Archaeologists Uncover Ancient Bread Oven That Leaves Experts 'Speechless'

Olly Osborne, a specialist antique oven restorer from Saltford, England, has breathed new life into a forgotten piece of history. Tasked with reviving an abandoned Victorian bread oven for the Channel 4 series "Our Yorkshire Shop: A Victorian Renovation," Osborne described the experience as "fantastic." Osborne is believed to be the only expert in antique oven restoration in the UK. His fascination with heritage ovens runs deep. "I'd read about steam tube ovens, but I'd never seen one and I was basically speechless - it was a really fantastic find," he said. The 19th-century steam tube oven was discovered in a derelict grocer's shop by the show's producers. For Osborne, these ovens are more than just appliances; they are storytellers of domestic life. "They weren't just a random appliance built by robots in a faraway land – but something that was connected to the community," he explained. Osborne emphasized how these ovens were central to household activities like cooking and bathing. "They represented the household chores and the household story happening around those fires," he said. His expertise extends beyond ovens; he's worked on canal boats, gypsy caravans, railway stations and even restaurants abroad. "We're doing a restaurant over in Los Angeles at the end of the year - we get around," he noted.

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Beijing's Humanoid Robots Dazzle with Dance, Sports and Fashion at the 2025 Robot Games Kickoff

The 2025 World Humanoid Robot Games began in Beijing on Thursday, and it's all about showing off the latest humanoid robots. These robots are not just walking and talking; they're dancing hip-hop, performing martial arts, playing musical instruments, and even putting on Chinese opera shows. Some of them took it up a notch by demonstrating sports skills like soccer, boxing, gymnastics, and backflips. In a stylish twist, they also walked alongside human models to show off clothes that mix 3D printing with handmade touches. Taking place at the National Speed Skating Oval, this event gathers 280 teams from 16 countries, such as the United States, Germany and Italy. From Friday to Sunday, these teams will compete in 26 events. The challenges vary from athletic feats like running and long jump to skill-based tasks such as material handling, drug sorting, and cleaning in different scenarios. Li Yechuan from the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology discussed how the games adapt formats from human sports to test out cutting-edge humanoid robot innovations. Li Zhiqi from the Beijing municipal government's counsellors' office expressed hopes that these advancements will push humanoid robots beyond labs into real-life settings like factories and hospitals. This sports event is part of a bigger picture following the 2025 World Robot Conference that began on August 8, with a focus on making robots smarter and more intelligent.

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Curiosity's Clever Upgrades: How NASA's Mars Rover Is Doing More With Less Power

NASA's Curiosity rover, a technological marvel on Mars since 2011, continues to push scientific boundaries thanks to some inventive upgrades. The engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) have been working diligently to enhance Curiosity’s capabilities, making it more efficient and autonomous. These improvements are aimed at optimizing the use of its multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator (MMRTG), which powers the rover. Curiosity recently ventured into a fascinating region on Mount Sharp filled with boxwork formations. These ancient structures, likely shaped by underground water billions of years ago, could provide insights into the planet's history and its potential for past microbial life. But gathering such valuable data requires significant energy. Unlike previous rovers like Spirit and Opportunity that relied on solar panels, Curiosity uses an MMRTG powered by decaying plutonium pellets. This system is robust but not without challenges; as the plutonium gradually decays, it takes longer to recharge the batteries. This means less available energy for science tasks each day. To tackle this issue, JPL engineers have introduced several new strategies. Reidar Larsen from JPL notes that earlier in the mission they were "more like cautious parents," but now they're allowing Curiosity to handle more responsibilities independently. One key strategy involves multitasking—combining tasks that can be done simultaneously or consecutively without compromising safety or efficiency. For instance, Curiosity can now communicate with orbiters while executing other activities like driving or taking photos. This reduces the time spent active each day and conserves energy by minimizing heater usage and instrument readiness time. Another smart move is letting Curiosity decide when to nap if it finishes tasks early; this allows for less battery drain and more efficient recharging for the next day's plan. These changes might seem small individually, but over time, they significantly extend the life of the MMRTG and allow for more scientific exploration. The team has also worked through mechanical challenges over the years. For example, they've adjusted how its robotic arm collects samples due to mechanical wear and tear. They've even devised a workaround for a stuck color filter wheel in one of Curiosity's cameras so it can still capture stunning Martian panoramas. Even with some punctures in its wheels after traveling 35 kilometers across rough terrain, engineers assure us that there's plenty of life left in those tires. And should they need to make adjustments down the line, like removing damaged tread, they’re ready for that too. Curiosity’s resilience is a testament to human ingenuity and engineering excellence. As it continues exploring Mars’s surface with renewed vigor and autonomy, we can look forward to many more discoveries about our celestial neighbor. Reidar Larsen says, "It's as if our teenage rover is maturing."

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From Hospital Beds to Gold Medals: Siblings Shine at World Transplant Games

Emma and Jacob Evans share an unbreakable bond, strengthened by a life marked by illness. Born with an autoimmune condition called STAT1 gain of function, the siblings faced a grim prognosis with a life expectancy of only 30 years. Their father, Steve Evans, described their childhood as "horrendous," filled with hospital visits and medical trials. The condition affected their immune systems' ability to fight infections and had already claimed other family members. However, in 2020, a breakthrough occurred when Jacob underwent a bone marrow transplant, followed by Emma a year later. This treatment transformed their lives. "After the bone marrow transplant, I started as a fresh new baby," Jacob said. "I now have a very healthy immune system that's functioning the same as everyone else's." With their improved health, Emma and Jacob are now looking forward to new opportunities. They are representing Australia at the World Transplant Games in Germany. The siblings will team up for six-a-side soccer; Emma will also compete in the 5-kilometre road race while Jacob takes part in golf. Jacob expressed his excitement about wearing Australia's colors at the Games. "It's actually going to be quite surreal," he told ABC Sport. Since 1978, the World Transplant Games have been fostering community among transplant recipients and raising awareness about organ donation's impact on lives. Chris Thomas, CEO of Transplant Australia, highlighted how these Games allow participants to celebrate their second chance at life through sports. This year's Games will welcome around 2,500 athletes from 55 countries ranging from four-year-olds to those over 80. Competitors can choose from 17 sports events; eligibility is based on having undergone solid organ or bone marrow transplants. Emma and Jacob have been training diligently for this event—Emma focusing on cardio and running sessions while Jacob practices his golf skills locally. The siblings also spend time together playing soccer at nearby parks. Their parents are set to travel to Germany to support them wholeheartedly. "We're going to have tears in our eyes," Steve Evans said proudly. For Emma and Jacob, participating in these Games is more than just competing; it's about connecting with others who understand organ donation's significance firsthand. Reflecting on her transplant experience earlier this year during an interview with ABC Sport, Emma spoke fondly about her donor’s impact: "I have my [transplant] date tattooed on my wrist... I simply would not be here without [it]." The World Transplant Games run from August 17 to 24 in Dresden, Germany.

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From Steel Collapse to Brewing Success: Youngstown's Inspiring Comeback Story

nce a symbol of American industrial might, Youngstown, Ohio, was brought to its knees when the steel industry collapsed. For families like Mike Chismar’s, whose grandparents arrived in search of opportunity, the city represented the American dream. Today, watching the demolition of the last standing 100-year-old steel mill, Chismar admits, “It’s heartbreaking.” Nearly 50 years have passed since the first dominoes fell in Youngstown’s decline. A headline from 1982 summed it up: “Youngstown, Ohio, Jobless Rate Is Highest In Nation.” At the time, one in four people in the city was out of work. But for a growing number of Youngstown residents, the city’s story is no longer defined by what it lost. “Tough times don’t last. Tough cities do. That’s our slogan,” said business owner Aspasia Lyras. Her brewery, Penguin City Brewing, sits in what used to be an abandoned factory, the kind that once symbolized decay but now houses community, craft, and local pride. “I just wanted to be a part of this revitalization,” she said. Just next door, Derek McDowell runs a flea market inside another repurposed industrial building. Once dark and dormant, the space is now flooded with sunlight and activity. For McDowell, pulling down the corrugated metal that blocked the windows was a metaphor as much as a renovation. “We’re going to uncover what was once covered to show you that there’s new life for the city of Youngstown by letting the light back into a place like this,” he said. “We have a future here.” It’s not the kind of comeback that grabs national headlines. There’s no overnight boom or sudden gentrification. But there are signs of progress. The unemployment rate now hovers only slightly above the national average. The population, which had been in freefall for decades, has finally stabilized. And employment has climbed back to pre-pandemic levels. Youngstown’s revival is slow and hard-earned. Its identity isn’t being rewritten. It’s being reclaimed. The bones of its industrial past are being reused, not erased. These are not sleek, new skyscrapers, but old brick buildings with new life. When asked what other struggling cities might learn from Youngstown’s resurgence, Lyras kept it simple: “We can do a lot here, more than just steel.” That idea, that rust-belt cities can be more than what they once were, is part of a broader reimagining happening in places long considered lost. In Youngstown, it’s not about replacing the steel mills with tech campuses or luxury condos. It’s about finding value in what already exists. It’s about community, creativity, and resilience. It may not be flashy. But it’s real. And it’s gaining momentum. Youngstown’s comeback isn’t a spectacle. It’s a heartbeat, steady, stubborn and growing stronger.

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How Your Everyday Conversations Might Hold Clues to Alzheimer's Risk

Scientists from Boston University have made a significant leap in predicting Alzheimer's disease by developing an AI algorithm capable of analyzing speech patterns. This tool can foresee the progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer's within six years with 78.5 percent accuracy. The study, published in 2024, follows earlier research where a model was trained using voice recordings from over 1,000 individuals to detect cognitive impairment. The latest algorithm was refined using audio transcripts from 166 individuals aged between 63 and 97 who had MCI. Researchers already knew which of these participants developed Alzheimer's, allowing them to identify speech markers linked to the condition. Once trained, the algorithm could reverse its process and predict Alzheimer's risk from new speech transcripts it had not previously encountered. By factoring in age and self-reported sex, researchers generated a final predictive score indicating the probability of someone transitioning to dementia or remaining stable. "You can think of the score as the likelihood, the probability, that someone will remain stable or transition to dementia," said Ioannis Paschalidis, a computer scientist at Boston University. "We wanted to predict what would happen in the next six years – and we found we can reasonably make that prediction with relatively good confidence and accuracy." Though there's no cure for Alzheimer's yet, early detection has benefits. Treatments exist that can help manage symptoms, and starting these treatments earlier could improve outcomes. Early detection also allows more time for studying disease progression and potentially developing effective treatments. It opens opportunities for those likely to develop Alzheimer's to participate in clinical trials sooner rather than later. This approach offers appealing possibilities if further developed. Testing could be quick and cost-effective without specialist equipment; just a recording is needed. A smartphone app might even handle it in the future. "If you can predict what will happen, you have more of an opportunity and time window to intervene with drugs," Paschalidis explained. This could help maintain stability and prevent severe dementia stages. Interestingly, even though the recordings used were rough and low quality, they still provided valuable data for training the algorithm. Better-quality recordings may enhance accuracy further. Understanding how Alzheimer's affects us early on could clarify why some cases advance from MCI while others do not. Paschalidis says, "We hope, as everyone does, that there will be more and more Alzheimer's treatments made available." The findings appear in Alzheimer's & Dementia journal.

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Love Letters Lost in Time: A WWII Couple's Unseen Romance Finally Revealed

Thousands of love letters exchanged between a couple during World War Two have been published to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day. Frank Watson, who was captured by Japanese forces in 1942, was held in a prisoner of war camp for four years. His wife, May, remained at their home in Orpington, London, and wrote to him almost daily. Despite knowing she couldn't send these letters, she wrote them anyway. These letters, along with diary entries and various mementoes like a fan styled as a Japanese flag and Christmas cards, have now been digitised by the University of Oxford. This effort is part of Their Finest Hour project, an initiative aimed at preserving personal stories and objects from the war era. Andrew Watson, the couple's son, discovered this treasure trove during the Covid lockdown when he finally opened a box left to him by his mother after her death in 2012. He found about 1,000 letters from his mother inside; each letter covered two sides of A4 paper. "She must have known that they would never be sent," Andrew said. "For many months she thought he was dead. He was supposed to be missing, and then the Red Cross said that he was a prisoner of war." May continued writing these letters as a way to keep Frank in her consciousness. Andrew also funded the project to digitise these documents. "I'm a firm believer that each generation can learn from the mistakes of the past," Andrew noted. "So if my parents' papers give any sort of insight into what it really felt like to be caught up in a world war, then that's good." The collection has been made available on the Their Finest Hour website. The site already hosts over 2,000 stories and 25,000 objects shared by members of the public.

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Meet The Adorable New Arrival: Baby Monkey's Birth Delights Zoo Visitors

Blackpool Zoo is celebrating a small but significant arrival. A critically-endangered cotton-top tamarin has been born, bringing joy to the zookeepers who are committed to preserving this rare species. The tiny primate was born to parents Rosa and Rico. It boasts a distinctive crest of white hair that will develop as it matures. Emma Swindells, a senior keeper at the zoo, expressed her excitement about the birth. "Every single successful birth helps secure the future of this precious species," she said. This is particularly important given that only around 2,000 adult cotton-top tamarins remain in the wild. These monkeys are native to Colombia and face significant threats from habitat loss. As adults, they weigh less than half a kilogram and measure just 20 to 25 centimeters in length. "As you can imagine, the babies are super small and extremely cute," Swindells added. Visitors have been charmed by sightings of these diminutive creatures. The new arrival is not alone in its care; other monkeys are taking turns tending to the infant to give its mother some respite. This communal approach highlights the social nature of cotton-top tamarins and ensures that the newborn receives constant attention. Currently, Blackpool Zoo houses seven cotton-top tamarins across two groups, with two other births recorded last year. As for the newest addition, a name will be chosen once keepers determine its gender. The birth underscores efforts made by zoos worldwide to support endangered species through breeding programs and conservation initiatives.

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Nike's Co-Founder Says He's Pledging $2 Billion to ‘revolutionize’ Cancer Care

In a major boost for cancer research and treatment, Nike co-founder Phil Knight and his wife Penny Knight have donated a staggering $2 billion to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). This generous contribution is set to support the Knight Cancer Institute, marking it as the largest gift in both higher education and Oregon state history. The donation comes at a crucial time for OHSU, the leading research institution in the state. Dr. Brian Druker, a renowned cancer researcher whose work has previously been supported by the Knights, will oversee this massive gift. He expressed gratitude for the couple's unwavering support of cancer research efforts. "We’re here today because of two people who love the state and believe that everyone facing a cancer diagnosis deserves the best care and the best outcome," Druker said at a press conference announcing the donation. With this new funding, the Knight Cancer Institute will become an independent entity within OHSU, complete with its own board of governors. Druker will serve as its first president. He aims to create an unparalleled experience in cancer care, offering patients access to services such as nutrition guidance, mental health treatment and cutting-edge clinical trials. The ambition is clear: make OHSU "the best place on earth for cancer care." Druker believes that patients could start seeing improvements as soon as next July. "We want to make sure we get this right because if somebody calls, we want to offer this experience," he shared in an interview. This isn't the first time the Knights have made significant contributions to OHSU. In 2013, they announced a challenge grant of $500 million with a matching requirement that ultimately resulted in $1 billion being funneled into cancer research. That initiative led to hundreds of new jobs and advancements in treatments. Phil and Penny Knight emphasized their excitement about continuing their support for revolutionary cancer research under Druker's leadership. "We are grateful for the opportunity to invest in the next stage of the Druker-led revolutionary vision of cancer research, diagnosis, treatment, care, and some day, eradication," they stated. Governor Tina Kotek attended Thursday’s announcement and highlighted its significance for Oregon. "We are going to remember that we were all here for this incredible moment," she said. "For Oregon, it is amazing." Dr. Shereef Elnahal also addressed attendees during what was his first week as president of OHSU. He expressed enthusiasm about starting his tenure with such impactful news. This $2 billion donation surpasses previous large gifts in higher education history, including Michael Bloomberg's $1.8 billion donation to Johns Hopkins University in 2018. Before Thursday's announcement, estimates pegged lifetime philanthropy from Phil and Penny Knight at around $3.6 billion—a figure that's now even more impressive with this latest groundbreaking contribution.

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Stranded Dolphin Named 'Lucky' Makes a Splashing Return Home Thanks to Heroic Rescue Team

In an unusual rescue mission, a dolphin found itself stranded in a shallow lagoon in a South Carolina neighborhood. The Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network received an unexpected call about the situation and confirmed that the report was genuine. The dolphin had ventured into the area due to heavy rains and high tides but got stuck as water levels receded. Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network teamed up with the Bluffton Fire Department to assist the distressed mammal. Together, they made their way to the lagoon where they found the dolphin, miles from its natural habitat. Weighing around 225 kilograms, it took eight people to transport her onto a marine rescue tarp and then onto a utility trailer. During this operation, the team identified the dolphin as "Lucky," a seven-foot female familiar to researchers at USC Bluffton. "After a quick health check she was determined to be...known to local researchers at USC Bluffton as Lucky," Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network wrote on Instagram. Lucky is regularly spotted in May River, making her well-known in local research circles. The rescue team traveled approximately 3 kilometers alongside Lucky until they reached deeper waters suitable for release. Throughout this trek, they kept her hydrated by pouring water over her skin. After two hours of painstaking effort, Lucky was finally released back into safer waters, where she immediately swam away.

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This Daredevil Cat Just Survived an Incredible 50-Foot Plunge

In a tale that sounds more like a scene from an action movie than real life, Ivy the cat managed to survive a 15-meter fall from the fifth floor of a Sheffield apartment building. The four-year-old feline walked away with only a fractured jaw after her unexpected plunge. Owner Emily Redfern was enjoying dinner during one of the recent heatwaves when she realized that Ivy had gone missing. With temperatures hitting 30 degrees Celsius, the door to the balcony was left open for ventilation. Ivy found her way through a gap and took an unplanned tumble into the communal courtyard below. Emily, 26, panicked when she couldn't find Ivy in her apartment and hurried downstairs. To her relief, there was Ivy, curled up on the ground but still alive. "I couldn’t drive, I was too panicked, so a friend took us straight to an emergency vet,” said Emily, who works as a marketing executive. The day after the fall, Ivy was transferred to Vets for Pets Sheffield Drakehouse. An X-ray confirmed that despite falling from such a height, she only suffered from a dislocated jaw. Practice owner and head vet Dr. Alexandra Dontu remarked on the rarity of treating such cases: “This was the first time in my career I’d treated a patient who had fallen from such a height.” The veterinary team repositioned Ivy’s jaw and fitted her with a feeding tube to aid her recovery. During Ivy's recovery period, Emily took on the demanding task of syringe-feeding her every two hours while maintaining her full-time job. Even overnight feedings became part of Emily's routine to help mend her pet. "It was traumatic for Emily," noted Dr. Dontu about the experience, adding praise for how well Emily handled the situation at home. Ivy has bounced back remarkably well and is almost fully recovered now. To prevent any future mishaps, Emily has taken precautions by installing netting on her balcony. With this incident serving as a wake-up call, vets are advising pet owners in high-rise buildings to be cautious about leaving windows or balconies accessible to their pets during hot weather spells. Cats are naturally curious creatures that might wander onto thin ledges or slip through small gaps without realizing the danger they face. “Cats are naturally inquisitive creatures,” said Dr. Dontu, “so even small gaps or the thin ledge of a balcony railing can be dangerous.” Reflecting on what happened and acknowledging those who helped them through it all, Emily said, “I can’t thank the team at Drakehouse enough."

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