14 hours ago

OGN Thursday

Some bite-sized chunks of positive news to brighten the day.

Kazakhstan's Mangystau Plateau — Credit: Daniel Kordan

Surreal Landscape

Photographer Daniel Kordan likes to seek out unique, unexplored regions for his photography. The surreal landscapes of Kazakhstan's Mangystau Plateau fit the bill perfectly. Located in the southwest region of the country and bordered by Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, Mangystau's landscape is dotted with colorful canyons and mountains, dramatic salt flats, and surreal rocky outcrops. This magical world was shaped millions of years ago when the entire area was submerged under the prehistoric Tethys Ocean. When shifting tectonic plates and volcanic activity caused these waters to recede, they dried out the area and left behind numerous splendid features. Follow the photographer's most recent work over on Daniel Kordan's Instagram.

Time for more amazing photos? Take a look at some from International Landscape Photographer of the Year 2024

New Cancer Drug

Hugely promising cancer drug dostarlimab is one step closer to being widely available, after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted it Breakthrough Therapy Designation status. The drug, a programmed death receptor-1-blocking antibody, completely eradicated rectal cancer tumors without the need for surgery, radiation treatment, or chemotherapy. "Everyone on the clinical trial is doing great,” Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center gastrointestinal oncologist Andrea Cercek said. “So far, 42 people have completed treatment, and all of them have no evidence of disease. Side effects were quite mild and well tolerated."

Magnetic Ski Poles

Skis can be awkward to carry, but you know what? So can their poles! Yardsale is out to change that, with customizable poles that cling together via integrated magnets. The magnets allow the poles to stick to one another when not in use, so they can easily be carried in one hand as a single unit. Keep in mind, users will also have their two skis to wrangle, so every little bit of assistance helps. There are three Yardsale pole models to choose from, in five different colours, with prices starting at $217.

Listen to Birdsong

An avian soundscape is the most soothing of natural sounds for a frazzled nervous system, reducing stress and boosting mood, even in people with depression. Stuck indoors? Go to the website A Soft Murmur, or download the app, and select the 'birds' option for a virtual dawn chorus. The website also offers other soothing soundscapes, like rain, waves and wind.

National Monuments

In a landmark decision that protects a combined 800,000-plus acres of tribal lands, the White House has announced that California will be home to two new national monuments: the Chuckwalla National Monument, near Joshua Tree, and the Sáttítla National Monument, in Northern California. “We are happy to see the designation protect this area that contains thousands of cultural places and objects of vital importance to the history and identity of the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians,” chairman Joseph DL Mirelez told the Los Angeles Times.

Nio's Firefly

Nio, the Chinese carmaker, has announced the release of its new Firefly EV - another new entrant in the affordably priced segment. It’s supposed to take on super compacts like the Mini Cooper and Mercedes-Benz smart cars. CEO William Li announced at an annual company event in Guangzhou, "We are building the Firefly car to be smarter than Mini and be more Mini than smart cars." When it comes, you’ll be able to place an order on the Firefly app. The BEV is set to be first available in China in April 2025 at a starting price of ¥148,800 (US$20,394), with Europe following soon after. According to Li, Firefly will begin selling in Europe through local partner retailers. There’s no news on an American release just yet.

“Most people need love and acceptance a lot more than they need advice.” Bob Goff

On This Day

9 January 2001: Apple introduced iTunes, a digital media player application that, with the year's later debut of the iPod, revolutionized digital music.