of data that’s not easily accessible to a lot of people,” said Haddou. “That hyperspectral layer allows us to categorize based on species, to see under the tree canopy better, rather than just greens and dryness.” FireSafe users will soon be able to request satellite data directly, thanks to new APIs Wyvern is building specifically for the partnership. If the AI system detects a fire, AIRmarket’s drones can be launched immediately to confirm the threat and provide real-time situational awareness to crews on the ground. Haddou said the integration was a “natural kind of fit.” Last summer, FireSafe and AIRmarket held joint demonstrations in Alberta’s Municipal District of Bighorn, showcasing their ability to operate drones beyond visual line of sight—something Transport Canada has recently loosened regulations on. The need for rapid detection isn’t theoretical. In July 2024, a lightning strike near Athabasca Falls ignited a blaze that torched 3,500 hectares in just a few hours. The fire ultimately consumed 32,000 hectares and forced the evacuation of Jasper. A few years earlier, in 2021, the entire village of Lytton, B.C., was destroyed by fire in a matter of minutes. As Canada’s wildfire seasons grow more intense and unpredictable, there’s growing urgency for new solutions. Fires that burn closer to populated areas carry not just human cost, but economic fallout as well. In 2023, Vermilion Energy was forced to halt operations at a facility near Entwistle, Alberta, due to a nearby wildfire. The shutdown resulted in a loss of about 30,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. “That’s significant costs for a lot of these clients,” Haddou said. “So even being able to keep an operation online for an additional hour, or making sure they can go out to create proper firebreaks to limit damage—that’s where the benefit is.” FireSafe is currently working with Sturgeon County and the Municipal District of Bighorn to deploy its platform. Haddou said the company is focusing on county governments for now, since they often cover large areas and have mandates for public safety. “They have to make the most out of their resources,” he said. “So being able to reduce false positives and callouts is huge, and in turn to be able to be notified and get the triangulated location to respond in that critical window… is astronomical in improving the ultimate outcome for these communities.” Beyond governments, FireSafe is targeting industries like oil, gas, and utilities, where wildfires can disrupt operations and cause massive financial losses. FireSafe AI was founded in 2023 and bootstrapped its way through early development. The company received a $125,000 angel investment in 2025 and support from programs like the Community Safety and Wellness Accelerator. They’re now in the process of raising $1.5 million USD in seed funding. “Currently we’re aiming to raise a target of $1.5 million USD to really allow us to accelerate development, go to market and get to product market fit,” said Haddou. “We’ve got traction, we’ve got pilots, we’ve got customers, but we’re calling it seed. Effectively, it’s still an early-stage fund for us.” As fire seasons continue to intensify, FireSafe hopes that the right mix of AI, satellite data, and drones can give first responders an edge—and give communities more time to act.
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Score (97)
South Korean Engineers Unveil Shirt-Like Exoskeleton to Boost Mobility for Muscular Dystrophy Patients
A new wearable innovation from South Korea could change daily life for people with degenerative muscle conditions — and it fits just like a T-shirt. Engineers at the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials have developed a soft, shirt-style exoskeleton that weighs less than a kilogram and helps users regain arm mobility with ease. The device is designed specifically for individuals with conditions like muscular dystrophy, who often lose the ability to carry out basic tasks like lifting an arm or brushing teeth. Unlike bulky, metal-powered exoskeletons that can cost tens of thousands of dollars and weigh several kilograms, this new version is light, wearable, and far more affordable. The key lies in the shirt’s high-tech fibers, which are thinner than a human hair and made of shape memory alloy — a material that “remembers” its original form and contracts when activated. That contraction mimics muscle movement. In testing, the shirt reduced the physical strain on users’ muscles by 40 to 57 percent. The fabric itself can lift up to 15 kilograms (34 pounds), and when paired with the user’s own motion, it can help restore everyday movement with significantly less effort. “It felt amazing because it was light and easy to wear, just like clothing,” said 15-year-old Myung Ha-yul, who has Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Myung participated in a clinical trial at Seoul National University Hospital and said the shirt helped him lift his arms more easily — something he has long struggled with. Myung was diagnosed in elementary school and, like many with Duchenne, faces a progressive loss of muscle function. His doctors had warned that simple tasks like combing his hair could one day become impossible. The new exosuit offers a different future. Lee Woo-hyung, a professor of rehabilitation medicine at the hospital, said the simplicity and effectiveness of the design is what makes it so promising. “The biggest achievement is that patients can put it on and take it off like clothing, while receiving active muscle support that leads to real functional improvement,” he said. The shirt system includes a light nylon harness to hold the electronic components, but otherwise looks and feels like everyday clothing. In practical terms, it gives users a sense of normalcy — and more independence — without the heavy machinery that typically accompanies assistive exosuits. The development is part of the Child Cancer and Rare Disease Project, a major initiative launched in 2021 with a 300 billion won (about $204 million) donation from the family of the late Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee. The project aims to accelerate medical breakthroughs for children with rare and life-limiting conditions. For Myung and others like him, that investment is already paying off. He may still require help for some activities, but now, getting through daily routines could come with a little more strength — and a lot more dignity.
Score (98)
Tony Hawk’s Legacy Goes Beyond Tricks — It’s Building Skateparks, Communities and Hope Worldwide
Tony Hawk might have stepped off the board competitively, but he’s still pushing the limits — this time, through philanthropy. Through his nonprofit, The Skatepark Project, Hawk has helped fund nearly 700 public skateparks across all 50 U.S. states. Since 2002, the organization has awarded $13 million in grants, making safe skating spaces available to an estimated 17 million people every year. But Hawk isn’t just building ramps and rails. He’s also trying to build leaders. “We’re not just helping to build skateparks. We’re also working to build community in entirely new ways,” Hawk said in a video for the nonprofit. Through fellowships and advocacy training, the organization equips young people with the tools to create their own skate spaces, especially in underserved communities. The idea is simple: skateparks are more than places to land tricks — they’re places where young people build confidence, community, and resilience. That spirit has extended far beyond the U.S. In recent years, The Skatepark Project has supported skateboarding initiatives in Afghanistan, Cambodia, and South Africa. Meanwhile, other grassroots skateboarding groups have taken root in regions affected by conflict, using the sport as a lifeline. In Gaza, where daily life is shaped by war and occupation, SkatePal is giving young Palestinians a place to learn, play, and breathe. The nonprofit has built four skateparks over the last 11 years, hosted summer camps, and created programs to bring more girls into the sport. “Skateboarding is not for a specific type of person,” said Malak, a volunteer in Ramallah, on the organization’s website. “Skateboarding is for everyone, no matter what religion, color, or place.” Lately, much of SkatePal’s focus has shifted toward basic survival. Amid ongoing violence, the group has redirected funds to help with essentials, while also supporting local skate groups like Gaza Skate Team and skateboarding.ps with gear and equipment. Despite the destruction, photos and videos on SkatePal’s social media show kids still skating — smiling, learning tricks, and finding moments of joy on crumbling pavement. “It’s a tool to escape everything,” said Mahmoud Kilani, founder of skateboarding.ps, in an interview with DAZED Magazine. “Because we don’t have freedom here. We are surrounded by walls. Sometimes we can’t go to the park because they say we can’t, so we take our boards and we go skate somewhere else. It’s just a break from the occupation.” Thousands of kilometers away in Mukono, Uganda, another DIY movement is gaining momentum. What began with a teenager’s dream has grown into the Uganda Skateboard Society, a youth-led effort to build skateparks and provide free lessons and gear to kids in low-income communities. “Skateboarding has existed… in Uganda, but no one was there to promote it and get companies or individuals to come on board to make the youth more interested,” co-founder Gerald Gose told Jenkem Magazine. “So we decided to make it the DIY way.” Gose, now the head coach of Uganda’s Olympic skateboarding team, said it’s about more than just tricks. When one young skater couldn’t afford school, the community stepped in and raised the money. The skatepark has also become a safe space where kids can pursue their passion and stay away from crime. “When I leave here, I hope to be able to look around and say we have done a good job and made a good foundation for the future,” Gose said. “I believe Ugandan skateboarders have the potential, and we have set goals for what we intend to achieve.” From California to Gaza to Uganda, skateboarding is proving it doesn’t just build balance — it builds communities. And for many young people, a skateboard isn’t just a toy. It’s a tool for freedom, belonging, and possibility.
Score (98)
Woman Rescues Puffin Displaced By Storms
A puffin blown far off course by recent storms has been rescued from a beach in the south of England — hundreds of kilometres from its usual habitat. The seabird was spotted by Sonia Meachen, who was walking her dog Ernie on Gorleston beach near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, when she noticed the small puffin struggling on the sand. “I just couldn’t believe it,” she said. “Her wings were out, but she couldn’t fly. She let me pick her up with my hat.” After carrying the bird to the car park, Meachen alerted passersby, including the owner of a nearby coffee van who contacted Marine and Wildlife Rescue. Volunteer Dan Goldsmith responded immediately and collected the bird. The puffin — later identified as male — is now being treated at the RSPCA’s East Winch centre near King’s Lynn. But the outlook is uncertain. “He is under veterinary supervision and we are doing all we can to save him,” said an RSPCA spokesperson. “But the puffin is extremely thin and very weak, so his prognosis at the moment is very guarded.” Goldsmith said it was the first time his rescue group had encountered a puffin. “A few have shown up across this region in the past, but unfortunately, they are normally deceased,” he said. “This bird was somewhat cold and exhausted as a result of being battered by the sea.” Puffins usually live in cold waters across the North Atlantic and are rarely seen along England’s southeastern coast. When they come to shore, it’s typically in the far north and west of the UK — particularly in places like Skomer Island in Wales, where they nest in cliff faces. There are an estimated 580,000 breeding pairs in the UK, according to the RSPB. Their diet consists mainly of small fish, including sand eels, and they rely on strong, cold-water currents to support feeding. Listed as a red-status bird in the UK, puffins are considered of high conservation concern due to declining numbers. Climate change, overfishing, and habitat loss have all been cited as contributing threats. Goldsmith said the rescued puffin would need time to build strength before it could be considered for release. “Most wild animals have challenges to overcome as part of their onward rehabilitation,” he said. “Hopefully if it builds its strength and has no lasting damage, it can make a full recovery.” For now, Meachen is just glad the puffin has a fighting chance. “I’m just so relieved he wasn’t left out there on his own,” she said.
Score (96)
Harry Styles Launches 'Together, Together' Tour, While Supporting Global Nonprofits Around the World
Harry Styles is stepping back into the spotlight with new music, a new tour, and the same flair fans have come to expect. The pop icon announced last week that his fourth studio album, Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally, will drop on March 6. And on Monday morning, he revealed something even bigger: a global residency tour dubbed Together, Together, with 50 shows across seven cities from May through December. Styles will set up shop in Amsterdam, London, São Paulo, Mexico City, New York, Melbourne, and Sydney, performing multiple nights in each location. The New York stretch alone includes a whopping 30 performances at Madison Square Garden. Alongside the music, the tour will carry a strong philanthropic focus. According to concert promoter Live Nation, Styles is partnering with three nonprofits during the run: Choose Love, LIVE Trust, and HeadCount. Choose Love, a humanitarian aid group that provides food, shelter, and education to displaced people, has been a longtime cause for Styles. While the specific plans for this tour weren’t detailed, Live Nation said they will “continue that work” during Together, Together. In London, £1 from every ticket will go to LIVE Trust, an organization that supports grassroots music in the UK. And in New York, HeadCount will set up at Madison Square Garden to help concert-goers register to vote. Fans will be able to sign up on-site at a special pop-up station during the shows. Styles is also teaming up with Green Nation, Live Nation’s sustainability arm, to explore ways of reducing the tour’s environmental footprint.
Score (94)
Scientists Are Using Earthquake Tech to Track Falling Space Junk in Real Time
In a new twist on an old tool, scientists have figured out how to track falling space debris using the same networks of sensors designed to detect earthquakes. The method could offer a crucial way to monitor growing numbers of uncontrolled reentries from space, as the global pace of rocket launches accelerates—and with it, the risk of debris slamming back to Earth. Most space junk burns up harmlessly in the atmosphere. But larger objects, like rocket boosters and space station modules, sometimes make it through. When space agencies don’t control those descents, they can land anywhere—posing threats to people, planes, and even the environment. Now researchers have found that sonic booms created by reentering debris can be picked up by seismic sensors already in place around the world. By analyzing the shockwaves these objects produce, scientists can reconstruct their speed, angle, and trajectory, and even estimate where they break apart in the atmosphere or crash on the ground. “This is a very useful extra tool in our toolbox,” said Jonathan McDowell, a spaceflight tracker at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, who was not involved in the study. Optical and radar systems help track objects before they enter the atmosphere, but both struggle once those objects begin breaking up. Sonic booms, on the other hand, “should work whether it’s day or night,” McDowell said. The idea emerged after a dramatic incident in April 2024, when a 1.5-ton module from China’s Shenzhou-15 mission reentered Earth’s atmosphere at supersonic speed. U.S. Space Command predicted the debris would land in the North Atlantic—but it ended up passing over six continents and likely burned up over southern California or crashed into the Pacific. That event caught the attention of Benjamin Fernando, a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins University. Working with Constantinos Charalambous at Imperial College London, Fernando sifted through public seismic data from California and found sonic booms from the reentry recorded at more than 120 monitoring stations. By mapping how the shockwaves arrived at each sensor, the researchers were able to calculate the module’s trajectory in detail. “We were able to work out its speed, descent, angle and trajectory—and also probe how it broke apart in the atmosphere,” Fernando said. If the method is automated and scaled, it could provide near real-time alerts within seconds of a reentry—exactly when accuracy matters most. “Once an object is burning and breaking up within the atmosphere, it actually becomes quite difficult to track,” Fernando said. “Which also makes it harder to understand its impacts on the atmosphere, the risk it poses to aviation and the threat it represents wherever it may hit the ground.” While sonic booms won’t offer enough advance warning for planes to change course, they could prove vital for locating where debris lands and understanding what happens when objects disintegrate. That data could help spacecraft engineers improve future designs so that more debris burns up safely before reaching the surface. Some debris isn’t just dangerous because of its mass—many pieces carry toxic rocket fuel or radioactive materials used in nuclear-powered space missions. Even near misses with air traffic have already occurred. A 2025 SpaceX test flight scattered debris across the Caribbean, forcing aircraft to divert. Fernando and Charalambous published their findings in Science, and they’re now exploring two options to expand the system. One involves upgrading analysis methods on the already-extensive seismic networks in places like the U.S. West Coast, where many reentries occur due to orbital patterns. The other is setting up low-cost seismic sensors in high-risk areas—such as Australia’s northeastern coast near the Great Barrier Reef, where Chinese rocket stages often fall. Installing seismometers there, Fernando argues, would be cheaper than building radar stations and could offer better ground-truth data. “This could work almost for free once you know how to do the analysis,” McDowell said. But the real question is whether global space agencies and policymakers are ready to take action. “For 60 years, we’ve been letting things reenter uncontrolled,” McDowell said. “We’ve just been hoping that it doesn’t hit anyone on the head or cause other harm. But eventually we’re going to run out of luck.” Fernando agrees. “It’s only going to get worse,” he said. “I fear space debris isn’t going to get the attention it deserves until something truly catastrophic occurs—and I’d guess the probability of that happening is 100 percent.”
Score (96)
Strange Metal From Beyond Our Planet Was Just Found In an Ancient Treasure Stash
Two rusty, unassuming objects long overshadowed by gold may turn out to be the real prize in one of Europe’s most significant Bronze Age hoards. A new study led by Salvador Rovira-Llorens, former head of conservation at Spain’s National Archaeological Museum, suggests that a bracelet and a small, hollow cap from the Treasure of Villena were forged not from earthly metal, but from iron that fell from the sky. That is, they were made from meteorites. The Treasure of Villena was discovered in 1963 near Alicante, in southeastern Spain. It contains 66 objects—most of them dazzling gold items—dating back more than 3,000 years. It’s been hailed as one of the most important prehistoric finds in Europe, especially for what it revealed about Iberian craftsmanship during the Late Bronze Age. But for decades, two pieces in the hoard stood out for entirely different reasons: they didn’t look like the others. One was a dull, torc-like bracelet. The other, a corroded, hollow hemisphere, was possibly part of a scepter or sword hilt. Both appeared to be made of iron, despite the fact that ironworking in Iberia didn’t begin until around 850 BCE. The rest of the Villena treasure dates to between 1500 and 1200 BCE—centuries before the start of the Iron Age in the region. That discrepancy raised a long-standing puzzle: what were two iron-looking objects doing in a Bronze Age collection? The answer, it turns out, may lie in space. While widespread smelting of terrestrial iron hadn’t yet taken hold, Bronze Age artisans in several parts of the world are known to have worked with meteoritic iron—metal from space rocks that survived their fiery plunge through Earth’s atmosphere. One of the most famous examples is the dagger buried with Pharaoh Tutankhamun, forged from meteoritic iron more than 3,000 years ago. These rare objects weren’t just functional. They were revered. “Bronze Age societies often treated meteoritic iron as a luxury material,” Rovira-Llorens and his team note in their study. “Its origin from the heavens may have given it ritual or symbolic value.” To test whether the bracelet and cap from Villena were made the same way, researchers obtained small samples and analyzed their composition using mass spectrometry. Corrosion made it tricky—the artifacts are heavily degraded after thousands of years—but the analysis still revealed an unusually high nickel content. That’s the key marker: meteoritic iron tends to have far more nickel than iron found in Earth’s crust. The results, published in the journal Trabajos de Prehistoria, strongly suggest both objects were made from space iron, placing them among the earliest such examples ever found in the Iberian Peninsula. The researchers dated them to between 1400 and 1200 BCE, aligning with the rest of the Villena hoard and helping to resolve the mystery of their presence. “The available data suggest that the cap and bracelet from the Treasure of Villena would currently be the first two pieces attributable to meteoritic iron in the Iberian Peninsula,” the authors write, “which is compatible with a Late Bronze chronology, prior to the beginning of the widespread production of terrestrial iron.” The team cautions that the findings aren’t definitive. More advanced, non-invasive imaging techniques—such as neutron diffraction or synchrotron-based analysis—could help confirm the origin without damaging the already fragile pieces. They’re hopeful that future testing will allow for more precise confirmation. In the meantime, the discovery adds a cosmic twist to the story of Iberian metalworking. Not only were Bronze Age artisans capable of crafting intricate goldwork, but they may also have been skilled enough to forge objects from rare and difficult meteorite material—centuries before iron tools became common. And while the gold in the Treasure of Villena may still catch the eye, it's the two rusted pieces—once dismissed as out of place—that may hold the richest clues about a time when even the stars were part of human craftsmanship.
Score (97)
This Photographer Just Captured a Stunning Image Of a Rare Black Leopard Giza From Kenya
British wildlife photographer Andy Rouse has achieved what he calls a long-standing dream: capturing images of one of Africa’s rarest big cats — a wild black leopard named Giza. The photos, taken at Kenya’s Laikipia Wildlife Conservancy, show Giza alongside her two cubs, who, unlike their mother, have the more familiar golden coats with black rosettes. Giza’s unique coloring, caused by a genetic condition called melanism, gives her a deep black and brown coat — with her spots still faintly visible when viewed up close. “It’s been an ambition of mine for several years to photograph her,” Rouse said. “She took my breath away the first time I saw her, probably the most beautiful cat I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot.” Black leopards — often called black panthers — are extremely rare in the wild, especially in Africa. Melanism results from an excess of black pigment in the skin and fur. While jaguars and leopards can both carry the gene, geography is usually the clearest way to distinguish them. Jaguars are found in Latin America, while leopards live across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Russia. Giza is one of only a handful of confirmed black leopards ever documented in Africa, according to SWNS. Her fame has grown among wildlife watchers and conservationists alike, not just for her rare appearance but for her boldness and the maternal care she shows her cubs. “She has two normal colored cubs, both 12 months old and doing so well,” Rouse said. “She’s an incredible hunter and teacher. Everything a great mother should be.” Rouse, who has been recognized nine times in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards, said the encounter was part of a larger project focused on leopards. He’s also the founder of The WildBunch Club and leads wildlife tours around the globe. “Spending time with her is just magical,” he said. “She’s very famous as she’s so bold and beautiful.” Black leopards are elusive by nature, and sightings in the wild are exceedingly rare — even more so when it comes to photographing them in daylight. Rouse’s images, which show Giza perched on rocks and blending into the African terrain, offer a rare glimpse into the life of a truly extraordinary animal. “She’s got such a unique personality,” Rouse said. “This was an experience I’ll never forget.”
Score (98)
15-Year-Old Becomes Youngest Australian Snow Sport Medalist — and a Genuine Olympic Threat
When the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve in Calgary, 15-year-old Indra Brown had more on her mind than just fireworks. She was practicing how to pop champagne bottles — with her parents’ help, of course. “I got some practice over New Year's helping the parents pop from some bottles,” she said, laughing. “Which was pretty fun.” That practice came in handy just weeks earlier, when Brown stood on her first-ever World Cup podium after winning bronze in the Olympic halfpipe event at Secret Garden, China. At 15 years and 10 months old, she became the youngest Australian snow sport athlete to ever win a World Cup medal. Brown was joined on the podium by two of the sport’s biggest names: Olympic champion Eileen Gu and world champion Zoe Atkin. It was heady company — and surreal for a teenager competing in her World Cup debut. When it came time to pop the celebratory champagne, Brown hesitated. Gu stepped in to help, creating one of the most quietly charming moments of the freeski season. "Just to stand there with an idol that I've looked up to for so long… that big-sister moment with her helping me out with the champagne, that made it even better," Brown said. Brown’s debut season has been extraordinary. After that bronze in China, she followed it up with silver at Copper Mountain in Colorado, then struck gold in her third event — on home snow in Calgary. That made her just the second skier in history to medal in each of her first three World Cup events, equalling a record set by Sweden’s Jennie-Lee Burmansson. And now, with just five World Cup events under her belt, she’s heading to Milan as part of Australia’s second-largest Winter Olympic team ever. She’ll be the youngest Australian Winter Olympian since Scotty James and Britteny Cox, who also debuted at 15. Born in Melbourne, Brown first learned to ski on family trips to Mount Hotham. But it was five years living in Calgary that refined her freestyle abilities. “I think I just loved the thrill of it,” she said. “The fun aspect was a huge part of [pursuing freestyle skiing] and the creativity… there’s no right or wrong.” Despite her age, Brown hasn’t looked out of place competing alongside seasoned Olympians. “I think I just wanted to go in and land a run,” she said of her World Cup debut. “To get the result I got just made it even more incredible. It definitely gave me lots of confidence just to know that I do belong here.” She’s been traveling the circuit this season with her mum, Anne, and younger brother. Her father, Grant, remained in Melbourne with her two other siblings — though he made the trip to North America over Christmas and will be in Italy for the Games. "For us it's just wonderful," Grant said. "The happiness that the sport gives Indra. So long as she's still performing and genuinely enjoying it, and it’s her choice to do this… it’s a pretty special thing to be able to give a kid an opportunity to dare to dream.” He’s also been comforted by the support and camaraderie of the international tour. “That sense of community is a really, really important thing,” he said. “They genuinely enjoy seeing each other, hanging out, as well as being able to ski together. That’s been really reassuring for us as parents.” Brown’s community includes other young Australian stars like snowboarder Valentino Guseli, who made his Olympic debut at 16 and has since made history with World Cup medals across all three park and pipe disciplines. Guseli narrowly missed competing in all three events at Milan due to injury — a feat Brown hopes to attempt in 2030. For now, she’s focused on soaking in the experience. “It’s such a special, once-in-a-lifetime thing,” she said. “Just taking it in, not putting any pressure on myself, just having fun, enjoying the moment.” Even though she speaks with a slight Canadian twang, Brown insists her national allegiance was never in question. "I'm full Aussie," she said — a claim backed up by her two essential travel companions: Weetbix and Up and Go. And she’s not just a cute story. With a World Cup gold already to her name, Brown heads to Milan as a legitimate medal contender. “It’s a dream come true to be able to represent Australia at the Olympics,” she said. “To have this opportunity at my age and to be getting these experiences, it’s just incredible. I’m so excited to get to Milan.”