What Went Right This Week: the Good News That Matters

France is implementing a 'digital pause' in schools, children will lock away their phones during school hours. The UK now offers 24-hour mental health support over the phone through 111. Europe's 'blue heart' river was saved from dam construction, and South Korea ruled for emissions reduction targets to protect future generations. The UK government will not defend legal challenges against proposed oil and gas fields, while England celebrates successful community diagnostic centers.

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Dog Detects Owner's Lung Cancer, Saving Her Life With Early Diagnosis

At first, it seemed like a quirky habit. But for Colleen Ferguson, her dog’s strange obsession turned out to be lifesaving. The 60-year-old from Kent, England says her German shepherd, Inca, kept sniffing her breath for weeks. The two-year-old dog would lean in, smell her mouth, then pull back with a puzzled look. Something about the behavior did not sit right. For weeks, Inca continued the routine. Ferguson visited the dentist and doctors ran tests related to her gluten intolerance. Everything came back normal. Still, the dog would not stop. Eventually, Ferguson decided to go further and booked a full body scan. The results stunned her. Doctors found a “golf ball sized tumor” in her left lung. It was stage one cancer. “She just had this focused intent on my mouth,” the former science teacher said. “She would give me such a look and walk away.” “In no way did I expect lung cancer. It was such a shock because I am a non-smoker, and I had absolutely no symptoms at all, apart from being tired.” Because the cancer was caught so early, surgeons were able to remove the tumor. Ferguson did not need chemotherapy or radiation afterward. Her doctor left little doubt about the outcome. “The surgeon told me, ‘we never catch it at stage 1, your dog has saved your life.” Ferguson says the early diagnosis changed everything. “I was just so lucky. To catch it that early was just remarkable. People need to listen to their dogs.” Her story might sound extraordinary, but scientists say there is real evidence behind it. Dogs possess an extremely powerful sense of smell, capable of detecting tiny chemical changes in the body. Researchers in the United Kingdom are studying how those abilities might help detect disease. The nonprofit Medical Detection Dogs launched a major study in 2024 training seven dogs including Labradors, cocker spaniels and a retriever. The animals are learning to identify tumors by smelling urine samples placed in containers. Claire Guest, the group’s CEO and chief scientific officer, says the animals repeatedly demonstrate that illnesses carry specific odors. “Dogs have shown us time and time again that diseases have an odor,” Guest told The Times. “We are not sure whether that is the odor of the tumor itself, or the body’s response to the tumor.” Previous trials have already shown dogs can reliably identify several conditions. Studies suggest they can detect prostate cancer, bladder cancer, Covid-19 and Parkinson’s disease by smell alone. Now researchers are trying to translate those abilities into technology. Scientists are developing what they call an electronic nose, or “e-nose,” designed to mimic how dogs detect disease. The device is being developed with the help of Dr. Andreas Mershin, a quantum physicist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, working alongside Medical Detection Dogs. The system uses chemical sensors that can “smell” urine samples and detect volatile organic compounds. These are microscopic odor molecules that circulate in the air and can signal disease. Researchers are currently testing the device using 500 urine samples from patients at Milton Keynes University Hospital near London. Some samples come from people diagnosed with prostate cancer, while others are from healthy volunteers. The goal is to see if the machine can reliably identify cancer the same way trained dogs do. “This is a major milestone,” Mershin said. “We’ve worked to emulate the dogs’ abilities and train machines in a similar way—rewarding them for correct identifications.” If successful, scientists hope the technology could become a routine medical screening tool in hospitals within the next two years. Eventually, similar sensors might even make their way into everyday devices. “Our devices already have eyes and ears,” Mershin said. “It’s like giving our devices a new sense: a nose.” The idea has been a long-term goal for the researchers working with detection dogs. “When I trained our first cancer detection dog over 15 years ago, the goal was always to inform scalable technology—not to have a dog in every hospital,” Guest said. “Seeing that vision start to come to life with this E-nose is an incredibly proud moment.” For Ferguson, though, the credit belongs to the dog at her side. Without Inca’s persistence, doctors might never have discovered the cancer until it was too late. Instead, a curious sniff led to an early diagnosis, a successful surgery and a second chance at life.

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This Trailblazing Truck Driver is Breaking Gender Barriers in a Male-Dominated Industry

Most days at a builders’ yard start the same way: a massive 26-tonne lorry squeezes into a tight space, reversing with practiced precision. But when Nerys Mitchell climbs down from the cab, the routine moment often turns into something else entirely. People stare. Some look surprised. Others look unsure. Mitchell has grown used to it. The 50-year-old driver from Driffield, East Yorkshire is the only woman among the 75 HGV drivers employed by her transport company. And when she pulls up to a site, she can usually tell exactly what people are thinking. "Watching people see you arrive on a Monday morning, you can kind of judge that they're not really expecting a woman," the mum-of-one says. For Mitchell, confidence comes with the territory. Operating heavy machinery, delivering building materials, and navigating busy roads across the country demands it. "You've got to be confident in what you're doing... I have had occasions where I've had to empower myself to ensure that I can do my job." The initial skepticism rarely lasts long. Once people watch her work, attitudes shift quickly. "As one or two days go by, you can see that you've changed their attitudes, and their attitude towards you is friendlier and warmer," she says. Women have been driving trucks for decades. Still, they remain a tiny minority in the profession. According to the Nomis Annual Population Survey covering the 12 months ending September 2025, only about 1% of HGV drivers in England are women. Simon Pritchard, managing director at Specialist Driver Resourcing, the company that employs Mitchell, says one reason is simple: visibility. "I think it's difficult to recruit women into this industry because that of age-old saying of you can't be what you can't see," he says. "Traditionally, it's not seen as a job that's suitable for women. Obviously, there are a lot of outdated stereotypes around the physicality of the job that perhaps aren't true anymore." Pritchard says Mitchell’s performance speaks for itself. "Nerys is an excellent driver for us... one of our highest performing drivers and one that we get some of the best feedback on." Before getting her HGV licence, Mitchell worked in construction as a bricklayer and groundworker. Driving a lorry had been on her mind for years. "Seeing different parts of the country, driving, meeting new people – every day is different and I enjoy every aspect of it," she says. "I was just made to do it." The job often means long stretches alone on the road. At depots and construction sites, Mitchell is usually the only woman around. Working in such a male-dominated environment can bring extra pressure. "I feel like I have to work much harder to prove myself, which can be challenging and it also can be exhausting," she explains. "I do feel like I have to work much harder to break down these barriers." Still, the reactions she gets when she arrives on site motivate her to keep going. "It can be quite intimidating but it's also quite rewarding knowing I'm changing people's attitudes towards this kind of line of work," she says. "It feels empowering." Long hours and unpredictable schedules are another hurdle in the industry. Ellie Shores, a 30-year-old driver who runs DA Shores Transport in Hull, says the lifestyle can be demanding. "I lose out a lot from doing this sort of job," she says. "If I need to get my eyebrows done, have a facial or a doctor's appointment booked in... I've missed so many appointments because you just don't know when you're coming home." Even so, both women say the biggest obstacle is still perception. "I don't think many women do this job because you don't see many women around building yards like this, so they don't see that this could potentially be a role for women," Mitchell says. Some women may also find the industry intimidating. Road Haulage Association policy lead Sally Gilson says trucking has long been viewed as a male-dominated field. "Road transport, much like construction and manufacturing, has long been perceived as a male domain," she says. "There is no inherent reason for this, but changing perception takes time." She adds: "Until people can see someone who looks like them in a role, preconceptions are difficult to shift." The challenge comes at a time when the industry needs more drivers across the board. Mitchell’s boss says recruitment remains a growing concern. "The first thing that needs addressing is the fact that there's an overall shortage, male and female, of HGV drivers," Pritchard says. In September 2025, Logistics UK reported an annual 1.9% decline in HGV drivers. The drop has been linked to an ageing workforce, training gaps and fewer new recruits entering the profession. Training organizations say the industry is now trying to widen the talent pool. A spokesperson for HGV Training Network in Hull says companies are working to attract more women by improving welfare facilities and offering more flexible working patterns. Women still make up a small portion of drivers, but interest is growing. The network says about 8% of the inquiries it receives now come from women. For Mitchell, that shift cannot come soon enough. "I think it's a brilliant sector to work in," she says. "I thoroughly enjoy my role in what I do here." And if her presence on job sites causes a few raised eyebrows along the way, she is happy with that. "I love that fact that we're breaking boundaries, and I'd love to encourage more women to do this role."

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Texas Zoo Welcomes Adorable Baby Flamingos During Hatching Season

The flamingo flock at the Fort Worth Zoo in Texas is growing, and it’s making quite a splash. The zoo recently welcomed eight new lesser flamingo chicks, adding to its already impressive record of breeding these charming pink birds. “Hip hip hooray, flamingo hatching season is here!” the zoo shared in an Instagram post on February 26, alongside a video of one of the fluffy newcomers strutting around. This excitement isn't without reason; since launching its breeding program in 2022, the Fort Worth Zoo has successfully hatched 454 lesser flamingo chicks. This achievement makes it the top breeding program for this species globally. Lesser flamingos might be smaller than their greater flamingo cousins, but they hold a special place at the zoo. These birds are considered near threatened due to habitat changes, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). To help combat this issue and provide optimal care for these chicks, zoo staff use a specialized hand-rearing process. This includes daily feeding with a nutrient-rich formula that replicates the crop milk they would receive from their parents, along with regular veterinary check-ups and guided walks. Once these young birds reach about three months old, they join their adult counterparts. Despite the lower reproduction success rate typical for lesser flamingos compared to other species found in U.S. zoos, Fort Worth Zoo’s dedication has led to a stable and self-sustaining population. When necessary, some of these birds are sent to other zoos across the country. As one spokesperson noted with pride: "They carry a little piece of Texas with them wherever they go!" Flamingos come in six species spread across various continents including Africa, Asia, Europe, and America. Lesser flamingos may not be as widespread or large as their greater cousins but play an essential role in biodiversity. Interestingly enough, about 40 percent of all lesser flamingos residing in U.S. zoos have origins tracing back to Fort Worth Zoo's breeding efforts. These chicks have made their way into 17 different institutions nationwide. For those interested in more delightful stories like this or keeping up-to-date on other human interest pieces and celebrity news alike, PEOPLE offers a free daily newsletter that captures highlights from around the globe. As Fort Worth Zoo continues leading efforts in preserving lesser flamingos within captivity while sharing them among other institutions across America — it's clear they're committed not only locally but also nationally towards conservation initiatives surrounding these unique creatures' survival rates today!

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The Heartwarming Moment a Dog Reunited With His Owner After 43 Days in the Wilderness

A dog named Rocky was rescued and reunited with his owner after surviving 43 days alone in Summit County, Colorado. Rocky, age 10, had gone missing in late December after escaping from a pet sitter while his owner was traveling. According to local media, volunteers from Summit Lost Pet Rescue and members of the local community helped search for the dog for weeks, eventually locating and capturing him using a tip from a homeowner who spotted the dog on her Ring camera and a trap set with the owner’s scent. According to Summit Daily, Rocky had gone from 50 pounds to 28 pounds during the time he was lost. Video posted by Summit Lost Pet Rescue shows the heartwarming moment Rocky is reunited with his owner, Steven Maa. “It takes partnership, a village, and donations to save lost pets,” the organization wrote on social media. 📸 Summit Lost Pet Rescue via Storyful

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A Heroic Train Driver Just Received a Prestigious Railway Star For Saving a Person Hit By A Train

Train drivers are trained for many situations. But few ever imagine stepping off their own train to help save the life of the person it just struck. That is exactly what happened to Helen Donagher. And now, she is being recognized for her actions with a star at York railway station. Donagher, from Newcastle, had been working as a train driver for LNER for just three months when her train struck a person near Durham. Instead of waiting on board, she immediately got off the train to help. She called for an ambulance and stayed with the injured person while emergency services made their way to the scene. “Thankfully they were okay,” Donagher said. The moment left a deep emotional mark. “As an individual it's quite hard because you've potentially ended someone's life and it's a hard feeling to take in,” she said. Incidents like this are among the most difficult experiences train drivers can face. But Donagher says the support from her employer helped her through it. “The company were great about it,” she said. “The support was there and they came down and helped out and they were actually really happy with the way the incident was dealt with.” Now, her actions are being publicly recognized. As part of celebrations for International Women's Day, Donagher has been honoured with a star embedded in the concourse floor at York railway station. The display is designed to resemble the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame and highlights women who have made a difference in the rail industry. “To see my name down there is quite special, to be representing all the women train drivers out there, it means a lot,” Donagher said. She is one of ten women recognized through the installation, which includes both modern railway workers and historic pioneers. Among them is Gladys Garlick, one of the first female train guards who served during World War Two, a time when many women stepped into roles traditionally held by men. LNER says the goal of the installation is to celebrate the past, present and future of women in rail. “We have looked at historic women who have had an impact in our industry as well as some current and future stars, who we have recognised,” said Paula Bullock, people director at LNER. Visitors walking through York station can learn more about each woman featured on the walkway. QR codes placed beside the stars allow travellers to read their stories and learn about their contributions. For Donagher, the recognition is a reminder of a moment that could have ended very differently. Instead, it became a story about quick thinking, compassion and a life that, thankfully, was saved.

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This Student Returned to Run the Cambridge Half Marathon, Two Years After Cardiac Arrest

Two years ago, George Collyer’s run through Cambridge ended with sirens and CPR. This weekend, he plans to cross the same finish line on his own two feet. The 23-year-old architecture student from Loughborough University is returning to the Cambridge Half Marathon on Sunday, determined to complete the race where he suffered a cardiac arrest in 2024. Collyer had been running the course when he suddenly collapsed. What happened next was the kind of coincidence that still feels almost unbelievable. Three NHS staff who were also participating in the race stopped immediately to help. They began performing CPR on the roadside, keeping Collyer alive until further medical care arrived. One of those runners turned out to be Dr Greg Mellor, a consultant cardiologist at Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Later, Mellor would help care for Collyer again after he arrived at the hospital. “It was a very unusual situation to be involved at both ends of George's care,” Mellor said. He recalled the moment he saw Collyer collapse during the race. “Instinct just kicked in,” he said. After the emergency response on the course, Collyer was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for tests before being transferred to Royal Papworth Hospital. Doctors later implanted a device known as an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, or ICD. The device can detect dangerous heart rhythms and deliver a life-saving shock if needed. For Collyer, the treatment marked the beginning of a long recovery. But it also allowed him to return to something that mattered deeply to him: running. “Since having the defibrillator implanted I've been able to continue running regularly and have finished other half marathons, so I'm confident going into this one,” he said. Now, two years after the race that nearly killed him, Collyer is heading back to Cambridge to run it again. This time, he is also running to raise money for Royal Papworth Hospital Charity, the organization connected to the hospital where he received treatment. Collyer says returning to the race feels both exciting and emotional. “I'm feeling fine now, but I know crossing the finish line will probably bring a mix of emotions,” he said. He also knows he owes his second chance to the quick actions of the people who stopped to help. “I'm incredibly grateful to all the NHS professionals who helped care for me two years ago. Without their swift actions, I probably wouldn't be here today,” he said. The Cambridge Half Marathon has grown into one of the region’s biggest running events, with about 15,000 runners expected to take part this year. The course winds through historic streets and past some of the city’s most famous university buildings. But for Collyer, the race has taken on a meaning that goes far beyond the route itself. It represents the moment his life almost ended, the people who stepped in to save it, and the chance to reclaim a finish line that once seemed impossible. For Dr Mellor, seeing Collyer return to the race is deeply meaningful as well. “It was unique and a real privilege to be able to do that for him,” he said. The two men first met under the most dramatic circumstances possible, on a race course where seconds mattered. Now, their connection continues through a story that has come full circle. On Sunday, when thousands of runners set off through Cambridge’s streets, Collyer will be among them. And when he reaches the finish line this time, it will not be the end of an emergency. It will be the end of a race he finally gets to finish.

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UK Farmers are Reviving an Ancient Hedge Laying To Boost Biodiversity

Sometimes the future of nature looks a lot like the past. Just ask the team working beside a quiet lake in southwest England, where an old countryside craft is helping wildlife make a comeback. At Blagdon Lake in the Mendip Hills of Somerset, workers are using hedge laying, a centuries-old farming technique, to restore struggling hedgerows and give birds, hedgehogs and insects a safer place to live. The project is being led by Bristol Water, which manages the 178-hectare reservoir and trout fishery. The lake also carries special ecological status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, meaning it supports wildlife habitats considered important at a national level. Instead of trimming hedges with heavy machinery, crews are carefully cutting and bending the base stems of shrubs so they lie horizontally along the hedge line. The stems stay partially attached, allowing them to continue growing while encouraging dense new shoots to rise vertically. The result is a thicker hedge that provides shelter and nesting spots for animals that depend on hedgerows to survive. “So many of our farmland and countryside birds are endangered, as are hedgehogs, so creating these spaces for them to live and nest in is more important than ever,” said hedge laying specialist Mike Reed, who is leading the team restoring the hedges around the lake. The work has already covered about 1,800 metres of hedgerow, though the project will pause during nesting season so birds and other wildlife are not disturbed. For Reed, the effort is about more than restoring habitat. It is also about keeping a traditional countryside skill alive. “Hedge laying is a historical craft with a strong local tradition and I'm proud to be passing it onto the next generation through this work,” he said. Hedgerows have long been part of the British countryside. Historically, they were planted to mark property boundaries, keep livestock contained and shelter crops from wind. Over time they also became important wildlife corridors, linking fields, forests and waterways. But modern farming practices have changed how many hedges are maintained. Conventional trimming methods often rely on large mechanical cutters that shape hedges quickly but repeatedly slice off the outer growth. Over time, that can leave the lower portions thin and gappy, reducing the shelter they provide for wildlife. The hedge laying technique used at Blagdon Lake works differently. By partially cutting the stems and laying them sideways, more sunlight reaches the base of the hedge. That encourages thick regrowth from the bottom, creating a dense structure that animals can hide in. Those thicker hedges can be especially valuable during winter months when food is scarce and shelter from cold weather becomes critical. The two-year restoration effort is expected to gradually transform the hedgerows around the lake. Simon Hughes, treescape officer at Bristol Water, said the changes should become visible fairly quickly as the plants respond to the new growth pattern. “It won't be long before we will start to see a complete transformation in the hedgerows and it's exciting for all of us at Bristol Water to be a part of creating this significant and important change,” Hughes said. Blagdon Lake already attracts anglers, birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts, thanks to its position within the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The hedgerow restoration adds another layer of conservation work to the site, helping strengthen habitats that support everything from small mammals to migratory birds. And if the project succeeds, it could also demonstrate how traditional land management practices still have a role to play in modern conservation. In a landscape where many natural habitats have gradually thinned or disappeared, sometimes the answer is not a brand new solution. Sometimes it is simply remembering how things used to be done — and giving nature a little room to grow back.

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Teen Trades Supermarket Job For Spider-Man Side Hustle, Earns Big Bucks Entertaining Kids

Three years ago, Nate Frindall walked into a movie theater dressed as Spider-Man just for fun. He left with a business idea. The 19-year-old from Surrey, England, had put on the costume to watch the latest Spider-Man film. When he arrived, the crowd noticed immediately. People applauded and asked him to perform a backflip. He did. The reaction convinced him something bigger might be possible. After telling his parents about the experience, Frindall decided to try turning the costume into a side hustle. He invested about £800 (roughly $900) in a high-quality Spider-Man suit and began offering appearances at children’s birthday parties and local events. The gamble paid off quickly. “I absolutely love doing it. To see these kids really happy that I have made their party, and turned up to surprise them, is great,” he said. What began as a simple idea now earns him far more than his previous job. Frindall used to work at a supermarket checkout, where he earned £12.40 an hour. Today he charges £75 for a 30-minute appearance and £150 for a one-hour meet-and-greet. Some families opt for larger packages. A one-hour party with games and photos costs about £250, while a two-hour appearance can reach £300. That means Frindall can earn in one hour what used to take him a full eight-hour shift. “It has paid off, too,” he said. “I am booked up for children’s parties every weekend in March.” The realism of the costume helps create the illusion for young fans. “It’s lovely to see kids smile,” he said. “Because of the realism of the suit, they genuinely think I am Spiderman. So, they get a big shock.” The performances are not just about posing for photos. Frindall incorporates physical stunts, including handstands and backflips, to make the experience feel even more authentic. To keep up with the growing demand, he has purchased two additional suits. Not everyone initially understood the idea. Some friends teased him when he started. “People are always surprised,” he said. “They usually think it’s cool that I do this. My friends used to make fun of me, but I am making good money.” “I also really enjoy it, so I am not really bothered by other people’s opinions.” Frindall promotes his appearances by attending local events in costume, handing out business cards and posting in community Facebook groups. The exposure has helped him build a steady stream of bookings. Outside of the superhero business, he is also pursuing other creative interests. He produces music, appears as an extra in acting roles and posts comedy videos with his cousins on TikTok, where they have gathered about 10,000 followers. He hopes those creative pursuits may grow into long-term opportunities. For now, he is encouraging other young people to explore their own business ideas. “I would 100 percent recommend doing a side hustle or a freelancing gig,” he said. Frindall believes finding a niche can open doors that traditional jobs may not offer. “Not many people that I know are doing what I’m doing,” he said. “I don’t like hospitality or retail jobs, so if you can find a niche gap in the market then you’re going to get better money for it.” And in his case, all it took was one Spider-Man costume — and a crowd willing to cheer for a backflip.

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This Landfill is Powering A Year-Round Farm In England — Here's How

Landfills are usually places where things go to disappear. But at one site outside London, garbage is doing something unexpected. It is helping grow food. About 145 kilometres from the city, a landfill in Wiltshire is turning methane gas from decomposing waste into electricity that powers a greenhouse farm. The project allows fruits and vegetables to grow year-round, even during cold English winters. The farm sits inside a large inflatable dome that functions as a greenhouse. The structure is roughly the size of three tennis courts, covering about 785 square metres, and rises about 9 metres high. Inside, crops grow under carefully controlled conditions. Heating, ultraviolet lights and fans all run on energy produced directly from the landfill beneath it. The system can produce around 10 tonnes of fruits and vegetables every year. The project was launched by Crapper and Sons Landfill Ltd, a family-run company that created a Community Interest Company called Sustain Wiltshire to operate the initiative. Revenue from the venture is designed to support community benefits. Project leaders say the greenhouse represents what they describe as a “world first.” Instead of traditional soil farming, the dome uses hydroponics and raised planters to grow produce. The system makes it possible to grow crops that normally would not thrive in Britain’s climate, including avocados, which are typically imported. The idea is not only to grow food locally but also to reduce costs. Sustain Wiltshire plans to sell the produce through a mobile app, delivering it directly to households. The company also intends to collect vegetable scraps from customers and bring the waste back to the landfill. There, it can contribute to the same cycle that powers the greenhouse. The energy system begins inside the landfill itself. As buried waste decomposes, it releases gases including methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. Workers collect the gas through wells drilled into the landfill and pipe it to a central processing area. After the hydrogen sulfide is removed, the methane-rich biogas fuels a combined heat-and-power engine that generates electricity and heat. That energy keeps the greenhouse domes at ideal growing temperatures throughout the year. Even the engine’s exhaust plays a role. Carbon dioxide from the exhaust is captured, cleaned and pumped back into the growing domes, where plants use it during photosynthesis. “The process of photosynthesis will turn the carbon dioxide into oxygen,” the company said. If the first dome proves successful, the plan is to scale up the concept dramatically. Developers hope to install as many as 100 domes at the landfill site over the next decade. If built, the network could produce up to 8,000 tonnes of fruits and vegetables each year. That would supply roughly 80 percent of the produce needed by three nearby towns: Royal Wootton Bassett, Purton and Brinkworth. The expansion could also create about 130 new jobs while preventing an estimated 3,800 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Project director Nick Ash believes the approach could reshape how landfills are used. “It has the potential to change the face of food production as we know it,” he said. Ash says the concept could go even further. The company is exploring ways to capture useful polymers from landfill plastics that cannot currently be recycled. If successful, the system could turn sites once known mainly for waste into hubs for energy production and local agriculture. “We believe our solution has the potential to transform the future of landfills internationally, turning it into one of the most climate friendly methods of waste treatment,” Ash said.

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Beavers To The Rescue: How Nature’s Engineers Are Reviving Drought-Stricken Rivers

In the desert, a river lives on a knife’s edge. Water is scarce. Rain is unpredictable. And when drought stretches on too long, even a healthy river can start to disappear. Across parts of Utah and Colorado, rivers connected to the Colorado River Basin have struggled through years of severe drought. As riverbeds dry up, fish and aquatic life die off, wildfire risks rise and nearby communities feel the impact. So researchers in Utah decided to try something unconventional. They brought in beavers. About six years ago, Emma Doden, then a master’s student at Utah State University, helped launch a project aimed at restoring fragile waterways. The idea was to relocate beavers from places where they were considered a nuisance and release them into struggling rivers like the Price River. The hope was simple. Let the animals do what they have always done. Beavers are famous for building dams, but those structures do more than block water. By slowing river flow, the dams create ponds and wetlands that hold water longer in the landscape. In drought-prone areas, those ponds can become lifelines. Fish and other wildlife can shelter in the deeper water when surrounding river sections dry up. The wetlands also help filter water, improve nutrient levels and support healthier ecosystems. Scientists often describe beavers as a “keystone species,” meaning their presence has an outsized effect on the environment around them. In this case, their engineering skills are proving invaluable. Since 2019, Doden and her colleagues have captured beavers that were removed from other locations — usually because they were interfering with infrastructure — and relocated them to the Price River after a short quarantine period. Not every beaver has stayed. Some struggled to adapt. Others were taken by predators or simply wandered away. But enough remained to begin transforming the landscape. Over time, the animals built dams and reshaped sections of the river. The results are now becoming visible. Water levels in the Price River are stronger than they have been in years. Fish populations are rebounding. And communities nearby are seeing the difference. A 2025 column in The Salt Lake Tribune described how the recovery changed life in the town of Helper. “A tributary of the Colorado River, the Price River runs through downtown Helper. On a warm day, you’re likely to find the river filled with tourists and locals kayaking, tubing and fishing along its shore. A decade ago, it was hard to imagine this scene—and the thriving recreation economy that comes with it—was possible.” The beavers were not working alone. Federal restoration programs helped remove debris from the river, dismantle failing dams and tighten rules on agricultural grazing that had damaged plant life along the banks. Still, many researchers say the animals played a crucial role. Across Utah, similar projects are now underway. Scientists are relocating beavers to struggling waterways and even building artificial dams designed to mimic their structures. The hope is that once conditions improve, real beavers will move in and take over the work themselves. One promising example comes from the San Rafael River. After a natural flood encouraged beavers to return to one section of the river, scientists noticed dramatic improvements. According to KUER, riparian habitat in that area increased by 230 percent, and the stretch developed some of the most diverse flow patterns anywhere along the river. The resurgence of beavers is a remarkable turn in environmental history. During the fur trapping boom of the 18th and 19th centuries, beaver populations in North America were nearly wiped out. For decades afterward, they were widely viewed as pests that flooded farmland and clogged waterways. Today, scientists see them differently. Their dams slow erosion, restore wetlands, store water in drought-prone regions and even reduce wildfire severity by keeping surrounding vegetation moist. In other words, the animals once hunted almost to extinction are now among nature’s most valuable river engineers. And as drought continues to challenge rivers across the American West, researchers are increasingly turning to these unlikely partners to help bring water back to the landscape.

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