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Headscarf Revolution: Fundraisers Bridge the Gap for Heroic Women
Four hundred UK fundraisers in headscarves joyfully crossed the Humber Bridge to support a statue honoring Hull's Headscarf Revolutionaries. These women, who championed fishing industry safety after 1968's Triple Trawler Tragedy, inspired a four-mile walk or run that doubled its entries this year. Organizer Sam Barlow of Fitmums & Friends expressed delight at the turnout for such an important cause. The event partners with Curly's Athletes and aims to raise £250,000 for the statue, ensuring these pioneering women are never forgotten.
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Meet the 7th Grader Taking the National Spanish Spelling Bee by Storm
While many kids spent their summer by the pool or glued to video games, 12-year-old Melody Hinkle had a different focus: spelling her way to a national title. The incoming seventh grader at Brewer Middle School in White Settlement, Texas, won the National Spanish Spelling Bee in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on July 12. She outlasted 34 contestants from across the United States in a marathon 24-round competition. The victory earned Melody a $4,000 prize, a trophy and an automatic spot in the 2026 National Spanish Spelling Bee, where she plans to defend her title. “We study about two hours a day, anywhere from 200 to 500 words,” Melody told CBS News Texas. This was her fourth time qualifying for nationals. After coming in second in 2024, she came back determined. “I was crying a lot. I was just really grateful I had the opportunity,” she said about her emotional win. Melody is a product of White Settlement ISD’s Dual Language Program, which begins in early grades and teaches students in both English and Spanish with the goal of full fluency. Her coach, Eva Valenzuela, the district’s dual language coordinator, has been working with her since third grade. “She analyzes a word, breaks it down. Some words she memorizes the definition, because it's important to know where the word comes from and how it's spelled,” Valenzuela said. On stage, Melody said she keeps calm by spelling deliberately. “I just try to keep a rhythm when I'm spelling the letters and go slow,” she explained. “I think I'm the slowest speller, but that's OK. I just take deep breaths so I can calm myself before I spell.” The day after her win, she took a single day off before getting back to practice. Melody plans to save her prize money for college and dreams of becoming a dual language teacher herself. Her goal, she said, is to inspire future students the same way her own teachers have inspired her.
Score (95)
Meet The Cardboard Genius Transforming Philadelphia's Fairmount Park With His Latest Masterpiece
Kambel Smith, known as "The Cardboard Genius," is making a splash at the Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse in East Fairmount Park. This local artist has gained fame for creating remarkable cardboard sculptures of famous landmarks just by looking at pictures. Now, visitors have the chance to see him in action during the Boxopolis program on Thursday. Smith's method is simple but impressive: he crafts intricate sculptures using only cardboard and his keen eye for detail. As he works on his latest project, Kambel says, "I like to be focused. And I like to be patient." This dedication to precision is evident to anyone who watches him work, whether it's neighbors passing by or art enthusiasts stopping to admire his creations. His father Lonnie recalls how Kambel's artistic talent came as a surprise; Kambel was diagnosed with autism as a child. However, once he discovered art, it became a powerful tool for expression. "Unknowingly, what he's done here, though, it's powerful," Lonnie shares. Kambel’s story has captured attention nationwide. A feature on CBS News Philadelphia garnered over a million views on social media. Celebrities like Questlove and former NFL star Terrell Owens have shown their support too. "When he hears that people are interested in his projects, it just motivates him to move faster," says Lonnie. Kambel is currently working on a replica of the Marcy Houses in Brooklyn, where rapper Jay-Z grew up. According to Lonnie, Roc Nation recently expressed interest in Kambel's work, spurring him on further. Lonnie remains a constant presence in Kambel's life, providing encouragement and creating an environment where his son can thrive. Despite the praise he receives online for this role, Lonnie remains humble about it all: "It's not a big deal," he laughs. "It's just what I do because I love him."
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Score (96)
Walk Faster, Age Slower: The Surprising 14-Step Routine to Boost Strength
Walking faster, even just a little, can make a big difference for older adults trying to stay healthy and independent, according to new research from the University of Chicago Medicine. For years, the “talk test” has been used to judge walking intensity: move at a pace where it is hard to sing but still possible to talk. It is simple but subjective, and researchers wanted a more reliable measure. Their studies focused instead on cadence, the number of steps taken per minute. Daniel Rubin, an anesthesiologist at UChicago Medicine, said his interest in cadence came from seeing how often frailty complicates surgery for older adults. “Older adults have a high risk of complications associated with surgery,” he said. “Traditionally, surgical teams have relied on physical function questionnaires to risk stratify patients, but I thought there must be a way to develop more objective metrics.” In a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial, Rubin and colleagues looked at frail or prefrail older adults who joined walking programs in their retirement communities. Participants wore a small device on their thigh that measured steps per minute. One group was encouraged to walk “as fast as safely possible,” while the other maintained their usual pace. The results were clear: people who walked about 14 steps per minute faster than their normal pace — roughly 100 steps per minute — showed big improvements in how far and how long they could walk during a standardized test. “People who haven't experienced frailty can't imagine how big a difference it makes to be able to not get tired going to the grocery store or not need to sit down while they're out,” Rubin said. To make it easier for people to track their walking cadence outside of a research setting, the team built a smartphone app called “Walk Test.” Unlike built-in phone step counters, the app uses an open-source method to analyze motion data and guide users through short walking tests for more accurate measurements. “We didn't necessarily trust smartphones' built-in analytics,” Rubin said. “Instead, we built an app that uses a novel open-source method to analyze the data measured by the phone and lets us actively engage users in brief, deliberate walking tests, ensuring accurate measurement.” Tests showed the app is just as accurate as specialized lab devices. Rubin said it was designed with ease of use in mind. “We wanted to make it as low-barrier as possible so it's easy for older adults to use without additional equipment,” he said. “The people who need the most help are usually the least well-equipped to get started.” The app is not yet publicly available, but the research suggests that even without it, people can benefit from a simple approach: find your usual walking pace in steps per minute, then try adding about 14 steps per minute to that pace. A metronome app can help keep a steady rhythm. “Even casual walking had positive effects on our study participants,” Rubin said. “But for those who are able, increasing their walking pace judiciously can yield even greater results.” The studies point to a straightforward way for older adults to improve fitness, quality of life, and independence without special equipment: just walk a little faster.
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Heartfelt Heroism: Stranger's Touch Offers Solace in a Moment of Crisis
When Nathaniel Bunn heard the crash of a car flipping over in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he didn’t hesitate. He and his family rushed to the scene, discovering an overturned vehicle with a trapped driver inside. Despite their efforts, they couldn’t open the jammed door. With rescuing her physically impossible at that moment, Bunn decided to do what he could: offer comfort. He crouched beside the wreckage and reached in to hold the woman’s hand. Though she remained silent, her grip was strong. Bunn assured her that help was on its way, staying by her side until first responders arrived. The incident drew attention not just for its dramatic nature but because of how it played out in real time and online. Many bystanders recorded the scene instead of assisting. This frustrated Bunn. "I was feeling kind of in despair," he shared with KLTV, expressing his dismay about people opting to film rather than lend a hand. After the ordeal, Bunn called the hospital to learn about the woman’s condition. Though he didn’t know her name, hospital staff informed him that no one from that crash was critically injured—a relief for him. Reflecting on what happened, Bunn hopes others might take a lesson from his actions that day. "Everybody should, maybe, learn from this if it’s possible," he advised. "If you see somebody in this situation where you can help, try to help them." For Nathaniel Bunn, being there for someone when they needed it most mattered more than anything else that day.
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This Rowing Team Is Aiming to Raise an Epic $78 Million Record for MND with a Transatlantic Adventure
Four rowers have set off on an ambitious four-year expedition they hope will end with a world record and 57 million pounds raised for motor neuron disease (MND) research. Aaron Kneebone, Liz Wardley, Mike Bates and Matt Parker launched their first leg on July 25, rowing from Land’s End to John O’Groats. The team plans to row Britain’s length and back again by 2026, row from California to Hawaii in 2027, and in 2028 attempt their final challenge: New York to London. The campaign, called ROW4MND, is raising money in memory of rugby greats Rob Burrow and Doddie Weir, who both died from MND. The total target of 57 million pounds matches their rugby shirt numbers, 5 and 7. “Today’s launch is the start of something far bigger than a rowing expedition,” said Bates, a former Royal Marine commando and co-founder of the effort. “I co-founded ROW4MND to take real action for Rob, for Doddie, and for the thousands of people and their families who need a breakthrough. We’ll carry their stories with us every mile of the way.” The illness affects the brain and spinal cord, weakening muscles and eventually impacting walking, eating and breathing. There is currently no cure. Over the next 21 days the crew will row along Britain’s western coast, stopping in communities to meet families living with MND and raise awareness. Matt Parker, CEO of Babble and also a co-founder of the campaign, said, “This is a show of strength and solidarity for the MND community and for everyone who refuses to give up hope. This is just the beginning of a four-year journey, and we’re ready to give it everything we’ve got, every step of the way.” The final transatlantic route from New York to London would be a first. The rowers say their team has the skill to complete it: Wardley is an experienced adventure sailor, and Kneebone is a rowing coach and fellow Royal Marine veteran. Kevin Sinfield, the former England rugby league captain who supported Burrow throughout his illness, praised the crew. “What Matt, Mike and the ROW4MND crew are doing is nothing short of extraordinary,” he said. “It’s a powerful show of commitment, not just to raising funds, but to carrying the legacy of two incredible men who, before and after their fight with MND. Every stroke they row sends a message that the MND community is not alone and I’m proud to support them.” Money raised will be divided among the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Leeds Hospitals Charity to fund research and support for those affected by the disease. Jason Fox, a former Marine Commando and ambassador for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, said, “This challenge is likely to push the crew to their limits, but we all have the resilience within ourselves to keep going when things get tough. I wish them the best of luck with this first row and will be following their progress as they raise vital funds for MND research.”
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Man With Rare Blood Type Hits 100th Life-Saving Donation Milestone
Robert Boocock, a 61-year-old from England has achieved an impressive milestone by making his 100th blood donation this year. For four decades, Robert has been donating his rare B-negative blood type after being inspired by his uncle, who was also committed to the cause. B-negative is not a common blood type, with fewer than 20,000 donors in England. The NHS Blood and Transplant service reports a concerning trend of losing almost 1,000 B-negative donors over the past year—about 5 percent of the total donor base. This decline highlights the need for more people to step forward. Robert's journey into blood donation began at age 21 while working for his uncle. He learned that his aunt needed over 20 units of blood following an operation that went wrong. "That got me thinking," Robert recalled. "That's 20 people that can only donate once every few months. I thought, I've got spare in my body, so why don't I volunteer?" His commitment grew even stronger when he discovered that his blood was suitable for newborns. Newborns require transfusions from donors whose blood lacks cytomegalovirus (CMV), a mild virus most people catch early in life. Knowing that some of his donations go directly to neonatal wards gives him a sense of purpose: "That's quite a nice thought that it's going straight to a little baby perhaps that doesn't know they need it," he said. The NHS is calling for younger donors to fill the gap left by those who can no longer donate. Up to 200,000 new donors are needed each year to replace those who stop giving for various reasons. Robert compares donating blood to maintaining a bank account. "Unless you put some in," he said, "how could you rely on there being some there when you may need it?" His uncle stopped donating after reaching 73 donations due to health issues. This motivated Robert even further; he aims to continue as long as possible. "I thought, I'm not going to stop now," Robert said about surpassing his uncle’s record. "Let's see how many I can keep going with until I no longer can."
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AI is Helping Scientists Uncover Secret Lives of Baby Owls
Researchers have found a non-intrusive way to count baby barn owls using artificial intelligence and sound. This innovation allows them to monitor the birds without disturbing their nests. Kavisha Jayathunge, a PhD student at Bournemouth University, is leading the project by mapping individual owl calls and employing AI to distinguish between them, effectively counting the owls in an area. Jayathunge has successfully tested this technology, which also provides insights into assessing how hungry the owls are. “We're using AI to count baby barn owls by sound instead of disturbing them in their nests with video cameras,” he explained. This approach reduces stress on the birds and offers data from natural nest sites that are usually hard to reach for monitoring. The AI model can identify individual owl calls based on slight differences in frequencies that human ears can't detect. While still in its early stages, testing in North Dorset has shown promising results. According to Brian Cresswell, a biologist turned electronics engineer collaborating with Jayathunge, "This basic data is important for monitoring breeding success of barn owls." He added that understanding owl behavior and their hissing sounds could help determine which chicks get fed first and possibly gauge their hunger levels. In the long term, the project aims to develop technology enabling volunteers and conservationists to use audio recorders in nature to capture owl sounds without disturbing them. Barn owls hiss loudly, allowing recorders to be placed away from nests. Jayathunge believes this could greatly benefit citizen science efforts: “It has great potential for citizen science as it doesn’t require expensive and specialist equipment—anyone could gather recordings and send them for analysis.” By making barn owl monitoring scalable and less invasive, researchers hope this project will contribute positively to the species' future outcomes.
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Hero Pup Saves Trainer's Life: How Watson the Cocker Spaniel Became an Unexpected Lifesaver
Watson, a 15-month-old cocker spaniel still in training, has been credited with saving his trainer’s life after she suffered a heart attack at home in Southampton. Jeannette Godsell, 58, a volunteer with the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, said she began to feel unwell after returning from a session with Watson at Totton railway station, where he had been practicing how to settle on a train. “I was sitting on the sofa feeling unwell,” she said. “Watson is usually a really chilled dog, so I couldn't understand why he wouldn't stop nudging me.” The nudging was no accident. Dogs in the programme are trained to do this when they sense something is wrong. When she tried to go upstairs to rest, Watson stood in her way. “He blocked the stairs by standing in front of them. In the end, I gave up and sat back down on the sofa,” she said. Watson then ran into the garden and started barking. “It got my neighbour, Sue's, attention,” Godsell said. “Sue knew that Watson didn't usually bark, so came round to investigate. She told me I didn't look well and, despite me protesting that it was just indigestion, she called an ambulance.” Paramedics confirmed Godsell was having a heart attack. She was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery to have a stent fitted. “The doctors told me that there is a golden hour when you have a heart attack and that, if I had got to hospital half an hour later, there could've been a very different outcome,” she said. “It's terrifying to think what would've happened if Watson hadn't stopped me from going upstairs, where I would've been alone.” Godsell stated: "He'll always have a piece of my heart—the heart he helped protect."
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A $50 Million Study is Revealing the Surprising Lifestyle Tweaks to Keep Your Brain Young
Scientists have found compelling evidence that lifestyle changes in diet, exercise and brain training can boost memory and thinking skills in older adults. The POINTER study, involving over 2,100 sedentary Americans aged 60 to 79, showed that participants who engaged in an intensive two-year program saw significant cognitive improvements. Participants in the structured program engaged in aerobic exercise four times a week, followed a Mediterranean diet, participated in online cognitive training, took part in social activities, and monitored their blood pressure and blood sugar. Those who made these lifestyle changes scored higher on memory and cognition tests than those who developed their own plans for healthier living. Laura Baker from Wake Forest University School of Medicine noted that the scores of those involved were equivalent to people one to two years younger. "These people are obtaining cognitive function scores that are similar to people like them who are one to two years younger than they are," she said. Jessica Langbaum from the Banner Alzheimer's Institute emphasized the significance of these findings, stating that it demonstrates how we can alter people's cognitive trajectories over time. The research was presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Toronto and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. It aligns with earlier studies, including one conducted in Finland with a less diverse population. Prior research has also suggested that single interventions like exercise might delay brain aging. The Alzheimer’s Association invested nearly $50 million into this study. Additional support came from the National Institutes of Health for brain scans and other tests aimed at providing further insights into how these lifestyle changes affect brain health. Though focused on normal aging rather than Alzheimer’s disease specifically, researchers believe such interventions could delay dementia onset. Heather Snyder from the Alzheimer's Association mentioned plans to invest another $40 million over four years to implement these findings more broadly across communities. She highlighted the importance of understanding what motivates individuals—be it digital tools or advice from healthcare providers—to adopt such beneficial lifestyle changes. Langbaum underscored the role healthcare providers could play by treating lifestyle interventions as prescriptions similar to medications. "Doctors should be treating lifestyle interventions as they would a drug," she said, advocating for insurance coverage for such regimens. While further studies analyzing brain scans and blood tests are expected later this year, Langbaum advises everyone—even those already leading healthy lifestyles—to consider trying new mental challenges or physical activities. She emphasized socializing's benefits for maintaining a youthful brain: "If you already do the Sunday crossword puzzle and it's not challenging, pick up something new...and if you can do it around people, that's even better.
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Weekend Warriors Rejoice: New Study Reveals Surprising Health Boost for Diabetics
Exercise is great for your health; that's no secret. But what if you can only squeeze in a workout on the weekend? A new study suggests that even so-called "weekend warriors" get significant benefits, especially those with diabetes. A team of researchers from the US, China, and Australia focused on people with diabetes, who can see particular benefits from exercise like reduced insulin resistance. They understand how tough it can be to fit regular workouts into a hectic schedule. "Many people struggle to engage in regular physical activity throughout the week due to time constraints," they note in their published findings. To explore this further, they looked at 51,650 adults with diabetes and divided them into four groups: those doing no moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), those exercising less than 150 minutes per week, those hitting 150 minutes in three or more sessions weekly, and the weekend warriors achieving 150 minutes in just one or two sessions. The results were promising for all who exercised but particularly striking for weekend warriors. Those who spread their exercise across three or more sessions had a 17 percent lower risk of death during the study period and a 19 percent lower risk from cardiovascular issues. Weekend warriors saw even better outcomes with a 21 percent reduction in overall mortality risk and a whopping 33 percent drop in cardiovascular-related mortality risk. Even participants who didn't reach the full 150 minutes still experienced lower all-cause mortality compared to non-exercisers. The team emphasizes that any physical activity is beneficial for individuals with diabetes. While the study doesn't identify cause-and-effect relationships—it relies on self-reported data and focuses solely on people with diabetes—it aligns with previous research showing that any exercise is advantageous. Most past studies suggest that as long as you're meeting recommended targets, whether you cram it into weekends or spread it out across the week, you'll reap similar health benefits. This news is heartening for anyone struggling to find time for weekday gym visits. Researchers also highlight that previous studies involving general populations indicate similar mortality benefits for weekend warriors as for consistently active individuals. Still, these estimates may vary based on different population characteristics. This latest research provides yet another reason not to skip your weekend workout if that's when you can fit it in. The study appears in the Annals of Internal Medicine.