Positive News Thursday

Editor OGN Daily
Jul 24
3 min read

Ensuring the day gets off to a bright start with today's eclectic global round up of positive news stories.

First-Ever Image

A photographer in Australia has become the first person to capture a photo of a glowing marsupial in the wild. As part of the 2025 Beaker Street Science Photography Prize, photographer Ben Alldridge submitted a photo of a wild eastern quoll, a carnivorous marsupial native to Tasmania, exhibiting biofluorescence. Using invisible ultraviolet light, Alldridge was able to capture the mammal glowing in the dark, and his photo is considered the first photographic evidence of a quoll exhibiting biofluorescence in its natural habitat. It's like "nature's version of a white shirt glowing at a disco," the photographer said. The exact biological purpose of biofluorescence is still unknown and the photographer hopes that his and others' ongoing studies into biofluorescence will help solve the mystery surrounding it.

Senior Video Gamers

Kids these days, right? They spend too much time playing video games and not enough time outside. Well, what about seniors? Recent data from the Entertainment Software Association shows that nearly half of Americans in their 60s and 70s play some form of PC, mobile, or console video game every week, as do 36 percent of people in their 80s. Apparently, there are positive health outcomes associated with gaming, particularly from social interactions, memorization, required reaction speed, and cooperative activities.

Zyon's helmet with air filter — Credit: Zyon

Air Filter Helmet

If you're tired of sucking on smog every time you venture out on your motorcycle, this new helmet from a Spanish startup might be the remedy. Zyon's modular lid features a proper air filter built into the chin guard to trap airborne pollutants and fumes when you ride. It's not cheap at $935 but the Zyon helmet may be just what you're looking for.

Tiger Recovery

Thailand's tiger population has increased fivefold in 15 years, reports the Bangkok Post. The tiger population in Thailand's Western Forest Complex has increased from approximately 40 individuals in 2007 to between 179 and 223 last year, according to the kingdom's Department of National Parks. WWF's Tigers Alive initiative leader Stuart Chapman calls the increase "extraordinary".

Credit: MIC/Archaeological Park of Pompeii

Erotic Mosaic Returned

During World War II, a German military captain acquired a stolen erotic mosaic while stationed in Italy. The ancient artwork came from in or around Pompeii, the city buried by Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 C.E. The Nazi captain gave the piece to a civilian, who died with it in his possession. A few years ago, the owner’s heirs contacted Italy’s Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, asking for help returning their relative’s stolen artwork. The mosaic was repatriated to Italy and has now arrived at the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, where it will be displayed for visitors.

Walled Garden: Pompeii 'perfume garden' restored to its former glory.

Ferrari 250 Europa GT in white — Credit: Bonhams Cars

Enduring Allure

Within the Prancing Horse marque’s first decade of existence, models from Maranello had already made an indelible impression on the automotive industry with their striking combination of both innovative performance and styling. Even among the world’s glitterati, the Ferrari 250 Europa GT put prestige into high gear. A racer dressed as a grand tourer, that model has an enduring allure that will once again be showcased when a 1956 example crosses the auction block through Bonhams Cars on 15 August. “It is without doubt one of the finest examples of a Ferrari 250 Europa GT anywhere in the world,” says Louis Frankel, specialist at Bonhams Cars. Which is why bidding could reach $2 million.

Scene from Disney’s live-action 'Lilo & Stitch' — Credit: Disney

First to $1 Billion

Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch remake is the year’s first Hollywood release to hit $1 billion at the global box office. After eight weeks, the family comedy has grossed $416.1 million in North America and $584.8 million internationally for a tally of $1.001 billion. However, China’s blockbuster Ne Zha 2 remains by far the biggest film of 2025 with $1.899 billion in the bank.

“The brain is a wonderful organ; it starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get into the office.” Robert Frost

On This Day

24 July 1911: Led by a local resident, Yale University professor Hiram Bingham reached the ancient Inca site of Machu Picchu in a remote part of the Peruvian Andes.