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These Siblings Teamed Up To Rescue 100s Of Strays From The Streets Of Romania
Remus Gall and his sister live in Carei, Romania. Seeing the dozens of injured, sick, and feral cats swarming their city’s streets left them determined to do something to help. In just a few years they’d already taken in over 200 cats and more than 30 dogs. They currently have over 188 cats living in a crumbling shelter.
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Engineers Invent Custom Leash To Help Woman With ALS Walk Her Dog
Three years ago, Brooke Eby was diagnosed with ALS, a degenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Doctors told her she likely had two to five years to live. Now 36, Eby navigates the world in a wheelchair. Despite the difficult progression of the disease, she shares her life online with humor and honesty — often with a smile. But there’s one thing she’s missed more than anything: walking her dog, Dray. She adopted Dray, a small senior rescue dog, when she was 26. Through the ups and downs of her diagnosis, he’s been her constant companion. “We’ve learned to adapt but lately with this big chair, it’s just been impossible to walk him by myself,” she said in a video produced by Chewy. This year, Chewy’s annual Chewy Claus campaign stepped in to help. The campaign invites pet owners to send virtual letters to Chewy’s version of Santa. Each letter helps provide five meals to pets in need, with a goal of delivering up to 16 million meals through Greater Good Charities. But some wishes — like Eby’s — are granted in a more personal way. “As her condition has progressed, Brooke can no longer walk her senior rescue dog, Dray,” Chewy said in a press release. “Although Brooke has tried several adaptive leashes, they often tangle in her wheelchair and aren’t designed for Dray’s small size.” So Chewy teamed up with Bold Lead Designs to create a custom leash just for them. The design attaches directly to Eby’s wheelchair and features a fastener-free collar for Dray — no buckles or tricky clips, just slip it over his head and go. “Hands-free control is really important for people that have disabilities because it gives them a sense of independence,” said Katrina Boldry, the leash designer. “We made what I call a fastener-free collar, so all you have to do is clip [the leash] onto the chair, slip [the collar] over his head, and off she goes.” It worked perfectly. Dray adapted right away. “He caught on so well,” Eby said. “He doesn’t seem to notice a difference.” More than just a practical fix, the new leash gave Eby back something she’d lost — the ability to do one of her favorite things on her own. “This is one less time I have to ask someone to help me do something I used to do by myself multiple times a day in my normal life,” she said. “Dray is seeing me be less and less active, and it’s just showing him that I’m still there, still the same leash holder I’ve always been.” In addition to the leash, Chewy Claus donated $10,000 to Team Gleason, an ALS advocacy group that helps people live full lives with the disease. “Brooke and Dray’s story is a touching reminder of how pets transform our lives,” said Orlena Yeung, chief brand officer at Chewy. “Chewy is profoundly grateful to provide support throughout the highs and lows of pet parenting.” Pet owners can still participate in the Chewy Claus campaign through December 24. Along with sending a holiday wish, people can choose to forgo receiving a gift and instead donate five extra meals to shelter pets in need. For Eby and Dray, it’s a reminder that even as life changes, some things — like the bond between a dog and their person — stay the same.
Score (98)
Two of the World’s Rarest Cheetahs Arrive at Chester Zoo to Help Save Their Species
Two Northeast African cheetah brothers have just moved into Chester Zoo as part of a major conservation effort to protect one of the world’s most endangered big cats. Kendi and Tafari, both 18 months old, arrived from Yorkshire Wildlife Park last week and are settling into the zoo’s new Heart of Africa enclosure — the largest zoo habitat ever built in the UK. The move is part of a specialist breeding program aimed at creating a “safety net” population to prevent the species from vanishing completely. Their arrival was met with some lighthearted drama, though. Comical footage captured one of the brothers slipping out of a tree during his first attempts at exploring the new space on Friday, October 31. But clumsiness aside, conservationists are calling their arrival a critical moment. “Northeast African cheetahs are one of the rarest big cats on the planet,” said Dayna Thain, a carnivore keeper at Chester Zoo. “In time, we’ll be looking to introduce genetically matched females to them as part of the endangered species breeding program. Every successful pairing and every cub born represents a crucial step in the right direction for their ongoing survival.” The cheetahs are currently classified as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with fewer than 500 estimated to remain in the wild. Once found widely across the Horn of Africa, they’re now largely restricted to small pockets in countries like Uganda, South Sudan, and Ethiopia. They’ve become virtually extinct in Somalia, Kenya, and Sudan. “In the wild, their range is now reduced to just a fraction of what it once was only three decades ago,” Thain said. “A stark reminder of how quickly species can disappear when habitats are lost or fragmented.” The cheetahs face a number of threats in the wild — including habitat destruction, conflict with humans as they prey on livestock, and poaching for the illegal wildlife trade. At Chester Zoo, the hope is that a combination of zoo-based conservation and fieldwork can turn the tide. The zoo also supports cheetah conservation projects in places like Uganda, where experts work directly with communities to protect both animals and the environments they rely on. For now, Kendi and Tafari are doing exactly what young cheetahs should be doing — playing, exploring, and sticking close together. “They’re already making themselves at home,” said Thain. “It’s great to see that they share such a close bond as they’ve been inseparable since the moment they arrived.” Adorable photos show the pair curiously sniffing around the enclosure and soaking in the new sights. If all goes well, their next big step will be meeting female cheetahs and helping to grow the population. With fewer and fewer cheetahs left in the wild, every new cub could be vital. And these two brothers — one tree slip and all — are helping lead the charge.
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Score (98)
This Single Black Mom of 4 Just Received a New Home After Years of Struggle
After years of moving from place to place, Taleah Mitchell finally has a place to call home. The Cincinnati mother of four received the keys to her new house on Thursday during a dedication ceremony in the city’s Lower Price Hill neighborhood. The home, built through Habitat for Humanity’s Women’s Build program, marks the end of what Mitchell describes as a long, difficult journey. “I broke down crying because I’m like God is really making it happen,” Mitchell told the Cincinnati Enquirer. Mitchell, who is African American, has spent years juggling two jobs in healthcare, raising four children, and attending nursing school — all while constantly relocating to meet her family’s needs. Two of her sons require special care: one is two years old and has autism, while another has ADHD. The nighttime routines of her children, including stimming behaviors, made it hard to find housing that worked for the whole family. “They stim at a certain time of night,” she said. “So when I got this opportunity, it was like okay I’m gonna go ahead and move forward, I’m gonna go on with it.” The house was built with help from Bank of America and several community sponsors. Mitchell also pitched in herself, working on tasks like painting, hanging doors, and drywall. The Women’s Build program, which organized the construction, brings together teams of women to build homes for single mothers. A Habitat for Humanity representative called it “a place where hopes, dreams, and desires come true,” and said they hope Mitchell’s family will continue reaching new milestones in their new space. For Mitchell, that future starts with something simple — celebrating holidays at home. She’s looking forward to her son’s upcoming birthday and Christmas, milestones that once felt impossible without a stable place to live. Now, with her own keys in hand, that future is finally within reach.
Score (98)
Innovative Backpack Helps Homeless Charge Devices and Secure Belongings in California
Zac Clark was a college freshman when the pandemic upended his plans — and ended up reshaping them entirely. When COVID-19 hit, Clark moved out of his dorm at the University of San Francisco and into an apartment overlooking the Tenderloin, one of the Bay Area’s most economically challenged neighborhoods. From his window, he could see the growing number of people living in homeless encampments on the street below. Then he started talking to them. “I began starting conversations with the very people who lived outside of my building,” Clark told New Atlas. He had originally planned to launch a transitional housing program. But after listening to the stories and day-to-day struggles of his unhoused neighbors, a more immediate idea took hold. That idea became the Makeshift Traveler — a hard-shell backpack built specifically for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. It includes a 4-watt solar panel to power an internal 10,000-mAh battery pack, providing enough energy to charge a phone two to three times. For many, that’s a lifeline. “I … started the Makeshift Traveler program based on feedback I had received from people I spoke with who kept saying they had phones but couldn't charge them, and their belongings were constantly being stolen or damaged,” Clark said. But the backpack does more than charge devices. It’s packed with essential gear: a tent, sleeping bag, rain poncho, radio, flashlight, hygiene kit, socks, and a water bottle. It also includes a nylon pillow that can be filled with a T-shirt, a lockbox for valuables, and an ID card. Each one comes with a brochure listing 15 local services that offer help, support, or shelter. Clark launched the project in October 2022. Since then, more than 1,200 backpacks have been distributed for free across 25 cities in California. His nonprofit, The HomeMore Project, runs entirely on donations and partnerships. “As we continue delivering Makeshift Travelers throughout California, we remain grateful to every funder, faith-based group, outreach worker, and service provider who makes this work possible,” Clark wrote in a blog post. “Together, we’re not only handing out backpacks, we’re building relationships, restoring dignity, and showing up for people who are too often overlooked.” The project is growing. Clark says they plan to give away another 2,000 backpacks soon, expanding beyond California. The current version is the third iteration of the backpack, and a fourth version is already in the works. It will include upgrades based on feedback from people who use them. “This is a really cool resource,” Steve Colunga told the San Bernardino Sun. Colunga, who currently sleeps in a park, had been carrying a worn drawstring backpack and said he was excited about the upgraded gear — especially the sleeping bag. For Clark, the point isn’t just about handing out supplies. “To me, there’s nothing more important than ending homelessness,” he told the Sun. “It doesn’t take a lot for someone to get their basic needs.” “These are to provide these needs — and a way for us to meet and build trust with people, to have them open up and share their stories. Because they are people, not problems to solve.” People experiencing homelessness can request a backpack through The HomeMore Project’s website. Supporters can also donate online — either to fund more backpacks or to help Clark launch his original dream: a transitional housing program. What started as a window view turned into a lifeline — powered by sunlight, shaped by empathy, and built from listening.
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Meet the Chef Who Saves Over £200 a Month by Foraging for His Food
For Lewis Pidoux, the weekly grocery shop looks a little different. Instead of pushing a trolley through aisles at Aldi, he heads out with a basket into the woods, hedgerows, and coastal paths around Bristol, gathering everything from wild mushrooms to nettles, dandelions, sea beet, and even acorns. The 41-year-old chef has been foraging for over 20 years, and today, wild food makes up around a fifth of his diet — a number he hopes to increase to nearly 100 percent. He estimates that in the warmer months, his foraging habit saves him over £200 (about $250) on groceries every month, dropping to around £100 in winter. “Foraging is seen nowadays as a niche hobby, but it’s the way our ancestors survived,” he says. “It’s part of us all.” From Blackberries to Acorn Pancakes Lewis first got a taste for foraging as a child, picking blackberries with his dad. In his 20s, it became a way to fuel his long-distance hikes. Now, it’s part of everyday life. A typical breakfast might be acorn pancakes or a dandelion smoothie. Lunch could be sea beet frittatas or wild mushroom broth, and dinner might be chickpea and nettle curry or southern-fried ‘chicken of the woods’ — a mushroom so convincing in flavour and texture that it lives up to its nickname. Despite working part-time at Toby Carvery, Lewis says his real passion is teaching others about wild food. He started a YouTube channel six years ago, which gained more attention during the pandemic when many people became more curious about self-sufficiency and food security. “I didn’t even know professional sports existed,” he jokes, recalling how little he once knew about the food world outside of grocery stores. Now, he’s educating others on what the wild has to offer — and how to stay safe while exploring it. A Forager’s Code: Take Only What You Need Lewis is quick to point out that foraging must be done responsibly. That means never taking more than needed, avoiding protected plants, and always asking permission when foraging on private land. “I go out with a basket and just take enough for a few days,” he says. “Generally, foragers are respectful with nature. Our wild spaces in the UK are being destroyed — I think that’s the bigger issue.” He also cautions against relying on plant-identification apps. “They can be really dangerous,” he warns. “I once picked up hemlock water dropwort — a deadly plant — and an app told me it was wild celery.” Instead, he recommends beginners: • Learn 2–3 plants at a time in depth • Avoid the carrot family until more experienced • Keep a journal of each plant you identify • Use foraging books by multiple authors • Take classes or go on guided tours From Hobby to Lifestyle These days, Lewis goes foraging every other day in spring and summer, sourcing nearly all of his greens and fruits from the wild. He still buys meat and root vegetables during those months, and in winter supplements his diet with shop-bought nuts and seeds when necessary. Inspired by the growing interest in wild foods and the rise of his YouTube channel, he’s considering a bold experiment: going fully foraged for several months, just as our ancestors would have done. “You’d need to harvest a lot in the autumn to get through the winter,” he says. “But I’d love to try it out.” Lewis’s story is a reminder that connecting with nature — and saving money — might be closer than the nearest supermarket. You just have to know where (and how) to look.
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Town Residents Knit Thousands Of Poppies To Honor Veterans in Canada and Around the World
A sea of red has taken over Port Stanley, Ontario — but it’s not fall foliage drawing attention. It’s yarn. More than 15,500 hand-knitted and crocheted poppies now adorn nearly every corner of the lakeside town, the result of a months-long volunteer effort led by residents Kathy Howarth and Jackie Valotaire. The project, launched in honour of Canadian veterans ahead of Remembrance Day, has transformed the town into a vibrant tribute. “My vision was to paint the village red,” said Howarth, who started the Port Stanley Poppy Project after being inspired by a similar initiative in Stratford. “That was my whole vision, and we did so much more.” Launched in late January, the project snowballed quickly. What began as a personal idea soon attracted over 100 volunteers, with the original goal of creating 12,001 poppies — one extra to represent the Unknown Soldier. But enthusiasm kept growing. By November, more than 15,555 flowers had been made, many stored in Howarth’s basement. Each poppy took about 25 minutes to craft. In total, volunteers poured in more than 6,000 hours of work. The result is hard to miss: poppies pinned to benches, wreaths, store signs, and even the town’s signature fish-themed welcome sign, which now wears a scarf made entirely of red yarn. The drawbridge is wrapped in flowers, and the local Legion’s second-floor balcony is blanketed in a poppy-covered sheet. “It’s been such an emotional time,” said Howarth. “It really brought the community together.” Valotaire handled much of the recruitment through a Facebook group, helping to organize the dozens of crafters. Some volunteers even brought yarn on vacation, working on poppies while abroad. “So many ladies were asking, ‘How many more do you need?’” she said. “We certainly knew our target was aggressive, and we ended up blowing it out of the water.” On November 1, volunteers spread the poppies around town in a coordinated effort that felt more like a celebration than a workday. By that afternoon, the transformation was complete. Anne Versteeg, chair of the local poppy campaign at Branch 410 of the Royal Canadian Legion, said the scale of the project left her stunned. “I’m just astounded by the amount of work that went into doing this,” she said. “It’s not just the knitting, but the work involved organizing, having people come together, hand-tying those poppies together onto fishing nets.” The Legion hosted a gathering on Monday to celebrate the achievement. Dozens of volunteers and community members came together in the same space where many of the poppies had been created. “It just gladdens my heart that we've got so many people in today’s world that are still thinking of the poppy campaign and what it means,” Versteeg said. The display has sparked a kind of unofficial scavenger hunt around town, as residents try to spot as many poppies as they can. For Howarth, the project’s impact has gone far beyond yarn and stitches. “I’ve got some ideas,” she said, hinting that this might not be a one-time initiative. “I’m looking forward to bringing it forward to the group. I’ve been very, very fortunate that everyone has been so supportive so far.” From a spark of inspiration to a full-on community movement, Port Stanley’s poppies now serve as a powerful, hand-crafted tribute — not just to those who served, but to what a united community can create together. The initiative, known as the Port Stanley Poppy Project, was spearheaded by Kathy Howarth. Her vision was simple: "My vision was to paint the village red," she said. What started as an idea quickly transformed into a project that brought together 106 volunteers who spent countless hours crafting these poppies since January. Howarth's inspiration came from seeing a similar project in Stratford, Ontario. She thought someone should bring it to Port Stanley and realized she could be that someone. The initial goal was 12,001 poppies—one for each volunteer and an extra for the Unknown Soldier—but enthusiasm swelled their numbers beyond expectations. Jackie Valotaire played a significant role in organizing the effort by creating a Facebook group to coordinate volunteers. "We certainly knew our target was aggressive," Valotaire explained. Yet even after surpassing their goal, eager participants kept asking, “How many more do you need?” Volunteers worked tirelessly on their creations. Some even took their yarn on vacations to continue knitting or crocheting abroad. With each poppy taking approximately 25 minutes to make, volunteers contributed over 6,000 hours collectively to achieve this remarkable feat. On November 1st, volunteers spread out across town to place these handmade flowers at various locations like park benches, wreaths, storefronts, and signs. One notable display includes Port Stanley’s iconic fish-themed welcome sign now sporting a scarf made almost entirely of red yarn. The community has warmly embraced this project; some residents turned spotting poppies into an engaging game for themselves and their families. Dozens gathered at Branch 410 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Port Stanley earlier this week to celebrate this achievement where many of these poppies were crafted. Anne Versteeg attended the gathering as well; she's the chair of the local poppy campaign at the Legion: “I’m just astounded by the amount of work that went into doing this,” she said while admiring sheets full of flowers blanketing railings around her. Reflecting on what these symbols mean today fills Versteeg with pride: “It just gladdens my heart that we've got so many people still thinking about what [the] poppy campaign means." As residents admire these colorful displays honoring veterans' sacrifices during Remembrance Day season—and ponder their symbolism—Howarth hints that future projects might arise next year if support remains strong: “I’ve got some ideas…I’ve been very fortunate everyone has been so supportive so far.”
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Sheetal Devi Makes History as First Armless Woman to Win World Para Archery Championship
High in the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir, a young girl once sat quietly on the sidelines, watching others run and play. Sports day meant cheering from the edges, never imagining that one day the world would be cheering for her. Now, at just 18, Sheetal Devi has become a trailblazing force in global para sport — and a living symbol of what resilience and self-belief can achieve. At the 2025 World Para Archery Championships in South Korea, Sheetal stunned the world by defeating defending champion and world number one Oznur Cure of Turkey. With that win, she became the first armless woman in history to win a world championship in archery. Born without arms due to a rare congenital disorder, Devi grew up in Kishtwar, a remote region in northern India. From a young age, she used her feet for everything — eating, writing, climbing trees, and later, shooting arrows with remarkable accuracy. Her archery technique is unlike anything else in the sport: She grips the bow with her feet, picks up the arrow using her toes, notches it with her mouth using a special shoulder device, and uses a releaser to connect her body to the bow. It’s a routine built entirely on balance, strength, and precision. “She never waited for anyone” Her father, Maan Singh, a farmer, says what set Sheetal apart wasn’t her condition, but her attitude. “She never waited for anyone to help her,” he said. “From the very beginning, she was different — not because of her condition, but because of her spirit.” That spirit first revealed itself in small ways: secretly climbing trees despite her mother’s fear, and often outclimbing her brother and friends. Without TV or mobile phones at home, she had no role models to show her what someone like her could become. “What others did with their hands, I learned to do with my legs,” Sheetal said. “As a child, I didn’t even understand that I had a rare condition. That challenge, however, pushed me to find my own way.” From heartbreak to discovery Her entry into sport came by accident. Four years ago, Sheetal traveled to Bengaluru for a medical treatment that didn’t work. “I was heartbroken,” she said. But during that visit, she was introduced to archery — a sport she’d never considered before. At first, she wasn’t convinced. It took months of encouragement before she agreed to train seriously. That changed after watching videos of Matt Stutzman, the legendary American armless archer. Inspired, she began working with her first coach, Kuldeep Vedwan, who helped build her strength and control using elastic bands and dumbbell exercises — all with her feet. In 2022, she moved to the Mata Vaishno Devi Sports Complex in Katra, where her training intensified under current coach Gaurav Sharma. Reinventing her shot A recent rule change requiring para archers to shoot using only their toes — without touching the bow with their heels — forced Sheetal to completely relearn her technique. It was, Sharma says, “mentally and physically exhausting.” “We rebuilt everything — her core strength, her focus, her form. But Sheetal never complained. She worked harder than anyone,” he said. The effort paid off. After winning bronze at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, becoming the youngest Indian Paralympian medallist, she went on to win golds at the World Championships, Asian Championships, and Asian Para Games. A rising role model With fame has come a new kind of responsibility — one that Sheetal welcomes. “What touches me most are the genuine reactions,” she said. “A six-year-old armless girl from the U.S. tagged me in her video saying she wanted to try archery someday. Or a boy from a remote Indian village who spoke to me about his dreams. I want to help him.” Her coach says it’s not just her athleticism that makes her remarkable. “Beyond her grit, she’s fun, spirited, and full of life. Her laughter lights up the training ground. Her positivity lifts everyone. And she’s only just begun.” Her parents remain quietly amazed. Her mother, Shakti Devi, still travels with her to competitions and ensures Sheetal gets her favourite homemade ghee and milk whenever she returns home. Her father watches her matches on his phone. “When she won her first medal, I didn’t even understand how big it was. I just said, ‘Mubarak ho, beta.’ Now I know the whole world is proud of her.” “Just show up” Sheetal remains grounded, despite the accolades. She wants to keep winning — not just medals, but opportunities for others. “There are so many children in rural India with talent who need support and guidance,” she said. “I want to help them dream and make those dreams real.” Asked what advice she would give to other aspiring athletes, her message is simple: “Believe in yourself, even if no one else does. Show up every day, improve a little at a time, and trust your journey.” In a sport known for stillness, focus, and inner calm, Sheetal Devi has become the unlikeliest — and most inspiring — champion. And she’s just getting started.
Score (98)
Spaniel Rescued After 3 Hours Trapped in 30-Metre Drainage Pipe
A spaniel named Senna is safe and sound after being trapped for more than three hours inside a drainage pipe at his home in Market Weston, Suffolk. Senna is believed to have entered the 30-metre (98-foot) pipe from a nearby pond that feeds into the system. Once inside, the dog became stuck and unable to turn around. The tense rescue unfolded on Hepworth Road and involved a team effort from the Norfolk Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, a local drainage company, firefighters, residents, and Senna’s worried owners. “Thanks to the combined efforts of USAR, the owners, and local residents, we were able to dig down to the pipe and create an access point,” said Adam Eagle, station manager at Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service. After hours underground, the frightened dog was finally coaxed out with the help of his owner’s voice. “After some encouragement from his owner, Senna was able to be brought back up and was safely rescued,” Eagle confirmed. Senna was checked over and appeared unharmed after his underground ordeal.
Score (96)
After 50 Years Without a Name, a Unique Southern Fish Finally Gets Its Due
For over half a century, a stocky, shiny fish with a sucker mouth swam nameless through the rivers of the southeastern U.S. Now, it finally has an official identity: the Apalachicola redhorse (Moxostoma antelunare). Long suspected to be its own species, this river dweller was formally described for the first time in a new paper published in the journal Zootaxa. It marks a major milestone for ichthyologists and fans of North America’s native fishes — especially those with a soft spot for so-called “rough fish.” Redhorses are part of a wider family of suckers found in rivers across the continent. With the addition of the Apalachicola redhorse, there are now 24 recognized species in the Moxostoma genus. These fish are known for their strength, distinctive body shape, and ecological importance in freshwater systems. The path to this naming was decades in the making. In 1969, famed ichthyologist Robert Jenkins — affectionately known as the “sucker king” — first noted that the Apalachicola redhorse was a separate, undescribed species. Though he kept detailed records and correspondence on the fish, he never published a formal description. That work was finally completed thanks to Daniel Akin, now a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. While collecting fish in the Apalachicola River as a master’s student at Auburn University, Akin came across adult redhorses in excellent condition and contacted Jenkins about the idea of finishing the description. Jenkins, then nearing the end of his life, gave his blessing. He passed away in 2022. “No matter how uncertain the times, Bob’s legacy of love for redhorses persisted,” the authors wrote in the paper’s prologue, honoring his decades of dedication. The newly described species lives only in the Apalachicola River drainage, which spans parts of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, and also in Econfina Creek in Florida’s St. Andrew’s Bay drainage. According to Akin, it’s easy to spot if you know what to look for: “If you’re fishing in the Apalachicola, this redhorse is going to have more of a bulldog head,” he says. “It has a really robust body.” Despite its rarity in scientific literature, the fish appears to be relatively common in its limited range, regularly turning up in fish surveys. Still, much remains unknown. “It’s hard to conserve a species with no name,” Akin points out — which is why the formal description matters. The Apalachicola redhorse's recognition comes at a time when suckers and other native fish are finally getting more respect. Once dismissed as “trash fish,” they’re now seen as vital parts of river ecosystems — and worthy sport for dedicated anglers. “There’s a growing subculture of native fish anglers and naturalists,” Akin says. “They’re hard-fighting fishes, often wary and, to my eye, quite striking creatures.” To celebrate the moment, Akin is planning a redhorse jamboree next year in the Apalachicola region — an event for anglers, scientists, and the local community to gather, fish, and learn about the river’s newest celebrity. “It would be cool for the new state record Apalachicola redhorse to be caught at the event,” he says. “And hopefully the attention gets the local community excited about this special fish.” For now, Moxostoma antelunare swims on — no longer anonymous, and finally getting the recognition it deserves.
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Virtual Reality Just Helped Surgeons In Separating Conjoined Twins
In a landmark medical feat, surgeons in Brazil have successfully separated conjoined twins with fused brains — a procedure so complex it was practiced in virtual reality before being attempted in real life. The twins, Bernardo and Arthur Lima, were nearly 4 years old and had spent their entire lives physically joined at the top of their heads, facing in opposite directions. Known as craniopagus twins, their condition is one of the rarest and most difficult types of conjoined twinning, especially because their brains were fused together. “It was without a doubt the most complex surgery of my career,” said Gabriel Mufarrej, neurosurgeon at the Paulo Niemeyer State Brain Institute in Rio de Janeiro, where the twins had been under care for more than two years. The surgery was led in part by Noor ul Owase Jeelani, a London-based surgeon and founder of the medical charity Gemini Untwined, which funded the operation. What made this procedure groundbreaking wasn’t just its complexity — it was how it was planned. Surgeons in Brazil and the UK used virtual reality headsets to practice the operation together in a shared "virtual operating room", simulating the surgery based on detailed scans of the boys' shared anatomy. “You can’t imagine how reassuring this is for the surgeons,” Jeelani told the BBC. “To do it in virtual reality was just really man-on-Mars stuff.” Prior attempts to separate the twins had failed, leaving scar tissue that made the operation even more difficult. In total, the medical team conducted multiple surgeries over several months, with the final and most critical stages taking more than 33 hours and involving nearly 100 medical professionals. According to Reuters, Bernardo and Arthur are now the oldest twins with fused brains ever to be successfully separated. Jeelani described a powerful moment after the surgery: the boys’ heart rates and blood pressure had remained dangerously high for four days — until they were placed side by side and touched hands for the first time in their lives. Almost immediately, their vital signs stabilized. “At the beginning, nobody thought they would survive,” Mufarrej said. “It is already historic that both of them could be saved." Thanks to a global team, cutting-edge technology, and years of preparation, Bernardo and Arthur now have the chance to live independent, healthy lives — and, for the first time, to truly see one another face to face.