Scroll For More
Score (98)
Breast cancer survivor says watching TV saved her life
A breast cancer survivor met the woman who inspired her to get checked after seeing her on TV, leading to a life-saving diagnosis. Rosie Coke, 45, went for a check-up the next day and was diagnosed with stage two cancer. Now in remission after surgery and treatment, Rosie had the chance to thank Rebecca Hartley during a radio interview. Both women are now advocates for early detection of breast cancer, emphasizing the importance of sharing stories and getting checked out promptly.
Score (97)
Study Reveals Viewing Childlike Self Enhances Early Memory Recall
What if the key to unlocking your earliest memories was seeing yourself as a child again? A new study published in Scientific Reports suggests exactly that. Researchers found that when adults briefly saw a childlike version of their own face—reflected in real-time, as if it were their own—they were able to recall early childhood memories in greater detail than usual. It’s the first time scientists have shown that shifting how people perceive their own bodies can directly improve memory recall. The experiment, run by neuroscientists at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in Cambridge, used a technique called the enfacement illusion. Fifty adult volunteers took part. Half of them viewed a live video feed of their face digitally altered to look like a younger version of themselves, while the rest saw their regular adult face. In both cases, the video feed mirrored their movements, helping reinforce the sensation that the image on screen was their own reflection. After the illusion, all participants were asked to complete an autobiographical memory interview. They were prompted to recall moments from their childhood, as well as more recent events from the past year. The researchers then measured the level of detail in their responses. Those who had seen the younger version of themselves recalled significantly richer and more vivid details from their childhood. In contrast, the control group showed no improvement. Lead author Dr. Utkarsh Gupta, now a Cognitive Neuroscience Research Fellow at the University of North Dakota, said the reason may lie in how the brain encodes memories in relation to our physical self. “All the events that we remember are not just experiences of the external world, but are also experiences of our body, which is always present,” Gupta said. “We discovered that temporary changes to the bodily self, specifically, embodying a childlike version of one's own face, can significantly enhance access to childhood memories.” In other words, when people temporarily saw themselves as children, their brains may have responded by making it easier to retrieve memories that were formed when their body—and self-image—looked like that. The finding opens up new ways to explore the connection between memory and self-perception, particularly for what’s known as “childhood amnesia”—the common inability to recall memories from the earliest years of life. Senior author Professor Jane Aspell, head of the Self & Body Lab at Anglia Ruskin University, said the results could one day lead to new therapeutic techniques. “When our childhood memories were formed, we had a different body,” Aspell said. “So we wondered: if we could help people experience aspects of that body again, could we help them recall their memories from that time? “Our findings suggest that the bodily self and autobiographical memory are linked, as temporary changes to bodily experience can facilitate access to remote autobiographical memories.” While the study focused on faces, Aspell said future research could expand the illusion to other parts of the body, or create more immersive simulations—such as full-body avatars in virtual reality. These methods might eventually be adapted to help people with memory impairments or degenerative conditions. The broader implication is that our sense of self—how we feel in our own body—may play a more active role in how we access and organize memories than previously thought. “This might be because the brain encodes bodily information as part of the details of an event,” Gupta said. “Reintroducing similar bodily cues may help us retrieve those memories, even decades later.” For now, the research is still in its early stages. But it’s a step toward understanding how something as simple as changing the face we see in the mirror could help us reconnect with the earliest parts of our past.
Score (97)
Brazil Launches National Geothermal Energy Program to Boost Clean Power and Energy Security
Brazil is taking a major step toward expanding its clean energy future with the launch of a new national geothermal energy program. The initiative, approved by the National Energy Policy Council and reported by Think GeoEnergy, will establish a framework to develop geothermal energy infrastructure, regulations, and investment pathways. The aim is to turn Brazil’s untapped geothermal potential into a reliable, renewable energy source that strengthens the country’s power grid and cuts emissions. “Brazil has significant geothermal potential in several regions of the country,” said Alexandre Silveira, Brazil’s minister of Mines and Energy and chair of the Energy Policy Council. “With this program, we will transform this potential into a concrete opportunity for clean energy generation, promoting regional development, energy security, and the country’s sustainable growth.” Geothermal energy is heat from beneath the Earth’s surface that can be harnessed to produce electricity or power heating and cooling systems. Unlike fossil fuels, it’s a renewable resource — the Earth’s internal heat never runs out — and it produces virtually no emissions once systems are operational. Brazil already leads globally in clean energy use, with over 90 percent of its electricity coming from renewable sources. But geothermal remains largely untapped. The National Geothermal Energy Program (NGEP) aims to change that by creating policy and funding support to scale up the technology. The plan brings together several national agencies, including the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels, and the National Electric Energy Agency. It also involves a partnership between state-owned energy giant Petrobras and geothermal drilling company GA Drilling. The two will co-develop a next-generation geothermal drilling system designed to lower costs and improve efficiency. One of geothermal’s biggest advantages is cost — particularly over time. While upfront setup costs can be high, maintenance and operation are cheaper than fossil fuel extraction or combustion. Once infrastructure is in place, geothermal systems provide long-term, stable, low-cost energy. This is a crucial benefit for Brazil, where energy security and affordability remain key concerns. By investing in domestic geothermal capacity, the government hopes to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, drive down long-term costs, and create jobs — especially in regions with geothermal resources. The program also marks a shift for Brazil, which hasn’t made significant geothermal investments in recent years. With this launch, the country is signaling a renewed focus and a commitment to scaling clean energy beyond hydropower and wind. While geothermal currently makes up a small fraction of global energy production, it holds vast potential — especially in countries like Brazil that sit on tectonically active or geologically favorable ground. Brazil’s program could serve as a model for other nations looking to diversify their renewable energy mix. The NGEP sets out to deliver on multiple goals at once: cleaner air, lower energy costs, energy independence, and regional economic development. And with Petrobras onboard, the program has a heavyweight partner to accelerate real-world implementation. If successful, Brazil’s geothermal push won’t just benefit its own citizens — it could help reshape how the world thinks about the future of clean energy.
Get even more good news on the free app!
Score (84)
Maldives Implements World's First Generational Smoking Ban
The Maldives has officially implemented a sweeping generational smoking ban, making it the only country in the world with a nationwide tobacco prohibition tied to birth year. Starting Saturday, anyone born on or after January 1, 2007 is banned from purchasing, using, or being sold tobacco products in the island nation, according to a statement from the Maldives Health Ministry. The measure, first introduced by President Mohamed Muizzu earlier this year, is aimed at building a “tobacco-free generation,” the ministry said. The ban applies to all forms of tobacco and is enforced with mandatory age verification for all purchases. It also extends to tourists — a significant move for a country known globally for its luxury travel industry spread across 1,191 coral islets in the Indian Ocean. Retailers who sell tobacco to anyone in the restricted age group face fines of 50,000 Maldivian rufiyaa (about $3,200). The country also upholds a complete ban on the import, sale, distribution, possession, and use of e-cigarettes and vaping products, which carries a penalty of 5,000 rufiyaa (about $320) regardless of age. While other countries have proposed similar legislation — including the UK, where a generational tobacco ban is still moving through Parliament — only New Zealand had enacted such a law. It was repealed in late 2023, less than a year after being passed. With this move, the Maldives now stands alone in its commitment to ending tobacco use for future generations.
Score (96)
This Minnesota Artist is Drawing Crowds With His Microscopic Messages Hidden in his Sketches
At the Minnesota State Fair, fairgoers shuffle past paintings and sculptures in the Fine Arts Building. But just around one corner, the crowd stops moving. People lean in, magnifying glasses in hand, trying to decipher what looks like squiggles from a distance. “It’s so cool,” Kate Nestingen says, peering through a lens. A young girl next to her marvels, “I couldn’t even write this small if I wanted to.” But Minneapolis artist Jeffrey Gause can — and does. His massive drawings, packed with messages no bigger than a grain of rice, are turning heads and stopping people in their tracks. “I’ve been drawing small my whole life,” says Gause, who sketches outdoors beneath the towering silos of the old Pillsbury flour mill where he lives and works. His latest piece, resting partly on his lap and partly on a railing, is a sprawling collection of micro-doodles and hidden quotes about freedom. Up close, through a magnifying glass, a stream of inspirational messages comes into focus: “If you can touch the moon, you will reach the stars.” “Anything is possible.” “There's so many messages,” says JT Caehne, scanning the canvas through her lens. Gause’s ability to see and draw on such a microscopic level stems from a condition called high myopia — extreme nearsightedness that affects about four percent of Americans. For Gause, it’s less of a disability and more of a superpower. “I can see inches away without any magnification,” he explains. “But when I don’t have my glasses on, I wouldn’t be able to recognize a person or read a sign.” He discovered his gift in elementary school. “In third grade, I remember a teacher telling me I didn’t write my name on a test,” he recalls. “She couldn’t see it — it was that tiny. I just said, ‘I think you might need glasses, because I can see that so clear.’” While eye surgery could correct his vision, Gause has never considered it. “Everybody has a gift, I think, that God gives them,” he says. “And if we really nurture those gifts, and realize what they are, this world would be a much, much better place.” Outside the fair, Gause is known in the Twin Cities art scene for his miniature magnetic art pieces, which he sells at local fairs and events. But it’s his large-scale sketches — built from months of focused effort and a face just inches from the canvas — that truly set him apart. Fairgoers linger in front of his work, silent except for the occasional gasp as a quote clicks into focus. The drawings don’t shout for attention. They whisper. You just have to look closely enough to hear. “Anything is possible,” one of the messages reads — a fitting reminder from a man who turned what some would call a limitation into a form of art you have to see to believe.
Score (98)
Austistic Teen's Winning Playground Design to Shape 100 Inclusive Play Areas Across the UK
A 14-year-old from Nuneaton is helping redesign how children play across the UK — and it all started with a simple idea: no child should feel left out. Hayden Calvert, who is autistic, used his own experiences to create a winning playground design aimed at making outdoor spaces more inclusive for all children, regardless of ability. His thoughtful blueprint earned him the title of Junior Head of Play by construction firm Redrow Midlands, who say his ideas will influence the creation of 100 playgrounds every year. “Being an autistic child, I understand how it feels to be left out, so that’s what inspired me to help,” Hayden said. “I really like playgrounds and I wanted a playground for everyone, no matter who they are.” His design includes a wheelchair-accessible swing placed right next to a standard swing to encourage side-by-side play, along with ramps, cycle paths, quiet tunnels, and plenty of trees and plants to support children’s wellbeing. Hayden won a national competition launched by Redrow Midlands after the company’s research highlighted concerns about declining outdoor play — especially among children with disabilities or neurodivergence. A survey of more than 2,000 parents found that half of those with disabled children felt playgrounds were inaccessible. Sixty-five percent said their children spent less time outdoors than they had at the same age. Redrow Midlands said Hayden’s input would now help them build play areas that spark creativity, adventure, and meaningful connection between kids of all abilities. “We’re excited to be guided by Hayden as he helps shape the future of play, ensuring outdoor spaces are fun, inclusive and accessible for all,” said Elaine Cartwright, a spokesperson for the company. In addition to seeing his vision come to life, Hayden also received a £500 voucher for his win. But for him, the reward is knowing other kids will feel included where it matters most — on the playground.
Score (94)
Rail Worker Hailed As Hero After Saving Lives During Train Stabbing Attack
A rail worker being praised for his bravery during a mass stabbing on a London-bound train has been named as Samir Zitouni. The 48-year-old, who’s worked for LNER for more than two decades, is credited with saving multiple lives during Saturday evening’s attack on the Doncaster to London King’s Cross service. British Transport Police said his actions were “nothing short of heroic.” Zitouni remains critically unwell but stable in hospital after suffering serious injuries, including wounds to his head and neck. It’s believed he stepped in to stop the attacker from stabbing a young girl, effectively shielding her from harm. “In a moment of crisis, Sam did not hesitate as he stepped forward to protect those around him,” said David Horne, managing director of LNER. “His actions were incredibly brave, and we are so proud of him, and of all our colleagues who acted with such courage that evening.” Zitouni’s family also spoke out, calling him their hero long before Saturday’s events. “The police called him a hero on Saturday evening, but to us he's always been a hero,” they said in a statement. “We have been deeply touched by the outpouring of love and kindness shown to Sam, and by the many well-wishes for his recovery.” Ten people were initially taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital following the incident, which took place just after the train passed through Peterborough. A further passenger sought medical attention later, bringing the total to 11. As of Monday, six have been discharged and four remain in stable condition. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander called Zitouni’s bravery “utterly remarkable” during an interview on BBC Breakfast. “There are people who are alive today who wouldn't be… were it not for his actions,” she said. Police have charged 32-year-old Anthony Williams, from Peterborough, with 10 counts of attempted murder. The attack occurred on the 18:25 GMT LNER service from Doncaster to King’s Cross, and the train was brought to an emergency stop in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. Passengers described scenes of chaos and fear as the attacker moved through the carriages, brandishing a knife. Authorities are continuing their investigation, but all attention for now remains on the victims — and the worker who put himself in harm’s way to stop it from becoming worse.
Score (97)
UK welcomes its only female Indian sloth bear after 40-year absence
For the first time in more than four decades, the UK has a female Indian sloth bear — and her name is Zara. The seven-year-old bear arrived at Lincoln Zoo in Lincolnshire at the end of October after an 18-month effort to bring her from Singapore Zoo. She’ll soon be paired with Randhir, a five-year-old male from Germany, as part of the European Endangered Species Programme. Zoo director Neil Mumby said the team didn’t hesitate when the opportunity came up. “We jumped at the option because there hasn't been a female Indian sloth bear in the UK for over 40 years,” he told BBC Radio Lincolnshire. Zara’s journey was long: 16 hours in the air with stopovers in Istanbul and London before finally landing at Lincoln Zoo on 25 October. She’s now settling in well, exploring her new heated home and — according to Mumby — already making eye contact with Randhir from across their enclosures. “They haven’t been formally introduced yet,” Mumby said, adding that it’s a careful process. “It’s a bit like a dating game.” Sloth bears are native to India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. They’re known for their long claws, shaggy coats, and unpredictable aggression. Despite their somewhat sleepy-sounding name, they’re considered the most dangerous species of bear in the world — often charging without warning at humans and other animals, including tigers. Their population is in decline, with fewer than 20,000 estimated to remain in the wild. They’re classified as a vulnerable species, and conservation breeding programmes like the one at Lincoln Zoo are seen as critical to their survival. The match between Randhir and Zara was arranged by a European species coordinator, with the goal of creating a new genetic bloodline. “To finally welcome Zara and to play a direct role in the conservation of such a unique and underrepresented species is a huge privilege for our whole team,” said Charlie Mumby, general manager at the zoo. The bear’s arrival was made possible with support from local officials, including Gainsborough MP Sir Edward Leigh, who backed changes to the health certification process needed for the move. For now, Zara is taking her time adjusting to life in the English countryside. But behind the scenes, preparations are already underway for the hope that one day, the UK could welcome sloth bear cubs for the first time in generations.
Score (84)
Scientists Reverse Anxiety and Social Withdrawal in Mice by Rebalancing a Key Brain Circuit
Researchers in Spain have identified a small but powerful group of brain cells that can trigger anxiety, depression-like behavior, and social withdrawal — and more importantly, found a way to reverse those effects. The study, published in iScience, zeroes in on neurons within the amygdala, a region of the brain that plays a key role in processing emotions. The team, led by Juan Lerma at the Institute for Neurosciences (IN), showed that restoring balance in this specific neural circuit could normalize behavior in mice showing strong anxiety and social deficits. "We already knew the amygdala was involved in anxiety and fear, but now we've identified a specific population of neurons whose imbalanced activity alone is sufficient to trigger pathological behaviors," said Lerma. To investigate, the team used genetically engineered mice that overproduce a brain receptor called GluK4, driven by a gene known as Grik4. These mice showed clear signs of anxiety and social avoidance — similar to traits seen in some people with autism or schizophrenia. The problem, researchers found, stemmed from increased excitability in neurons located in the basolateral amygdala. By dialing down Grik4 expression only in that part of the brain, the researchers were able to restore normal function in another key region nearby — the centrolateral amygdala, where so-called "regular firing" inhibitory neurons help regulate emotional responses. "That simple adjustment was enough to reverse anxiety-related and social deficit behaviors, which is remarkable," said Álvaro García, the study’s first author. To measure the impact, the team ran a series of behavioral tests on the mice, including how much time they spent in open versus enclosed spaces — a common indicator of anxiety — and their willingness to interact with unfamiliar mice. They also used electrophysiological recordings to monitor how the neurons responded to changes in brain activity. What’s especially promising is that this wasn't just a fix for genetically modified mice. The same brain-tweaking approach also reduced anxiety in regular mice that naturally showed higher anxiety levels. "This validates our findings and gives us confidence that the mechanism we identified is not exclusive to a specific genetic model, but may represent a general principle for how these emotions are regulated in the brain," Lerma said. While the intervention didn’t correct every issue — some memory deficits, for instance, remained unchanged — researchers believe that’s because other parts of the brain, like the hippocampus, are involved in those functions. Still, the study points to a targeted new direction for treating anxiety and mood disorders. Instead of broad-spectrum drugs that affect the whole brain, researchers could one day fine-tune the circuits that matter most. "Targeting these specific neural circuits could become an effective and more localized strategy to treat affective disorders," Lerma said. The work was funded by the Spanish State Research Agency, the Severo Ochoa Excellence Program, the European Regional Development Fund, and the Generalitat Valenciana.
Score (98)
This High School Football Player Wins Hearts By Helping a Custodian Clean Up Post-Game Mess
After the final whistle blew on a heated high school rivalry in Lafayette, Louisiana, one player quietly stole the spotlight — not with touchdowns or tackles, but with a trash bag. Hudson Clavelle, a running back for Teurlings Catholic High School, had just helped his team clinch a big win over St. Thomas More. But instead of heading straight to the locker room to celebrate, he stayed behind to help clean up the stadium. His head coach, Michael Courville, was so moved by the moment that he snapped a photo and shared it online. The image shows Clavelle, still in his jersey, holding a trash bag and helping clear the bleachers. "One of the many reasons I love Teurlings Catholic is the humility and love our students, parents, faculty, and leadership show every day," Courville wrote. “Hudson Clavelle — a first-year football player who just recovered from injury — played on kickoff and then stayed after the game to help our maintenance team pick up trash. Incredible character and servant leadership on display. I couldn’t be more proud to be a Rebel.” Clavelle told NEWS 15 that he was inspired to help after seeing a familiar face working alone. “I see Mr. Brian, we call him ‘Mr. B,’ my custodian, and he's picking up trash in the bleachers with just a little 5-gallon bucket,” he said. “And it was just him picking up a bunch of trash, and I just wanted to give him a hand.” Clavelle is a first-year player who recently returned from injury, making his presence on the field a win on its own. But it’s what he did afterward that’s being remembered as the real highlight of the night. In a sport that often focuses on stats and scores, Clavelle’s simple act of kindness is a reminder of what character looks like — when no one’s watching.
Score (96)
Scientists Recruit 'Junk' DNA To Destroy Cancer Cells From Within
Sections of so-called “junk” DNA may hold the key to fighting some of the toughest blood cancers, according to new research out of King’s College London. These stretches of DNA — once thought to serve no purpose because they don’t code for proteins — have now been linked to how certain cancers grow, and how they might be stopped. The study, published in Blood, focused on two difficult-to-treat cancers: myelodysplastic syndrome and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Both are known to carry mutations in genes like ASXL1 and EXH2, which disrupt protein production and trigger a chain reaction of cell instability. Because these mutated genes stop producing the usual protein targets, traditional treatments often fall short. But researchers found something unexpected: in these cancers, mutations appear to “wake up” dormant parts of the genome called transposable elements (TEs) — bits of DNA that can copy and insert themselves elsewhere. Rather than remaining idle, these sequences start moving through the genome, creating more chaos in the already unstable cancer cells. That movement puts the cancer cells under stress. To survive, they become dependent on a repair system involving proteins known as PARPs (poly ADP-ribose polymerases). The team discovered that by using drugs to block PARPs, they could kill the cancer cells — while mostly sparing healthy ones. “This discovery offers new hope for patients with hard-to-treat cancers, by using existing drugs in a completely new way,” said Chi Wai Eric So, a biologist at King’s College London. “Turning what was once thought to be useless DNA into a powerful target for treatment.” The research was based on lab-grown human cells and mouse models. Though more testing is needed, the implications are broad. PARP inhibitors are already used in treating other cancers, like breast and ovarian, but this study suggests they could work against blood cancers with specific mutations — not by targeting a protein, but by exploiting the cancer’s reliance on its own damaged genome. "This study sets the stage for a novel and broader approach of creating synthetic lethality for human cancers," the authors wrote. It also marks a shift in how scientists view the so-called “junk” parts of our DNA. Transposable elements make up nearly half of the human genome. For decades they were dismissed as relics of evolution, but recent studies suggest they play active roles in gene regulation, immune responses, even brain function. Now, they may offer a fresh weapon in the fight against cancer.