Goodable

Chris Farley, a comedic legend, shone in roles like Matt Foley on "Saturday Night Live" and Tommy Callahan, Jr. in "Tommy Boy." His untimely death at 33 in 1997 marked the end of a bright career. In 1995, as Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich rose to prominence within the Republican Party, Farley famously impersonated him during a House Republican Conference Meeting, celebrating the GOP's first 100 days in control of Congress, creating an unforgettable moment of comedy.

<p>Chris Farley, a comedic legend, shone in roles like Matt Foley on "Saturday Night Live" and Tommy Callahan, Jr. in "Tommy Boy." His untimely death at 33 in 1997 marked the end of a bright career. In 1995, as Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich rose to prominence within the Republican Party, Farley famously impersonated him during a House Republican Conference Meeting, celebrating the GOP's first 100 days in control of Congress, creating an unforgettable moment of comedy.<br></p>

Watch: SNL's Chris Farley's Hilarious Newt Gingrich Impersonation

Fox News

A surprising drug pairing could offer new hope for people with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), especially those who don’t respond to standard treatments.

Researchers at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) found that combining two existing cancer drugs—venetoclax, typically used for leukemia, and palbociclib, commonly used for breast cancer—led to much stronger and longer-lasting results than venetoclax alone.

AML is one of the most aggressive types of leukemia. More than 20,000 Americans are diagnosed with it every year. While treatment options have improved over the past decade, drug resistance remains a major challenge.

"This drug regimen may be especially effective in patients whose tumors exhibit features that cause resistance to the current standard of care," said Jeffrey Tyner, professor at OHSU’s School of Medicine and the Knight Cancer Institute, in a statement to Fox News Digital.

The findings came from an extensive analysis of tissue samples from over 300 patients with AML. The research team didn’t start with any particular drug combo in mind, Tyner noted. Instead, they tested a wide range of pairings—including combinations already used in standard care—and tracked which ones worked best.

It wasn’t close.

"The leukemia and breast cancer drug combination showed the most promising results," said Melissa Stewart, lead author of the study and research assistant professor at OHSU.

Stewart explained that AML cells exposed to venetoclax alone eventually adapt and fight back by increasing protein production. But when researchers added palbociclib, that adaptation process was blocked. The result: fewer surviving cancer cells.

They confirmed the finding both in human tissue samples and in mouse models carrying human leukemia cells.

"In this model, venetoclax alone didn’t extend survival at all—just as we’d expect based on the genetics," Stewart said. "But with the combination, the majority of mice lived 11 to 12 months. In fact, one mouse was still alive when the study ended."

That’s a significant jump. For comparison, even among patients who initially respond well to venetoclax (often used in combination with azacitidine), resistance almost always returns over time. The five-year survival rate for AML remains between 25 and 40 percent.

"Unfortunately, almost everyone will eventually have drug resistance," Tyner said in a press release. "This regimen has improved initial response rates and quality of life, but... we have a lot of work to do."

The study, which has not yet progressed to human trials, helps explain why the new combo appears to work so well. That’s a critical step in moving forward with clinical testing.

Right now, the findings are based on preclinical data. The team is pushing for human trials but emphasized that clinical activity in AML patients hasn’t been formally tested yet—beyond a few anecdotal cases.

"So, the biggest limitation is also our desired next step—of testing this new drug combination in clinical trials," Tyner said.

The research comes at a time when the need for new AML treatments is urgent. Venetoclax, approved by the FDA in 2019, has been a step forward in AML therapy, especially when paired with azacitidine. But the improvements have mostly been short-term.

Fox News Digital reached out to the manufacturers of venetoclax for comment on the study.

Until clinical trials begin, doctors and patients will have to wait. But the early results suggest that pairing an existing leukemia drug with a breast cancer treatment could be one of the most promising developments in AML treatment in years.

A New Cancer Drug Combo Offers Hope For Patients Resistant To Standard Treatments

People

A pair of strangers-turned-friends are now forever connected by one of the most unforgettable experiences of their lives — proposing at 17,598 feet on the same day.

Cecilia Lundberg and Kyle Morton, and Dayna Champion and Zac Rub, had never met before joining the same trekking group to Everest Base Camp in Nepal. But on December 13, their separate love stories hit the same dramatic milestone when both men proposed — within minutes of each other — at the top of the world.

The group had spent eight days ascending to Base Camp, the famous staging area at the foot of Mount Everest, battling altitude sickness, fatigue, and freezing temperatures. But for Rub, the moment to pop the question came when he and Champion reached the iconic Everest Base Camp rock. Their guide quietly asked someone to start filming — and just as Champion turned, she found Rub on one knee.

“She was so overwhelmed she didn’t quite get her answer out at first,” Lundberg recalled, “but quickly we heard a ‘Yes!’ alongside the happy tears.”

Unbeknownst to Champion, another proposal was about to unfold.

Lundberg was still filming when Champion and Rub made their way down from the boulder. “I turned off the camera and looked over at Kyle, who I now noticed had a suspiciously box-shaped lump in his pocket,” she said. “He caught my eye and said something like, ‘I guess great minds think alike.’”

Moments later, Morton led her up the same rock, dropped to one knee, and asked if she would be his partner forever.

“Of course, I said, ‘Yes,’” Lundberg said. “I couldn’t imagine a more perfect proposal, altitude sickness and all.”

Both couples had been in their respective relationships for around four years and were thrilled to share the moment — and a few ring selfies — together. “It took a minute to really sink in,” Lundberg admitted. “We had just started the hike back down... I thought to myself, ‘I really need to call my mom and tell her I’m engaged.’ That’s when it hit me — I was engaged! And engaged to my very best friend, at that!”

That hike down, however, was no gentle stroll. Everyone was exhausted and feeling the toll of the thin air. Champion and Rub were hit hardest by the altitude, with Rub, despite being ill himself, running alongside his new fiancée carrying both of their packs.

Meanwhile, Lundberg was in slightly better shape — though she joked she “didn’t speed things up at all by stopping every couple of minutes to look at my ring.”

Once they reached a more breathable elevation, spirits lifted and the full joy of the day set in. That night, the group threw a spontaneous celebration at the only bar open in Lukla, the gateway town to Everest.

Back home, the couples marked their engagements in their own ways: Champion and Rub celebrated with family in Australia, while Lundberg and Morton enjoyed a quiet dinner at their favorite restaurant in Hamburg, Germany, where they both work as professional equestrians.

Despite coming from different places and being at different points in life, the couples clicked immediately. “By the end of the first week hiking, it felt like we had all known each other for much longer,” said Lundberg. “Kyle and I got along especially well with Dayna and Zac, who seemed to be at a similar point in their relationship to us.”

As for the trek itself, the couples say it was unforgettable — and not just because of the proposals.

“Nepal as a country was so incredible,” said Lundberg. “The energy and beauty of Kathmandu, the harsh, stunning Himalayan landscapes, and the people — both fellow travelers and the local guides and porters who made the trek possible.”

Reflecting on it all, she added: “Of course, my most life-changing moment of the trip was getting engaged to my partner, in our business, in our traveling, and now in our lives. I am so happy to be spending the rest of my life with my very favorite person.”

Two Couples, Two Proposals, One Epic Moment at Mount Everest Base Camp

Sunny Skyz

For 42 years, Noel Maguire has been a familiar face on New York’s Upper East Side, working as a doorman, greeting neighbors, and keeping a watchful eye on his building. But it’s what he does after hours that’s capturing hearts around the country.

Maguire is going viral on TikTok for his long-running commitment to helping the city’s homeless—work he’s done quietly and consistently for more than a decade through a nonprofit named after his mother, the Ellen Maguire Foundation.

Every Wednesday night, without fail, Maguire loads up his car with essentials—backpacks, sleeping bags, warm coats—and drives around the city offering them to anyone who needs help. If someone approaches his car asking for something, he never turns them away.

@saraanneleeds, who shared his story online, posted, “After his shifts as an Upper East Side doorman, Noel has spent every Wednesday night for the past 11 years feeding NYC’s unhoused population. This holiday season, more than ever, Noel could use support.”

Whether it's monetary donations or items like clothing, toys, hygiene products, or food, Maguire accepts it all with open arms and passes it directly into the hands of those who need it.

“I love to talk to people,” Maguire said. “It’s like, I feel like I have hundreds of friends just walking by every morning.”

What makes his story so powerful is its consistency. For 11 years, Maguire has shown up—after long workdays, in winter and summer, without cameras or fanfare. Now, thanks to social media, his acts of quiet generosity are being recognized.

Many online are calling him a local hero. Others are donating to the Ellen Maguire Foundation or offering items to support his weekly rounds.

But for Maguire, it’s not about recognition.

His philosophy is simple: if someone needs help, he helps. And that, in one of the busiest cities in the world, might be the most New York thing of all.

NYC Doorman Goes Viral for Quietly Helping the Homeless After Hours for 11 Years

Just days before Christmas, a small dog tossed into a trash compactor in Gardena, California, found a second chance — and a new family — thanks to a quick-thinking police officer.

While walking near Normandy Avenue, Sgt. Nick Beerling of the Gardena Police Department heard faint cries coming from a solar-powered compactor trash can. Inside, he found a terrified terrier mix, huddled on top of a pile of garbage.

“He was just kind of whimpering and shaking, looking for help,” Beerling told NBC Los Angeles.

Animal control responded and safely removed the pup from the bin. The dog, estimated to be around a year old, was taken to the SPCA LA South Bay Pet Adoption Center, where staff nicknamed him Flan — a nod to his dessert-colored fur.

Despite being out of immediate danger, the little dog’s story didn’t leave Beerling’s mind.

On Christmas Eve, he returned to the shelter — this time with his family — and made it official. They adopted the pup.

“The girls and I have been trying to convince him to get another pet for a while, and he hasn't wanted to commit,” a family member said. “But this little guy just tugged on his heart.”

Now renamed Norm, after the street where he was found, the dog joins the Beerling family’s other pet, a Shih Tzu, in his new forever home.

Security cameras were nearby, but SPCA LA said the footage was not made available to police. Even so, they say the dog’s recovery and Beerling’s decision to adopt him turned what could’ve been a tragic story into something far better.

“Flan’s resilience and the officer’s quick actions have turned a tragic situation into a happy ending,” the shelter wrote.

Dog Abandoned in Trash Compactor Gets Rescued — and Adopted by the Officer Who Found Him

CTV News

Hardeep Singh Toor didn’t expect his final fare of the night to turn into a delivery run — quite literally.

Just after midnight this past Sunday, the Calgary Checker cab driver picked up a couple in distress. The woman was clearly in labor, and her companion urgently asked to be taken to the hospital.

“They said they’re having an emergency, [and] they need to go to the hospital,” Toor told CTV. “She was in pain.”

His first instinct was to call an ambulance, but with slick roads and a snowstorm slowing everything down, Toor quickly assessed the situation. “Her body language was telling me she did not have the time,” he said. “I decided to drive.”

For the next 30 minutes, he navigated icy streets, praying for green lights and a smooth ride to Peter Lougheed Centre. Behind him, the woman was shouting in pain, and her partner was trying to keep her calm. Then came the red lights — and more stress.

“Every time I got to a red light, I was afraid,” Toor said. “This kind of situation, it’s someone’s life [at stake].”

About three blocks from the hospital, near McKnight Boulevard N.E., the shouting stopped. The baby had been born — right there in the back seat.

At first, there was silence. No cries. No sound from the mother or baby.

“I was scared,” Toor said. “Then I heard a newborn’s crying. I thought, ‘OK, it’s going to be OK.’”

He didn’t stop. He kept driving straight to the hospital, determined to get medical help as fast as possible.

When he pulled up to the emergency entrance, staff were already rushing outside. Toor stepped aside and let them take over.

“They told me the mother and baby were good,” he said.

That was his last ride of the night, and it’s one he won’t soon forget.

“It’s my first experience getting two people in and three people out,” said Toor, who has been driving a cab for four years. “It’s a once-in-a-life moment, [and] it’s a proud moment.”

Calgary Cabbie Delivers Baby in Backseat During Late-Night Emergency Ride

Samrica Zogar was born with limb differences in her hands and feet—and into a world where disability often came with judgment and stigma. But now, the Liberia-born content creator is using her voice, her style, and her platform to challenge all of it.

“I post because I have built resilience toward words that don't define how I see myself,” Zogar told PEOPLE.

Now 37 and living in Minnesota, Zogar speaks candidly about the discrimination she faced growing up in Liberia. “Because of the lack of knowledge, awareness, social stigmas and marginalization, most Liberians do not have empathy for those born with rare conditions,” she said.

Some of the harshest treatment, she recalled, came from within her own family. “Some said it would have been best if I was not born,” she said.

But the physical challenges were just as relentless. Without access to adaptive footwear, Zogar often had to walk barefoot. “I experienced burns from the hot pavement and sand, and during the raining season, I would travel through muddy puddles,” she said.

Still, in the middle of pain and rejection, she found something to hold onto: fashion.

As a child, Zogar earned money selling her mother’s baked goods. She used it to buy clothes—small indulgences that made her feel like herself. “When I was being bullied, I came to find comfort in dressing up,” she said. “Fashion became therapeutic and an escape from reality.”

That love for clothing has only grown stronger, though shopping today still presents challenges. Most items need to be tailored to fit her body and accommodate her hand. Customized shoes are especially expensive—costing between $3,000 and $6,000 per pair—and Zogar only owns four.

Much of that is thanks to a woman named Michelle Lerach, whom Zogar met while working for a foundation in Liberia that taught women about ethical business. Ever since, Lerach has stepped in to provide Zogar with tailored footwear when she needs it.

Zogar’s love of fashion evolved into something bigger: a desire to model. She built a social media following and began sharing photos that blend bold style with vulnerability. Nearly 50,000 people now follow her on Instagram.

“I believe I have an innate nature to model,” she said. “I don’t let my disability stop me from pursuing my dream.”

And while the internet can be brutal, Zogar said she’s not shaken by negative comments. Her reason for sharing her life so openly is bigger than that—it's her daughter, 15-year-old Joerica.

“I must be strong for my daughter so that she can feed off my strength despite how the world may see me,” she said. “When she sees my strength, it gives her hope.”

Their conversations go beyond survival. Zogar teaches her daughter to embrace who she is fully, to see beauty where the world might overlook it.

“We have conversations about loving the hair and skin we are in,” Zogar said. “I've taught her to look at beauty in a deeper sense—that beauty is not only about appearance, but in the confidence to celebrate unique types of beauty.”

Zogar is still chasing her dreams—and making room for others to chase theirs, too.

Model With Limb Differences Defies Criticism And Embraces Her Unique Beauty

The Cool Down

A new sanctuary on the Gulf Coast is offering critically endangered whooping cranes a much-needed safe haven as their population makes a slow but hopeful recovery.

The Wolfberry Whooping Crane Sanctuary, opened in Texas, will serve as a wintering ground for the 550 birds that migrate each year from their breeding grounds in Canada. The $8.4 million land acquisition was led by multiple conservation organizations and marks a major step forward in efforts to protect one of North America’s rarest birds.

The whooping crane’s story is one of dramatic decline and cautious optimism. In the 1940s, only 21 birds remained in the wild—just 16 of them in Texas. Decades of wetland destruction and illegal hunting had brought the species to the edge of extinction. They were among the first animals protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, passed in 1973.

Carter Crouch, director of Gulf Coast programs at the International Crane Foundation, praised the new sanctuary while recognizing how fragile the bird’s recovery still is.

“We have a long way to go still, so there's a lot of story to be written, and I'm super excited to be a small part of that,” Crouch said.

Standing nearly five feet tall, whooping cranes are striking birds with white feathers, black wingtips, and a bright red patch on their heads. Their loud, trumpeting calls can be heard from kilometers away—hence the name.

But they’re more than just a dramatic sight or sound. Whooping cranes are a keystone of wetland ecosystems. They help regulate food webs by controlling prey species and spreading nutrients. Their presence also serves as an ecological signal: if the cranes are thriving, so is the habitat around them.

That’s part of what makes the sanctuary so significant. Rising sea levels and saltwater intrusion are steadily eating away at the coastal wetlands these birds depend on. By securing large tracts of winter habitat now, conservation groups are trying to stay ahead of the environmental changes that could push the cranes back into decline.

Social media reaction to the sanctuary’s opening has been overwhelmingly positive. An Instagram post by @savingcranes celebrating the news drew dozens of upbeat comments, including “Great win conserving one of the Earth’s great habitats for wildlife for future generations!” and “Bravo! Thank You! Congratulations!”

There’s also reason for wider optimism. In another part of the world, a rare crane species has recently made a strong comeback thanks to international cooperation and targeted protection efforts—proof that with enough support, recovery is possible.

Whooping cranes live long lives and are surprisingly resilient, but their survival depends on continued conservation work. For those looking to make a difference, supporting local or global efforts—whether through volunteering, donations, or awareness—can help keep these birds flying for generations to come.

Texas Sanctuary Opens To Welcome Rare 5-Foot-Tall Birds In $8.4 Million Initiative

ABC - Australia

Venus Williams is set to make history at this year’s Australian Open—just by stepping onto the court.

The 45-year-old American has been granted a wildcard into the main draw, marking her return to Melbourne Park 28 years after her debut in 1998. In doing so, she’ll become the oldest woman ever to compete in the main draw of the tournament, surpassing Japan’s Kimiko Date, who played at age 44 in 2015.

"I'm excited to be back in Australia," Williams said. "I've had so many incredible memories there, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to return to a place that has meant so much to my career."

The seven-time Grand Slam champion hasn’t played the Australian Open since 2021, nor has she competed outside North America since 2023. Her recent years have been plagued by health setbacks, including surgery for uterine fibroids. But her wildcard marks a determined comeback after a limited return to the WTA Tour last July.

Williams briefly stunned 11th seed Karolina Muchova in the first round of the US Open last year, grabbing a set before ultimately falling 6-3, 2-6, 6-1.

Tournament director Craig Tiley praised Williams as “a true legend and trailblazer of our sport — she's an inspiration to us all.”

She’ll also compete in the Hobart International as part of her preparation. It's a full-circle moment: in her 1998 debut at the Australian Open, Venus beat younger sister Serena in what would become the first of 31 iconic matches between the siblings. They faced each other in the Australian Open finals twice, in 2003 and 2017, with Serena winning both.

The Australian Open women's wildcard roster is now full, with Williams receiving the eighth and final spot. On the men’s side, the last few wildcards have yet to be confirmed, with Nick Kyrgios among the biggest names still waiting.

Kyrgios has already secured a wildcard for the Brisbane International, which begins January 4, but his inclusion at Melbourne Park remains uncertain.

Former Grand Slam finalist Mark Philippoussis weighed in, calling the decision a "balancing act."

"You get a wildcard at a tournament and you don't produce because physically you break down, it doesn't look good," Philippoussis said. "It's not good for the tournament, it's certainly not good for the player."

For now, though, the spotlight is on Williams. Her return doesn’t just mark another chapter in an already legendary career—it sets a new standard for longevity in tennis.

And in true Venus fashion, she’s not just showing up. She’s showing what’s possible.

Venus Williams to Break Australian Open Age Record With Her Comeback This Month

BBC News

David Holmes was just 17 when he first stepped onto the set of Harry Potter, tasked with making magic happen from behind the scenes. A trained gymnast from Essex, he served as Daniel Radcliffe’s stunt double—flying on broomsticks, dodging fireballs, and battling creatures too dangerous for an 11-year-old actor.

But in 2009, during filming for the seventh movie, a stunt went wrong. Holmes was yanked backwards by a harness with such force that his spine snapped. At 24, he was paralysed from the chest down.

Now, at 42, he says he has no regrets.

“I had the time of my life on the Harry Potter set,” Holmes says. “I was the first person to play Quidditch on a broomstick.”

The accident happened during a scene where Harry fights a giant snake. “I remember hitting the wall and my chest folding into my nose,” he recalls. “I was fully conscious for the whole thing. I knew I had broken my neck.”

Instead of blaming anyone, Holmes focused on recovery. “I owned the fact that I chose a dangerous profession,” he says. “Even though my accident was not my fault, I could do nothing about it.”

He chose not to sue Warner Bros., saying the studio’s insurance covered his needs and that he wanted to use his energy for healing, not legal battles. “I know so many people who don’t have the luxury of an insurance policy so I would feel like a sham if I moaned about my situation.”

The hardest part, he says, wasn’t the physical impact—it was watching his loved ones endure the trauma of his injury. “The experience and the character of Harry Potter meant so much to me,” he says. “Harry Potter is a safe space for a lot of people. It’s a gift for humanity, and I will always be proud of that.”

That pride is personal, too. Holmes’ partner Rosie, whom he met three years ago, is also a quadriplegic—and Harry Potter, she told him, helped her through some of her darkest moments long before they met.

“It took me to break my neck to meet the woman of my dreams,” he says. “She makes me feel like a man.”

Six years ago, he underwent high-risk surgery to treat a cyst on his spinal cord. His right side is getting weaker, and doctors can’t guarantee how long he’ll retain speech or swallowing function. Before the operation, he recorded a video explaining his role in Harry Potter, in case he didn’t survive.

He did survive—and thrived in a new way.

At Radcliffe’s encouragement, Holmes told his story in the documentary David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived. He hasn’t watched it yet. “One day I won’t be able to get out of bed and I will watch it then,” he says.

Since its release, Holmes says his self-acceptance has only grown. He’s used his platform to push for disability awareness and change. “People aren’t aware of how difficult it is to live as a disabled person,” he says. “If me and Rosie moved in together, we would lose access to a lot of our support. We live in a society where disabled people are punished to love each other.”

Even something as simple as watching a movie together can be impossible. “I can’t go to a cinema and sit next to her because there aren’t two disabled spaces,” he says. “I can’t visit my friends’ houses because they are not accessible.”

But this year, Holmes made a return to the Harry Potter universe—this time as a voice actor.

He plays Stan Shunpike, the eccentric Knight Bus conductor, in a new audiobook version of The Prisoner of Azkaban. The role is a full-circle moment: he worked on the original film as Radcliffe’s stunt double in the Knight Bus scenes.

“I was honoured when they asked me to audition,” he says. “It’s really cool to be back in the wizarding world. The character breakdown is a cockney who talks himself up a lot, so it wasn’t hard for me!”

He’s also long campaigned for more visible disability representation in the Potter world. “It’s nice for the fan base that know my story, that I’ve been included,” he says. “My voice is still there and I can still create art with it.”

Holmes now organises an annual charity cricket match with Harry Potter cast and crew, raising money for a spinal injury centre in Stanmore. He’s writing a children’s book about a teenage stunt performer, dreams of launching a fully inclusive festival for disabled people, and hopes to put on a one-man show about his time in the industry.

“I want people to leave my show with an appreciation for stunt performers,” he says. “If my legs came back to life tomorrow, I would go straight back to work. It’s the best job in the world. I travelled the world telling stories with my physicality.”

His message, ultimately, is simple.

“The thing I’m most proud of is that I broke my neck and stayed the same person,” he says. “And I want to remind people to wiggle your toes. Health is real wealth. Practise gratitude every day.”

Harry Potter Stunt Double David Holmes Finds New Magic After Life-Changing Injury

Science Daily

They may be no wider than an eyelash, but mosses are quietly making their mark in crime labs.

A growing number of forensic scientists are turning to moss and its plant cousins to help solve crimes. These small, ground-hugging plants—often found in damp, shaded places—can contain microscopic clues that point to when, where, and how a crime occurred.

“Plants, and specifically bryophytes, represent an overlooked yet powerful source of forensic evidence that can help investigators link people, places, and events,” says Jenna Merkel, a forensic scientist who co-authored a recent study on the topic.

The paper, published in Forensic Sciences Research, reviews more than 150 years of cases in which bryophytes—mosses and similar small plants—played a role in solving crimes. Merkel, then a Master's student at George Washington University, co-authored the study with Matt von Konrat, Head of Botanical Collections at the Field Museum in Chicago.

Von Konrat’s team had firsthand experience with this type of evidence. In 2013, they were called to assist in a high-profile case involving a missing infant in northern Michigan. The child’s father had confessed to the crime but couldn’t pinpoint where he had buried her body. Investigators found microscopic moss fragments on his shoes and called in von Konrat’s group to help match the samples to the landscape.

“There are hundreds of species of moss and dozens of species of grasses and trees living in that area,” von Konrat said. “But based on the bits of moss, we knew what sort of micro-habitat we were looking for.”

Using that knowledge, the team surveyed the region and managed to narrow the search area from seven counties to just 50 square feet. The father later confirmed that it was, in fact, the burial site.

That case spurred von Konrat and Merkel to dig deeper into moss’s forensic potential. “I thought, why don’t we look into writing a review of how bryophytes have been used in forensics?” von Konrat said.

What they found was surprising: not many documented cases exist, but the ones that do point to a field full of untapped promise.

The earliest case they uncovered dates back to 1929, when moss growth on a decomposed body helped investigators estimate the time of death. Since then, moss has helped solve crimes in countries including Finland, Sweden, Italy, China, and the U.S., aiding in everything from location tracking to time estimates.

Mosses are ideal for this kind of work because they’re highly sensitive to their environment. Each species thrives in specific micro-habitats—some cling to shady rocks, others prefer damp tree bark, and some grow beneath the canopy of grasses. That precision can help narrow down where a person or object has been.

“They can find a spot that works for them in the shade, or in the canopy, or even growing under the grasses,” said von Konrat. “And different types of even smaller organisms can live on those mosses, which can give even further clues.”

Unlike many plants, mosses don’t have stems, roots, or seeds. They absorb water and nutrients directly from their surroundings, which makes them especially well-suited to boggy, hard-to-reach environments. Their structure also allows them to retain trace materials that can serve as evidence.

Despite their potential, mosses are often overlooked in crime scenes, simply because most people don’t know what they’re looking at. That’s something the authors hope to change.

“With our paper, we wanted to highlight the significance of botanical evidence,” von Konrat said. “Chances are, investigators are simply overlooking it because they don't know what they're looking at. We're hoping that our study helps show how important these tiny plants can be.”

Beyond their role in solving individual cases, the researchers believe mosses could become standard tools in forensic investigations—especially as climate change and urbanization push these hardy plants into new environments.

For now, the Riotous Collective of moss-loving scientists hopes their work brings more attention to what they see as a green goldmine of information. And maybe, just maybe, it helps bring some closure to the families still waiting for answers.

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