A Living Seed Bank is Preserving the Amazon's Incredible Plants

In the heart of the Amazon rainforest, a magical place called Camino Verde is home to over 400 native trees and plants with incredible healing properties. From dragon's blood trees to ironwood, this living seed bank in Peru is a treasure trove of natural wonders. Founded by agroforester Robin Van Loon, Camino Verde aims to preserve endangered species and promote sustainable use among local communities through planting initiatives. With tens of thousands of tree seedlings produced annually, this project offers hope for restoring the Amazon rainforest.

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Missing Microchipped Dog Reunites With Family 5 Years After Disappearance

A Florida family has been reunited with their beloved dog five years after he disappeared—and the story is leaving people in tears. Parker, a now 13-year-old pup, was just 8 when he wandered out through an accidentally open gate at his family’s home in Hernando County. Despite a neighborhood search effort and weeks of heartbreak, the trail eventually went cold. His family never gave up hope completely, but as time passed, they feared the worst. Then, on Sunday, January 12, came the call they never expected. A good Samaritan found a tired-looking dog by the side of the road, not far from where Parker had originally gone missing. The dog was brought to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office Animal Services, where staff scanned him for a microchip. Within minutes, they had a match—and Parker’s family had their miracle. “Tired, thinner than he once was, and moving more slowly with age, Parker had clearly been through a long journey,” the sheriff’s office told Spectrum News. “Had he made a long trek that led him home or had he been with someone else nearby, we may never know.” The moment Parker’s mom arrived, she wasn’t sure it was really him—until she looked into his eyes. Despite the weight loss and gray hairs, she knew. It was her boy. The reunion has sparked an outpouring of emotion online. The sheriff’s office shared the story on Facebook, where it quickly went viral. “The chills, the happiness, the tears. Wow. I’m so glad they are reunited,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “This is amazing. So many senior dogs that people just dump or don’t care about anymore. But Parker’s people were waiting for him and will give him the best retirement, full of love and cuddles.” Officials used the moment to highlight how crucial microchipping can be. “Parker’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of microchipping, keeping information updated, and never underestimating the impact of a small tool that can lead to life-changing reunions,” the sheriff’s office said. “Most of all, it is a reminder that love has no expiration date—and sometimes, miracles really do happen.” Parker is now back where he belongs, curled up with his family, soaking in all the love and attention. Slower, yes—but home.

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Cathedral Transforms With Stunning Immersive Light And Sound Show

Manchester Cathedral has been dramatically transformed into a living, breathing tribute to the city’s cultural legacy — and the results are nothing short of spectacular. In a UK-first, the historic cathedral is now home to an immersive light and sound experience that bathes its stone walls in vivid projections while a live orchestra and choir belt out Manchester’s most iconic anthems. From Joy Division to The Verve to Oasis, the soundtrack is pure Northern soul. Images from the opening nights show the cathedral’s ancient interior lit up like never before, with high-powered projectors turning the medieval space into a 360-degree storytelling canvas. While the music fills the air, the walls glow with visuals synced to narration by Manchester’s own Christopher Eccleston, who guides audiences through the city’s history and influence on the world stage. The project comes from LUMINISCENCE, the global collective behind similar immersive concerts in cathedrals across France, Spain, Brazil, and the U.S. But this is their first time bringing the experience to the UK — and they chose Manchester for a reason. Running from January 14 to March 26, 2026, the show combines cutting-edge tech with classical performance and local pride. Inside the cathedral, visitors are surrounded by massive digital displays that bring to life everything from the city’s industrial past to its music scene, all set to a powerful live performance. And it’s not just the visuals or music drawing people in. For many, the project is a reminder of what Manchester represents — grit, creativity, and the power of reinvention. One moment, projections ripple across the vaulted ceiling as an orchestra plays “Bittersweet Symphony.” The next, Eccleston’s voice cuts through, reflecting on the city’s punk roots and its global impact. By placing Manchester’s story inside its oldest sacred building, LUMINISCENCE has created something that feels reverent but current. It's not just a light show. It's Manchester, lit from within.

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New Delhi Teens Recycle 2 Million Pounds Of Waste After Asthma Attack Inspires Action

Two brothers in New Delhi turned an asthma diagnosis into a city-wide cleanup movement—and picked up a major international award along the way. Vihaan and Nav Agarwal were just teenagers when they realized the air in their city was making Vihaan sick. The culprit? Rampant garbage burning, especially at towering landfills like Ghazipur, which regularly spewed smoke into Delhi’s already-polluted skies. When a portion of that landfill collapsed and caught fire in 2017, coating entire neighborhoods in toxic haze, the brothers knew something had to change. They started small. Vihaan and Nav began separating their household waste into recyclable categories, only to be told the city’s waste collectors wouldn’t pick it up. That might’ve ended things for most people, let alone two kids. But instead, they went door to door, convincing neighbors to do the same. Once they had 15 households participating, local officials finally agreed to collect the sorted trash. That tiny act of persistence sparked a movement. Today, the Agarwal brothers’ nonprofit, OneStepGreener, manages segregated waste collection for more than 3,000 households. Their work spans 14 cities across India and includes everything from recycling education to reforestation projects. Along the way, they’ve helped recycle more than 2 million pounds of waste—about the same amount New Delhi produces in a single day. “The main issue in waste management is that everybody thinks it’s not their job, or if the waste is out of their house, it’s out of their mind,” Vihaan told Euro News. The brothers have turned that mindset on its head. OneStepGreener doesn’t just collect trash. It sorts it meticulously—newspapers from office paper, PET bottles from other plastics, even computer monitors from keyboards—so that as much of it as possible can actually be recycled. The organization also plants trees in urban spaces, aiming to reduce the smog that first sparked their activism. Their efforts were recognized globally when they received the International Children’s Peace Prize, an award previously given to climate activist Greta Thunberg and Malala Yousafzai. For the Agarwals, though, it’s not about the accolades. It’s about proving what’s possible. “If it can be done in Delhi,” Nav said, “one of the largest, most polluted cities in the world, it can be done anywhere.”

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Mia The Golden Retriever Rescued After Falling Through Icy Pond In Michigan

A golden retriever in Michigan is recovering after surviving a terrifying fall through the ice on a frozen pond. The dog, named Mia, plunged into the water on January 13 in Spring Arbor and was left struggling for around 30 minutes to keep her head above the surface before emergency crews could reach her. The rescue was coordinated between the Spring Arbor Township Police and Fire Departments, who responded after a 911 call reported the dog in distress. When officers first arrived, they spotted Mia about 30 metres from shore, partially submerged and barely clinging to the ice. Realizing they’d need specialized equipment, the police quickly called in the township’s fire department for backup. Firefighters arrived with cold-water rescue gear and made their way into the freezing pond. Using safety harnesses and protective suits, they were able to reach Mia and carry her back to land. Photos released by the township show the dog barely visible in the water, with just her head and paws above the ice, and later, a firefighter in yellow gear bringing her safely back to shore. Officials said Mia is now back with her owner and in stable condition. The rescue prompted a warning from police about the dangers of venturing near frozen ponds and lakes. “Ice thickness can vary and pose serious risks to both people and pets,” the department said. They urged residents to “exercise extreme caution around frozen bodies of water.” The incident comes as Michigan faces a spell of severe winter weather. According to MLive.com, parts of the state were expecting fresh snowfall on January 16, with heavier accumulation likely near the Lake Michigan shoreline. Despite the dangerous situation, officials credited the “quick thinking and inter-agency coordination” for the successful outcome. Without the swift response, the story could have ended very differently.

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Could a Hidden Brain Signal Predict Alzheimer's Years Before Diagnosis?

A small shift in brain wave activity could offer one of the earliest warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease — more than two years before symptoms fully emerge. That’s the finding from a new study published in Imaging Neuroscience, where researchers used a noninvasive brain imaging technique to identify a distinct pattern in beta waves that may act as a highly sensitive early biomarker of cognitive decline. Using magnetoencephalography (MEG), scientists at Brown University in the United States and Spain’s Complutense University of Madrid and University of La Laguna scanned the resting brain activity of 85 people diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, a known precursor to Alzheimer’s. They discovered that participants who eventually developed Alzheimer’s showed a clear difference in beta wave activity — their brains produced the waves at a lower rate, with weaker power and shorter durations compared to those who did not progress to Alzheimer’s in the same period. “We’ve detected a pattern in electrical signals of brain activity that predicts which patients are most likely to develop the disease within two and a half years,” said neuroscientist Stephanie Jones, co-lead author of the study and professor at Brown. “Being able to noninvasively observe a new early marker of Alzheimer’s disease progression in the brain for the first time is a very exciting step.” Beta waves are rhythmic brain signals associated with attention, memory, and cognitive control. In healthy people, beta wave activity naturally begins to decline around age 60, but the process tends to accelerate in those developing Alzheimer’s. The findings support earlier research linking shifts in brain waves to changes in learning, memory, and executive function. What makes this study different is how the researchers analyzed the data. Instead of relying on average brain wave readings — a method that can gloss over key details — they used a closer analytical approach to capture the brief “bursts” of beta activity that may play a crucial role in cognitive health. The bursts were notably shorter in patients who later developed Alzheimer’s. That’s important, the researchers say, because beta wave bursts are thought to signal the brain’s ability to inhibit unnecessary or distracting thoughts — a function known as inhibitory control. Losing this ability could explain some of the cognitive decline seen in early Alzheimer’s. The study supports a leading theory that Alzheimer’s may begin with hyperactive neurons that disrupt the brain’s natural rhythms. “Now that we’ve uncovered beta event features that predict Alzheimer’s disease progression, our next step is to study the mechanisms of generation using computational neural modeling tools,” said Jones. “If we can recreate what’s going wrong in the brain to generate that signal, then we can work with our collaborators to test therapeutics that might be able to correct the problem.” The hope is that these early warning signs could eventually be used to develop better diagnostic tools and new treatments, before irreversible damage occurs.

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Single Bird Mom ‘Madonna’ Stuns Keepers by Raising Three Chicks Alone

At Melbourne Zoo, a critically endangered bird named Madonna has done something keepers didn’t think was possible — she raised three healthy chicks entirely on her own. The Regent Honeyeater, part of an urgent conservation breeding program, became a solo parent after the sudden death of her mate. In the wild and in captivity, both parents typically share the responsibilities of feeding and raising their young. But Madonna didn’t miss a beat. “She’s raised three large chicks all on her own and they’ve all weighed in at nice healthy weights,” said Ben Oliver, Birds and Invertebrates keeper at the Zoo. “They’re all really strong and independent. She’s just done a fabulous job. We’re all so proud of her.” The chicks are now thriving in the zoo’s dedicated “creche,” a social space where young honeyeaters learn to interact with one another. They’ve joined five other juveniles in preparation for a possible release into the wild — a vital step in the species’ fight against extinction. Madonna’s story is more than just heartwarming. It’s a sign of hope for one of Australia’s rarest birds. Fewer than 250 Regent Honeyeaters remain in the wild, according to Zoos Victoria. Their numbers have been devastated by decades of habitat loss caused by forestry, drought, and bushfires. Native to south-eastern Australia, the birds were once common across woodlands, but their range and numbers have collapsed since the 1940s. Conservation efforts now rely heavily on breeding programs like the one at Melbourne Zoo to boost population numbers and preserve the species' unique behaviors and songs. While Madonna’s parenting feat surprised keepers, it also highlights the resilience of a species on the brink — and the crucial role individuals can play in keeping hope alive.

Veteran Organist Celebrates 50 Years Of Performing At Blackpool Tower

After more than five decades behind the keys, Phil Kelsall still gets a thrill every time he plays Blackpool Tower’s legendary Wurlitzer organ. Kelsall, 67, started working at the Tower in 1975 and became principal organist two years later. Since then, he’s become as much a part of the building’s identity as the tower itself, entertaining thousands in the historic ballroom with a sound that’s unmistakably Blackpool. “I still get a thrill just sitting at this instrument, which is world famous,” he told BBC Radio Lancashire. “The acoustics here in the ballroom are just superb. When you hear it, there is no mistaking where you are.” The Wurlitzer organ, now 90 years old, remains the beating heart of the Blackpool Tower Ballroom. It has featured on radio and television for decades, including the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. But keeping it in top condition isn’t easy. “It needs constant maintenance,” Kelsall explained. “Things start to wear out — springs get loose and keys get loose, especially on the pedal board... they start to rattle — you can hear them.” This week, engineers are giving the organ its full annual service, a process that takes weeks and requires rare expertise. “There’s not many people left in the world who can do it,” Kelsall said. “It’s a very specialised occupation, is organ building.” The instrument is stored under the stage in the ballroom and rises up each day on a hydraulic platform as it’s played — something Kelsall still finds surreal after all these years. “I do sometimes think, as I’m halfway through the stage, what a strange way of earning a living!” The Wurlitzer itself is a marvel of engineering, with 1,000 pipes of varying sizes that use compressed air to create sound. Kelsall believes it’s the most played organ in the world, since it runs for several hours every day. “It’s just an amazing part of Blackpool, along with the trams and the tower and everything else,” he said. Kelsall first fell in love with the organ as a young boy after hearing Reginald Dixon, the Tower’s original organist who held the post from 1930 to 1970. Dixon left a deep impression, and Kelsall never looked back. Over the years, he’s recorded dozens of albums and performed for generations of visitors. In 2010, he was awarded an MBE for services to music. Reflecting on his long career, he says he’s picked up “a few little tricks” along the way — but the magic of the instrument, and the joy of the audience, never wears off.

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TikTok Brings a Mother-Daughter Fashion Story Full Circle — and the Internet Can’t Get Enough

As a kid growing up in New York City, Camila Larrain didn’t want to play hooky to stay home — she wanted to skip school so she could tag along with her mom to the office. Her mom, Karen, worked in fashion journalism during the early 2000s, a job Camila found endlessly fascinating. “I would make my own ‘editorial pages’ by cutting images out of magazines and gluing them into a composition notebook, trying to mimic her layouts,” she told PEOPLE. “I also loved helping her choose outfits for her seasonal trips to London, Paris and Milan — it all felt so exciting and glamorous to me.” That sense of wonder stayed with her as she grew up, especially during big industry events she attended with her mom. She still remembers being at the 2010 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show when Katy Perry performed “Firework” live. At a Ralph Lauren girls’ show, she was gifted a black suede fringe bag — a fashion keepsake she still uses to this day. But it wasn’t just the events or the outfits. Camila says what stood out most was the behind-the-scenes creativity, the work ethic, and the connection it gave her to her mom. “My mom and I are extremely close — more like best friends. What I admire most is that she’s a great listener,” she said. “She’s always given me the most thoughtful and spot-on advice; I go to her with practically everything and it always seems like she has the right solution.” Last year, when the family moved out of the apartment they had lived in for 18 years, those memories came rushing back. While unpacking, Camila and Karen found old iPhones and BlackBerrys, physical photos, fashion show invites, and vintage magazines — pieces of a fashion era they’d both lived through, now frozen in time. That discovery sparked an idea: what if they brought those moments back to life? TikTok seemed like the perfect place to do it. “It’s where storytelling feels the most creative and accessible,” Camila said. “You can pair visuals with music, edit quickly and turn moments into short stories.” The unpolished, casual vibe of the platform helped the content feel more real. The timing didn’t hurt either. With a sequel to The Devil Wears Prada slated for release this year, interest in fashion’s early-2000s heyday is running high. So Camila dug into her mom’s archive, posted a video featuring old photos and memories — and it took off. The TikTok racked up more than 450,000 views and hundreds of comments from viewers who couldn’t get enough. "Petition to put your mom’s camera roll in the MoMA," one user wrote. Another called the content, “an IRL Pinterest board wow. Your mom is THAT girlllll.” Camila admits she and her mom were surprised by how quickly people connected with the story. “What surprised us most was how detail-oriented viewers were — people were identifying the exact year of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, recognizing designers like Michael Kors during his resort presentations and spotting models like Anja Rubik.” She thinks the appeal lies in how rarely people get to see the personal, unfiltered side of the fashion industry. “It can feel very elusive and exclusive,” she said. “Sharing these behind-the-scenes moments made it feel more human and accessible, and we loved discovering that it provided a sense of escape and nostalgia for so many people.” Now, Camila is looking ahead. She wants to keep exploring her mom’s fashion archives and memories — not just to document them, but to unpack how they shaped her own fashion sense, career aspirations, and relationship with style. She’s hoping to turn the project into something ongoing: a content series blending nostalgia, New York City, lifestyle, and fashion in a way that feels true to their story. “We hope it’s a nice uplifting escape for people to take a break from all the negativity in the world now,” she said. “And also, inspiration that if you have a dream career that you want to go after, the world is your oyster.” Karen, now working in public relations and still living in New York, hasn’t strayed far from fashion. But it’s her daughter’s growing platform — and the shared walk down memory lane — that’s brought her old career back into the spotlight. And for Camila, that spotlight is personal. It's not just about fashion, or TikTok fame. It's about sharing the story of her mom — the one who sparked it all.

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Nike Recreates Late Mom’s Beloved Sneakers After Daughter’s Viral Plea

When Megan Tobias lost her mother Sandy to lung cancer, she and her family carried out one of her final wishes: to be cremated wearing the Nike Air Max 97 sneakers she loved so much. The shoes, a custom Mother’s Day gift designed to match Sandy’s bright blue car, became more than just footwear. They were a source of comfort, identity, and memory—especially in her final days. So when Megan and her family planned a trip to Alaska to spread Sandy’s ashes—a dream destination on her mom’s bucket list—she wanted to honor her by having the whole family wear those same sneakers. But when she went online to recreate them, the design options were gone. With nowhere else to turn, Megan shared her story on TikTok. “I don’t usually make these kinds of videos,” she said in her post, visibly emotional. “But please, if you could tag @Nike and help me make my mom’s custom sneaker so my family can wear them on our trip to spread her ashes, I would be forever grateful.” The video, set to She & Him’s I Thought I Saw Your Face Today, struck a nerve. It quickly racked up millions of views—and Nike saw it. “We’re so sorry for your loss, Megan. Your mom had exceptional taste,” Nike commented from their official account. “We’re working on something special for you and your family. Please check your DMs.” In a follow-up video, Megan shared that Nike had offered to remake the exact custom Air Max 97s her mother wore—for the entire family. The news sparked an outpouring of support. “Home health workers are amazing!!! So glad that @Nike is remaking them,” one user commented. “They’re not just making shoes. They’re fulfilling a memory.” “We’re all family now. Can’t wait to see Alaska,” another added. Megan promised to share a photo of the entire family, standing in front of Sandy’s beloved blue car, wearing the matching sneakers in Alaska. It’s the kind of moment that turns a brand into a memory-maker. For Megan and her family, those shoes aren’t just fabric and laces—they’re a way to carry Sandy with them, step by step, into the places she never got to go.

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Researchers Uncover Health-Boosting Compounds in Monk Fruit — What Is It?

Monk fruit may be best known for sweetening your tea without adding calories, but scientists say there’s far more to it than meets the tongue. New research published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture takes a deep dive into the chemistry of Siraitia grosvenorii, commonly known as monk fruit or Luo Han Guo. The study looks beyond its sweet taste to explore the bioactive compounds packed into this ancient fruit—and how they might benefit human health. Native to southern China, monk fruit has been used for centuries in traditional medicine. But in recent years, it’s caught the attention of researchers due to its high antioxidant content and unique plant chemistry. The UC-led study focused on a category of natural compounds called secondary metabolites—molecules plants produce not for basic survival, but for defense, flavor, and interaction with their environment. In humans, many of these compounds appear to support health. Researchers zeroed in on three main groups: terpenoids, flavonoids, and amino acids. Terpenoids, which are common in herbs and spices, are known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Flavonoids, another large class of plant chemicals, help neutralize free radicals—unstable molecules linked to aging and chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. Meanwhile, amino acids are essential building blocks for protein and play key roles in tissue repair and immune function. The team analyzed both the peel and the pulp of four different monk fruit varieties to see how these compounds were distributed and how they function biologically. Their analysis revealed that the compounds don’t just sit there—they interact with the body. Specifically, the study looked at how monk fruit’s natural chemicals engage with cellular receptors that regulate inflammation, metabolism, and oxidative stress. These chemical interactions may explain why monk fruit has long been associated with medicinal uses in traditional Chinese remedies. “Understanding these pathways helps explain why monk fruit may have health-promoting properties beyond its use as a natural sweetener,” the researchers wrote. One key takeaway: not all monk fruit is created equal. The study found that chemical profiles can vary significantly between different varieties. That matters for both nutrition and manufacturing. “It is crucial to conduct an in-depth investigation on the high-resolution metabolic profiles of different Luo Han Guo varieties,” the authors noted, highlighting the importance of identifying which strains are best suited for food products or health supplements. The findings are part of a broader effort to better understand how plants used in traditional medicine might support modern health. In the case of monk fruit, it’s not just about replacing sugar—it’s about tapping into a rich mix of natural compounds that could offer protective benefits at the cellular level. As researchers continue to uncover the biological roles of these compounds, monk fruit is shaping up to be more than a calorie-free sweetener. It’s a vine with a complex chemical story—one that may help inform how we think about food, health, and the connection between the two.

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