Hidden Crayfish Species Discovered Among Aquarium Pets, Researchers Reveal

A new colorful crayfish species, Cherax pulverulentus, has been discovered in Indonesian pet shipments. The lobster-like crustacean is endemic to New Guinea and comes in blue and purple forms. Despite being sold as an aquarium pet for years, it was never differentiated from similar species until now. This discovery highlights the importance of taxonomy for conservation efforts. Researchers aim to study the species further in its natural habitat to aid in biodiversity preservation on New Guinea.

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Meet The Trailblazing Asian American and WNBA's Newest Coach

Natalie Nakase is blazing a trail as the WNBA's first Asian American head coach, leading the Golden State Valkyries into their inaugural season. At 45, Nakase brings a wealth of experience and determination to the league's first expansion team in over 15 years. "I’ve always been the only girl walking into the NBA gym and all guys — it’s the same," Nakase told NBC News. "No big deal." The Valkyries' debut marks a significant moment for fans, who gathered outside the stadium in purple and black gear, celebrating increased Asian American representation in professional basketball. Nakase, a third-generation Japanese American, has climbed her way up from playing at UCLA to coaching stints with both men's and women's teams. Her journey began as an intern with the Los Angeles Clippers before she became an assistant coach. She later led the Las Vegas Aces to consecutive WNBA titles. Standing at just over five feet tall, Nakase embraces her stature with humor: "It doesn’t matter how tall you are." Her drive is fueled by her father’s encouragement. "The reason I’m here is because of my dad," she said. "I was really lucky to have a parent that not only loved me unconditionally but pushed me beyond my limits." As head coach of the Valkyries, Nakase acknowledges her role's impact: "You’re impacting lives."

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The FDA Just Approved The First-Ever Blood Test To Diagnose Alzheimer's Disease

A groundbreaking development in Alzheimer's diagnosis has emerged as U.S. health officials have approved the first blood test to aid in identifying the disease. This innovative test, endorsed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is designed for patients aged 55 and older who exhibit early signs of memory issues. Alzheimer’s affects over 6 million people in the United States alone, making it the most prevalent form of dementia. The new test, developed by Fujirebio Diagnostics, Inc., detects beta-amyloid—a sticky brain plaque that serves as a key indicator of Alzheimer’s. Previously, amyloid detection required invasive spinal fluid tests or costly PET scans. The introduction of this blood test could significantly broaden access to two new drugs, Leqembi and Kisunla, which have shown promise in slowing Alzheimer’s progression by targeting amyloid plaques. These medications necessitate prior testing for amyloid presence before prescription. “Today’s clearance is an important step for Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis, making it easier and potentially more accessible for U.S. patients earlier in the disease,” stated Dr. Michelle Tarver from FDA's center for devices. While some specialty hospitals have developed their own tests without FDA oversight or insurance coverage, this newly approved option offers a regulated alternative. Major companies like Roche and Eli Lilly are also pursuing FDA approval for similar diagnostic tools. The test requires a doctor’s order and is not intended for individuals without symptoms. As this advancement unfolds, it holds promise for enhancing early detection and treatment options for those affected by Alzheimer’s across the nation.

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5 Marathons in 5 Days: How This Dad is Finding a Cure for His Son's Rare Disorder

Dan Booth, a dedicated father from Stoke-on-Trent, England, is lacing up his running shoes for an extraordinary mission. He plans to run five marathons in five days to support research into STXBP1 disorder, a rare genetic condition affecting his three-year-old son, Charlie. Charlie was diagnosed with the neurological disorder after experiencing seizures as a baby. "We've been navigating this new world—one filled with challenges, but also incredible love, resilience, and joy," Booth shared. The first marathon kicks off on May 28 in Booth's local area. He won't be running alone; friends, family, and other families affected by the condition will join him. "I'm looking forward to it as I'll have friends and family joining me," he said. STXBP1 disorder impacts children differently but has caused Charlie's seizures and affected his development, mobility, and communication. Booth aims to raise funds for the STXBP1 Foundation to support gene therapy research that could lead to a cure. In a promising development earlier this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first IV-administered gene therapy for human clinical trials in the U.S., which Booth described as "a genuinely historic moment." "This breakthrough is the exact kind of research that fundraising like mine helps push forward," he noted. The trial seeks to replace faulty genes to reduce or stop seizures and improve mobility. Booth hopes his efforts will raise £10,000 for the charity. "There are around 5,000 kids in the world with this, so if it works, their lives could really be improved, and that's so important," he added. With determination fueling each step of his journey, Dan Booth is not just running marathons; he's racing toward hope for Charlie and thousands of others worldwide.

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How A Miami Startup Is Giving Old Shoes A Second Life

At the Brickell Run Club in Miami, Florida, runners are doing more than just hitting the pavement; they're giving their old sneakers a new lease on life. A donation box at the club invites members to recycle used shoes that might otherwise end up in landfills. "Typically, on a weekly basis, we'll probably get, I don't know, maybe 20 pairs of running shoes that people have decided to part ways with," said Frankie Ruiz, the club's founder. "We collect them every week. We fill up one of these boxes, typically, once or twice a month." These shoes are collected by Sneaker Impact, a for-profit recycling company based near Miami's Little Haiti neighborhood. The company sorts the footwear to be either reused or recycled based on its condition. "It's all about accountability, sending the right product to the right market," said Moe Hachem, Sneaker Impact founder and CEO. "Sneakers are a necessity in the developing world. They are a form of transportation." Reusable shoes are shipped outside of the U.S., where they find new homes through small shops in countries like Haiti and Bolivia. "You're not only reducing waste here at home; you are creating microbusiness opportunities in a developing country," Hachem added. Shoes unsuitable for resale are repurposed into materials like foam and rubber for products such as flooring and tiles. "We've also made a sandal from 85% sneaker foam," Hachem noted. Hachem emphasized his mission is environmentally driven: "This is important; there is no planet B." He hopes other companies will follow suit because "the only competition we have is landfills."

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Can 'Smelling Gel' Be The Key To Reviving Our Dying Coral Reefs?

As ocean temperatures rise, coral reefs face an uncertain future. However, a team of researchers at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography is offering hope with an innovative solution to help repopulate these vital ecosystems. Marine biologist Daniel Wangpraseurt and his team have developed SNAP-X, a gel designed to encourage coral larvae to settle on degraded reefs. "I’m over hearing that corals are dying — I’m more interested in what we can do about it," Wangpraseurt said. Coral larvae are selective about where they attach, often guided by chemical cues from healthy reefs. The SNAP-X gel contains nanoparticles that release these chemical signals slowly, mimicking the scent of a thriving reef. "With SNAP-X, we created a material that releases chemical cues that tell coral larvae this is a good place to live," Wangpraseurt explained. The research team collaborated with the university’s Jacobs School of Engineering to create this breakthrough. They incubated algae samples from Hawaii's Kaneohe Bay and extracted molecules to be placed inside silica-based nanoparticles. These were then suspended in a liquid gel that solidifies under UV light. In lab experiments, the application of SNAP-X increased coral larvae settlement by up to 20 times compared to untreated surfaces. The gel's effects last for up to a month, allowing restoration experts to time its use with coral spawning events. Wangpraseurt sees potential for broader applications: "Imagine you are able to bottle healthy reef scent and then you could spray it onto any kind of substrate." The research was published in Trends in Biotechnology and offers promising avenues for future studies and commercial development through Hybrid Reef Solutions. “We want these materials to be used and have a big impact,” Wangpraseurt said.

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Fisherman Finds a Century-Old Shipwreck in Lake Michigan's Mysterious Fog

A foggy fishing trip on Lake Michigan turned into a historical discovery for Wisconsin angler Christopher Thuss, who stumbled upon the wreck of a tugboat submerged for over a century. The Wisconsin Historical Society confirmed that Thuss found the J.C. Ames, an abandoned tugboat built in 1881 by Rand and Burger shipbuilding company in Manitowoc. Maritime Archaeologist Tamara Thomsen explained that the J.C. Ames was once one of the largest and most powerful tugs on the Great Lakes, boasting a 670-horsepower engine. Originally designed to move lumber, it also transported railway cars before being scuttled in 1923 after falling into disrepair. The wreckage lay hidden beneath sand until recent storms revealed its presence near Manitowoc's shoreline. "These kinds of discoveries are always so exciting because it allows a piece of lost history to resurface," Thomsen said. "We are grateful that Chris Thuss noticed the wreck and reported it so we can share this story with the Wisconsin communities that this history belongs to." This find adds to recent maritime discoveries in Lake Michigan, including the John Evenson towing tug and schooner Margaret A. Muir found by historians Brendon Baillod and Bob Jaeck, as well as other significant shipwrecks uncovered over the past year. Experts estimate more than 6,000 ships have sunk in the Great Lakes since the late 1600s, with many still waiting to be discovered before invasive quagga mussels destroy them. Thomsen emphasized how these finds connect communities with their maritime heritage: "It sat there for over a hundred years and then came back on our radar completely by chance."

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School Newspapers Around the World Are Teaming Up To Recover From Wildfires

A wildfire that swept through California left a high school newsroom in ruins, but help arrived from an unexpected source—across the country. Claire Smith, founding executive director of Temple University's sports media center, reached out to her longtime friend Lisa Nehus Saxon, the journalism adviser at Palisades Charter High School. The two women have supported each other since their early days as pioneering female journalists in Major League Baseball. Smith traveled from Philadelphia to deliver a special edition of The Temple News featuring articles by the high school students. The insert included stories on post-wildfire price gouging and the return to in-person classes, along with personal accounts and creative works by students affected by the fire. The January wildfires devastated Los Angeles, destroying nearly 17,000 structures, including homes and schools. At Palisades Charter High School, about 40 percent of the campus was damaged. Many students lost their homes and had to relocate. This collaborative project aimed to provide a platform for students to share their experiences while offering them a tangible keepsake. "I thought it would be healing for them," Smith said. In Santa Monica on Wednesday, Smith and Samuel O’Neal, editor-in-chief of The Temple News, distributed copies of the paper to the high school staff. For many students like Kate Swain and Gigi Appelbaum, seeing their work in print was surreal and meaningful. Appelbaum noted how special it felt that people across the country cared about their situation. She plans to preserve her copy as she rebuilds her life after losing everything in the fire.

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How A New Breakthrough Could Solve A Billion-Dollar Problem

Researchers have made strides in improving crop yields by tackling the challenges of photorespiration, a process that can reduce productivity by up to 36 percent. A team from the University of Groningen and Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf is working on innovative technologies as part of the GAIN4CROPS project to address this issue. According to INSociety, inefficiencies in photorespiration cost billions annually in agricultural productivity. "Our work shows that overcoming photorespiration through engineered pathways can provide a dual benefit: increasing carbon fixation while reducing energy losses," said Matthias Heinemann, a professor at the University of Groningen. This advancement could lead to crops that are more productive and better suited for changing climates and global food demands. Published in Science Advances, the study used mathematical models to explore 12 pathways for improving photorespiration. Researchers focused on pathways that enhance carbon fixation, converting inorganic carbon dioxide into organic compounds like sugar. The findings indicated that alternative carbon-fixing pathways could boost carbon export by about 20 percent, with one pathway, called TaCo, showing promise for yield improvement. Environmental factors such as light intensity and carbon dioxide availability influenced these pathways' effectiveness. The research aims to genetically engineer crops with reduced photorespiration losses, optimizing them for higher yields and contributing significantly to food security amid climate change. "With the ability to more rationally engineer alternative photorespiratory pathways into suitable crops and identify their optimal growing conditions, our work will hopefully contribute to realizing the maximum impact of alternative photorespiratory pathways for improving crop yields," said Andreas Weber, coordinator of GAIN4CROPS.

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A Heroic Firefighter Just Rescued 3 Sleeping Brothers from a Blaze

Three brothers narrowly escaped a house fire on the Okanese First Nation in Saskatchewan, thanks to the quick actions of their friend and firefighter, James Dieter. On the morning of May 10, after staying up all night monitoring a nearby blaze, Trey, Trevor, and Tristan Walker fell asleep believing the danger had passed. However, the fire unexpectedly jumped a back burn set by firefighters. Dieter, who is also a band councillor for the First Nation, arrived at the scene to find flames engulfing the west side of their home. Despite firefighters being present outside, no one had checked inside. "I know the people who live there. The boys are my good friends," Dieter said. He kicked open the locked door and found his friends still asleep inside. Within minutes of waking them and getting them out safely, their home was completely consumed by fire. The brothers' mother, Loretta Walker, was not home at the time. Although overwhelmed by events and unavailable for an interview, cousin Connie Walker expressed gratitude on behalf of her family: "We want to thank all of the volunteer firefighters who worked so hard and we are especially grateful to James for his bravery." The brush fire began five days earlier and saw efforts from multiple communities, including Peepeekisis Cree Nation and Star Blanket Cree Natio,n among others. The Walkers' home was unfortunately the only one lost in this incident. "All the communities came together and fought the fire," Dieter noted. "It was just awesome to have all that help and support." Okanese First Nation is located about 100 kilometers northeast of Regina.

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Rescuers are Wearing Bear Suits To Help Orphaned Cubs Get Ready For the Wild

California wildlife experts have taken an unusual approach to raising a tiny orphaned bear cub by donning bear suits. The two-month-old male cub was found by campers in Los Padres National Forest on April 12. Wildlife officials initially tried to reunite him with his mother, leaving him overnight in the area, but she never returned. With no sign of the mother nearby, the cub was brought to the Ramona Wildlife Center two days later in a fragile state. After 30 days of care, he is now eating well, gaining weight, and showing playful behavior. "He was extremely fragile when he arrived," said Autumn Welch, Wildlife Operations Manager at San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center. "But now, he’s active, eating well and gaining weight steadily.” This cub is the youngest black bear ever cared for by the organization and one of only four this young to enter rehabilitation in California over the past five years. Due to his age, he will likely remain under care for up to a year. If another orphaned cub is rescued in the state, they may be paired together—a technique used to prevent imprinting on humans and prepare them for life back in the wild. "This is a very unusual case," Welch noted. "We don’t often see bears this young without their mother. It’s an honor to care for him, but it’s also a significant commitment."

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