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Payton Washington Shoots for Success, Wins National Title After Surviving Shooting
On Monday, April 17, 2023, Payton Washington's dreams were within reach as she prepared to compete at The Cheerleading Worlds with her team. Despite a tragic shooting incident that left her injured, Payton persevered and made a remarkable recovery. She went on to join Baylor University's acrobatics and tumbling team and led them to their ninth consecutive national title. Now an advocate for gun violence prevention, Payton continues to inspire others with her resilience and determination.
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A New Bakery Employing Adults With Learning Disabilities Just Opened in the UK
Great British Bake Off judge Dame Prue Leith has hailed the opening of a new Oxfordshire bakery that trains and employs adults with learning disabilities, calling it “astonishing and wonderful.” The Life-Changing Bakery, run by local charity Yellow Submarine, was officially opened by Dame Prue at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday night. Located on the outskirts of Witney, the bakery will supply two cafés already operated by the charity — one in Witney town centre and another in Oxford — both staffed by trainees. The bakery provides opportunities for participants to develop catering skills, gain qualifications, and build confidence as they move gradually into employment. “I feel quite emotional about this, because running a charity is hell — it’s really difficult,” Dame Prue said. “So to make a success of it as you have over the years is astonishing and wonderful.” For trainees, the benefits are already clear. “It makes a huge difference because when I was first a trainee I would never talk to strangers,” said Jack Howard, who has just completed his first year with the programme. “But now I’ve got used to it, I’m more confident about doing that kind of stuff.” Yellow Submarine was founded in 2013 with the aim of increasing the proportion of adults with learning disabilities in paid employment, a figure that currently stands at just 5 percent nationwide. Alongside its cafés and bakery, the charity also runs life skills workshops and days out. In 2022, its Oxford café was named High Street Shop of the Year in the Independent Awards. Dame Prue said the project’s impact goes far beyond job training. “It’s not just about learning to get a job, though they do that brilliantly,” she told the audience. “But on the way they learn to make friends, they get confidence, and everybody’s having a good time. You can tell by talking to the trainees that they love it here.” For Yellow Submarine, the new bakery is more than just a workplace — it’s another step toward creating inclusive spaces where skills, confidence, and community can rise together.
Score (96)
World's Oldest Camera Obscura Continues to Captivate Visitors in Scotland
High on Corbelly Hill in Dumfries, Scotland, sits what looks like a sturdy 19th-century observatory. But inside, it holds a piece of living history: the world’s oldest functioning camera obscura, in operation since 1836. The device, whose name comes from the Latin for “dark chamber,” projects a 360-degree panorama of the surrounding landscape onto a table for viewers. Long before photography as we know it, it was one of the most magical ways to see the world. Its story began when locals sought to save an abandoned windmill from demolition in the 1830s. A resident purchased the mill in 1835 for about $350, and 100 townspeople bought $5 shares each to repurpose it. Working with architects, they decided to create a public observatory. Judith Hewitt, curator at the Dumfries Museum, explained: “There were two main proposals they liked the look of — one by a local architect called Walter Newell, and that was the one that was eventually taken up. He did it in an Egyptian revival style, so it’s a nice, big, chunky building with chunky windows and doors — sort of like the Valley of the Kings.” The winning design included not just telescope floors but also a camera obscura at the top. Installed by Thomas Morton of Kilmarnock, who also built the telescope still on display, the system has been projecting images since the tower opened in 1836. “It’s got some of the original pieces still in it, which makes it the oldest functioning camera obscura in the world,” Hewitt said. “The main parts are still the functioning pieces from the 19th century.” The museum now welcomes thousands of visitors each year, with staff offering live presentations whenever the weather allows. Rainy days are the only exception, as moisture could damage the delicate mechanism. “People’s reactions are absolutely fantastic — they can’t believe it!” Hewitt said. “And people in the 1800s used to call it the ‘Wizard Watchtower of Dumfries,’ because they couldn’t understand what they were seeing.” Nearly two centuries on, the “Wizard Watchtower” continues to amaze, offering a rare chance to step into the past — and see the world through the same lens that left visitors spellbound in the 1800s.
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Score (98)
Miracle Match: How a Last-Minute Donor Saved This Cancer Patient
What started as a chance encounter during last-minute Christmas shopping has ended with a young man helping save a stranger’s life. Brendon Craister, 26, was out in Telford last December when he stumbled across a stem cell donor drive at Telford Minster. The event was organized to find a potential match for Marshall Davies, a local man diagnosed with a rare form of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2023. “I didn’t end up matching with that blood cancer patient, but two or three months later I was contacted by Anthony Nolan who told me I was a match for another,” Craister said. “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.” Saying yes was immediate. “I wouldn’t feel right saying no to the opportunity to help someone,” he explained. “If you’ve got a chance to help another person I don’t see why you wouldn’t do everything you could.” Craister said the decision was made even clearer because one of his colleagues was also waiting for a transplant at the time. The initial test was simple — some personal details and a cheek swab, coordinated by the charity Race Against Blood Cancer. Months later, when he was told he was a match, he underwent a peripheral blood stem cell collection (PBSC). “I was pleasantly surprised by how simple and seamless the entire process was,” he said. While keeping his arm in one position for hours caused some discomfort, he described the procedure as “overall quite manageable.” “It’s amazing to think that such a straightforward process has saved a life,” Craister added. Meanwhile, Davies is still searching for his match. Race Against Blood Cancer says around 2,000 people in the UK are currently waiting for stem cell donors. For Craister, the message is simple: sometimes, helping can be as easy as being in the right place — and saying yes.
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This Adventurer Received an Honorary Degree After Running the Length Of Africa
Russ Cook, the endurance athlete known as the Hardest Geezer, has been awarded an honorary Master of Sport degree from the University of Chichester. The 28-year-old from Worthing, West Sussex, gained worldwide attention after running the entire length of Africa, a feat he completed in April last year. The journey took 352 days and covered more than 16,400 km, raising over £1 million for charity. Cook said receiving the honorary degree was “a big honour and not something that I thought would ever come my way.” He added that the lessons from his challenge go far beyond the finish line. “I’ve learnt that I’m more capable than I ever gave myself credit for. All of my successes have been built on failure and learning from it. Don’t be scared of it, it’s all part of the process. When you fail, dust yourself off and try again.” Speaking directly to this year’s graduates, Cook offered advice rooted in his own experience: “My advice to students is don’t be scared to fail and keep attacking life with as much passion as you can.” Cook’s run began at South Africa’s southernmost point on 22 April 2023 and ended in Tunisia, more than 10,000 miles to the north. Along the way, he faced visa complications, illness, geopolitical unrest, and even an armed robbery. Despite the setbacks, he completed the extreme challenge and inspired followers around the world. Since returning, he has launched a travel company designed to help others experience adventure on their own terms. Cook has also tackled endurance runs in New Zealand and Iceland, but says his Africa expedition taught him the most. “It’s not so much about the achievement but about the journey along the way,” he said.
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'Shed Enthusiasts' Transformed an Old Playhouse Into a Favorite Retreat for School Children
What started as a rotting wooden playhouse left in a field has been given a second life — and is now delighting schoolchildren in the UK. The playhouse was rescued and restored by the Looe Shedders, a group of shed enthusiasts who spent two years repairing the tiny structure before installing it at Trenode Primary Academy. “Seeing the kids really enjoying [their new Wendy house] is worth all the agony we went through to renovate it,” said Peter Heywood of the Looe Shedders. Head teacher Beth Pike said the children had already taken to it enthusiastically. “It’s a very big hit,” she said, noting that both girls and boys were enjoying the new play space. “They love all the details in it. There are seats in there, the bunting, and I think the biggest favourite is definitely the door with the window through it.” She added that beyond fun, the Wendy house gives pupils “an outdoor imaginary area” that also helps them develop language skills. The project is part of the broader “Men’s Sheds” movement, which creates spaces for people of any gender to “connect, converse and create.” In addition to the playhouse, the Looe Shedders have also built a playground tractor for Trenode, a mural for Hillcrest Nursing Home, and a playground bus for Looe Primary Academy. Heywood said the group managed the restoration in a temporary workshop but is now hoping to find a more permanent home for future community projects. For the children at Trenode, the shed’s revival has already paid off — a once-forgotten playhouse has become a treasured part of their daily adventures.
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Blooming Bus Stops: This City is Leading The U.S. With Its Green Roofs Initiative
ChatGPT said: A simple bus stop might not look like a game-changer. But in Boston, it just might be. Last summer, the city became the first in the U.S. to roll out “green bus shelters” — low-profile transit stations topped with living roofs designed to beat the heat, support pollinators, and soak up stormwater. The idea started in the Netherlands and has spread across Europe. Now it’s gaining traction in North America. Boston’s pilot included 30 shelters along Route 28, one of the city’s busiest bus corridors and a line that runs through neighborhoods hit hardest by extreme heat. The goal? Use everyday infrastructure to tackle some of the city’s biggest climate challenges — and make the daily commute a little greener, literally. “These green roofs on bus shelters are not just a representation of Boston’s progress on sustainability,” Mayor Michelle Wu said when the project launched. “They are a practical, scalable solution to some of the most pressing challenges we face as a city.” The shelters are built with layered roof panels that include drainage systems, a thin layer of soil, and drought-resistant plants like Sedum, which can survive Boston’s winters. Together, these green roofs provide shade, reduce surface temperatures, and help capture rainfall that would otherwise flood city drains. Zoe Davis, senior climate resilience project manager with the Climate Ready Boston team, said each shelter can absorb up to 1,500 gallons of water during a one-inch rainfall. She called the project “a small step with big potential.” “What if the key to a cooler, more livable future can be found in the places we pass by every day?” Davis said during a TEDxTalk about the project. “It’s small steps like growing living roofs on bus shelters that can compound and ripple into big impacts.” Boston’s green shelters were made possible through a mix of public and private collaboration. Local firm Social Impact Collective led the design. Weston Nurseries supplied the plants. YouthBuild Boston — a nonprofit that trains underserved young people in construction and design — helped with installation. “The number of public and private partners involved in this project demonstrates the all-of-government approach this administration has taken to enhancing sustainability, livability, and justice,” said Oliver Sellers-Garcia, Boston’s Green New Deal director. And the effort could grow. If green roofs were added to all 8,000 bus shelters across Boston, the city estimates it would create about 17 acres of green space — the equivalent of 13 football fields. Though still early, Boston’s results will be closely watched. Studies in other cities have already shown promise. In Montreal, thermal imaging found that green-roofed shelters were significantly cooler than standard ones. In Utrecht, the Netherlands, nearly 500 “bee-line” bus shelters have helped stabilize local pollinator populations. Similar projects are now being planned in parts of Maryland, with proposals underway in Arlington, Virginia and New York City. The message is clear: Green infrastructure doesn’t always need to be massive. Sometimes, it can be as modest as the roof over your head — or the one above your bus stop.
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A Surprise Solar Storm Just Sparked Stunning Auroras Across The US
Aurora enthusiasts got an unexpected treat this past weekend as a surprise geomagnetic storm dazzled the skies across the U.S. The unexpected event, driven by a peculiar feature in the sun known as a coronal hole, lit up the night with stunning displays of northern lights. Space weather physicist Tamitha Skov shared insights into the phenomenon on her YouTube channel. She explained that most experts had been monitoring larger solar eruptions for potential geomagnetic activity. Instead, it was a seemingly insignificant coronal hole that stole the show. "The source of the big solar storm is due to this coronal hole right here," Skov said. This particular coronal hole had an unusual twist—a hidden "island" of positive polarity—that transformed what could have been a minor storm into an impressive G3-level spectacle. Initially, forecasters anticipated only minor to moderate geomagnetic storms from this butterfly-shaped coronal hole. But when the solar wind hit Earth’s magnetic field, it sparked far more intense auroras than expected. Geomagnetic storms are graded from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). The surprise G3 storm took scientists by surprise but thrilled skywatchers everywhere. Auroras occur when charged particles from the sun interact with Earth's atmosphere, causing gases like oxygen and nitrogen to emit light. These interactions create colorful displays that attract both amateur and professional photographers eager to capture their beauty. Photographers across America wasted no time documenting these breathtaking sights. Ross Harried snapped vibrant green and purple auroras over Monroe, Wisconsin, while Hasan Akbas captured stunning green hues against Anchorage's night sky in Alaska. Images poured in from places like Casper, Wyoming, thanks to Andrew Towne’s lens capturing both auroras and the Milky Way. In New York, Tony Rodriguez shared vivid red and green pillars above Seneca Lake on social media platform X: "Spectacular #aurora on the southern shore of Seneca Lake in NY! The structures were visible to the naked eye." Pavilion local Joshua Grisewood also expressed his awe at witnessing such unexpected beauty right outside his door: "Awesome surprise Aurora here in New York!" Even Texas saw action during this rare occurrence; Blake Brown posted online about catching glimpses of northern lights mixed with lightning strikes nearby: "Northern lights made an appearance down to Texas tonight!" Gabe Zago echoed similar sentiments, saying how unforgettable witnessing auroras competing alongside lightning truly felt: "Bro, this day will be impossible to beat forever."
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A New Study Reveals How Cats and Humans Bond Through Brain Chemistry
They might not wag their tails or come running when you call, but cats are quietly working their way into our hearts — and our brains — in a very real, biological way. New research is confirming what many cat lovers have long suspected: our bond with felines is more than emotional. It’s chemical. The key player? Oxytocin — the so-called “love hormone” that drives connection, trust, and stress relief. It’s the same hormone that surges when parents hug their children or close friends embrace. And now, scientists are discovering that gentle, affectionate moments with cats can trigger the same response. Studies have already shown that dogs and humans get an oxytocin boost from interacting. But until recently, it wasn’t clear whether cats — famously more reserved — were part of that same feedback loop. Turns out, they are. In a 2021 study from Japan, researchers found that even a few minutes of soft stroking and gentle talking with a cat raised oxytocin levels in human participants. The interaction didn’t need to be dramatic — just calm, positive contact was enough to get the hormone flowing. A more recent study from February 2025 went even deeper, showing that not only did owners’ oxytocin rise during cuddling sessions, but so did their cats’ — as long as the cats were willing participants. Cats that initiated contact, like hopping into laps or nudging their owners, showed the biggest hormonal spike. But for more avoidant or anxious cats, the effect was weaker — or even reversed when affection was forced. That makes sense, says neuroscientist Laura Elin Pigott, who studies human and animal bonding. Cats are selective about when and how they connect. Unlike dogs, which evolved for pack life and constant human interaction, cats descend from solitary hunters. Their social cues are more subtle, their affections more measured. But they’re no less meaningful. Cats often show trust through small gestures: curling up beside you, slow blinking from across the room, or starting up that signature purr. That low, rhythmic sound doesn’t just calm the cat — it can lower blood pressure and cortisol in humans too, with oxytocin acting as the biological bridge. Over time, these daily micro-moments — the quiet purring, the shared nap, the tentative head bump — add up to something big. They build a sense of emotional security that, for many people, offers real comfort in times of stress or loneliness. One 2002 study found that contact with a purring cat helped reduce stress hormone levels and even pain in some people. Other studies suggest that the oxytocin released during affectionate cat interaction may work similarly to social support from another person. That doesn’t mean cats love the same way dogs do. In one widely discussed 2016 experiment, researchers measured oxytocin spikes after 10 minutes of play with pets. Dogs showed an average increase of 57 percent. Cats? Just 12 percent. But oxytocin isn’t just about volume — it’s about trust. And cats, who don’t give theirs away easily, may be all the more powerful for it. Cats may not rush to greet you at the door. They might not fetch or obey on command. But when they choose to sit next to you, blink slowly, or curl up on your lap, they’re inviting you into something deeper — a quiet partnership built on safety, comfort, and the same neurochemistry that bonds us to those we love most. So the next time your cat stretches out beside you or starts purring while you pet them, know this: something ancient is happening in your brain. Oxytocin is rising. Your stress is falling. And your connection is growing — one silent, slow blink at a time.
Score (86)
Scientists Just Revealed That the Moon Drifts 1.5 Inches Away From Earth Annually—Here's Why
The Moon is slowly but surely slipping away from Earth — about 3.8 centimeters farther every year. That might not sound like much, but scientists have been tracking it with extreme precision. By bouncing lasers off reflectors left on the Moon by astronauts and space probes, researchers can measure the distance to the Moon down to the millimeter. Why is this happening? It all comes down to tides. The Moon’s gravity pulls on Earth, and because gravity is stronger on the side facing the Moon, this creates two bulges in Earth’s oceans — one that points toward the Moon and another on the opposite side. As Earth rotates, it drags these bulges slightly ahead of the Moon’s orbit. Those bulges, in turn, tug back on the Moon — not just inward, but forward in its path. That forward nudge gives the Moon more momentum and causes it to spiral outward. It’s a subtle process. But over time, it adds up. Right now, the average distance between the Earth and Moon is about 384,000 kilometers. But that number can vary by up to 20,000 kilometers over the course of a month due to the Moon’s elliptical orbit. That’s why some full moons appear larger than others — a phenomenon known as a supermoon. But unlike those monthly fluctuations, the Moon’s gradual retreat is permanent. This cosmic tug-of-war doesn’t just affect the Moon. It also slows Earth’s rotation. As the Moon gains momentum and drifts farther out, Earth’s spin gets slightly slower, stretching the length of a day by tiny increments over time. We know this has been happening for millions of years. Fossilized clam shells have shown growth patterns suggesting that 70 million years ago, a full day lasted just 23.5 hours — exactly what models predict based on the Moon’s movement. The Moon has been with Earth for around 4.5 billion years, likely born from a massive impact with a Mars-sized object early in our planet’s history. Back then, it would have loomed much larger in the sky. So, will it ever leave us? Probably not. Eventually, if left undisturbed for long enough, Earth and the Moon would become tidally locked — Earth would always show the same face to the Moon, just as the Moon already does to Earth. At that point, the Moon’s outward movement would stop. For now, though, there’s nothing to worry about. The Moon will continue inching away, tides will keep rolling in and out, and solar eclipses will still grace our skies for millions of years to come.
Score (97)
These Ocean Creatures are Making a Stunning Comeback: Early Sightings After Near-Extinction
Three decades after South Australia established a marine sanctuary to protect its southern coastline, the ocean has offered up a hopeful sign in return: a surge in southern right whale numbers not seen in years. Researchers from Flinders University have recorded nearly 200 whales across three sites in South Australia this season, marking the highest count since 2016. The recovery is being celebrated as a major milestone in marine conservation — and a reminder that protected areas can work. “With early sightings already reported … we are eagerly anticipating a bumper year after recent years of slower growth,” said Dr. Claire Charlton, chief scientist of the Australian Right Whale Research Program, in an interview with Phys.org. Southern right whales, once on the brink of extinction, have made a dramatic comeback thanks in part to the Great Australian Bight Marine Park, established in 1995. The area serves as a key breeding ground for the species and has played a central role in supporting their recovery. But the history behind their name reveals just how close these gentle giants came to disappearing. As slow-moving whales that floated when killed, they were considered the “right” whales to hunt. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), around 60,000 right whales were hunted in the 1830s alone. By the 1920s, estimates suggest there were as few as 60 females left in the southern hemisphere. Though commercial whaling has long been banned, the species still faces threats from fishing bycatch and environmental changes. Researchers note that despite the rise in overall whale sightings, calving success has declined in recent years, a signal that more work is needed to safeguard long-term recovery. Bridgette O’Shannessy, a PhD candidate at Flinders, described the repopulation rate in South Australia as one of the fastest in the world for right whales. “This demonstrates the power of marine protected areas, but also the need for ongoing threat mitigation for the Australian population,” she told Phys.org. Southern right whales are one of three subspecies, alongside the North Atlantic and North Pacific right whales. They can be identified by the callosities on their heads — patches of rough skin that host amphipods, though researchers still aren’t sure exactly what role these organisms play. Like other baleen whales, they support the broader marine ecosystem by consuming krill and releasing nutrient-rich waste, which helps fertilize the ocean. The latest counts show that local action can have global impact. From protection zones to public awareness campaigns, the steady return of the southern right whale offers a powerful case study in what’s possible when science and policy align. It’s not the end of the story — but it’s a very promising chapter.