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Score (97)
Amazing! Tree sapling gifted in memory of boy with cancer
In a heartwarming gesture, communities across the UK are set to receive saplings grown from the iconic Sycamore Gap tree. The tree was felled last year, sparking outrage but now brings hope and healing as its offspring are nurtured in secret greenhouses. Families like Fergus' parents in Backwell, near Bristol, find solace in planting these saplings to honor their lost loved ones. The National Trust aims for these trees to be symbols of resilience and renewal for generations to come.
Score (97)
Scientists Create a New Type of Ice — at Room Temperature
When most people think of ice, they picture cubes in a drink or the frozen sheets of Antarctica. But in the lab, frozen water is far more complex — with researchers now identifying more than 20 different forms of ice. The latest addition is called Ice XXI, and it’s unlike anything most of us have ever seen. Created by a team of scientists under intense pressure using a high-tech device known as a dynamic diamond anvil cell (dDAC), Ice XXI can form at room temperature — a remarkable twist in how we usually understand water’s behavior. At the heart of the experiment was a deceptively simple goal: squeeze water until something new happens. The team used two diamonds to exert more than 2 gigapascals of pressure on liquid water (that’s about 20,000 times atmospheric pressure), forcing it to stay liquid at room temperature. Then, by slowly releasing that pressure while monitoring the changes with ultra-fast X-ray lasers, they witnessed the water crystallize into a new phase: Ice XXI. The X-rays snapped images a million times per second, capturing what researchers described as a complex and previously unknown crystallization pathway. Ice XXI appeared briefly during the transformation into a known phase called Ice VI. “Ice behaves in fantastical ways under pressure compared with the water we’re used to,” wrote physicist Jonas Sellberg of Sweden’s KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Nature Materials. Though not involved in the study, Sellberg noted the new research uncovers “hidden valleys” in water’s phase diagram — pathways that may hold clues to the behavior of water across the solar system. While Ice XXI is unlikely to form naturally on Earth, it may exist on other worlds. Some of our solar system’s icy moons — including Jupiter’s Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto, as well as Saturn’s Titan and Enceladus — are thought to have deep layers of high-pressure ice beneath their frozen crusts. According to Yun-Hee Lee, lead author of the study, the density of Ice XXI matches what’s predicted in these extreme environments. “This discovery may provide new clues for exploring the origins of life under extreme conditions in space,” Lee said. Water is known to behave strangely under pressure, taking on different crystalline forms depending on the surrounding environment. Ice VI, for example, forms at pressures over 0.96 GPa, even at room temperature. But the route it takes to get there — the precise steps as molecules rearrange themselves — is still an active area of research. Physicist Ashkan Salamat of the University of Nevada, who wasn’t involved in the project, said the research shows how important high-speed observation can be. “Looking at things at a very, very fast rate allows us to observe weird and wonderful phenomena,” he told Scientific American. Ice XXI’s internal structure, based on X-ray images, is surprisingly complex. Its repeating unit cell — the smallest structural building block of a crystal — is shaped like a rectangular prism with a square base, larger and more intricate than typical ice. For now, Ice XXI is a fleeting visitor, created only under the controlled pressures of a lab. But in the search for life and habitability beyond Earth, even brief glimpses of what water can become are valuable. After all, when it comes to the building blocks of life, few things are as deceptively simple — or as full of surprises — as H₂O.
Score (98)
Three Strangers Risk Lives To Save Child From Submerged Taxi
Three men in Dagestan, Russia, are being hailed as heroes after pulling off a daring rescue to save a child from a taxi that plunged into a freezing, fast-moving canal. The dramatic scene unfolded in Makhachkala, the capital of Dagestan, where a taxi veered off the road and into the October Revolution Canal on Sunday. As the car began to float downstream, video footage captured bystanders springing into action. The men climbed onto a narrow metal pipe stretched across the canal, balancing above the icy current as they reached the partially submerged vehicle. One man stripped down to his underwear to help, ignoring the freezing temperatures. Working quickly, the rescuers leaned into the car’s open window and carefully pulled the young boy out, lifting him safely onto the pipe and passing him back toward the canal bank. The child was unharmed and, remarkably, remained dry throughout the ordeal. According to Russian news outlet Izvestia, the taxi driver, Nurislam Ramazanov, said the crash happened after he swerved to avoid a parked car blocking the road. He estimated he was traveling around 50 km/h when he lost control. Once the vehicle hit the water, the brakes and gas pedal stopped responding. Despite the panic, Ramazanov said he tried to remain calm. “The child went out the window first,” he said. “The guys caught him. The child didn’t even get wet — there was no water inside the cabin. The baby was dry.” Witnesses said bystanders also jumped into the canal with a rope to help rescue the child’s mother and the driver, who both made it out safely. The video quickly spread online, with viewers praising the rescuers’ courage and quick thinking. Many pointed out that without their intervention, the outcome could have been tragic. Local authorities have not yet released the names of the three men, but on social media, they’re being widely celebrated for risking their lives to save another.
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Score (96)
“The Jellyfish,” “Ant Mode,” and Other Cleaning Hacks That Actually Work
Cleaning can be overwhelming — and not just because of the mess itself. For many, the hardest part is simply starting. That’s where the jellyfish comes in. No, not the sea creature. “The jellyfish” is a whimsical, inefficient, oddly effective cleaning method that’s gaining traction online. The idea is simple: you drift around your home, picking up whatever’s out of place and putting it somewhere better. No plan, no system. Just floating from task to task like a jellyfish on autopilot. It’s one of many quirky cleaning strategies making waves on social media — and for some, it’s a game-changer. The trend took off after a resurfaced post from Hacker News user Pontifier went viral on X. It described something called “ant mode”: “In ant mode, I pick up one thing, and then I put it in a place it belongs. If I don't know where it belongs, I put it down with something else of the same type... I envision myself becoming a colony of ants.” The post racked up more than 300,000 views and sparked thousands of responses from people who said it mirrored their own unstructured approaches to cleaning. Others shared their own. One user explained: “I do this all the time. No method, just clean something, put something away, wash something. No order, no plan, just keep going.” Another shared their personal twist: “I call this action ‘entropy walking.’ I walk from room to room never with hands empty and slowly decrease entropy.” There’s also “the GAP method” — short for Grab, Assess, Put — or “kindred piles,” where everything gets grouped into basic categories: tools, books, office supplies, cables. It doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be grouped. Still others rely on chaining tasks together: “Return nail clippers to bathroom. Oh shoot, trash needs emptied. Drop off trash, see a charger that belongs in the bedroom. Fewer wasted return trips.” And for those who need a bit of structure, timers and item-counting can help. “I started saying I’ll pick up 30 things and count them. Once I hit 30, it’s noticeably cleaner — and I’m usually in a good groove to keep going.” “Another trick is just to clean for five minutes. Set a timer. Everyone can spare five minutes. You’ll be amazed how much space you can clear in that time.” That sense of micro-accomplishment is key — especially for people with ADHD or task paralysis, where the thought of cleaning the whole house can be so overwhelming it leads to doing nothing at all. One thing, one minute, one small win at a time is often a more realistic entry point. Even parents have adapted the method for kids: “Pick up ONE thing and put it away. Don’t even look at everything else. Now do ONE more thing. With four kids and two adults doing this, cleanup is a breeze.” Inefficient on purpose, these methods reject perfectionism. For some, trying to clean “the right way” is the reason nothing gets done. These hacks offer an alternative: embrace the chaos, move through the mess, and just get started. Because whether you’re a jellyfish, an ant, or a procrastinator with a 5-minute timer, the goal isn’t a spotless home — it’s progress.
Score (98)
Doorbell Cam Captures Neighbor Dog Asking If Gus Can Come Out and Play
It’s a daily ritual that feels straight out of a kid’s summer movie — only it stars two dogs. A video shared by ViralHog has melted hearts online, showing a neighbor’s dog stopping by a home as if to ask, “Is Gus home?” Captured by a Ring doorbell camera, the pup patiently waits outside the front door until its friend appears. “Our neighbor dog comes over to see if Gus can play every day,” homeowner Matthew Davis said, according to ViralHog. The clip shows the visiting dog standing calmly in front of the door, clearly familiar with the routine. A few moments later, the door swings open and Gus steps out. The visitor perks up, and the two dogs immediately take off together — like clockwork. It’s the kind of wholesome moment that quickly struck a chord online. “Smart dog. Knows what the camera is for,” one viewer joked. Others loved how much the visit resembled a planned playdate. “The way she just opened the door for two kids,” one person commented. As the video made the rounds, people flooded the post with comments hoping the dogs’ friendship lasts. “I hope they get to be friends for a very long time,” one user wrote. At this point, there’s no mistaking the neighbor dog’s intention. When it shows up at the door, the message is clear: if Gus is home, it’s time to play.
Score (95)
Zoo Puts on Big Birthday Bash for Beloved Gibbon
A female gibbon named Haddie was treated to a big birthday party with her family at Phoenix Zoo on her 26th birthday, filled with presents, toys, and treats. Video shared by Phoenix Zoo shows Haddie munching down on her birthday feast surrounded by several other siamangs. “The family feasted on a golden cake made of primate biscuit, topped with yogurt, cooked yam, yellow squash, pineapple, yellow tomato, yellow bell pepper and kale,” the zoo wrote to X.
Score (97)
France's Rehabilitation Program Transforms Prisoners Into Farmers, Offering Jobs And Housing
In a quiet village two hours from Paris, there’s a prison where inmates carry the keys to their own rooms, goats replace guards, and the focus isn’t punishment — it’s healing. La Ferme de Moyembrie looks nothing like a prison. There are no watchtowers, no barbed wire, and no uniforms. Instead, it’s a working organic farm where men care for chickens, milk goats, and tend vegetable fields. They live in private rooms. They cook together. They eat at a shared table with the staff. And for many, it’s the first time in years they’ve been treated like people. “It’s crazy to think this is called a prison,” said one resident. “But this is where I started to feel human again.” Moyembrie is part of a pioneering approach to incarceration in France known as “placement à l’extérieur” — work release with purpose. Most of the 20 or so men who live here come from traditional prisons. All are nearing the end of their sentences. At Moyembrie, they’re given structure, responsibility, and support — not surveillance. The result is extraordinary: while France’s national recidivism rate is around 60%, only 7% of Moyembrie’s former residents reoffend. A Second Chance on 24 Hectares The farm’s story began in 1990, not with a government initiative, but with two retired agricultural engineers — Jacques and Geneviève Pluvinage — who opened their home to ex-inmates with nowhere else to go. They offered beds, meals, and work in the fields. By the early 2000s, a forward-thinking judge took notice. With legal backing, Moyembrie became a formal reintegration facility. But it never lost its original spirit: small, human, and built on trust. Today, staff are social workers, not guards. Inmates are called residents, not prisoners. And every day starts the same — not with roll call, but with farm work. From 8 a.m. to noon, residents work the land, care for animals, or make fresh cheese and yogurt. They earn a small wage, and the produce is sold at local markets. But the goal isn’t profit. It’s purpose. “Work is about relearning essential life skills like punctuality or decision-making,” said Leila Desesquelle, one of the nine staff members. “In detention, even the smallest choices are made for you. Here, it’s about learning how to choose again.” What Comes After Lunch Is Just as Important After lunch — shared by staff and residents, no hierarchy in sight — the focus shifts to reentry. Residents take classes on managing paperwork, applying for housing, opening a bank account. Some work on language skills. Others sit with social workers to plan for life outside. For Mahamady, originally from Mali, it meant learning French from scratch after seven years in prison. “I used to cry when I received judicial letters because I couldn’t understand them,” he said. At Moyembrie, he took language classes and passed a French certification exam. Others rebuild more than resumes. They rebuild families. One man now spends weekends with his daughter, trying to repair what prison strained. Another, Olivier, now works at the farm as a supervisor. “I lost so much in prison — including my family,” he said. “But slowly, we became close again.” The Results Speak for Themselves Moyembrie prepares residents for release in the most practical ways: job searches, housing support, emotional stability. By the time they leave, most already have a roof over their heads and a plan for what’s next. That’s a huge reason why so few return. The project’s small size — about 50 people per year — is both its strength and its limit. It’s built on relationships, trust, and consistency. But demand far outweighs capacity. Since 2018, the model has begun to spread. New “farms of hope” are opening across France, including the first for women. Each one is rooted in the same idea: that justice and healing aren’t opposites, and that confinement doesn’t have to mean cruelty. For Christian, another former resident, the impact was lasting. “After prison, you start from scratch. I lost everything. My son was born during my incarceration; I didn’t know him. But at the farm, I found moral support and a family atmosphere. I went back to work like a normal guy.” Later, he returned to Moyembrie — this time as staff. “I wanted to thank the farm,” he said. “And to show the residents that we can get out of it.” A New Model for Justice Prisons rarely offer fresh air, second chances, or goats. But Moyembrie does. And in doing so, it’s offering a different answer to the question of what justice can look like. Because sometimes, what changes a life isn’t a sentence — it’s a sunrise over a field you planted yourself.
Score (97)
12-year-old Surprised with a Bionic Arm by Youtuber Mrbeast
A 12-year-old boy in Texas who spent years dreaming of having a bionic arm just got one — hand-delivered by one of the world’s most famous YouTubers. Kai Pollnitz, who was born without his right hand, was surprised by Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, at an Open Bionics clinic in Austin. Donaldson, 27, presented Kai with a custom-designed Hero PRO arm, a cutting-edge prosthetic created by the UK-based company. “At first I couldn’t speak,” Kai said after the reveal. “I never thought I’d meet him in real life.” Kai had long hoped for a bionic arm that would help him with everyday activities — tying his karate belt, cutting food, riding a bike — and boost his confidence at school. He lives near Austin and, like many kids born with limb differences, has faced bullying. His family had explored options for a myoelectric prosthetic but hit a wall when their insurance provider wouldn’t cover the cost. “We tried crowdfunding and did everything we could as a family,” said his adopted mother, Charlotte Pollnitz. “It was humbling to make a video asking for help, but we just wanted Kai to have a fair chance at life. Every donation brought him hope.” Despite the challenges, Charlotte took Kai to the Open Bionics clinic in Austin for an initial evaluation. The company is known for developing high-tech bionic arms with multi-grip functionality and pop-culture-inspired designs. Its Hero Arm is available with themed covers from franchises like Marvel, Star Wars, and Call of Duty. “Even before we could afford it, Open Bionics treated us like we mattered,” Charlotte said. “Anytime I had questions, someone answered with real advice. We knew we were in capable hands.” Kai got to try a demo arm during his first visit. “We both cried,” Charlotte said. “He has never been able to use that hand, and suddenly he could. Watching him pick something up and drink from a cup with his right hand felt unbelievable.” Kai, excited but grounded, told his mom: “It would be so great to have a right hand, but I’m fine with waiting.” Unbeknownst to him, someone else had heard his story — and decided he shouldn’t have to wait. MrBeast, who has more than 230 million subscribers on YouTube, showed up at Kai’s next appointment with a surprise: a Hero PRO bionic arm built just for him, complete with customized MrBeast-themed covers, including the influencer’s signature blue-and-pink panther and Kai’s name. “He was completely in awe,” Charlotte said. “He kept whispering, ‘Mama, is this real? Is that really MrBeast?’” Tilly Lockey, an Open Bionics ambassador and bionic arm user herself, was also at the reveal. “Being part of this project with MrBeast feels full circle for me,” she said. “I was once the kid being surprised with a bionic arm, and now I get to be there for Kai. I know exactly how life-changing that moment can be.” The Hero PRO is one of the most advanced bionic limbs on the market. It’s wireless, water-resistant, and strong enough to lift up to 25 kilograms. It also features a touchscreen-compatible grip, a fully rotating wrist, and a quick-release mechanism to swap out activity-specific attachments. The device was developed using feedback from over 1,000 users during four years of research. Samantha Payne, co-founder and CEO of Open Bionics, said, “Seeing him receive a Hero PRO has been meaningful for everyone involved.” For Kai, the arm has already opened up new possibilities. He’s using two hands for the first time — shooting hoops, helping in the kitchen, and tackling everyday challenges with more confidence. “We never imagined something like this would happen for him,” said Charlotte. “It’s once in a lifetime, not just because he met his idol, but because he now has a bionic arm that will change his life.” Kai, now hoping to inspire others, had a simple message for anyone facing similar challenges. “Don’t let people put you down,” he said. “Nothing’s going to stop you. You just learn an alternative.”
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Scientists Discover Way To Boost Bone Health Without Physical Movement
Scientists in Hong Kong say they’ve cracked a key part of the mystery behind how bones get stronger during exercise — and their discovery could pave the way for new treatments for osteoporosis and age-related bone loss. A research team at the University of Hong Kong’s Department of Medicine has identified a specific protein, Piezo1, that acts as an “exercise sensor” in the body. When this protein is triggered by physical movement, it helps bones stay strong by encouraging stem cells to form new bone tissue instead of turning into fat. The findings were published in the journal Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy. Crucially, this discovery could lead to the development of medication that mimics the effect of exercise — offering hope to people who are bedridden, frail, or living with chronic illness. “Osteoporosis and age-related bone loss affect millions worldwide, often leaving elderly and bedridden patients vulnerable to fractures and loss of independence,” said Professor Xu Aimin, who led the study. “This study is a critical step toward finding a way to replicate the benefits of exercise at the molecular level.” Why Bones Get Weaker With Age Osteoporosis affects one in three women and one in five men over the age of 50, according to the World Health Organization. In Hong Kong, the condition hits especially hard: nearly half of women and more than one in ten men aged 65 or older suffer from it. As people age, their bones naturally become less dense and more porous. Part of the problem lies within the bone marrow, where special stem cells (called mesenchymal stem cells) live. These cells can turn into either bone tissue or fat. Normally, physical movement nudges them toward making more bone. But over time, and especially without regular movement, the cells start to shift toward fat production instead. That fat buildup inside the bone weakens it even further, creating a downward spiral of bone loss. Piezo1: The Body’s Movement Sensor In experiments with both mice and human cells, the researchers found that Piezo1 plays a central role in how bones sense and respond to physical forces. Located on the surface of bone marrow stem cells, Piezo1 detects movement and pressure. When activated, it encourages new bone growth and limits fat formation. But when Piezo1 is missing or inactive, the opposite happens. More stem cells become fat cells, and bones weaken more rapidly. In addition, the absence of Piezo1 triggers inflammatory signals that further disrupt bone health. The team also found that blocking these inflammatory signals could help restore better conditions for bone growth — another potential target for future drugs. A New Kind of Medicine: Exercise Mimetics “We have essentially decoded how the body converts movement into stronger bones,” said Professor Xu. “By activating the Piezo1 pathway, we can mimic the benefits of exercise, effectively tricking the body into thinking it is exercising, even in the absence of movement.” The implications are significant for older adults, patients recovering from injury or surgery, and those with conditions that limit mobility. “This discovery is especially meaningful for individuals who cannot exercise due to frailty, injury or chronic illness,” said Dr Wang Baile, co-leader of the study. “Our findings open the door to developing ‘exercise mimetics’ — drugs that chemically activate the Piezo1 pathway to help maintain bone mass and support independence.” Professor Eric Honoré, a co-leader of the research and scientist at France’s National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), called it a promising step beyond traditional physical therapy. “In the future, we could potentially provide the biological benefits of exercise through targeted treatments, thereby slowing bone loss in vulnerable groups.” What’s Next? The team is now focused on developing these potential treatments. Their goal is to create therapies that can preserve bone strength and improve quality of life for aging populations, especially those unable to engage in physical activity. The international study brought together researchers from HKUMed and several French institutions, and received funding from a wide range of public science foundations across Hong Kong, China, France, and Macau. If successful, the research could fundamentally change how osteoporosis and bone loss are treated — not just by preventing fractures, but by restoring strength to bones, even without a single step taken.
Score (95)
What Happens to a 1,000-Pound Butter Sculpture? In Pennsylvania, It Powers Homes
After drawing thousands of curious onlookers at the Pennsylvania Farm Show earlier this month, a towering butter sculpture featuring Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross, and the Liberty Bell is now fueling homes with renewable energy. The 1,000-pound sculpture, titled A Toast to Our Nation’s 250th Anniversary: Inspired by Founders. Grown by Farmers, was dismantled by local 4-H students and sent to Reinford Farms, a dairy farm in Mifflintown that turns food waste into methane power. “Inside this tank, there’s a process that converts the butter, as well as manure and other food waste, into methane,” farm owner Brett Reinford told WPMT. “We have specialized motors that run on methane and a generator that produces power.” It takes just a few hours in the anaerobic digester for the butter to be transformed into methane, which then helps generate electricity for nearby homes. Before meeting its eco-friendly end, the sculpture had been kept in a refrigerated display room set to around 55 degrees Fahrenheit while artists were working, then dropped lower to preserve it during the week-long show in Harrisburg. It took students only four hours to take it apart, but the process of bringing it to life was months in the making. Philadelphia-based sculptors Jim Victor and Marie Pelton were behind this year’s buttery tribute to the nation’s founding. Their work showed the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, complete with founding fathers, the Liberty Bell, and Ross sewing the stars and stripes. It was designed to reflect “how agriculture has been the roots of our nation’s growth and prosperity for 250 years,” said Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding in a statement. “It’s an honor to be part of the tradition every year,” Victor told the Patriot-News at the unveiling. “Especially for this commemorative year.” The butter used in these sculptures isn’t fit for sale or consumption. It’s donated scrap butter that would otherwise go to waste. Once in the artists' hands, it's supported by custom welded metal frames, sketched into detailed designs, and molded into intricate forms. The sculpture was the 35th in the Farm Show’s long-running tradition of transforming dairy products into art. Since 1991, it’s become a highlight of the annual event—drawing visitors from across the state for a glimpse at the creamy creations. Past sculptures have depicted everyone from WWII soldiers to lunch ladies. This year’s display may be gone, but it isn’t wasted. Thanks to a growing effort to recycle food art into renewable energy, Pennsylvania’s butter sculptures are getting a second life—this time as electricity.
Score (97)
‘Shared Among All’: French Man Donates Family Field to Become Orchard and Garden for Entire Town
When Michel Éprinchard inherited a quiet patch of overgrown land in western France, he didn’t see much use for it. The field, full of weeds and distant childhood memories, sat untouched for years—until he had an idea that would bring new life not just to the soil, but to his hometown. He decided to donate the entire parcel to the small town of Clussais-la-Pommeraie, population 560, on one condition: that it be turned into a fruit orchard and community garden open to everyone. “The first condition is to create a garden with specific varieties of fruit trees, and the second condition, undoubtedly the most important, is that the entire community can benefit from it, shared among all,” Éprinchard told Franceinfo. He estimated the project would cost around €11,000 (about $12,000), and warned local officials that accepting the gift would also mean taking on that responsibility. Mayor Étienne Fouché didn’t hesitate. The town accepted, and work began last year. The orchard includes apple, pear, and plum trees, with the first 50 saplings already in the ground. Another 50 will be planted this year, alongside hedges, flower beds, and flowering trees. Community members showed up in force to help with the planting. “Now we will let them grow, we will monitor the diseases, we will take care of the soil, and then people will come to pick their own apples or make jam,” Fouché said. It will be four years before the first real harvest. But that doesn’t seem to matter to anyone. The project has already done what it set out to do: bring people together and return an unused patch of land to a shared, meaningful purpose. This kind of grassroots generosity isn’t new in France, but it’s rare. It echoes the story of Roger Thiberville, who passed away and left €10 million to a town he’d never even visited—Thiberville, in Normandy. The man had no family heirs and, in a poetic gesture, chose to donate his inheritance to a town that happened to share his name. His ashes now rest there, under a plaque in the town cemetery. Elsewhere, similar visions of land reuse are taking shape. One college principal in India turned eight barren acres on campus into a mini forest and orchard, transforming the space into a thriving green zone for students and wildlife. Back in Clussais-la-Pommeraie, the sentiment is simpler but no less powerful. A man gave his land, a town came together, and now they wait—not in a hurry—for the trees to grow.