The Surprising Risk Songbirds Take for a Genetic Jackpot

Songbirds embarking on their epic journeys from northern boreal forests to tropical winter havens may gain more than just warmth—they might also enjoy greater genetic diversity. A University of Michigan study reveals that these long-distance migratory birds boast higher genetic diversity compared to their less adventurous counterparts who stay closer to home. Lead author Benjamin Winger, an associate professor at U-M, explains, "Long distance migration has evolved to be a very successful strategy for birds because even though it's difficult and requires extraordinary physiology, it allows them to spend the northern winter in a place where they enjoy a higher survival rate." The research team examined the genomes of 35 bird species, including hermit thrushes and Swainson's thrushes. They discovered that while some species exhibit extensive gene flow across populations, others maintain distinct genetic patterns tied to specific breeding locations within the boreal forest. First author Teresa Pegan was surprised by the findings: "I almost fell out of my chair when I found it—there's actually a really remarkably strong relationship between migration distance and the amount of genetic diversity in the population." These insights are crucial for conservation efforts as climate change and human activities threaten bird habitats. Winger notes that deforestation poses significant risks: "We're showing that some species probably have a lot of gene flow... But others really come back to the same patch of forest every year, and those might be more susceptible to deforestation." This study highlights how understanding migratory patterns can aid in protecting these resilient travelers as they navigate an ever-changing world.

Read More

Their Scottish Startup is Turning Ocean Waste into Chic Planters

In a bid to tackle ocean waste, a Glasgow startup named POTR is transforming discarded fishing nets into elegant plant pots. These aren’t just any pots; they're origami-inspired and crafted from marine plastic that’s traceable back to its origins. Each pot includes a scannable QR code, offering details on when and where the plastic was recovered. Andrew Flynn, one of POTR’s founders and a lecturer at The Glasgow School of Art, believes transparency is key. "Traceability makes it real for people," he explained. "The more transparent the journey, the more it sparks conversations and makes people realize they can be part of the solution." POTR has established a UK-based supply chain to bring this idea to life. Fishing nets are recovered and shredded by Waterhaul, specialists in marine waste based in Cornwall. The reclaimed plastic is then pelletized, pressed into sheets, and die-cut in Edinburgh. According to a study by Defra, Scotland and England's fishing industries produce about 6,000 tonnes of plastic waste annually. Much of this ends up polluting our seas or littering coastlines. By using this waste to create planters, POTR not only addresses pollution but also contributes to cleanup efforts by donating 4 percent of their profits. Each tonne of recovered plastic can produce around 5,000 ocean pots. Plus, their design allows them to be flat-packed for shipping, reducing transport costs significantly, by up to 100 times according to POTR. Flynn’s initiative was motivated by witnessing the environmental damage along Scotland's west coast caused by marine debris. Harry Dennis from Waterhaul pointed out that ghost gear is particularly harmful: "Ghost gear is the most damaging form of plastic in the sea." He stressed that working with POTR gives new purpose to this material by creating something both useful and beautiful for homes.

Read More

These Heroic Locals Saved a Beached Whale in a 6-Hour Rescue Drama

In an impressive display of community spirit and quick thinking, locals in Seldovia, Alaska, banded together to save a beached minke whale. The 4.5-meter marine mammal found itself stranded on the rocky shoreline of Kachemak Bay due to what experts believe was poisoning from an algal bloom. Without timely intervention, the whale could have succumbed in just 20 minutes. Responding swiftly, the Seldovia Village Tribe jumped into action after receiving an alert from the Alaska SeaLife Center. Stephen Payton, the tribe's environmental coordinator, made his way to assist despite having never encountered a live beached whale in his decade-long career. "I just went out as fast as I could, not really knowing what to expect," Payton shared. Upon arrival, he found about 15 residents already at work. They had formed a line to pass buckets of seawater over the whale's underbelly, keeping it moist and shielding it from sun damage. Local volunteers also draped wet beach towels over its body while considering how best to help it back into the water. Minke whales are among the smallest baleen whales but can still weigh upwards of three metric tons at this size. Handling such a creature posed significant risks; however, nature lent a hand as the tide began to rise after six hours. This natural event allowed the whale to right itself and swim away safely. The fact that this minke whale lay on its side with its blowhole facing seaward made its position particularly perilous. Typically, these animals cannot survive long out of water because they risk drowning when their blowholes are obstructed. "We are grateful for the calm presence and respect shown by those nearby during this time," expressed representatives from the Seldovia Tribe on Facebook. The teamwork and compassion demonstrated by locals gave this minke a second chance at life in waters where it was sighted swimming for days afterward.

Read More

Unlock Your Fitness Potential: The Perfect Workout Match for Every Personality

Feeling bored with barre or stuck in the same old strength routine? It might not be you. It might be the workout. Experts say that if you’re hitting a wall with motivation, the type of exercise you’re doing could be out of sync with your personality. “When someone feels stuck in a workout rut, it’s often not a motivation issue; it’s a mismatch between their psychological preferences and the type of exercise they’re doing,” says Mark Kovacs, a human performance scientist and fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. A growing body of research, including a recent study in Frontiers in Psychology, suggests that personality traits influence the kinds of workouts people enjoy and stick with. If the exercise style suits you, you’re more likely to keep doing it—and enjoy the mental health benefits that come with it. “Your workout shouldn’t fight your personality… it should reflect it,” Kovacs says. “When your workout taps into your intrinsic temperament, you’re far more likely to stick with it.” So how do you figure out your “fitness personality”? Domenic Angelino, a personal trainer and exercise scientist, suggests starting with a few questions: Do you thrive on structure or prefer spontaneity? Are you looking for physical challenge, stress relief, or both? Do you like to try new things, or stick with what you know? Here are some general patterns the experts see: Extroverts tend to do well in group settings: dance classes, team sports, CrossFit, or anything high-energy. If that’s you, finding a workout buddy close to your fitness level can also help. Introverts might enjoy solo training that doubles as downtime. Structured weight programs, fitness apps, or using wearables to track progress can make workouts feel focused and rewarding. People high in openness often like variety and experimentation—novel classes, VR workouts, or routines that change often. Those lower in openness usually do better sticking with a consistent program, making gradual tweaks rather than big changes. People high in neuroticism—prone to anxiety or stress—often prefer shorter, private workouts that are gentle and calming, rather than competitive or crowded classes. But these aren’t rules. “Think of personality as a compass, not a rulebook,” Angelino says. “It could help you figure out which types of exercise you’ll enjoy, but it shouldn’t cage you in.” Practicality also matters. Angelino recommends asking: How far do you have to travel to work out? Can you realistically manage the length and frequency of the sessions you’ve committed to? Plans that fit into your life are easier to maintain. And sometimes, a bit of discomfort can be good. “Just because something feels unfamiliar doesn’t mean you’re not capable of doing it,” says Kovacs. “I’ve seen introverts thrive in group classes once they realize no one’s actually watching them. And I’ve coached anxious athletes who learned to love intense workouts once they reframed it as controlled challenge, not chaos.” Bottom line? Matching your exercise to your personality can make working out more enjoyable. But it’s also worth trying something new—because the workout that surprises you might be the one that sticks.

Read More

Firefighters Pull Off a Daring Rescue of a Hawk Tangled on a Rooftop

A routine evening took an unexpected turn when a firefighter swooped in to rescue a Harris Hawk that found itself tangled on a rooftop aerial. The incident unfolded yesterday when the team from Essex County Fire and Rescue Service was called to save the distressed bird. Harry McWilliam, the firefighter who carried out the rescue, used an aerial ladder platform to reach the frightened hawk. With tips from the hawk's owner on how to handle it safely, McWilliam climbed up and managed to untangle the bird. The team later shared their experience on social media with a bit of humor: "Our firefighters don’t get in a flap when it comes to unusual animal rescues." The post continued by describing how crews were worried about the hawk’s owner trying to scale the roof themselves. In response, they acted promptly to ensure both human and avian safety. Station Manager Scott Fretton commended McWilliam's efforts, noting the unique nature of this particular mission. "It was one of our more unusual animal rescues," Fretton said. "Harry took advice from the owner and covered the bird in a blanket to keep him calm before releasing him from the aerial and placing him in a box to bring him back to the ground safely." After its ordeal, the hawk even posed for a quick photo with McWilliam before returning to its owner's care. Residents came out of their homes during the rescue operation, moving cars so that firefighters could position their equipment properly. When McWilliam successfully freed the bird, he received applause from those gathered below.

Read More

NASA's Bold Air Taxi Crash Test: Paving the Way for Safer Skies

NASA has taken another step toward making future electric air taxis safer, by deliberately crashing one. On June 26, engineers at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, dropped a full-scale test fuselage from a 35-foot gantry to see how next-generation lightweight aircraft materials behave in a crash. The fuselage was modeled on a passenger air taxi, part of the agency’s push to gather data that can guide the design of safer advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft. "By showcasing elements of a crash alongside how added energy-absorbing technology could help make the aircraft more robust, these tests will help the development of safety regulations for advanced air mobility aircraft, leading to safer designs," said Justin Littell, the test lead at Langley. The test replicated crash conditions required by Federal Aviation Administration certification standards, including a 10-degree yaw to simulate an off-axis impact. Engineers closely tracked how the fuselage structure and simulated battery components handled the impact. The test vehicle included crumple-zone-like energy-absorbing subfloors, which appeared to perform as designed. NASA said the results lined up well with computer simulations, which were refined using data from an earlier crash test in 2022. This latest trial also included added mass to represent underfloor battery packs, allowing researchers to study acceleration forces and evaluate where future electric propulsion systems could be safely placed. The work is part of NASA’s Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology (RVLT) project, which falls under its Advanced Air Vehicles Program. The goal is to provide research that helps the FAA and industry develop standards for the new generation of electric aircraft and drones expected to operate in and over cities. The RVLT program focuses on passenger air taxis and heavy-lift drones, aiming to cut emissions, boost safety and reliability, and reduce operating costs so that this form of air travel can scale up sustainably. NASA says the crash-test data will be released publicly so commercial developers and regulators can use it to assess the crashworthiness of future designs.

Read More

Why Traveling Might Be the Secret to Boosting Your Mental Health

Feeling stressed? A vacation might be just what the doctor ordered. According to a recent survey of 2,000 Americans conducted by Talker Research, taking a trip can significantly boost mental well-being. The study found that the average American feels mentally 67 percent better after traveling, suggesting that getting away from daily routines can have a positive effect on mental health. Those who frequently travel report even greater benefits. People with excellent mental health tend to travel more often than those with poorer mental states. These individuals take an average of 3.3 trips per year for leisure, while those with poor mental health manage only about 1.5 trips annually. The survey revealed a strong connection between one's passion for travel and their mental health status. Forty percent of respondents with excellent mental health described themselves as extremely passionate about travel, viewing it as a lifestyle choice rather than just an occasional activity. In contrast, only 12 percent of respondents with poor mental health and 19 percent with very poor mental health shared this sentiment. Moreover, people who report excellent mental health have traveled internationally more frequently than those in less favorable mental states. On average, these individuals have ventured abroad 5.3 times in their lives. Meanwhile, those with fair to very poor mental health have traveled internationally fewer than three times on average. Benjy Sherer, an anxiety and trauma coach, offered insight into why travel might have such benefits. "Travel can often provide a much-needed reset and perspective shift," Sherer said. He explained that stepping away from familiar environments helps break the cycle of stressors encountered in daily life and allows individuals to see their problems from a different perspective. The findings highlight the potential therapeutic effects of travel on mental well-being. Whether it's exploring new places or simply taking time away from home, the act of traveling seems to offer valuable psychological benefits. This survey was conducted among various age groups: Gen Z, millennials, Gen Xers, and baby boomers between May 5 and May 8, by Talker Research.

Read More

Wolves Are Back, And So Is Yellowstone's Majestic Aspen Forest After 80 Years

Yellowstone National Park is seeing a remarkable transformation. After decades of debate and effort, the iconic aspen forests are making a comeback thanks to the reintroduction of wolves into the ecosystem. This marks the first time in 80 years that new aspen trees have grown to form an overstory, validating conservationists' efforts to bring back predators crucial for maintaining ecological balance. The connection between gray wolves and quaking aspen trees wasn't always clear. Back in the 1920s, government programs led to the eradication of wolves from Yellowstone, encouraging hunting of predators like wolves, coyotes, and cougars. Without wolves to keep their numbers in check, elk populations grew unchecked and grazed heavily on young aspen and cottonwood saplings. This led to severe overgrazing issues. As early as 1934, scientists observed significant damage. A team noted that by 1929, "the range was in deplorable condition," with deterioration continuing steadily thereafter. As older aspen stands died out without replacement trees, species relying on mature aspens suffered too. It took until 1995 for wolves to be reintroduced into Yellowstone. These animals were brought in from Jasper National Park in Canada and quickly resumed their role as apex predators hunting elk and indirectly protecting young trees. Fast forward thirty years, these efforts have paid off—new generations of aspen trees now thrive. Luke Painter, an ecologist from Oregon State University leading this study, highlights the dramatic change: "About a third of the 87 aspen stands we examined had large numbers of tall saplings throughout." This is a big shift compared to surveys from the 1990s when no such growth was observed. Painter's team defined saplings as under two meters tall or with trunks narrower than five centimeters at breast height; anything larger qualifies as a tree. They found that 43 percent of sampled stands contained new small trees surpassing this threshold. Since 1998, there’s been a staggering increase—152-fold—in sapling density above two meters tall. To confirm that wolf reintroduction caused this recovery rather than other factors like climate change, researchers measured elk browsing rates on these trees. Stands with many tall saplings showed significantly lower browsing rates compared to those still heavily chewed by elk. According to Painter, this indicates a top-down trophic cascade effect: "This is a remarkable case of ecological restoration." Painter adds that wolf reintroduction is bringing about long-term changes boosting biodiversity and habitat diversity within Yellowstone's ecosystem. The study results appear in Forest Ecology and Management.

Read More

Baker's Epic Shrek Cake Stuns Millions, Delights Local Food Banks

Lara Mason, a baker from Walsall, crafted a life-size Shrek cake and then donated it to food banks. Known for her impressive cake replicas of celebrities like Taylor Swift and characters such as Deadpool and the Grinch, Mason took on her biggest challenge yet: replicating the beloved ogre at over 1.98 meters tall. Lara Cakes, Mason's business, typically bakes its own sponges for these edible artworks. However, given the scale and quick turnaround time required for this project, she opted for a local bakery to supply the layers needed. "That's a lot of cake," she remarked when describing the process to the BBC. The Shrek model was made with chocolate ganache and involved 50 layers of vanilla cake. Sculpting Shrek wasn't just about size; it required precision in design too. "Even ogres have layers," Mason joked, echoing one of Shrek's famous lines. Despite her extensive experience over 13 years, this project posed unique challenges. The towering height meant Mason had to use ladders for much of the decoration work. Moreover, an unexpected summer heatwave wreaked havoc on her initial attempt at sculpting Shrek’s face. The heat caused the heavy chocolate ganache features to collapse overnight. "That was an absolute fail," she admitted but quickly regrouped by reinforcing with kebab skewers and pressing on against time constraints. Her determination paid off as videos documenting the process garnered nearly six million views across social media platforms. Once filming wrapped up, Mason ensured none of her hard work went to waste by donating the finished cake to local food banks in Pelsall and Chadsmoor. "Walsall North Food Bank in Pelsall and Cannock and District Food Bank in Chadsmoor were more than happy to take a big delivery of yummy cake," Mason said. As fans await next year’s release of Shrek 5, Lara Mason has once again proven her ability to bring larger-than-life characters into reality through baking artistry; an endeavor appreciated both online and by those benefiting from her generosity.

Read More

New Breakthrough Blocks Breast Cancer Spread: How Scientists Are Halting Tumor Growth

Scientists have made a significant leap in the fight against breast cancer by identifying a way to stop it from spreading. Researchers found that blocking an enzyme called uridine phosphorylase-1 (UPP1) can prevent the formation of secondary tumors, which are often what make cancer so deadly. The research, conducted by teams at the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute and the University of Glasgow, revealed that changes in metabolism spurred by cancer lead immune cells to release a compound known as uracil. This compound helps create a scaffold for tumors to grow in other parts of the body. By blocking UPP1 in mice, scientists managed to halt this process, enabling the immune system to target and kill these secondary cancer cells. Dr. Cassie Clarke from the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute explained that this discovery shifts current approaches to stopping breast cancer spread. "By targeting these metabolic changes as early as possible, we could stop the cancer progressing and save lives," she said. Published in Embo Reports, this study highlights how early detection of metabolic changes can open new avenues for stopping cancer cells from migrating through the body. Dr. Catherine Elliott from Cancer Research UK emphasized how important these findings are: "Metastasis is a major factor in breast cancer becoming harder to treat...This discovery gives us new hope for detecting and stopping metastasis early." Breast cancer remains a significant concern in the UK, with approximately 56,800 people diagnosed each year and around 11,300 deaths annually. While treatments have improved over time, once the disease spreads, it becomes more challenging to manage. The research team is diving deeper into how UPP1 affects immune cell behavior and exploring drugs that can block these metabolic processes before they lead to secondary cancers. Simon Vincent from Breast Cancer Now noted that high levels of UPP1 may make some cancers more likely to spread, suggesting potential new drug targets. "Now we need more research to see if this new insight can be turned into new drugs that stop secondary breast cancer," Vincent said. With about 61,000 people living with secondary breast cancer in the UK alone, advancements like these offer promise for more effective treatments in the future.

Read More

From Brink Of Extinction To Roaring Comeback: 3 Inspiring Tiger Tales

Once spread across much of Asia, tigers have vanished from most of their historic range. But in parts of the continent, the big cats are starting to come back, thanks to years of conservation work and communities learning to live alongside them. In Thailand, the number of Indochinese tigers in the Huai Kha Khaeng and Thung Yai (HKK-TY) wildlife reserves has more than doubled since 2007, when camera trap surveys began. Researchers now estimate there could be as many as 140 tigers in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it the last stronghold for this subspecies. The rise is linked to stronger ranger patrols that have reduced poaching and to efforts to increase prey populations. “Tiger recoveries in Southeast Asia are few, and examples such as these highlight that recoveries can be supported outside of South Asia, where most of the good news [about tigers] appears to come from,” said Abishek Harihar, tiger program director for Panthera. In Indonesia’s Aceh province, camera traps set in the vast unprotected forests of the Ulu Masen Ecosystem revealed a small population of 11 Sumatran tigers, a subspecies found nowhere else. The same survey also captured images of prey species like sambar deer, serow antelope and wild boar. While poaching, habitat loss and illegal mining still threaten the area, scientists say the findings show that even unprotected forests can hold important tiger populations if steps are taken to safeguard them. They are urging greater protection and investment to help these tigers recover. And in Kazakhstan, tigers have returned for the first time in about 70 years. Two Siberian tigers, Bodhana and Kuma, were moved from a sanctuary in the Netherlands to a large enclosure at Ile-Balkhash Nature Reserve in September 2024. The country has spent years reforesting parts of the reserve and bringing back prey species such as Bukhara deer and Asiatic wild ass. The hope is that these tigers will breed, and their cubs will one day roam the wild, starting a new population where the species was once wiped out. These efforts show that, while tigers still face serious threats, recovery is possible when long-term conservation work and local support come together.

Read More