Goodable

Blueberries may be even better for your gut health than previously thought, according to a new study. Researchers found that older adults who consumed about 1 1/2 cups of blueberries daily experienced significant health benefits.

The study, published in the journal Nutrients, involved participants over the age of 60 who were overweight or had obesity. They were divided into two groups: one consumed blueberry powder equivalent to 1 1/2 cups of blueberries each day, while the other received a placebo. Both groups also followed an exercise routine.

After 12 weeks, those in the blueberry group showed lower cholesterol levels and beneficial changes in blood markers related to heart health. Additionally, they had higher levels of gut bacteria that aid in digesting antioxidants.

"The polyphenols in blueberries can positively influence the gut microbiome," said Lauren Manaker, M.S., RDN, LD, CLEC. "This is crucial for overall health."

The study also noted an increase in specific gut bacteria among those consuming blueberry powder—bacteria known to help break down and absorb beneficial compounds from blueberries.

While the findings are promising, researchers caution that the small sample size limits broader applicability. The study was funded by the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.

For those looking to support heart and gut health, incorporating blueberries into daily meals is a simple step with potential benefits. Whether added to smoothies or enjoyed as a snack, these berries offer an accessible way to enhance well-being without drastic lifestyle changes.

<div>Blueberries may be even better for your gut health than previously thought, according to a new study. Researchers found that older adults who consumed about 1 1/2 cups of blueberries daily experienced significant health benefits.</div><div><br></div><div>The study, published in the journal Nutrients, involved participants over the age of 60 who were overweight or had obesity. They were divided into two groups: one consumed blueberry powder equivalent to 1 1/2 cups of blueberries each day, while the other received a placebo. Both groups also followed an exercise routine.</div><div><br></div><div>After 12 weeks, those in the blueberry group showed lower cholesterol levels and beneficial changes in blood markers related to heart health. Additionally, they had higher levels of gut bacteria that aid in digesting antioxidants.</div><div><br></div><div>"The polyphenols in blueberries can positively influence the gut microbiome," said Lauren Manaker, M.S., RDN, LD, CLEC. "This is crucial for overall health."</div><div><br></div><div>The study also noted an increase in specific gut bacteria among those consuming blueberry powder—bacteria known to help break down and absorb beneficial compounds from blueberries.</div><div><br></div><div>While the findings are promising, researchers caution that the small sample size limits broader applicability. The study was funded by the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.</div><div><br></div><div>For those looking to support heart and gut health, incorporating blueberries into daily meals is a simple step with potential benefits. Whether added to smoothies or enjoyed as a snack, these berries offer an accessible way to enhance well-being without drastic lifestyle changes.</div>

Scientists Just Uncovered a Big Health Perk in Blueberries

Smithsonian Magazine

The Netherlands will return an ancient stone sculpture to Egypt, more than a decade after officials say it was looted during the chaos of the Arab Spring.

The 3,500-year-old artifact — a carved granodiorite head measuring about 19 centimetres tall — dates back to the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose III, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful rulers. Experts say the sculpture, which likely depicts a high-ranking official, was taken from Egypt around 2011 or 2012 and smuggled into Europe.

It resurfaced in 2022 at the annual TEFAF art fair in Maastricht, one of the world’s most prestigious venues for fine art and antiquities. The dealer attempting to sell it voluntarily surrendered the object after suspicions were raised about its origins.

“Things don’t show up at Maastricht unless they are museum quality,” said Christopher A. Marinello, founder of Art Recovery International, in an interview with the New York Times. He noted that many high-value artifacts looted during the Arab Spring are still missing and that their historical and cultural value is “incalculable.”

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof confirmed the repatriation this week, calling it a gesture of goodwill. Speaking to Dutch public broadcaster NOS, he said that the Netherlands would not receive anything in return and that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi was pleased with the decision.

In a statement, Dutch officials said the sculpture represents an important part of Egypt’s cultural identity and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to returning looted heritage items to their rightful owners.

The bust will be formally handed over to Egypt’s ambassador to the Netherlands before the end of the year.

The announcement coincides with the long-awaited opening of Egypt’s Grand Egyptian Museum, located near the pyramids of Giza. First proposed in 1992, the $1 billion museum has been plagued by decades of delays — but its debut has been met with fanfare and national pride.

“This is Egypt’s gift to the world,” said Nevine El-Aref, media advisor to Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, in an interview with CBS News. “It’s a dream come true, after all these years.”

The museum, one of the largest on the planet, boasts over 24,000 square metres of permanent exhibition space — the size of four football fields — and displays more than 57,000 artifacts, including many from the tomb of Tutankhamun. Its grand opening featured fireworks, a full orchestra, and dancers in elaborate pharaonic costumes, according to ABC News.

Thutmose III, who ruled between 1479 and 1425 BCE, was known as a brilliant military commander who expanded Egypt’s empire through a series of campaigns in the Levant and Nubia. Artifacts from his reign are highly prized for their craftsmanship and historical value.

Egypt has not yet announced where the returned sculpture will be displayed. But its homecoming adds to a growing list of ancient objects being repatriated as part of a global reckoning over colonial-era and illicit acquisitions.

For now, it marks another symbolic moment: the return of a piece of Egypt’s past, just as the country is celebrating its future as a cultural hub.

Netherlands Returns Looted 3,500-Year-Old Stone Bust To Egypt

Talker News

Dr. Uy Hoang isn’t just going for a walk. He’s walking the equivalent of Google Street View — for Britain’s forgotten waterways.
Frustrated by the lack of online mapping for bike and walking paths in his hometown, the 51-year-old Oxford statistician picked up a 360° camera and started filling in the blanks himself. Ten years and 300,000 images later, he's quietly become Britain’s most prolific Google Street View contributor, and ninth in the world.
Armed with a $1,000 Insta360 camera, a lightweight monopod, and sturdy shoes, Uy has now walked over 1,600 miles, covering three-quarters of the UK’s canal network — all on foot.

“Why have a bad map?” he says. “It’s like having no map.”

His work isn’t just helping walkers and cyclists plan better routes. It’s also been used by flood modelers and environmental researchers. Along the way, Uy has documented everything from breathtaking views to abandoned trolleys, Lime bikes, and even mattresses floating in the water.
He maps only in summer — to take advantage of the best light — and carries gear designed for all-day shoots. The biggest hazards? Slippery towpaths, potholes, and occasional isolation in sketchy areas.
Despite the challenges, Uy says the work feels urgent.

“There are so many pressures on our rivers — pollution, climate change,” he says. “It’s important we map them now, before change becomes irrevocable.”

Now, he’s calling for global action — pointing out that major rivers like the Nile, the Mekong, and the Mississippi remain largely unmapped on platforms like Google Street View.
His mission? To help people see the world more clearly, one footstep — and photo — at a time.

Meet the Statistician Mapping Britain's Waterways on Foot for Google Street View

BBC News

More than 500 women who completed teacher training in the mid-20th century have finally received honorary degrees—some more than 70 years after finishing their studies.

The special graduation ceremony was held on Monday by Sheffield Hallam University, recognising former students of the Lady Mabel College of Physical Education at Wentworth Woodhouse. The college operated between 1950 and 1977 and offered intensive teacher training, but never granted formal degrees due to national policy at the time.

The long-overdue recognition follows a campaign led by Pam Hunt, a former student at the college, who described the moment as emotional and long-awaited.

"It's just been such a long time coming," Hunt said. "I'm so grateful that we've been able to do it for those trailblazers — the very first students."

Hunt, who went on to work as a PE teacher and later as a head of pastoral care and safeguarding, said the lack of a degree had impacted her career. “We didn’t receive the same salaries — we were on lower pay scales — and often progression and getting leadership roles was more difficult,” she said.

She added that Lady Mabel College students “always felt like our courses were the equivalent of degree courses” but said that at the time, physical education and the arts were seen as “inferior” subjects.

For many, the ceremony brought a mix of pride and disbelief. Janice Hopson, who completed her studies in 1976, said receiving a degree almost 50 years later “seems very, very strange, but is quite exhilarating.”

At the time, she said, “I never much thought about not being awarded one because I was so excited to qualify as a teacher.” Hopson went on to teach for three decades.

Meanwhile, 94-year-old Sybil Wilbraham — who began her studies in 1949 — received her degree “73 years late.” Laughing, she said the feeling “hasn’t impinged yet.”

Lady Mabel College was absorbed by what was then Sheffield City Polytechnic in 1977, now Sheffield Hallam University. Nicola Rawlings, deputy chief operating officer at the university, explained that teaching colleges at the time weren’t permitted to award degrees, even though their courses were equivalent in academic level.

“Lady Mabel College has got a very active alumni association, and they have been working very hard to make this happen,” Rawlings said. “The university has been really happy to work with them on this.”

“A lot of work has been going on in the background to rectify that and recognise these inspiring women.”

For the women who trained there — and for generations who followed — the honorary degrees are a symbol of long-overdue recognition.

University Awards Honorary Degrees To Over 500 Women, Righting A Decades-Old Injustice

Space

You can’t build muscle out of thin air — unless you're in space, apparently.

Researchers at ETH Zurich have successfully 3D printed functional human muscle tissue in microgravity, a breakthrough that could transform organ transplantation, biomedical research, and even astronaut health.

Using a custom-designed biofabrication system called G-FLight (short for Gravity-independent Filamented Light), the team printed muscle fibers aboard parabolic flights that simulate weightlessness. The achievement, announced by ETH Zurich’s Department of Health Sciences and Technology, marks a significant step toward building full human organs in space.

Why Print Tissue in Space?

On Earth, gravity puts pressure on soft biological materials like bioink — a gel-like substance containing living cells used in tissue engineering. That stress makes it difficult to replicate the delicate architecture of human muscle fibers.

In microgravity, however, those gravitational forces are dramatically reduced, allowing printed tissues to maintain structure and integrity during the fabrication process. The result? A more accurate, stable, and potentially transplantable muscle tissue.

“3D printing tissues in weightlessness gives us a level of precision we can’t achieve on Earth,” said the ETH Zurich team in a release.

A Leap Toward 3D-Printed Organs

3D printing human tissue — especially muscle or vascularized tissue — is considered a key milestone toward manufacturing entire human organs. With donor shortages and long transplant waitlists still a major issue globally, the ability to print organs on-demand could be life-changing.

While 3D-printed windpipes, livers, and even bladders have already been created and transplanted under specific conditions, the challenge has always been how to scale that safely and reliably. Printing in space might be the answer.

Space Medicine and Future Missions

The implications aren’t just for patients on Earth. Astronauts face significant muscle loss during long stays in space, a condition that has so far had few solutions. Being able to manufacture and study muscle tissue in orbit could pave the way for medical breakthroughs that help maintain astronaut health on missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

In fact, researchers are already preparing to send 3D-printed artificial hearts to the International Space Station to study how microgravity affects cardiac tissue.

Other experiments have explored the potential to 3D print retinas in orbit to treat degenerative vision diseases, or liver tissue to test new drugs more efficiently. Together, these efforts are turning space into a cutting-edge biomedical lab.

A Future Beyond Earth

This latest development shows that bioprinting — especially in the unique environment of space — is more than just science fiction. From solving the global organ shortage to supporting long-duration space missions, the ability to 3D print functional tissue in microgravity could reshape both medicine and space exploration.

And one day, the muscle you lose on the way to Mars? You might just be able to print it back.

Scientists 3D Print Human Muscle Tissue in Space — and It Could Change the Future of Medicine

GoodGoodGood

When a San Jose bride-to-be called off her wedding just two weeks before the big day, she was left with more than heartbreak — she was also staring down $15,000 in nonrefundable deposits.

But instead of letting the day go to waste, she made a decision that stunned her community: she and her family donated the entire venue and catering to a local nonprofit that supports families of people with disabilities.

The nonprofit, Parents Helping Parents, quickly transformed what was meant to be a wedding celebration into something entirely different — a candlelit charity event called the Ball for All.

“I was incredibly touched that a bride, facing an extremely stressful and difficult situation, was willing to look past her own pain and consider how to use the significant financial deposit for the wedding to bring joy to others,” said Maria Daane, executive director of the organization.

The bride and her family chose to remain anonymous, quietly arranging the donation just days before the event. With little time to plan, the nonprofit scrambled to send out invitations — unsure how many guests would be able to attend on such short notice.

But when the evening arrived, every seat in the 100-person ballroom was filled. Guests with disabilities and their families arrived dressed to the nines, enjoying music, dancing, and the warmth of community. What could have been a night of sorrow became something joyful, inclusive, and unforgettable.

“I imagine weddings are canceled now and then,” said Daane. “But never have I heard of one turned into a community party for those with disabilities and their families… It reinforces that any of us, regardless of our circumstances, can do something beautiful for others.”

The Ball for All proved that even in the middle of personal disappointment, generosity can still light up a room.

Bride Turns Canceled Wedding Into Charity Event For Community Members With Disabilities

People

A California family now has a birth story they’ll never forget — and it all happened on the side of a freeway.

In the early hours of November 8, Susan Sisler was driving her pregnant daughter, Alyssa, to the hospital when things took a dramatic turn. Just 15 minutes from their destination, Alyssa’s labor suddenly progressed — fast.

“Mom, pull over! His head’s coming out!” Alyssa shouted, according to Susan.

With no time to spare, Susan pulled over on the 215 Freeway near Eastridge Avenue. Her other daughter, Jessica, was in the car too. Together, the grandmother and aunt jumped into action.

“I see the head,” Susan recalled saying. “Get out of the way!” she shouted, before positioning her hands to help safely deliver her grandson.

At 2:35 a.m., baby Jackson was born on the side of the freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol. The baby's father arrived at the scene shortly after and rode with the new family in the ambulance to the hospital.

Video shared by KTLA showed the father in the back of the ambulance, looking relieved and emotional as he sat with Alyssa and Jackson. Both mother and baby are healthy and doing well, the family confirmed.

“It’s so amazing,” Susan told reporters. “I’m shaking. I feel like I’m going to pass out — just excited and overjoyed.”

A dramatic delivery, a healthy baby, and a freeway exit no one in the family will ever forget.

“Mom, Pull Over!”: Grandma and Aunt Help Deliver Baby on California Freeway

A new romantic comedy titled I See You is setting its sights on an ambitious goal: to become the first Western film to launch a filmmaker into low-Earth orbit to shoot key scenes in actual space.

The project, spearheaded by Italian producer Andrea Iervolino (Ferrari, To the Bone) and his astro-focused production company Space11 Corp, will blend live-action scenes shot in orbit with stock space footage and Earth-based cinematography. While I See You won’t be filmed entirely in space, it’s aiming to break new ground by putting a director behind the camera in orbit — a first for a Western film.

Details on the plot, cast, and lead filmmaker are still under wraps, and shooting is tentatively scheduled to begin in 2026. But given the tight global launch schedules, that timeline may shift. Crucially, the production is still in the process of securing a seat aboard a crewed spaceflight — the central element needed to pull it off.

Adding significant credibility to the project is retired NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, who has officially joined the production as an advisor. Kelly, who spent nearly a full year aboard the International Space Station and flew on four space missions during his 17-year career, will bring his first-hand expertise to ensure the film’s portrayal of life in space is grounded in real science and human experience.

According to Deadline, Kelly will help the team understand the psychological and physical toll of space travel — including isolation, confinement, and emotional connection in a zero-gravity environment — themes central to the film’s romantic narrative.

“Having Scott Kelly on board is an extraordinary honor,” Iervolino told Deadline. “His experience brings emotional truth and scientific realism to our vision — reminding us that love and humanity transcend every boundary, even in the silence of space.”

Screenwriters Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider, known for their work on Northern Exposure and The Sopranos, are penning the script.

While the idea of filming in orbit might sound far-fetched, it’s not without precedent. In 2023, Russia released The Challenge, the first feature film to shoot actual scenes in space using professional actors. Meanwhile, a long-rumored collaboration between Tom Cruise, director Doug Liman, and SpaceX remains stuck in development limbo.

If I See You does make it to orbit, it won’t just be a cinematic novelty — it will mark a new chapter in filmmaking, blending love, science, and the final frontier in ways no rom-com ever has.

New Romantic Comedy Aims For Historic Space Shoot With Astronaut Scott Kelly's Expertise

A Royal Navy veteran in Leicestershire has turned thousands of recycled bottles into a powerful tribute to fallen soldiers.

Chris Penrose, 63, from Shepshed, used over 2,400 plastic bottles to create a vibrant poppy cascade outside his terraced home, marking this year’s Armistice Day. The display flows from his first-floor window down to the front door, forming a striking sea of red in honour of those lost in war.

Penrose, who served from 1979 to 2002 and reached the rank of chief steward, began working on the project in May, just after VE Day commemorations. “From May, this has been in the back of my mind,” he said. “It was done in three different camouflage nettings. Once it was completed, it was rolled up and stored in the attic.”

Friends and family pitched in by collecting soft plastic bottles, which were cleaned and spray-painted red before being turned into handcrafted poppies.

Penrose, who is also the deputy Poppy Appeal organiser for Shepshed, said the response from the community has been overwhelming. “I've had people walking past and speaking about it. It's been phenomenal on social media, and I've had people looking around for the display,” he said. “It makes me proud that people acknowledge what we have done.”

While the project has caught plenty of attention, Penrose insists it was never about the spotlight. “I haven't done this for the recognition,” he said. “I would have done it for the pride of the Poppy Appeal and what it represents. If I have brought it to people's attention, then I have done my job.”

For Penrose, remembrance isn't just about the past. “People think about veterans from the First and Second World Wars, but we're helping people who are in conflicts now and have suffered because of it,” he said. “We must keep the tradition alive, and I would still be beating the drum even if no-one else in the local community was not remembering the conflicts.”

Veteran Creates Stunning Poppy Display Using 2,500 Recycled Bottles

Euro News

Learning a second language might be more than just brainy — it could help you live longer.

That’s the key takeaway from a sweeping new study that examined the health and ageing patterns of more than 80,000 adults aged 51 to 90 across 27 European countries. The results, published in Nature, found that people who spoke more than one language were significantly less likely to experience accelerated ageing — a condition where someone’s biological age is higher than their actual age, increasing the risk of age-related diseases.

Multilingual people, the study found, were half as likely to experience this kind of premature biological ageing compared to monolinguals.

“Each additional language provided measurable protection,” said Agustin Ibanez, a neuroscientist at Trinity College Dublin and co-author of the study. “It’s a strong signal that everyday mental activity, such as using multiple languages, can influence the biological pace of ageing.”

The more languages spoken, the better the outcome — in what researchers call a “dose-dependent” relationship. Regardless of a person’s country, environment, or background, each added language was associated with slower ageing.

This study differs from earlier ones in both scale and focus. While past research has linked bilingualism to slower cognitive decline, this new work used population-level data to explore overall biological ageing. It makes the case not just for brain benefits, but for whole-body health — and highlights language learning as a powerful and underused health tool.

“Speaking several languages continuously exercises multiple systems,” said Ibanez. “It forces you to manage attention, inhibit interference, and switch between linguistic rules, all of which strengthen the networks that tend to weaken with age.”

He added that the effects go beyond the neurological. Multilingualism may support heart, metabolic, and immune health by reducing stress and enhancing social connection — all of which are linked to better ageing outcomes.

“Multilingualism also enhances social connectedness, cultural belonging, and perhaps emotional regulation,” he said. “These experiences reduce stress and support cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune health. Therefore, the mechanism is likely multi-layered.”

Across Europe, around 75% of working-age adults speak more than one language, according to EU figures. The Nordic countries tend to rank highest in bilingualism rates, while Southern Europe lags behind. The United Kingdom fares particularly poorly: in 2024, just under 3% of all A-level exams were in modern foreign languages, according to the Higher Education Policy Institute.

Ibanez hopes the findings will push policymakers to prioritise multilingual education — not only in schools, but across community and adult learning programs. “In schools, encouraging early and sustained language exposure may build long-term cognitive and emotional resilience,” he said. “In adult education and community programmes, supporting bilingualism can foster inclusion, creativity, and well-being.”

He also sees a role for language learning in public health: as an inexpensive, widely accessible way to help prevent or delay ageing-related conditions. “Health systems increasingly recognise that social and cultural factors influence ageing,” he said. “Language should now be part of that conversation.”

In other words, forget the anti-ageing serums and expensive supplements — your local language class might be one of the most effective long-term investments in your health.

Want to Age Slower? Learn Another Language, Says Landmark European Study

A Texas couple made a splash by coming to the aid of a sea turtle in distress. While enjoying some time outdoors, Adan Barajas and his wife stumbled upon what they initially thought was a lifeless sea turtle wedged between rocks. The scene played out on video, with Adan capturing the moment when his wife realized that the turtle was still alive and in need of assistance.

In the footage, you can hear Adan rooting for his wife's efforts as she carefully maneuvers to free the stranded creature. With determination, she manages to grab hold of the turtle, while Adan continues to film and offer encouragement. Together, they were able to return the sea turtle safely back into its watery home.

This act of kindness highlights how individuals can make a difference even during casual outings. The Barajas' quick thinking and compassion ensured that this sea turtle got another chance to swim freely.

The story serves as a reminder of the impact humans can have on wildlife, especially in environments where animals may encounter hazards like being trapped or disoriented. It's also an example of the unexpected adventures that can occur when spending time in nature.

<p>A Texas couple came to the rescue of a sea turtle they found stuck between some rocks.</p><p>The footage was filmed by Adan Barajas, and shows his wife spotting what she believed to be a dead sea turtle. She quickly realizes it’s alive and in need of a helping hand.</p><p>As Barajas cheers on her efforts, his wife manages to grab the sea critter, before he brings it back to the water.</p>

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