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Lightest-Ever Running Shoes Are Made by a Spray–to Win Marathons and Shake up Olympics

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Andy Corbley
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On.com
On.com

When Kenyan runner Hellen Obiri takes to the track in Paris this summer to equal or better her previous silver medal, she will be sporting a pair of “spray-on” running shoes.

With the support needed to aid in the acceleration and speed of Obiri’s dashing, the shoes are the lightest running shoes ever, perhaps shaving those few milliseconds off a running time that would turn a silver into a gold.

Zurich-based firm, On, which invented the Cloudboom Strike LS running shoe, says its most important gauge of success or failure is whether the athletes wearing their shoes win.

Inventor Johannes Voelchert came up with the idea during Halloween, when he watched a child spray spider webs all over a bush with a hot glue gun-like toy.

Composed of a carbon fiber sole without a heel cap or toe spring, the Cloudboom’s upper is made of a thermoplastic that sets and binds in just 3 minutes.

The material, which it dubs LightSpray, has “the potential… to move us towards a more sustainable, circular future,” said Marc Maurer, On’s co-CEO, in a press release.

ALSO CHECK OUT: Sun-Powered Portable Factory Manufactures Zero-Emission Plastic Goods Anywhere There’s Trouble

Australian middle-distance runner Olli Hoare and Irish 1,500-meter runner Luke McCann have both previously used the Cloudboom Strike, and On hopes the pair will choose them again when they run in the Olympics this year.

The shoes aren’t for Olympians alone, however, and anyone with $300 in their pocket can get a pair sprayed to measure.

MORE WILD FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES: Hate Needles? Future Vaccines Could be Delivered by a Gentle Puff of Air

With spray-on dresses already being sported by supermodels on Milan runways, and spray-on sneakers sending runners flying down the track, it’s an interesting exercise to contemplate what other things the future will reduce into a spray format—spray-on furniture anyone?

SHARE This Ridiculous Idea That Might Prove A Golden One… 

“I have had more trouble with myself than with any other man.” – Dwight L. Moody

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Quote of the Day: “I have had more trouble with myself than with any other man.” – Dwight L. Moody

Photo by: d26b73 (CC license on Flickr)

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quote of the Day page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

Good News in History, July 29

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Good News Network
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The worm had not been thawed in about 46,000 years. Alexei V. Tchesunov and Anastasia Shatilovich Institute of Physicochemical and Biological Problems in Soil Science RAS

On this day last year, scientists discovered that a pair of ancient roundworms frozen in Siberian permafrost over 46,000 years ago, were thawed out and revived, proving that life can be frozen and resurrected. They remained in a state “between death and life,” in which their metabolic rates decreased to an undetectable level, the authors of a paper on the discovery explained. READ more… (2023)

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Grandad Rehearsed His Funeral 10 Years Ago – Now His Final Wishes Come True After his Passing

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Good News Network
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Malcolm Brocklehurst inside his airplane-shaped coffin filming Bizarre Burials – SWNS
Malcolm Brocklehurst inside his airplane-shaped coffin filming Bizarre Burials – SWNS

A British senior who pre-planned his funeral and rehearsed it on TV in 2013, had his final wishes come true after peacefully passing away in June.

Malcolm Brocklehurst, who is a renowned aircraft expert, commissioned an orange airplane-shaped coffin ten years ago from Crazy Coffins, an offshoot of a Nottingham-based traditional coffin and urn maker in England that helps people customize their funeral.

The grandfather-of-nine was filmed sitting in the coffin on Channel 5’s Bizarre Burials, which also featured a rehearsal of the ceremony that the former aerospace engineer coordinated to the last detail.

The plane was aptly called Tango One and numbered with MB 1934—his initials and year of his birth.

He also announced that he wanted the funeral procession to leave from the stadium pitch where his favorite football team, Blackpool FC, plays.

Malcom decided to pre-plan his funeral to save his wife, Mary, from having to organize the day herself. It turned out that she passed away before him.

But speaking about the rehearsal in 2013, he said it was all “light-hearted fun”.

“It felt like—and indeed was—a dress rehearsal for my command performance—with the great author in the sky.

“It was a day like no other.

“It felt weird being laid to rest in my airplane coffin, although I insisted that they not put the lid fully on—in spite of protestations from pals who said, ‘We’ve got him at last, nail it down fast’.”

On a Monday two weeks ago, there was a Blackpool Football Club flag flying high on the pole in his front yard, as the airplane coffin was lifted onto a flat top vehicle for its final flight.

Malcolm Brocklehurst’s airplane-shaped coffin – SWNS

WATCH WITH KLEENEX: Kindergarten Student Brings Audience to Tears Remembering Late Mom in Graduation Speech

The service was conducted by Humanist Lancashire celebrant Richard Spedding, 57, who says the day was “quirky” but an “absolute privilege to do”.

“I’ve done a few interesting funerals but I’ve never, ever done one with a coffin like that.

“A lot of hard work goes into the final product, but it was well worth it, and the family were extremely grateful for the job that I’ve done.”

He does a lot of pre-planned funerals where he actually meets the person, but by that point they are usually receiving end-of-life care.

And, he had never done a memorial service that featured an original song played live that the person had written.

FUNERAL FUN:Mom Throws a FUN-eral for Late Husband with Bouncy Castle and Goodie Bags–Making Positive Memories for Their Kids

SWNS

The cheeky song that Malcolm Brocklehurst wrote for his last party was called, Fry me, Toast me.

And Malcolm’s final request was for everyone to come give the propeller a spin on his coffin.

SHARE HIS LAST LAUGH With Your Favorite Friends And Family on Social Media…

A Third of American Sports Fans Believe Their Pre-Game Ritual Increases Chances Their Team Will Win

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Good News Network
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By Simon Law, CC-BY-SA-2.0 license
By Simon Law, CC-BY-SA-2.0 license

A recent poll of 2,000 American sports fans revealed just how emotionally invested they are—and how much of a return they get for those investments.

More than 22% of all respondents have a pre-game ritual they do each time their favorite team or player competes—but for self-described hard core fans, 32% participate in various pre-game traditions.

While over one-third admitted their required pre-game rituals simply make them feel like a part of the team, 31% staunchly feel their pre-game ritual increases their team or player’s chances of winning.

When asked about their habits before games, most cited traditions like flaunting team merch, having cookouts and tailgating. Others perform chants, dances, or saying a prayer.

A few noteworthy respondents take it a bit further and reported lighting candles for their team, obsessively washing their hands, and painting their bodies to ensure that their team wins.

The double opt-in survey was conducted by Talker Research on behalf of SquadLocker, whose CEO, Fletcher Jones, believes such activities create community among fans.

“Many people follow along with pro athletes and partake in traditions because it’s a bonding experience and brings people together. Sports are rooted in community.”

The survey split sports fans into different categories depending on their level of commitment to their team or player. It also revealed that not only is there an emotional commitment to their sports fandom, there’s a financial commitment, as well.

A third of respondents (32%) said they’re moderate fans who watch a few sports games here and there. Around half labeled themselves as big fans who watch most games (48%). But, 20% said they were all-in and self-identified as raging fans who watch every game they can—and who spend, on average, over $800 on their professional sports passions every year.

Even moderate sports fans reported spending over $300 annually.

“It is clear just how much sports mean to people, by the emotional high they feel after a win and the emotional low after a loss,” said Jones.

39% reported that if their team or player loses a match, they feel more sensitive than usual. A loss also effects 14% of those polled by reducing their overall life enjoyment for a while.

When it comes to watching in-person on the sidelines, fans estimated they usually show their support by attend on average five events per year–witnessing about three wins and two losses.

And it turns out—whether attending in person or turning on the TV—these events have a lasting impact on fans.

On average, fans recalled seeing five ‘one-of-a-kind’ miracle sports wins, with 74% citing a win by their favorite team during a live event as ‘one of their favorite memories’.

AMAZING! WATCH: Rollercoaster Passenger Uses Astonishing Catlike Reflexes to Catch a Stranger’s iPhone in Mid-Air

“I think one of the most important results from this survey is how much passion sports fans have for their teams at every level,” said Kaycie Brown, an athlete at 575 Volleyball, a youth sports organization. “The support they give enhances their lives, as well as the lives of the athletes.”

“Fan support builds confidence and plants seeds for success.”

New AI Task Force Led By Michigan and Arizona Combats Deep Fakes and Election Misinformation in US

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Capitol photo by Martin Jacobsen, CC license
Capitol photo by Martin Jacobsen, CC license

In January, during a Democratic primary, thousands of voters received a robocall that used artificial intelligence to impersonate President Biden discouraging them from voting.

The political consultant responsible is now facing millions in fines and jail time for the 13 felony counts of voter suppression and 13 counts of impersonating a candidate, a misdemeanor.

To combat this new threat of AI deep fakes and misinformation in US elections, a new Artificial Intelligence Task Force is bringing together state and local elected officials to focus on ways to combat malicious AI-generated activity that threaten the democratic process.

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes doesn’t speak German, but he created a deepfake that makes it nearly impossible to tell that it isn’t actually Fontes speaking—all to demonstrate just how alarmingly lifelike and manipulative AI-generated content can be.

Fontes—along with Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon—are leading the fight to prepare election workers and voters in their states to be vigilante and savvy against the AI threats.

They are part of a coalition of secretaries of state working with the task force, created by the NewDEAL Forum, to develop tools and best practices to combat AI disinformation this election season.

“In Michigan, we’ve enacted legislation to make it a crime for someone to knowingly distribute materially-deceptive deep fakes that are generated by AI when there is an intent behind it of harming the reputation of or the electoral prospects of a candidate,” Secretary of State Benson told Democracy Docket, a digital news platform founded by attorney Marc Elias dedicated to voting rights and elections in the courts.

The new law, passed in November, makes that crime a felony.

GREAT NEWS ON CRIME: US Crime Rate Drops to ‘Historic’ Lows With Murders, Rapes, and Robbery Plunging, New Statistics Show

“In addition to that, we require any political advertisements that are generated in whole or substantially with the use of AI to include a statement that that ad was generated by artificial intelligence. That disclaimer requirement helps equip citizens with the knowledge of how to be critical consumers.”

Both the important swing states of Arizona and Michigan have developed tabletop exercises to train election clerks to identify AI, and to practice linking them with law enforcement and first Responders, both for security and to rapidly respond to issues that may occur around voting, on or before election day—and also to be prepared to stop the negative impact of AI from spreading. (See their interviews in the video below…)

A NewDEAL Forum poll conducted in Arizona in April found that only 41% of respondents knew anything about AI and elections.

“Generative AI presents both tremendous opportunities and significant challenges,” said New York State Assemblymember Alex Bores, Co-Chair of the NewDEAL Forum AI Task Force, and one of the few state legislators with a computer science background. “Our goal is to craft policies to harness AI’s potential to improve public services while proactively preparing for the threats and unforeseen challenges it poses to our democratic institutions.”

In March, they published a report that outlines best practices for election officials—from secretaries of state to county election workers—to mitigate the negative impacts of AI in elections. The advice includes more short-term practices, like public information campaigns about the threats, and protocols for a rapid response when they do arise.

VOTER RIGHTS VICTORY: 2 Conservatives on Supreme Court Seal Historic Decision to Preserve Voting Rights in Alabama Gerrymandering Case

The document also suggests legislation that state politicians can pass to help protect democracy from AI threats.

According to Democracy Docket, at least 40 states are introducing legislation to regulate the use of AI, but only 18 have laws that specifically address election-related AI—and thankfully, now Michigan is one of them.

WATCH a discussion with Fontes and Benson on Democracy Docket… (Subscribe to stay up to date with court cases around the US involving elections.)

PLEASE HELP TO SPREAD AWARENESS By Sharing the News on Social Media…

Third Grade Teacher Crocheted Mini Versions of Every Student in Her Class for End-of-Year Gift

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Good News Network
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Teacher makes crocheted version of each kids in her class – Sara Shabir via SWNS
Teacher makes crocheted version of each kids in her class – Sara Shabir via SWNS

An elementary school teacher crocheted a miniature version of all the pupils in her class to honor each individually with a personalized gift as the year ended.

Sara Shabir started the project in May and presented the tiny lookalikes to her third graders this month when classes ended at Tyndale Community School, in Oxford, England.

Each of the 30 keepsake dolls took her around eight hours to create—a total of 240 hours.

The 32-year-old took up the hobby during COVID-19 lockdowns—and when the end of term was approaching this year, she had so much love for the kids in her class, she wanted to give them something special to remember their time together.

“I feel a massive sense of accomplishment in completing this project—and the joy the children showed when they saw them was worth everything,” she said on Instagram.

A parent of one of the students, Joanna Borysiak, shared the photo on Twitter-X, which went viral, calling her daughter’s teacher ‘the absolute GOAT’.

“She single-handedly crocheted a mini-me of each kid in her class… Even the hairstyles and clothes are spot on. What a legend.”

Sara told GNN, “It was difficult to get the right skin tones and hair colors and styles!”

Sara Shabir via SWNS

“I pondered over each one carefully, and even created a spreadsheet so I would remember which colors I’d decided on for each—and I ticked them off as I completed them!

“It was all worth it.”

Sara completed her final doll and secretly brought them into class last week. First, though, she showed the photograph to them—and they had to guess which child was which doll.

When she actually unveiled the dolls, they were “shocked and amazed”.

“They started brushing their hair and playing with them which was lovely to see.

“They were very grateful.”

Undoubtedly, Sara is a teacher that students—and fellow-teachers— will fondly remember for a long time.

TEACHER LOVE: Hero Teacher Spent Every Day in Lockdown Preparing Food for His Pupils and Delivered 7,500 Packed Lunches

BE SURE AND SHOW THIS TO TEACHERS By Sharing on Social Media…

“We first make our habits, and then our habits make us.” – John Dryden

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Quote of the Day: “We first make our habits, and then our habits make us.” – John Dryden

Photo by: Arek Adeoye

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quote of the Day page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

Good News in History, July 28

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Good News Network
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Kenny Rogers in 2007 - Philpottm - CC BY-SA 3.0.

30 years ago today, Texas Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers pitched the MLB’s 14th Perfect Game which also registered as the first and only one in the history of the Texas Rangers franchise, and the last No-Hitter pitched for the Rangers at the time of writing. While perhaps missing out on being remembered as one of the true great pitchers, Rogers had an exemplary career that extended long into his 30s, during which he started the 2008 season as the oldest player in the American League. READ some of his other accomplishments… (1994)

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A Real Life Barbie Dreamhouse For Sale on Zillow Goes Viral For Happy Seller in New Jersey

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Good News Network
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Kitchen of the Barbie dreamhouse for sale by Kate Gabrielle in Hamilton, New Jersey -SWNS
Kitchen of the Barbie dreamhouse for sale by Kate Gabrielle in Hamilton, New Jersey -SWNS

Check out this positively pink full-sized ‘Barbie Dreamhouse’ for sale in New Jersey…

The bungalow includes a cinema room, large walk-in wardrobe, a craft room, and a handbag wall—all in bright pinks and calming lavenders.

The three-bedroom property on Hughes Drive in Hamilton Township has a unique style that may only be perfect for a Barbie superfan—but it’s charm has gone viral on the Instagram account Zillow Gone Wild.

As soon as you walk through the pink front door you’re welcomed by daisy wallpaper which leads into a cinema with dark purple walls and rows of recliner seats.

The Zillow listing says the two-bathroom home in the desirable neighborhood of University Heights has “good energy and good vibes,” and the asking price is $500,000.

The owner of the home, Kate Gabrielle, says they already have potential buyers—some who wanted to keep the furniture and décor.

 

It’s a “killer dopamine inspiration,” one commenter said on social media. “I feel like it would be impossible to have a bad day living here.”

Kate Gabrielle’s Barbie dreamhouse in Hamilton, New Jersey – SWNS

The listing says, “Enter through a new screened-in front porch into this uniquely charming home that has new vinyl flooring throughout the main floor. New carpet in bedrooms and theatre and new custom tile in the bathrooms.”

SWNS

Whether you find it cheery or cheesy, we have to admire Kate’s passionate commitment to her own style.

SWNS

LOOK AT THIS GUY’S BARBIE HOME: Man Transforms an Old Farmhouse into a Barbie Dreamhouse Fulfilling a Childhood Dream

SHARE THE DREAMHOUSE With Barbie Fans on Social Media…

Severe Shaking in Parkinson’s Patient Calms Down in Just 6 Days With New Drug –Watch the Transformation

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Good News Network
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Video screenshots of Damian Gath before and after taking Produodopa-SWNS
Video screenshots of Damian Gath before and after taking Produodopa-SWNS

A 52-year-old Parkinson’s sufferer is celebrating a ‘life-changing’ transformation after receiving a new drug treatment—and a video shows the incredible difference it made in just one week.

Damian Gath, who previously worked out at a gym four times a week, was diagnosed ten years ago with an incurable brain condition that causes involuntary shaking.

He was head of operations at a communications firm when the symptoms began.

“I lost the use of my fingers in my arm,” said the English father-of-four. “I couldn’t hold a pen and I was dropping cups of tea and bottles, so I went to the hospital in my lunch hour from work.”

Damian, who lives in Derbyshire, was told to see a neurologist who then broke the shocking news to him that he had Parkinson’s—a disease he previously knew nothing about.

“His exact words were, ‘It’s an irreversible, incurable degenerative brain disease.’ I was a bit shocked at the time.”

Damian said he had tried ‘every oral medication on the market’ as he desperately sought to counteract the effects of the degenerative condition. But each one produced a range of side effects that made his day-to-day life a misery.

“I had severe side effects from them all—hallucinations, paranoia, depression, anxiety. It was a really tough time.”

Then, in June, following the drug’s approval for use by England’s National Health System (NHS) he became one of the first patients in the country to receive Produodopa, a treatment administered under the skin using a miniature pump.

Damian Gath’s treatment kit with device that attaches under the skin – SWNS

The portable pump provides a far more gradual release of medication, resulting in greater symptom management. Damian called the treatment revolutionary.

And a dramatic video shared by SWNS reveals how, after previously struggling to control his spastic upper body movements, he could easily make a cup of coffee—just seven days later.

“It’s been extraordinary and life-changing,” he said. “I’m able to sit in front of the TV not in pain—and I can get a good full night’s sleep.

BAKING SODA CURE: Woman Who Nearly Died After Bacteria Ate Her Nose Says Baking Soda Saved Her Life

“In the past, I stopped taking my last tablet at 9pm, and when that wore off, you’re back to your raw Parkinson’s symptoms.”

“Because this medication is released slowly into the body, and I can boost it and decrease it to a certain extent, I’ve got control over how much is being given.”

Best of all, the new medication, which is not yet available in the US, has produced no side effects for Damian, so far.

“The most dramatic experience is the loss of pain and the ability to move a lot more normally.

“I live near the Peak District and we have some beautiful hikes and walks open to us. I’m hoping I can get back to doing that.”

ANOTHER AMAZING RECOVERY: Boy With Crippling ‘Suicide Disease’ Takes First Steps in a Year After Traveling to US for Pioneering Treatment

NHS health providers, like Sherwood Forest Hospital (SFH) where Damian was treated, are rolling out the new therapy to other patients soon.

“The successful implementation of Produodopa at SFH heralds a new era in the management of advanced Parkinson’s disease,” said SFH’s Dr. Nishantha Silva.

SHARE THE FABULOUS NEWS For Everyone With Parkinson’s On Social Media…

Engineering Student Heeds Call for a Chihuahua in Need – Designing Tiny Helmets for ‘Niblet’

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Good News Network
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Photo by Angela Foster - University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Photo by Angela Foster – University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

When the call went out seeking assistance for a puppy requiring special care, a faculty member at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a recent graduate were “all in.”

A month ago, a tiny Chihuahua weighing just 2.5-pounds captured the hearts of animal shelter staff even before it became clear that the dog had a special medical condition that required special attention: Niblet had a soft spot on the top of his head—about one and a half centimeters in diameter—indicating that his skull had not fully fused.

The Humane Educational Society (HES) called mechanical engineering professor Trevor Elliott for help, with an unusual request.

Niblet’s condition, hydrocephalus (water on the brain) can make even the simplest household accidents—like something falling off a counter—potentially life-threatening,

“We started brainstorming how we could get the head protected,” recalled HES Director of Veterinary Services Sarah Callahan.

Dr. Samantha Blair brought up the contacts that she had at the university. She made a couple of phone calls, and later that day, the engineering department delivered a dose of hope for the 10-week-old puppy.

“When we realized that we were going to have to make a cap, I remembered the amazing 3D printing abilities that the graduate students had,” said Blair.

After learning about Niblet’s situation, Professor Elliott immediately felt compelled to lend a hand and arrived that very afternoon. “As soon as I saw his cute little face, I said, ‘We’ve got to help.’”

He enlisted the assistance of Connor Mackey, a May graduate who led the 2024 UTC Rocket Mocs team in winning the 3D Printing Award at the recent NASA Student Launch competition—“and he was all in.”

“As soon as I saw the email chain, I knew exactly how to do this. I knew I could actually help this dog,” said Mackey, who will begin pursuing a Masters in Engineering at UTC this fall.

Elliott solicited the help of Volkswagen’s Justin Stephens to scan Niblet’s head to get a 3D image. He and Mackey then took different approaches toward creating headgear for Niblet; Mackey’s resembles a football helmet, while Elliott’s is more of a skull cap.

3-D printed helmet for Niblet at the Humane Educational Society – By Angela Foster / University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

3D-PRINTER TRIUMPH: Woman Given New 3D-Printed Windpipe in World First

After multiple iterations, they met with Niblet at HES on July 15, to fit the puppy with protective headgear—and Niblet quickly took to the football helmet design.

“It’s just kind of crazy what you can do,” Mackey said. “It was honestly a very simple process of getting a scan and then modeling around that. It’s really cool that you can save a dog’s life using this kind of manufacturing process.”

Elliott added, “It was pretty cool to see him walking around with it and knowing that it looks like at least one of our solutions is going to help him on his journey.”

“Fitting a puppy with protective headgear is unchartered territory for us,” said Callahan, who is hopeful it will be the solution. “We really do think that he’s in the best possible place to have a good outcome and the longest life that he possibly can in a happy home.”

Caroline Smith, HES director of animal protection services, praised how quickly everyone rallied to support little Niblet.

“Sometimes in this line of work, you don’t always get happy endings, so it’s so nice to see everyone come together to help out an animal,” Smith said.

UC Foundation Associate Professor Trevor Elliott and UTC graduate Connor Mackey try out 3D-printed helmets at Chattanooga’s Humane Educational Society – Photo by Angela Foster

“This definitely took a lot of teamwork running with this idea—and we’re so thankful for UTC that they were willing to step in and help.”

WORLD FIRST: Robotic Hand with Bones, Ligaments and Tendons Created for First Time Using 3D Printing

Without the helmet, Niblet would have needed more than a cat’s nine lives to survive—but with it, he can live a good, long one.

SHARE THE PAWESOME Story With Animal Lovers on Social Media…

Your Weekly Horoscope – ‘Free Will Astrology’ From Rob Brezsny

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Our partner Rob Brezsny, who has a new book out, Astrology Is Real: Revelations from My Life as an Oracle, provides his weekly wisdom to enlighten our thinking and motivate our mood. Rob’s Free Will Astrology, is a syndicated weekly column appearing in over a hundred publications. He is also the author of Pronoia Is the Antidote for Paranoia: How All of Creation Is Conspiring To Shower You with Blessings. (A free preview of the book is available here.)

Here is your weekly horoscope…

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY – Week of July 27, 2024
Copyright by Rob Brezsny, FreeWillAstrology.com

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):
Some bamboo species grow very quickly—as much as 36 inches per day. I suspect your capacity to burgeon and blossom will display a similar vigor in the coming weeks. You may be surprised at how dramatic your development is. I’m hoping, of course, that you will be acutely focused on channeling your fertility in positive ways. Don’t feed an urge to recklessly gamble, for instance. Don’t pursue connections with influences that are no damn good for you. Instead, decide right now what areas of your life you want to be the beneficiaries of your growth spurt. Choose the beauty and power you will encourage to ripen.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
For months, we heard and saw crows pecking on the roof of our rental house. Why? Were they grubbing for food? It was mildly annoying, but seemingly no big deal. Then one night, their small, regular acts of mayhem climaxed in an unexpected event. Rain began to fall around 8 pm. It was constant, though not heavy. At 9, the ceilings in five rooms began to leak. By 10:30, our house was flooded. We managed to rescue most of our precious items, but the house was damaged. We had to find a new place to live. I don’t expect anything nearly this drastic to befall you, dear Virgo. But I do encourage you to check to see if any small problem is gradually growing bigger. Now is a favorable time to intervene and forestall an unfavorable development.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
Two Scottish veterinarians researched the health of rhesus monkeys that are compelled by human handlers to dance on the streets of Islamabad, Pakistan. When I first learned about this, my response was, “Wow! Don’t those doctors have anything better to do? That is the most obscure research I have ever heard of.” But later, I decided I admired the doctors because they were motivated primarily by compassion. They found the monkeys were under severe stress, and they publicized the fact as a public service. Their work will ultimately lead to better treatment of the monkeys. In accordance with astrological omens, Libra, I advise you to seek out comparable ways to express altruism in the coming weeks. By engaging in noble and idealistic acts, you will attract good fortune into your sphere both for yourself and others.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
Do you place any limits on how deep and expansive you allow your yearnings to be? Are you ever worried that maybe you desire too much and are at risk of asking for too much? If you answered yes to those questions, Scorpio, I will give you a temporary license to rebel against your wariness. In accordance with astrological rhythms, I authorize you to experiment with feeling the biggest, strongest, wildest longings you have ever felt. Please note that I am not advising you to immediately go out and actually express those longings to the hilt. For now, I’d like you to simply have the experience of entertaining their full intensity. This will be a healing experience.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
You will never guess the identity of the strongest animal on the planet. It’s not the gorilla, tiger, or elephant. It’s the dung beetle, which can lug loads that weigh 1,141 times as much as it does. The equivalent for you would be to pull six double-decker buses crammed with people. I’m happy to inform you that although you won’t be able to accomplish that feat in the coming weeks, your emotional and spiritual strength will be formidable. You may be surprised at how robust and mighty you are. What do you plan to do with all that power?

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):
By age 35, you have already shed over 50 pounds of skin. The flesh that covers you is in a constant state of renewal. In the coming weeks, I expect your rate of regeneration to be even higher than usual—not only in regard to your skin, but everything else in your life, as well. Here’s a proviso: Renewal and regeneration are always preceded by withering or dwindling. To enjoy the thrill of revitalization, you must allow the loss of what was once vital but is no longer.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):
Among people who go hiking a lot, “death march” is a term that refers to a long trudge through boring scenery in bad weather. Let’s use this as a metaphor for your life. I believe you have recently finished your own metaphorical version of a “death march.” Any minute now, you will begin a far more enjoyable series of experiences. Get ready for an entertaining meander through interesting terrains in fine weather. Be alert for unpredictable encounters with inspiration and education.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):
Alex Larenty gives massages to lions at the Lion Park near Johannesburg, South Africa. They especially love foot rubs. Even Jamu, king of the local beasts, rolls onto his back so Larenty can get a good angle while caressing and kneading his paws. I bring this to your attention, Pisces, because it’s a good metaphor for the unique power you will have in the coming days: a knack for dealing successfully with wild influences and elemental powers through the magic of kindness, affection, and service.

ARIES (March 21-April 19):
Aries singer-songwriter Lady Gaga has written many songs, both for herself and other artists. She has famously declared that some of her most successful songs took her just 10 minutes to compose. They include “Just Dance,” “Poker Face,” and “Born This Way.” According to my interpretation of the astrological omens, you could be rising to Lady Gaga levels of creativity in your own sphere during the coming weeks. And I won’t be surprised if your imaginative innovations flow with expeditious clarity, like Gaga at her most efficient.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20):
During the winter, some animals hibernate. They enter a state of dormancy, slowing their metabolism, breathing, and heart rate. Other animals enter a similar state during the summer, conserving energy when the weather is hot and dry. It’s called estivation. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, many of you Tauruses would benefit from a modified version of estivation in the next couple of weeks. You’re in prime time to recharge your energy through deep relaxation and rest.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20):
The English word “amphibian” is derived from the Greek term amphibios, which means “living a double life.” The original meaning of the English word was “combining two qualities; having two modes of life,” though eventually it came to be used primarily to describe animals that function well on both land and in water. You Geminis are of course the most amphibious of all the astrological tribes. You can feel at home in a variety of situations. This may sometimes stir up confusion, but I see it as one of your greatest potential strengths. In the coming weeks, I hope you enjoy it to the maximum. It should serve you well. Wield it to take advantage of the sweet perks of versatility.

CANCER (June 21-July 22):
I dreamed that a young elephant appeared on the back deck of my house and stuck its trunk through the open sliding glass door. I got up from my chair and gently pushed the animal away, then closed the door. But after I woke up, I was sorry I had done that in my dream. What was I afraid of? The elephant posed no danger—and may have been a good omen. In some cultures, elephants in dreams and visions are symbols of good luck, vitality, long life, and the removal of obstacles. So here’s what I did. I dropped into a deep meditative state and reimagined the dream. This time, I welcomed the creature into my home. I gave her the name Beatrice. We wrestled playfully and had fun playing with a red rubber ball. Amazingly, later that day, a certain obstacle in my actual waking life magically disappeared. The moral of the story, my fellow Cancerian: Welcome the elephant.

WANT MORE? Listen to Rob’s EXPANDED AUDIO HOROSCOPES, 4-5 minute meditations on the current state of your destiny — or subscribe to his unique daily text message service at: RealAstrology.com

(Zodiac images by Numerologysign.com, CC license)

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“He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

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Quote of the Day: “He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Photo by: Max Harlynking

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quote of the Day page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

Good News in History, July 27

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Good News Network
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Kukai, the first Patriarch of the Shingon Sect of Japanese Buddhism - CC 4.0. (Integrated Collections Database of the National Museums, Japan)

1,250 years ago today, the first Patriarch of the Shingon Sect—one of the most important in Japanese Buddhism was born. Born Saeki no Mao, but dying Kōbō Daishi, he is known to laymen as Kukai—who first brought Vajrayana Buddhism to Japan after traveling to Tang China. Today, over 5 million Japanese self-identify with the Shingon Sect, second only in number of followers to Nichiren Buddhism among the native Japanese Buddhism schools. READ about his Asia-changing accomplishments… (774)

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Charity Song Raises Money for Boy with Cancer–and Overtakes Kylie Minogue and Coldplay in Downloads

By
Andy Corbley
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Jack Gyde - SWNS
Jack Gyde – SWNS

Despite being just 5 years old and suffering from stage 4 brain cancer, an adorable little boy in the UK is climbing the charts with a new song.

Jack Gyde was diagnosed with Stage 4 High-Risk Neuroblastoma earlier this year after his mom Sarah noticed him limping, and a song released to raise money for his treatment has passed Coldplay and Kylie Minogue in online downloads, raising thousands in the process.

A musician from Bristol, Daz Sims, recorded, produced, and released the single entitled Cowboy Jack, and to everyone’s surprise, it debuted at #28 on the iTunes chart. It’s since fallen to 39, but is still above names like Beyonce, Luke Combs, and Coldplay.

But before Jack had his moment in the limelight, his care team and family at a local healthcare facility called Brunelcare had launched a fundraiser to raise money for both the ongoing maintenance of the tumor and a trip to the US for life-extending treatment.

The goal was a quarter million English pounds, amounting to more than $280,000.

“Every download of “Cowboy Jack” supports fundraising efforts for 5-year-old Jack Gyde, who is battling stage 4 high-risk neuroblastoma,” a Brunelcare spokesperson said. “Jack urgently needs lifesaving treatment in the US, which costs £250,000. Your simple act of downloading this song can make a world of difference.”

HOPE FOR SURVIVAL: Strangers Crowdfund $54,000 for 22-Year-old Mom with Terminal Cancer Who Needs More Time with Baby

Jack is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, with surgery and a stem cell transplant planned. If Jack’s NHS treatment is successful, he has a 40-50% chance of survival. However, if he relapses, his chances drop to just 5%.

FUNDRAISING SUCCESSES: Woman Raises $233,000 to Give 90-year-old Veteran Still Working in the Heat the Option to Retire

The funds raised will support additional maintenance treatment in the US to reduce the risk of relapse and improve his chances of survival. At the moment the fundraiser has reached £141,000, including a £10,400 offload by Daz Sims from his download revenues.

To donate to Jack’s Journey visit the link here. To Download the song see this link on Amazon, and this one for iTunes.

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This Bronze Age Ship Replica, Made from Reeds and Goat Hair, Just Sailed 50 Nautical Miles

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Andy Corbley
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Photo by Emily Harris, Zayed National Museum - released
Photo by Emily Harris, Zayed National Museum – released

A 59-foot-long reproduction of an ancient Near Eastern trading vessel has successfully sailed off the coast of Abu Dhabi.

The vessel, called a ‘Magan Boat’ in ancient times after the name of the area encompassing the UAE and parts of Oman today, was built with raw materials described on an ancient clay tablet and using techniques dating back to 2,100 BCE.

The shape of the vessel was based on ancient illustrations of boats and the reconstruction was based on a capacity of 120 Gur, a Bronze Age semi-standard weight equivalent to 36 tons today. The length, width, and depth were determined by a naval engineer using hydrostatic analysis to provide dimensions that would enable the boat to float once the estimated weight of cargo, boat, and crew were added.

The ‘Magan Boat’ project is an experimental archaeology initiative from the Zayed National Museum in partnership with Zayed University and New York University Abu Dhabi (NYU Abu Dhabi). Launched in 2021, the project aims to deepen understanding of how people in the region lived over 4,000 years ago, as well as preserve the UAE’s maritime heritage and traditional crafts.

The historians, archaeologists, and anthropologists involved in the project hypothesize that, since during the Bronze Age the craft were referred to as Magan boats, it must therefore reflect that the ancient forbearers of today’s state of UAE were famous for their role in maritime trade. Ships of this size and strength allowed people living in the UAE to trade with communities as far away as Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) and South Asia.

“It has been a long and exciting journey from discovering ancient fragments of Magan boats on Umm an-Nar to the iconic moment the boat’s goat hair sail was raised and she set sail from Khor Laffan towards the open sea,” said Dr. Peter Magee, Director of Zayed National Museum.

The boat was designed by a team of over 20 specialists, including engineers and archaeologists, who seek to uncover knowledge about the past by experimenting with ancient technology using traditional techniques.

Shipwrights specializing in historical replicas worked closely with the researchers to build the boat using raw materials and traditional hand tools. The outer hull of the boat was made from 15 tons of locally sourced reeds that were soaked, stripped of their leaves, crushed, and tied into long bundles using date palm fiber rope. These were some of the objects listed on the tablet in the Sumerian language, found in the archaeological site of Tello, that detail how Magan boats were made.

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS: Why Are So Many Old Maps Covered in Sea Monsters? Nat. Geo Dives Deep

The reed bundles were lashed to an internal structure of wood frames and coated in bitumen—a waterproofing technique used by ancient shipmakers in this region. Archaeologists have recently discovered similar examples of bitumen on the island of Umm an-Nar, referred to by Dr. Magee, which match sources from Mesopotamia.

The boat passed several rigorous tests and covered a distance of 50 nautical miles (92.6km) in the Arabian Gulf. Captained by Emirati sailors and accompanied by the UAE Coastguard, the ship passed two days of sea trials, reaching speeds of up to 5.6 knots (6.4 miles per hour) under a sail made of goat hair. A crew of more than 20 people was needed to lift the sail and rigging as pulleys did not exist in the Bronze Age.

Champion Emirati sailor Marwan Abdullah Al-Marzouqi, who comes from a family whose links with the maritime heritage of the UAE go back generations, according to a release from Zayed University, was one of two captains who skippered the Magan Boat during its two days of sea trials.

MORE LIVING ARCHAEOLOGY: Egyptians Performed Brain Surgery 4,000 years ago: A Discovery Called a ​​‘Milestone in the History of Medicine’

“When we first towed the boat out from the jetty, we were very careful. I was very aware it was made from only reeds, ropes, and wood—there are no nails, no screws, no metal at all—and I was afraid of damaging her. But as we got underway, I soon realized that this was a strong boat. I was surprised by how this big boat, weighed down with a heavy ballast, moved so smoothly on the sea,” he said.

“Appreciating the maritime history of the Arabian Gulf is key to understanding the importance of Abu Dhabi in the ancient world,” said HE Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi. “It is an excellent example of Abu Dhabi’s educational institutions coming together to deepen our knowledge of the past and bring history to life for everyone to learn from and enjoy.”

US Post Office Honors Alex Trebek With New Stamps That Look Like Jeopardy Questions

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Andy Corbley
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The Alex Trebek forever stamp sheet - released from the US Postal Service.
The Alex Trebek forever stamp sheet – released from the US Postal Service.

Famous Alexes for $200: This naturalized US citizen hosted the quiz show Jeopardy! for 37 seasons.

Alex Trebek has been honored with a sheet of memorial stamps from the US Postal Service looking like the question board on the show he indeed hosted for 37 seasons.

Announcing to the nation in 2019 a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, and his intention to fight it until the end, it didn’t take long for Trebek to step down from his role as host—a position he had filled since 1984.

His final episode garnered 14 million viewers and aired three months after his death in 2020.

The stamps feature four columns on the Jeopardy! game board, and include Game Show Hosts, Entertainment, Famous Alexes, and Forever Stamp collections. Below each tile are the words “Who is Alex Trebek?”

“My family and I were completely surprised about Alex being honored by the U.S. Postal Service. It is a such an extraordinary honor and a wonderful way to recognize what Alex meant to so many people,” Jean Trebek, the game show host’s widow, said at a ceremony at John Calley Park at Sony Pictures Studios on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the game show and the 84th Birthday celebration of Trebek.

“Alex would be over the moon about this distinctive honor and he’d feel very humbled,” she continued in a statement released along with the ceremony.

Ken Jennings, one of the show’s most successful contestants, and Trebek’s successor as host, agreed.

OTHER STAMP SHEETS WITH AMERICAN ICONS: 12 Famous American Waterfalls Are Looking Gorgeous on New Stamps From USPS

“Alex Trebek was an American institution and so it makes perfect sense to honor him on a postage stamp. And of course, I had to geek out when I saw that the full sheet of stamps looks like a ‘Jeopardy!’ game board.”

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Botanists Vote to Remove Apartheid Slur from Plant Species Names in Africa

By
Andy Corbley
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The coast coral tree (Erythrina caffra) and about 200 other plant species will be renamed after this decision. This tree's name will become Erythrina affra. JMK via Wikimedia Commons under CC BY-SA 3.0
The coast coral tree (Erythrina caffra) and about 200 other plant species will be renamed after this decision. This tree’s name will become Erythrina affra. JMK via Wikimedia Commons under CC BY-SA 3.0

Over 200 plants will have their species name changed to remove an offensive South African apartheid-era racial slur after the results of a vote from the International Botanical Congress.

In a thoroughly debated session in the recent meeting in Madrid, the vote passed 351 to 205 to rename all current botanical species with the species name caffra to affra. 

Margherita Bassi, writing for Smithsonian, explains that this means the coast coral tree Erythrina caffra will be called Erythrina affra and that the decision marks the first time taxonomists have voted in favor of changing offensive scientific names.

A lot goes into naming species: it’s official business that in just a few years can cement any given name in dozens of pieces of written and digital literature, and for that reason many in the international community of taxonomists resist urges to rename species.

This has included situations where species have been named after war criminals like Hitler and Mussolini—it’s just a confusing pain in the butt, and one reason why a not insignificant number of taxonomists feel that no species should ever bear the name of a specific person—even a perceived virtuous one, as their record of morality can always be revised in the face of new evidence.

In this case however, “caffra,” also spelled Kaffer or Keffir, is a derogatory term used by Afrikaans speakers towards black people in southern Africa, and despite its genesis as a slur, it seeped into the public zeitgeist to describe something coming from Africa.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Biologist Finds Beautiful Blue Gecko, Named the New Species ‘Vangoghgi’

Fortunately, so many species bear this name, and the change is to simply remove that ‘c’ that the decision has the potential to become common knowledge rather rapidly, especially because Afr fits much better as a prefix to describe something coming from Africa.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?: An Animal New to Science is Named After Indiana Jones, ‘Why Did it Have to be Snakes!’ – Tachymenoides Harrisonfordi

“This is an absolutely monumental first step in addressing an issue that has become a real problem in botany and also in other biological sciences,” botanist Sandy Knapp of the Natural History Museum in London, who managed the weeklong nomenclature session, tells the Observer’s Robin McKie. “It is a very important start.”

SHARE This Quick Fix To Erase An Ugly Inhuman Legacy From The Science Literature… 

“History is a vast early warning system.” – Norman Cousins

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Good News Network
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Quote of the Day: “History is a vast early warning system.” – Norman Cousins

Photo by: Alvis Taurēns

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quote of the Day page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

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