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Score (98)
Guide Dog Granny Celebrates Special Day With Four Generations
In a cozy home in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, a former guide dog named Connie is preparing for a unique Mother's Day celebration. This Labrador retriever, once part of the Guide Dogs charity breeding program, has become a great-grandmother. Connie produced four litters before retiring in 2017, and her legacy continues as several of her offspring have followed in her paw prints to become guide dogs themselves. In the UK, Mother's Day is celebrated on March 30th. The family tree grew even more this February when Connie's granddaughter Coco welcomed eight puppies into the world with her first litter. Now, four generations live under one roof with Linda Atkins, a dedicated breeding dog volunteer for the charity since 2012. "Connie is truly the queen of the household," Atkins said. "She may be a little whiter in the face nowadays but she can still spring around the garden with the puppies." This Mother’s Day promises to be particularly special for Atkins and her canine companions. "With four generations under one roof, this Mother's Day is going to be a very special one indeed," she added. Guide dogs spend their first eight weeks bonding with their mothers before starting their training journey. Once they retire from service, volunteers like Atkins often adopt them officially. For Connie and her family, this holiday will be filled with wagging tails and joyful memories—a testament to love that spans generations.
Score (97)
Heartwarming Reunion: This Woman Just Found Her Lost Dog After Months in the Wild
When Andrea from Ohio sent her four Siberian Huskies to a training facility in Greenville County, South Carolina, she hoped for well-behaved pets. Instead, she faced a nightmare when the dogs went missing. Suspecting the facility had abandoned them in the woods, Andrea turned to Anakin's Trails Stray and Pet Recovery Team for help. The recovery team, known for using drones and strategic trapping techniques, embarked on a mission to find the lost dogs. Oakley was the first Husky found after surviving five months in the wild. A TikTok video captured Oakley's initial hesitation before joyfully reuniting with Andrea. "We got involved after the owners found out about them being dumped about a month and a half later," said Ashley Raymond, Founder and Director of Anakin's Trails. Shortly after Oakley's return, her sister Marley was also located and reunited with Andrea. However, their efforts were complicated by Hurricane Helene, which displaced the remaining two dogs further away. Despite this setback, Anakin's Trails persisted. "Then, the hurricane happened and pushed them 16 miles down the road to another town," Raymond explained. "After about 2 weeks of that, we finally nailed down the yard where they kept coming." As of October 2024, Juno remains missing while Nova Jo was found but is entangled in legal issues due to South Carolina’s stray hold laws. Anakin's Trails continues its search while relying on donations to support their work. Those interested in helping can contribute through their website. For now, Andrea cherishes having two of her beloved Huskies back home as efforts continue to reunite her family completely.
Score (93)
MrBeast is Turning His Reality Show Success Into a Million-Dollar Charity Drive
MrBeast, YouTube's most prominent creator, is channeling the success of his Amazon Prime Video reality competition series into a charitable endeavor. The media mogul, whose empire boasts over 400 million subscribers, is offering an exclusive weekend on the set of "Beast Games" Season 2 to the first 40 donors who contribute $100,000 to his nonprofit organization. The event will take place from June 27-29 at MrBeast’s North Carolina studio. Donors and up to two guests each will have the opportunity to tour the studio, participate in a private Q&A with the production team, and visit Beast Philanthropy’s food pantry. Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, has long funded charitable projects through his Beast Philanthropy channel's revenue. His initiatives have included treating rheumatic heart disease in Nigeria and protecting endangered animals in Kenya. Despite criticism accusing him of exploiting vulnerable people for content, Donaldson remains committed to philanthropy. “I have some big charity projects I want to fund, so I think it’s a win/win,” MrBeast stated on X. This fundraising strategy marks a new approach for Donaldson as he continues his philanthropic efforts despite facing backlash. He recently addressed allegations that he uses philanthropy as a shield by stating that helping others is more enjoyable than not doing so. The announcement follows Amazon Prime Video's renewal of "Beast Games" for two additional seasons after its record-breaking viewership. The series featured 1,000 contestants competing for a $5 million grand prize.
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Score (95)
Missing for Nearly a Year, This Lovelorn Tortoise Found Just One Mile From Home
After vanishing nearly a year ago in search of love, a tortoise named Ginger has finally made it back home — not with directions or GPS, but with sheer determination and a top speed of 0.00012 mph. Ginger, who escaped her garden in Worcestershire last June, was recently found just over a mile away behind a countryside pub in Stanton, Gloucestershire. Her owner, Sarah-Jane Muirie, had all but given up hope. “We’ve had Ginger since I was a 10-year-old girl,” said Sarah-Jane, now 51. “When she escaped, I thought I would never see her again.” Ginger’s slow-motion escape began after the loss of her longtime tortoise companion, Fred. A vet friend of Sarah-Jane’s believes Ginger may have gone looking for a mate. “It’s that time of year and she’s always had Fred,” Sarah-Jane said. “She dug herself out under the garden fence and through next door’s before getting into the fields.” Despite putting up missing posters around the village, months passed with no sightings. “She’s so well camouflaged, we thought there’s no chance we’d ever find her,” Sarah-Jane said. “We think she got as far as she could from June to October, then hibernated once the weather turned cold.” The first person to spot Ginger was a local woman originally from Greece, where tortoises are common, who didn’t think much of it. But a horse rider passing by the Mount Inn pub the following day did a double-take. “They thought it was a rock at first,” Sarah-Jane explained. “But then noticed this rock had a head and legs and rescued her.” Amazingly, someone remembered the posters from almost a year ago. Sarah-Jane got the call — and the surprise of a lifetime. “At first I thought it couldn’t be Ginger,” she said. “But then I realised there probably aren’t too many tortoises wandering around the Cotswolds.” Now safely back home, Ginger is settling in like she never left. “She’s found herself a little area to sunbathe and eat,” said Sarah-Jane. “To have a pet for 40 years… she could outlive me. It means a lot to have her back. It feels like a childhood memory has returned.” Against the odds, and despite her pace, Ginger made it through nearly a full year in the wild — and found her way home, one slow step at a time.
Score (94)
Newly Found Chameleon Species Surprises Scientists in Madagascar
In a remarkable discovery, researchers in Madagascar have found three individuals of the critically endangered Belalanda chameleon species, Furcifer belalandaensis, outside its known habitat. This rare find occurred in the PK32-Ranobe protected area, about three miles from its previously recorded location near the village of Belalanda. The research team from the University of Mahajanga spent six months studying the island's southwest coast to better understand this elusive species' distribution. "We found the three individuals in a relatively degraded ecosystem," said Hajaniaina Rasoloarison, a doctoral student in conservation biology. The discovery is significant as it suggests that these chameleons may inhabit areas beyond their known range. Despite this positive development, challenges remain for the survival of F. belalandaensis. Habitat loss due to deforestation and agriculture continues to threaten their existence. Additionally, climate change poses further risks by potentially altering their habitats. Efforts are underway to ensure the species' survival through captive breeding programs and revising management plans for protected areas like Ranobe. Rasoloarison emphasized that finding these chameleons at a new site is promising but stressed the need for continued research to determine population size and implement effective conservation measures. Ranobe's forests face pressures from nearby mining projects and other human activities. Conservationists hope that increased awareness and ecotourism could benefit both local communities and biodiversity preservation efforts. This discovery highlights Madagascar's unique biodiversity; nearly half of its 98 endemic chameleon species are threatened with extinction. As global environmental challenges persist, protecting such vulnerable species remains crucial for maintaining ecological balance worldwide.
Score (97)
How A School Nurse Became An Unlikely Hero In A Utah Canyon Rescue
Ashley Anderson was hiking with her two children and dogs on Memorial Day when she heard cries for help echoing through Utah's Adams Canyon. "I look over and I didn't even know what I was looking at at first," she said. "It took me a second to register that it was a body." A 64-year-old grandfather had fallen 20 feet down a waterfall, and Anderson, a school nurse, quickly put her skills to use. She told NBC affiliate KSL of Salt Lake City that the man had an "obviously broken" leg and his head was "sliced open and bleeding." Upon reaching him, Anderson joined other hikers in moving the injured man out of the cold water. She immediately began administering first aid. Needing something to stop the bleeding on his head, she called for help. "This guy rips off his shirt and throws it on me, so we put that on his head, and several of us picked him up and moved him to a dry area over on the rocks," Anderson recalled. Rescue teams arrived shortly after, deploying a helicopter to airlift rescuers into the canyon before safely extracting the man. Authorities reported he had been hiking with family when he fell after becoming separated from them. The man's family explained he slipped into the canyon but is expected to make a full recovery despite shattering his kneecap and breaking his femur. "I kind of think that I did what anyone would do," Anderson said modestly. "I don't feel like I did anything like more heroic or more incredible."
Score (98)
Meet the Teen Who Just Became the Youngest to Run the London Marathon Barefoot
Cameron Jacobs, an 18-year-old from Salisbury, England, has set a new Guinness World Record as the youngest person to complete the London Marathon barefoot. On April 27, Cameron crossed the finish line in four hours and 31 minutes, accompanied by his mother, Polly Jacobs, a general practitioner who has been battling long COVID. The duo ran to support the National Orchestra for All, which has played a significant role in Cameron's life over the past seven years. Despite facing challenges with autism, Tourette's syndrome, and ADHD, Cameron found solace in music and running. "Music and running are two things that have always helped him," Polly said. To achieve this record-breaking feat, Cameron had to complete the marathon within five hours. He not only met this requirement but also raised £8,000 for charity. Remarkably, his feet emerged unscathed—no cuts or blisters—after running 26.2 miles on London's streets. Polly shared their strategy: "We started in the very last wave with people expected to finish nearer the seven-hour mark." She emphasized her role as a support runner rather than a competitor: "I was there as his support runner – there was nothing about it being a race for me." Cameron's journey began when he asked his father if he could run one kilometer barefoot; after being told no, he immediately ran two kilometers instead. This determination led him to apply for the Guinness World Record. Following their marathon success and meeting with His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh in May to discuss his achievements, Cameron plans to continue running with shoes, for now. The family remains grateful for the support from both the National Orchestra for All and Help for Heroes charities. Polly said, "I am so proud of him... The National Orchestra for All has really helped us as a family."
Score (98)
She’s 15, Has a College Transcript and Just Started University 🤯
At just 15 years old, Zyla Blue Lott from Covington, Georgia, is already making waves in the academic world. Graduating with high honors from Eastside High School, she is now embarking on her college journey at Kennesaw State University with plans to major in Software Engineering. Zyla's remarkable academic path began early. At age 4, she tested with an IQ above 124. By 9, she was tackling middle school and high school courses simultaneously. At 11, she earned her first college transcript and entered high school at 12 with most graduation requirements completed. Despite being eligible for early graduation, Zyla opted to stay longer in high school to focus on personal growth and savor the full experience. By her junior year, she was ready for the next step and applied to several local colleges, gaining acceptance to all. Choosing Kennesaw State University for its strong academics and vibrant campus life, Zyla aims to earn a doctoral degree before turning 21. Outside of academics, she enjoys reading, creating mixed media art and watching anime. Her family and teachers describe her as focused and grounded. "She's full of positive energy," they say—a sentiment that promises a bright future ahead for this young scholar.
Score (96)
Sunny's First Flight: Big Bear Eaglet Takes to the Skies!
Sunny, the eaglet from Big Bear, California, spread her wings and took her first flight Monday, marking a significant milestone for the beloved bald eagle family. For months, wildlife enthusiasts have followed the journey of Jackie and Shadow, a pair of bald eagles who captured hearts with their nesting story. In early March, three eaglets hatched under the watchful eyes of viewers tuning into the Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) 24-hour livestream. Sadly, one eaglet did not survive past mid-March. The remaining two, Sunny and Gizmo, have been growing stronger each day. On Monday at 10:46 a.m., Sunny made her inaugural flight from the upper Y-branch of her nest. "She put up her wings to catch the wind and then jumped up and let those beautiful wings carry her," FOBBV shared on its website and Instagram page. As Sunny soared into the sky, Gizmo watched from beside her. The livestream captured Sunny's leap as she circled back toward Jackie and Shadow’s favorite roost tree. While it's possible that Sunny may return to the nest, following in the footsteps of previous eaglets, the decision is now hers. By 2:45 p.m., Jackie and Shadow were seen in the nest with Gizmo enjoying a meal they had caught. At press time, Sunny had not yet returned to join them. This momentous event comes shortly after FOBBV confirmed that both surviving eaglets are female. In recent days leading up to this flight, Sunny had been venturing further out onto branches near the nest.
Score (95)
Your Next Gadget Might Heal Itself—and Be 100% Recyclable
E-waste, the discarded electronics piling up in landfills, is a growing global concern. A United Nations report from 2024 highlights that e-waste has nearly doubled over the past 12 years, reaching 62 billion kilograms and projected to hit 82 billion by 2030. Alarmingly, only about 20 percent of this waste is expected to be recycled. In response to this challenge, researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a promising solution. Michael Bartlett, an associate professor of mechanical engineering, and Josh Worch, an assistant professor of chemistry, have created a new class of recyclable circuit materials. Their team includes postdoctoral and graduate students Dong Hae Ho, Meng Jiang, and Ravi Tutika. The innovative material combines vitrimers—a type of dynamic polymer—with liquid metal droplets. This combination results in circuits that are not only recyclable but also electrically conductive and self-healing after damage. These circuits maintain the strength and durability typical of traditional circuit board plastics. "Our material is unlike conventional electronic composites," Bartlett said. "The circuit boards are remarkably resilient and functional. Even under mechanical deformation or damage, they still work." Traditional recycling methods for circuit boards are energy-intensive and wasteful. In contrast, the Virginia Tech team's circuits can be easily deconstructed using alkaline hydrolysis to recover key components like liquid metal and LEDs. While reducing electronic waste remains challenging globally, this research marks significant progress toward more sustainable electronics management. This study was supported by Virginia Tech's Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science and Bartlett's National Science Foundation Early Faculty Career Development award.
Score (96)
How Scientists Brought Ancient Egyptian Blue Back to Life
Researchers at Washington State University have successfully recreated Egyptian blue, the world's oldest synthetic pigment, first used in ancient Egypt around 5,000 years ago. This breakthrough offers valuable insights for archaeologists and conservation scientists studying ancient Egyptian materials. The study, published in NPJ Heritage Science, involved collaboration with the Carnegie Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian's Museum Conservation Institute. The team developed 12 recipes using various raw materials and heating times to replicate the pigment. "We hope this will be a good case study in what science can bring to the study of our human past," said John McCloy, lead author and director of WSU's School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering. "The work is meant to highlight how modern science reveals hidden stories in ancient Egyptian objects." Egyptian blue was a cost-effective alternative to expensive minerals like turquoise or lapis lazuli. It was used on wood, stone, and cartonnage—a papier-mâché-like material. Despite its historical significance, knowledge of its production was largely lost by the Renaissance. Interest in Egyptian blue has resurged due to its unique optical, magnetic, and biological properties with potential technological applications. The pigment emits light in the near-infrared spectrum—useful for fingerprinting and counterfeit-proof inks—and shares chemistry with high-temperature superconductors. "It started out just as something that was fun to do because they asked us to produce some materials to put on display at the museum," McCloy said. The research team included a mineralogist and an Egyptologist who created 12 pigment recipes from silicon dioxide, copper, calcium, and sodium carbonate. They heated these mixtures at about 1000 degrees Celsius for up to 11 hours before analyzing them with modern microscopy techniques. Samples are now displayed at Pittsburgh's Carnegie Museum of Natural History as part of their new long-term gallery on ancient Egypt.