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Frog Hops Back: Northern Leopard Frog Bounces Back In Washington Refuge
At the Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, a heartening tale of triumph is unfolding as efforts to revive the northern leopard frog population are showing promising results. Thanks to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's reintroduction last summer, these resilient frogs have braved winter successfully despite facing threats from invasive bullfrogs. The invasive bullfrogs, originally native to the east but now causing havoc in western North America, pose a significant challenge by preying on and outcompeting local frog species. Not only do they disrupt the delicate ecological balance, but they also serve as carriers for harmful viruses that can harm native wildlife. Invasive species like bullfrogs highlight the importance of human intervention in preserving biodiversity and protecting endangered species. The ongoing battle against these invaders underscores the need for sustained efforts to manage and control their populations effectively. As we celebrate this recent success story at Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, it serves as a poignant reminder of the critical role we play in safeguarding our environment. By actively addressing invasive species like bullfrogs, we can pave the way for a brighter future for our precious wildlife. "Seeing how essential bullfrog control is to northern leopard frog recovery... highlights the importance of diligently managing those invasive species over the long-term," emphasized the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Join us in supporting conservation efforts and stay informed about ways you can make a positive impact on our planet. Together, we can create a healthier ecosystem for all living beings to thrive.
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How Embracing The 'Empty Boat Theory' Helps Keep Anger And Anxiety In Check
A centuries-old Taoist parable is getting a modern revival on TikTok — and it’s teaching millions of people a surprisingly simple way to find peace. The story, known as The Empty Boat, has resurfaced as a kind of viral mindfulness hack. TikTok creator @sean.of.the.living summed it up like this: imagine you’re out on a calm lake, minding your own business, when another boat drifts straight toward you. As it nears, you feel your frustration rising. You brace for impact, ready to curse out whoever’s steering so carelessly — until you realize the other boat is empty. “There was never anybody to be angry with in the first place,” he says in his video. “That’s life, isn’t it? We assume everything’s about us. ‘They’re just doing that to screw me, to piss me off.’ Most of the time, nobody’s thinking about you.” The lesson is simple but profound: not everything that bumps into us in life is personal. In the original Taoist version, a young monk sets out on a lake to meditate in peace. When another boat collides with his, he lashes out — only to find that it’s empty. With no one to blame, his anger instantly dissolves. The story became a metaphor for one of life’s hardest truths: we create much of our own suffering by assuming other people’s actions are directed at us. In modern psychology, that idea overlaps with what’s known as the spotlight effect — our tendency to overestimate how much other people notice or judge us. It’s a form of everyday egocentrism, not narcissism, but it can quietly drive anxiety and resentment. “Sometimes a bump is just a bump,” as the saying goes. The Empty Boat Theory encourages a mental shift from blame to mindfulness — to pause before reacting, and to question whether an “offense” was ever about us in the first place. It’s a deceptively simple perspective that can diffuse anger, cool ego-driven reactions, and even make daily life a little lighter. Call it ancient wisdom or a psychological insight, the takeaway is the same: we all move through waters full of empty boats. Recognizing that can make every collision a little less personal — and the journey a lot more peaceful.
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Sir Gary Oldman Joins Storyline Online to Promote Childhood Literacy
Sir Gary Oldman is lending his voice to inspire a new generation of readers. In honor of National Book Month, the Oscar-winning actor has joined Storyline Online, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Emmy-winning children’s literacy program, to read a retelling of The Three Billy Goats Gruff by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen. The program, which features celebrities reading beloved children’s books aloud, aims to spark kids’ imaginations while improving reading and communication skills. More than 90 stars — including Viola Davis, Meryl Streep, and Michelle Yeoh — have participated. “Gary Oldman is one of the most transformative actors of our time, and he brings that same versatility and passion to his reading of The Three Billy Goats Gruff,” said Courtney B. Vance, President and Chairman of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. “We’re thrilled to share his performance with young audiences everywhere, and we know children will be spellbound.” For Oldman, storytelling has always been central to his work. “The written word has always been a central part of my life,” he said in a statement shared with PEOPLE. “When reading and selecting scripts, it is always the imagination and beauty of the written word that grabs me. The stories contained in the written word shape the way I see stories and characters to this very day.” He added that joining Storyline Online felt like a natural way to give back. “It’s my way of sharing, and hopefully promoting, that love of reading with the next generation — encouraging children to discover, to see, to imagine the possibilities that live between the covers of every book.” Oldman’s reading comes with a free activity guide for parents and teachers, aligned with Common Core Standards, to help build lessons around the story. His video is available now at storylineonline.net and on the organization’s social media platforms — a fitting reminder that even one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors started his journey with a good story.
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How the Hollywood Film 'Toxic Avenger' Helped Eliminate Over $15 Million in Medical Debt
Macon Blair's reimagining of "The Toxic Avenger" hit theaters in August after a long delay. If you didn't catch it then, the horror comedy starring Peter Dinklage is now available digitally. A physical release is set for October 28. But behind the laughs and gore, there's a heartwarming success story tied to the film: a campaign to help relieve medical debt. In late August, just before the film's theater debut, Cineverse—the company distributing "The Toxic Avenger"—announced a fundraiser aiming to tackle $5 million in medical debt. The initiative promised that for every $1 million the movie made at the box office, Cineverse would wipe out an equal amount of debt. Fast forward to today, and that goal has not only been met but exceeded threefold. According to a press release from Cineverse, fans' generosity has helped erase over $15 million in medical debt for more than 10,000 people. "What started as a heroic quest to eliminate $5 million has tripled," the release stated. It praised fans' enthusiasm and contributions as proof that storytelling communities can significantly impact real-world issues. This charitable effort ties back neatly to the movie itself. In "The Toxic Avenger," Dinklage's character faces fatal health challenges without adequate insurance coverage—a scenario all too familiar for many individuals today. Cineverse organized this campaign with Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit specializing in purchasing medical debt in bulk for pennies on the dollar. This approach allows donations to stretch further; one dollar donated typically erases $100 of unmanageable medical debt. For those interested in contributing or learning more about Undue Medical Debt's operations, details are readily available online. According to Cineverse's release, each $10 donation eradicates approximately $1,000 of medical debt. As for "The Toxic Avenger," its physical formats will be hitting shelves soon—with options including a Collector’s Edition Blu-ray and 4K version, plus an Amazon exclusive featuring the original 1984 film as a bonus—on October 28.
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300-Year-Old Mural Unveiled For Public Viewing At England's Oldest Hospital
For the first time in nearly three centuries, visitors to London can step inside one of the city’s most historic hospital buildings — and see two monumental works by one of Britain’s greatest artists up close. The North Wing of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, built in 1732, has reopened to the public following a five-year, $12.8 million restoration. Inside, visitors can admire The Pool of Bethesda and The Good Samaritan, two massive biblical murals painted by William Hogarth, better known for his biting social satire and political cartoons. “Hogarth didn’t do anything else at this scale, other than one other later commission,” said Will Palin, chief executive of Barts Heritage, the charity responsible for restoring the building. “The results are quite extraordinary.” The two paintings line the hospital’s grand stairwell — part of an interior that also includes a gilded Great Hall, a sweeping timber staircase, and intricate plasterwork by Jean Baptiste St. Michell, believed to be his only surviving work in Britain. Hogarth’s murals depict acts of compassion and healing: in The Pool of Bethesda, Jesus restores a disabled man’s ability to walk; in The Good Samaritan, the title figure tends to a stranger’s wounds with oil and wine. According to Barts Heritage, many of the people Hogarth used as models were real hospital patients. “None of the illnesses are exaggerated,” the charity notes, “perhaps unusually for an artist known for caricatures.” The North Wing’s restoration brought together experts in painting conservation, masonry, ironwork, and gilding to preserve both the building’s exterior and interior. It marks the first time the public has been able to view these spaces as they were originally intended — as a fusion of art, architecture, and philanthropy. Founded in 1123, St. Bartholomew’s — or “Barts,” as it’s affectionately known — is the oldest hospital in England still operating on its original site. The institution survived Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries after Londoners petitioned him to keep it open. In gratitude, the Tudor monarch granted the hospital to the City of London in 1546. Centuries later, Barts remains woven into British history and culture. It’s where Sherlock Holmes first meets Dr. Watson in Arthur Conan Doyle’s A Study in Scarlet, and it continues to feature in the BBC’s Sherlock series today. Interestingly, Hogarth’s involvement in the project was not originally planned. The hospital had commissioned Italian painter Jacopo Amigoni to decorate the stairwell. When Hogarth, who was born just streets away, heard the news, he was incensed. “He knew the hospital well and almost felt an ownership of this project,” Palin told The Guardian. Determined to see an English artist take on the work, Hogarth offered to paint the murals for free — an offer the hospital quickly accepted. “Few people in the 1730s were entirely convinced by Hogarth’s essays in the grand manner to date,” wrote Kirsten Tambling in Apollo magazine. “But once they heard the price, it was an offer the hospital authorities could hardly refuse.” Now, nearly 300 years later, the North Wing will reopen as a space for art, culture, and community. The Great Hall, inscribed with the names of more than 3,000 historic benefactors, will host concerts, events, and guided tours. “This hidden gem will welcome the public as a place for art, culture and wellbeing at the heart of the city,” Palin said. The North Wing is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, and the first Sunday of every month — offering a rare glimpse of Hogarth’s only large-scale religious works, and a reminder of how art and healing have long intertwined at the heart of London.
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2 Austrian Women Switched At Birth Just Reunited with Their Moms After 35 Years
Two women in Austria who were accidentally switched at birth have finally met each other—35 years after the mix-up at a hospital in the city of Graz. Doris Grünwald and Jessica Baumgartner were both born prematurely at the LKH-Uniklinikum Graz in October 1990. Shortly after birth, hospital staff mistakenly handed each baby to the wrong parents, according to Austrian public broadcaster ORF. For decades, neither family knew the truth. In 2012, Doris discovered something was wrong when she donated blood and learned her blood type didn’t match that of her mother, Evelin Grünwald. Genetic testing later confirmed she was not biologically related to her parents, Evelin and Josef Grünwald. ORF reported on the case in 2016, but at the time, the other family couldn’t be located. Meanwhile, Jessica—who had been raised nearby by Herbert and Monika Derler—made a similar discovery years later. When she became pregnant, she found out that her blood type didn’t match her parents’ and was told about the unsolved “switched at birth” case. She reached out to Doris on Facebook, and the two arranged to meet. “It was like meeting a sister,” Jessica told ORF’s Thema programme. “We got along right away,” Doris said. “It was an indescribably good feeling.” Recently, the two families met for the first time, captured by an ORF TV crew. For the parents, the reunion was emotional and complex. Mrs Derler recalled her reaction when she first learned the truth: “It was emotional turmoil. But my first thought was Jessica will always be our child. And when I saw Doris, I thought she is such a sweetheart.” Evelin Grünwald said the meeting brought comfort after years of uncertainty. “For me, my family has just got bigger and I finally have certainty,” she said. Her husband added simply: “It was a relief.” The hospital has formally apologised for the mix-up. “We deeply regret that this mistake was made at the time,” said Gebhard Falzberger, operations manager at LKH-Uniklinikum Graz. In 2016, the Grünwalds sought legal advice and formally adopted Doris to secure her inheritance rights, later receiving compensation from the hospital. The Derlers are now pursuing similar legal steps. Jessica said that, while the truth brought closure, it also came with complicated emotions. “It’s emotionally huge,” she said. “With beautiful sides to it, but also a lot of pain.”
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New Study Finds Eating More Of This Vitamin May Lower Dementia Risk By 49%
A long-term study out of Japan is adding fresh evidence to the idea that what you eat may help protect your brain as you age. Researchers found that adults who consumed the most riboflavin (vitamin B2) had up to a 49 percent lower risk of developing disabling dementia compared with those who ate the least. The findings, published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, also linked higher intakes of vitamin B6 and folate with a modestly lower risk, while vitamin B12 showed no clear connection. The study followed more than 4,000 Japanese adults aged 40 to 69 for about 15 years, tracking diet and dementia diagnoses using national health records. Participants’ food intake was assessed through a 24-hour dietary recall, and researchers accounted for variables like age, lifestyle, and medications. “Riboflavin really stood out,” the authors reported, noting that people who got the most vitamin B2 from food had nearly half the dementia risk of those with the lowest intake. The protective link appeared especially strong in participants who had never experienced a stroke—hinting that these vitamins may play a role in non-vascular forms of dementia as well. While the research doesn’t prove that B vitamins directly prevent dementia, it fits with existing evidence that they help regulate homocysteine, an amino acid tied to both heart and brain health. “That a simple dietary factor could be linked to long-term cognitive function is intriguing, but we need more studies before drawing firm conclusions,” said registered dietitian Alyssa Pike, RDN, who reviewed the findings. Importantly, the study only captured vitamin intake from food and drink, not supplements. “More isn’t always better,” Pike added. “It’s best to focus on consistent, balanced eating patterns that naturally include these nutrients.” Here’s where to find them: Riboflavin (B2): milk, yogurt, eggs, lean meats, fish, mushrooms, almonds, spinach Vitamin B6: poultry, salmon, potatoes, bananas, chickpeas, squash Folate: leafy greens, asparagus, avocado, citrus, beans, lentils, fortified grains Experts suggest aiming for a food-first approach—like starting the day with whole-grain cereal and milk, adding lentils or chickpeas to salads, or pairing salmon with sautéed greens for lunch. “While no single nutrient can prevent dementia, this research reinforces the value of everyday, nutrient-rich eating,” Pike said. “It’s another reminder that what’s on your plate can make a meaningful difference over time.”
Score (96)
Scientists Accidentally Create Tiny "Rainbow Chip" That Could Supercharge The Internet
What started as a routine experiment in a Columbia University lab has turned into a major breakthrough that could transform how data moves through the world’s computers. A few years ago, researchers in Michal Lipson’s lab were testing high-power chips meant to improve LiDAR, the light-based sensing technology used in everything from self-driving cars to drones. As they pushed more power through the chip, something unexpected happened. “As we sent more and more power through the chip, we noticed that it was creating what we call a frequency comb,” said Andres Gil-Molina, a former postdoctoral researcher in Lipson’s lab and now a principal engineer at Xscape Photonics. A frequency comb is a special kind of light that contains dozens of distinct colors, or frequencies, spaced evenly apart—like the teeth of a comb. Each color can carry its own data stream, allowing for multiple channels of communication through a single light source. Creating such combs has traditionally required bulky, expensive lab equipment. But in a new paper published in Nature Photonics, Lipson and her collaborators show how to generate them on a single silicon chip. “The technology we’ve developed takes a very powerful laser and turns it into dozens of clean, high-power channels on a chip,” Gil-Molina said. “That means you can replace racks of individual lasers with one compact device, cutting cost, saving space, and opening the door to much faster, more energy-efficient systems.” Lipson, the Eugene Higgins Professor of Electrical Engineering and professor of Applied Physics, said the achievement marks a new milestone for silicon photonics, a field focused on using light instead of electricity to transmit information. “As this technology becomes increasingly central to critical infrastructure and our daily lives, this type of progress is essential to ensuring that data centers are as efficient as possible,” she said. The discovery began with a simple question: What’s the most powerful laser we can put on a chip? The team chose a multimode laser diode, a type commonly used in medical devices and laser-cutting tools. It can produce enormous light output but is notoriously “messy” and unstable for precise work. To fix that, the researchers built a locking mechanism that purified the laser’s light using silicon photonics. The result was a clean, stable beam that could be split into dozens of evenly spaced colors—the defining feature of a frequency comb. That single breakthrough could have massive implications for the technology that powers modern life. Today’s data centers rely on fiber optics to transmit information, but most systems use single-wavelength lasers, meaning one beam carries one stream of data. Frequency combs allow dozens of beams to travel in parallel through the same fiber, dramatically multiplying bandwidth. The technique, known as wavelength-division multiplexing, is the same principle that revolutionized the internet in the 1990s—but now it fits on a chip small enough to hold in your hand. With artificial intelligence driving explosive data demand, this innovation could make the world’s servers faster and more energy-efficient. Beyond computing, compact frequency comb chips could also power next-generation LiDAR, optical clocks, quantum sensors, and portable spectrometers. “This is about bringing lab-grade light sources into real-world devices,” said Gil-Molina. “If you can make them powerful, efficient, and small enough, you can put them almost anywhere.”
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New Study Highlights Amazing Benefits Of Greek Yogurt After Workouts
Greek yogurt might be doing more for your post-workout recovery than just giving you a protein boost. A study published in the journal Nutrients on August 29 reveals that Greek yogurt can also help manage inflammation after exercise. Researchers in Canada monitored 30 healthy young men during resistance training and compared their post-exercise snacks of carbohydrates with Greek yogurt. The results showed that Greek yogurt was more effective at decreasing markers of inflammation than carbohydrates alone. Inflammation is a typical response to strength training, where muscle fibers develop small tears, leading to soreness and stiffness. Autumn Bates, a certified clinical nutritionist and author of the upcoming cookbook "How to Eat," explained the importance of Greek yogurt's protein content as a post-workout snack. "Protein is the primary nutrient needed to recover from a workout," she said. Bates emphasized the value of leucine, an amino acid abundant in Greek yogurt that aids in muscle repair and recovery. Bates, who is also a personal trainer, recommends making your own Greek yogurt to save money—she estimates savings of about $450 per year by doing so. For those who buy it, she advises selecting plain, unsweetened, and preferably full-fat versions. According to her, full-fat options are more filling than low-fat ones and contain higher levels of vitamin K2. This vitamin supports bone, heart, and dental health. Jill Charton, a celebrity fitness trainer based in Georgia, highlighted another perk: probiotics found in Greek yogurt support gut health. She mentioned that incorporating other anti-inflammatory foods like fatty fish, berries, and leafy greens into your diet while cutting back on processed foods and refined sugars can further assist in reducing inflammation. Charton also pointed out lifestyle factors such as regular exercise and sufficient sleep contribute significantly to managing inflammation. Staying hydrated and minimizing stress are equally important parts of the equation. "Taking high-quality supplements like omega-3 fatty acids or curcumin may help reduce inflammation," she said but advised consulting healthcare providers first. For those not keen on Greek yogurt’s tangy taste, Bates suggests mixing it with protein powder or blending it into smoothies for added flavor while maintaining its benefits. She assured that consuming enough protein within 24 hours after working out will still yield excellent results.
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Scientists Discover Tumor-Associated Bacteria Molecule That Enhances Chemotherapy Effectiveness
An international team of scientists has discovered that certain bacteria living inside tumors can produce a molecule that slows cancer growth and makes chemotherapy more effective—a breakthrough that could reshape how doctors treat cancer in the future. The research, led by scientists at Imperial College London’s MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences and the University of Cologne, identified a compound called 2-methylisocitrate (2-MiCit) produced by E. coli bacteria associated with colorectal cancer. The findings, published in Cell Systems on September 10, 2025, suggest that tumor-dwelling microbes may play an active role in cancer progression—and could even be used to fight it. “We’ve known that bacteria are associated with tumors, and now we’re starting to understand the chemical conversation they’re having with cancer cells,” said Professor Filipe Cabreiro, who led the study. “We found that one of these bacterial chemicals can act as a powerful partner for chemotherapy, disrupting the metabolism of cancer cells and making them more vulnerable to the drug.” To uncover this, researchers used a large-scale screening system involving microscopic worms known as C. elegans, testing more than 1,100 conditions to see how bacteria might affect cancer treatment. They found that 2-MiCit, a metabolite produced by E. coli, could enhance the effectiveness of the common chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Further tests confirmed that 2-MiCit is also produced by bacterial communities found within human tumors. When applied to human cancer cells and in a fly model of colorectal cancer, the compound showed strong anti-cancer activity and even extended survival in the flies. The study found that 2-MiCit works by targeting an enzyme inside the mitochondria—the cell’s energy generators—causing DNA damage and triggering anti-cancer pathways. The dual attack weakens cancer cells and makes them more susceptible to chemotherapy. “The combination was significantly more effective at killing cancer cells than either compound alone,” said Dr Daniel Martinez-Martinez, the study’s first author. “That a single molecule can exert such a profound impact on cancer progression is truly remarkable.” Working with medicinal chemists, the team went a step further, creating a modified version of 2-MiCit that was even more potent. “Using the natural microbial product as a starting point, we were able to design a more powerful molecule—effectively improving on mother nature,” Cabreiro said. The discovery adds to growing evidence that the microbiome—the collection of microbes living in and on the body—can influence everything from immunity to cancer treatment. Researchers say it also strengthens the case for more personalized medicine, taking into account not just a patient’s genetics but also their unique microbial makeup. The study was funded by the Leverhulme Trust, the Wellcome Trust/Royal Society, the DFG German Research Foundation, and the UK Medical Research Council. As Cabreiro put it, the work is just the beginning: “We’re only scratching the surface of what is really happening. The microbes that live with us may hold some of the most powerful tools we’ve yet to discover in the fight against cancer.”
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This Pumpkin Patch is Preparing 40,000 Pumpkins For a Giant Halloween Celebration
In the heart of Nottinghamshire, England, a sprawling sea of orange has appeared just in time for Halloween. At Maxeys Farm Shop in Kirklington, more than 40,000 pumpkins—ranging from tiny, tennis ball-sized gourds to giant ones as big as exercise balls—are ready for harvest. The family-run farm, operated by three generations of the Maxey family, has been growing pumpkins since the 1970s, turning its fields into a festive destination each autumn. “It is magical looking across the field and seeing so many pumpkins,” said co-owner Katharine Maxey. “Even after all of these years, it is still breathtaking—it is just a sea of orange.” The pumpkins are homegrown from start to finish. Seeds are ordered in January, germinated in a greenhouse in April, planted in June, and harvested by early October. The patch, which covers an area the size of eight football pitches, is also bursting with color—orange, green, blue, and white varieties all dot the field. Since 2012, the farm has hosted its annual “Pick Up A Pumpkin” event, where thousands of families visit to select their perfect pumpkin ahead of Halloween. Prices range from $2 to $10, depending on size. “It’s heartwarming when customers who are coming to choose a pumpkin first see them and they gasp and mutter ‘wow,’” Katharine said. “They tell me trying to choose one takes ages, as no pumpkin is the same—they are all so different.” For Katharine, her husband Keith, their son James, and Keith’s mother Doreen, the patch is a family legacy—and a source of pride that grows bigger every year. “I’m very proud of our patch,” she said, smiling across the field of glowing orange pumpkins ready to make their way into homes, doorsteps, and Halloween memories across Nottinghamshire.