Mid-week collection of concise, positive news stories to perk up the day.
Septuagenarian Model
In an inspiring turn of events, a woman in her 70s has become a model thanks to a chance encounter with a stranger. Photographer Christopher Ward, who recently started approaching strangers to take their photos as a form of personal therapy, launched a project called 'Model Strangers.' He came across Anne outside Belfast City Hall, and took a few snaps and posted them on social media. Anne, who describes herself as a shy and retiring person who, like many of us, struggles with self-esteem, suddenly found herself in the limelight. Her newfound fame has led to modelling opportunities with Kindred of Ireland, and she has even been signed with ACA Models.
Hair-Loss Hope
In some good news for nearly half the world's men, scientists have found that a naturally occurring sugar in humans and animals could be harnessed as a topical treatment for male pattern baldness. This discovery could deliver a non-invasive, inexpensive and safer alternative to leading treatment minoxidil. While still in its early stages, the findings offer hope to treating hair loss, and shift the focus to harnessing natural compounds, such as one found in cinnamon, for the development of new and effective topical treatments that could benefit millions worldwide. The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology.
Before The Vatican
Archaeologists think they’ve found remains of an ancient Papal palace in Rome, predating the Vatican. Experts say the architectural structure - where popes lived before the Vatican became the official residence in the 14th century - could have been built between the 9th-13th century AD. The structure was expanded and renovated numerous times throughout the Middle Ages, experts say, and is believed to have housed several popes until 1305, until conflict with France saw it moved to Avignon.
Trailblazer Honoured
A trailblazing physicist who gave up her PhD 75 years ago to have a family has received an honorary doctorate from her former university. Rosemary Fowler, 98, discovered the kaon particle during her doctoral research under Cecil Powell at England's Bristol University in 1948, which contributed to his Nobel Prize for physics in 1950. Nearly eight decades on, the prestigious scientific journal Nature described her work as setting “events in motion that would rewrite the laws of physics”. Fowler's discovery helped lead to a revolution in the theory of particle physics, and it continues to be proven correct - predicting particles such as the Higgs boson, discovered at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2012.
Olympic Torch Relay
Meet the Stampfli Express - a 24-seater rowing boat which will be a part of the Paris 2024 Olympic torch relay on Sunday. It's the world's longest rowing boat. Just days before the start of the Olympic Games, the impressive shell will take 23 rowers and an Olympic torch bearer down a section of the River Marne, just east of Paris. It will not be a part of the official competition - rowers are only allowed to compete alone or in teams of two, four or eight in the Olympic Games. The boat is especially made by Swiss manufacturers Stampfli Racing Boats for big occasions.
England to Rwanda
A black rhino raised at a Yorkshire zoo in northern England has given birth to a calf after being released in Rwanda. In 2019, Olmoti, an eastern black rhinoceros, was transferred to Akagera National Park in Central Africa as part of a relationship between Rwanda and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). Drew Bantlin, a regional conservation manager for African Parks, confirmed Olmoti recently had her calf, adding: "The team has seen Olmoti and the calf twice this week and report they continue to do well." Breeding programmes have taken place across Europe to help boost black rhino numbers, as they are listed as critically endangered by the World Wildlife Fund.
Oatzempic
Let's face it, dietary fiber is not the most scintillating topic, even though for the last 50 years it's been well accepted that it's valuable for good gut health. But we're now coming to understand that fiber itself is an umbrella term, and one particular type - which is abundant in a common breakfast food - may trigger the same beneficial metabolic functions that GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic do, without the price tag or side-effects - according to a new study published in The Journal of Nutrition. "We know that fiber is important and beneficial; the problem is that there are so many different types of fiber," said Frank Duca, an associate professor at the University of Arizona. "We wanted to know what kind of fiber would be most beneficial for weight loss and improvements in glucose homeostasis so that we can inform the community, the consumer and then also inform the agricultural industry."
"We are still in the position of waking up and having a choice. Do I make the world better today somehow, or do I not bother?" Tom Hanks
On This Day
24 July 1911: Led by a local resident, Hiram Bingham (an American archaeologist and US senator) reached Machu Picchu in a remote part of the Peruvian Andes. Bingham and his work were the key catalysts for the archaeological investigation of sites in the Andes and other parts of South America.
Today's Articles
Remarkable Discovery: 'Dark oxygen' suggests that it may be time to rewrite the origins of life on Earth.
New Insight: Elephants harmonise rumbles to say "Let's Go" - like a barbershop quartet builds a chorus from one voice to the next.
Extraordinary Coincidence: Lookalikes with the same name find themselves sitting next to each other on same flight. And that's not all...
Extreme Numbers: For the first time in 30 years, new terms have been officially added to the International System of Units.
Mood Boosting Video
Laughter is Contagious - As Laughing Buddha said: When you smile to the world, the world smiles back.
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