Kick-starting the week with an upbeat collection of news stories.
Bearded Dragon
A beautifully observed image of a bearded dragon basking under the hot Australian sun has been named the winner in the British Ecological Society’s annual photography competition, Capturing Ecology. The winning images, taken by ecologists, photographers and students, highlight and celebrate the diversity of ecology from around the world. The British Ecological Society is the oldest ecological society in the world. Want to see some more of the winners? Click here
World's Best Pizza
The very best pizza in the world isn’t in Italy. Instead, it’s in New York City, according to an annual ranking from 50 Top Pizza, an Italy-based organization that sends anonymous inspectors to pizzerias around the globe. This year, a restaurant on the Lower East Side called Una Pizza Napoletana claimed the top spot. Owned by New Jersey native Anthony Mangieri, the eatery beat out numerous competitors based in Naples - where the slice was invented.
Surprising New Life
A Burger King worker is launching his own Las Vegas food truck, thanks to help from internet strangers. After a viral video of Kevin Ford receiving a small goodie bag for never missing a day of work in 27 years, a GoFundMe was started so he could take a vacation. The campaign ended up raising $450,000, allowing Ford to buy a house. Now, he's excited to use the remaining funds to start his business. "I'm going to work this day and night," he said to People.
Plastic Bags
California is banning all plastic shopping bags in supermarkets starting in 2026, closing a loophole that allowed thicker ones.
Sorry Bruce
Asteroids can devastate the planet in an instant – just ask the dinosaurs. Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories have now demonstrated a proof of concept method to deflect a potential Earthbound asteroid using a blast of X-rays. Actively protecting our planet from asteroid impacts isn’t just the role of Bruce Willis anymore - NASA is taking efforts into its hands. The Sentry mission monitors near-Earth asteroids and calculates their likelihood of hitting us, and when. With enough warning, we could possibly intervene.
World First
A 25-year-old woman with type 1 diabetes has become the first person with the disease to be treated using cells extracted from her own body, says in new report published in Nature. It's a 'stunning result' a complete reversal of the disease in a patient that previously required substantial amounts of insulin. A reminder: diabetes affects close to half a billion people worldwide.
"Soul is when you take a song and make it a part of you—a part that's so true, so real, people think it must have happened to you." Ray Charles
On This Day
30 September 1880: American amateur astronomer Henry Draper takes the first ever photograph of the Orion Nebula
Today's Articles
Mood Boosting Video
Murmuration: Remarkable dance of the starlings.