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Family First: Birds' Remarkable Bonds Just Astonished Scientists
Long-tailed tits, those charming little birds often seen flitting around UK gardens, have revealed a remarkable family dynamic that rivals human kinship. Researchers at the University of Sheffield have uncovered that these birds maintain strong familial bonds even during migration, with childless adults stepping in to help raise their relatives' young. Published in the Journal of Animal Ecology, this study sheds light on cooperative behavior—a phenomenon where some animals forgo breeding to assist others. In long-tailed tits, unsuccessful breeders often become vital helpers for related pairs, echoing human family support systems. The research team from the University of Sheffield's School of Biosciences analyzed 30 years of data and found that these birds migrate in family units. This ensures they arrive ready to cooperate with their kin—a first documented instance among cooperative bird species. "This 30-year study is unique in its depth," said Dr. Jennifer Morinay, co-lead author and post-doctoral research associate at the university. "The discovery of family ties persisting through migration is particularly exciting." Key factors influencing whether a bird becomes a helper include breeding success or failure, familial connections, and opportunities within their kin group. External pressures like predator numbers also shape cooperative behaviors. The study highlights that helping benefits diminish as individuals disperse further from their birthplace. "The push and pull between cooperation and competition is something we readily recognize in our own lives," said Professor Ben Hatchwell, co-lead author and professor of evolutionary ecology at the university. Future research will explore how long-tailed tits recognize relatives through calls, smells and social bonds to further understand cooperative breeding mechanisms in this intriguing species.
Score (96)
Helicopter Heroics: Man Survives Two Days Trapped Behind California Waterfall
In a dramatic rescue operation, California police used a helicopter to save Ryan Wardwell, who found himself trapped for two days behind a waterfall. The 46-year-old from Long Beach had set out to rappel down the Seven Teacups waterfalls in a remote area south of Sequoia National Park. When he didn't return to his car by nightfall on Sunday, concern grew and authorities launched a search. The Tulare County Sheriff's Office led the efforts to locate Wardwell. Despite using infrared technology and aircraft, the challenging terrain and late hour forced them to pause the search until daylight. On Tuesday morning, they deployed a drone that successfully located Wardwell alive and responsive behind one of the waterfalls. Wardwell’s predicament began when "the extreme hydraulics of the river" pushed him off his rappelling lines, trapping him behind the cascade, according to police reports. It took coordination between law enforcement agencies to safely extract him from his precarious position. A video posted by the Tulare County Sheriff's Office on Facebook shows Wardwell's rescue. Once they pinpointed his location, the California Highway Patrol dispatched a helicopter to hoist him to safety. After being rescued, Wardwell received treatment for minor injuries and dehydration before reconnecting with his family.
Score (97)
How Canadian Libraries are Unlocking a World of Free Tools and Fun for Families
When Janelle Powell and her husband needed an electric saw for a small home renovation, they didn’t head to the hardware store. They went to their local library in Markham, Ontario. They checked out the saw — and on a whim, Powell also borrowed a pasta maker she spotted on the shelf. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m borrowing this,’” she said. After two weeks of homemade ravioli and tagliatelle, she decided she didn’t need one of her own. “It was fun, but I concluded ‘probably not.’” That’s the point, she says: libraries have become a place to try out tools, toys, even hobbies without the cost. “It just kind of dawned on me that most people don’t realize the library allows you to borrow things beyond books,” Powell said. “It’s evolved so much past that.” Across Canada, public libraries have quietly expanded their collections and services far beyond reading material. Parents rely on them for toy lending and play spaces. Job seekers use them for free Wi-Fi, computers, and meeting rooms. Creators can access recording studios, sewing machines, 3D printers, and musical instruments. Some even lend out passes to museums and galleries. In Calgary, the public library’s early learning centres include a decommissioned fire engine and even a real helicopter to climb into. “We see some of the same families and children repeatedly every single day,” said Barb Gillard, the library’s executive director of visitor experience. In Toronto, the Digital Innovation Hubs are equipped with design software, 3D printers, and green-screen studios. “Instead of having to go out and buy something or pay for a service or a course, you now have the resources to potentially do it yourself,” said Natalie Colaiacovo, the library’s manager of innovation services. She recalled a woman experiencing homelessness who used a graphic design tablet there to work on self-publishing a children’s book. The Vancouver Public Library is also adapting to new needs. More people are using branches as remote offices since the pandemic, director Kay Cahill said. “There’s no price of admission. You don’t have to go and keep buying cups of coffee to feel like you can stay,” she noted. The library is even exploring adding soundproof pods for video calls. And when Vancouver launched its instrument-lending program, Cahill said, “literally everything went out except for one left-handed guitar.” For Powell, borrowing has become a way to save money and keep life interesting. She rents video games from the library for her nine-year-old, avoiding $80 price tags. The toy library, she says, has been a lifesaver for her two-year-old. “You spend so much on toys and trying to entertain your kids and they get bored of them so quickly,” she said. By her estimate, her library card has saved her thousands of dollars. After she posted about her pasta-making experiment online, the reaction was overwhelming. “I was deluged with comments… incredulous that the machine could be borrowed from the library,” she said. For her, the message is clear: “Libraries have far more to offer than books and hushed spaces.”
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Score (98)
Meet Frank: The Siamese Cat Helping Train Hearing Dogs in an Unlikely Way
Frank the Siamese cat has landed a rather unusual role: helping to train hearing dogs. Living in High Wycombe with his owner, Julie Shute, Frank spends time with trainee dogs to see how they react to him. The idea is simple but important: some deaf people who receive hearing dogs also have cats, so the dogs need to prove they can live calmly alongside them. “Frank is proving to be a great addition to our training team,” said Rachel Broadley, a dog training instructor at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People’s Buckinghamshire hub. “It’s not a job that would suit every cat, but as a confident boy who loves dogs, he is already best friends with trainee puppy Kasper.” The charity trains dogs to recognise sounds such as smoke alarms, doorbells, and baby monitors. Testing their reactions to cats has become part of the process, and Frank is the one in charge. At first, he is introduced from behind a glass door so the puppies can observe without overwhelming him. Later, he sits on Shute’s lap within reach of the dogs. “When a dog comes up to Frank, I can tell by his body language if he’s comfortable around them,” Shute explained. “Throughout the whole interaction, he’s always free to jump out of the way or leave the room. But if he’s comfortable, his muscles will relax, and the dog can then come closer to sniff him.” If a puppy barks, gets too excited, or shows fear, trainers know it may not be suited to live with a cat owner. Frank, meanwhile, is rewarded for his work with roast chicken, his favourite snack. His unusual career began by accident. Shute had volunteered as a puppy trainer and was given a Cockapoo named Gizmo. “They ate, slept and played together,” she said. “My trainer at the time observed this and asked if it would be possible for other hearing dog puppies to visit Frank to see if they could be matched with a deaf partner who already had a pet cat. Frank started taking his role with Hearing Dogs very seriously and soon earned his title of ‘chief cat tester’.” Now, the confident Siamese is playing a quiet but vital part in helping dogs succeed in their training — and in making future partnerships between people and pets that little bit smoother.
Score (96)
Iowans Scratch Their Way to a World Record at State Fair Celebration
Iowa just scratched its way into the record books. On August 14, more than 1,300 people gathered at the Iowa State Fair to take part in an unusual Guinness World Record attempt: the most people scratching lottery tickets at the same time. Armed with free Scratch, Match & Win! tickets handed out by the Iowa Lottery, the crowd of roughly 1,380 fairgoers set to work. When the dust settled, the record was theirs. The previous mark belonged to Poland’s Totalizator Sportowy Lotto, which set the standard in 2023 with 550 participants. Iowa beat it by 830 people. “This is a celebration 40 years in the making,” said Matt Strawn, CEO of the Iowa Lottery. “The first Iowa Lottery ticket was sold at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate how the lottery has given back.” The event, held at the fair’s Elwell Family Park, wasn’t just for bragging rights. All participants were entered into a drawing for cash prizes. According to the Des Moines Register, Katherine Blank Pierce of Des Moines won the $40,000 grand prize, while two others took home $4,000 each. Still, most people left with nothing but the thrill of being part of something quirky and historic. “That’s the way it is, if you play a game, you lose some, you win some,” joked participant Anne Vuong in an interview with NBC affiliate WHO-DT. Others leaned into the humor of the moment. “I got to thinking, ‘How many years do I have left to live and have a world record?’” said Judy Hemingson, who took part alongside her daughter. “So it’s like, ‘Hey, you want to do this with me? Because I could be dead tomorrow, but I’d have a world record before I go.’” Guinness adjudicator Michael Empric was on site to make the announcement official, handing over the plaque as participants cheered. Footage from local station KCCI showed rows of people seated on bleachers, scratching furiously after the cue from master of ceremonies Jeff Angelo. The record attempt doubled as a birthday party for the Iowa Lottery, which launched in 1985 and has since generated billions in revenue for state programs. For those at the fair, though, the appeal was simpler: a free ticket, a shot at some cash, and the chance to say they were part of a world record. As one participant said, “I could be dead tomorrow, but I’d have a world record before I go.”
Score (96)
From Grief to Greatness: How One Father's Running Journey Transformed Heartache Into Hope
Nick Hodges never imagined running would change his life. He once hated it, but after losing his 10-month-old son Bodie in a choking accident in 2012, lacing up his shoes became his way of coping. “I started to realise that actually as well as the physical benefits, it was giving me time to think things through and get my head straight,” he said. “It had benefits for my wellbeing as I was trying to navigate grief early on. I hated running before, but it became my escape – a space to reflect, to heal.” Bodie was rushed to Leicester Royal Infirmary after the accident and placed on life support for several days. Doctors eventually told Nick and his family that he would not survive. Bodie remained in hospital for nearly a week before becoming an organ donor. “It was an absolutely devastating time,” Nick said. “Inside the hospital we had incredible support, the nurses, pastoral support and consultants were amazing. But when we walked out, we realised that particularly when it’s been an unexpected death, the support was pretty much non-existent. We were pretty much left with a couple of national helplines and ‘off you go’.” That absence of care after leaving the hospital drove Nick to act. In 2013 he set up the Bodie Hodges Foundation in his son’s memory. The charity offers one-to-one counselling for bereaved parents for up to two years. It also runs a dads’ group called “chips and a chat,” where fathers meet monthly for social activities. Nick said Bodie’s “strength and courage” in hospital, and his own experience of grief, inspired the foundation’s mission to support families who have lost a child. Running, too, became part of that journey. Casual conversations in the dads’ group led others to try it, and over time, it grew into a collective effort. This September, about 40 runners will take on the Great North Run in Newcastle to raise money for the foundation. Six of them are parents who have also lost a child. “Some are a little like how I am – shouting from the rooftops because they want to keep their child’s name alive,” Nick said. For him, this year’s race holds deep meaning. It will be his tenth time running the half marathon, mirroring the 10 months Bodie was alive. “He may have only been around for 10 months but he’s had a significant impact on the world even though he wasn’t around for long,” Nick said. “Across the 10 years it’s really good knowing through the charity, through events like running, how it is helping other people now.” Nick admitted that words still fall short when it comes to describing the loss of a child. “There’s still not a word that can describe what it is like when your child dies. You just can’t explain it,” he said. “Trying to learn to grow your lives again around the grief that you hold is difficult.” Now 49, Nick said he never set out to become a runner, but running and the charity have helped him live with his loss while keeping Bodie’s name alive. Apart from the Covid-19 cancellation in 2020, he has run the Great North Run every year since his son’s death. “It’s taken a long time to accept, but I’m actually a runner,” he said.
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The Hidden Quantum Secret Inside Van Gogh’s ‘starry Night’ Revealed
Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night has long mesmerized art lovers with its swirling, dreamlike sky. Now, physicists say the masterpiece mirrors a phenomenon usually seen not in art, but in quantum physics. A new study published in Nature Physics finds that the turbulent, spiraling patterns in The Starry Night resemble structures formed by a rare scientific effect called quantum Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (KHI). The phenomenon occurs when two fluids of different densities move at different speeds, creating waves that evolve into vortices. Physicists at Osaka Metropolitan University and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology recently simulated KHI in quantum fluids, where the instability produces unusual “exotic vortex patterns.” They identified a new type of swirling structure, known as eccentric fractional skyrmions (EFS), which display crescent-like shapes and embedded singularities where the usual spin structure breaks down. “To me, the large crescent moon in the upper right corner of The Starry Night looks exactly like an EFS,” said Hiromitsu Takeuchi, associate professor at Osaka Metropolitan University. The comparison between Van Gogh’s brushstrokes and natural phenomena is not new. In 2023, researchers showed that his whirling clouds closely match the physics of real atmospheric turbulence, despite the artist painting indoors at an asylum without a view of the night sky. In 2019, Australian researchers compared the painting’s turbulent features to molecular clouds where stars form, while a 2008 study by José Luis Aragón in Mexico also identified signs of turbulence in Van Gogh’s work. Lead researcher Yongxiang Huang suggested Van Gogh either had an “innate sense of how to capture the dynamism of the sky” or had spent countless hours observing cloud movement. Whatever the case, the Dutch Post-Impressionist seems to have tapped into patterns that science is only now describing at the quantum level. More than 130 years after it was painted, The Starry Night continues to inspire — not just in museums, but in physics labs as well.
Score (98)
This Baby was Just Born in a McDonald's Parking Lot, And She's Been Given the Nickname 'McTilly'
A late-night dash to the hospital turned into an unforgettable story for a Michigan couple when their baby girl arrived in a McDonald’s parking lot. Alyce and Kevin Rotunda of Centreville had planned for their fourth child to be delivered at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo. But on Sunday night, Alyce’s contractions suddenly intensified on the way there. Kevin pushed their car to 100 miles per hour in hopes of making it, but realized they were out of time. He pulled into the McDonald’s on N Grand Street in Schoolcraft around 3 a.m. and called 911. A police officer arrived within minutes, using his spotlight to help. Alyce, who refused to lie on the pavement, stood in the lot as Kevin realized the baby wasn’t waiting. “Anybody that knows me knows that I would be the last person who would ever deliver a baby,” Kevin said. “But everything slowed down and I just focused on catching the baby.” In seconds, baby Matilda was born. “I had a huge sigh of relief when she honestly just fell out and immediately started crying,” Alyce said. Paramedics arrived shortly after and transported mother and daughter to Bronson Hospital. Matilda weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces, and her official birth certificate now lists the Schoolcraft McDonald’s address. Family members have already nicknamed her “McTilda,” “McTilly,” and “Nugget.” The Rotundas say they’re just grateful the delivery was safe. “I’m just really thankful and blessed that everything was fine and there were no complications,” Kevin said. It was also Alyce’s birthday that day, giving her a story she says she’ll be telling for life, and a daughter whose arrival was happier than any Happy Meal.
Score (96)
This Rare Lioness Sighting is Sparking Hope for a Northern Subspecies Recovery
For the first time in six years, a lioness has been photographed in Bamingui-Bangoran National Park in the Central African Republic — and she may have cubs. The image, taken in April by a camera trap set by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), shows a lactating female moving through the forest at night. It is the first evidence of a breeding lioness in the park in recent memory. “This is a truly exciting and hopeful sign for lions in the region,” said Armand Luh Mfone, WCS’s director of programs for CAR. Until now, camera traps in the park had only recorded males. “This latest sighting demonstrates that with strong protection efforts, this landscape still has the potential to support a thriving lion population.” Bamingui-Bangoran sits within the Northeastern Central African Republic Biosphere Reserve, a vast protected area spanning more than 113,000 square kilometers — about one-sixth of the country. The reserve also includes Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and other critical corridors that allow wildlife to move across the landscape. Northern lions (Panthera leo leo), once widespread in the region, have suffered decades of decline from hunting, retaliatory killings, loss of prey, and the impact of armed conflict. Mining for gold and diamonds, along with charcoal production, has further degraded habitats. Today, only a few dozen lions are thought to survive in the reserve. WCS has managed the area since 2019 under a 25-year partnership with the government. Alongside local communities, the NGO carries out anti-poaching patrols, park management, and law enforcement. It has also worked with nomadic herders to steer livestock routes away from protected areas, reducing human-lion conflict. The recent photo highlights signs of a rebound. Camera traps have recorded leopards, caracals, servals, and African wildcats returning after years of absence. Lions, too, may be beginning a comeback. “Lions have suffered greatly due to decades of persecution,” said Luke Hunter, executive director of WCS’s big cats program. Low human densities in the Northeastern CAR, he added, provide a rare opportunity. “If effectively protected, the two national parks alone could support 500 lions — a crucial boost to the roughly 750 Central African lions.” Samantha Nicholson, a carnivore scientist at the Endangered Wildlife Trust, called the discovery “significant,” stressing that breeding females are “the foundation for population recovery.” With consistent protection, she said, the Central African Republic could become a stronghold for the species. “Any sign of population recovery or potential increase gives cause to be optimistic for lions in central Africa.” For now, one photograph of a single lioness offers a rare glimpse of hope: proof that with protection, lions can still reclaim their place in this wild corner of Africa.
Score (97)
San Antonio Library Receives Book 82 Years Late: A Nostalgic Return Without a Fine
A book checked out from the San Antonio Public Library in 1943 has finally made its way back to the shelves, albeit a tad late. The book, "Your Child, His Family, and Friends" by Frances Bruce Strain, was expected back after 28 days. Instead, it returned nearly 82 years later. The library shared details about this belated return on social media. Along with the book came a letter from an Oregon resident identified only as P.A.A.G., who found the book among their father's belongings after his death. According to this writer, their grandmother likely borrowed it before moving to Mexico City for work at the U.S. Embassy. "I hope there is no late fee for it because Grandma won't be able to pay for it anymore," the letter humorously noted. In 1943, a fine of three cents per day would have accrued for such tardiness. If those fees had still been applicable today, they would have amounted to almost $900. However, San Antonio Public Library stopped charging late fees in 2021, so there's no financial penalty attached to this long-overdue item. As a piece of library history now returned, the parenting self-help book will soon find its way to a new owner through the Friends of San Antonio Public Library's used bookstore.
Score (98)
91-Year-Old Defies Age with First Parkrun, Proving It's Never Too Late to Start
Michael Thorley has shown that age is just a number by completing his first Parkrun at 91. He tackled the 5-kilometer course on Mersea Island, England, finishing in just over an hour with a time of 1:03:04. His goals were simple: finish the race and avoid coming in last, both of which he achieved. Thorley signed up for Parkrun four years ago, not long after undergoing heart surgery. Despite registering back then, it took him until now to actually take part. "If I don't do it now, when am I going to do it? I'm getting older by the day," he said. For Thorley, it's all about seizing the moment. Parkrun is a weekly event that happens in over 20 countries around the world. It invites people to join in a timed 5-kilometer run every week, offering an opportunity for exercise and community building. While Thorley's achievement is impressive, he's not the oldest participant globally. Harold Messam was a regular at Long Eaton Parkrun in Derbyshire at 95, and Colin Thorne completed his 217th Parkrun in Whangarei, New Zealand, on his 101st birthday. Thorley's wife, Sarah, who is 69 years old, is no stranger to Parkruns herself. She recently completed her 100th run, clocking in at 32 minutes and 15 seconds. She describes returning from these events feeling energized thanks to what she calls "wonderful, friendly and encouraging people." "The real stars are the people who set it all up; all the volunteers every week," Sarah remarked. "Some people are here every week and they mightn't even ever have done a run, but they're here because they like it." Viv Fox, the race director for Mersea Island's Parkrun, echoed similar sentiments about community involvement. "We're just really lucky to have a core group of people who like coming here week in and week out and just enjoy the atmosphere," Fox said.