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Score (97)
61-Year-Old Defies Terminal Cancer Prognosis to Complete Her Third Great Run
Angela Summers, a resilient 61-year-old from Fallowfield, has defied the odds by completing her third Great Manchester Run after being diagnosed with incurable spine and lung cancer in 2021. Initially given just six months to live, Summers thought she would never tackle a 10K again. "Every time I go across that line, I just think, 'that's another year I've been here,'" she said. Summers' journey began shortly after the 2021 race when back pain revealed a spinal tumor—secondary cancer from her lungs. Doctors warned she might never walk again and gave her a grim prognosis of six to 18 months. But Summers embarked on intensive chemotherapy and started walking short distances with Nordic hiking poles. "It was freezing, it was painful, but it gave me something to work towards," she shared. In 2022, believing herself too ill for the run, her daughter Josie organized friends and family to participate in her honor. Inspired by their support, Summers joined them at the last minute and has participated every year since. Their running group now boasts over 30 members and raises funds for Maggie's cancer charity, which supported Summers through her diagnosis. Having undergone 36 rounds of chemotherapy with stable tumors allowing a break from treatment for the past year, Summers continues to train daily using sticks for support. "I can't run anymore; the pain's too much," she admitted. "But I can still walk. I take painkillers, lean on my poles, and get it done." Summers hopes her story inspires others facing serious illness: "Even if you're told the worst, never say never."
Score (97)
How Fences, Decoys and Calls Are Saving Endangered Birds on New Jersey's Beaches
On a breezy summer morning at South Cape May Meadows Preserve in New Jersey, the beach feels alive. Least terns wheel overhead, dive into the surf, and drop tiny fish into the open beaks of downy chicks waiting in the sand. Just a few years ago, though, this scene would have been impossible. Predators — foxes, raccoons, feral cats, and even unleashed dogs — had been wiping out nearly every nest on the preserve’s beach. “One fox could wipe out 100 tern eggs in a night,” said Damon Noe, critical lands manager for The Nature Conservancy in New Jersey. Instead of turning to endless predator trapping, Noe tried something different. In 2019, he built two fenced-off nesting areas with six-foot predator-proof barriers buried deep into the sand. Inside the enclosures, he placed tern and shorebird decoys and installed solar-powered speakers broadcasting calls of nesting birds. The ruse worked. Least terns, American oystercatchers, and black skimmers quickly began using the safe zones. “Since putting up the fence, we haven’t lost a bird to a mammalian predator,” Noe said. Avian predators like crows posed a new challenge, so Noe deployed an unusual tactic: crow effigies strung upside down along the fence. The sight of what appears to be a dead crow keeps others away. He also broadcasts bird calls year-round, even in the off-season, to train predators to ignore the sounds. The results have been dramatic. In 2023 and 2024, South Cape May Meadows recorded the highest number of least tern fledglings in New Jersey. “You won’t see one outside the enclosures,” Noe said. The preserve still faces challenges. Flooding in recent years submerged entire nesting areas under nearly a meter of water. To counter this, Noe worked with the Army Corps of Engineers to build elevated shell-buffered sand islands inside the fenced areas. The birds now nest on these higher, storm-resistant patches of beach. Cape May is already famous among birders, drawing 65,000 visitors a year and hosting the World Series of Birding. But behind the scenes, places like South Cape May Meadows are also becoming laboratories for conservation innovation. “The places available for these birds to nest have been greatly reduced all along the coast,” Noe said. “When they’re in these isolated habitats, they face threats. Without our help, I don’t see how they can survive.” For now, the results speak for themselves: thriving colonies of terns and shorebirds, chicks stumbling along the sand, and the hopeful hum of a beach once again alive with life.
Score (98)
The Surprising Power Of Music: How Tunes Can Help Ease Loneliness
Music doesn’t just move us emotionally – it may also keep us company. A new study led by Dr Steffen Herff, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Sydney, has found that music reduces feelings of loneliness by triggering vivid mental images of connection, warmth and companionship. The findings, published in Scientific Reports, mark the first empirical evidence that music can strengthen imagination and foster social thought, even in the absence of lyrics or voices. “Music appears to act as a catalyst for social imagination,” said Dr Herff. “Even without words or voices, it can trigger thoughts of connection, warmth and companionship. Whether we’re celebrating or grieving, music is something we can turn to.” Over four years, researchers studied 600 participants worldwide. Each person was asked to imagine a journey toward a landmark, such as a mountain, either in silence or while listening to folk music from Italy, Spain, and Sweden. The results showed a striking difference: when listening to music, people described far more vivid and socially rich imagery, from dancing and laughing with friends to sharing time with loved ones. Computational analysis confirmed that music consistently inspired social themes. Generative AI was then used to turn participants’ descriptions into visual representations. A follow-up experiment revealed that others could identify which images were music-inspired – but only when they, too, were listening to music. “This tells us that there is a ‘theory of mind’ when it comes to music-evoked mental imagery,” Dr Herff explained. “People can imagine what others might be imagining whilst listening to music, which is fascinating.” The study suggests that music could play a role beyond entertainment, supporting mental health therapies that rely on imagery, such as exposure therapy for phobias or guided visualization in PTSD treatment. “We observed compelling support that music can systematically strengthen and shape mental imagery and induce social themes into imagination,” said Dr Herff. “That is a very powerful thing.” With nearly 4,000 imagined journeys now in their dataset, the team hopes to expand research to other musical genres and non-Western traditions. Their goal is to explore how different forms of music might deepen social imagination and open up new, low-cost ways to alleviate loneliness, particularly in times of isolation like the COVID-19 pandemic. For Herff, the conclusion is simple: music really is good company.
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Score (96)
These Canine Detectives are Sniffing Out Hope: Sumatran Rhinos Might Not Be Extinct After All
For years, conservationists were convinced the Sumatran rhino had disappeared from Way Kambas National Park in southern Sumatra. Now, a discovery by two dogs has raised hopes that the critically endangered species may still survive there. Yagi and Quinn, trained by the US-based NGO Working Dogs for Conservation, detected several piles of scat in the park that are believed to belong to Sumatran rhinos (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis). Initial testing supports the finding, with two more tests pending before the Indonesian government can confirm it. “I would have bet my paycheck that there were no rhinos left in Way Kambas,” said Nina Fascione, executive director of the International Rhino Foundation (IRF). She had even pushed to bring in dogs as a final step to prove the species was gone and that resources should be redirected elsewhere. “I’ve never been happier to be wrong about something in my life if I indeed am wrong.” The breakthrough came quickly. After years of failed searches using rangers, drones, and camera traps, the dogs located scat within just two days. “I was nothing short of thrilled,” said Pete Coppolillo, executive director of Working Dogs for Conservation. “With fewer than 50 [Sumatran rhinos] in the entire global population, even a single individual is a big deal.” The dogs were trained using scat from 10 captive rhinos at the Way Kambas Rhino Sanctuary. Coppolillo noted that conservation dogs are especially effective at detecting elusive, low-density species in dense forests. Still, working in the humid rainforest meant extra care to prevent infections and overheating. Sumatran rhinos are among the most endangered mammals on Earth. A recent IUCN report estimated that just 34 to 47 remain in the wild. Their elusive nature has made them difficult to track, with reports that they even avoid camera traps. For conservationists, the possibility of a hidden population in Way Kambas is hugely significant. “Quite honestly, in my opinion, I trust the dogs,” Fascione said. “They found what everybody believes is rhino’s scat. We think it’s really good news.” If confirmed, the next step would likely be to capture any surviving animals to join the breeding program, which is struggling with limited genetic diversity. “Any rhino found in Way Kambas should be captured for the breeding program, which desperately needs new genes, especially from males,” Fascione said. Coppolillo is already thinking ahead. “I feel greedy saying it, but I’m hoping there’s more than one rhino [in Way Kambas]. Can you imagine if we confirm breeding? This is the stuff we conservationists live for!” For now, hope rests on the dogs’ discovery and the tests to come. As Fascione put it: “There are clearly some very reclusive rhinos hanging out. My hope is that there are more of those rhinos in more places than we know of.”
Score (98)
This Heroic Truck Driver's Quick Thinking Just Saved an Abducted Woman
A truck driver from Newport, Tennessee is being hailed as a hero after his quick thinking helped save a young woman from an alleged abduction. On February 25, Ron Ross was parked at a rest area along I-40 in rural West Tennessee when he spotted something unusual. A young woman ran past his truck, carrying her shoes, before bolting toward the woods. Moments later, a man ran after her. “It scared me,” Ross said. “I went and called 911.” A Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper arrived within minutes and rescued the woman, who authorities later revealed had been abducted in California. Ross also handed over dashcam footage that captured the chase, giving investigators critical evidence. Looking back, Ross admitted he wasn’t sure how serious the situation was until it hit him. “I asked another truck driver who was there, ‘Did I just save that girl’s life?’ I hope I did.” For his actions, Ross was named a “Highway Angel” by the Truckload Carriers Association, an honor given to truckers who show bravery, kindness, and quick judgment on the road. Since the program’s start in 1997, nearly 1,500 drivers nationwide have been recognized. Ross, who drives for MCK Trucking of Madison, Alabama, has also earned praise from his company. “MCK is grateful to have a driver like Ron who makes a difference in the world,” said Safety Director David Wheeler.
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Ancient Conch Shells Are Revolutionizing Sleep Apnea Treatment—Here's How
People with sleep apnea may one day swap a facemask for a seashell. A new randomized controlled trial in India suggests that blowing into a conch shell, a traditional yogic exercise known as shankh, could help ease obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition that causes repeated pauses in breathing during sleep and affects nearly a billion adults worldwide. Researchers at the Eternal Heart Care Centre and Research Institute in Jaipur tested 30 adults with moderate OSA. Half were assigned to practice shankh for 15 minutes, five days a week, while the others performed standard deep-breathing exercises. By the end of the trial, those in the conch-blowing group reported better sleep and greater alertness the next day. Sleep monitors confirmed the benefits: participants experienced up to five fewer apnea episodes per night and had higher blood oxygen levels while asleep. “The way the shankh is blown is quite distinctive,” said pulmonologist Krishna K. Sharma, who led the study. “It involves a deep inhalation followed by a forceful, sustained exhalation through tightly pursed lips. This action creates strong vibrations and airflow resistance, which likely strengthens the muscles of the upper airway, including the throat and soft palate – areas that often collapse during sleep in people with OSA.” The current gold-standard treatment for OSA is a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, which keeps the airway open by pumping air through a mask worn at night. While highly effective, CPAP is notorious for being uncomfortable, leading many patients to abandon it. Sharma believes conch blowing could offer a non-invasive alternative or complement to CPAP. “While effective, many patients find [CPAP] uncomfortable and struggle to use it consistently,” he said. The trial was small and unblinded, something Sharma readily acknowledged. Still, the results were “clinically meaningful,” he added. The team now plans a larger multi-hospital trial to confirm the findings and compare shankh directly with CPAP, particularly in patients with more severe apnea. The study was published in ERJ Open Research.
Score (81)
From Gladiator to Guardian: How Zack George's Heartfelt Challenge Honors His Son’s Brave Fight
Zack George, best known as “Steel” on BBC’s Gladiators, has launched a charity with his wife Samantha in memory of their baby son, who died earlier this year after being born prematurely. The couple’s son, Leo, was born at just 23 weeks in March and spent 13 days in the neonatal intensive care unit at Leicester Royal Infirmary before he died in April. To honour his short life, the Georges created Leo and Friends, a charity aimed at supporting families who face the trauma of premature birth and baby loss. George, 35, marked the launch with a physical test of endurance inspired by his son’s struggle. On Monday, he began a 13-day challenge of performing between 800 and 850 burpees each day — one for every day Leo lived in hospital. “I wanted to suffer for the duration [Leo] was suffering for,” George said. “He taught me all about courage and strength and what it is to fight and be brave.” The challenge started at Loughborough University, where George was joined by his wife and fitness coach Joe Wicks. Samantha George said the new charity was her husband’s way of keeping Leo’s memory alive. “When it all happened my head was just a complete blur,” she said. “And Zack instantly turned to wanting to carry Leo on and build a legacy for him. Losing him is the hardest thing I've ever gone through.” Alongside raising awareness about neonatal struggles, the couple say they want to show grieving parents that it is OK to speak openly about baby loss. Dr Ben Baucells, a neonatal consultant at Leicester Royal Infirmary who treated Leo, praised the couple’s efforts. “I think it’s incredible and brave,” he said. “Zack and Sam have done an incredible job, they’re so positive.” The charity has already received corporate backing. Currys, the electrical retailer, pledged £5,000 worth of equipment to support neonatal doctors, nurses, and families. George’s challenge will continue at locations across the UK in the coming days, with the funds raised going toward improving care for premature babies and their families.
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This Revolutionary Patch Lets Hearts Repair Themselves After Attacks
Swiss scientists say they have developed a new high-tech heart patch that could eventually replace the cow-derived material currently used to repair damage after a heart attack. The three-dimensional “RCPatch” – short for Reinforced Cardiac Patch – was designed at ETH Zurich as an alternative to bovine pericardial patches, or BPPs, which are widely used in heart surgery. After a heart attack, blood flow to the heart is interrupted, cutting off oxygen and damaging the muscle. In severe cases, the heart wall can rupture, requiring immediate surgical repair. Surgeons typically use BPPs because they are stable, permeable, and easy to implant. But doctors say they have significant drawbacks. “Traditional heart patches do not integrate into the heart tissue and remain permanently in the body,” said Lewis Jones, the study’s lead author. “We wanted to solve this problem with our patch, which integrates into the existing heart tissue.” Jones, who is completing his PhD under Professor Robert Katzschmann, explained that BPPs are biologically inert, meaning they cannot break down inside the body. They may also trigger calcification, blood clots, or inflammation. The ETH Zurich team believes their new design addresses these issues. The RCPatch is made up of three parts: a fine mesh to seal damage, a 3D-printed scaffold for stability, and a hydrogel enriched with living heart muscle cells. The scaffold’s lattice structure is printed from a degradable polymer. Over time, the scaffold disappears as the living cells merge with heart tissue. “The big advantage is that the scaffold is completely degraded after the cells have combined with the tissue,” Jones said. “This means that no foreign body remains.” Katzschmann said the goal was to build a patch that not only closes heart defects but also supports repair and regeneration. “Our goal was to develop a patch that not only closes a defect but also helps to repair it completely,” he said. In initial animal experiments, researchers implanted the RCPatch into pig models, where it successfully sealed an artificial defect in the left ventricle and withstood the heart’s high pressure. The patch restored function and prevented bleeding, while maintaining its structural integrity under real blood pressure conditions. The findings, published in the journal Advanced Materials, mark what the team calls a “promising foundation” for developing a reinforced, tissue-engineered heart patch that could one day be used in humans. In the long term, the scientists hope the RCPatch can do more than repair. By integrating living cells into the damaged area, it may eventually regenerate injured heart muscle and heal the organ itself. For now, the research team plans to refine the material and conduct longer-term animal studies to test its durability and stability.
Score (96)
Emotional Surprise: U.S. Marine Brother Makes Unforgettable Entrance at Sister's Wedding
A wedding day often brings unexpected moments that linger in memory, but for Allison, a bride from Dickinson, Texas, the surprise was particularly heartfelt. As she prepared for her first look, an intimate moment before the ceremony where the bride sees a significant person in her life, she anticipated seeing her stepfather. Instead, she turned around to find someone she hadn't seen in months: her brother Wesley. Stationed at a U.S. Marine Corps base in North Carolina, Wesley had seemed unable to attend due to service obligations. However, he received last-minute approval for leave and decided to give his sister an unforgettable surprise on her big day. Captured on video, the emotional reunion shows Allison breaking into tears upon seeing Wesley. The siblings embraced as family and friends watched on, their laughter and tears audible in the background. It was a touching moment of reconnection after six months apart. Wesley orchestrated this surprise with meticulous planning. As Allison stood ready for what she thought would be her stepfather's arrival, Wesley quietly took his place behind her. A tap on the shoulder led to a flood of emotions when she turned to see him standing there. "I'm so glad I could make it," Wesley reportedly said during their embrace, highlighting how much being there meant to him as well as his sister. Following their initial hug, the siblings took time to catch up and pose for photos together. The porch served as their backdrop while they chatted about everything they'd missed in each other's lives over the past six months. The story struck a chord with many who watched the video online. It serves as a reminder of the special bonds between siblings and the sacrifices made by those serving in the military. For Allison and Wesley, this unexpected reunion became an unforgettable highlight of an already meaningful day.
Score (93)
Meet The Trailblazing Actor With Down Syndrome Eyeing Chile's Presidency
Sebastián Solorza, a celebrated Chilean actor with Down syndrome, is setting his sights on the country’s highest office. The 43-year-old star of the Netflix hit Chromosome 21 has announced his bid to run as an independent candidate in Chile’s presidential election this November. To qualify, Solorza must collect 35,000 signatures by August 18. So far, he has just over 600, but he says the campaign is less about the odds and more about visibility. “I listen with my heart,” he told the Associated Press, adding that his condition allows him to communicate differently in a political climate dominated by bitter attacks between the far right and the far left. If he makes the ballot, Solorza says his platform will focus on inclusion, healthcare, education, and public safety, at a time when Chile is facing a wave of violence that has unsettled citizens nationwide. “I’ve spent my entire life breaking down prejudices, as an actor, as a worker and as a citizen,” he said. “We all deserve the same opportunities.” Chile votes on November 16, with polls currently pointing to a showdown between far-right José Antonio Kast, who narrowly lost to Gabriel Boric in 2021, and Jeannette Jara, a communist and the ruling coalition’s nominee. Both are expected to advance to a December 14 runoff, leaving little room for outsiders. Still, Solorza’s candidacy has struck a chord. Supporters cheer him on in the streets of Santiago and Valparaíso, telling him to keep pushing for the signatures. For many, his run symbolizes a chance to challenge deeply rooted prejudices. “His political aspirations open the door to raise the voices of people with Down syndrome and help to demystify myths and prejudices still present in society,” said Carolina Gallardo, director of the Chilean nonprofit Down Up Foundation. Solorza has long defied expectations. Born in the 1980s, when little was understood about Down syndrome in Chile, his mother, Jenny, recalls his early years as “very dark,” with doctors unable to provide a clear diagnosis. Music, she said, was what sustained him. He went on to study theater on scholarship at 18 and gradually built a career in television and stage acting. His breakout role as Tomy in Chromosome 21 catapulted him to national fame in 2022. The thriller quickly climbed Netflix’s charts, and Solorza won Best New Actor at the 2023 Caleuche Awards, one of Chile’s top film honors. Now, alongside his acting work and day job at a construction company, he is carving out time to visit Congress, meet lawmakers, and campaign. Always smiling and approachable, he takes time to pose for photos and talk with supporters. Critics online say he lacks political experience, but Solorza remains undeterred. “I know my candidacy would be uncomfortable for many,” he said. “But I am here to support minorities.” Even if he falls short of the ballot, Solorza has already made history. His candidacy challenges not only Chile’s polarized politics but also the country’s perception of who can aspire to leadership.
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Meet The Rodent Rembrandts: How Rats Are Creating Art That Sells for Thousands
An 18-year-old from England has turned her eight pet rats into surprise art stars, selling their tiny paw-painted canvases for thousands of pounds online. Ella Woodland, from Droitwich Spa, first tried the idea in February after spotting another creator selling rat-made art on Facebook. Curious, she laid out watercolour and children’s paints, set up a small playpen, and let her rodents scurry across mini-canvases. The result was a series of colourful abstract splashes that quickly caught the attention of buyers. “They just walk around [canvases] in kids’ paint – then I sell them for £10 each with a mini easel,” Ella said. “It just randomly blew up one day – it’s a win/win because I can save up for a car and lessons to drive, and the rats have so much fun running around and eating lots of baby food.” Ella’s rats – Gubler, Rumple and Reid, all one year old, along with six-month-olds Hotch, Morgan, Luke, Rossi and Gideon – now produce up to 20 paintings a week. She lists them on Vinted, where prices that once started at £10 have climbed as high as £500. Since March, she has made about £2,000. Most of the money goes back into caring for the rodents, including a £250 premium cage, tunnels and a food mix of pasta, cereal and mealworms. The rest she’s saving for driving lessons. “I didn’t expect it to take off – I just posted a few pictures on Vinted and now it’s my summer job,” she said. Her breakthrough came when a stranger posted one of her rats’ artworks on X, formerly Twitter, where it racked up 7 million views. Sales immediately spiked, with Ella reporting a 500 percent jump in demand. To encourage her “artists,” she sometimes dips her finger in baby food and guides them across a canvas. The technique, she said, keeps them active and playful. “Sometimes I have to put my finger in a jar of baby food and let them follow it around, so they can walk around the canvas,” she explained. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, aside from a few people admitting they’re afraid of rats. One customer even left a glowing review declaring: “Gubler’s talent is unlimited.” Ella, who plans to begin a degree in clinical psychology at the University of Worcester in September, says she’ll keep the side hustle going alongside her studies. “It’s become a summer job for me, and I’ll continue to have it as my part-time job when I start uni,” she said. For now, her rodents seem content in their role as unlikely rising stars of the art world.