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Score (98)
Cruise Travel Expected to Make a Wave This Year with Record Numbers
Cruise travel is booming with 19 million Americans setting sail this year, a 4.5% increase from last year, according to AAA. The industry has bounced back impressively post-pandemic, surpassing pre-2020 levels by 34%. Travelers are opting for budget-friendly older ships and warm Caribbean destinations, with Florida as a key hub. Shorter trips are gaining popularity too. Experts suggest if you want a smooth trip, plan activities early and arrive at ports ahead of time!
Score (98)
Thousands Of Smurfs Just Set a World Record In a French Town Gathering
Landerneau, a quaint town in western France, has painted itself into the record books with a splash of blue. More than 3,000 people gathered to set a new world record for the largest assembly of Smurf lookalikes. The town of 16,000 residents in Brittany had twice tried to outdo Lauchringen, Germany, which held the previous record with 2,762 Smurfs in 2019. Landerneau finally succeeded as 3,076 participants donned blue outfits and white hats while singing familiar "smurfy songs." The Smurfs—created by Belgian cartoonist Peyo in 1958—are tiny forest-dwelling characters beloved worldwide. They have inspired films, TV series, video games and more. Simone Pronost, an enthusiastic participant at age 82 dressed as Smurfette said: “A friend encouraged me to join and I thought: ‘Why not?’” Meanwhile, Albane Delariviere traveled over 200 kilometers from Rennes to be part of the fun. “We thought it was a cool idea to help Landerneau out,” she shared. Mayor Patrick Leclerc joined in full Smurf attire and noted that the event “brings people together and gives them something else to think about than the times we’re living in.” Pascal Soun, who led the organizing association behind this gathering, added that it allowed people “to have fun and enter an imaginary world for a few hours.”
Score (97)
From Paralysis to Pedals: How She Shattered a Cycling World Record Against All Odds
Sarah Ruggins, a determined cyclist from England, has achieved an extraordinary feat by breaking the world record for cycling the length of the UK and back. Diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome as a teenager, Ruggins lost her ability to walk and move her hands without support. Yet, she defied the odds by cycling 1,677 miles from John O'Groats in Scotland to Land's End in England and back in just five days, 11 hours, and 14 minutes. "This ride was a celebration of life," Ruggins said. "It was a gift to myself and hopefully a gift to others who need motivation." Ruggins shattered the previous men's record held by James MacDonald since 2017 by six hours and 43 minutes. She also surpassed Louise Harris's women's record set earlier this year by four days, 17 hours, and 40 minutes. "It's taught me to believe in myself," she said. "Women have a place in the upper echelons of sports—not just as women but across all genders." Originally from Montreal, Canada, Ruggins moved to the UK ten years ago. As a promising track athlete with Olympic dreams at age 16, her aspirations were halted by her diagnosis. After years of rehabilitation, she turned to cycling when running proved too challenging. Covering about 310 miles daily on minimal sleep during her journey, Ruggins aimed not only for personal achievement but also to inspire others facing unexpected life changes. "I really wanted to make an impact," she said. Her efforts raised over £17,600 for The Bike Project and Bikes for Refugees.
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Score (98)
Teeing Up Success: Why Black Students in Detroit are Diving Into Golf
Shaun Horne, a high school junior with a passion for Detroit's professional sports teams, has chosen an unconventional path among his peers: golf. "I only play golf," Horne said after practicing on a simulator at a gym in Detroit's west side. Horne is part of a small group of Black high school students in Detroit embracing the sport. With only about 50 out of more than 14,000 students participating in school golf teams, local coaches and community groups are working to change that narrative. Jesse Hawkins, who coaches Horne’s team at Renaissance High School, emphasized the need to introduce Black youth to golf. "When you go into schools, you often hear about basketball and football," Hawkins said. "Golf is not as propagated for our community." Efforts to increase participation include partnerships with major businesses and nonprofits offering programs that teach kids how to play. The Rocket Classic has directed nearly $10 million from its annual PGA event in Detroit toward local charities, including $800,000 for youth golf programs. Carl Bentley, CEO of First Tee of Greater Detroit, highlighted the broader impact of these initiatives. “Golf is why we get them there,” Bentley said. “But while we have them there, we’re teaching them life skills.” Despite growing interest nationally among minority groups in golf, 25 percent of players were Black, Asian or Hispanic in 2024. Hawkins noted that many Black high schoolers remain disconnected from the sport. Economic barriers also pose challenges; median income in Detroit was about $39,500 compared to $69,100 statewide in 2023. Trina Scott from Rocket Companies stressed accessibility as key: “How do we attract Black and brown youth? By making it accessible and eliminating barriers.”
Score (96)
This 10-Year-Old DJ is Rocking Festivals in the UK and Ibiza
At just 10 years old, Eden, known by her stage name DJ Steady, is gearing up to spin tracks at music festivals across the UK and Ibiza. Hailing from Milton Keynes, Eden's journey began when her father gifted her a set of decks at age eight. Within weeks, she was hosting a show at her ninth birthday party and soon became a finalist in Mix Master, a competition typically reserved for adult DJs. "Most of my friends like pop music and dance but I like jungle, drum and bass and afrohouse," Eden said. "I like fast music rather than music with loads of lyrics." Eden has already played numerous gigs at venues such as the Unit Nine club in Milton Keynes. Despite some pre-show jitters, she finds joy on stage. "Before I go on, I'm a little bit nervous," she admitted. "When I'm up there I can't help but smile but sometimes I don't smile because I'm concentrating." This weekend marks another milestone as she performs at her first festival, In It Together in Wales. She hopes to meet singer Becky Hill backstage. Her mother Maria shared insights into Eden's passion: "I've been very much into clubbing festivals myself, so that's what she's grown up with." Maria added that Eden aims to inspire other young people: "She really wants to make sure kids that come to family events know it's possible no matter how old you are to follow your dreams." With plans for more international gigs after Ibiza, DJ Steady is proving that age is no barrier in the world of music.
Score (96)
NASA Honors Late Scientist With First Named Geomagnetic Storm
A dazzling geomagnetic storm in May 2024, known as Storm Gannon, lit up skies from Canada to the Netherlands and marked a poignant tribute to Dr. Jennifer Lea Gannon, a revered space weather scientist who passed away earlier that month. "Jenn was an outstanding role model, colleague, and scientist who excelled in creating a sense of community across the domains of space science," her colleagues wrote in Space Weather journal. "She will be sorely missed by many." Dr. Gannon died suddenly on May 2 at age 45 in Greenbelt, Maryland. As an editor at Space Weather since April 2019, she guided over 200 manuscripts and published numerous editorials. Her expertise spanned geomagnetically induced currents and radiation-belt electron dynamics. "This awe-inspiring event is nature's way of rejoicing in the life of Dr. Jennifer Lea Gannon," NASA heliophysicist Madhulika Guhathakurta wrote online. The storm reached Kp9 on the space weather scale—the strongest level since 2003—prompting its naming after Dr. Gannon. While most geomagnetic storms go unnamed due to their lesser impact, this one stood out for its intensity and reach. Geomagnetic storms occur when solar eruptions send charged particles toward Earth, creating auroras visible even at lower latitudes during powerful events like Storm Gannon. "The world lost Jenn on May 2, 2024, and a week later the skies lit up with a breathtaking display of auroras," Guhathakurta noted. The storm captivated both scientists and the public with vivid displays shared widely on social media. Its name quickly entered scientific literature and was mentioned by the White House while discussing space weather strategy. "Jenn was a brilliant scientist... her mentorship inspired countless young scientists," added Guhathakurta.
Score (97)
A Decade, 120 Scientists, and One Big Discovery About How Your Cells Work
A decade-long international collaboration has unveiled a comprehensive blueprint of chemical transport pathways in human cells, marking a significant milestone in biomedical research. Spearheaded by Giulio Superti-Furga at CeMM, the Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, and backed by an international consortium under the European Union's Innovative Medicines Initiative, this project culminated in four groundbreaking studies published in *Molecular Systems Biology*. The research focused on solute carriers (SLCs), the largest family of transporter proteins essential for cellular exchange processes. These proteins play a crucial role in absorbing nutrients and expelling waste, yet many remain poorly understood. The project more than doubled existing knowledge about these transporters, offering new insights into their functions and potential therapeutic applications. "This effort represents an unprecedented push towards understanding a target class heavily involved in human disease," said Giulio Superti-Furga, Scientific Director of CeMM and Coordinator of the RESOLUTE consortium. "We hope to have lowered the barrier for transporter research." The initiative brought together 120 researchers from 13 institutions across eight countries. After five years of laboratory work and additional data integration efforts led by CeMM, the team produced transformative findings that illuminate chemical traffic within cells. Key outcomes include metabolic mapping of SLC genes, mapping protein-protein interactions for nearly 400 SLCs, identifying synthetic lethal interactions through genetic experiments, and creating an integrative functional landscape accessible via https://re-solute.eu. Ulrich Goldmann highlighted the project's impact: "We were able to annotate most solute carriers with functional information and create tools that serve the global research community."
Score (96)
Engineers Just Uncovered a Battery Breakthrough for Everyday Electronics
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have uncovered a fascinating phenomenon within fast-working batteries: a protective layer that appears only during rapid discharge. This transient solid-electrolyte interphase, or T-SEI, forms briefly and then vanishes, potentially revolutionizing electric vehicles and clean energy sources like wind and solar. Typically, batteries develop a permanent film known as solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) on metal components. While this film shields the battery from unwanted chemical reactions, its buildup over time can lead to damage, causing faster drainage and eventual failure. The newly discovered temporary film offers similar protection without long-term harm. T-SEI emerges only when needed, such as during rapid acceleration in an electric vehicle, and disappears once its job is done, leaving the battery's surface smooth. "The battery discharge process has largely been overlooked," said Kent Zheng, a researcher who joined the UT team in 2023. "By controlling this transient interphase, we can design batteries that perform better under high-demand conditions, last longer, and are less prone to failure," added Stephen T. Fuller, the study's lead author. This discovery could transform how devices and energy grids are powered. The T-SEI layer reduced surface roughness by 42 percent, significantly enhancing battery longevity and efficiency. This improvement could mean fewer replacements for devices, reducing e-waste and lowering demand for raw materials used in production. Better batteries could also cut maintenance costs and energy waste for businesses and cities relying on large-scale storage solutions. Combined with other advancements in battery technology, highly efficient systems may soon be available for clean energy applications. UT researchers plan further tests on various battery types to explore T-SEI's potential fully.
Score (90)
Meet Evie: Peppa Pig's Adorable New Baby Sister
Peppa Pig fans have something new to squeal about. The beloved British children's show announced Tuesday that Peppa Pig will soon welcome a baby sister, Evie Pig, to the family. The news was revealed on "Good Morning Britain," complete with playful images of the Pig family at London's St Mary’s Hospital's Lindo Wing, famously known for hosting royal births like those of Kate Middleton's children. In true regal fashion, a video on the official "Peppa Pig" Instagram account featured a town crier outside the hospital. Ringing a gold bell and holding a pink scroll, he proclaimed, "Lend me your ears, for news of the birth of a daughter to Mummy and Daddy Pig. Peppa and George have a baby sister and her name is Evie." He concluded with an enthusiastic "Long live Evie Pig!" This announcement follows February's buzz when it was revealed that Mummy Pig was expecting her third child—a first in the show's 20-year history. Hasbro, the production company behind Peppa Pig, confirmed that Evie will make her debut in "Peppa Meets the Baby Cinema Experience," set to hit U.S. theaters on May 30. With ten seasons broadcast across more than 180 territories worldwide, Peppa Pig has become an international sensation despite competition from other high-quality children's shows. The series made headlines last year by introducing its first same-sex couple—two lesbian polar bears—sparking both praise and criticism. As anticipation builds for Evie's arrival on screen, parents might find their little ones adopting more British accents thanks to this charming piglet family.
Score (98)
The World's First Bladder Transplant is Giving This Cancer Survivor a New Hope
In a groundbreaking medical achievement, U.S. surgeons have successfully performed the world's first human bladder transplant. The complex eight-hour procedure took place on May 4, 2025, involving the transplantation of a kidney and bladder from an organ donor into a patient who had lost these organs to kidney disease and cancer. "The kidney immediately made a large volume of urine, and the patient's kidney function improved immediately," said Dr. Nima Nassiri, a urologist at the University of California, Los Angeles. "There was no need for any dialysis after surgery, and the urine drained properly into the new bladder." The patient regained normal urination shortly after surgery—a milestone he hadn't achieved in seven years. "This surgery is a historic moment in medicine," said Dr. Inderbir Gill from the University of Southern California. "It stands to impact how we manage carefully selected patients with highly symptomatic 'terminal' bladders that are no longer functioning." Previously, patients with severely impaired bladders had limited options, often resorting to using part of their intestines as a substitute—a method fraught with complications in 80% of cases. Bladder transplants have been notoriously difficult due to the organ's complex blood vessel system deep within the abdomen. The medical team spent over four years preparing for this surgery by practicing robot-aided transplants on deceased donors still on ventilators. The recipient, Oscar Larrainzar, 41, had been dependent on dialysis for seven years after losing his kidneys and most of his bladder. Surgeons simplified the procedure by connecting some veins and arteries before implanting the donor organ. "Despite the complexity of the case, everything went according to plan," Gill noted. "The patient is doing well." Four more surgeries are planned as part of an ongoing clinical trial. If successful, larger trials may follow.
Score (98)
Every Student from This Black High School Was Accepted into College Again
Southland College Prep Charter High School in Richton Park, Illinois, celebrated a remarkable milestone as the entire Class of 2025 secured college acceptances and amassed over $50 million in scholarships. The annual “All In” celebration on May 9 highlighted the achievements of the 145-member class. In a surprise announcement, four seniors received scholarships from the Kwarteng Family Foundation. The foundation was established by sisters Sandra, Lisa, Amy, and Esther Kwarteng to honor their father, Alex. The sisters are all pursuing careers in healthcare and awarded $10,000 in scholarships to graduates of their alma mater. “Our family is a living example,” said Sandra Kwarteng. “You can do it.” The scholarship recipients include Kehinde Sowemimo (Yale University), Itohan Salami (Washington University), Dhayra Gomez (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), and Terri Mensah (Carleton College). Sowemimo also serves as Southland’s Class of 2025 valedictorian. Dr. Alex Kwarteng encouraged students to “give back” during an emotional speech at the ceremony. In addition to these honors, three Southland seniors were accepted into five Ivy League schools: Brown University, Cornell University, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University. Ten seniors received full-ride scholarships to California Polytechnic State University—San Luis Obispo through a growing partnership with the school. Forty percent of Southland’s Class of 2025 were offered full-ride scholarships by colleges and universities nationwide. Two students earned more than $750,000 in scholarships through the QuestBridge National College Match Program. “Admissions to top schools are important,” said Robert Lane, Director of College Admissions. “But equally important is that every student finds a school that is right for them.”