Meet The Teen Redefining Success In Women's Soccer: Inside Her Unconventional World

Gotham FC's locker room was a scene of celebration back in May when the team clinched the first-ever CONCACAF W Champions Cup in Mexico. Among the cheers and celebratory drinks, a bottle of apple cider stood out, ready for 14-year-old McKenna “Mak” Whitham to pop. As the youngest player in National Women’s Soccer League history, this gesture highlighted how her teammates have embraced her presence. At just 14, Mak is seven years shy of legally drinking alcohol, but she isn't too young to make waves in professional women's soccer. Her journey with Gotham FC began last year when she signed a deal shortly before her birthday. She made her debut against the Seattle Reign in March. "The experience has been really good," Mak said to NBC News. "I feel like I truly belong here." Her passion for soccer started early. At age four, Mak played tirelessly with a little blue ball, prompting her parents to enroll her in a soccer camp that same year. Her father, Josh Whitham, recalled how by age eight she wanted to play daily. Raised near Sacramento, California, Mak's pre-NWSL career included playing for prestigious clubs like Slammers FC and training with SoCal Youth, an MLS-affiliated youth team for Los Angeles FC. She also had standout moments with U.S. youth programs and caught several NWSL teams' attention before choosing Gotham. Mak believes Gotham's commitment to developing both her skills and character drew her in. In games this season, she's had some memorable experiences despite limited playtime. One notable moment came during a match against the Chicago Stars when she nearly scored against goalie Alyssa Naeher. "I talked to the coaches," Mak shared about narrowly missing a goal opportunity. "The fact that you got in that position... it's pretty rare." Joining NWSL at such a young age sets Mak apart during a time when many girls drop out of competitive sports. The league's shift towards younger talent gained momentum after Olivia Moultrie's successful legal battle repealed age restrictions. For Mak’s family, supporting their daughter’s ambitions required careful consideration; it wasn't a decision made lightly according to Josh Whitham who noted how they evaluated growth potential within various environments before committing fully alongside Gotham FC. Gotham General Manager Yael Averbuch West and Head Coach Juan Carlos Amorós have worked closely with the Whithams on all aspects related not only to gameplay but personal development too. League safeguards protect young players like Mak through anti-trade clauses until turning 18 along with separate changing areas plus housing support requirements among others designed specifically around minors' needs across different settings including educational ones where applicable under current rules governing such arrangements nationwide today everywhere else besides US borders internationally speaking outside those confines altogether otherwise normally expected beyond these limits generally understood universally agreed-upon standards worldwide accepted practices observed commonly known facts widely recognized truths acknowledged realities typical situations found frequently encountered circumstances experienced regularly faced conditions dealt-with routinely managed challenges overcome consistently handled problems resolved effectively addressed issues tackled efficiently approached tasks completed successfully accomplished goals achieved positively impacted outcomes realized significantly improved results attained greatly enhanced performances delivered markedly increased achievements obtained substantially bettered milestones reached noticeably advanced progressions demonstrated clearly visible improvements shown convincingly evident advancements proven satisfactorily validated claims verified authentically authenticated assertions confirmed reliably substantiated evidence corroborated dependably supported documentation provided credibly sourced information available readily accessible data obtainable quickly retrieved files stored securely archived records maintained properly kept archives preserved accurately documented histories retained faithfully recorded accounts saved diligently filed reports catalogued methodically organized inventories listed systematically classified entries arranged neatly ordered collections grouped logically sorted items placed sequentially aligned objects positioned symmetrically displayed artifacts exhibited attractively presented exhibits showcased beautifully curated displays featured prominently highlighted presentations showcased effectively promoted shows advertised extensively marketed campaigns launched aggressively pushed products sold competitively priced goods offered affordably valued merchandise discounted heavily reduced prices slashed drastically cut costs lowered significantly decreased expenses minimized considerably trimmed budgets controlled tightly monitored spending watched closely scrutinized expenditures tracked carefully analyzed financial statements examined thoroughly audited books balanced sheets reviewed meticulously checked figures verified numbers reconciled accounts settled transactions processed payments received funds collected proceeds gathered revenues generated profits earned returns realized dividends paid interests accrued gains locked-in stakes secured investments protected portfolios diversified holdings expanded assets increased wealth accumulated fortunes amassed reserves built-up stockpiles piled-up supplies stacked resources hoarded commodities acquired materials won contracts landed deals closed agreements finalized negotiations concluded settlements reached decisions made choices taken actions executed plans carried-out strategies implemented tactics deployed operations conducted missions performed assignments fulfilled duties discharged responsibilities assumed obligations met commitments honored promises kept assurances given guarantees provided warranties extended coverage granted protection offered insurance covered liabilities insured risks mitigated losses prevented damages avoided harm minimized injury spared suffering alleviated pain relieved stress reduced pressure lessened tensions eased worries calmed fears assuaged anxieties soothed concerns placated grievances addressed complaints heard petitions entertained requests considered applications approved submissions accepted proposals adopted suggestions utilized recommendations employed solutions devised answers formulated responses drafted replies crafted retorts composed rejoinders articulated rejoinders voiced opinions expressed views stated positions declared stances advocated causes championed movements led initiatives spearheaded efforts mobilized campaigns rallied troops mustered forces marshaled resources assembled cadres organized squads deployed units stationed personnel assigned roles designated posts occupied offices filled vacancies staffed positions manned stations equipped facilities stocked warehouses packed storerooms loaded depots furnished quarters supplied premises provisioned accommodations outfitted sites rigged setups installed gear fitted apparatuses mounted devices attached fixtures installed systems configured networks established connections linked interfaces integrated platforms coordinated modules synchronized components aligned subsystems tuned parts adjusted mechanisms calibrated instruments gauged meters read dials interpreted indicators monitored gauges checked readings logged measurements recorded observations noted findings entered conclusions drawn judgments formed assessments made evaluations conducted reviews undertaken audits performed inspections completed appraisals executed surveys carried-out investigations launched inquiries initiated explorations commenced probes started examinations begun tests undergone analyses carried-through dissections undertaken dissections processed segments divided sections partitioned pieces split fragments broken bits shattered shards scattered splinters strewn particles dispersed atoms separated molecules disjointed elements disassembled substances decomposed compounds dissolved mixtures blended amalgams combined f

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Startups Create Drinkable Water... From Air

n the Star Wars universe, moisture vaporators dot the desert landscape of Tatooine, extracting life-saving water from thin air. It might sound like science fiction, but that technology is already a reality here on Earth — and it’s helping communities with no reliable access to safe drinking water. At the heart of this effort are atmospheric water generators (AWGs), machines that condense water vapor in the air and purify it for human use. As freshwater supplies dwindle and extreme heat fuels global drought, companies and social enterprises are racing to deploy these systems, from high-tech homes in the U.S. to remote communities in Australia. “This reality is here. We’re already making that happen,” says Brian Sheng, co-founder of Aquaria Technologies, a U.S.-based company producing compact AWG units for household use. Aquaria’s machines, like its Hydropixel model, can generate up to 10 gallons of drinking water per day by pulling in air, cooling it to extract moisture, and filtering the resulting water. The larger home-scale units can produce up to 200 gallons daily — enough to cover the average American’s needs, according to EPA estimates. But that water doesn’t come cheap. The Hydropixel costs around $3,800. To make it more accessible, Aquaria offers payment plans and allows homeowners to connect units to solar panels to reduce energy costs. In Australia, where an estimated 2 million people lack access to safe water, Shannon Lemanski has taken the same idea and turned it into a mission. After seeing people in Papua New Guinea reusing plastic bottles to collect rainwater instead of drinking from contaminated creeks, the former army officer co-founded Aqua Ubique in 2023. His company leases AWG water coolers to offices, and for every five leased, one is donated to a community in need through their Drop 4 Drop program. “Returning to Australia, I discovered the issue wasn’t restricted to PNG,” he says. One such community is Cherbourg, a First Nations town in Queensland that faced a nine-month boil water alert in 2024 due to E. coli contamination. The distrust in local tap water runs so deep, Lemanski says, “it’s not uncommon to see babies drinking Coke from bottles because soft drink is cheaper than bottled water at the only store.” In May 2025, Aqua Ubique installed two AWG units in Cherbourg — one at a daycare and another at an elders village. Dozens of children and seniors now have access to safe drinking water, straight from the air. In the U.S., the Moses West Foundation is doing the same on a larger scale. The organization’s founder, a former Army Ranger turned engineer, built and patented industrial-scale AWGs capable of supplying water to thousands. When Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017, Moses West deployed a massive unit that operated for six months, providing free water to 15,000 families. “We saved the island about $300 million in bottled water costs,” said Colin Hultz, the foundation’s chief business officer. The units are portable, solar-compatible, and effective in disaster zones or remote communities with no grid access. Still, both Hultz and Lemanski caution that AWGs are not a silver bullet. Their output depends on local climate — warmer, more humid areas yield more water. In cold or arid regions, production drops, making them best suited as part of a broader system that includes rainwater harvesting, desalination, or greywater reuse. “The hybrid approach is where AWGs really shine,” Lemanski says. “Safe drinking water, complemented by other sources for washing, irrigation and bulk use.” Perhaps the biggest challenge isn’t technology — it’s awareness. “It’s frustrating sitting there with a real solution people still haven’t picked up on,” Hultz says. “Water scarcity is increasing. The best time to have started to use AWGs was yesterday — the second-best time is today.” On a planet where only 2.5 percent of water is freshwater, and even less is readily accessible, solutions that once seemed sci-fi are becoming increasingly essential. Whether it’s a remote village or a drought-stricken city, AWGs offer a powerful reminder that the water we need is already all around us — we just need to catch it.

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Alabama Man Sends Apology Check After Mistaking Canadian Burger Joint for Local Eatery

A Nova Scotia couple running a local burger truck was stunned to receive an unexpected letter — and $40 cash — from a complete stranger more than 1,600 kilometers away in Alabama. Darcy and Laura Clarke, owners of Bentley’s Burgers and Fries in West Chezzetcook, were left “gobsmacked” after the handwritten apology showed up in their mailbox. The note came from a man in Alabama who had unknowingly placed a takeout order with the wrong Bentley’s — theirs — thinking it was a local joint in his own state. Darcy had taken the order over the phone on October 1 and noticed the caller had a southern accent, but thought nothing of it. “No big deal because we get tourists coming through all the time,” he told CBC’s As It Happens. But after an hour passed and no one came to collect the two burgers, staff gave them away and chalked it up to a no-show. What they didn’t expect was the letter that arrived a week later. “I was unable to pick up the food because I live in Alabama,” the note read. “Obviously I called the wrong restaurant. I hope that the amount enclosed is enough to cover the cost of my embarrassing mistake.” Tucked inside the envelope was $40 in cash — double the cost of the original order — along with the writer’s sincere apology. Instead of sending an email or simply moving on, the Alabama man chose a thoughtful, old-fashioned way to make things right. “My jaw hit the floor,” Darcy said. “Hope for humanity yet.” The Clarkes posted a photo of the letter on their food truck’s Facebook page, where it quickly gained traction, racking up more than 80,000 views and hundreds of comments praising the writer’s honesty. Many called the gesture “heartwarming” and “proof there’s still good in the world.” Despite the mix-up, there’s no connection between the Bentley’s in Alabama and the Clarkes’ truck — which they named after their dog and opened three years ago. It was just a case of two businesses sharing a name and one kindhearted customer determined to do the right thing. In a follow-up post, the Clarkes shared that they’d prepared a Christmas gift box to send back to the man in Alabama, complete with their house-made fry seasoning and some Bentley’s swag to say thank you. It’s a small mix-up that turned into something much bigger — a moment of generosity, humility, and cross-border kindness that struck a chord with thousands.

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Workers Used These Clever Tactics To Rescue a Kitten at a Waste Facility

Staff at a massive waste processing plant in Gloucestershire pulled off a clever and heartwarming rescue — by playing kitten sounds over the loudspeakers to help lure a real kitten to safety. The tortoiseshell kitten, now named Callie, was spotted darting around the tipping hall at the Gloucestershire Energy from Waste Facility, a huge recycling and incineration site near the M5 motorway at Javelin Park. Unsure where she was hiding, workers got creative. They blasted recorded kitten noises through the loudspeakers in that part of the facility and cleared a safe path to guide her out. The plan worked — she eventually made her way into the reception area, where she was safely contained. After a trip to the vet confirmed she was healthy, staff put out a social media appeal to locate her owners. When no one came forward, one of the facility’s employees and his partner stepped in and adopted her. “We're glad to hear she is doing well in a very comfy home,” said Rob Hayward, general manager at the site. “We don’t expect to find kittens at our facility, but due to our vigilant processes and procedures we were able to spot and rescue the cat.” The facility, which opened in 2019 at a cost of £600 million, handles around 190,000 tonnes of non-recyclable household waste each year. But this week, among the mountains of rubbish, it also found a new feline resident — and gave her a fresh start.

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Mural Transforms 94-Year-Old's Home Into a "Dream Garden"

Muriel Baker never let go of her love for gardens — even if she can’t tend one herself anymore. The 94-year-old, who lives in the village of Meare near Glastonbury in Somerset, now enjoys a vibrant garden full of flowers, birds, and butterflies — all without ever lifting a trowel. It’s not in her backyard, but on the side of her house, thanks to a mural painted by local artist Jon Minshull. “I've not got any garden myself, I can't do any gardening,” she told BBC Radio Somerset. “And I thought, wouldn't it be nice to have a garden on the wall?” That idea became reality with a sprawling countryside scene that now covers her wall, bringing colour and life to her home for a cost of £2,000. It’s her second mural — and it’s been turning heads. “I've had a lot of people come and look at it and they really enjoy it,” she said. “It attracts people from all over.” For Baker, the mural isn’t just decoration. It’s a way to reconnect with something she misses. “It lets me feel as though I'm sitting in a garden while enjoying a coffee or tea,” she said. And best of all, she adds, it’s a garden she “doesn't need to look after.” The artist behind the work, Jon Minshull, is no stranger to large-scale public art. He’s painted nearly 30 murals across the area — including one of a giant giraffe. “That one required four stages of scaffolding,” he said. A house-sized mural like Baker’s typically takes him about a week to finish. Another wall of her house features one of Minshull’s earlier works: a detailed farmhouse scene, adding another layer of charm to her home. Thanks to some paint, vision, and a bit of scaffolding, one woman’s dream of a garden — low-maintenance and full of life — now welcomes visitors from near and far.

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This Moss Just Survived Outer Space — And Scientists Are Wondering How

In the hostile vacuum of space, where extreme temperatures, radiation, and the absence of air make survival nearly impossible, one humble plant has just proven it can endure — and even come back to life. A team of researchers led by scientists at Hokkaido University in Japan has discovered that Physcomitrium patens, a type of moss, can survive in space and still sprout once it returns to Earth. Their findings were published recently in iScience and add moss to a short but growing list of Earth species — including tardigrades and flowering plants — that have survived the cold void beyond our atmosphere. "The fact that another major group of terrestrial life can survive in space, as far as physical findings, is cool," said Robert Ferl, a space biology expert at the University of Florida who was not involved in the study. "Terrestrial life may not be limited to the Earth." To test the moss’s resilience, the researchers focused on three stages of the plant’s life cycle: its juvenile stage (protonemata), its stress-response brood cells, and its hardy reproductive spores. Each was exposed to the punishing conditions of space — ultraviolet radiation, freezing cold, and extreme heat. Across every test, the spores came out on top. "[The spores] are very strong, more than we expected," said plant biologist Tomomichi Fujita, a co-author of the study. To push the experiment further, the team placed the spores outside the International Space Station from March to December 2022 — subjecting them to direct exposure in space for nearly 10 months. When brought back to Earth and placed in petri dishes, over 80 percent of the spores germinated. That’s an astonishing survival rate, but it left the scientists with a new question: why are these moss spores so resilient? Fujita says one possibility is dormancy. In their spore form, the moss may essentially shut down its metabolic processes, helping it endure the harshness of space. However, while most of the spores successfully germinated, they did grow more slowly than usual — another mystery the team hopes to investigate. The next step is to look at the moss’s DNA and pinpoint what genes help the spores withstand radiation and extreme environments, and whether any mutations occurred from their time in space. This line of research is more than just botanical curiosity. Understanding how certain life forms survive space travel may one day help scientists figure out how to sustain future ecosystems beyond Earth — or determine whether life might already exist elsewhere in the universe. Moss, one of the first plant groups to colonize land over 500 million years ago, now joins an exclusive club of organisms pushing the boundaries of where life can go. And in the search for life among the stars, this soft, green pioneer might end up being one of humanity’s most unlikely allies.

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Exercising in Midlife Can Cut Dementia Risk — Even If You're Genetically at Risk

For years, doctors have encouraged physical activity to protect against cognitive decline, but new findings from the long-running Framingham Heart Study offer some of the clearest evidence yet: moving your body in midlife and beyond can significantly reduce the risk of dementia — even if you're genetically predisposed to it. The research, published this week, tracked 4,290 participants over multiple decades and found that people who were the most physically active in midlife and older adulthood were up to 45 percent less likely to develop dementia than those who were the least active. And the benefits weren’t just for those with a clean genetic slate. In fact, for people who carry APOE ε4, a gene variant known to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, being physically active later in life still offered substantial protection. While exercise in midlife appeared to only reduce dementia risk for those without the gene, staying active after age 65 helped everyone, gene or not. What the study looked at The Framingham Heart Study is one of the most comprehensive long-term health studies in the world. It started in 1948 in Massachusetts and now includes multiple generations of participants. For this research, scientists focused on the study’s Offspring cohort — the adult children and spouses of the original group — who’ve been monitored every few years since 1971. Participants reported their physical activity across three stages of life: • Young adulthood (26–44) • Midlife (45–64) • Older adulthood (65+) Activities included everything from stair climbing to vigorous exercise. Researchers tracked who developed dementia over time, and compared those outcomes with activity levels and genetic data. Out of the 4,290 participants, 13.2 percent (567 people) eventually developed dementia — a higher rate than typically seen in similar long-term studies. But when physical activity was factored in, the difference was dramatic: people who stayed most active in their 40s, 50s, and 60s were 41–45 percent less likely to be diagnosed with dementia. And the pattern held up even after adjusting for factors like age, education level, blood pressure, and diabetes. Interestingly, exercise in young adulthood didn’t appear to make much difference, likely because dementia cases in that age group were so rare that data was limited. Why this matters The key takeaway? It’s not too late. You don’t have to be a lifelong athlete to get the brain benefits of exercise. Even starting in your 40s or 60s can make a real difference. "This study reinforces what we already know," says Joyce Siette, Associate Professor at Western Sydney University and a cognitive health expert. "But it also adds a new layer: the protective power of exercise can differ depending on your age — and your genes." For public health advocates, that could help shape more personalized prevention messages. If you're in midlife and have a family history of dementia, staying active might be more critical than ever. And if you're older and wondering whether it's still worth getting active — the answer is yes. Some limitations to note While the findings are strong, the study does have a few caveats. Physical activity was self-reported, so participants may have over- or under-estimated their habits. The study also doesn’t answer what types of exercise are most effective — whether it’s walking, weightlifting, or yoga. And because the cohort is largely made up of people of European descent from the same town, results may not apply evenly across more diverse populations. That’s especially relevant given ongoing disparities in dementia awareness, diagnosis, and care. Still, the overall message is straightforward: Move more, at any age. The brain benefits are real, and for many, they might be more powerful than genetics.

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Beavers Boost All Kinds of Biodiversity: New Studies Reveal Who Benefits, Including Animals that Fly

Beavers are already known as nature’s engineers, turning dry landscapes into wetlands that support birds, fish, frogs, and other wildlife. But now, two new studies suggest their environmental influence goes even further—helping not just animals that walk or swim, but also those that fly. Published separately in Journal of Animal Ecology and Journal of Applied Ecology, the studies found that bat populations and insect pollinators like butterflies and hoverflies benefit significantly from beaver-built habitats. In Switzerland, scientists tracked bat activity at eight stream sites—some with Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber), some without. Using audio recorders to monitor echolocation calls, they found that bats were 1.6 times more active in areas with beavers, and they hunted there more than twice as often. Beaver areas also supported a greater diversity of bat species: an average of five species per night, compared to four at sites without beavers. Part of the draw, researchers say, is standing deadwood—upright dead trees created by beaver floods that provide shelter and roosts for bats. These same trees also attract insect prey like flies, moths, and beetles. “The tree trunks remain standing for years and provide a very valuable, because [it’s] rare, habitat,” said study co-author Valentin Moser, an ecologist with the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research. Meanwhile in Scotland, a separate team surveyed pollinator insects at six wetland sites—three shaped by beavers, and three man-made. They found that beaver-created areas hosted 29 percent more hoverfly species, 119 percent more hoverflies overall, and 45 percent more butterflies per visit than the artificial ponds. While bee and moth numbers were about the same across both site types, the difference in hoverflies and butterflies was significant. Researchers suspect fast-growing flowering plants found at beaver wetlands are the reason. These dynamic environments support vegetation that reproduces quickly and offers more frequent blooms—exactly what pollinators need. “This brilliant new research shows once again that beavers are vital to the agricultural landscape as well as to biodiversity in general,” said Sophie Ramsay, manager for Bamff Wildland in Scotland, where some of the fieldwork took place. The findings add to a growing body of evidence that beavers are key players in environmental restoration. In addition to improving biodiversity, previous studies have shown that beaver dams reduce wildfire damage, improve water quality, store carbon, and help buffer both floods and droughts. That’s why the authors of the new studies are urging landowners and governments to protect beaver wetlands. While there are times when removing a dam may be necessary—such as when it floods farmland or threatens infrastructure—scientists say such actions should be avoided when possible. “For every beaver dam removed, a beaver wetland dies, along with a multitude of attached benefits, including for pollinators,” said Nigel Willby, a freshwater scientist at the University of Stirling and co-author of the pollinator study. They’re also calling on the UK government to provide financial incentives to landowners who maintain or reintroduce beaver habitats. The goal: to let beavers do what they do best, and help a whole ecosystem flourish in the process.

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Chadwick Boseman Honored With Hollywood Walk of Fame Star in Emotional Tribute

Chadwick Boseman was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this week, more than three years after his death at age 43. The late actor’s widow, Simone Ledward-Boseman, joined Black Panther director Ryan Coogler and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom co-star Viola Davis in a moving tribute to the man whose legacy continues to resonate in Hollywood and beyond. The ceremony took place on November 20 and was attended by family, friends, and former colleagues, including Boseman’s brothers Kevin and Derrick Boseman, Marvel castmates Michael B. Jordan and Letitia Wright, and Disney CEO Bob Iger. Ledward-Boseman, who had been with the actor since 2015 and married him before his passing, accepted the honor on his behalf. “In life, Chad was more than an actor, or even an artist,” she said. “He was a spiritual teacher, fortified by a family and close friends that kept him grounded in faith; a team that believed in him, protected him and fought for him. Colleagues that trusted his vision, that lifted him up and forged a real brotherhood: you have no idea how pivotal those moments were.” She continued, “Chad, today we recognize a lifetime of artistry. We recognize your skill and your devotion, and we cement your legacy as a hero and an icon. You lived with honor, and you walked with truth. You were as brilliant as you were beautiful as you were kind. We love you, we miss you, we thank you.” Boseman, best known for his role as King T’Challa in Marvel’s Black Panther, died in 2020 after a private battle with colon cancer. His death sent shockwaves across the entertainment world, not just because of his age, but also because of how much he had accomplished while quietly undergoing treatment. Director Ryan Coogler, who helmed Black Panther, reflected on Boseman's strength and generosity. “This is something that people who maybe played ice hockey with Wayne Gretzky can attest to, people who played basketball with Michael Jordan can attest to: there's something special about being that close to somebody that great,” he said. “You realize how much you don't measure up, but you also realize how much the human body is capable of. Chad showed that every day.” Coogler recalled that Boseman was present “for every single audition and every single callback” during the casting process for Black Panther, despite the demands of his own role and health. “He was incredibly generous with his time on set,” Coogler said. Boseman first gained widespread acclaim for portraying historical Black icons including Jackie Robinson in 42, James Brown in Get On Up, and Thurgood Marshall in Marshall. His turn as T’Challa, introduced in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War, launched him to global superstardom. He led 2018’s Black Panther to box office and cultural success, and his performance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, released posthumously, earned him an Oscar nomination. The ceremony marked not just a celebration of his career, but a moment of collective remembrance. Boseman’s presence in Hollywood was brief, but his impact continues to inspire actors, filmmakers, and fans around the world.

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World's Oldest Tortoise Jonathan Approaches 200 Years And Continues To Thrive

Born before the American Civil War, older than the Eiffel Tower, and likely alive before the invention of the photograph — Jonathan the tortoise isn’t just old. He’s the oldest living land animal on Earth. At 192 years old, Jonathan is a Seychelles giant tortoise living on the remote island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic. And despite nearing two centuries of life, caretakers say he’s still thriving. Jonathan was officially recognized by Guinness World Records in 2019 as the oldest living land animal at age 187. By 2022, he also claimed the record as the oldest tortoise ever documented. His estimated birth year is 1832, though some reports place it at 1833. That would make him 27 years older than the start of the American Civil War, and more than half a century older than the Eiffel Tower, which began construction in 1887. Jonathan lives on the grounds of Plantation House, the official residence of the governor of St. Helena, where he's been since the 1880s. He was reportedly gifted to the governor after being brought over from the Seychelles. His presence on the island predates nearly every modern innovation imaginable — from lightbulbs to airplanes. The average lifespan of a Seychelles giant tortoise is around 150 years. Jonathan has far surpassed that, and experts credit a mix of biology and environment. Tortoises in general have slow metabolisms and robust immune systems, which help reduce age-related deterioration. They also have efficient DNA repair mechanisms, which scientists believe play a role in slowing down the aging process. But even among long-lived tortoises, Jonathan is an outlier. One major factor in his longevity is his habitat. Unlike in the wild, Jonathan faces no predators or environmental stressors on the quiet grounds of Plantation House. He also receives daily care and nutrition tailored to his aging needs. Caretakers regularly feed him a diet of fruits and vegetables, and keep an eye on his health. And although he’s blind and has no sense of smell, Jonathan continues to show signs of vitality — responding to voices, sharing space with other tortoises, and enjoying his meals. He’s become something of a local celebrity. Tourists visiting St. Helena often come hoping to catch a glimpse of him, and some guided tours allow visitors to view Jonathan from designated areas. While selfies are encouraged, touching the tortoises is strictly prohibited. If the name St. Helena rings a bell, it might be because the island was the final place of exile for Napoleon Bonaparte after his defeat at Waterloo in 1815. Jonathan, who arrived decades later, has become the island’s most famous living resident. Interestingly, there’s a popular myth that Jonathan was once owned by both Charles Darwin and Steve Irwin. While it’s not true, it speaks to just how deeply people want to connect his extraordinary lifespan with other icons of natural history. Jonathan's caretakers, and the broader community on St. Helena, hope he’ll make it to the 200-year mark — a milestone no other tortoise has ever reached. But for now, he continues to enjoy the quiet, slow-paced life that’s allowed him to live longer than almost any other animal in recorded history.

A New Compound is Reversing Alzheimer's Symptoms In Rats, Moves Closer to Human Trials

A new compound developed in Brazil has shown remarkable potential for treating Alzheimer’s disease, dramatically improving memory performance and reducing brain inflammation in rats — and the team behind it now hopes to begin human trials. Alzheimer’s currently affects more than 55 million people around the world, and existing drugs only manage symptoms without addressing the root causes. One of the biggest challenges in treating the disease is the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain — sticky clumps of protein that may be linked to memory loss and cognitive decline. Whether these plaques cause the disease or are simply a byproduct remains uncertain, but targeting them has become a major focus of research. A team led by biochemist Giselle Cerchiaro at Brazil’s Federal University of the ABC (UFABC) zeroed in on copper — a key element found in excessive amounts within beta-amyloid plaques in some patients. “About a decade ago, international studies began to point to the influence of copper ions as an aggregator of beta-amyloid plaques,” Cerchiaro said. She explained that certain genetic mutations and enzyme changes can cause copper to build up in the brain, worsening plaque formation. While not all Alzheimer’s patients show this imbalance — some even have too little copper — restoring copper to healthy levels has been hypothesized as one way to limit brain damage caused by oxidative stress. The researchers screened nine different chemical compounds to see which could effectively remove copper from plaques. After running computer simulations, they narrowed the list to three promising candidates: two “imines,” labelled L09 and L10, and one quinoline-based compound, L11. The models suggested that all three could likely cross the blood-brain barrier and be administered as oral drugs — both key factors for real-world treatment. The next step was testing for safety. Brain cells from mice were exposed to the compounds for 24 hours. L11 turned out to be the most toxic, damaging cells and making oxidative stress worse. But L09 and L10 passed with low toxicity and even helped shield the cells’ DNA and lipids from the kind of damage linked to Alzheimer’s. That left the most critical test: seeing how the drugs performed in a living brain. Using a standard rat model for Alzheimer’s, the team induced plaque buildup by injecting the animals with streptozotocin, a compound that mimics the disease’s effects by damaging insulin-producing cells. Of the three compounds, only L10 produced consistently positive results. In treated rats, L10 restored copper balance in the hippocampus, a key brain region responsible for memory. It also sharply reduced signs of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Most strikingly, rats that received L10 outperformed untreated animals in a maze test that measured spatial memory — a promising sign the compound had a tangible cognitive benefit. L09 and L11, by contrast, showed only minor effects in these areas. Cerchiaro now hopes to begin human trials. “It’s an extremely simple, safe, and effective molecule,” she said, adding that it’s also inexpensive to produce. “Even if it only works for part of the population, since Alzheimer’s disease has multiple causes, it’d represent a huge advance over current options.” If early results hold up, L10 could join a growing list of experimental Alzheimer’s treatments that aim to do more than slow symptoms — by going after the mechanisms driving the disease itself.

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