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Meet The Curiously Isolated Hairstreak: A New Butterfly Species
Nestled in the breathtaking Canadian Rockies lies a hidden gem fluttering under the radar - the Curiously Isolated Hairstreak butterfly (Yes, that's its real name). Previously mistaken for its cousin, the Half-moon Hairstreak, this unique species has finally been recognized after years of obscurity. A recent study published in ZooKeys shed light on the fascinating evolutionary journey of this small but mighty butterfly. The research revealed that the Curiously Isolated Hairstreak has been isolated from its relatives for up to 40,000 years, evolving into a genetically distinct and ecologically unique species. Lead researcher Zac MacDonald from UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability shared, "Our whole-genome sequencing uncovered strikingly low genetic diversity and high levels of historical inbreeding in S. curiosolus compared to its nearest relatives." This isolation has allowed the species to maintain stability over thousands of years. Unlike its counterparts thriving in sagebrush steppe habitats, Satyrium curiosolus calls a prairie-grassland home. It exclusively relies on silvery lupine for larval development and forms mutualistic relationships with Lasius ants, a behavior unseen in other populations. The recognition of Satyrium curiosolus as a distinct species highlights the urgent need for tailored conservation efforts. With low genetic diversity posing challenges for adaptation to climate change, researchers emphasize the importance of establishing additional populations to ensure the butterfly's survival.
Score (76)
Game Of Thrones Star 'The Mountain' Breaks World Deadlift Record In Epic Showdown
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, known to many as "The Mountain" from his role on Game of Thrones, continues to redefine what humans can physically accomplish. The Icelandic strongman recently achieved a remarkable feat at the World Deadlift Championships by lifting 510 kilograms. To put this in perspective, that's like hoisting a grand concert piano or seven full kegs of beer. This impressive lift comes after Björnsson had already broken his own world record twice this year. In July, he surpassed his previous record by four kilograms. He has now pushed the boundaries further with his latest deadlift performance. Björnsson's achievements have sparked interest among scientists who are trying to understand how such extraordinary strength is possible. A study conducted in 2024 examined Eddie Hall, the previous deadlift champion who held a 500-kilogram record until Björnsson first broke it in 2020. Researchers discovered that Hall's muscles connecting the knees to the pelvis were up to three times larger than those of non-strength-trained men, while his quadriceps and hamstrings were double their size. Despite these insights into muscle size, scientific studies on extreme human strength remain limited. The researchers studying Hall suggest that his physique may be near the upper limit of natural human variation. Yet Björnsson seems determined to push past these limits. On his YouTube channel, Björnsson expressed disbelief at how quickly he's been setting new records. "This is the third time I've broken the record," he said. "It's been happening so fast." After accomplishing his latest world record, Björnsson showed no signs of slowing down. “It was like a piece of cake, baby,” he told viewers. “I'm just getting warmed up.”
Score (98)
This Canadian Artist Is Showing Off His Stunning Technique to Capture Nature's Beauty
Glen Scrimshaw has been painting Saskatchewan’s landscapes for nearly four decades, but now the renowned artist is finding inspiration in an unlikely new canvas: rocks. What started as a playful craft project for his grandchildren has grown into a full-fledged artistic pursuit, one that Scrimshaw says challenges him in new ways and connects him even more deeply to nature. “I’ve been painting on rocks ... It’s a very interesting medium,” he told CTV News. “Rocks are not like paper, they don’t absorb the paint. They’re textured in different ways. Every rock is different. I find it very, very challenging.” Since picking up the hobby in May, Scrimshaw has been surprised at the public’s response. His painted rocks, which range in price depending on size and complexity, have already caught the attention of collectors and art lovers. The texture of each stone shapes what appears on it. “If I’m painting a sunset and there’s some texture on the bottom, I can make it look like a bank full of snow,” he explained. “And I’ve been able to even surprise myself, because some of them, it almost feels like I can step into them.” Scrimshaw doesn’t rush the process. Some ideas come to him instantly, while others require weeks of study. “Sometimes that process takes five minutes, and this one I’ve been looking at for a month and a half,” he said. As with much of his work, Scrimshaw is giving back through his art. A portion of the proceeds from his painted rocks goes to the Meewasin Valley Authority, an organization dedicated to conserving the natural and cultural heritage of the South Saskatchewan River Valley. “We’ve been thrilled to connect with Glen this year. It’s been amazing to work with him and to have him choose Meewasin as the charity of choice to receive a portion of the proceeds from his rock paintings,” said Nikki Moggey, a donation specialist at Meewasin. She added that Scrimshaw’s nature-inspired style aligns perfectly with their mission. “Instead of hanging something on the wall, you can have something sitting at your desk or it can be part of your home decor. We also love how it’s connecting people to nature.” While most of his painted rocks feature familiar prairie skies, forests, and wildlife, Scrimshaw isn’t afraid to branch out. His very first sale was a round stone transformed into a cheeseburger. The owner of Deadly Dan’s, a restaurant at Gather Market, bought it on the spot. For Scrimshaw, the new medium is reinvigorating. “You can never stop learning. Every day I learn something new. And the rocks, I look at them differently, and there are ideas flying through me,” he said. “It’s just so interesting and so invigorating.”
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Score (97)
91-Year-Old Great-Grandfather Says He Hired a Personal Trainer to Keep Up With His Grandkids
At 91, most people would be content to slow down. Rhys Williams, from Coventry, had other ideas. A lifelong sportsman who played squash until 70, tennis until 80, and even marked his 90th birthday with a ski trip, he recently decided to take on a new challenge: hiring a personal trainer. Williams said he was motivated after finding it harder to manage everyday tasks like climbing stairs or getting up from a chair. “I thought, well, it can only get worse unless I do anything to try and make it better,” he told BBC CWR. His goal isn’t to compete or hit records but to keep pace, at least partly, with his grandchildren. “Why not put it off as long as you can?” he said about the prospect of giving up physical activity. Trainer Sophie Kennedy, who works with Williams, said she spends much of their sessions not just coaching but also listening to his stories. “People are quite surprised and also inspired by the fact that someone who is 91 is still working with a personal trainer and actually focusing on their fitness and their health,” she said. “It’s very very impressive and he just gets on with it.” For Williams, his proudest achievement has nothing to do with sport. “I’ve got an almost one-year-old great-granddaughter, who’s really fascinating,” he said. “[I] just like to keep up with the grandchildren, or nearly keep up with them for as long as I can.”
Score (98)
"Soccer Team Saved My Life": How Sports Helped This Man Overcome Depression
When Sean O'Doherty’s family broke apart, he fell into depression and withdrew from those around him. At 41, he said he had no-one to turn to and got “caught up in the bravado of hiding my feelings.” Everything changed when a friend invited him to play in a charity football match. That single game led him to join Old Knackers FC in Preston, a club for men over 35 that combines fitness, friendship, and mental health support. “Little did I know that this football match would change my life forever,” O'Doherty said. The team was founded by Neil Proctor, who wanted to give men an outlet to connect beyond the usual surface-level banter. “The lads in my experience who play football don't tend to open up readily about mental issues and mental wellness,” Proctor said. “This is an outlet and if somebody's struggling, there's somebody there to talk.” What began with 12 men now sees 40 turning up regularly, and the group has been nominated for a BBC Make a Difference Award. For O'Doherty, the change has been profound. He said the team gave him purpose and the courage to speak about his struggles. “Seeing everybody around me and hearing about their experiences, it gives you that confidence to speak out,” he said. “When you suddenly realise that you don't need to deal with it all by yourself, your whole world changes.” He added that sharing his struggles lifted “the burdens of my life off my shoulders” and helped him rebuild. “It was a big part of saving my life and putting my life on track,” he said. “The best thing you'll ever do is talk about your problems.”
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Discovering Rembrandt: Iconic Self-Portrait Embarks on a Tranquil Tour Across England
Art lovers in England are being invited to do something rare: slow down. The National Trust is sending a prized Rembrandt painting on tour with an unusual twist — visitors will be encouraged to sit, breathe, and really look. Not just glance, not just skim, but linger in front of the canvas and take it all in. The painting in question is Self-Portrait Wearing a White Feathered Bonnet, a richly detailed work by the Dutch master, normally housed at Buckland Abbey in Devon. Over the next year, it will travel to several National Trust sites across England in a project designed to boost mental wellbeing and reshape how people experience art. Instead of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with crowds and breezing through a gallery, visitors to the Meet Rembrandt: A Slow Looking Experience exhibit will be able to sit in carefully selected comfortable chairs, take in the artwork at their own pace, and even listen to a guided meditation while they do it. “There’s a gong and a soothing voice,” explained Dr Amy Orrock, a curator with the National Trust. “You’re encouraged to think about your physical state while you’re looking at the picture, things like putting both feet on the floor, taking a deep breath, just letting your eyes travel over the painting. There’s not a right or wrong thing to see — it’s just about allowing yourself that time with the picture and seeing what comes out for you.” The idea flips the usual museum experience on its head. Studies suggest the average gallery-goer spends only about eight seconds in front of any given artwork. Orrock and her team are hoping to change that. “People want to feel like they’ve seen everything,” she said. “What we’re doing is trying to provide lots of different ways into the picture.” While slow-looking sessions are often associated with sweeping landscapes, the team chose this intimate self-portrait on purpose. Painted in Rembrandt’s later years, the work is notable for its subtle shadows, textures, and emotional restraint. Orrock described the painting as “sumptuous and rich,” with details that reward close observation. “It’s quite dark when you first look at it, but the more time you spend with it, you notice details gleaming out of the dark,” she said. “He has this gorgeous velvet cape with a jewelled trim and he’s wearing a Spanish real, a coin, around his neck, and this metal gorget, which glints.” “And then there’s his face. He’s almost holding something back. I think it’s a fun one for people to engage with because they’re meeting Rembrandt, so there’s a sense of direct interaction.” The slow-looking approach is being offered alongside a more traditional audio tour, which includes commentary from conservators and art historians, as well as imagined reflections from Rembrandt himself. But the focus of the initiative is the meditative experience, which the National Trust hopes will provide the kind of psychological lift usually associated with walks in nature. “We’re hoping it will provide that sort of escape from reality and that moment to have a bit of time out,” Orrock said. “It’s about giving people permission to stop and look — people can relax for as long as they like with the picture.” The tour kicks off this Friday at Kingston Lacy in Dorset. It will then travel to Dunham Massey in Cheshire in March 2026, before making its final stop at Upton House in Warwickshire in July next year. It’s an unusual itinerary for a 17th-century Dutch master, but that’s part of the point. By inviting people to sit still and look closely, the National Trust hopes to not only deepen the connection between viewer and painting, but also encourage a broader culture of mindfulness — one that extends beyond museums and into daily life. And for those who might feel unsure about meditating in front of a painting? “There’s not a wrong way to do it,” Orrock said. “It’s just about spending a little more time than usual and letting the painting do the talking.”
Score (97)
A Rare Creature was Just Spotted After 100 Years and Wildlife Enthusiasts are in Awe
A Toronto woman’s afternoon walk in High Park turned into a historic moment for butterfly enthusiasts. Crystal Byrne spotted a zebra swallowtail, a species that had not been seen in Toronto since 1896. “This stunning black and white butterfly came out. And I was like, that’s a zebra swallowtail,” Byrne told CBC News. “Never did I think that I was going to see one there.” The zebra swallowtail, recognizable by its striped wings, relies on the pawpaw plant as its host. But as Toronto expanded, deforestation and development reduced the pawpaw’s habitat, and the butterfly disappeared from the region. “Butterflies are declining, and when you get something like that, it’s returning and not disappearing. It’s fascinating,” said Bob Yukich of the Toronto Entomologists’ Association in an interview with CBC. Scientists and conservationists see sightings like this as a hopeful sign. They indicate not only the survival of the species but also the health of the surrounding ecosystem. Similar moments have occurred elsewhere, like in 2023 when a tourist in Papua New Guinea stumbled upon three species once thought to be extinct. Butterflies play an important role in pollination, and their decline has been linked to insecticide use. Experts recommend avoiding chemical sprays in home gardens and instead planting native species, which provide food and shelter for pollinators. Companion planting can also help deter pests without harming insects. Creating pollinator-friendly spaces with native plants benefits butterflies, bees, and other insects while requiring less maintenance from gardeners. As the zebra swallowtail’s appearance in Toronto shows, even small efforts to restore habitats can open the door for extraordinary returns.
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Nasa's Artemis Moon Mission Takes Training to Colorado Mountains
NASA has taken a big step toward preparing astronauts for the Artemis missions to the Moon by certifying a new helicopter-based lander flight training course. The course, developed with the Colorado Army National Guard at the High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site near Gypsum, uses helicopters to simulate the tricky visual and environmental conditions astronauts will face when descending to the lunar surface. “Artemis astronauts who will land on the Moon will need to master crew coordination and communication with one another,” said Paul Felker, acting deputy director of flight operations at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. “Much like they will on the Moon, astronaut teams are learning how to work together efficiently in a stressful environment to identify hazards, overcome degraded visual environments, and evaluate risks to successfully land.” During a two-week certification run in late August, NASA astronauts Mark Vande Hei and Matthew Dominick took part in the training, alternating between piloting helicopters and navigating to progressively more difficult landing zones. NASA trainers, mission control leads, and lunar lander experts joined each flight to evaluate the instruction. The mountainous terrain in northern Colorado provides a close match for lunar landing conditions, with snow and dust creating visual obstructions similar to the blinding clouds of lunar dust expected during landings. “Here in Colorado, we have specifically flown to dusty areas, so we know and understand just how important dust becomes during the final descent phase,” Vande Hei said. The course has been in development since 2021, with 25 NASA astronauts and one European Space Agency astronaut completing training so far. It is expected to be one of the first flight training experiences for the Artemis III crew, the mission that will attempt NASA’s first crewed lunar landing in over 50 years. That mission will see four astronauts launch aboard Orion atop the Space Launch System rocket. After docking in lunar orbit with SpaceX’s Starship Human Landing System, two astronauts will descend to the Moon’s surface before returning to orbit to rejoin Orion for the trip back to Earth. “This course will likely be one of the first group flight training opportunities for the Artemis III crew,” said NASA astronaut Doug Wheelock, who helped develop the program. “The real-world flight environment in Colorado offers astronauts an amazing simulation of the problem solving and decision making needed to control and maneuver a lunar lander across an equally dynamic landscape.” NASA says the training will continue to evolve based on astronaut feedback, with the aim of sharpening the skills needed not only to land safely on the Moon, but to lay the groundwork for future crewed missions to Mars.
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A New MRI Scan Could Detect Prostate Cancer In Minutes
A new study suggests men could soon have faster and cheaper access to prostate cancer scans without losing accuracy. The PRIME trial, led by scientists at University College London and the University of Birmingham, tested whether a streamlined two-part MRI scan could detect prostate cancer as effectively as the standard three-part scan, which requires injecting dye into patients. The results, published in JAMA, found the shorter scan identified significant cancers in 29% of patients, the same rate as the longer procedure. That matters because prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with about 56,000 diagnoses and 12,000 deaths each year in the UK. MRI has already transformed diagnosis by allowing targeted biopsies and sparing many men unnecessary procedures. But access remains limited: in 2019, only 62% of men in England and Wales who needed an MRI got one. “Time, cost and staff availability are all limiting factors in how many scans can be offered,” said Associate Professor Veeru Kasivisvanathan of UCL. “If we can do the scan in up to half the time, with fewer staff and at lower cost, that will make a huge difference.” The trial involved 555 men across 22 hospitals in 12 countries, all aged 59 to 70. Each underwent both scans, and radiologists compared the results. Crucially, the shorter scan could bring major savings: on the NHS, it costs about £145 per scan, compared to £273 for the three-part version, nearly 50% cheaper. In the U.S. and elsewhere, savings could be even larger. Dr. Matthew Hobbs, director of research at Prostate Cancer UK, called the findings “a hugely important step in the right direction.” He said another UK trial is already under way, and together the results could give regulators the evidence needed to change practice nationwide. If approved, this faster, dye-free scan could pave the way for national prostate cancer screening programmes — something experts say would transform early detection worldwide.
Score (96)
This London Restaurant Turns Bread Waste Into a Gourmet Dessert Experience
At Silo, a restaurant in London’s Hackney Wick, chef Douglas McMaster is rethinking dining from the ground up — and from start to finish with bread. Guests begin their meal with house-milled sourdough and churned butter, and end it with a dessert that transforms the leftovers into a buttermilk ice cream sandwich with Marmite caramel. For McMaster, that’s the point: closing the loop and proving that waste can be eliminated without sacrificing flavor. Silo, first opened in Brighton in 2014 and later relocated to London, is widely regarded as the world’s first zero-waste restaurant. Its ethos: everything, from flour bran to carrot tops, must find a purpose. If a carrot arrives in McMaster’s kitchen, its tops become pesto, the peel stays on, and the roots enrich tomorrow’s soup. Even the butter’s byproducts have their place. It hasn’t been easy. Running a waste-free kitchen in an urban setting means battling packaging, delivery systems, and food supply chains designed with waste built in. McMaster is quick to admit that Silo isn’t perfectly sustainable — but it’s closer than most. “No restaurant is,” he says. “I think Silo is remarkably close to it, but it’s not there yet.” His menus also challenge assumptions. While some expect plant-only dishes, McMaster embraces regenerative agriculture, sourcing meat and fish that solve environmental problems rather than worsen them. Currently on the menu: invasive Mediterranean octopus, which has flooded UK waters as seas warm. “Should we ignore that and let the problem grow, or do we do the right thing and eat the octopus?” he asks. Beyond Silo, McMaster runs a fermentation factory (Flux), advises Mexico City’s zero-waste restaurant Baldío, and founded The Zero Waste Cooking School, teaching chefs and home cooks how to ferment, repurpose, and rethink food. His approach has won Silo a Michelin Green Star and inspired chefs worldwide. But he insists sustainability must be made “sexy” — woven seamlessly into dining through delicious dishes rather than lectures. At home, McMaster applies the same principles, buying from regenerative farmers and reducing waste wherever possible. And in his daily life, he finds calm by walking barefoot in London’s Victoria Park, reconnecting with the natural world that inspires his work. As for what’s next, McMaster is writing a new book due in 2026 — part dark humor, part serious philosophy — a “guide to not destroying the planet.” For diners, a meal at Silo is more than fine dining. It’s proof that food can be beautiful, sustainable, and circular — where nothing is wasted, and everything comes full circle.
Score (97)
Astronomers Capture Stunning Cosmic Butterfly in New Images
Astronomers have unveiled a striking new cosmic image — a young star surrounded by a planet-forming disc that looks uncannily like a butterfly. The James Webb Space Telescope captured the detailed view of IRAS 04302+2247, a protostar located about 525 light-years away in the Taurus star-forming region. Its swirling disc, glowing against the surrounding dark cloud, creates two luminous “wings” that have earned it the nickname the Butterfly Star. The European Space Agency (ESA) described the photos as “a fantastic new view,” adding that Webb’s sensitivity allows scientists to study the growth of dust grains within these protoplanetary discs. That work could reveal critical clues about how planets are born. “IRAS 04302 is a beautiful example of a protostar — a young star that is still gathering mass from its environment — surrounded by a protoplanetary disc in which baby planets might be forming,” ESA said. For astronomers, images like this aren’t just beautiful. They’re windows into the past, offering a glimpse of the processes that shaped our own solar system 4.5 billion years ago, when the Sun and planets first emerged from a similar cloud of gas and dust. The Butterfly Star now stands as one of the most vivid portraits yet of the earliest stages of planetary creation, a reminder that even the most delicate shapes in the sky can mark the birth of worlds.