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Score (87)
Nasa Plans Live Coverage Of Firefly's Lunar Debut
Exciting news from NASA! Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost Mission 1 is set to launch on Jan. 15, carrying NASA science to the Moon. The mission will test lunar drilling tech and more. Live coverage starts Jan. 13 on NASA+. After landing in March, the lander will conduct experiments to benefit Earth. Media can follow prelaunch events online and ask questions during teleconferences. Stay tuned for updates and watch the launch live!
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Unexpected Ally: FDA-Approved Sleeping Pill Shows Promise in Slowing Alzheimer's Tangles
In a promising development, researchers have found that a drug approved for insomnia could play a role in combating Alzheimer's disease. Mice treated with lemborexant, a sleep aid approved by the FDA in 2019, showed reduced buildup of tau proteins, which are linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. As dementia cases surge globally—with nearly 10 million new cases each year—finding effective treatments remains a pressing challenge. Current options offer limited progress in slowing down cognitive decline. But the connection between poor sleep and Alzheimer's has led scientists to explore new avenues. Samira Parhizkar and her team at Washington University took a closer look at lemborexant's potential beyond its use as a sleep aid. David Holtzman, another neurologist from the university, explained that their research indicates lemborexant not only improves sleep but also cuts down on abnormal tau levels. These proteins are believed to be significant contributors to neurological damage in Alzheimer's and related disorders. While amyloid beta proteins have dominated discussions around Alzheimer's, tau proteins also play a crucial role. Normally, they help maintain brain cell structure. However, when these proteins become abnormal, they contribute to brain atrophy—a key factor in neurodegeneration. Holtzman noted that while antibodies targeting amyloid provide some relief for early-stage Alzheimer's patients, they don't significantly slow disease progression. "We need ways to reduce the abnormal tau buildup and its accompanying inflammation," he said, suggesting that lemborexant shows promise in this area. Interestingly, when compared to another common sleep aid called zolpidem, mice given lemborexant retained up to 40 percent more volume in their hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for forming memories. Parhizkar highlighted how unexpected these results were since both drugs enhance NREM sleep similarly. The difference lies in their mechanisms. Lemborexant blocks orexin, a neuropeptide regulating the sleep cycle. The researchers found that removing orexin receptor 2 genetically from mice also reduced tau buildup. However, there was an unexpected twist: these protective benefits appeared only in male mice despite testing on females too. And while mouse studies often pave the way for human trials, they don't always yield identical outcomes. Currently approved for short-term use in humans as a sleep aid, lemborexant's long-term effects remain under investigation. The researchers hope that if further studies confirm these findings in humans, early intervention with such drugs could delay neurodegeneration progression. This study was published in Nature Neuroscience.
Score (96)
Meet The Teen CEO Who Just Won $200,000 For Her Game-Changing Hair Accessory Brand
Eighteen-year-old Gabby Goodwin and her mother, Rozalynn, have just snagged a major win for their business, Confidence by GaBBY Goodwin. The duo took home the $200,000 grand prize at the Good Soil Capital Pitch Competition sponsored by Wells Fargo. The award was given to them by Bishop T.D. Jakes. This victory is a significant step for the brand that began when Gabby was only seven years old. Tired of losing barrettes from her hair, she teamed up with her mom to invent GaBBY Bows—the first patented non-slip barrette on the market. Since launching in 2014, they’ve sold over one million barrettes across all 50 U.S. states and 16 countries. Gabby Goodwin, CEO and co-founder, expressed excitement about their accomplishment. “This moment means the world to us," she said. "It’s not just an investment in our business—it’s a belief in our mission to build confidence, inspire young entrepreneurs, and create generational wealth in our community.” The Good Soil Capital Pitch Competition highlights faith-driven entrepreneurs ready to scale their impact. Confidence by GaBBY Goodwin impressed judges with its innovative product and rapid growth. Their Mommy and Me Entrepreneurship Academy has already helped over 50 girls in 16 states start businesses of their own. Rozalynn Goodwin, co-founder and COO, explained how they plan to use the prize money: “This $200,000 prize is fuel for our purpose," she said. "It will help us expand production, grow our retail partnerships, and reach even more families and future CEOs across the globe.” With this new funding boost, the Goodwins say they aim to enhance manufacturing capacity and increase both online and in-store presence while expanding their academy's impact on young girl entrepreneurs.
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Score (98)
Message In A Bottle: 30 Years Later, An Unexpected Reply Surfaces
Decades after tossing a message in a bottle into the sea, Alaina Beresford from Portknockie, Scotland got a surprise reply. As a 12-year-old, she had sent her note bobbing away in an empty Moray Cup fizzy pop bottle. Now, over 30 years later, Pia Brodtmann from Germany found it washed ashore on Lisshelløya, a tiny Norwegian island. Alaina was taken aback when she spotted a postcard amidst her usual mail. "When I went and checked my mail and thought ‘what’s this, a postcard?’ - not something you see a lot - and when I turned it over it had my name on it," she said. Pia's postcard included photos of the bottle and the area where it was discovered. Back in her school days, Alaina took part in a class project led by teacher Ann Bruce that involved sending messages in bottles. Remembering how her teacher's fisherman husband likely set her bottle adrift adds nostalgia to the discovery. Pia found herself unexpectedly drawn into this decades-old story while volunteering with "In the Same Boat"—a charity focused on beach cleaning along Norway's rugged coastlines. She recalls spotting the bottle during their clean-up efforts on Lisshelløya. "I had already noticed before I picking it up, that the bottle wasn’t broken or full of water like so many other bottles I had found that day," Pia explained. Intrigued by its origins and eager to connect across borders, Pia wrote back to Alaina. "I thought Alaina would be really happy to know that her bottle had been found," said Pia. Her hope for an international pen pal has come true as they continue to communicate via Facebook. Pia is passionate about making an environmental impact with In the Same Boat until July, living aboard sailboats with fellow volunteers to clean remote coastal areas. The group combats marine litter by removing debris before it turns into microplastics—a task made more challenging by Norway's rocky shorelines rather than sandy beaches. On finding Alaina’s message amid such efforts, Pia remarked on its impressive preservation over time: "The idea that this bottle had been out there… for over 30 years is just really crazy!"
Score (97)
London’s Ancient Puzzle: Unveiling a Roman Masterpiece Hidden for Centuries
London's latest archaeological find has experts buzzing. At a development site in Southwark, the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) unearthed what they're calling one of the largest collections of painted Roman wall plaster ever discovered. This isn't just any old find; it's like piecing together an ancient masterpiece from thousands of delicate fragments. Han Li, MOLA’s senior building material specialist, described the experience as a mix of excitement and nerves. The fragments were found jumbled together in a large pit after being tossed aside when a prominent Roman building was dismantled before 200 A.D. Li noted that putting these pieces back together felt like tackling "the world's most difficult jigsaw puzzle." He was not alone in this monumental task and credited colleagues from other specialist teams for their help in arranging the pieces and interpreting ornaments and inscriptions. The collection includes bright yellow panel designs with black intervals, along with images of birds, fruit, flowers, and lyres. Yellow panels were uncommon during the Roman period, making this discovery particularly intriguing. Li explained that these paintings showcased the wealth and taste of the building’s owner or owners. Among the thousands of fragments lies rare evidence of a painter’s signature—a tantalizing clue to an artist whose identity remains unknown. Even more intriguing is the presence of unusual graffiti featuring Greek letters. These details add layers to our understanding of cultural influences at play in Roman London. The team working on this project also drew comparisons between these decorations and those found elsewhere in the Roman Empire, including places like Xanten and Cologne in Germany, and Lyon in France. Some fragments even bear resemblance to important wall tiles, such as red Egyptian porphyry framing African giallo antico marble veins. This isn’t MOLA’s first significant find at this site. Previous digs have uncovered stunning mosaics and even a rare Roman mausoleum, but it took three months for Li to piece together all these new fragments into coherent sections that reveal paintings unseen by people since late Roman times. Han Li reflects on his painstaking work by saying it allowed him to see artwork that Romans themselves might not have fully appreciated when they walked past it centuries ago.
Score (96)
Plastic Bag Bans Prove Effective: Shoreline Litter Drops Nearly 50%
Plastic bag bans are proving effective in cutting down shoreline litter, according to recent research. Scientists report a nearly 50 percent drop in coastal and beach litter after implementing fees or bans on plastic bags. The decrease is consistent over time, with no signs of reversal. Plastic shopping bags contribute significantly to ocean and coastline pollution, harming marine life and breaking down into dangerous microplastics. Over 100 countries have introduced measures like bans or fees to address this issue. A new study published in the journal Science evaluated these policies across the United States to assess their impact on plastic litter. Researchers from the University of Delaware and Columbia University discovered that areas with such policies saw a reduction of 25 to 47 percent in plastic bags present in shoreline clean-ups compared to areas without similar measures. Professor Kimberly Oremus from the University of Delaware's School of Marine Science and Policy got inspired to conduct this study after learning about volunteers using an app called Clean Swell during beach clean-ups in Delaware. The app's data feeds into the Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Information and Data for Education and Solutions database, which tracks litter collected globally each year. “When we found the database that had information on different shoreline clean-ups, we realized we could look at the composition of litter before and after a policy to see what effect it had,” said Prof Oremus. “And then we could compare that to places that never got a plastic bag policy.” Dr. Anna Papp, lead author from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, noted that using data from shoreline clean-ups provides a direct measurement of plastic litter levels compared to store checkout data traditionally used in previous studies. The researchers analyzed thousands of shoreline clean-ups along with hundreds of local policies to determine their effectiveness in reducing environmental plastic waste. The focus was on the U.S., where different regions implement various policies due to the absence of a federal mandate. Despite expectations, Prof Oremus found the results more robust than anticipated. “There are so many pathways a bag can take from the checkout line at the store,” she remarked. “It’s great to see a policy that works in such a clearly measurable way.” Dr. Papp highlighted an interesting finding: about one-third of Americans live under some form of plastic bag regulation. “We compiled over 600 policies for 2007-2023, with a lot of variation in their scope and geographic scale,” she stated. The study also revealed differences in policy effectiveness; state-level regulations showed more significant impacts than town-level initiatives. Fees reduced litter more effectively than outright bans, though further research is needed to understand why. However, even successful policies cannot fully reverse rising trends in overall plastic pollution; they only slow its growth rate. Prof Oremus pointed out that while there’s less increase where policies exist, “we’re still getting more plastic bags on shorelines as a percentage of all clean-up items over time.” As discussions continue for an international treaty on plastics led by the United Nations Environment Program later this year, this study underscores opportunities for broader strategies against increasing global plastic waste issues. Dr. Papp said, “Overall, our findings do show that plastic bag policies are broadly effective in limiting litter along shorelines." She added: “Ours is the first large-scale study to use hundreds of policies and tens of thousands of clean-ups to look at their effects. But it is important to keep in mind that this is a relative decrease in affected areas compared to areas without policies.”
Score (98)
This World-Famous Landmark Just Got a $4M Restoration—And It’s Breathtaking
Casa Batlló, one of Barcelona's most famous landmarks designed by the legendary Antoni Gaudí, has just received a $4 million facelift. This time, it's the building's rear façade and courtyard that have been restored to their original glamour after decades of fading into obscurity. The front façade of Casa Batlló is well-known for its whimsical design featuring vibrant colors, bone-like columns, and dragon-scale roof tiles. However, the back had largely remained hidden and neglected over the years. Its once-bright walls dulled with age and intricate balcony features like wrought-iron railings deteriorated over time. The courtyard below, originally a tranquil refuge for the Batlló family, lost its custom planters and pergola. Thanks to a comprehensive restoration effort described as a "remarkable rediscovery," the rear of the building now echoes Gaudí’s original vision. This project was the first significant restoration in more than 100 years and was carried out by in-house researchers alongside master artisans skilled in ironwork, woodwork, glassmaking, and ceramics. To begin this massive undertaking, researchers needed to identify the original colors buried beneath layers of paint. Stratigraphic tests were used to analyze these layers over time. Results showed that what was previously thought to be cream-colored stucco was actually a deep gray in Gaudí’s time. Similarly, windows and balcony doors were originally painted green to match the front façade. Xavier Villanueva, the lead architect on this project, expressed surprise at these findings: "When we discovered the original colors, we couldn’t believe it," he said. "The façade stood like the photographic negative of the original by Gaudí." For other elements like trencadís mosaics—Gaudí's style that uses irregular shards of glass and ceramic—restoration specialists employed 3D scans and old photos to bring them back to life. Wooden window frames and balcony doors were mended along with iron railings; during this process, researchers also found an innovative vaulted support system created by Gaudí for these balconies. In restoring the courtyard area below, workers revived an intricate 85,000-piece mosaic known as a Nolla mosaic—a hallmark of regional modernist design from late 19th-century artisan Miguel Nolla. They replaced missing planters while remaking a distinctive parabola-shaped pergola that will soon be covered again with growing heather plants. "The discoveries we made relate in shapes, colors, and materials to the rest of Casa Batlló," Villanueva noted. "As we restored each facet, we reached the essence of Gaudí’s original vision." The Bernat family has spearheaded efforts to renew Casa Batlló since acquiring it in 1993; they are also behind the Chupa Chups lollipop brand fame. After initial renovations helped earn UNESCO World Heritage status in 2005 for Casa Batlló among other projects led by Gaudi around Barcelona, further investments totaling €25 million ($28.6 million) have gone into preserving this architectural marvel since then. Casa Batlló reports nearly two million visitors walked through its doors last year alone, generating profits close to €34 million ($38.9 million). CEO Gary Gautier called being part of such milestones an honor,r saying it's about celebrating enduring artistry too: “Being part of this milestone is a true honor—uncovering Gaudí’s brilliance for tomorrow’s generations.”
Score (91)
Scientists Baffled As Metal Repairs Itself in Groundbreaking Experiment
Scientists say they've observed something straight out of science fiction: a damaged piece of metal that can heal itself. This remarkable discovery comes from a team at Sandia National Laboratories and Texas A&M University, who were experimenting with a small piece of platinum. Using a specialized transmission electron microscope, researchers pulled the ends of this 40-nanometer-thick platinum wafer 200 times per second. During this process, they noticed something extraordinary. After about 40 minutes, a crack in the platinum began to mend itself before shifting direction and continuing to extend elsewhere. Brad Boyce, a materials scientist from Sandia National Laboratories, expressed his amazement at this unexpected finding. "This was absolutely stunning to watch first-hand," he said. The team wasn't originally looking for self-healing properties in metals but stumbled upon it nonetheless. According to Boyce, "What we have confirmed is that metals have their own intrinsic, natural ability to heal themselves, at least in the case of fatigue damage at the nanoscale." Fatigue damage refers to the microscopic cracks caused by repeated stress and strain on materials, the kind that eventually leads to breakage in machines and structures. While these cracks typically spell doom for materials over time, the self-repairing capability observed here could drastically change how engineers approach material durability. The observation aligns with earlier theories proposed by Michael Demkowicz from Texas A&M University. Back in 2013, he predicted that such nanocrack healing could occur due to tiny crystalline grains inside metals shifting their boundaries under stress. In this latest study, Demkowicz used updated computer models, which confirmed that his decade-old theories match what was now being witnessed. An interesting aspect of this discovery is that it occurred at room temperature within a vacuum setting. Typically, significant heat is required to alter metal forms; however, this experiment suggests otherwise under specific conditions. The phenomenon might involve cold welding, where metal surfaces bond as their atoms interlock when close enough together without interference from contaminants or air layers. "My hope is that this finding will encourage materials researchers to consider that under the right circumstances, materials can do things we never expected," said Demkowicz regarding the implications for future research. The findings were published in Nature earlier this year and suggest innovative possibilities for engineering applications by harnessing self-healing properties in metals like platinum.
Score (97)
This New Material Could Revolutionize Urban Construction Forever
Imagine if the cement industry, notorious for its pollution, could be revolutionized using paper recycling leftovers. That's the reality in France now, thanks to Hoffmann Green Cement Technologies and Norske Skog Golbey. They’ve found a way to make cement cleaner with fly ash, a by-product from paper recycling that’s usually discarded. According to Business Insider, fly ash is stepping up as a key ingredient in this eco-friendly cement. Typically, making cement involves producing clinker, which generates about 8 percent of global greenhouse emissions, as noted by the Princeton Student Climate Initiative. Clinker production requires high temperatures and dirty energy, releasing harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Hoffmann Green has developed a formula that skips using clinker altogether. This innovation reduces pollution fivefold while repurposing industrial waste. Instead of heading to landfills, fly ash from Norske Skog Golbey finds new life at Hoffmann Green’s facilities as a component of greener building materials. This approach exemplifies the circular economy—extending material use, cutting waste generation, and reducing demand for new resources. It saves money and minimizes trash while keeping toxic pollutants out of our air. The new cement holds up well in construction, too. Considering that building projects consume over one-third of global energy, using smarter materials like this can lower costs and environmental impact. Cleaner air also means fewer health issues, such as asthma attacks, in urban areas. In May 2025, the first large-scale shipment of this innovative cement was dispatched, proving its viability beyond laboratory tests. Hoffmann Green co-founders Julien Blanchard and David Hoffmann emphasized that "The circular economy is a concrete response to the challenges of our time." Martine Bortolotti from Norske Skog Golbey highlighted their collaboration's success in promoting "a sober, resilient and sustainable" future through research and teamwork. Cities worldwide are exploring various alternatives for cleaner construction materials, ranging from algae-based cements to those made with captured carbon or crushed demolition rubble, all aiming for sustainability without losing strength.
Score (96)
Scientists Just Uncovered a Hidden Rule Guiding Global Biodiversity Patterns
Life on Earth is not as evenly spread out as you might think. A new study published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution has provided evidence for a concept that biogeographers have pondered for centuries: the "core-to-transition" organization of species. A team of scientists from Sweden, Spain and the UK has mapped out how various species are distributed across our planet's surface. By examining amphibians, birds, dragonflies, mammals, marine rays, reptiles and trees, they sought to understand how life disperses globally. The findings reveal a consistent pattern: in every bioregion, there's a core area where most species thrive. From these hubs, species branch out into surrounding areas, but only some manage to establish themselves. Rubén Bernardo-Madrid from Umeå University explained that these cores offer the ideal conditions for survival and diversification. They act as launchpads from which biodiversity spreads. Interestingly, these core regions cover only about 30 percent of Earth's surface but are home to more biodiversity than the remaining 70 percent. These areas likely evolved as refuges during past climatic upheavals like the Last Glacial Maximum. Furthermore, it appears that species must be well adapted to heat and drought to expand beyond these core zones. Joaquín Calatayud from Rey Juan Carlos University noted that understanding this distribution pattern could help us predict how biodiversity will respond to changes brought on by global phenomena such as climate change. While biogeographers have speculated about this kind of organization for years, this study marks the first time empirical evidence supports their theories. The insights gained here provide a clearer picture of how regional hotspots form and how species spread throughout biogeographical regions. "Our core-to-transition hypothesis and results," the authors wrote in their study, "show that global variations in species richness can be better understood by unravelling the genesis of regional hotspots and the subsequent filtering of species to the rest of the biogeographical region." Understanding this process could offer valuable guidance for conservation efforts amid ongoing environmental shifts.
Score (97)
How the NBA Finals Teams Are Winning Off the Court: A Surprising Sustainability Shift
The 2025 NBA Finals aren't just about high-flying dunks and three-point shots. The Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder are setting an example in sustainability, proving that eco-friendly practices can coincide with top-tier performance. Both teams have embraced initiatives that benefit the environment while engaging their fan base in meaningful ways. Professional sports often boost local economies through job creation, tourism, and business development. However, they also significantly impact the environment. According to the Rapid Transit Alliance, the global sports industry generates between 331 and 386 million tons of carbon pollution annually. Air travel is a major contributor, comparable to emissions from 66 to 77 million cars. In response, the NBA has been proactive in reducing its environmental footprint by optimizing team travel schedules. The Indiana Pacers have transformed Gainbridge Fieldhouse into a more sustainable venue as part of their commitment to eco-friendly practices. This renovation relied on recycled materials for 80 percent of its construction needs, including repurposing old seats. The result is a modernized stadium that consumes 12 percent less energy and uses 39 percent less water. Additionally, Indiana's Pedal to the Pacers event encourages fans to cycle to games instead of driving, promoting a greener transportation option. On the other side of the court, Oklahoma City's Paycom Center has made strides toward sustainability, too. The arena received recognition as the first "Made in Oklahoma House," celebrating its dedication to supporting local businesses by sourcing products from over 20 Oklahoma companies. Furthering their green efforts, Paycom Center maintains health standards aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and has earned GBAC STAR certification for its operations. It employs reusable cleaning tools and donates pallets for composting instead of sending waste to landfills. These efforts reflect the NBA's long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship through programs like NBA Green under the broader NBA Cares initiative. These projects aim to lessen the league’s ecological impact while highlighting the advantages of sustainable practices. As these two teams battle it out on the court, they're also showing how sports organizations can play a role in fostering environmental responsibility.