Goodable

Conservation organisation Aussie Ark announced the birth of its first koala joey since its sanctuary in Barrington Tops, New South Wales, was confirmed chlamydia-free.

In a press release issued on Monday, September 1, Aussie Ark said the seven-month-old koala joey was part of a “nation-leading pilot program striving to save the species from extinction.”

The joey’s existence was confirmed using “specialised radio tracking, which located the mother Banksia high in a tree”.

“This is the second joey for Banksia, who is one of eight original founding koala adults naturally occurring in the 400-hectare feral-proof sanctuary,” Aussie Ark said.

“Banksia first came into the limelight last year as part of Aussie Ark’s complex koala capture and care operation, when all eight koalas were located, sedated, and rigorously health tested.

“The focus of the testing was to determine if chlamydia was present in the Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary… Sadly, five of Aussie Ark’s eight wild koalas were chlamydia positive and required treatment and surgery before re-release. They all made a full recovery and will live long lives.

“Incredibly, Banksia and joey Gymea were chlamydia-free (and fertile)! Banksia was fitted with a radio collar, and the pair was released immediately. Shortly afterwards, Gymea was independent … and Banksia was pregnant again!”

Aussie Ark Operations Manager Dean Reid said: “This is the first joey born in our confirmed chlamydia-free koala family. As such, it’s a symbol of hope, and testimony to how healthy our koalas are and how well Aussie Ark has done securing this healthy and happy insurance population.”

Conservation organisation Aussie Ark announced the birth of its first koala joey since its sanctuary in Barrington Tops, New South Wales, was confirmed chlamydia-free.In a press release issued on Monday, September 1, Aussie Ark said the seven-month-old koala joey was part of a “nation-leading pilot program striving to save the species from extinction.”The joey’s existence was confirmed using “specialised radio tracking, which located the mother Banksia high in a tree”.“This is the second joey for Banksia, who is one of eight original founding koala adults naturally occurring in the 400-hectare feral-proof sanctuary,” Aussie Ark said.“Banksia first came into the limelight last year as part of Aussie Ark’s complex koala capture and care operation, when all eight koalas were located, sedated, and rigorously health tested.“The focus of the testing was to determine if chlamydia was present in the Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary… Sadly, five of Aussie Ark’s eight wild koalas were chlamydia positive and required treatment and surgery before re-release. They all made a full recovery and will live long lives.“Incredibly, Banksia and joey Gymea were chlamydia-free (and fertile)! Banksia was fitted with a radio collar, and the pair was released immediately. Shortly afterwards, Gymea was independent … and Banksia was pregnant again!”Aussie Ark Operations Manager Dean Reid said: “This is the first joey born in our confirmed chlamydia-free koala family. As such, it’s a symbol of hope, and testimony to how healthy our koalas are and how well Aussie Ark has done securing this healthy and happy insurance population.”

Meet The First Joey Born Into A Chlamydia-Free Koala Family At Aussie Ark

BBC News

An anonymous volunteer has been quietly brightening up the streets of Newark, Nottinghamshire, by restoring nearly 70 century-old cast iron road signs, leaving residents delighted.

The mystery painter has spent the past few months sanding and repainting the historic signs, many of which had become faded and unreadable. Speaking to the BBC, he said: “It makes me feel good. It’s a lovely thing to see when they are done.”

While he prefers to stay out of the spotlight, the volunteer said he has always been interested in architecture and old buildings. In some cases, his work has extended to signs above people’s doors or on the side of their homes, though he makes sure to ask permission before setting up his ladder.

His work has started gaining attention on social media, but most of the time he goes unnoticed. Once, he was rewarded with a jar of homemade jam from a grateful resident.

Margaret Metcalfe, who has one of the newly painted signs on her house, praised the effort. “There are a lot of signs in streets that you think could do with being done up, because you can’t even read what they are saying,” she said. “So good on him, well done, especially if he’s just done it off his own back, he deserves a medal.”

Others in town share that admiration. Resident August Grinevicius, 34, recalled seeing the volunteer at work. “He smiled to me and I smiled to him, and I said ‘I love it, it really looks good’,” he said. “They look amazing, every time I go to work I look up at it because it’s beautiful.”

For community volunteer Diane Spurr, the project has been an inspiration. “I think it’s amazing, everybody in the town needs to just take a little bit of responsibility to making the town a better place to live,” she said. “I think the town would be a much better place if there were more people like him.”

Steven Angell, co-owner of Angell’s fish and chip shop, agreed. “I think it’s really good that someone has taken their time to go out and do something good for the town, when there is so much negativity around,” he said. “These signs are heritage aren’t they? So I think it’s quite good that we’ve got some sort of history being brought back to life.”

For the painter, it’s all about community. “I think we should be working to bring the community together, not trying to divide it,” he said.

Anonymous Volunteer Revitalizes Historic Road Signs, Delighting Town Residents

The Cool Down

Sweden has switched on its largest-ever solar farm, a massive project the size of 185 American football fields that’s now delivering clean power to the grid.

The Hultsfred Solar Farm, built on the grounds of Hultsfred Airport in the Småland region, is expected to generate about 100 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually — enough to power more than 18,000 homes, according to Interesting Engineering.

Developed by French renewable energy company Neoen in partnership with Swedish solar firm Alight, the project represents the country’s biggest step yet into large-scale solar power.

Warren Campbell, Alight’s CEO, called the launch “a landmark achievement in Swedish renewable power production.” He added, “Bringing this solar farm into operation with our partner Neoen and PPA offtaker H&M represents a milestone for us and demonstrates that the Swedish market can deliver large-scale, unsubsidized renewable energy fast.”

The farm began producing earlier this year and is now running at full capacity. Its long-term power purchase agreement with H&M Group will help the fashion giant move closer to its pledge of sourcing 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030.

While H&M’s sustainability commitments have been scrutinized in the past, with critics accusing the company of greenwashing, the agreement secures a reliable buyer for the solar farm’s output — providing both financial stability for the project and a major cut in carbon emissions.

Big solar projects like this can reduce energy costs for communities, stabilize regional power grids, and increase energy independence by lowering reliance on imported fossil fuels. In Sweden, where hydropower and wind already dominate, adding large-scale solar further diversifies the renewable mix.

By replacing polluting fuels with clean energy, the Hultsfred farm is expected to cut thousands of tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually, marking another step toward Sweden’s target of becoming fossil fuel–free by 2045.

Sweden’s Bold Leap: Record-Breaking Solar Farm Goes Live in Småland

For nearly 50 years, the sailback houndshark seemed to be a ghost of the ocean. Known only from a single specimen collected in the 1970s, many thought this unique species had slipped into extinction. But recent sightings in Papua New Guinea have breathed new life into its story.

Researchers, working with the World Wildlife Fund, confirmed six new sightings of this elusive shark between 2020 and 2022. These are the first verified records in half a century. The sightings occurred near the mouth of the Gogol River in Madang Province, an area that appears to be the sole habitat for these sharks.

Among these newfound individuals is an important discovery—the first documented male sailback houndshark. This adds a significant piece to understanding this species, which is described in detail in the Journal of Fish Biology. "The five females and one male G. filewoodi recorded in 2020 and 2022 near the Gogol River mouth are the first verified records of this species since its description from a single specimen in the 1970s," noted researchers involved with the study.

The sailback houndshark is notable for its long dorsal fin and distinctively shaped teeth—features that set it apart on an evolutionary branch all its own. However, scientists warn that its limited range makes it vulnerable to threats such as overfishing. Astrolabe Bay's narrow stretch is where these sharks swim, making conservation efforts critical for their survival.

For local communities in Papua New Guinea, this rediscovery highlights their waters' biodiversity richness. Sharks play an essential role in maintaining marine food webs balanced; they support fisheries that locals rely on for both food and income.

Despite these promising sightings, conservationists urge caution. The International Union for Conservation of Nature still lists the sailback houndshark as "data deficient." There isn't enough information yet to assess how healthy or stable its population really is. Local fishers and market surveys are pivotal in providing new data about species like this one, potentially preventing them from slipping quietly out of existence.

"The rediscovery offers both wonder and warning; nature can endure in hidden corners but only if those corners are protected," researchers said.

Ghost Shark Reappears: A Sailback Houndshark Was Seen for the First Time in 50 Years

People

Cal Raleigh’s record-setting swing on Sept. 24 gave the Seattle Mariners plenty to celebrate — but what happened in the stands may be just as memorable.

During the game against the Colorado Rockies, Raleigh crushed his 60th home run of the season, becoming only the seventh player in MLB history to reach the milestone. The ball, potentially worth six figures, sailed into the right field stands where one fan managed to catch it.

Instead of holding onto the prized souvenir, the unidentified man handed it to a nearby child. A video of the exchange quickly went viral, showing the stunned reactions of fans around him. After passing the ball to the boy, the man smiled, tipped his hat, and soaked in the cheers of the crowd.

Security soon escorted the boy and his father out of the section so the ball could be authenticated. Mariners officials later confirmed that the child traded it in for a bat signed by Raleigh and an invitation to attend batting practice at a future game.

The Mariners are still trying to track down the fan whose generosity stunned the stadium. “The Mariners would love to get in contact with this incredible fan. If you know him, please DM!” wrote Adam Gresch, the team’s senior manager of communications, on X.

Raleigh’s historic blast didn’t just make team history — it cemented his place in the record books. He now holds the Mariners’ single-season home run record, as well as the MLB records for most homers in a season by a switch-hitter and by a catcher.

This isn’t the first time a home run ball has created viral headlines this season. Earlier in September, drama erupted in Miami when a Phillies fan caught a Harrison Bader homer and a woman tried to claim it, sparking a confrontation that spread widely online.

In Seattle, though, the mood was very different. One swing gave Raleigh his 60th home run — and one fan gave a kid a memory for life.

Mariners Fan Goes Viral for Giving Away Cal Raleigh's Historic 60th Home Run Ball to a Young Boy

Talker News

At Powis Castle in Welshpool, mid Wales, the “world’s toughest gardening job” is officially underway: trimming a hedge taller than most houses.

Gardener Dan Bull has begun the painstaking task of clipping the castle’s famous 16-metre (55-foot) yew hedges, which stretch across 15,000 square metres of formal gardens. Perched in a hydraulic cherry picker, Bull will spend the next two months shaping the massive topiary back into its signature billowing cloud-like forms.

“The views from the top are incredible,” Bull said. “It’s not as scary as it looks, I’m harnessed in so I can move around easily and swap between the long and short shears. I really enjoy this annual job, it brings a great feeling of achievement and satisfaction once it’s completed. The hedge brings so much joy to our visitors which is lovely to see.”

The yews, planted in the 18th century, are considered one of the finest surviving examples of Baroque garden design in Britain. Today they tower above the castle’s 17th-century Italianate terraces, a green landmark visible for miles.

Maintaining them has always been a Herculean effort. Before cherry pickers and electric shears, it took 10 men working with hand clippers and tied-together ladders around four months to complete the trim.

The hedges reflect centuries of evolving garden fashions. Initially clipped into neat cones, they were allowed to grow more tree-like during the 18th century when naturalistic landscaping led by figures like Lancelot “Capability” Brown became fashionable. By the Victorian era, formal gardening returned, and the yews were sculpted back into the flowing, rounded shapes still seen today.

The gardens were restored under Lady Violet, wife of the fourth Earl of Powis, who believed they had the potential to be “the most beautiful in England and Wales.”

Now maintained by National Trust Cymru, Powis Castle’s giant yews remain both a heritage treasure and a test of endurance for the gardeners tasked with keeping them pristine. For Bull, the reward comes not only in the view from the top but in the sight of visitors admiring a garden tradition that has lasted more than 300 years.

Gardener Takes on 'World’s Toughest Job' Trimming 55ft Hedges at Powis Castle

Smithsonian Magazine

Archaeologists have stumbled upon a remarkably well-preserved prehistoric stone monument in southern Spain, offering a peek into the ancient past. This dolmen, a type of stone tomb, dates back more than 5,000 years and stands as one of the most intact prehistoric funerary structures in Andalusia.

The team from the University of Cádiz unearthed this structure over four excavation sessions. These dolmens, with their stone walls and large roofs, served as burial sites where rituals were performed. Eduardo Vijande Vila, an associate scholar of prehistory at the university and co-director of the project, emphasized its significance: "The true potential of this structure lies in its extraordinary state of preservation, which will allow us to gain a detailed understanding of the lifestyles and beliefs of these communities."

Measuring 13 meters in length with walls rising 2 meters high, this dolmen is topped by a tumulus—an artificial mound made of sand and stones. Within its confines, archaeologists found treasures like amber, ivory, seashells, arrowheads, and prehistoric weapons. These items were left as grave goods to accompany the deceased into the afterlife. The presence of non-local items such as ivory and seashells sheds light on ancient trade practices; local communities engaged in trade with coastal areas.

Juan Jesús Cantillo from the University of Cádiz pointed out that these findings suggest that "Late Prehistoric communities in the Iberian interior were far from isolated." They actively participated in extensive trade routes that linked coastal regions with inland areas.

Dolmens like these are found across Western Europe and provide invaluable insights into prehistoric life. Earlier discoveries include another Spanish site containing a vast collection of beads. Researchers believe such finds offer clues about influential women in prehistory.

Spain's not new to impressive dolmens. The Dolmen of Guadalperal—often dubbed “Spanish Stonehenge”—is another famous example. Located in a reservoir, it only appears during droughts. Angel Castaño explained that aside from its religious significance, it also served economic purposes by acting as a trading hub along a river crossing.

Some dolmens might have played roles beyond burial rites; they could have been used for solstice rituals or marked land ownership—highlighting aspects of agricultural life back then.

Research on this newly found dolmen continues as experts aim to uncover more about its significance in Andalusia's history and its role within its community context.

Archaeologists Uncovered a Remarkably Preserved 5,000-Year-Old Stone Monument in Southern Spain

The Guardian

In the bustling heart of Glasgow, a single ash tree on Argyle Street has captured national attention by winning the annual Tree of the Year competition organized by the Woodland Trust. This isn't just any tree; it's an urban marvel that stands 23 meters tall, casting its shade over sandstone tenement houses and one of the city's busiest roads.

The Argyle Street ash has been a local legend for decades. It was once described by author James Cowan in his 1951 book "From Glasgow’s Treasure Chest" as “quite the most graceful ash I have seen.” Residents take pride in this tribute, even displaying Cowan's quote in a nearby pub. According to local lore recounted in Cowan's book, this majestic tree began its life when a family unknowingly brought back an ash seed tangled among primrose roots from their holiday.

Despite facing threats like the fungal disease ash dieback and surviving major historical events like the Clydeside blitz, this Victorian-era tree continues to thrive. Its resilience sets it apart from many other ash trees across Britain that have succumbed to disease and development pressures.

The competition saw some fierce contenders. The Argyle Street ash outshone notable entries such as the "King of Limbs" oak—famous for inspiring a Radiohead album title—and "the Lonely Tree" near Llyn Padarn in North Wales. Other top finalists included Leicester’s Lady Jane Grey oak and a distinctive cedar at Chiswick House in London, famously photographed with The Beatles.

Adam Cormack from the Woodland Trust remarked on the public's affection for trees like this one: “Trees really matter to people, and this is clear from the response we’ve seen to the Argyle Street ash." He emphasized how trees inspire art and stories while connecting communities and enhancing biodiversity.

David Treanor, an arborist who has managed the Argyle Street ash in recent years, nominated it for this honor. He noted that it is protected by one of Glasgow's first tree preservation orders. Local MSP Paul Sweeney and Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian also supported its nomination.

This win marks Scotland’s second consecutive victory in the competition following last year's success with the Skipinnish oak. With its new title, the Argyle Street ash will represent the UK at the European Tree of the Year contest set for early 2026.

A Spectacular Glasgow Ash Tree Won This Year's Woodland Trust's Tree Of The Year Contest

For the first time, critically endangered Scottish wildcat kittens have been captured on camera. Four of these elusive creatures were born at the Saving Wildcats conservation breeding center, located at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Highland Wildlife Park. This development marks a significant moment for conservationists working hard to bring these animals back from the brink of extinction.

Cameras installed in the center have recorded female wildcats caring for their young inside secluded den boxes. These recordings offer a rare glimpse into how these mothers nurture their kittens during the early stages of their lives. Estelle Morgan, who leads the animal team at Saving Wildcats, expressed optimism about this new insight: “With the population of wildcats in Scotland critically endangered, each birth has the potential to make a significant impact on restoring their numbers in the wild and should be celebrated.”

The newborns belong to two female wildcats, Morag, age eight, and Margaret, age seven. They are being raised away from public view to give them a better shot at survival. The wildcat kittens remain with their mothers for about six months, during which they learn essential survival and social skills before venturing out on their own.

These kittens might be among those considered for release into carefully chosen sites across Scotland starting in 2026. This effort is part of a larger initiative by Saving Wildcats, a project led by RZSS in collaboration with several organizations, including NatureScot and Forestry and Land Scotland. Cairngorms National Park Authority also plays a role alongside international partners like Nordens Ark and Junta de Andalucía.

The project aims not only to breed and release these cats but also address threats such as hybridisation with domestic cats. Releases occur with support from Cairngorms Connect, while Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return work helps tackle hybridisation issues through cooperation with Cats Protection.

This collaborative approach is geared toward stopping the extinction of one of Scotland’s iconic species by boosting its population in its natural habitat.

These Critically Endangered (and Adorable) Kittens Were Just Captured On Camera For The First Time

Polish adventurer Andrzej Bargiel has made history by becoming the first person to ski down Mount Everest without using supplemental oxygen. On Monday, Bargiel reached the summit of Everest, which stands at 8,849 meters, and began his daring descent on skis.

In a video shared on Instagram, Bargiel announced from the top of Everest, "I am on top of the highest mountain in the world and I'm going to descend it on skis." He later posted another video showing part of his descent, thanking supporters for their encouragement. "Thank you all for keeping your fingers crossed! Thank you also to my entire team for being with me throughout this project," he wrote.

While skiing down Everest has been attempted before, no one has managed a continuous downhill run without additional oxygen until now. The Slovenian skier Davorin Karnicar was previously known for making a full ski descent from Everest's summit in 2000, but he used bottled oxygen.

The expedition was organized by Seven Summit Treks. Chhang Dawa Sherpa from the organization confirmed that after reaching Camp 2, Bargiel spent a night there before skiing down to the base camp the next day. "This was extremely challenging and no one had done it before," Sherpa said.

Bargiel faced heavy snowfall during his descent and spent an exhausting 16 hours above 8,000 meters in what is called the "death zone." This area poses significant risks due to its thin air and low oxygen levels. Upon arriving at base camp, he received a khada—a traditional Buddhist scarf—as a greeting.

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk celebrated Bargiel's achievement online. "Sky is the limit? Not for Poles! Andrzej Bargiel has just skied down Mount Everest," Tusk posted.

Bargiel's team hailed this accomplishment as a "groundbreaking milestone in ski mountaineering." His journey to conquer Everest began after he successfully skied down K2 in Pakistan in 2018. However, attempts to ski down Everest were thwarted in previous years—first in 2019 by a dangerous overhanging serac and then again in 2022 by high winds.

Despite these setbacks, Bargiel remained committed under his Hic Sunt Leones project—Latin for "here are lions"—a nod to exploring uncharted territories. His impressive feats include skiing all four of Karakoram’s eight-thousanders in Pakistan as well as Manaslu in Nepal and Shishapangma in Tibet.

Polish Adventurer Makes Historic Ski Descent of Mount Everest Without Supplemental Oxygen

Cuddling isn’t just comforting — it might actually help premature babies’ brains grow.

New research published in the journal Neurology suggests that skin-to-skin contact, often referred to as “kangaroo care,” is linked to measurable changes in brain development for babies born before 32 weeks of gestation.

Researchers in the U.S. studied 88 premature infants, born at an average of 29 weeks and weighing just 1.2 kilograms (2.65 pounds). The team tracked how much skin-to-skin care each baby received during their hospital stay, including how long each cuddle session lasted and how often families visited, and then analyzed brain scans taken just before the babies were discharged.

Their key finding: babies who received more frequent and longer skin-to-skin contact showed stronger development in white matter pathways associated with emotional regulation, memory, and stress response.

"Skin-to-skin contact in preterm infants has been shown to have many benefits," said lead author Dr. Katherine Travis of the Burke Neurological Institute in New York. “Our findings in infants born very preterm suggest skin-to-skin care may also play a role in shaping early brain development, highlighting the potential importance of caregiving experiences during the earliest weeks of a preemie’s life.”

White matter is the brain’s communication network, allowing different regions to share information. The study looked at how water moves through this tissue, which can reflect how well these networks are forming. Longer cuddle sessions were associated with specific changes in two key white matter pathways: the cingulum, involved in attention and emotional regulation, and the anterior thalamic radiations, which link areas tied to memory and emotional processing.

Although the researchers were careful to point out that their results show correlation, not causation, the associations were strong even after adjusting for other factors such as gestational age, time of scan, and visit frequency.

Each baby in the study received a brain scan around 40 weeks gestational age, roughly full term, before going home. The average hospital stay was two months. During that time, families visited an average of once per day, and skin-to-skin care sessions typically lasted about 70 minutes. Most of these cuddles (73%) were provided by mothers. On average, babies received 24 minutes of skin-to-skin contact per day.

Previous research has already linked kangaroo care to benefits like better bonding, improved sleep, stronger heart and lung function, weight gain, and reduced stress and pain. This study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that such contact may also support neurological development, especially in the sensitive early stages of life outside the womb.

“Skin-to-skin care not only provides preterm infants with family connections through bonding,” said Travis, “it may also be encouraging new connections within the brain itself, improving a baby’s brain health overall.”

As researchers continue to explore how early life experiences shape long-term development, one thing is becoming clear: sometimes the simplest interventions, like a parent’s touch, can have the most profound effects.

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