Goodable

This groom was brought to tears as delivered a special message to his new stepdaughter, promising to take her of her as his daughter. "Not only today am I marrying your mom, but I accepted you as my daughter and I promise to always take care of you, wanting to call me dad for a long time," said the groom to his bride's daughter in front of a church full of guests watching the couple get married. He then gave her a ring, promising to be her dad forever.

<p>This groom was brought to tears as delivered a special message to his new stepdaughter, promising to take her of her as his daughter. "Not only today am I marrying your mom, but I accepted you as my daughter and I promise to always take care of you, wanting to call me dad for a long time," said the groom to his bride's daughter in front of a church full of guests watching the couple get married. He then gave her a ring, promising to be her dad forever.<br></p>

It's The Most Heartwarming Wedding Moment and It's Not What You Think

Michelangelo's masterpieces have found a new home at the National Gallery of Denmark, offering art enthusiasts a rare opportunity to experience nearly all of his existing sculptures in one place. This exhibition, titled "Michelangelo Imperfect," is hailed as the most comprehensive display of the artist's sculptural work in 150 years.

Instead of transporting original works like the iconic 17-foot-tall David from Florence, the museum showcases around 40 reproductions. These include a set of meticulously crafted 3D-printed copies by Madrid-based studio Factum Arte. The exhibition features a variety of replicas, such as a 19th-century bronze version of "David" and plaster casts from the Medici Chapel tombs.

Curator Matthias Wivel described the exhibit as an experiment that largely consists of reproductions. “It’s not something you see so often,” he said. The show also includes original Michelangelo drawings and maquettes.

Factum Arte employed advanced techniques to create these replicas, using photogrammetry and Lidar scanning to produce digital twins before casting them in a marble composite for authenticity. Adam Lowe, founder of Factum Arte, emphasized their goal: “Our goal is to make the (artworks) visually identical under exhibition conditions.”

The SMK's collection already included many Michelangelo casts, making it an ideal venue for this ambitious project. Visitors can now explore Michelangelo’s artistry without traveling across Europe or viewing pieces behind glass barriers.

This groundbreaking exhibition not only brings together Michelangelo’s works but also highlights how technology can aid in art conservation and accessibility. As Wivel noted, “You get a richer experience of him as a sculptor by seeing it this way.”

Michelangelo's Masterpieces Multiply: 3D Replicas Bring Sculptures Closer Than Ever

NASA

ESA/Hubble celebrates its 35th anniversary by sharing a new image series featuring the stunning star cluster NGC 346. This image combines the latest Hubble data and processing techniques to create an intricate view of this vibrant star-forming factory in the Small Magellanic Cloud. With over 2,500 newborn stars, NGC 346's massive stars illuminate the cluster with intense blue light, sculpting pink nebulae and dark clouds. Hubble's observations reveal the spiraling motion of stars towards the cluster's center, fueled by gas streams from outside. The young age of this star cluster is indicated by the presence of N66, a bright H II region set aglow by ultraviolet light from hot, young stars like those in NGC 346. This discovery highlights Hubble's ongoing contributions to our understanding of the universe as a project of international cooperation between NASA and ESA.

The Hubble Telescope Just Captured This Cosmic Artistry in Action

Samuel Henderson, an 11-year-old from Choctaw, Oklahoma, has captivated his community with a remarkable talent: the ability to mimic around 50 bird calls with precision. 

"Some people say that I swallowed birds," said Henderson, who is autistic and has Tourette syndrome. Among his repertoire are the calls of blue jays, tufted titmice, and robins. The barn swallow remains his most challenging imitation.

For years, Samuel practiced alone on the playground's back fence. His peers at Nicoma Park Intermediate School were unaware of his skills until he decided to participate in the 2024 school talent show. Historically dominated by singing and dancing acts, no special education student had ever competed before.

His mother, Lori Henderson, was apprehensive about potential teasing. "Because some kids can be mean," she said. "…It would just break my heart if that were to have happened." However, encouraged by his teacher to showcase his gift, Samuel took a leap of faith.

Initially met with confusion as he began performing on stage, Samuel soon mesmerized the audience with lifelike bird sounds. "It really sounded like there was a bird in the building," one student remarked. As he continued his performance with confidence and passion, admiration replaced uncertainty among his classmates.

"He's brave; he's really brave," another student noted about Samuel's courage to perform publicly. "The kids were roaring," Lori recalled proudly. "I was so happy to see him living his dreams."

Nearly a year later, Samuel continues to enchant others on the playground by teaching classmates how to crow like birds themselves.

This Boy astounded His Classmates with his ability to do 50 bird calls

NBC News

Evie Riski's lifelong commitment to journaling began with a simple Christmas gift—a diary from her father. At just 10 years old, she penned her first entry on January 1, 1936: “Grandmas were at our place.” Now, nearly nine decades later, Evie continues this daily ritual.

On January 2 of this year, Evie marked her 100th birthday with an entry noting that Wanda had come to do her hair for the occasion. Her daughter, Michelle Locken, marvels at her mother's dedication: “Thirty-three-thousand days.”

Evie's diaries are neatly stored in a cedar chest in her senior apartment in Lakota, North Dakota. Each volume is marked with the years it covers. Among these entries are significant life events—her marriage to Don Riski on February 8, 1954; the births of their three children; and historical moments like the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

Michelle describes these diaries as a family treasure: “You can’t imagine your whole life in books.” Her sister Linda Riske-Lundeen adds that reading them gives you chills because it's not just history—it's their mother’s perspective.

Despite leaving school after eighth grade due to the Great Depression, Evie found time for writing while running a meat locker with Don and raising their children. She reflects simply on this habit: “I enjoy it.”

After Don passed away in 2010 following 56 years of marriage, Evie's entries continued to capture both everyday tasks and poignant memories. On her centennial birthday, she wrote succinctly about missing him.

For Evie's family, these diaries are more than words—they're a living legacy still unfolding.

This 100-year-old hasn't missed a daily diary entry in nearly 90 years

Talker News

A young white-tailed eagle named Kinky has captured the hearts of bird watchers and conservationists after surviving a broken wing with the help of his devoted parents. The chick was injured in July 2023 when a storm toppled the tree where his family nested on the Isle of Ulva, off Scotland's west coast. While Kinky's sibling quickly took to the skies, he struggled on the ground, dragging his damaged wing.

Local skipper Dave Sexton, who recently retired as RSPB’s Mull officer after 21 years, observed this remarkable story unfold. "We noticed the bird was struggling and thought he was not going to survive," Sexton said. Despite being grounded, Kinky received regular meals from his parents, who brought him fish throughout autumn.

In spring 2024, during an eagle-watching trip with Mull Charters, Sexton heard a familiar screech for food and discovered Kinky had defied expectations by taking flight. "Miraculously, the bone must have fused to an extent where he was able to take off," Sexton marveled.

Kinky's parents continued their care well beyond typical behavior for eagles. "This chick had clearly spent all winter with his parents and was now still being fed," Sexton noted. Such prolonged parental support is unprecedented among white-tailed eagles.

As spring unfolds, Sexton encourages bird watchers along Scotland’s west coast to look out for Kinky—a distinctive eagle with a noticeable kink in his wing—and report sightings to aid ongoing research and conservation efforts.

Despite retiring from full-time work with RSPB, Sexton remains committed as a volunteer ambassador: “I want to keep track of how these amazing birds are doing.” Anyone spotting Kinky can contact him at david.sexton@rspb.org.uk or via social media platforms like X @skyeandfrisa.

Eagle Parents' Love Takes Flight, With A Little Wing And A Prayer

A young girl from Madagascar is embracing newfound independence after life-changing surgery allowed her to perform everyday tasks for the first time. Annica, a nine-year-old from Toamasina, suffered severe burns at age two when she fell into a cooking pot at her aunt's restaurant. The accident left her arms fused in place, preventing her from dressing herself or participating in school activities.

Annica's family couldn't afford the necessary medical care, leaving her with limited mobility and unable to engage in typical childhood activities. Her mother, Felicia, recalled the incident: "The lid slid and she fell into the pot. I cried every morning when I looked at her."

Hope arrived when Mercy Ships docked their hospital ship, Africa Mercy, in Madagascar in 2024. Annica received free reconstructive surgery that included skin grafts to restore movement in her arms. Dr. Venter, a volunteer surgeon on board, explained: "We had to bring some new skin from other parts of her body to cover what she'd lost."

Following surgery on June 19, 2024, Annica underwent six weeks of rehabilitation with physical therapist Kaylee Earll. "She was very determined to do everything herself," Earll said.

Now back at school, Annica can dress herself in her uniform and participate fully in class activities like writing on the whiteboard and playing basketball with friends. Her teacher noted that she will be more confident without obstacles holding her back.

Her father expressed his joy: "I thought she was never going to be able to do those things." With dreams of becoming a teacher one day, Annica is ready for a future filled with possibilities.

A Burn Survivor is Reaching New Heights, Dressing for Success After Surgery

Space

Astronomers at the University of Milano-Bicocca have made a groundbreaking discovery, identifying a massive spiral galaxy from the early universe. Dubbed "Big Wheel," this colossal galaxy emerged just 2 billion years after the Big Bang, which occurred approximately 13.8 billion years ago.

Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), researchers located Big Wheel near a quasar—a highly active supermassive black hole—11.7 billion light-years away. The galaxy's nickname reflects its rapid rotation and immense size, being five times more massive than our Milky Way and spanning 100,000 light-years.

The team employed JWST's Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) to confirm that Big Wheel is indeed a rotating disk. Its rotation curve mirrors those of mature galaxies, with velocity increasing outward from the center to several hundred miles per second.

"This galaxy is spectacular for being among the largest spiral galaxies ever found, which is unprecedented for this early era of the universe," said Charles Steidel, lead author and Caltech astronomy professor.

Big Wheel's environment may hold clues to its rapid growth. Situated in a dense region with high galaxy number densities, it likely benefited from efficient gas accretion and frequent mergers with gas-rich galaxies.

"We think this may open the door to understanding how some galaxies were able to bypass the usual slow process of star formation and grow to enormous sizes in the early universe," co-author Sebastiano Cantalupo stated.

This discovery challenges existing cosmological models by suggesting that under certain conditions, galaxies can grow rapidly rather than gradually.

Scientists Unveil 'Big Wheel' Spiral Galaxy, 5x Bigger Than Milky Way

BBC News

Two friends, united by a shared passion for charity fundraising, are embarking on an ambitious journey: running 12 marathons in 12 months. This weekend marks the beginning of this challenge for Kate Walford as she tackles the Guernsey Marathon, while her friend Laura Coleman-Day nears the end of her marathon quest.

Both women are raising funds for Anthony Nolan, a charity close to their hearts. Together, they have already raised over £12,000. For Coleman-Day, the Guernsey Marathon is a "bonus marathon," bringing her total to 13 by the end of her challenge. Her dedication stems from personal tragedy; she began fundraising after her husband was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2023 and passed away in 2024 due to post-transplant complications.

"Once he passed away I decided that I wanted to raise awareness of Anthony Nolan and money for them," Coleman-Day said. "They were doing a lot of research into post-transplant and I didn't want anybody else to go through what me and my son have gone through."

Walford's involvement with Anthony Nolan began in 2019 after losing a close friend to cancer. Initially participating in the London Marathon, she found herself deeply connected with others through the charity. "I have met so many friends through the charity...and obviously I am now really good friends with Laura through the charity," Walford shared.

This weekend will be their first time running together at the Guernsey Marathon. Despite living on the island, Walford admitted that "the hills have put me off." Meanwhile, Coleman-Day is eager to join her friend from Lincolnshire for this special run.

The duo plans to tackle the London Marathon together soon after.

Pals Run 12 Marathons in Year: Friendship on the Move

ABC News

A remarkable milestone has been reached at the Philadelphia Zoo, where two nearly century-old tortoises have become proud parents to four new hatchlings. The zoo announced the arrival of these Western Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoises, a critically endangered species native to Ecuador's Galápagos Islands, marking the first time in over 150 years that such hatchlings have been born at the Pennsylvania zoo.

The mother, affectionately known as Mommy, is estimated to be 97 years old and has resided at the zoo since April 1932. Her partner, Abrazzo, joined her in December 2020 and is believed to be around 96 years old. "All are doing well, eating and behaving appropriately," a Philadelphia Zoo spokesperson told "Good Morning America."

The first of the four female hatchlings began emerging from its egg on February 27. These young tortoises are part of a clutch of 16 eggs laid by Mommy in November 2024. The zoo's animal care team continues to monitor additional eggs for potential hatching.

Zoo visitors can look forward to meeting these new additions when they make their public debut on April 23 at the Reptile and Amphibian House—coinciding with Mommy's 93rd anniversary at the zoo. "Philadelphia Zoo's vision is that those hatchlings will be a part of a thriving population of Galapagos tortoises on our healthy planet 100 years from now," said Jo-Elle Mogerman, Ph.D., President and CEO of Philadelphia Zoo.

Alongside Mommy and Abrazzo’s family, the zoo also houses another adult Galapagos tortoise named Little Girl and two giant Aldabra tortoises named Betty and Wilma.

Nearly 100-year-old Tortoise Becomes 1st-time Mom to 4 Baby Hatchlings

Science Daily

Researchers at Washington State University have developed an innovative method to recycle wind turbine blades, turning them into stronger plastics without using harsh chemicals. This breakthrough offers a sustainable solution for reusing the materials that make up these massive structures.

The team, whose findings were published in the journal Resource, Conservation, and Recycling, tackled the challenge of recycling glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP), a material commonly used in wind turbine blades. By cutting GFRP into small blocks and soaking them in a low-toxicity organic salt solution under pressurized, superheated water for two hours, they successfully broke down the material. The recovered components were then repurposed to create stronger plastics.

"It works very well, especially considering the mild conditions that we applied," said Cheng Hao, co-first author of the study.

Traditionally difficult to recycle due to their thermoset composition, these composites are now reaching the end of their lifespans from turbines built in the 1990s. Jinwen Zhang, corresponding author and professor at WSU, emphasized the urgency: "As wind energy grows, recycling and reusing wind turbine waste is becoming increasingly urgent."

The process involves soaking blade material in zinc acetate—a compound found in throat lozenges—allowing researchers to recover glass fibers and resins effectively. These recycled materials can be added directly to thermoplastics like nylon to produce robust composite materials.

"The ease of catalyst recovery enhances overall sustainability," Zhang noted.

This method not only strengthens nylon but also reinforces other plastics such as polypropylene. Researchers aim to further simplify chemical conditions for recycling while working on fully recyclable blade materials with WSU's Office of Commercialization.

The project received funding from the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

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