Cat's Incredible Reunion With Owner 2 Months After LA Wildfires

In a heartwarming twist, Aggie the house cat has miraculously returned to her owner after being missing for two months following the LA wildfires. Despite fears that she was lost forever, Aggie was found and reunited with her 82-year-old owner, Katherine Kiefer. The emotional reunion was captured in a TikTok video that quickly went viral. Aggie is now receiving medical care after being found in poor condition but is expected to make a full recovery. The family's GoFundMe campaign for Aggie's vet bills has received overwhelming support from social media users touched by their story.

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Mum And Twins Graduate Together From Same University

A mother and her twin daughters from Cambridge have graduated on the same day, from the same university, after studying side by side while holding down full-time jobs. Sarah Chappell and her daughters Megan and Abbey Douglas-Chappell, both 23, all received their degrees from the Open University in Milton Keynes, marking a milestone they reached as a family. “It was amazing to graduate with my girls,” said Chappell. “We have come so far, and I am so proud of all they have achieved at such a young age.” Chappell, a senior project manager at a biotechnology organisation, completed a Master of Science in systems thinking in practice—a subject she says she uses every day in her role. She praised the flexibility of the Open University model, which allowed her family to continue working, stay at home, and pursue their education without the steep costs associated with traditional universities. “With the rising costs of brick universities this gave both my girls a chance to stay at home, work and complete their studies,” she said. “They have significantly less debt than many of their peers.” Megan earned a first-class degree in environmental studies while working in business continuity at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust. She’s now working as a business support assistant for a sustainable urban planning firm. She credited their weekly family study sessions as a key part of their success. “We pushed each other through tough days so it never felt lonely with the long days and nights at the books,” Megan said. Her twin, Abbey, completed a law degree and has been accepted onto a postgraduate solicitor apprenticeship at Mills & Reeve in Cambridge, where she already works as a paralegal. Abbey initially left home to attend a traditional university, but said the Covid-19 pandemic made the experience isolating. “Coming home to study at the Open University provided me with an opportunity to study flexibly whilst gaining work experience in a legal environment,” she said. “It helped me prepare to balance study and a career.” Together, the trio proved that with enough motivation—and a strong support system—it’s possible to juggle jobs, degrees, and daily life, all under the same roof.

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Can We Rewrite the Past? A Neuroscientist on Memory, Healing, and Altering What We Remember

For nearly a century, scientists have known that memory isn't fixed. It's fluid, fragile, and deeply shaped by how we feel in the present. Every time we recall an event, we’re not just retrieving a record of what happened—we’re reconstructing it, with all the imperfections and influence of the moment. This flexibility in memory has fueled both fear and fascination. It’s at the root of false confessions, moral panics, and wrongful convictions. But what if it could also be a tool for healing? That’s the question driving neuroscientist Steve Ramirez, whose new book, How to Change a Memory, explores the fast-evolving science of memory manipulation and the deeply personal story behind it. Speaking with Gizmodo, Ramirez reflected on his journey—both scientific and emotional—and why he believes this emerging field could one day offer powerful ways to treat trauma, depression, and other conditions tied to memory. A science memoir born of memory and loss Ramirez didn’t originally plan to write a deeply personal book. But as the writing process unfolded, he found that the only honest way to tell the story of memory science was to include his own. “I’m both a person and a scientist,” he said. “Usually, the world only sees the outcomes—papers, discoveries. But I wanted to show the human element, the messy and meaningful parts of doing science.” At the heart of the book is his friendship with Xu Liu, his mentor and research partner at MIT, who died unexpectedly at just 37. Their early collaboration helped pioneer the field of memory manipulation—and the book became, in part, a tribute to that shared work and friendship. From lab mice to real-world impact In 2012, Ramirez and Liu made headlines when they showed they could implant a false memory in the brain of a mouse using light to activate specific brain cells. At the time, it was a scientific breakthrough that seemed straight out of science fiction. Today, it’s the foundation of a thriving research field with serious clinical potential. “What started as one paper has exploded,” Ramirez said. “There’s now a whole generation of scientists exploring how to alter, activate, and even restore memories.” In the past decade, researchers have successfully reactivated lost memories in models of amnesia, Alzheimer’s, and addiction. They’ve even been able to enhance the recall of positive memories in models of depression and anxiety. “We’re not ‘Inception-ing’ people yet,” he said, “but this is our moment to talk openly about what’s coming—and how to use it ethically.” The ethics of editing memory As with any powerful technology, the idea of manipulating memories raises immediate concerns. Could it be abused? What happens when we start choosing what to remember—or forget? For Ramirez, the answer lies in keeping the conversation broad, open, and grounded in medical need. “Everyone has a stake in this. Everyone has memory,” he said. “We need to be transparent—scientists, the public, ethicists, everyone. And we need to define a clear purpose: human health.” He compares the future use of memory intervention to current medical treatments like antidepressants. “We wouldn’t give Prozac to the entire population of Boston,” he said. “But for someone suffering from debilitating depression, this kind of tool could be life-changing.” The aim, he insists, is not to erase mildly painful memories or fine-tune life experiences, but to offer real relief to people living with trauma, PTSD, and other severe conditions. A fragile mind, a hopeful outlook What’s surprising is how optimistic Ramirez remains about memory—even after a career studying its flaws. “I’ve seen what memory can do—the highs, the lows, the way it can transport us back or push us forward,” he said. “That’s powerful. That’s awe-inspiring.” He believes memory isn’t just a record of our past, but a tool for connection, empathy, and healing. “Think about any recovery group,” he said. “What brings people together is memory—shared stories of pain, of progress. That’s where connection happens. And I think we all have at least one memory that could connect us to anyone else in the world.” A final memory, and a message Ultimately, Ramirez hopes readers come away with a deeper appreciation of memory’s complexity—and its beauty. “Memory is the language we use to tell the story of our life,” he said. “And one day, we all become memory.” In honoring his friend Xu Liu through the book, Ramirez shows how memory can also be a form of tribute. “That’s how I came to terms with grief,” he said. “By using memory to honour a life that mattered.” His hope? That readers don’t just learn something about the brain, but feel something, too. “Maybe they’ll connect with some of the memories I’ve shared,” he said. “Maybe they’ll see a little bit of themselves in it. And maybe that’s how real understanding begins.”

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White Rhino Calf Born At Cotswold Wildlife Park Thrills Visitors And Boosts Conservation Efforts

A rare white rhinoceros calf has been born at the Cotswold Wildlife Park in England, marking a celebrated moment for rhino conservation in Europe. The male calf, named Markus, is one of only five white rhinos born across the continent this year. His arrival is being seen as a major win for conservation breeding programmes, which aim to bolster populations of a species increasingly under threat in the wild. Even more unusually, Markus’s birth was captured on camera by a park keeper—an extraordinary event, since rhinos typically give birth at night or in secluded areas. His mother, Nancy, carried him for 16 months, one of the longest gestation periods of any land mammal. A spokesperson for the park described her as “exceptional,” noting this is her seventh calf and that the two are bonding well. Markus was named in memory of the late Markus Borner, a key figure in African wildlife conservation who played a central role in restoring Tanzania’s black rhino population. While white rhinos are the most numerous of the five rhino species, they remain under intense threat from poaching. The birth offers a moment of hope in what conservationists say continues to be a precarious battle to protect the species from extinction.

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Dubai Students Design Innovative Chair To Aid Neurodivergent Classmates In Staying Focused

A group of high school students in Dubai has created a custom-designed chair to help children with ADHD and sensory processing issues stay focused in the classroom—earning praise from educators and neurodiversity specialists alike. The “CareChair,” designed by four final-year IB students at Gems Wellington International School, features an extended base for flexible seating, built-in fidget toys, and tactile elements made entirely from recycled materials. The chair took two years to develop and is already being trialled by pupils with autism and ADHD at the school. Seventeen-year-olds Yuvaan Sawlani, Ayaan Mohammed, Moulik Savla and Atharva Mehra began the project after volunteering at a sports event for students with additional learning needs. That experience sparked an idea that would grow into a full-scale design and engineering project. “I remembered a friend I had in Year 4 who used fidget toys and soft cushions to stay focused,” said Ayaan, who led the design process. “That’s the main premise on which we built the product we have today.” Unlike traditional classroom furniture, which often takes a one-size-fits-all approach, the CareChair is built with neurodivergent students in mind. Sensory tools are embedded in the chair itself—meaning they can’t be lost, forgotten, or borrowed by other students, which is a common issue in inclusive classrooms. “Many people see fidgeting or movement as a distraction,” said Yuvaan. “But research has shown these behaviours can enhance focus when supported correctly. We want to challenge that perception and design something that recognises movement and sensory engagement as positive learning tools.” The school’s inclusion team has already seen results. One student diagnosed with ADHD and autism showed improved focus and emotional regulation after using the CareChair, particularly during less structured lessons, they said. Each member of the team brought their own strengths to the project. Yuvaan handled budgeting and business planning to keep the chair affordable. Ayaan led the design, creating hundreds of sketches to balance function with comfort. Moulik built 3D models and refined the engineering, while Atharva, who has ADHD himself, used his lived experience to fine-tune the chair’s materials and surfaces. “One version had a rougher surface that felt a bit pokey,” Atharva said. “I knew that could be a trigger for some kids. So we changed it to a smoother laminated veneer. Things like that came from personal experience.” Neurodiversity specialist Victoria McKeown called the chair a smart, practical solution. “It’s a really good idea for a whole number of reasons,” she said. “Having fidget tools built into the chair removes a lot of the distractions and disruptions that come from sharing or losing them.” The students were also committed to sustainability. Early prototypes included keyboard membranes and buttons from old devices—an idea sparked by a recycling competition organised by the Council of British International Schools. Even as the chair evolved, the use of recycled materials stayed central to the design. Navin Valrani, CEO of Arcadia Education and the team’s mentor, called the project “heartwarming” and said it has the potential to help schools globally. “The CareChair should appear in schools across the globe,” he said. All four students are planning to attend university abroad next year but say they will continue developing the CareChair between terms, with ongoing support from the school’s inclusion department. For Atharva, the real reward has come from watching classmates benefit. “Hearing from them that it helps them focus or feel more confident is the best feeling ever,” he said. “It’s really taught us that innovation doesn’t always have to come from big companies. Sometimes the best solutions come from a school project.”

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Teen Innovator Honored For Creating Safety Whistles To Aid Stranded Mountaineers

A 14-year-old boy from South Shields has been recognised with a national award for creating and selling 3D-printed safety whistles to support mountain rescue teams. Luke, who also completed two half-marathons to raise funds, received the British Citizen Youth Award (BCYA) at the Palace of Westminster on Thursday. The award recognises young people making a meaningful impact in their communities through charity work and acts of kindness. “It was an amazing surprise, very humbling,” Luke said. “It was amazing to be at the palace… such a beautiful building.” Since January, Luke has raised £1,650 for the Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team by designing and selling safety whistles to outdoor groups. He’s also raised money for the Langdale and Ambleside Mountain Rescue Team in memory of a neighbour’s son. His efforts are inspired by his love of the outdoors and frequent mountain walks with his father, Sean, who volunteers as a ranger and winter mountain leader. “I spend a lot of time walking in the hills and mountains,” Luke said. Sean described his son as “a humble shy young man, who loves the outdoors.” He added, “We are immensely proud of Luke’s achievement, his selflessness in wanting to make a difference and help an important charity that puts their lives on the line to help and rescue others. They are the true heroes.” Luke, who aspires to be a marine biologist, is already an advanced open water scuba diver and a qualified marksman through the Army Cadets at Hebburn Detachment. He now hopes to find a sponsor to help fund the production of his whistles, since he’s been paying for materials using his own pocket money. He says he’s determined to keep going. “I want to make a bigger difference.” And there’s one extra perk he’s excited about: “I couldn’t wait to add BCYA to my passport and the school register.”

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Good News You Missed This Week That's Worth Sharing

Every day, The Goodable team finds the happiest good news in the world and shares it with our community. Here are the best of the best (that you just might want to share). In Massachusetts, a 99-year-old WWII veteran and his daughter lost their home in a catastrophic flood. With little help from insurance or the VA, the community stepped up. A local news story sparked a wave of donations and support. Within six days, a GoFundMe campaign raised nearly $16,000—just shy of its $18,000 goal—to help them cover hotel costs and find a new place to live. A newly published study suggests global extinction rates may not be as severe as once feared—at least for now. Researchers found that extinction rates for plants, arthropods, and land vertebrates actually peaked around a century ago and have since declined. Many of the earlier extinctions, they said, were caused by invasive species on isolated islands. Today, habitat destruction remains the greatest threat. “Biodiversity loss is a huge problem right now,” the study’s lead author said, noting that we haven’t yet seen the full effects. The takeaway? Progress is possible, but the work isn't over. Meanwhile, a viral fundraiser on Instagram just pulled in $600,000 to help feed 6 million people. The post simply read, “Hope still has helpers. That’s you.” And in Nigeria, a conservation group is saving endangered sea turtles by working directly with local fishermen. Instead of punishing them for accidental captures, the Greenfingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative offers fishing gear in exchange for reporting turtle sightings or nest locations. “They are just food,” the group’s founder said of how turtles are typically viewed. But the program is changing perceptions and helping preserve a species that plays a vital role in marine ecosystems. In global climate news, internal combustion engine car sales have already peaked—first in China in 2017, then globally in 2018. Electric vehicles are quickly gaining traction: in China, one in two new cars sold in 2024 was electric, compared to just one in 18 four years ago. The shift is expected to accelerate the decline in oil demand, possibly faster than experts predicted. Back in the U.S., a small dumpling shop in Phoenix is giving away free lunches to people on SNAP benefits, despite knowing the financial hit could hurt the business. “As a small business, this will hurt us, but we have to step up,” the owner said. Others are following suit. In Chicago, where ICE raids have targeted undocumented street vendors, cyclists from a group called Cycling x Solidarity are buying out entire tamale carts and distributing the food to local families. In just one weekend, they purchased food from nine vendors and handed out more than 250 burritos, gift bags, and drinks. In France, lawmakers passed legislation that for the first time defines all non-consensual sex as rape. Advocates have long pushed for this change, arguing that the previous law failed to explicitly require consent. Under the new legislation, consent must be “free and informed, specific, prior and revocable,” and cannot be assumed from silence or inaction. In Georgia, Pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant made headlines when he declined to collect $1 million in expected donations at his church—and instead urged congregants to give to those in immediate need. With SNAP benefits drying up, he told worshippers to bring canned food or donate to local families instead. Halloween, too, turned into a force for good. Since 2020, a grassroots campaign called Skeletons for St. Jude has encouraged people to turn elaborate Halloween displays into fundraising vehicles for children’s cancer research. The effort began with one family in Texas and has grown to over 1,000 participating homes across the U.S., raising nearly $1 million to date. Other standout moments this week: • Florida’s leatherback sea turtle population has rebounded after a rough hurricane season. • Muir Woods National Monument waived entrance fees for a week thanks to anonymous donors. • A new wearable device is helping people with hearing loss get better sleep by alerting them to important nighttime sounds. • The UK’s top architecture prize went to a social housing project for older adults that helps fight loneliness and housing insecurity. • A device in Los Angeles can pull 1.5 litres of clean water from the air daily using solar power—and it’s made from recycled materials. • A Spix’s macaw chick, from a species extinct in the wild, just hatched in a European zoo. • Multiple small businesses are offering free meals to SNAP recipients, even if it means operating at a loss. • In Alaska, an orphaned baby walrus rescued from a beach is now thriving. • In California, the largest African American quilt collection is now on display, telling stories of migration, resistance, and artistry. • In Houston, residents are converting homes into solar-powered “hub homes” to prepare for future disasters. • Scientists have created a carbon capture material using waste plastic and coffee grounds. • Minnesota is providing $4 million in emergency food funding to help meet growing demand. • DoorDash is delivering 1 million free meals through food banks. • Private donors contributed $125 million to restore foreign aid programs cut under the Trump administration. • Early voting turnout in New York City is five times higher than the last mayoral election. • The Virgin Islands now allows trans and intersex people to update their gender markers. • The Maldives became the first country to eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B. • Two rescued seal pups were released back into the ocean after months of rehab. • Billie Eilish donated $11.5 million from her tour to environmental and equity-focused causes. • Illinois passed a Clean Slate law, automatically sealing eligible criminal records for over 1.7 million people. • A nonprofit in Sri Lanka cleared 300,000 landmines, letting hundreds of thousands return home. Even Halloween gave people a reason to celebrate beyond candy. Shelter pets dressed up to help boost adoptions, chefs found creative ways to reduce food waste from pumpkins, and families supported each other with thrifted costumes and allergy-safe treats. One Instagram caption summed it up best: “Hope still has helpers. That’s you.”

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Playful Lions Paw at Pumpkin Treats Ahead of Halloween

Lions at Whipsnade Zoo were treated to some Halloween-themed snacks on October 29, during this year’s Boo at the Zoo event. Footage from the zoo shows the lions playing with pumpkins and eating next to some Jack-o’-lantern decorations. The conservation zoo’s seven North African lion cubs got their very first taste of pumpkin spice, as they explored pumpkins scented with medley fit for a witch's brew - perfume and fish juice - designed to stimulate their incredible sense of smell and playfully inquisitive nature. Hayley Jakeman, Animal Operations Manager at Whipsnade Zoo, said: “We’re making sure the animals aren’t missing out on any of the Halloween fun this October half-term - but introducing novel items to their habitat, or finding clever ways to conceal their usual breakfast is actually a great way of encouraging their curiosity, helping reinforce social bonds, and making sure they keep fit by hunting out their food."

Dog Perfectly Blends in With Home Depot Halloween Decorations

An adorable pooch was seen getting into the spooky spirit as he perfectly blended in with some canine Halloween decorations at Home Depot. Arthur the newfypoo, a cross between a Newfoundland and a poodle, was captured on video striking a pose with his scary pals. “It legitimately took me a minute to realize,” one person commented under the video on TikTok. PetSmart’s official account replied, writing, “The Halloween decorations are getting really realistic this year.” “The ‘Good Boy’ animatronic is always sold out!” another person joked.

Inca Building May Have Been Designed To Amplify Sound And Music

In the Peruvian highland town of Huaytará stands a centuries-old mystery—an Inca structure so unusually plain that it has puzzled researchers for decades. It doesn’t resemble the intricate stonework seen at Machu Picchu or the massive engineering feats of Sacsayhuamán. Instead, this structure—three stone walls with an opening at one end—might have been built for something we can’t see at all: sound. Now, a team of researchers led by UCLA art historian Stella Nair and Stanford acoustic expert Jonathan Berger believes the building’s minimalist design was no accident. They say the Inca may have created the space specifically to amplify sound, making it one of the earliest known examples of Indigenous acoustic engineering in the Americas. The structure is known as a carpa uasi, or “tent house,” likely a reference to its open-ended, trapezoidal shape. It’s the only surviving example of this kind of building—and it’s still standing today thanks to a twist of colonial history. When Spanish colonizers arrived in the 16th century, they built the Church of San Juan Bautista directly on top of the structure, intending to erase Inca cultural heritage. Ironically, that decision protected the building, preserving it for future generations. “We’re learning that sound was incredibly important from the earliest cities on, dating back several thousand years [B.C.E.],” Nair said in a statement. “Builders were incredibly sophisticated with their aural architecture, and the Incas are one part of this long, sophisticated tradition of sonic engineering.” The design is simple but deliberate. The walls are not set at right angles; instead, the open end is wider than the closed one, forming a trapezoid. This subtle widening allowed for better visibility between people inside and outside the structure—but it may have also enhanced its acoustics. The shape likely funneled sound toward one end, functioning like a natural speaker. Nair and Berger suggest that the building could have been used to project low-frequency sounds—like drums or other ceremonial instruments—during key public events, such as the end of a battle. The researchers spent three weeks in Huaytará measuring, photographing, and drawing the carpa uasi. They’re now building a 3D model to simulate how sound would have traveled through the space and what the original roof might have looked like. Nair, who is writing her third book on Andean architecture, says the Inca often designed spaces to be in dialogue with their surroundings—not just visually, but acoustically. “Many people look at Inca architecture and are impressed with the stonework, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg,” she said. “They were also concerned with the ephemeral, temporary and impermanent, and sound was one of those things.” At its height, the Inca Empire stretched across much of western South America, from present-day Colombia to Chile. They built suspension bridges, advanced agricultural terraces, and massive temples—all without wheels or iron tools. But for all their visible achievements, Nair argues that sound was just as integral to how they built and understood the world. “What the Incas did that was really smart is, rather than trying to make an architecture that alone is going to be impressive,” Nair told History.com, “they instead made an architecture that was in dialogue with the vast impressive landscape.” She says scholars have often focused too heavily on visual art when studying the Inca, overlooking sensory experiences like sound. “That’s not how we experience life—all of our senses are critical. So how we understand ourselves and our history changes if you put sound back into the conversation.” The carpa uasi may look simple at first glance, but it’s becoming clear it was anything but. And with modern technology helping researchers reconstruct how the building once functioned, we may soon be able to hear echoes from a 15th-century empire—not just in stone, but in sound.

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Rare White Rhino Birth Captured on Camera at Cotswold Wildlife Park

The only white rhino born in the UK this year has made his debut at Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens—bringing a conservation success story full circle and giving keepers a rare double first: both his birth and conception were caught on camera. Named Markus, the male calf was born on 22 October to 14-year-old mother Nancy, with keepers and a lucky few visitors watching the entire birth unfold in real time. The moment is considered exceptionally rare, as rhinos typically give birth at night and in private. “It’s one of the most confident calves I’ve ever seen,” said Head Keeper Mark Godwin, who has worked at the park for 35 years. “Newborns weigh around 70 kilograms at birth and put on roughly 1.5 to 2 kilograms a day. If he grows into his features, he’ll be a big lad.” Markus is the twelfth white rhino calf born at the Burford-based park in as many years, and his arrival brings the park’s current “crash” (the term for a group of rhinos) to eight—the largest number on show at any one time in the zoo’s 55-year history. But what makes Markus even more unique is that keepers believe they may have also captured the moment of his conception. “It is also one of the largest family groups on show anywhere in the country,” Godwin said. “As well as filming the birth, we believe we may have also caught the conception on camera for the first time too. Monty’s amorous intentions lasted some considerable time and attracted quite the crowd!” The park named the calf in honour of Dr Markus Borner, one of Africa’s most influential conservation scientists, who passed away in 2020. Cotswold Wildlife Park chairman Reggie Heyworth credited Borner with launching his own career in conservation. “Markus gave me my break into conservation when he was head of Frankfurt Zoological Society in Tanzania,” Heyworth said. “There were only 50 black rhinos left in the entire country back then, from 20,000 in 1970. Markus was instrumental in turning that around.” He added, “He was not only a giant of conservation but also my incredibly supportive boss and one of my best friends.” Rhino reproduction is famously slow and difficult to manage in captivity. Females only reproduce every two to three years and carry their young for 16 to 18 months—one of the longest gestation periods of any land mammal, second only to elephants. A rhino calf typically stands within an hour of birth and stays close to its mother for at least two years. During that time, the bond between mother and calf is intense, and females are known to be fiercely protective. Markus, now just over a week old, is already showing signs of being a lively addition to the group. The park has played a strong role in rhino conservation beyond its borders. Over the last decade, it has raised more than £120,000 for Tusk, a charity supporting wildlife protection across Africa. “The white rhino is living proof that conservation can work,” a park spokesperson said. “They were once on the verge of extinction in the early 1900s, with fewer than 50 animals believed to be left in the wild. Thanks to decades of protection, they’re now the most common rhino species.” Still, the threat hasn’t gone away. Poaching, driven by demand for rhino horn in traditional medicine markets, has surged again in recent years. Three of the world’s five rhino species—black, Javan, and Sumatran—remain critically endangered. Markus’s arrival is a bright spot amid those challenges and a reminder of what’s possible with long-term conservation efforts. For now, he’s staying close to his mother, delighting visitors, and making history—both behind the scenes and on camera.

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