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Score (96)
Aquarium Lifts Sunfish Spirits with Cardboard Companions
Staff at a Japanese aquarium noticed their sunfish was ailing when the aquarium closed for renovation. To cheer up the lonely fish, they attached cardboard cutout faces and uniforms to its tank. The next day, the sunfish was in good health again! Sunfish are curious creatures that enjoy interacting with visitors. This creative solution helped the fish feel less lonely and improve its health. Another aquarium in Tokyo used FaceTime to keep their shy garden eels social during lockdown.
Score (98)
Twin 80-Year-Old Sisters Inspire Community as Swimming Teachers
Twin sisters Alison Hubbard and Jennifer Brackley, both 80, are still making waves as swimming teachers in Hertfordshire—and show no signs of slowing down. The pair, described as “inspirational” by colleagues and parents alike, have been teaching for more than 30 years combined. Now in their eighth decade, they say the poolside is where they feel most at home. “It’s lovely to see the children, it’s great to see them improve with their lessons,” said Brackley, who has taught at Royston Leisure Centre since it opened over 20 years ago. “It’s really nice for the parents to say, ‘Oh how lovely to see you; I’m so glad my children are with you’.” Hubbard joined her sister at the pool after retiring from an office job at 60, turning a long-time hobby into a second career. “Swimming was always a hobby which I enjoyed,” she said. Now, the sisters are teaching the children of their former students. “The parents appreciate the fact that they know us and we have a lot of experience,” Hubbard said. “Some of them are probably surprised that we’re still here. But it’s something we both enjoy, and we’re not likely to give it up.” Their longevity and energy haven’t gone unnoticed. “Jenny and Alison are much-loved members of our team,” said Daniel Peddar, general manager of the leisure centre. “They’re a huge part of the Royston community and a shining example of how staying active keeps both the body and mind young.” Outside the pool, the twins keep fit in their own ways. Brackley, who calls the gym her “heaven” and “place of solace,” says she starts every morning with an hour of weight training before work. “If I don’t use the gym or have a swim, then I will go for at least an hour’s power walking,” she said. Hubbard, who has had a back operation, prefers lighter weights and skips the power walks. But when asked who the better swimmer is, she had a quick and diplomatic reply: “Oh dear, I’m better at breaststroke — Jennifer’s better at front crawl.” Their message to others? Don’t let age hold you back. “I know we’re now 80,” said Brackley, “but if you don’t keep moving, and you don’t eat well and exercise, your body’s not going to work.” And for now, these sisters are still moving—one stroke at a time.
Score (97)
Maui E-Bike Giveaway is Supporting Wildfire Survivors With Eco-Friendly Transportation
A new recovery program on Maui is putting electric bikes in the hands of wildfire survivors—offering not just mobility, but a path toward a more sustainable future. The Maui E-Bike Giveaway is providing free electric bikes to residents who lost their transportation during the devastating fires that swept through Lahaina in August 2023. More than 100 people were killed in the disaster, and two years later, recovery efforts are still underway. "In the wake of the Maui fires, we wanted to do more than just talk about rebuilding—we wanted to take action that helps people today and contributes to a more resilient future," said Saman Dias, chair of the Maui Bicycling League, in comments to Maui Now. The initiative includes more than just a bike. Recipients will also receive safety gear, a maintenance voucher, and e-bike safety training. Shipping and assembly are covered by the program. E-bikes are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to cars—especially in places where access to vehicles is limited. They offer a cost-effective, low-emission form of transportation that can reduce carbon pollution. One study published in ScienceDirect found that a single e-bike could lower carbon dioxide output by about 225 kilograms per year. The push for e-bike adoption in Maui aligns with broader sustainability goals. The giveaway not only helps survivors regain independence, it also encourages cleaner transport and reduced reliance on gas-powered vehicles. Nationally, e-bike use has surged. According to National Geographic, U.S. sales jumped from 450,000 in 2020 to over 880,000 in 2021. Part of the appeal, researchers say, is simply how enjoyable the experience is. “People just find that [e-bikes are] fun,” said Jennifer Dill, director of Portland State University's Transportation Research and Education Center. While the Maui E-Bike Giveaway is a local project, it speaks to a bigger movement—one where disaster recovery, environmental action, and community care can come together on two wheels.
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Score (98)
First Grey Seal Pups Of The Year Born At Farne Islands As Annual Survey Begins
The first grey seal pups of the season have been born on the Farne Islands—and they’re kicking off what has become the world’s longest-running grey seal population study. The National Trust, which manages the islands off England’s Northumberland coast, has begun its annual seal survey, aiming to track pup numbers, assess the animals’ health, and guide conservation efforts. The Farne Islands host one of the largest grey seal colonies on the east coast, and this year more than 3,000 pups are expected to arrive during the autumn season. “Each pup born here is a testament to the conservation work we do,” said area ranger Sophia Jackson. She said the growing numbers also reflect the resilience of the species, which is facing mounting threats from climate change, including rising temperatures and warming seas. The census, which began in 1952, was started by ornithologist and naturalist Grace Hickling MBE. Her work laid the foundation for modern conservation efforts in the region and created what the National Trust now calls the world’s longest-running study of its kind. Since 2018, rangers have been using drones to improve the accuracy of the count while keeping disturbance to a minimum. “Using drones helps us spot pups that might otherwise be missed and analyse the data more efficiently,” the Trust said. Once the survey is complete, Newcastle University researchers will analyse the data, with findings expected next spring. Visitors are allowed to watch the seals from boats, but are not permitted to land on the islands during pupping season in order to protect the animals and their habitat.
Score (97)
Portuguese Startup Launches AI-Powered Lamp to Detect Epileptic Seizures and Alert Caregivers
ChatGPT said: A new Portuguese startup is turning an everyday object into a potential life-saving tool for people living with epilepsy. Lampsy Health, a health-tech company based in Lisbon, has developed a smart lamp that uses artificial intelligence to detect epileptic seizures with over 99 percent accuracy. The device, called “Lampsy,” also sends real-time alerts to caregivers—offering what the company calls a breakthrough in safety and peace of mind, particularly during the night. At the Web Summit tech conference, Lampsy’s co-founder and CEO Vicente Garção said the technology could help ease “the emotional burden” that epilepsy places on families. “In this way, people can be helped and lives can be saved,” Garção told Euronews. “The fact is that many children with epilepsy sleep with their parents into adulthood. This greatly jeopardises the family’s quality of life.” The lamp was designed with a specific problem in mind: most epileptic seizures that occur during sleep go unnoticed. According to the company, around 86 percent of nocturnal seizures are missed entirely—an issue that can have serious consequences, including the risk of SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy). Lampsy uses AI to monitor movement and other signals, identifying seizures with high accuracy and significantly fewer false alarms—18 times fewer, the company claims, than other devices on the market. The lamp has also been tested in pilot programs that allow it to communicate directly with health authorities in the event of a crisis. Epilepsy is one of the world’s most common neurological conditions, affecting around 50 million people globally, according to the World Health Organization. For many families, especially those with children who suffer from frequent seizures, nighttime can be the most stressful time of day. That’s where Lampsy aims to make a difference. Instead of relying on intrusive monitoring or wearable devices, the lamp sits quietly in a bedroom, blending in with the furniture. While the lamp is equipped with a camera, users can choose to disable it—ensuring that no video footage is stored or shared externally. Garção said the approach balances innovation with privacy, which he called a top concern. “It's designed to be non-intrusive,” he said. “It doesn’t disrupt people’s lives.” Though the product isn’t yet available to the public, it’s already generating demand. The startup says more than 5,000 families are currently on the waiting list, and it has partnerships in place with hospitals in the Lisbon region that specialize in epilepsy treatment and research. Lampsy is expected to launch commercially in Europe by April 2026.
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80-Year-Old Becomes Oldest Woman To Complete An Ironman Triathlon
Natalie Grabow didn’t just cross the finish line at the Ironman World Championship—she made history as she did it. At 80 years old, the Mountain Lakes, New Jersey native became the oldest woman ever to complete the world-renowned triathlon in Kona, Hawaii. Her official finish time on Sunday, October 12, was just over 16 hours and 45 minutes. Grabow collapsed after crossing the line, overwhelmed by exhaustion or perhaps something even deeper. The stadium announcer, voice booming over the loudspeakers, shouted “Absolutely incredible!” as the crowd erupted, chanting her name. Then came the iconic words every Ironman finisher waits for: “Natalie Grabow… you are an Ironman!” The feat placed her in the record books, breaking the previous mark set by 78-year-old Cherie Gruenfeld, a 2025 Ironman Hall of Fame inductee. Grabow also became the first woman ever to compete in the 80-plus age group at the Ironman World Championship, which has been held in Kailua-Kona since 1978. “I am so happy and grateful that I can still race in this sport at my age,” she told NPR after the race. “Triathlon allows me to feel strong both mentally and physically, and it satisfies my competitive spirit.” Her coach, Michelle Lake, put it more simply: “She’s just an amazing human.” Lake described Grabow as relentless in her preparation, calling her “the definition of grit and gratitude.” She added, “Grateful to make it to the start line, grateful to get to do something she loves every day, and grateful to inspire so many others. And she's truly gritty.” Grabow came to triathlons relatively late in life. A former software engineer, she always loved running but turned to cross-training at 59 after running injuries started to pile up. To compete in Ironman events, she had to learn how to swim from scratch. “If you are motivated and willing to work hard, it's never too late to take on a new challenge,” she said. According to Triathlete, Grabow has won every race she’s entered since 2022. She took second place in her age group in Kona that year but hasn’t looked back since. Her training volume is considered high, even by elite age-group standards. “She doesn’t miss workouts,” Lake told the magazine. “Her training volume is high for her age. She loves long bike rides on the trainer, has mobility routines, and even when I suggest rest, she keeps moving.” Grabow’s success seems to be a mix of discipline and joy. When asked what advice she would give to others hoping to follow in her footsteps, she kept it simple. “Listen to your body, take time off when you need to and, most importantly, just enjoy the journey.”
Score (95)
A Century Later, a Forgotten WWI Soldier Finally Gets His Tribute in a French Village
For more than a hundred years, Private Henry Bellamy’s story had been quietly buried along with him in a small French village. This week, that changed. Bellamy, a soldier from Bedminster, Bristol, served in the North Somerset Yeomanry during World War One. He survived the brutality of the Battle of Arras in 1917, only to drown in a river shortly after his unit was moved away from the front lines. There was no battlefield glory, no mention in dispatches — just a simple grave in Nempont-Saint-Fermin, France, with little to mark who he was or how he got there. On Tuesday, that grave finally got the recognition it deserved. Thanks to the efforts of James Clements, an amateur historian from Bradley Stoke, South Gloucestershire, a plaque was unveiled in the village to commemorate Bellamy’s service. It came with a small ceremony, schoolchildren reading poems, and a crowd of around 50 people. “It was a really wonderful tribute,” said Clements. His quest began not with Bellamy, but with his own great-grandfather, Richard James Dufty, who served in the same regiment. While researching Dufty's wartime journey, Clements stumbled across Bellamy’s name and found his grave — the only UK or Commonwealth war grave in Nempont-Saint-Fermin. Initially, Clements hoped to locate Bellamy’s living relatives. But when no close family could be traced, he decided instead to document and share the soldier’s story. “I researched his journey overseas in 1915, his service with the North Somerset Yeomanry, and ultimately the circumstances of his death,” he said. That research led to a surprising connection: a letter written by Clements’ great-grandfather described Bellamy’s final moments, offering a firsthand account of a death that might otherwise have remained a mystery. What Clements didn’t know was that Bellamy’s grave had caught someone else’s attention 20 years earlier. In the early 2000s, a traveler visiting France wrote about the grave in the Bristol Evening Post. That article reached Doreen Heal, who recognised the names of Bellamy’s parents. Her great-grandmother had been Bellamy’s aunt. Heal’s niece, Chris Price, who was living in France at the time, sent a letter to the village seeking more information — but never got a reply. When Clements visited the grave in September 2023, he left a laminated copy of the diary entry from his great-grandfather on the headstone. It was later discovered by locals and handed to the town’s mayor. In an unexpected turn, the mayor found Price’s original letter in the village archive. That was the catalyst. The village decided it was time to formally honour Bellamy. A plaque was commissioned, and plans were made for a tribute more than a century in the making. At the ceremony on Tuesday, Price and Clements stood together as the plaque was unveiled. Local children read poems, and a community that had quietly held Bellamy’s memory all these years now honoured him publicly. “It’s a great feeling to know that Henry’s still being remembered more than 100 years later,” said Clements. “When I first started researching him I thought nobody had remembered him.” Now, thanks to a mix of family ties, historical curiosity, and a diary entry kept safe for more than a century, one soldier's quiet legacy has become part of something much louder.
Score (98)
Miniature Therapy Horses are Bringing Big Comfort to Manhattan Seniors
Two tiny horses made a big impression last month when they trotted into a Manhattan senior living facility, bringing calm, comfort, and a few happy tears. On October 21, Long Island-based non-profit HorseAbility visited Sunrise at East 56th on New York City’s Upper East Side with two of their miniature therapy horses: 17-year-old Pearl and 15-year-old Aiden. The visit was part of the group’s Miniature Horse Companion Therapy Visitation Program, designed to improve emotional and social well-being through interactions with horses. The pint-sized ponies arrived in a van full of hay, stepped out onto the busy Manhattan sidewalk, and calmly made their way inside the assisted living facility—where they were met with immediate smiles. “Their visit brought immense happiness and comfort to residents, many of whom fondly reminisced about their own experiences riding or spending time with horses as children,” HorseAbility said in a statement. “The experience proved especially meaningful for those coping with anxiety, depression or loneliness.” For some, the moment hit especially deep. One resident was moved to tears. Another, Joann Girsh, told PIX 11, “It just makes me feel so calm. It makes me feel better. I was just touched by this animal, and I want to cry because it gives me hope that there are good things in this world. I truly love this animal.” Photos from the day show residents petting the horses on a sunny balcony and inside the facility, with both Pearl and Aiden staying calm and composed. Their gentle presence offered a break from the routine—and a powerful emotional lift. “It’s amazing,” said Dani Green, the facility’s executive director. “It reduces anxiety, stress. We’re not just here to do Juilliard concerts every day. Pony therapy is a step above puppy therapy.” HorseAbility’s miniature horses are chosen for their calm personalities and natural gentleness. According to the organization, their mini horses share many traits with their full-size counterparts, including intelligence and an eagerness to connect with people of all ages and abilities. The group also offers a wide range of equine-assisted services, from recreational riding and education to therapeutic programs involving grooming and handling activities. But on this particular day, it was the simplest of things—a quiet visit, a soft nuzzle, a familiar scent—that sparked joy and offered reassurance to a group of New Yorkers who had seen a lot in their lives. Sometimes, the best therapy comes in a small, hoofed package.
Score (97)
No More Scraping: Scientists Are Zapping Ice Off Cars With Electricity
Scraping frost off your windshield on a freezing morning could soon be a thing of the past—thanks to a new “electric zap” technique developed by engineers at Virginia Tech. Researchers say they’ve found a smarter, greener way to defrost surfaces that doesn’t rely on heat or chemicals. The method, called electrostatic defrosting (EDF), uses electricity to exploit the frost’s own microscopic structure, dislodging it without burning energy or releasing toxins. “This concept of electric deicing is still in a very early stage,” said Professor Jonathan Boreyko, a mechanical engineer leading the project. “But we hope EDF will prove to be a cost-effective, chemical-free, and low-energy approach to deicing.” Traditional defrosting methods are either power-hungry, like electric heaters, or environmentally harmful, like chemical sprays. EDF flips that logic on its head by working with frost’s natural properties. Boreyko’s lab has been studying how ice forms and behaves at the molecular level and found a way to turn those quirks into a solution. Here’s how it works: when water freezes into frost, the molecules line up in an orderly ice lattice. But they don’t always fall perfectly into place. Some might carry an extra hydrogen atom (H₃O⁺), while others might lose one (OH⁻). These slight mismatches create what scientists call “ionic defects”—spots of positive or negative charge buried in the frost layer. Boreyko compares it to rushing a jigsaw puzzle and jamming pieces where they don’t belong. These defects, while small, can be manipulated. By hovering an electrically charged plate above the frost and applying voltage, the team discovered they could force the ionic defects to move—pulling the negatively charged parts of the frost upward toward the plate, while pushing the positively charged bits downward. This polarization creates a strong electric attraction between the frost and the plate, enough to fracture and pull off some of the frost crystals. In early trials, the technique worked even without power. A copper plate placed above the frost removed about 15% of the ice just through natural polarization. But once the team added electricity, results improved quickly. At 120 volts, they removed 40% of the frost. At 550 volts, it was 50%. “We really thought we were onto something here,” said Boreyko. But then came the surprise: when they increased the voltage further—to 1,100 volts and then 5,500 volts—frost removal actually dropped, down to just 20%. That result caught them off guard. Their models predicted better performance with more power. But the team discovered that at high voltages, the frost started leaking charge into the surface underneath—especially when that surface was conductive, like copper. When they switched to insulating surfaces, like glass, performance dipped less. And when they upgraded again to a superhydrophobic surface—one that traps air and repels water—the results soared. Using that air-trapping surface, frost removal at the highest voltage jumped to 75%, making a hidden “VT” logo on the frosted surface visibly clear after the frost lifted off. Dr. Venkata Yashasvi Lolla, who led the experiments, said the next step is to keep pushing the technology toward full 100% frost removal, and to test EDF on a wide range of materials. The team believes the method could be adapted for cars, planes, industrial equipment, and even everyday consumer goods—without the heavy energy cost or environmental footprint of traditional deicing methods. “There’s still more to refine,” said Boreyko. “We’re exploring better electrode placements and ways to reduce charge leakage. But the potential is there.” The research is published in the journal Small Methods.
Score (97)
Robotic ‘Space Trousers’ Could Help Astronauts on the Moon—and People on Earth
A team of British scientists has developed a futuristic pair of robotic trousers designed to help astronauts move more easily in space—and the technology could one day assist people with mobility issues here on Earth. The lightweight exosuit, built mostly from fabric, is the first of its kind to be integrated into a full spacesuit and tested in a simulated space environment. It uses soft robotics and artificial muscles to boost strength, reduce fatigue, and maintain natural movement—especially during physically demanding tasks like walking, climbing, or carrying gear on uneven planetary terrain. Dr. Emanuele Pulvirenti, a research associate at the University of Bristol’s Soft Robotics Lab, led the project and even hand-sewed the exosuit himself. “Fortunately, my grandmother worked as a tailor and she was able to give me some advice,” he said. The exosuit is worn under a regular spacesuit and includes air-inflatable artificial muscles built from two layers: a nylon exterior and a thermoplastic inner layer that allows airtight inflation. Anchoring parts, such as the waistband and knee straps, are reinforced with Kevlar to handle the stress and tension of movement in space. The trousers were field-tested during the ADAMA mission, a simulated lunar expedition conducted by the Austrian Space Forum and ICEE.space at the Exterres CRATER facility in Australia—the largest fake moon surface in the Southern Hemisphere. It was the first field test of a soft robotic exosuit inside a spacesuit, and part of a massive international collaboration involving 200 scientists from 25 countries. “We wanted to see how the suit affected comfort, mobility, and biomechanical performance during common surface tasks,” Dr. Pulvirenti said. Tasks included walking, climbing, and carrying loads on loose ground, mimicking conditions astronauts would face on the Moon or Mars. Beyond space applications, the research has potential medical benefits. Pulvirenti and his team are already working on a second version of the suit that can switch between two modes: assistive, which helps boost movement, and resistive, which adds tension to maintain or rebuild muscle strength. The aim is to eventually use this adaptive tech in physical rehabilitation programs for people with limited mobility. “The hope is that this technology could pave the way for future wearable robotic systems that enhance astronaut performance and reduce fatigue during extra-vehicular surface activities,” Pulvirenti said. “But it’s exciting that this technology could also potentially benefit people, too.” The team’s next goal: getting the suit aboard the International Space Station for further testing in orbit.
Score (97)
Study Reveals Dogs Cry Tears Of Joy Out Of Love For Their Owners
Science just confirmed what dog lovers have always believed: your dog really does miss you—and not just a little. A new study from Japan has found that dogs produce actual tears of joy when they see their owners after time apart. The research comes from Takefumi Kikusui, a professor at Azabu University’s Laboratory of Human-Animal Interaction and Reciprocity, who noticed his standard poodle getting misty-eyed while nursing her puppies. That moment sparked a question: Could dogs cry from emotion like humans do? Until now, scientists believed dog tears were purely functional—just a way to keep their eyes clean and healthy. But Kikusui suspected there was more to it. So he ran a study using 18 dogs, measuring their tear volume both before and after being reunited with their owners following a separation of 5 to 7 hours. Using something called the Schirmer Tear Test—a common method in both human and veterinary medicine to measure tear production—Kikusui found a noticeable increase in tears after reunions. "The baseline was about 22 mm, and the reunion with the owner increased by 10%," he told CNN. And it turns out the response was exclusive. Dogs didn’t shed the same happy tears for just anyone. Follow-up testing showed that only their owners—not familiar acquaintances—triggered the emotional reaction. The researchers then tested whether oxytocin, the so-called "love hormone," played a role. Oxytocin is what humans produce during bonding moments with loved ones, including between parents and children. When researchers administered a solution containing oxytocin into the dogs' eyes, tear production increased significantly, more so than with a neutral control solution. While the study didn’t explore whether dogs cry in response to sadness or stress, the results do suggest something remarkable: dogs may not only feel strong emotional bonds with their humans, they might also express that connection physically in a way that’s visible to us. So the next time your dog greets you at the door like it’s been a year instead of a few hours, they might actually be crying from joy. And if your sibling ever claims your dog loves them more than you, well—you’ve now got peer-reviewed science on your side.