Teen's Bright Idea: How Light-Up Dresses Are Shining a New Path in STEM

High school senior Sara DeVolld from Alaska is lighting up her community in a unique way. She's using her sewing skills to combat the prolonged darkness that many Alaskans face, a condition exacerbated by the state's long winters and known to contribute to seasonal affective disorder. "I am a fourth-generation Alaskan," DeVolld said. "This is my design company, Vintage Train Case, where I fuse modern science and technology with classic art and design." DeVolld creates custom gowns embedded with LED lights and mechanical components such as motorized wings. These elaborate designs can take over 300 hours to complete. She handles everything herself, from sewing each dress by hand to engineering the lighting systems, all skills she picked up through online tutorials and trial-and-error. Her efforts earned national recognition when she was selected as a National STEM Champion. This took her all the way to Washington, D.C., where she shared her message of creativity, light, and self-expression. "I was amazed; I was debating whether I should even enter," DeVolld recalled. "Because what I do doesn't really check a box; it's hard to kind of fit into a category. But I did it anyway and I want other kids to do the same." Growing up in Alaska has deeply influenced her work. The state experiences extreme darkness for much of the year and has one of the highest suicide rates in the U.S. DeVolld sees fashion as a form of healing and aims to bring joy through her illuminated designs. In addition to designing dresses, DeVolld gives back through mentorship programs. She teaches ballet to younger students and speaks at schools about girls in STEM fields. She also created Dance for Heart, a program promoting physical and emotional wellness through movement. "She's a kind, friendly, engaging person who loves people," said Shona DeVolld about her daughter’s compassion and creativity. This past summer, Sara attended a pre-college program at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. There she continued developing her technical skills while staying true to her mission of bringing light into people's lives. "Light for me means glowing joy," DeVolld explained. "I love that I'm able to find technology that lets me add that to my gowns so that I can show light to other people."

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From Devastation to Generosity: How a Lightning Strike Sparked an Unlikely Friendship

When lightning struck the Heron on the Bluffs apartment complex in Savannah, Georgia, this July, it left nearly 20 residents homeless. One of those affected was Georgia Southern University student Bella Rosales. She lost everything she owned in the fire and had no renters' insurance to fall back on, no family nearby, and only a modest income from her college internship. Her story resonated with Mike Horn, who learned about her situation from WJCL’s coverage of the fire. Horn had experienced a similar loss when Hurricane Helene took away everything he had. The community helped him rebuild then, and shortly after, he faced another heartbreak when his wife died from cancer. Horn felt it was time to return the kindness he had received. “Our Statesboro community really stepped up to help me out after the hurricane,” Horn shared with WJCL. “Then a week later, I lost my wife to cancer. Just the overall support... I felt that it's time to give back.” His late wife had owned a furniture store filled with pieces that remained unused. Horn decided these would be perfect for Rosales as she started over from scratch. The plan came together on Monday when WJCL joined Horn to surprise Rosales at her new home. Up until that point, she had been living with just a mattress and bed frame. Seeing Horn walk in with furniture was an unexpected joy for her. "I'm in shock," Rosales expressed while smiling through disbelief. "I'm so thankful and insanely grateful for the support of Savannah." The timing couldn't have been better; she noted it might be her first night truly spent in her new home. For Horn, helping Rosales wasn't only about providing furniture but also about extending compassion forward. He hopes others will feel inspired to act similarly when they see people in need. “This is not just a one-time thing,” Horn emphasized. “I encourage people to step out, step up, and help out when they see a story like this.”

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Work Trips Just Got Sweeter: Why More Professionals Are Bringing Loved Ones Along for the Ride

Taking your family or friends on a business trip is becoming more common among professionals. For many, it’s a way to mix work with personal time without feeling like they are missing out on family moments. A recent survey by TravelPerk reveals that 55 percent of business travelers have had loved ones accompany them on work trips. This includes partners, children and even pets. Natasha Colkmire, an American who works in travel, found this arrangement worked well for her when she returned to work after having her first child. Instead of leaving her newborn son at home, she took along a family member who could help care for him during the day. "We also had the evenings together," she said. Colkmire isn’t alone in this approach. Among C-suite executives, 73 percent have traveled with companions. The reasons vary from companionship and cost savings to simply making the most of an opportunity to see new places without extra financial strain. Jean-Christophe Taunay-Bucalo from TravelPerk notes that bringing loved ones can make business trips less lonely and more enjoyable. It allows travelers to stay connected with their personal lives while fulfilling work commitments. Plus, combining personal travel with business means not having to miss important family events like birthdays. Cost savings play a significant role, too. Colkmire remembers joining her husband on a business trip to Vienna, which halved their expenses and allowed them to explore a new place affordably. Similarly, Bridgette Borst Ombres turned a conference trip to Orlando into a mini-vacation by covering additional costs herself after the official part was done. The trend of blending personal and business travel has caught on enough that it's been dubbed "bleisure." In 2022, this kind of travel was valued at $315 billion globally and is expected to grow substantially over the next decade. Yet not everyone shares their plans openly at work. Ombres mentioned she didn’t hide her plans but didn’t broadcast them either due to concerns about appearing unprofessional. Deepak Shukla from Pearl Lemon says he’s open about his arrangements as long as it doesn't affect the company financially or operationally. Still, some companies find navigating these mixed travel plans tricky due to policy grey areas regarding expense claims and insurance coverage. While some employers allow it quietly, they expect employees to clearly separate work-related expenses from personal ones. Gabe Richman of Omic supports mixing business with pleasure as long as employees meet their job requirements first. He added that transparency about such plans is key to avoiding misunderstandings. Bringing loved ones along can boost employee morale and loyalty if it doesn’t interfere with work duties; companies might want to consider being flexible where possible, according to Ombres: “As long as it doesn’t interfere with the work.”

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Meet The 10-Year-Old Chess Prodigy Who Just Checkmated A Grandmaster

A 10-year-old British girl has made chess history. Bodhana Sivanandan, a junior player from the UK, defeated 60-year-old grandmaster Peter Wells during the final round of the 2025 British Chess Championships in Liverpool. Her win sets a new record as she becomes the youngest female chess player to conquer a grandmaster. According to the International Chess Federation, Sivanandan's triumph at just 10 years, five months, and three days old surpasses the previous record set by American Carissa Yip in 2019. Yip had achieved her victory over a grandmaster at 10 years, 11 months, and 20 days. In chess rankings, attaining the title of grandmaster is considered the pinnacle for any player. This rank is held for life once earned. Following her impressive performance, Sivanandan has been awarded the woman international master rank. This title stands as the second-highest specifically for women, just behind woman grandmaster. Sivanandan shared with the BBC her aspirations of one day becoming a grandmaster herself. Her father, Siva, remarked on how surprising her skills are to their family since neither he nor his wife excels in chess. The young prodigy's match against Wells wasn't straightforward. At one point, it seemed that Wells would take an easy win. However, Sivanandan managed to turn things around with some precise and thoughtful moves that allowed her to seize victory. Danny Gormally from the English Chess Federation commented on the live stream during her match: "How on earth did she win this? She must be some kind of magician." He also praised her gameplay style as being simple yet effective: "She likes to play simple positional moves… very solid player. But she tends to outplay her opponents later in the game." Gormally even compared her style to that of renowned chess players Magnus Carlsen and Jose Raul Capablanca. Tim Wall, Director of Junior Chess at the English Chess Federation, highlighted Bodhana's influence on other young girls interested in chess. "Bodhana is an inspiration to girls," he stated while noting her remarkable calmness and maturity during games. Wall believes she has significant potential moving forward. Sivanandan's achievement not only marks a milestone in her young career but also signals a promising future in competitive chess circles.

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Meet the New Pika on the Block: Two Hidden Species Discovered After a 20-Year Quest

After more than two decades of research, scientists at the Sichuan Academy of Forestry in Chengdu, China, have officially identified two new pika species in the Himalayan region. Researchers Pan Xuan and Wang Xuming confirmed the species, Ochotona galunglaensis and O. legbona, using data gathered in 2003, 2023, and 2024. Their findings, published in Ecology and Evolution, expand the known diversity of these small mountain-dwelling mammals. “Our findings highlight the previously underestimated diversity within Conothoa and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of pika diversity in the Himalayan region,” the researchers wrote. Pikas, which resemble hamsters but are actually more closely related to rabbits and hares, are known for their sharp chirps, squeaks, and screams, used to attract mates and ward off predators. Across their 30 recognized species, they help maintain mountain ecosystems by foraging, dispersing seeds, and serving as early indicators of climate change. While most pika populations remain stable, one, the Ili pika, is endangered. Nicknamed the “magic rabbit,” the 20-centimeter mammal lives in the Tian Shan mountains of northwestern China and is listed on the IUCN Red List. First discovered by conservationist Weidong Li in 1983, the Ili pika has faced habitat loss from climate change, predators, and human activity. Li has spent more than 40 years campaigning for its protection. “It is a cold-tolerant animal, and with global warming, shrinking range and numerous natural enemies, it could become extinct without manual intervention,” Li told Xinjiang Daily in 2023. His efforts helped establish the “Tianshan No.1 Glacier” conservation area and an Ili pika sanctuary in Jinghe County in 2014. Mines and nearby plants were closed, tourism was banned, and native species like snow leopards have since rebounded. Li, now 69, continues to patrol the sanctuary alongside volunteers. “I can’t accept them going extinct since they [were] discovered and named by me,” he said. Volunteer Tian Xiangdong described Li’s dedication: driving hundreds of kilometers over rough mountain roads, climbing above 4,000 meters, setting up infrared cameras, and monitoring signs of the animals. “Only by doing so would he set his mind at ease,” Tian said. The population sizes of O. galunglaensis and O. legbona remain unknown, and researchers say more studies, including whole-genome sequencing, will be needed to understand their conservation needs. “This finding highlights the previously underestimated diversity of pikas in the Himalayan region and contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of their taxonomy,” Pan and Wang wrote.

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Meet the Principal Going Above and Beyond to Keep Her Students in School

In Jackson, Mississippi, the principal of Peeples Middle School and her team took their attendance campaign directly to families’ front doors. Dr. Bridney Pope, along with Dean Eddie Wells and Dean Joselyn Butler, spent two days walking through neighborhoods in the Peeples school zone, knocking on doors to speak face-to-face with parents and guardians of students who had been skipping school. According to WLBT, the goal was to identify challenges keeping students from attending and to connect families with resources that could help. Over the two days, the team visited 35 homes. They asked questions, shared information, and encouraged families to partner with the school to improve attendance. The outreach was part of National Truancy Prevention Month, observed every August. Jackson Public Schools said the effort reflects their belief that consistent attendance is critical for student success. “We urge all parents, guardians, and family members to play an active role in keeping children engaged and in school, at every grade level,” the district said in a statement, adding that schools are ready to work with families to remove barriers to attendance.

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New National Park Initiative: All-Terrain Wheelchairs are Opening Trails to Everyone

Rocky Mountain National Park, one of the most visited national parks in the U.S., is making big moves to ensure that nature is truly for everyone — including people with disabilities. Despite funding cuts to the National Park Service, the park recently expanded its accessibility offerings thanks to support from the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, its nonprofit partner. The upgrades include free access to all-terrain wheelchairs, new accessible picnic tables, a wheelchair-friendly educational bus, and even a custom sledge for snowy field trips. It’s a significant step forward in a system that hasn’t always been inclusive. Although the U.S. has more than 400 national park sites, many people with mobility issues still face barriers when trying to experience them. That’s finally beginning to change. At the heart of the park’s latest upgrades are three brand-new GRIT Freedom Chairs — all-terrain wheelchairs designed for trails and rocky terrain. These join an existing chair already available through the Estes Park Mountain Shop, more than doubling the park’s supply. “The people who rent GRIT wheelchairs are able to experience Rocky in a way that would not be possible without them,” said shop owner Zach Zehr. “Adding these additional chairs more than doubled our fleet, and my hope is we always have a chair available to rent in the future.” The chairs can be used both inside the park and in the surrounding Estes Park area, giving visitors with mobility challenges access to terrain that was previously off-limits. Another key improvement is the park’s new Accessible Field Institute Bus. The vehicle includes two wheelchair spots with a lift, plus 12 standard seats — accommodating up to 15 people total. It’s used to transport visitors during educational programs focused on the park’s wildlife, geology, and history. “We’ve long dreamed of having a wheelchair accessible bus for our Field Institute,” said the Conservancy. That dream became a reality this year thanks to a donation from the R.C. Kemper Charitable Trust and Foundation. “This season, we have expanded our educational access to offer courses to individuals with mobility challenges who have previously been unable to take full advantage of education programs.” Accessibility doesn’t stop at trails and tours. About 130 aging picnic tables throughout the park will be replaced with ADA-compliant versions made of durable concrete. The new tables are designed to accommodate wheelchair users and will last much longer than their wooden predecessors. The upgrades also include a specialized wheelchair sledge — essentially a set of skis with a platform and braking system — allowing students in wheelchairs to join winter field trips. The sledge supports most manual wheelchairs without requiring a transfer, making snow-covered terrain accessible for young visitors for the first time. After training with the new device, the park’s education team used it on Conservancy-funded snowshoe trips with elementary school students this past winter. Looking ahead, Rocky Mountain National Park is developing an accessibility guide set to launch in May 2026. It’s been “in the making for years,” according to the Conservancy, and will provide detailed information on locations, amenities, and accessibility features to help visitors plan their trip. The guide will be released in multiple formats, including PDF, large-print, braille, and audio with a transcript. Few people understand the importance of these changes better than Quinn Brett, a former climbing ranger at the park. In 2017, she fell while climbing in Yosemite and was paralyzed. Since then, she’s become a leading voice for access and inclusion in national parks. “Realizing that there’s a lot of places in our national parks — the opportunities we’re providing are not really widespread,” she told 9News in Denver. After her injury, Brett returned to the National Park Service in a new role: advocating for accessibility and educating rangers about mobility devices and adaptive recreation. “I’m gonna be an advocate louder than I can be for people with disabilities recreating in our national parks and in our public lands,” she wrote in Outside in 2023. “Let’s amp it up, man. We got places to go, things to do.” All of these additions come at a time when many public lands are facing budget cuts and operational strain. The fact that Rocky Mountain National Park is expanding access in the face of those challenges speaks to a deeper mission. “Our job is to steward the park for everyone,” said Kaci Yoh, communications manager for the Rocky Mountain Conservancy. “Forever.”

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Black Metal Makes Solar Generators 15 Times More Powerful

A few years ago, a physicist figured out how to turn shiny metal completely black using lasers. Now, that invention may help solve one of clean energy’s toughest problems. By using this “black metal” to trap and control heat, scientists have created a solar thermoelectric generator (STEG) that’s 15 times more efficient than older models. The breakthrough, led by Chunlei Guo at the University of Rochester, was published this week in Light: Science & Applications. STEGs are devices that generate electricity using heat rather than light. They work by sandwiching a semiconductor between two surfaces — one hot, one cold — and turning the temperature difference into electricity through what’s called the Seebeck effect. But traditional versions have barely scratched the surface of solar energy potential, converting only about 1% of sunlight into power. By contrast, standard home solar panels reach around 20%. The new STEG design changes that, largely thanks to laser-etched metals. How black metal makes the difference Guo’s team started with tungsten, a durable metal commonly used in high-heat environments. They blasted its surface with femtosecond laser pulses — unimaginably short bursts that last one quadrillionth of a second — to change its texture on the nanoscale. The result: a surface that absorbs nearly all sunlight and barely reflects any. It’s not just black, it’s engineered to trap heat as efficiently as possible. But absorbing heat is only half the job. The team also had to keep it there. To do that, they added a layer of transparent plastic over the treated tungsten — essentially turning it into a miniature greenhouse. This helped intensify and preserve the heat on the “hot side” of the STEG. On the other end, they used the same ultrafast laser technique to carve nanostructures into aluminum, creating a highly effective heat sink that doubled the cooling power of the “cold side.” “Instead of focusing just on improving the semiconductor, we looked at how to better manage the heat flow,” Guo explained in a statement. And that shift made all the difference. Big gains in a small package To test their design, the researchers ran a simple experiment: Could their STEG power a small LED? It could — and it did so at maximum brightness even under lower light levels, a strong indicator that the device was capturing and converting heat far more efficiently than older models. Beyond lighting LEDs, the new STEG is compact and lightweight, making it a potential power source for small off-grid electronics — things like environmental sensors in farms or forests, or smart devices that need a constant energy supply but don’t have access to traditional electricity. Why this matters Solar thermoelectric technology has long been considered a promising but underperforming player in renewable energy. The materials were reliable, but they couldn’t compete with the output of modern solar panels. That might be changing. By redesigning how the materials handle heat — and applying laser technology to precisely structure them — Guo’s team pushed the performance envelope of STEGs well beyond what was previously thought possible. And while this technology won’t be replacing rooftop panels any time soon, it could open up new applications in portable power, especially in places where solar panels aren’t practical or where sunlight is intermittent. So yes, black metal might not make the loudest noise in clean energy — but it’s definitely making waves.

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Michael Phelps Makes a Splash at Ravens Training Camp with Unique Swim Lesson

Baltimore had a splash of excitement when Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history, paid a visit to the Baltimore Ravens. True to his word, Phelps showed up at the Ravens' training camp to offer swimming lessons and life advice. Phelps, who holds an impressive 23 Olympic gold medals, was inspired by a social media post from Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey about the team's swimming challenges. It turns out that one-third of the players can't swim. The star athlete decided to lend a hand. The lesson took place at Loyola University's Mangione Aquatic Center, where Phelps still boasts some record times. He worked with players like nose tackle Travis Jones on improving their swimming techniques. Phelps shared tips such as keeping shoulders tight during strokes and how to kick effectively in water. "I didn't know what I was getting into," Phelps admitted. "I had no idea what their comfort level was." Seeing NFL players working hard on floating and breathing exercises, he noted their vulnerability and willingness to learn despite being out of their element. Some Ravens even got the chance to race against Phelps himself. All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton can now claim he beat Phelps in a pool race—although this victory came with a six-second head start for Hamilton. Ronnie Stanley, left tackle for the Ravens, expressed awe at sharing the pool with someone like Phelps. "To be able to share the water with him and actually swim laps against him and get coaching points after swimming against him, it was very surreal," Stanley said. But Phelps contributed more than just swimming lessons. Earlier in the day, he joined practice sessions alongside his son, Beckett, and former linebacker Ray Lewis. After practice ended, head coach John Harbaugh invited Phelps to speak to the team about achieving greatness. "When I stood up on the block at World Championships or Olympic Games... I knew I was the most prepared human on that pool deck," Phelps told them. His message centered on preparation behind closed doors—a philosophy he encouraged the players to adopt for success on the field. Phelps has maintained a connection with his hometown team over time; he's been spotted cheering them on from stands wearing a Ravens jersey and celebrated with them after their Super Bowl XLVII victory. To show gratitude for his assistance, the Ravens donated $100,000 to Phelps' foundation promoting water safety initiatives. Reflecting on his day with the team, Phelps remarked: "I truly hope they learned something... hopefully can transition into something else.

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Daring Rescue: Dog Survives 100-Foot Plunge Over Waterfall

A family outing near Loch Ness turned dramatic when a dog fell 30 metres (100 feet) from a cliff at the Falls of Foyers in Moray, Scotland. Volunteers from the Inverness, Cromarty and Burghead Coastguard Rescue Teams responded after reports of the dog, named Reggie, in trouble at the beauty spot, which features a gorge rising 42 metres in total. Reggie, who was visiting the area with his owner, had slipped from the cliff face but was rescued unharmed. “Our volunteers were able to recover Reggie from the gorge before returning him to his relieved owner,” HM Coastguard – Highland said. After a precautionary check-up at the vet, Reggie is expected to continue his holiday with, as the Coastguard put it, “no more excitement.”

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The Surprising Pancake Trick That Turns Vegan Eggs Into Breakfast Magic

Plant-based burgers and milks have taken off in recent years, but vegan eggs haven’t enjoyed the same surge in attention, from shoppers or scientists. Now, a new study from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Purdue University offers insight into what might get more people to crack open a plant-based option. Doctoral student Da Eun Kim and Purdue professor Brenna Ellison used an experimental “vignette” approach, asking participants to imagine breakfast scenarios at home or in a restaurant, with a choice between scrambled eggs or pancakes made with plant-based eggs. Contrary to expectations, where the meal was eaten didn’t have much impact. What mattered more was how the eggs were served. Consumers were more willing to try plant-based eggs when they were used as an ingredient, like in pancakes, rather than served on their own. When asked to compare plant-based eggs to traditional ones, respondents still favored classic eggs for taste and appearance, but rated the vegan version higher for environmental impact and animal welfare. Familiarity played a role, too. People who had tried plant-based eggs before were more likely to choose them again. Ellison says that introducing them subtly, in foods people already enjoy, could help overcome hesitation. “Introducing them as an ingredient, especially in a product that consumers are comfortable with, is a way to get people over any ‘mental hurdles,’” she said. Kim notes that taste and texture remain a barrier, but personal experience can shift perceptions. “The taste was different, but I was surprised that the texture was very similar to traditional eggs,” she said of her own trial. The takeaway for the industry? Don’t push a plain scramble just yet. Instead, fold plant-based eggs into familiar dishes and let consumers warm up to them, one pancake at a time.

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