Uplifting Headlines - The Bright Side of News

[caramel]

29-Year-old Becomes First American Woman to Race a Sailboat Solo Around the World​

A 29-year-old woman has become the first woman to race non-stop around the Earth when she arrived in A Coruna, Spain, on Thursday.

Captaining her 40-foot vessel First Light for months, Cole Brauer crossed three oceans and 30,000 miles to arrive at the finish line. She was the only woman who set forth on the Global Solo Challenge.

She is neither the first woman to sail around the world nor the first woman to sail non-stop around the world, but she is the first to do it as part of a competition, and ipso facto also set the world record for the fastest, solo, female, non-stop circumnavigation at 130 days.

Satellite communications allowed her to keep in touch with a logistics team, as well as a horde of over 400,000 followers on social media.

“Solo sailors, you have to be able to do everything,” Brauer told NBC News’ Today Thursday. “You need to be able to take care of yourself. You need to be able to get up, even when you’re so exhausted. And you have to be able to fix everything on the boat.”

Her route took her from Spain down the west coast of Africa where she hugged the Southern Ocean reaches from the Cape of Good Hope, to Australia, to Cape Horn, and up again to Spain across the Atlantic.

 

[caramel]

Newly Discovered Fossil Named For David Attenborough Pushes Back Era of Toothless Birds by 50 Million Years​

No birds alive today have teeth. But that wasn’t always the case—many early fossil birds had beaks full of sharp, tiny teeth.

Now though, in a paper in the journal Cretaceous Research, scientists have described a new species of bird that was the first of its kind to evolve toothless-ness; its name, in honor of naturalist Sir David Attenborough, means “Attenborough’s strange bird.”

“It is a great honor to have one’s name attached to a fossil, particularly one as spectacular and important as this. It seems the history of birds is more complex than we knew,” Sir David Attenborough said on the occasion.

All birds are dinosaurs, but not all dinosaurs fall into the specialized type of dinosaurs known as birds, sort of like how all squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares. The newly described Imparavis attenboroughi is a bird, and therefore, also a dinosaur.

Imparavis attenboroughi was a member of a group of birds called enantiornithines, or “opposite birds,” named for a feature in their shoulder joints that is “opposite” from what’s seen in modern birds.

Enantiornithines were once the most diverse group of birds, but they went extinct 66 million years ago following the meteor impact that killed most of the dinosaurs. Scientists are still working to figure out why the enantiornithines went extinct and the ornithuromorphs, the group that gave rise to modern birds, survived.

“Enantiornithines are very weird. Most of them had teeth and still had clawed digits,” said Alex Clark, a Ph.D. student at the University of Chicago and the Field Museum and the paper’s corresponding author.

 

[caramel]

Macgyvered Neck Brace Saves Rare Peruvian Grasshopper: ‘no matter how big or small’ the Zookeepers Care​

At the Houston Zoo, an emergency medical procedure saw a tiny resident receive a big degree of attention.

At the ‘Bug House,’ the Houston Zoo boasts a number of Peruvian jumping sticks, which appear like stick insects, but are actually grasshoppers.

In early 2024, a female jumping stick was going through molt, a number process by which the bugs shed their exoskeletons and grow new ones. However, when the female finished, attentive zookeepers noticed a crease had developed between her thorax and head in an area without a joint.

This “neck”-like spot (it isn’t really a neck as we would understand it) was so weak that when she attempted to climb up trees, her head flopped almost all the way back on itself.

Rushing her to the veterinary clinic, Julie, the entomologist who first noticed the crease on the jumping stick, came up with the ingenious idea to secure her head with a neck brace. Using the rod of a sterilized Q-top and some microspore tape, they braced her head and thorax which allowed the crease to heal.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

Congratulations Caramel! I think this thread may be doing better than other good news threads that have been posted here. Not sure though.
This beautiful baby boy, who was hospitalized in Birmingham, England because he became completely paralyzed due to botulism was saved by medication that had to be shipped from California.
Baby ‘Completely Paralyzed’ by Rare Toxin was Saved After Remedy Found 5,000 Miles Away

 

[caramel]

Happy to hear this. So many reports about teens being affected by smartphones without their understanding.

More Teens Than You Think Understand the Positive and Negative Aspects of Smartphones–Survey​

In a poll recently conducted by Pew Research, teenagers were shown to be more conscious of the positive and negative aspects of smartphone use than members of the previous generations may be giving them credit for.

The Center conducted an online survey of 1,453 U.S. teens aged 13 to 17 and parents from September 26th to October 23rd. The criteria for inclusion was that the teens had to still be in their parents’ house.

72% of the teens surveyed said they often feel ‘peaceful’ without their smartphone, while only 44% said it gives them a kind of separation anxiety.

Further wisdom emerged when the teens were asked what they think a smartphone is best used for beyond phone calls, to which small minorities said it helped improve social skills or school performance. A two thirds majority of the teens instead said the smartphone made it easier for them to keep up with hobbies and interests.

 

[caramel]

Hopefully more coral reefs can grow. A positive step in reforesting the ocean. This one grew back in 4 years.

Full Recovery for Coral Reef Within 4 Years – The Speed of Restoration They Saw was ‘Incredible’​

In a truly monumental discovery, scientists studying coral restoration in Indonesia found that artificially restored coral reefs can regrow as fast a naturally occurring reefs just 4 years after the initial transplantation.

With many reefs around the world believed to be threatened by stronger storms and acidic seas, the finding shows that as long as corals can survive in the water, humans can quickly rebuild reefs that are damaged.

The study was conducted at the Mars Coral Reef Restoration Program in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, one of the largest restoration projects in the world, and included an international team of marine biologists. The site was turned from a colorful reef to rubble 30 to 40 years ago from dynamite fishing.

At the project site, “reef stars” are first affixed to the seafloor. These small, recycled metal scaffolds provide a foundation for the coral larvae to glom onto and begin building their hard bodies.

“Corals constantly add calcium carbonate to the reef framework while some fishes and sea urchins erode it away, so calculating the overall carbonate budget basically tells you if the reef as a whole is growing or shrinking,” says Ines Lange of University of Exeter, UK.

“Positive reef growth is important to keep up with sea-level rise, protect coastlines from storms and erosion, and provide habitat for reef animals.”

 

[caramel]

I want one for wasps.

High School Student Invents an A.I. Powered Trap That Zaps Invasive Lanternflies​

A New Jersey high school senior has won a place as a finalist in the nation’s most prestigious science fair with a clever new take on the bug zapper.

Selina Zhang, 18, designed and field tested a synthetic, eco-conscious, A.I.-powered trap that uses machine learning to selectively lure and electrocute the invasive spotted lanternfly, a species native to China that is now plaguing 17 US states.

Zhang’s invention placed her as one of 40 finalists in the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the country’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors.

Found in large numbers, with few known predators, spotted lanternflies annually cause a tremendous amount of damage to agriculture. Eating plant sap from tree to tree, their feeding activity creates stress responses in plants that make them more susceptible to damage and disease.

Worse still, the lanternflies excrete a sticky substance colloquially called honeydew that gloms onto the plants they feed on. It blocks photosynthesis and is a breeding ground for black sooty mold. In total, it costs $3 billion in agricultural damages every year on the East Coast.

Selina’s “ArTreeficial” trap, made from a parasol seized from her family’s patio, lures the insects using an incense she made from the lanternfly’s favorite tree, the tree of heaven, which is also an invasive species. An electric mesh then selectively shocks the bug after detection.

 

[Paco Dennis]

Cease-fire talks with Israel and Hamas expected to restart​

I am hoping with everything I hope with that something gives this time!!!

CAIRO (AP) — Stalled talks aimed at securing a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas are expected to restart in earnest in Qatar as soon as Sunday, according to Egyptian officials.

The talks would mark the first time both Israeli officials and Hamas leaders joined the indirect negotiations since the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. International mediators had hoped to secure a six-week truce before Ramadan started earlier this week, but Hamas refused any deal that wouldn’t lead to a permanent cease-fire in Gaza, a demand Israel rejected.

In recent days, however, both sides have made moves aimed at getting the talks, which never fully broke off, back on track.

Palestinians perform the first Friday prayers of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan near the ruins of a destroyed mosque by the Israeli airstrikes in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Friday, March 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)
Hamas gave mediators a new proposal for a three-stage plan that would end the fighting, according to two Egyptian officials, one who is involved in the talks and a second who was briefed on them. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to reveal the contents of the sensitive discussions.



AP reporters aboard a US military plane watch small batches of aid airdropped on a destroyed Gaza

The first ship to use a new sea route delivers aid to Gaza, Israeli miliary says

Biden backs Schumer after senator calls for new elections in Israel
The first stage would be a six-week cease-fire that would include the release of 35 hostages — women, those who are ill and older people — being held by militants in Gaza in exchange for 350 Palestinian prisoners being held by Israel.

Hamas would also release at least five female soldiers in exchange for 50 prisoners, including some serving long sentences on terror charges, for each soldier. Israeli forces would withdraw from two main roads in Gaza, let displaced Palestinians return to north Gaza, which has been devastated by the fighting, and allow the free flow of aid to the area, the officials said.



Nearly one in three children under 2 years old in the isolated north are suffering acute malnutrition, the U.N. children’s agency UNICEF reported Friday.

In the second phase, the two sides would declare a permanent cease-fire and Hamas would free the remaining Israeli soldiers held hostage in exchange for more prisoners, the officials said.

In this photo provided by the Israeli Army, a ship transporting humanitarian aid from the World Central Kitchen (WCK) organization, led by the United Arab Emirates, arrives in the Gaza Strip’s maritime space, Friday, March 15, 2024. (Israeli Army via AP)
In the third phase, Hamas would hand over the bodies it’s holding in exchange for Israel lifting the blockade of Gaza and allowing reconstruction to start, the officials said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the proposal “unrealistic.” However, he agreed to send Israeli negotiators to Qatar for more talks.

Those talks were expected to resume Sunday afternoon, though they could get pushed to Monday, the Egyptian officials said.

Netanyahu’s government has rejected calls for a permanent cease-fire, insisting it must first fulfill its stated goal of “annihilating Hamas.” Netanyahu’s office also said Friday he approved military plans to attack Rafah, the southernmost town in Gaza where some 1.4 million displaced Palestinians are sheltering.

In this photo provided by the Israeli Army, humanitarian aid transported from a ship from the World Central Kitchen (WCK) organization, led by the United Arab Emirates, arrives in the Gaza Strip’s maritime space, Friday, March 15, 2024. (Israeli Army via AP)
The United States and other countries have warned such an operation could be disastrous, but Israel says it plans to push ahead to destroy Hamas battalions stationed there.

Many Palestinians fled to Rafah when Israel began attacking Gaza following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people and left another 250 hostage in Gaza.

Netanyahu’s office said the Rafah operation would involve the evacuation of the civilian population, but did not give details or a timetable. The military said Wednesday it planned to direct civilians to “humanitarian islands” in central Gaza.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday: “We have to see a clear and implementable plan” to safeguard innocent people in Rafah from an Israeli incursion.

“We have not seen such a plan,” he said.

In this photo provided by the Israeli Army, humanitarian aid transported from a ship from the World Central Kitchen (WCK) organization, led by the United Arab Emirates, arrives in the Gaza Strip’s maritime space, Friday, March 15, 2024. (Israeli Army via AP)
The Gaza Health Ministry said Saturday that at least 31,553 Palestinians have been killed in the war. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.

Israel’s offensive has driven most of Gaza’s 2.3 million people from their homes. A quarter of Gaza’s population is starving, according to the United Nations.

Cease-fire talks with Israel and Hamas expected to restart

 

[caramel]

Americans Want to Be Remembered For Their Creativity –Not Fame or Fortune​

It’s not fortune or fame Americans want to be remembered for—it’s their creativity, according to a new poll.

The survey of 2,000 adults in the U.S. revealed that at the end of their lives, 31% would rather leave their mark through creativity, than through wealth (14%) or humanitarian efforts (10%).

That’s likely to come true, too, because fully 79% of respondents consider themselves creative, with only 5% saying they don’t.

Nearly three-quarters (72%) admitted they wished they engaged in creative activities more often.

In fact, some of those surveyed say they alleviate or combat stress through creative writing (14%), painting (12%) and drawing or doodling (10%).

The top three motivators for people to get more creative are:

– sharing with the world (27%)
– bonding with friends and family (24%)
– wanting to relax or relieving stress (22%)

 

[caramel]

Scientists Have 3D-Scanned Thousands of Creatures Creating Incredibly Intricate Images Anyone Can Access for Free​

An incredible new project has scanned thousands of creatures to advance scientific research and provide colorful images to the world.

Natural history museums have entered a new stage of scientific discovery and accessibility with the completion of openVertebrate (oVert), a five-year collaborative project among 18 institutions to create 3D reconstructions of vertebrate specimens and make them freely available online.

Now, researchers have published a summary of the project in the journal BioScience reviewing the specimens they’ve scanned to date, offering a glimpse of how the data might be used to ask new questions and spur the development of innovative technology.

“When people first collected these specimens, they had no idea what the future would hold for them,” said Edward Stanley, co-principal investigator of the oVert project and associate scientist at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

Such museums got their start in the 16th century as cabinets of curiosity, in which a few wealthy individuals amassed rare and exotic specimens, which they kept mostly to themselves. Since then, museums have become a resource for the public to learn about biodiversity.

But, the majority of museum collections remain behind closed doors—accessible only to scientists who must either travel to see them or ask that a small number of specimens be mailed on loan—and oVert wants to change that.

“Now we have scientists, teachers, students and artists around the world using these data remotely,” said David Blackburn, lead principal investigator of the oVert project and curator of herpetology at the Florida Museum.

Beginning in 2017, the oVert team members took CT scans of more than 13,000 specimens, with vertebrate species across the tree of life, including over half the genera of all amphibians, reptiles, fishes, and mammals.

 

[caramel]

Liverpool is Building the World’s Largest Tidal Power Project to Power a Million Homes​

The River Mersey and the Bay of Liverpool are the largest assets this famous English city possesses, and attempting to beat the British government to a net-zero economy, Liverpool City Region have entered phase 3 planning stage to build the largest tidal power plant on Earth.

Schemes to harness the predictable power of the tides in Liverpool Bay date back to 1924, and with one of the largest tidal ranges of any coastal city in the UK, government utility Mersey Tidal Power believe that they can power 1 million homes and protect the city from floodwaters, all without disturbing the local estuarine ecosystem.

Mersey Tidal Power have released precious little information on the plans thus far, but Eletrek reports that a large dam would be a barrier between the Irish Sea and a tidal basin. Underneath the dam would be large turbines and sluice gates which would open as the tide comes in, pulling water onto the turbines to generate energy.

The gates would close as the 10-meter-high tide finishes, and as the gravity of the moon begins to pull on the water four hours later, the gates would open, causing it to rush past the turbines a second time, generating more clean energy.

“I think that we have a unique opportunity to harness the power of our greatest natural assets—our river and our people—to deliver a cleaner, greener, more prosperous future for our children,” said Liverpool mayor Steve Rotherham.

 

[Ruthanne]

 

[Paco Dennis]

Did you know that William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, had a unique approach to establishing his colony? Unlike many other colonists, he prioritized peaceful coexistence with Native American tribes and promoted religious tolerance.
His efforts paid off, and Pennsylvania quickly became a thriving and diverse community. In fact, Penn's commitment to diversity and inclusivity was so successful that the colony attracted settlers from all over Europe, including English Quakers, Germans, and Scot-Irish frontiersmen.
The Lenape Indian tribe also played a key role in promoting peace with the Quakers, and together they created a thriving community that was a model for other colonies to follow. It's a reminder that cooperation, respect, and inclusivity can lead to great things!"


"William Penn's approach to colonization in Pennsylvania was truly ahead of its time. Instead of viewing the Native Americans as enemies or obstacles, he saw them as partners and equals.
The Quakers, who founded Pennsylvania, were pacifists who believed in non-violence and equality, which aligned with Penn's vision for a peaceful and harmonious colony. He even learned the Lenape language and made a point to negotiate fair treaties with the tribe.
As a result, Pennsylvania flourished and became one of the most successful colonies in North America. It just goes to show that respecting and valuing others, regardless of their background, can lead to great things!"

 

[George1959]

Small but very moving news from Germany:

Four children become heroes: They rescue a cat grandma from a reservoir​

An emaciated cat trapped in a thorn bush is rescued by four brave children. Her owner had already missed her.
Ober-Ranstadt - Four brave 13-year-olds rescued a cat from a dangerous situation last Friday (March 15) and brought it to the police station in Ober-Ramstadt. The children, one girl and three boys, turned up at the station at around 5 p.m. with a completely soaked and emaciated cat wrapped in a towel in their arms.
The children said they had been playing on the banks of a reservoir when they heard a "meowing", according to the police. On closer inspection, they discovered the cat, which had obviously become entangled in a thorn bush and had probably spent some time in the water. Without hesitation, the children freed the animal from its predicament and provided it with food.
After initially taking the cat to the fire department, they decided to take it to the police. There, thanks to the reading of a chip and contacting the pet register TASSO e.V., the identity of the cat could be clarified. It turned out that the 21-year-old cat was called "Lizzy" and that her owner had been missing her for several days.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
MSN

 

[RadishRose]

 

[OneEyedDiva]

Students started a Go Fund Me to send their college dorm security guard James to see his family in Nigeria. He hadn't seen his family in 10 years. Just watch this short video with what they have to say about James and his reaction as he is completely overwhelmed. It is so heartwarming.
Video Students raise money for security guard's reunion

 

[Paco Dennis]

WOW! That was so touching. You could tell how much he meant to the kids. His dream to see his family again is coming true!

Thanks for sharing this.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

This is the sweetest story ever

Small but very moving news from Germany:

Four children become heroes: They rescue a cat grandma from a reservoir​

An emaciated cat trapped in a thorn bush is rescued by four brave children. Her owner had already missed her.
Ober-Ranstadt - Four brave 13-year-olds rescued a cat from a dangerous situation last Friday (March 15) and brought it to the police station in Ober-Ramstadt. The children, one girl and three boys, turned up at the station at around 5 p.m. with a completely soaked and emaciated cat wrapped in a towel in their arms.
The children said they had been playing on the banks of a reservoir when they heard a "meowing", according to the police. On closer inspection, they discovered the cat, which had obviously become entangled in a thorn bush and had probably spent some time in the water. Without hesitation, the children freed the animal from its predicament and provided it with food.
After initially taking the cat to the fire department, they decided to take it to the police. There, thanks to the reading of a chip and contacting the pet register TASSO e.V., the identity of the cat could be clarified. It turned out that the 21-year-old cat was called "Lizzy" and that her owner had been missing her for several days.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
MSN

A 21 year old cat rescued. That’s old.
How sweet . Yayyy for being micro chipped

Students started a Go Fund Me to send their college dorm security guard James to see his family in Nigeria. He hadn't seen his family in 10 years. Just watch this short video with what they have to say about James and his reaction as he is completely overwhelmed. It is so heartwarming.
Video Students raise money for security guard's reunion

This is morale boosting news. What a sweet thing for these kids to do.
A great thread.
Thank you.

 

[chic]

It was mentioned in another thread, but actor William Shatner turns 93 today. Best news all day.

 

[Kaila]

Hopefully more coral reefs can grow. A positive step in reforesting the ocean. This one grew back in 4 years.

Full Recovery for Coral Reef Within 4 Years – The Speed of Restoration They Saw was ‘Incredible’​

View attachment 335473

Thank you very much for starting this thread, Carmel!
I've looked at it, a number of times.

 

[caramel]

Compared with 75 Years Ago the Human Brain Is Bigger, With a ‘Reserve’ Against Dementia​

Compared to those who sailed away to fight in World War II, and to those who awaited their return, the average brain size in a human today has grown 6.6%, according to a new study.

In addition to being 6.6% denser, the surface area of a modern brain is around 15% larger as well.

These findings suggest that humans today may be able to better stave off neurodegenerative diseases like dementia, which primarily manifest in a shrinking brain.

The finding comes from a team at UC Davis that analyzed 75 years’ worth of brain changes between generations.

“Larger brain structures like those observed in our study may reflect improved brain development and improved brain health,” said Dr. Charles DeCarli, director of the UC Davis Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.

“A larger brain structure represents a larger brain reserve and may buffer the late-life effects of age-related brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and related dementias.”

This is good news for future generations who might have to wrestle with dementia less.

 

[caramel]

How Americans Are ‘Paying it Forward’ Hundreds of Times Every Year​

Based on a study, many Americans believe in paying it forward as a kind of good karma.

Almost eight in 10 Americans believe that karma is real. And, perhaps inspired by that notion, 84% say they will go out of their way to “pay it forward” whenever possible.

That’s according to a poll of 2,000 U.S. adults that tallied 84% as agreeing with the idea that ‘what goes around comes around’.

Whether it’s to align their cosmic mojo or simply acting on their human nature, the respondents reported they are “paying it forward” in a number of ways, including:

• treating their loved ones to something special (50%)
• giving generous tips (48%)
• helping out a neighbor by carrying their groceries or shoveling snow (46%)
• donating money to organizations or charities (40%)

Almost four in ten said they volunteered their time to help friends and family, or supported locally-owned businesses.

The average adult engages in five generous acts per week, which adds up to 260 random acts of kindness each year.

Beyond the mysterious karma benefit, these acts of paying it forward have real effects on more than those on the receiving end: Americans feel better about themselves (49%), their life overall (37%) and feel more confident (22%) when they extend kindness to others.

 

[caramel]

Coffee Grounds Show Potential to Clean Up Common Water Contamination from Agriculture​

Coffee grounds have been tested in a laboratory setting for their potential use as a cleanup agent of common agricultural runoff, suggesting that along with compost, snail repellent, and many other uses, used coffee grounds could protect water sources from agricultural pollution.

The study looked at bentazone—a common herbicide used in agriculture, and found that when coffee grounds are activated with zinc chloride the carbon molecules therein could remove 70% of the bentazone content from contaminated water.

Agricultural runoff from vegetable and grain farming is one of the largest sources of water pollution in human society. Chemicals or fertilizers are spread over fields, and rains wash the excess into the waterways. Herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides wreck having on riverine lifeforms, while the excess phosphorus and nitrogen cause algal blooms in bays and estuaries, choking the life from seagrass and other species.

On a brighter note, gardeners, responsible business owners, and inventors all over the world use coffee grounds for all kinds of things, and the scope of their second and third-use values is growing every year.

Along with mixing them into compost or ensuring they’re responsibly recycled, innovators have been taking coffee’s unique chemical composition and adding it to concrete, shoes, furniture, low-income housing, and more.

Millions of tonnes of coffee grounds are nevertheless produced every year and sent to landfills where they decompose and emit greenhouse gases.

 

[caramel]

This never works in the movies. Glad it worked in real life.​

Three Castaways Stranded on Island Rescued After Spelling Out ‘HELP’ Using Leaves​

Castaways stranded on an island in Micronesia were rescued after spelling out ‘HELP’ in palm leaves.

The U.S. Coast Guard picked up the three sailors stranded on Pikelot Atoll after they got into trouble in their small 20-foot open skiff.

The men, all experienced in navigating local seas, reportedly embarked on a voyage from Polowat Atoll on Easter Sunday equipped with an outboard motor.

But six days later, the Joint Rescue Sub-Center Guam received a distress call from a relative of the three mariners reporting that her uncles were missing after they departed on a 100-nautical-mile voyage and had not returned.

Thanks to the coordination of the Coast Guard in Micronesia/Sector Guam and the U.S. Navy, the men were able to be located—with a “crucial factor” being their idea to spell out ‘help’ on the beach.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

Check out this story:
https://www.seniorforums.com/threads/20-year-old-honoring-wwii-vets-by-videoing-their-stories-spending-time.90311/