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This Rare West Texas Flower Just Might Reappear After All
A rare botanical discovery has scientists buzzing in West Texas. The wooly devil, a tiny flower with furry leaves and purplish-striped petals, was recently identified as a new genus and species within the Asteraceae family, which includes sunflowers and daisies. Found in Big Bend National Park—a region known for its rugged desert landscapes—the flower's reappearance is eagerly anticipated following recent rainfall. “There’s a lot to learn with this species so they’re really just getting started,” said Carolyn Whiting, a botanist at Big Bend. The wooly devil was first spotted in March 2024 by park volunteer Deb Manley and a ranger during a hike. The flowers were smaller than a quarter and nestled close to the ground. “We stopped and took some photos and neither one of us had any idea,” Manley recalled. Her subsequent research led her to post about the mysterious bloom on iNaturalist, sparking interest among experts. Isaac Lichter Marck from the California Academy of Sciences noted that Manley's post "caused a stir." A. Michael Powell from Sul Ross State University confirmed its novelty upon examination. “It wasn’t anything I’d seen before,” he said. Though initial samples were collected just before they wilted, researchers managed to extract DNA for further study. They aim to understand more about its reproduction, potential uses, and conservation status. Named Ovicula biradiata—"tiny sheep" for its hairy leaves and "bi-radial" for its striped petals—the wooly devil's discovery underscores nature's hidden wonders. Kelsey Wogan from Sul Ross State University expressed excitement over what this could mean for future discoveries: “It’s the great reminder to keep your eyes open," she said.
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In Belgium and Beyond, Random Citizens Are Now Helping Run the Government — And It’s Working
In a small German-speaking corner of Belgium, a quiet democratic experiment is making big waves. Back in 2019, the regional parliament of Ostbelgien — a community of just 80,000 residents tucked near the borders of Germany and Luxembourg — launched a bold idea: hand over part of the policy-making process to ordinary people, randomly selected, with no political experience. They called it the Ostbelgien Model. Six years later, that experiment is being hailed as a breakthrough in participatory democracy — and inspiring copycats across Europe. At its core, the Ostbelgien Model is simple. Every year, 1,500 invitations go out to randomly chosen locals. From those who say yes, about 30 people are selected to form a Citizens’ Assembly. They meet once a week for two months, are paid €155 per day, and dive deep into a policy issue — education, housing, healthcare. With the help of independent experts and a trained moderator, they develop policy recommendations and submit them directly to the regional parliament. The kicker? While lawmakers aren’t obligated to adopt the proposals, they are required to formally consider them. And they’ve done more than just listen. The citizen-led panels have successfully pushed policies like: Loosening requirements for low-income housing Boosting financial incentives for young people to enter the nursing profession Banning cell phones in middle and high schools “If we want citizens to have more confidence in politicians, we, as politicians, have to give more confidence to the citizens,” said Ostbelgien’s minister-president, Oliver Paasch. The model has been so successful that it’s catching on in places far beyond Belgium’s borders. In 2021, Paris launched its own Citizens’ Assembly, directly inspired by Ostbelgien. The 100-member group now helps shape the city’s budget priorities, propose new legislation, and evaluate existing policies. Their first major act? A citizen-drafted bill to combat homelessness. It called for more emergency shelters, expanded social services for youth under 25, and structural reforms to tackle housing insecurity across the French capital. “The politicians were very impressed by the capacity of the citizens,” said Elian Belon, who runs the Paris assembly. “They questioned, ‘Can citizens really do better than them on a subject they’ve worked on for years?’” Apparently, the answer is: yes — or at least, differently. Critics might argue that randomly chosen citizens can’t rival experts or elected officials, but supporters see it another way. These assemblies, they say, reflect everyday life and everyday concerns — and give people a real reason to believe in democracy again. “In a time when trust between citizens and government is faltering, these new institutions embody the potential of democratic renewal,” said Claudia Chwalisz, one of the architects of the Ostbelgien Model. That renewal might be happening one small region at a time. Ostbelgien may be the smallest legislative area in the EU, but it’s proving that size isn’t everything — and that real participation isn’t just possible, it’s powerful. As Chwalisz puts it: “If more citizens demand this kind of change… another democratic system is possible.”
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These Cute Robots are Helping Immunocompromised Children Explore the Edinburgh Zoo
Seven-year-old Riley and five-year-old Josy didn’t need to leave their hospital rooms to see giraffes, meerkats, and penguins up close — they had a robot to do it for them. Both children, currently receiving treatment for cancer and unable to visit public places due to weakened immune systems, were recently treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of Edinburgh Zoo, thanks to a small remote-controlled AV1 robot and the UK charity SpecialEffect. The robot, part of SpecialEffect’s BubbleBusters project, was operated by each child from their home or hospital bed using a secure app on a tablet or phone. Equipped with a camera, microphone, and speaker, the AV1 allowed Riley and Josy to explore the zoo in real-time, speak to zookeepers, ask questions, and control what they saw — all without leaving their rooms. “It becomes the child’s eyes, ears, and voice,” explained the charity. Originally designed to help children attend school remotely during long periods of treatment, the robot proved just as effective at delivering a magical day out. Jaima Smith, community and discovery program officer at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which operates Edinburgh Zoo, said it was a moment to remember. “Hearing their laughter and excitement as they explored the zoo and connected with our animals was truly heartwarming,” Smith said. “Being able to help create such a special day for these children is a huge part of why we do what we do.” Through the robot, the kids were given exclusive access to some of the zoo’s favorite residents, and learned more about their behavior, conservation, and care. From waddling penguins to towering giraffes, the animals were just a screen tap away. Paige Harvey, gaming community manager at SpecialEffect, said the visit was about much more than animal facts — it was about inclusion. “We were thrilled to be able to bring two of our young BubbleBusters to the zoo via accessible technology, highlighting the importance of inclusion while having fun and engaging in a shared love of the natural world,” Harvey said. “We can’t thank the team at Edinburgh Zoo enough for working with us to help make their dreams come true.” SpecialEffect is a UK-based charity known for helping disabled people access video games through adaptive tech. With the BubbleBusters program, they’re expanding that mission into education and play, ensuring that even the most medically vulnerable children can stay connected to joy, learning, and the wider world. For Riley and Josy, it wasn’t just a virtual visit — it was a chance to be kids again.
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Adorable 'Popcorn Kid' Steals Hearts on Jumbotron at Phoenix Suns Game
Move over, MVPs — there’s a new fan favorite in Phoenix. Three-year-old Sterling, the pint-sized Suns fan who captured America’s heart by eating popcorn bigger than his head on the Jumbotron, made his triumphant return to the arena — and once again stole the spotlight. Sterling first went viral on November 13 during the Suns-Pacers game. Seated courtside with a comically large bucket of popcorn, he was blissfully unaware of his new celebrity status until he glanced up mid-snack, flashed a shy smile, and gave the camera a tiny wave. That moment — pure, simple, and adorable — exploded online. The clip has now been viewed over 50 million times, according to the Suns. On November 21, Sterling was back at the arena for the Suns’ matchup against the Timberwolves — and this time, he was ready. “Look who’s in the house,” flashed across the screen as Sterling appeared on the Jumbotron once more, now equipped with his signature popcorn bucket and a soda nearly as big as he is. The crowd erupted as the announcer welcomed back “the cutie pie who won America’s hearts with a simple smile.” Then came the cherry on top: “Everyone in their section is also getting free popcorn!” the announcer added, sending the crowd into another round of cheers. Sterling didn’t disappoint. This time, he threw a confident wink at the camera, soaking in his encore moment as fans roared with approval. His second game day came with full VIP treatment. In a video posted by the Suns on social media, Sterling is seen getting a custom jersey and a foam finger before heading courtside to catch the pre-game warmups up close. He looked every bit the seasoned pro. His dad, who doesn’t use social media, said they didn’t realize just how viral the moment had gone until friends started texting after their trip. “We went to the game, went on vacation. And on our way home, we started getting text messages,” he said. “My wife had to create a TikTok account just to watch the video.” The flood of attention was unexpected but welcome. “So exciting, I think. Scary. Everything. But he’s been a champ,” he added. “He’s been doing really well with it.” At this point, Sterling might not fully understand his viral fame. But armed with popcorn, a smile, and a wink, he’s already a fan favorite — and a reminder that sometimes, all it takes is a kid and a snack to light up a stadium.
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Virginia Landlord Cancels Rent for the Holidays, Surprising Tenants with a Generous Gift
Twelve families in Portsmouth, Virginia, are heading into the holidays with one less thing to worry about — rent. Travis Johnson, a local landlord and owner of Homebridge Health Care Co., shocked his tenants this season by announcing their rent for both November and December would be completely waived. No strings attached. For Missy Waller, who moved into one of Johnson’s homes just three months ago, the news felt like a miracle. “It was a big relief,” she said. “It was like a bookbag of bricks off my back.” Between paying $1,400 a month in rent and helping her son through college, Waller said the gesture couldn’t have come at a better time. “Decorating and everything during the holidays can get overwhelming, so every dollar matters.” The surprise announcement came on November 13. Johnson, who has been renting homes in the area for the past eight years, said his decision to cover rent was shaped by his own experiences struggling with housing costs in the past. “I’ve been there,” he told KBTX. “And now that I’m in a position to help others, I want to pay it forward.” That motto — pay it forward — isn’t just a personal belief for Johnson. It’s part of the way he runs his business. Homebridge Health Care Co., a home renovation company, encourages everyone connected to it — from clients to employees — to look for ways to give back. And Johnson’s generosity isn’t done yet. At the time of the announcement, he still had six more homes to visit. His plan? Knock on each door himself and personally let his tenants know their December rent is free. For Waller, the gift has allowed her to focus on making her new house feel like a real home. “This just gives me breathing room,” she said. As many families brace for year-end expenses, Johnson’s gesture is a rare and powerful reminder of what a difference one person can make — especially when they show up with compassion, empathy, and an envelope that says “you’re covered.”
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A Granddaughter's TikTok Plea Gives Retired Couple Final Dance at Iconic Tower Ballroom
For Ron and Marilyn Hill, the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool isn’t just a famous venue — it’s where their love story once came to life. And this week, thanks to their granddaughter and the kindness of strangers, they got one final chance to dance together under its dazzling lights. Ron, 82, who lives with Alzheimer’s disease, is preparing to move into a care home. His granddaughter Olivia Watts wanted to give him and Marilyn, 80, one last spin on the ballroom’s iconic sprung floor — a place that holds decades of memories for the couple. She turned to TikTok for help. What she didn’t expect was how far that plea would go. “I was in tears,” Olivia said, watching the pair glide across the floor again. “My heart feels so full right now. It’s really incredible.” BBC Radio Lancashire saw her video and stepped in, contacting Kate Shane, Managing Director of Blackpool Tourism. Shane not only arranged for Ron and Marilyn to have the ballroom to themselves, she also made sure the venue’s resident organist would play live as they danced. The Tower Ballroom is a place Ron and Marilyn know well. During their years running the entertainment at Blackpool’s Empire Hotel, they would often take a break to enjoy a dance there. It was part of their rhythm, their relationship, their story. Marilyn was emotional returning to the floor. “It’s exactly the same and it’s absolutely fabulous,” she said. “It’s a beautiful, beautiful ballroom.” “To dance with Ron again was just wonderful. There are no words for it,” she added. “And this sprung floor is just fabulous.” Ron, ever the showman, smiled: “My wife was a bit nervous to dance, but I pushed her around a bit,” he joked. “This is our place.” And it didn’t stop at dancing. After their turn on the floor, Ron — a former entertainer who no longer plays piano regularly due to his dementia — was invited to sit at the Tower’s legendary Wurlitzer organ. He couldn’t resist. “That really was something,” he said after playing. “I’m really honoured to sit at it, let alone play it.” For Kate Shane, the moment was more than just a kind gesture. “It was special, really special,” she said. “They are a beautiful couple with a beautiful family.” She described the transformation as the music began. “Ron could obviously dance, he plays piano, but he’d forgotten. As soon as the organ started to play, he started to dance. Then he went and played [the organ]. It was still there, and that moment in here it came back.” The visit brought tears, laughter, and a reminder about what really matters. “We should think about that for our friends and relatives,” Shane said. “We just need to be making moments and celebrating people while we still have them.”
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Toddler Becomes First in the World to Receive Gene Therapy for Rare Disease — and It’s Working
Three-year-old Oliver Chu has become the first person in the world with Hunter syndrome to receive a groundbreaking gene therapy — and his recovery is surpassing every expectation. Born in California and diagnosed in April 2024, Oliver was just a toddler when his parents, Ricky and Jingru Chu, learned he had mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II), a rare and life-threatening genetic condition that causes progressive damage to the brain and body. His older brother, Skyler, had also been diagnosed with the same disease. “In severe cases, patients typically don’t survive past the age of 20,” said Ricky. “Like anybody, you look it up and you’re like, ‘Oh my goodness, is this what’s going to happen to both my sons?’” But in December, the family connected with a team at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital in the UK, who were preparing a world-first gene therapy trial. They offered Oliver a spot. Despite the emotional strain of splitting the family — Skyler remained in the U.S. to take part in a different clinical trial — the Chus didn’t hesitate. “There are very few times where your child can have a reset on life,” Ricky said. “So if you can give them that chance, then it’s just something you do.” The treatment involved removing Oliver’s stem cells, modifying them in a lab at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, and reinfusing them with a working copy of the faulty gene. The goal: to help his body produce a critical enzyme it was missing. “When those go back to Oliver, they should repopulate his bone marrow and start to produce new white blood cells,” explained Dr. Karen Buckland of the Cell and Gene Therapy Service at GOSH. “Each of these will hopefully start to produce the missing protein in his body.” Oliver received the infusion in February 2025. He was the first of five boys worldwide to undergo the treatment. Now, just months later, he’s thriving. “I’ve been waiting 20 years to see a boy like Ollie doing as well as he is,” said Dr. Simon Jones, one of the trial’s lead researchers. “It’s just so exciting.” Oliver’s parents say the change has been nothing short of life-altering. “Ollie is doing great since having the gene therapy,” said Ricky. “We have seen dramatic improvements, and he continues to grow physically and cognitively. Our hope is that he’ll continue to make his own enzymes and live a normal life without infusions.” “We’re excited for Ollie’s future,” he added. “Seeing the difference for Ollie pre-and post-transplant has made us believers.” Now the family hopes the therapy can be expanded to more children — including Skyler. “My wish upon the star is for Skyler, to be able to get the same treatment,” said Ricky. “It feels like Oliver has got a reset in his life, and I want the same thing for Skyler, even though he’s a bit older.” “Every time we talk about it I want to cry,” Jingru said. “Because it’s just so amazing.” The family says they’re “forever grateful” to the doctors and researchers who gave their son a second chance — and possibly, a full life.
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He Donated His Kidney to the Woman He Comforted 21 Years Ago After Her Son's Death
Two people brought together by a tragic loss have found hope and healing through an extraordinary act of kindness. Tim Swinburn, from Melksham in Wiltshire, first met Clare Brixey in 2004 under the worst of circumstances. Then a family liaison officer with Wiltshire Police, Swinburn had to knock on her door to deliver the devastating news that her 20-year-old son, Ashley, had died in a car crash. At the time, Brixey was already battling kidney failure and relying on dialysis to survive. Despite the heartbreak, the two stayed in touch. Now, more than two decades later, their bond has taken a remarkable turn. When Swinburn learned that Brixey’s transplanted kidney was starting to fail, he offered her one of his own — and insisted on it. “Giving the gift of life, to me it's just a human thing to do,” Swinburn said. “Anyone with a heart would give something to keep someone else alive.” The transplant took place in October at Southmead Hospital in Bristol. The four-hour surgery was successful, and both have since recovered well. Swinburn is back at work as a support worker at The Salvation Army's Swindon Booth House, and Brixey, for the first time in years, has returned to one of her greatest joys: horse-riding. She now calls Swinburn a “man in a million.” “He was my family liaison officer — the person who knocked on my door to tell me my son had been killed in a road traffic collision,” she said. “He was such a compassionate man and very easy to talk to and supportive to our family. We just seemed to gel, and we've been friends for 21 years.” The friendship has deepened over time, with both supporting each other through life’s challenges. “When my first kidney transplant started to fail, he told me, ‘You’re going to have one of mine and I won’t take no as an answer,’” she recalled. Swinburn said the decision wasn’t difficult. “Clare is one of those special people. We've joked over the years we are like siblings,” he said. “She is an amazing friend. Over my life I've had my ups and downs and she's been there for me, and vice versa.” “She kept saying ‘are you sure?’ when I knew she would do the same for me,” he added. “There was no question in my mind. To know she is out there riding her horse again, to see her out there with her granddaughter and daughter — that's the reason I did it.” The pair are now planning to raise funds for transplant-related charities, hoping their story will inspire others to consider living donation — and to support those still waiting for a second chance.
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British Gymnast Lucie Colebeck Breaks Backflipping World Record on London Rooftop
Lucie Colebeck, a former world-class tumbler from Binfield, has flipped her way into the record books — again. The 29-year-old ex-gymnast set a new Guinness World Record by completing 17 standing backflips in just 30 seconds, all while standing on the roof of London’s O2 arena. The previous record for women stood at 14 backflips, but Colebeck cleared it with room to spare. “I love a challenge and I thought, ‘It is only 30 seconds – how bad can it be?’” she said. “Adrenalin just took over and 17 came out of nowhere.” Colebeck, who began her gymnastics career at age eight with Pinewood Gymnastics Club in Wokingham, wasn’t new to world-class feats. She won medals at both the world and European championships in tumbling and later joined Cirque du Soleil as a performer after retiring from competitive sport in 2018. But this stunt — done on a cold, windy day on the curved, exposed roof of one of London’s most iconic venues — was unlike anything she’d done before. “It was actually extremely windy,” she said. “I’ve never really done backflips outside so I didn’t really think about the external factors. I knew it would be really cold and I knew the surface of the O2 would be really firm, but normally I’m used to being on a trampoline or a softer surface.” To prepare, Colebeck trained on pavements to get used to the unforgiving feel of the rooftop. Her original goal? Just 15 flips. This isn't her first brush with Guinness glory either — she previously set the record for most handsprings on a trampoline in 30 seconds. “I think to be able to do a Guinness world record in something that I love, like gymnastics, it is just really incredible,” she said.
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This Moon Sample Just Unlocked a 4.5-Billion-Year-Old Secret, Surprising Scientists
For more than half a century, it sat sealed in a helium-filled chamber — untouched, untested, and largely forgotten. But now, one tiny speck of lunar dust is rewriting what we thought we knew about the Moon’s past — and possibly its origins. The dust, part of a sample collected by Apollo 17 astronauts in 1972, contains a compound called troilite — a mix of iron and sulfur commonly found in space. But what scientists just discovered inside it is anything but common. Using modern mass spectrometry techniques, planetary scientist James Dottin and his team at Brown University analyzed the sulfur isotopes in the troilite. Their findings were unexpected. “My first thought was, ‘Holy shmolies, that can’t be right,’” Dottin said. “So we went back to make sure we had done everything properly, and we had. These are just very surprising results.” Specifically, the sulfur in some grains of the sample showed a bizarre isotopic pattern — an unusually low amount of sulfur-33, unlike anything ever seen in lunar material before. Until now, scientists assumed the Moon’s sulfur makeup closely matched Earth’s. This sample throws that theory into question. “That’s what I expected to see,” Dottin said. “But instead we saw values that are very different from anything we find on Earth.” The anomaly may hold clues that stretch back more than 4.5 billion years — potentially predating the Moon itself. There are two main explanations for the odd sulfur signature. The first is that the troilite formed on the Moon’s surface during its earliest, molten days, when it was covered in a global magma ocean. As the Moon cooled and solidified, sulfur may have evaporated under ultraviolet light, altering its isotopic signature and locking a chemical fingerprint into the rock. But the second possibility is even more dramatic. It could be a remnant from Theia — the Mars-sized body thought to have collided with Earth and helped form the Moon in the violent chaos of the early Solar System. If that’s the case, then the sulfur didn’t just come from the Moon. It came from a whole other planet. If the sulfur did originate on Theia, this would be the first direct physical evidence of leftover planetary material from that ancient crash. It also complicates one of the most widely accepted theories about the Moon’s formation — that it coalesced from a cloud of vaporized debris after the Earth-Theia impact. That kind of process should have evenly mixed all materials. But the strange sulfur signature suggests something else may have happened. “There’s just no way we would expect sulfur to be unevenly distributed if the Moon formed entirely from a big impact cloud,” Dottin said. “This suggests there may be more going on.” There’s also the question of how this ancient sulfur made it from the Moon’s surface down into the mantle, where the sample likely came from. On Earth, plate tectonics can shuffle surface material deep underground. The Moon doesn’t have tectonic plates — or so we thought. “This idea of some kind of exchange mechanism on the early Moon is exciting,” Dottin said. The findings were published in JGR Planets and have sparked renewed interest in Apollo-era samples — many of which were intentionally stored away by NASA for future study with more advanced technology. This particular grain sat undisturbed since the 1970s, waiting for the right tools to unlock its secrets. And it's not just a curious anomaly. It may be a relic of the earliest days of the Solar System — a tiny, dusty breadcrumb leading back to the chaotic birth of Earth, the Moon, and everything else. Solving the full mystery, though, will take more than one sample. Scientists say they’ll need more materials, from the Moon, Mars, and even asteroids, to paint a clearer picture. For now, this single speck of sulfur stands as a reminder that the past — especially the distant, planetary kind — is often hiding in plain sight.
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Caught in a Storm, Canadian Cub Scouts Rescue Stranded Teen Hikers
What started as a weekend camping trip turned into a real-life rescue mission for a group of Cub Scouts in British Columbia’s Golden Ears Provincial Park. Eight young scouts, aged roughly 8 to 10, were hiking the West Canyon Trail on Saturday when they came across an unexpected scene — a washed-out bridge, a rushing river swollen with rain, and three teenagers on the far bank, soaking wet and yelling for help. “They were shouting frantically,” said Luke Lunnin, the Cub Scout leader. “They were cold and clearly not prepared for the weather.” The Cub Scouts, out for a midday hike in the middle of a rainstorm, sprang into action. Lunnin called 911, then worked with the kids to gather supplies from their packs. “We came up with some rations from the kids to give to the guys and just tied it to a rock,” he told CBC News. “Some thermal blankets, hot paws, whatever we had with us, some trail mix.” The kids hurled the bundle across the river to the stranded teens, who wasted no time tearing it open. “They seemed pretty grateful,” said Lunnin. “As soon as they got that stuff, they threw it on and started munching away.” The teenagers, as it turned out, were severely underdressed for the backcountry hike. One of them wore pyjama bottoms. None had rain gear. Their packs were light and their food supplies even lighter. Rick Laing from Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue later said the situation could have taken a much darker turn. “If they had not got a signal out for assistance, they would have had a very cold, cold, uncomfortable night,” he said. “One of them was so cold it’s possible he could have succumbed to hypothermia by the next morning.” The rescued teens were eventually brought to safety after search teams reached them later that day. One of the hikers, 17-year-old Kyle Lee, admitted the group had underestimated the conditions. “We’re just so happy that we found them,” he said of the Cub Scouts. “And then we’re just really grateful that they were there.” The story has become a reminder of how quickly the outdoors can turn dangerous — and how a little preparedness can go a long way. “The weather conditions can change very rapidly,” said Brent Boulet, another search manager with Ridge Meadows SAR. “And when they do, it’s always quite, quite drastic.” Boulet emphasized the importance of carrying the “10 essentials” — items like a flashlight, food, water, first-aid supplies, and extra layers — whenever heading into the backcountry. For Lunnin and his scouts, the experience left a lasting impression. They later visited the search-and-rescue camp and got a behind-the-scenes look at how rescues are coordinated. “It’s not just about being prepared for yourself,” Lunnin said. “You might run across people along the trail, right? So having a little extra supplies couldn’t hurt — and in this case, it definitely didn’t.” It was a rescue born of preparation, quick thinking, and a few brave kids who came through when it mattered most.