BBC News

Fern the fox has come a long way from the life she was once destined for.

The 13-year-old American silver fox now spends her days curled up on the sofa watching films, a peaceful routine far removed from the fur farm where she was originally raised for fashion.

Today she lives with Les Hemstock at his home in Mansfield, where she has become part of a unique adopted fox family.

Hemstock, a music producer and DJ known for his work with the chart-topping group Jive Bunny and the Mastermixers, has spent the last seven years rescuing and caring for foxes and other injured animals.

While his music career brought fame and fun, he says helping animals has brought something far more meaningful.

“The sort of rewards you get from music production and DJing are material and fun, but this is so much more,” Hemstock said.
“The trust that these animals give you, and the love, is second-to-none.”

Caring for foxes is far from simple. Hemstock admits they are demanding animals and not typical pets.

“It’s a lot of work — they don’t make great pets at all — but it’s certainly worth it,” he said.

Some of the animals he helps are eventually released back into the wild. But others, like Fern, cannot safely survive on their own and remain under his care in Nottinghamshire.

Fern isn’t the only fox currently staying with him. Addie, Ben and Cleo are also part of the growing fox family.

Ben, Hemstock recalls, arrived when he was only about 10 days old.

“I had Ben from about 10 days old, and we bonded immediately,” he said.

Originally, the plan was to raise Ben until he could return to the wild. But the bond between them became too strong, and without the guidance of his mother, survival outside would have been unlikely.

Instead, Ben found companionship at the sanctuary when Hemstock introduced him to a female fox in need of a mate.

“It was love at first sight,” he said.

Hemstock now serves as a trustee for Fox Angels, a charity that helped teach him how to properly care for foxes.

Last year, he even released a charity single — a cover of Fox on the Run by Sweet — to raise awareness and support for the group’s work.

He says support from local veterinarians and neighbors has also made a difference.

The foxes, he adds, have taught him a lot about patience and personality.

“Foxes are kind of like people — we’re all different,” Hemstock said. “There’s things that we like and dislike about one another, and some people can live together and some can’t, and that’s the same with these.”

“They’re very temperamental,” he added, “but loving.”

This Rescue Worker Says Saving Foxes is More Rewarding Than His DJ Career

Scientific American

For a place named Death Valley, the landscape is looking surprisingly alive right now.

Across the desert floor of Death Valley National Park, vast stretches of sand have transformed into bright fields of yellow and purple wildflowers. According to the U.S. National Park Service, this year’s bloom is the best the park has seen since 2016.

Death Valley is one of the hottest and driest places on Earth, where temperatures regularly soar and rainfall is scarce. But each spring, if conditions are just right, the desert briefly bursts into color.

Wildflowers appear every year, though usually in small patches. Among the most common species are desert gold, wavyleaf desert paintbrush, grape soda lupine and desert star.

Some years, however, nature puts on a much bigger show.

These rare events are known as superblooms, when huge numbers of flowers emerge across the desert landscape at once. They typically occur about once every decade, when rainfall arrives in the right amounts and at the right times.

The last major superbloom in Death Valley happened in 2016, with previous events recorded in 2005 and 1998.

According to park officials, the conditions this year came close to perfect. Well-spaced winter rains allowed flower seeds that had been dormant in the soil to sprout and grow. The absence of strong winds also helped the delicate plants reach maturity.

The result is a colorful blanket of wildflowers stretching across parts of the valley floor.

At lower elevations, the display is expected to continue through mid- to late March. At higher elevations in the park, the bloom is only just beginning and should reach its peak sometime in April.

For visitors, it’s a rare opportunity to see one of the most extreme environments on the planet transformed.

Park officials say the best way to experience the bloom is simply to look and enjoy.

And leave the flowers exactly where they are.

The National Park Service reminds visitors not to pick wildflowers so the display can continue for others and so the plants can complete their life cycle, producing seeds for future blooms.

After all, the desert may look quiet most of the year.

But beneath the surface, thousands of tiny seeds are waiting patiently for their moment to turn Death Valley into a garden again.

Death Valley Blooms in Stunning New Images of the Desert

People

When Walter Emanuel Jones first suited up as the Black Ranger in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, he knew the show was popular.

He just didn’t realize how deeply it was changing people’s lives.

Jones, who played Zack Taylor in the 1990s superhero series, remembers seeing the signs of the show’s success everywhere.

"Parents would sleep outside to be first in line to get a Power Ranger action figure for their child," he recalled in an interview with People. "I’d hear about the incredible network ratings the show received. On my way home from filming, I’d see our faces on the cover of magazines like TV Guide and Disney Adventures."

But the true impact didn’t become clear until years later.

"It wasn’t until 15 years later that I grew to know how much of an impact my portrayal of the Black Ranger had really made," he said. "Those kids that grew up with us were now adults with voices and stories of inspiration—of overcoming adversities, of forming friendships across racial and gender lines. Of feeling seen in ways they hadn't before."

One of those stories stayed with him.

Years after the show ended, Jones met a fan who had grown up with brittle bone disease, a condition that makes bones extremely fragile. As a child, the boy couldn’t safely play rough with friends because even a small hit could cause serious injury.

"He loved Power Rangers, but it was dangerous for him to play with friends because a small hit or kick could leave him seriously hurt," Jones said.

Doctors had warned the family that the boy might not live past the age of 16.

But the child loved the show so much that he begged his parents to enroll him in martial arts classes. His instructor found a safe way for him to participate by focusing on katas, choreographed patterns of movements used to practice martial arts techniques.

Jones says the boy performed the movements as if he were a Power Ranger.

"He would do techniques fighting imaginary opponents from all sides using blocks, punches, and kicks. He loved it."

Over time, the exercise helped strengthen the muscles around his bones.

The boy not only survived his childhood illness but thrived. By the time he met Jones as an adult, he was in his twenties and had gone on to win kata competitions. He was even teaching martial arts, running three karate studios of his own.

When the fan finally met Jones, he had one thing to say.

He thanked the actor for helping him find a way to enjoy life.

"His parents were beaming with pride," Jones recalled. "His mom hugged me and said, 'You were his favorite.' That’s one of countless moments that I have been blessed to experience."

The original Power Rangers series premiered on Fox Kids in August 1993 and ran for three seasons, becoming a global pop culture phenomenon. It launched a massive franchise of television shows, toys and movies.

Even so, Jones says he didn’t fully understand how big it was at the time.

"It clearly wasn’t reflected in the amount I was earning as an actor. We worked long hours. Sometimes fifteen hours in a single day," he said.

What he understands now is the lasting influence.

For many viewers, especially children of color, seeing a Black teenage superhero leading the action mattered.

"To know that representation as a Black teenage superhero, proudly wearing a black suit, helped inspire kids of color especially — that example inspired them to believe they could be anything they put their minds to," Jones said.

Sometimes, it turns out, heroes aren’t just saving the world on screen.

They’re helping someone find the strength to live in the real one.

Power Ranger Walter Emanuel Jones Forms Special Bond With Young Fan Battling Brittle Bone Disease

Every spring, millions of people lose an hour of sleep in a single night.

When daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m., clocks jump forward, but the body’s internal clock does not. For many people, that mismatch can linger for days. Research has found increases in hospital admissions, sleep disruption, and even mood problems in the week following the annual shift.

Scientists say a simple morning habit might help smooth the transition.

Two things in particular appear to help reset the body’s internal timing system: morning sunlight and movement.

The body’s master clock sits deep in the brain in a tiny cluster of cells called the suprachiasmatic nucleus, often shortened to SCN. When light enters the eyes in the early morning, it activates this cluster and sends signals across the body telling organs and cells that the day has begun.

That signal sets off a chain reaction.

The SCN coordinates millions of smaller “peripheral clocks” found in cells throughout the body. These cellular timers regulate everything from metabolism to hormone release, helping the body prepare for daily activities like eating, digesting food, and staying alert.

Light is the strongest signal for that system, but it isn’t the only one.

Research led by physiologist Karyn Esser at the University of Florida suggests exercise also plays a role in setting the body’s rhythm. Physical activity sends timing signals to peripheral clocks in organs such as muscles, lungs, and kidneys.

“Healthy circadian rhythms require coordination of clock systems across the body,” Esser says.

Because sunlight and exercise affect different parts of the body’s timing system, scientists believe combining them may work better than either one alone.

In a small study led by Shawn Youngstedt at Arizona State University, researchers tested the idea. Participants exposed to both morning exercise and bright light experienced a larger shift in their internal clock than those who received only one of the two cues.

Youngstedt says exercise “has a significant impact” on the body’s ability to adjust to changes in schedule.

The morning signals matter because they start a countdown toward night.

Once the circadian system is aligned early in the day, it helps regulate the evening release of melatonin, the hormone that prepares the body for sleep. In other words, a strong start to the morning often leads to better rest at night.

There may be an additional benefit too.

Exercise causes the pupils to dilate slightly, allowing the eyes to absorb more light. That could be particularly helpful as people age and their eyes become less sensitive to light.

Modern life often disrupts these natural cycles. Artificial lighting, late-night screen use, and irregular schedules can push circadian rhythms out of sync with the natural 24-hour day.

Scientists have linked chronic circadian disruption to higher risks of long-term health problems and even premature death.

That’s why the sudden one-hour shift during daylight saving time can feel surprisingly disruptive.

Experts suggest preparing a few days before the clock change. One approach is to wake up about 15 to 20 minutes earlier each morning leading up to the switch and spend time outdoors shortly after waking.

Indoor lighting usually isn’t strong enough to reset the body’s internal clock. Natural daylight works much better.

Adding movement helps amplify the signal.

Esser recommends moderate exercise that leaves you slightly out of breath, roughly 50 to 75 percent of full effort. A brisk walk, light jog, or short workout outdoors can be enough.

The adjustment becomes especially important with age. Around 40, circadian rhythms tend to lose some flexibility, making it harder for the body to adapt to sudden schedule changes.

Certain habits can also undo the benefits of a strong morning routine.

Late-night meals or bright lights in the evening can push the body’s clock later, counteracting those early signals.

For scientists studying circadian rhythms, the message is simple.

A little sunshine and movement in the morning can help the body find its rhythm again. And once you get used to it, keeping that routine going may help your sleep and overall health long after the clocks change.

Master Daylight Saving Time: The Best Tips To Adjust Your Body And Brain Effortlessly

Sometimes the smallest symptom can lead to the biggest discovery.

When Louise Nelson noticed a bright red rash covering her toddler’s cheeks one morning in January 2025, she rushed him to urgent care near her home in Livingston, Alabama.

Doctors initially suspected the rash was an allergic reaction. Maybe something he ate. Maybe a new laundry detergent.

But Nelson wasn’t convinced.

A friend’s child had recently developed a similar rash and was diagnosed with parvovirus, often called “slapped-cheek disease” because of the distinctive red patches it causes on a child’s face.

“It looked really similar,” she says. “I explained that I was a bit nervous because I was pregnant and heard the virus could be harmful to pregnant women.”

A pediatrician confirmed that her 2-year-old son, Callum, had parvovirus, also known as fifth disease. The virus is common in children and usually causes mild flu-like symptoms along with the rash.

For most people, it passes quickly and causes little concern.

But during pregnancy, it can sometimes be dangerous for a fetus.

Nelson, who was 37 and expecting her second child, contacted her midwife and agreed to be tested. She wasn’t overly worried at the time.

“I had no symptoms, and to be honest, nobody really seemed concerned. The likelihood of me contracting the virus at that stage is very low, since most adults have had contact with it and are immune to it — it didn’t seem to be such a big issue,” she says.

The blood test told a different story.

Results showed she had recently been infected with the virus. Doctors referred her to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist in Jackson, Mississippi.

At 18 weeks pregnant, an ultrasound revealed alarming news.

Her unborn daughter was severely anemic, a complication that can occur when the virus interferes with the baby’s ability to produce red blood cells. Fluid had begun to build around the baby’s heart and lungs, a sign doctors warned could lead to heart failure.

“I was terrified,” Nelson says. “If Callum hadn't have broken out in a rash, I probably would've just had a miscarriage and would've never known the reason why.”

Doctors told the family they needed to travel immediately to Texas Children's Hospital, where specialists could attempt a rare in-utero treatment.

Within hours, Nelson, her husband Ross, and their son were driving eight hours from Alabama to Houston.

Tests at the hospital confirmed the diagnosis: their unborn daughter needed blood transfusions before she was even born.

During the following weeks, doctors performed three transfusions through the baby’s umbilical cord.

“She underwent this procedure which was lifesaving for her baby, who was truly anemic and needed this blood transfusion,” said Dr. Jessian Munoz, a maternal fetal medicine and fetal surgery specialist at Texas Children’s Hospital.

After two weeks in Texas, the family returned home but continued frequent monitoring. When signs of anemia returned, they traveled back to Houston for another procedure.

“I was really scared,” Nelson says. “I was like, ‘This hasn't worked. Is this ever going to work? It's so risky. She's already had this procedure twice. Is our luck out this time?’ ”

Eventually, the treatments stabilized the baby.

But the drama wasn’t over yet.

The baby was due July 29, but doctors later decided it would be safer to induce labor early at 37 weeks. The plan was to head to the hospital the next morning.

The baby had other plans.

Late that night, Nelson’s contractions suddenly started. Around 2 a.m., she woke her husband and told him it was time to go. They left their son with a friend and rushed toward the hospital about 30 minutes away.

As the contractions intensified, Ross called 911.

But they didn’t make it in time.

“I turned around on my knees and held onto the seat and there she was born while he was still driving,” Nelson recalls.

Following the dispatcher’s instructions, she tied the umbilical cord with a shoelace and wrapped the newborn in a blanket until they reached the hospital about 15 minutes later.

Their daughter, Ayvah Louise, was born weighing 2.6 kilograms.

“I see her as a miracle baby,” Ross says.

His wife agrees. “She's definitely our little miracle baby.”

Today, Ayvah is seven months old and thriving. Doctors say she shows no signs of long-term complications.

For the Nelson family, the moment that changed everything was a toddler’s rash.

“This disease is such a subtle virus in toddlers, and even if an adult gets it, at the worst case, it's like a common cold,” Ross says. “Hopefully raising that awareness could save another baby.”

Meanwhile, Ayvah seems to be enjoying life just fine.

“She’s a very happy baby,” her mother says. “I think she's just happy to be here. She has her big brother looking out for her.”

A Rash on This Toddler Led to a Life-Saving Intervention for His Unborn Sister — Here's How

Good News Network

Some ambulance calls require a bigger stretcher. Much bigger.

When a 27-year-old elephant named Veer needed urgent medical care in rural Uttar Pradesh, rescuers didn’t send a typical emergency vehicle. They rolled out something built for a patient that can weigh several tonnes.

Meet the Elephant Ambulance.

The specially designed truck was created by Wildlife SOS, an animal conservation and welfare group that regularly rescues elephants across India. Moving such massive animals safely has always been one of the toughest parts of elephant care, especially when an injured animal must travel long distances for treatment.

Their answer was to design a vehicle built specifically for the job.

The new ambulance made its first major rescue run during the last weekend of February after the group identified Veer with a leg injury. For most of his life, Veer had been used as a “begging elephant,” a term used for animals forced into labor and public displays.

When the veterinary team arrived, they first stabilized the animal on site.

After examining and treating him, the team cleared Veer for transport and carefully guided him into the custom vehicle.

The interior looks nothing like a standard truck. The design focuses on keeping both elephant and caregivers safe during the journey. Specialized access points allow veterinary technicians to administer medication and monitor vital signs while remaining protected from the massive animal.

Inside, the layout prioritizes stability and reducing stress.

Elephants must remain standing during transport, but the vehicle includes straps and harnesses that allow them to shift weight away from injured legs. The rescue team also made frequent stops along the route so Veer could lie down and rest before continuing the journey.

His trip took several days.

Eventually, the ambulance arrived at Wildlife SOS Elephant Hospital, located within the Elephant Conservation and Care Center.

“This rescue represents both urgency and hope,” said Nikki Sharp, executive director of Wildlife SOS USA. “With our new elephant ambulance and expert veterinary team, we are able to respond faster and more safely than ever before.”

The conservation center now cares for more than 30 rescued elephants. Many arrive after years of hard labor or neglect. At the facility, they receive round-the-clock medical care, specialized diets, enrichment activities, and space to recover.

The ambulance is just one example of how the group has been experimenting with new approaches to elephant care.

Veterinarians there have also explored treatments rarely associated with animals this large. One recent technique involves acupuncture, the centuries-old practice that uses fine needles to treat pain and other conditions.

According to Wildlife SOS staff, it has shown promising results for elephants suffering from chronic pain after years of physical strain.

“Once our team gained expertise in acupuncture principles, we began applying it at our Elephant Hospital Campus, yielding remarkable improvements in several elephants,” said Natasha Ashok from Wildlife SOS.

For Veer, the new ambulance meant something simple but powerful: a safe way out.

“Veer’s rescue is a powerful reminder of why this work matters,” Sharp said. “Because of our supporters, he now has access to the specialized treatment and long-term care he urgently needs. Every donation helps make rescues like Veer’s possible and gives elephants like him a chance to recover in safety and dignity.”

And in this case, the road to recovery began with the largest house call on the highway.

An Elephant Ambulance Just Made Its First Rescue, Transporting an Injured 27-Year-Old to the Hospital

A mother manatee and her calf were rescued from a river in Florida on Wednesday, February 25.

According to a Facebook post from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the mother manatee was injured and needed medical care.

Units from the sheriff’s office worked with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to help rescue the distressed manatees, while drone pilots with the sheriff’s office helped guide the operation from the air.

Footage posted by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday shows the manatees being pulled up onto a boat out of the Orange River. After they were removed from the river, they were brought to ZooTampa to get medical care, the sheriff’s office said.

At least 25 manatees have died in the river in recent weeks, likely from cold stress, according to one local news report citing the FWC.

Lee County Sheriff's Office via Storyful

Deputies Help Rescue Manatee Mother and Calf in Florida

Joe Richardson spent years working around washing machines.

Now he uses them to help people who need them most.

After serving a 14-year prison sentence, Richardson returned home to Philadelphia in 2021 ready to rebuild his life. He had grown up working in his family’s laundromat business, so washing and drying clothes came naturally.

But he wanted to do something more meaningful.

While he was still incarcerated, Richardson came up with an idea: a mobile laundromat that could travel through the city and wash clothes for people experiencing homelessness.

Years later, he decided to make that idea real.

Today, Richardson spends several hours each week volunteering his time, towing a trailer outfitted with laundry machines behind his truck and setting up on city streets to help people clean their clothes.

On one recent day, he parked near Arch and Broad streets in downtown Philadelphia and began offering the service to anyone who needed it.

For people living outside or moving between shelters, access to laundry can be difficult or impossible. Something as simple as clean clothing can make a big difference.

“One guy earlier just said that just to have clean clothes is a blessing, it helps me feel better about myself,” Richardson told NBC10 Philadelphia.

Philadelphia officials estimate that about 5,000 people in the city are currently unhoused. There are roughly 60 shelters available, and city leaders have announced plans to add about 1,000 more beds as part of efforts to reduce the number of people sleeping outside.

For Richardson, the mobile laundromat is a way to give back while creating moments of dignity for people who often go overlooked.

A freshly washed shirt or pair of pants might seem small.

But for someone navigating life on the street, Richardson says, it can help restore confidence — and remind them that someone cares.

A Philadelphia Man Launched a Mobile Laundromat to Help the Homeless

Science Alert

What helps some people reach 100 years old while others do not?

Scientists may be getting closer to an answer.

A new study led by researchers at the University of Geneva has identified dozens of proteins in the blood of centenarians that appear to be linked with slower biological aging.

The research compared blood samples from three groups: healthy adults aged 30 to 60, hospitalized adults aged 80 to 90, and people aged 100 and older.

Scientists measured more than 700 proteins circulating in blood plasma. Out of those, 37 stood out.

Those proteins formed a profile that looked surprisingly similar to the younger group rather than the octogenarians.

“This represents approximately 5 percent of the proteins measured, suggesting that centenarians do not entirely escape aging, but that certain key mechanisms are significantly slowed down,” said Flavien Delhaes, a cell physiologist at the University of Geneva and the study’s first author.

Many of the proteins in that group play important roles in immunity and metabolism.

Some help recycle red blood cells and clear away damaged proteins, including those linked to neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Others trigger apoptosis, a process of programmed cell death that helps prevent tumors.

Researchers also identified proteins involved in healthy fat metabolism and insulin regulation, which help protect against metabolic diseases.

Another group of proteins helps maintain the body’s extracellular matrix, a supportive network of collagen and minerals that holds tissues together and anchors cells. These proteins appeared more abundant in centenarians.

But the clearest signal came from proteins related to oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress happens when the body produces too many unstable molecules known as free radicals. These molecules are often created during immune responses or energy production in mitochondria.

While free radicals can help fight infections, too many can damage tissues and contribute to inflammation, cancer and degenerative diseases.

In a surprising twist, the centenarians in the study actually produced fewer antioxidant proteins than typical elderly individuals.

At first glance, that seems counterintuitive. But the researchers believe it likely reflects lower levels of oxidative stress overall. In other words, their bodies may not need to produce as many protective proteins because the underlying stress is lower.

The study also found that centenarians preserved a protein that breaks down GLP-1, a hormone that stimulates insulin production and is targeted by medications such as semaglutide.

“This is also a counterintuitive mechanism, suggesting that centenarians maintain good glucose balance without needing to produce large amounts of insulin,” Delhaes explained.

Together, the findings suggest that people who live past 100 may not necessarily have more protective systems. Instead, their bodies appear to maintain more balanced metabolic and immune activity.

The results also support the idea of “inflammaging,” a theory that aging disrupts the immune system and creates a chronic state of low-level inflammation.

While genetics plays a role in longevity, researchers say it is not the whole story.

Studies suggest genes account for only about 25 percent of the factors behind long life.

Lifestyle choices remain a powerful influence. The researchers say nutrition, regular physical activity and strong social connections all contribute to healthier aging.

The findings were published in the scientific journal Aging Cell.

For scientists trying to understand longevity, the proteins identified in this study may offer new clues about how the body can maintain balance — and keep working smoothly — well into a second century of life.

Scientists Find Blood Protein Clues To Why Some People Live Past 100

Sunny Skyz

Airports can push anyone to their limit. Add a tired toddler to the mix, and things can unravel quickly.

That was the scene at an airport restaurant in Atlanta when a young boy, exhausted from a long day of travel, was on the verge of a meltdown.

Then a waitress stepped in.

Brittany Bell, who works at TGI Fridays, noticed the overwhelmed mom and her young son and decided to help.

According to the boy’s mother, Chalaine Kilduff, Bell simply followed her instincts.

Before the situation escalated, Bell picked up the toddler and carried him around the restaurant while still checking on her tables. She introduced him to other guests, brought him cherries from the bar and gave him a change of scenery that helped him reset.

Instead of tears, the child soon burst into laughter.

Kilduff captured the moment on video and later shared it online. The clip quickly spread across social media, where viewers praised Bell for her kindness.

The response surprised everyone involved.

Moved by the moment, Kilduff started an online fundraiser for the waitress her children now call “Princess Bell.”

The campaign raised $12,000.

“She was going above and beyond, and I think a lot of parents want to support her and rally around her because they also know how hectic and chaotic it is to travel with kids,” Kilduff said. “And so everyone wanted to show her a generous moment and give her a blessing.”

For Bell, the support from strangers felt just as powerful as the original act.

“It actually touched my heart because we live in a chaotic and negative world, and you just don’t see that much getting traction online unless it’s negative,” she said. “So the fact that strangers wanted to get together and support me to do something positive is really amazing.”

But the story didn’t stop with the viral video.

Kilduff decided to channel the attention into something lasting. She launched the No Fear Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at helping mothers facing difficult or critical medical diagnoses during pregnancy.

The mission is personal. Kilduff says her own family once faced a challenging prenatal diagnosis, a time she remembers as isolating and overwhelming.

Through the foundation, she hopes to support other mothers so they do not feel alone during similar experiences.

Bell has since joined the effort.

Together, the two women created a shirt to raise funds for the nonprofit. On the front, the words “I love you” appear in sign language. On the back, the message reads: “Kindness is the cure.”

The partnership grew out of a simple moment inside a busy airport restaurant.

A tired child. A stressed parent. And a waitress who chose to help.

What began as a small act of compassion has since turned into a ripple effect reaching families far beyond that airport gate.

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