Today's eclectic bundle of positive news nuggets to brighten the day.
Whirlpool Galaxy
NASA and ESA released a stunning new James Webb observation of the Whirlpool galaxy, known as M51. The Whirlpool galaxy is located approximately 27 million light-years away from Earth and is known for its spectacular features. Its clearly defined spiral arms may have been formed due to violent interactions between the galaxy and its nearest neighbor, a dwarf galaxy. Meanwhile, back on Earth...
'Golden Era'
UK cancer death rates have fallen by a quarter since the 1980s, thanks to a “golden era” of medical advances, said The Times. Breakthroughs in treatment, diagnosis and prevention have saved the lives of more than one million people, according to analysis by Cancer Research UK, which the charity said proved the disease was a “fixable problem”. A “one-size-fits-all formula” for cancer patients has been “gradually replaced by more bespoke treatments - helping survival rates reach an all-time high”, The Times added.
Old Lido Reopens
One of the UK’s oldest lidos is to reopen to the public. Built in 1815, the Grade II-listed Cleveland Pools in Bath was treasured by generations of locals and visitors, until it closed to the public in 1984 and was eventually turned into a trout farm. But thanks to the efforts of a group of local enthusiasts, who have spent the last 20 years campaigning to have the pool restored and reopened, swimmers can once again plunge into its waters from 10 September. Paul Simons, chair of the Cleveland Pools Trust, which was established to save the lido, described the project as “a marathon swim, often against the tide”.
Cool Find
An 8-year-old boy named Bjarne was playing in a sandbox at his elementary school in Bremen, Germany, and has made a stunning discovery: a silver denarius - or Roman coin - minted 1,800 years ago. When Bjarne first unearthed the artifact, he wasn’t aware of its significance - but he was excited to find out. “It was round and shiny,” writes the History Blog, “so he did what anyone would do and brought it home with him.” His family sent photos of the coin to experts, who asked to see it in person. After an extensive examination, they were able to date it to the rule of Marcus Aurelius, who reigned from 161 to 180 C.E.
Myth Buster
A new study has found that despite popular belief, people may not get “beer goggles” after having a few drinks. Researchers in California have found that “consuming a few alcoholic drinks does not make others seem more attractive”, reported the New Scientist, but the alcohol “may give people the courage to approach those who they already found attractive”. Alcohol may “free us from our preoccupation with rejection”, according to the scientists who conducted the study. “For some people, interacting with attractive others can be intimidating, so alcohol may be reducing some of that fear,” said one.
Second Chance
Not simply content with topping the highest grossing concert tours of all time, Variety reports that AMC is bringing Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour - a filmed recording of Swift’s newest show - to every single one of its 568 US theaters for multiple daily showings on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays beginning this October. That, of course, will be very good news for her legion of fans who didn't manage to get tickets for her tour.
“He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how.” Viktor Frankl
On this Day
5 September 2001: At a scientific conference in Washington, D.C., scientists described an observation of energy flares that provided strong evidence of the theorized black hole at the centre of the Milky Way Galaxy.
Worldwide search has begun to find Paul McCartney's missing bass guitar which he bought for £30 in 1961 and could now be worth around £10m. Have you got it?
Huge new system deployed that's capable of cleaning up floating plastic over an area the size of a football field every 5 seconds. Remarkable...
When a rescue dog found herself lost in her new neighborhood, she cleverly figured out the best way to get help. Smart...
Mood Booster
Temminck's Tragopan: This beautiful pheasant found across Northern Asia has an extraordinary courtship display.
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