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Score (97)
Wild Mustangs and Veterans: A Healing Bond at Wyoming Ranch
In the quiet town of Jay Em, Wyoming, a unique program is transforming lives by pairing veterans with wild mustangs. Operation Remount Corporation offers equine therapy to veterans and first responders, providing a path to healing for both humans and horses. Veterans often face mental health challenges, with data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs indicating higher rates of PTSD, depression, and anxiety compared to civilians. Approximately 6,000 veterans die by suicide each year. Operation Remount co-founder Karen Alexander explains that many mustangs in the program have also experienced trauma. "These are mustangs that went through three adoptions and were not accepted or not adopted," she said. "When the mustangs first come, they are very afraid of humans." Veteran Sean Walker is among this year's participants. After serving two tours in Iraq and one in Bosnia with the Kansas National Guard, he found reintegrating into civilian life challenging. Meeting his horse Spirit has been transformative. "We call him Enduring Spirit Wind," Walker said. "He's taught me probably more than I could have possibly taught him." The program recently added a new cabin in honor of Marine Corps Sgt. B.J. Shepperson, who struggled with civilian life after deployments. Operation Remount plans to expand its facilities to accommodate more participants year-round despite Wyoming's harsh winters. "It’s like when you found a connection that you’ve lost," Walker said about his bond with Spirit. Participants can keep their horse after completing the six-week course, fostering lasting connections beyond their time at Operation Remount.
Score (94)
This Lost Byzantine Treasure Just Revealed Secrets of the Ancient Elite
In a fascinating twist of history, archaeologists have uncovered a crucial piece of the Bromeswell bucket at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk, England. This site is renowned for its seventh-century Anglo-Saxon "ghost ship" burial. The Byzantine artifact, depicting a North African hunting scene with warriors and animals, has puzzled researchers since its accidental discovery in 1986. Recent excavations revealed the bucket's base and its surprising contents: cremated human and animal remains. A comb found inside may hold DNA evidence of the high-status individual buried over a millennium ago. Laura Howarth from the National Trust noted that such buckets are rare in Anglo-Saxon burials. The dirt block containing these finds underwent CT scans and X-rays before detailed analysis by experts at York Archaeological Trust. They discovered human bones alongside larger animal remains, possibly from horses used in early Anglo-Saxon cremation pyres to signify status. The research team also found plant remains within the bucket, offering potential insights into the climate and environment during its burial. Naomi Sewpaul, an environmental archaeologist involved in the study, expressed excitement about these findings. Angus Wainwright of the National Trust stated that this discovery sheds light on why this prized possession was buried: it contained an important community member's remains. The bucket's journey from the Byzantine Empire to England remains uncertain but suggests significant historical connections. This research is part of a two-year project involving multiple organizations and aims to further unravel Sutton Hoo's mysteries. Helen Geake from Time Team highlighted how this find epitomizes Sutton Hoo’s unique blend of cultural influences.
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From the Lumber Yard to Social Media Stars: How Shepmates Became a Viral Sensation
Australian twin brothers Archie and Miles Shephard have taken the internet by storm with their comedic sports commentary, becoming viral sensations known as "Shepmates." Their unique approach involves lip-syncing dramatic sports moments, all while maintaining a whisper-like volume in their bedroom studio. Archie explained to CNN Sports, “I feel like it’s a whisper... It’s a soft yell, if I was yelling then I’d have no voice!” The duo's journey began in 2021 when Miles, inspired by an enthusiastic cricket commentary during the Ashes series, filmed his own reenactment. “It was Covid, so I was bored,” he said. The video quickly gained traction online, prompting Archie to join in. Their content spans various sports including soccer, basketball and even darts. Despite occasional copyright challenges, such as when the International Cricket Council initially flagged one of their clips, the Shepmates turned setbacks into opportunities. After reaching out to the ICC about a banned video, they collaborated on it and saw it go viral. The twins' creative process has evolved from memorizing lines to using screens for timing delivery. “It doesn’t matter how good our facial expressions or the comedy,” Miles noted. “If the lip-sync’s not good, then people aren’t going to watch it.” Despite some missteps, like filming F1 driver George Russell inappropriately, the brothers have learned from their experiences. They’ve transitioned from timber yard salesmen to full-time content creators with a global audience. Reflecting on their success, Archie said they found an unexpected calling: “We tried to become professional athletes and failed at that... So I think the stars aligned with sports and content.”
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Score (93)
Why This Swimmer Braved Shark-Infested Waters to Celebrate 'Jaws' 50th Anniversary
Endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh made waves on Monday as he became the first person to swim around Martha's Vineyard, completing a 60-mile journey to spotlight shark conservation. The British-South African athlete, 55, embarked on this chilly adventure on May 15, swimming for hours each day in the frigid 47-degree waters. Pugh's mission was clear: change perceptions of sharks from "villains" to vital parts of the ocean ecosystem. "We've been fighting sharks for 50 years," he said upon finishing his swim at Edgartown Harbor Lighthouse. "Now, we need to make peace with them." Over 12 days, Pugh swam approximately 24 hours in total. His first stop after greeting fans was an ice cream shop where he enjoyed a salted caramel and berry brownie cone. Despite his extensive experience swimming near glaciers and among dangerous wildlife like hippos and polar bears, Pugh described this challenge as one of his toughest yet. He faced not only cold water but also rough weather conditions that included strong winds and waves during New England's nor'easter storm. "It's been a long journey...cold water, constant wind, waves," Pugh reflected. "When you swim for 12 days...you come back as a different person." Accompanied by safety personnel using a "Shark Shield" device to deter sharks without harm, Pugh saw no sharks but did encounter sunfish and seals along the way. Pugh says he now plans to head to New York for interviews about his swim and shark conservation efforts before returning home to Plymouth, England. "Now the real hard work starts," he said.
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Hong Kong's Baby Pandas Finally Get Their Names
Hong Kong's first locally born giant pandas have been officially named Jia Jia and De De, marking a significant milestone for the city. The names, meaning "Elder Sister" and "Little Brother," were revealed during a ceremony at Ocean Park, where the pandas reside with their parents and two other pandas from mainland China. Chosen through a naming contest that attracted over 35,700 entries, the names carry deep cultural significance. The female cub's name, "Jia Jia," symbolizes family prosperity and happiness. Meanwhile, "De" in the male cub's name signifies success and virtue—qualities highly valued in Chinese culture. Ocean Park Chairman Paulo Pong explained that they adhered to tradition by using Mandarin pronunciation for the English names. He noted that “Jia” resembles a Cantonese term for elder sister, while “De De” echoes a phrase for little brother. “It's a very positive pair of names,” Pong said. “We have to be a bit creative here with the names.” The birth of these panda twins in August made their mother, Ying Ying, the oldest first-time panda mom globally. Their arrival has sparked excitement among locals and tourists alike, with hopes of boosting Hong Kong’s tourism industry—a phenomenon some are calling the “panda economy.” Despite financial challenges faced by Ocean Park last year, including a deficit of 71.6 million Hong Kong dollars ($9.2 million), there is optimism about future growth. Visitor numbers surged nearly 40% during China's May holiday period, according to Pong. As symbols of China's soft-power diplomacy, these pandas are more than just adorable animals; they represent cultural ties and economic potential for Hong Kong’s future.
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Homeless to Harvard: How This Teen Won a Full-Ride Scholarship Against the Odds
Max Jones, a 19-year-old from Richmond, is proving that determination can overcome even the toughest challenges. Once living in his car while finishing high school, Jones is now on the brink of graduation with full scholarship offers from several colleges. Jones grew up in North Carolina, facing financial hardship and unstable housing with his mother and half-siblings. Seeking a better future, he took a bus to Richmond and enrolled at George Wythe High School. Without a permanent home, he lived in his car, lacking access to basic needs like regular showers and consistent meals. “I still wore the same clothes. They were never clean, they were never dirty,” Jones said. “I’m not able to take showers, I’m not able to eat.” Despite these hardships, Jones attended school daily and worked at a local restaurant. Teachers and mentors provided support with food and occasional hotel stays. A pivotal moment came when Pastor Robert Winfrey of New Life Deliverance Tabernacle learned about Jones’s situation during a school visit. Winfrey offered him shelter in the church cottage along with food and a safe place to sleep. “I wanted to make sure that he wasn’t completely dismantled because of his situation,” Winfrey said. “All he needed was that one push.” Now set to graduate, Jones has received full scholarships from several colleges, including Paine College in Georgia, Virginia Union University, and Ohio State University. He plans to give back to those who helped him along the way. “Maybe I might not be fully conscious of what I’m saying right now,” Jones said, “but I’m going to change the world.”
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Why Stepping Into Daylight Could Be Your Immune System's Secret Weapon
Daylight may be more than just a mood booster; it could also enhance our immune system's ability to fight infections, according to researchers at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. A recent study led by Associate Professor Christopher Hall has revealed that the body's internal clock, or circadian rhythm, plays a crucial role in regulating immune responses. The research focused on neutrophils, the most abundant type of white blood cells in our bodies. These cells are quick responders to infection sites and are essential for killing invading bacteria. The team used zebrafish as their model organism due to its genetic similarities with humans and its transparent body, which allows for real-time observation of biological processes. "In earlier studies, we had observed that immune responses peaked in the morning, during the fish's early active phase," said Hall from the Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology. "We think this represents an evolutionary response such that during daylight hours the host is more active so more likely to encounter bacterial infections." Published in Science Immunology, the study found that neutrophils have their own circadian clocks that synchronize with daylight, enhancing their bacteria-fighting capabilities. This discovery opens up potential therapeutic avenues for inflammatory diseases by targeting these clocks. "Given that neutrophils are the first immune cells to be recruited to sites of inflammation, our discovery has very broad implications for therapeutic benefit in many inflammatory diseases," Hall noted. Funded by New Zealand's Marsden Fund through the Royal Society of NZ, ongoing research aims to further understand how light influences these cellular clocks.
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This Father-Daughter Duo Just Shattered a Record at a Major Football Club
A 16-year-old girl and her father have made history as the first father-daughter duo to play for Gloucester City AFC. Richard, 39, has been a fixture on the men's senior team since his debut two decades ago. Now, his daughter Imogen has joined the women's senior team after moving up from the under-16s squad. The club celebrated this milestone, calling it a "special bit of history." Richard expressed his pride in Imogen's achievements. "I'm immensely proud of her," he said. "She's definitely better with both her feet than what I was at her age." Richard also enjoys offering guidance to his daughter. "I can kind of give her some realistic coaching, tips and advice," he noted. Imogen appreciates having her dad nearby during games. "If I need assistance, I know that I can turn to the side and he'll be there supporting me, no matter what," she said. She credits him with helping refine her playing style, particularly in pushing the ball up the pitch—a skill she's become known for on her team. Reflecting on their unique bond, Imogen added, "The last match that I played, I did smash through quite a few people." A spokesperson for Gloucester City praised their achievement: "It's a proud moment for the club to recognize Richard and Imogen as our first ever father and daughter to represent the senior men's and women's sides."
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Germany Unveils World's First 15 Megawatt Turbines, Powering Over a Million Homes
Germany has made a significant advancement in its shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy with the installation of the first 15-megawatt wind turbine at the He Dreiht wind farm in the North Sea. This marks Germany's largest offshore wind farm under construction and is the first globally to utilize these powerful turbines, manufactured by Vestas. Each rotation of a single turbine can generate enough electricity to power four households for an entire day. Once all 64 turbines are operational, expected by late 2025, they will collectively produce 960 megawatts—sufficient to supply approximately 1.1 million homes. To illustrate this impact, generating one megawatt-hour of power traditionally requires burning about 1,100 pounds of coal, according to FreeingEnergy. Therefore, matching He Dreiht's output would necessitate burning over a million pounds of coal per hour. The Environmental Protection Agency notes that each megawatt-hour from coal emits around 2,180 pounds of carbon pollution. The He Dreiht project not only promises substantial reductions in carbon emissions but also aims to lower energy costs for German consumers. "It will play a key role in helping us significantly grow our renewable energy output from 6.6 GW to over 10 GW by 2030," said Michael Glass from EnBW, which holds a majority stake in the project. Nils de Baar of Vestas Northern & Central Europe highlighted this milestone as crucial for Germany's transition towards a more secure and sustainable energy system.
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Connecticut Farmers Get Free Help to Fight "Forever Chemicals" in Soil
Connecticut farmers are gaining a valuable resource in the fight against toxic chemical pollution, thanks to a new state-run pilot program offering free soil testing. This initiative aims to detect 14 common PFAS, or "forever chemicals," on farmland across the state, according to News 12 Connecticut. PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals found in products like nonstick cookware and waterproof clothing. They persist in the environment and human bodies for decades due to their resistance to natural breakdown. Exposure has been linked to cancers, reproductive issues, thyroid disorders, and immune system disruptions. Farmers face significant risks from PFAS contamination through land-applied biosolids—byproducts of wastewater treatment that can seep into groundwater or be absorbed by crops. This contamination poses threats not only to farmworkers but also to consumers. However, identifying PFAS levels can offer strategic advantages. "On the flip side, if we find only low background levels of PFAS, this can be a real positive for farms," said Dr. Sara Nason of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), which leads the program. "If they can say we've done PFAS testing and we found they were clean, it could really benefit farmers." Farmers participating in the pilot program can request free soil sampling kits from CAES and send samples to New Haven's Johnson-Horsfall Laboratory within 48 hours for accurate results. The goal is to map high PFAS areas and initiate discussions on public health protection. This effort aligns with national concerns over PFAS contamination as states implement bans on certain products and work toward cleaning up affected water supplies. State officials view this testing as a crucial step toward understanding exposure risks and shaping future policies.
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100-Year-Old Veteran Defies Age With Daily 10-Mile Cycling Feat
Geoffrey Bolton, a retired Royal Air Force flight sergeant from St Ives, Cambridgeshire, credits his century-long life to one simple habit: cycling. Born on May 21, 1925, Bolton still pedals away on an indoor exercise bike, covering 10 miles daily. Bolton joined the RAF at 16 and played a pivotal role in developing the Harrier jump jet. His efforts earned him a British Empire Medal (BEM), though he remains humble about the accolade. "I wasn't a special person," he said. "I was just doing my job." During World War II, Bolton served primarily in the UK, ensuring aircraft were mission-ready for Europe-bound flights. As his career advanced, he became an electronic fitter for navigational instruments and contributed to the Harrier project. Bolton celebrated his milestone birthday with family and received a card from King Charles III. True to form, he completed his daily 10-mile ride. In 1947, Bolton married RAF Cpl Joyce Tayler after meeting her on Sylt Island near Denmark's border. Their marriage spanned 72 years and produced three children. Daughter Jill Bolton now lives with him and describes her father as "a very special man." Jill fondly recalls her father's romantic gestures toward her mother: "He would cycle about 14 miles to buy a single white rose for their anniversary," she said. Bolton attributes his longevity not only to cycling but also to staying mentally active with crosswords and puzzles. "I've always led a healthy life," he noted, adding that Jill ensures he eats well.