Nutty Putty Cave has become synonymous with the tragic death of a caver who became trapped in its narrow tunnels in 2009. But while many people have learned about the cave through this accident, they are less familiar with the cave's longer history.For decades prior to the incident, the cave system was a popular destination for amateur and professional cave enthusiasts alike.What is Nutty Putty Cave?Nutty Putty Cave is located near the city of Pleasant Grove, Utah, in the United States. The cave system was first discovered and explored in 1960 by Dale Green and friends. Because many of the passages contained a soft, brown clay that could be molded by touch, Green decided to call it Nutty Putty Cave, after the popular children’s toy, Silly Putty. Like the toy, the clay could shift from a solid to a flexible fluid when gently squeezed.This viscous clay is composed of tiny particles of silicon dioxide, or silica as it is often known, which is commonly found in nature in the form of quartz.Whereas caves are often formed by surface water that descends into the ground (known as epidemic caves), Nutty Putty is an example of a hypogenic cave. This type of cave system was formed from below, when superheated groundwater rose to the surface, dissolving limestone as it went. This is because the groundwater was probably slightly acidic.Over time, it ate at the rock and created a complex network of passages and domes. According to one survey of Nutty Putty, there are over 410 meters (1,345 feet) of chutes and tunnels in the cave system, the most famous (and tight) being “The Big Slide”, “The Birth Canal”, “The Maze”, and “The Helmet Eater”.The Nutty Putty Cave DeathAfter it was discovered in 1960, Nutty Putty became a popular cave that attracted many visitors. However, some of these cave explorers were inexperienced and unprepared for the tight network of tunnels it contained. NBC News reported that rescuers had to be called to the cave five times in the decade preceding the 2009 incident.There were no fatalities following these callouts, but they nevertheless required rescuing. Then, in 2005, the deaths of four Utah youths in the nearby cave on “Y” Mountain led to further concerns.In 2006, Nutty Putty Cave was closed due to mounting safety concerns, but it was eventually reopened in May 2009. In order to protect visitors, a management plan was signed with Timpanogos Grotto, to provide an online reservation system that restricted access to one group at a time.                IFLScience is not responsible for content shared from external sites.Unfortunately, it was only a matter of months after this that tragedy struck.On November 24, 2009, John Edward Jones, a medical student, visited Nutty Putty Cave with his brother Josh and friends. Unfortunately, while he was trying to find the Birth Canal, Jones entered an unmapped portion of the cave near “Ed’s Push.”Jones, believing he was in the wider opening elsewhere in the system, attempted to push himself headfirst through a tight sport to turn around, but he became wedged at a 70-degree angle and could not escape.Throughout the following day, teams of rescuers attempted to save him, but he soon started to lose consciousness because of the position he was in. His heart was under increased strain to pump blood from his brain, a process that is usually aided by gravity.During the rescue efforts, a pulley system was installed to help free Jones from his position, but it could not be secured against the soft, clay walls. In fact, one rescuer was struck in the face when the pulley tore free from the point it was anchored to.Despite the efforts to rescue him, Jones was declared dead a few minutes before midnight on November 25. Due to his position in the cave, rescuers were unable to recover his body. As such, he was left in place and Nutty Putty Cave was officially closed to the public. The site remains a sealed grave to this day.

The bright purple athletics track at the Paris Olympics has fast become one of the Games’ most recognizable features (besides Muffin Man, that is) – but there’s far more to it than a pleasing appearance. Not only is it thought to be the fastest Olympic track ever, but it’s also got a surprise ingredient: shells.It’s all part of the Paris Olympics’ plan to put sustainability at the forefront of the Games. When it comes to making the track, designers have been able to solve two problems at once.Athletics tracks often use calcium carbonate to increase their resilience, but there’s a problem – the more traditional way of obtaining this mineral is through mining, which isn’t exactly the most environmentally friendly.There is, however, another big source of calcium carbonate that’s currently going to waste. Every year, it’s estimated that over 10 million tons of mollusk shells – that’s things like oysters, clams, and mussels – are produced, often ending up in landfills.Sports flooring manufacturer Mondo and fishing cooperative Nieddittas found a way to create a more sustainable solution to both issues; the latter produced and cleaned up the shells, which were then crushed up ready for Mondo to incorporate into the track.According to a statement from Nieddittas, the new process is the “equivalent to offsetting the emissions of a Euro 4 diesel vehicle driving 60,000 km” (37,282 miles) and also stops “dozens of tons” of shells that would otherwise go to waste from building up in landfill sites.It might’ve taken three years to perfect the pipeline, but that seems to have been worth it for a sustainable track that’s also been touted as the fastest ever seen at an Olympic Games – Mondo told the BBC that it’s 2 percent faster than that in 2020’s Tokyo Olympics.How can one track be faster than another? Just looking at the tracks, there doesn’t seem to be much difference besides the obvious – one’s the usual terracotta color and the other is vivid purple. But as we’ve learned from the inclusion of crushed-up shells, there’s a lot more going on under the surface when it comes to athletics tracks.Imagine running on a pavement compared to a track – it just feels different. That’s because tracks are specially designed to optimize performance, features such as honeycomb cells made out of rubber that absorb the energy of a foot slamming into them and push it back out.Mathematical modeling that’s been going on since the last Olympics has resulted in the track’s honeycombs being swapped for elliptical shapes to speed things up – although there’s far more to succeeding in the 100-meter sprint than a decent track alone.

Vice President Kamala Harris selecting Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be her running mate on Monday caused NBC's cast of characters to gush with praise. Throughout the coverage, Walz would be called a “moderate” who can win over Republicans and a "progressive" who can appease Muslim and Arab voters upset with President Joe Biden on Israel while also being lauded for looking “like a lot of dads,” while the Harris-Walz ticket was described as a “beautiful mosaic.” White House correspondent Gabe Gutierrez’s biography of Walz recalled, “After moving to Minnesota, he volunteered for John Kerry’s presidential campaign, and in an upset, he was elected to Congress in 2006. Walz served in Washington for the next 12 years, establishing himself as a moderate Democrat. Then, he ran for governor in 2018 winning in a landslide.”   “In an upset he was elected to Congress in 2006. Walz served in Washington for the next 12 years, establishing himself as a moderate Democrat...” – NBC’s @GabeGutierrez pic.twitter.com/CuJAqnmct1 — Brent Baker ?? ?? (@BrentHBaker) August 6, 2024   Later, senior national correspondent Jonathan Allen claimed Walz will help Harris when back those who are upset with Biden on Israel, “Tim Walz is someone who has been elected in a state with a significant Muslim population that is very much behind him and has appreciated his governorship, and that’s something that they might be able to tout as they go forward, someone who has that relationship as the Democrats try to bring back some of those voters.” Anchor Lester Holt then asked, “Is he going to be a unifying force within the party?”     Allen then tried to have it both ways. He claimed Walz is both a progressive, but also moderate enough to win over Republicans, “Here is somebody who is basically a progressive, but has been able to win over a significant number of independent Republican voters in his own state, and that’s something, if he's not the exciting candidate on the ticket, I think that will be fine with Kamala Harris, she is bringing the energy, but absolutely somebody that will assure a lot of Democrats, both Midwestern and moderates, and also the Progressives.” Later still, presidential historian Michael Beschloss gushed of Walz, claiming his selection disproves the idea of Democrats being coastal elites and hyping his ordinary physical appearance, “The point I'm making is that for anyone who wants to say the Democrats are coastal elites and they’re urban and they’re in the cities in the, and they cannot talk to anyone else. As you know, Lester, I come from Illinois, and all I can tell you, I don’t know Tim Walz, but he looks like an awful lot of public school teachers I had in school, and also like a lot of dads.”     Holt followed up, “I am wondering what the model is for Vice President Harris. Obviously she understands her relationship with President Biden, but what will we look for to see how she is reflecting on that relationship and previous president-vice presidential relationships.” Beschloss waxed poetic, “Well, Kamala Harris has been vice president for almost four years and has talked to a lot of vice presidents, certainly knows how to make this relationship work, knows that this is key in running the United States government, but at the same time, it is important in the political culture to have a president and vice president who seem to embrace, as much as possible, the diversity of America. Jimmy Carter called the American society ‘a beautiful mosaic’ of all kinds of people. You take a look at this ticket, this does it pretty well.” Cringe aside, if Allen is correct and Harris picked Walz in order to appease people who think that Biden has been too mean to Hamas, is that really “beautiful”? Here is a transcript for the August 6 show: NBC Now Special Report 8/6/2024 9:15 AM ET GABE GUTIERREZ: A working class politician from a rural background, Minnesota’s Tim Walz is known for not pulling punches. TIM WALZ: This is not about the Second Amendment, this is about the safety of children and our community. GUTIERREZ: A self-described white dude for Kamala Harris, the popular governor will not run alongside the nation's first woman of color on top of a major party ticket. Walz grew up in small-town Nebraska and joined the National Guard as a teenager. He served in the National Guard for more than two decades eventually becoming a schoolteacher. After moving to Minnesota, he volunteered for John Kerry’s presidential campaign, and in an upset, he was elected to Congress in 2006. Walz served in Washington for the next 12 years, establishing himself as a moderate Democrat. Then, he ran for governor in 2018 winning in a landslide. … JONATHAN ALLEN: Well, I think, there are a couple ways, Lester, that it aligns Democrats. Number one is as Ryan was attesting to, you know, this is someone that's very familiar to Democratic activists, to the Democratic core, he'll have to be introduced to the broader electorate within the party and outside of the party, but Tim Walz is very experienced as a campaigner. I also think there is a little sub rosa thing going on here, Lester, which is Democrats have been having difficulty because of President Biden and Vice President Harris's position on Israel, they have had difficulty with Arab voters, with Muslim voters, most notably in Michigan. Tim Walz is someone who has been elected in a state with a significant Muslim population that is very much behind him and has appreciated his governorship and that’s something that they might be able to tout as they go forward, someone who has that relationship as the Democrats try to bring back some of those voters. LESTER HOLT: Is he going to be a unifying force within the party? ALLEN: Oh, absolutely, Lester. Here is somebody who is basically a progressive, but has been able to win over a significant number of independent Republican voters in his own state, and that’s something, if he's not the exciting candidate on the ticket, I think that will be fine with Kamala Harris, she is bringing the energy, but absolutely somebody that will assure a lot of Democrats both, Midwestern and moderates, and also the Progressives. … MICHAEL BESCHLOSS: The point I'm making is that for anyone who wants to say the Democrats are coastal elites and they’re urban and they’re in the cities in the, and they cannot talk to anyone else. As you know, Lester, I come from Illinois, and all I can tell you, I don’t know Tim Walz, but he looks like an awful lot of public school teachers I had in school, and also like a lot of dads. HOLT: Yeah, and I am wondering what the model is for Vice President Harris. Obviously she understands her relationship with President Biden, but what will we look for to see how she is reflecting on that relationship and previous president-vice presidential relationships. BESCHLOSS: Well, Kamala Harris has been vice president for almost four years and has talked to a lot of vice presidents, certainly knows how to make this relationship work, knows that this is key in running the United States government, but at the same time, it is important in the political culture to have a president and vice president who seem to embrace, as much as possible, the diversity of America. Jimmy Carter called the American society “a beautiful mosaic" of all kinds of people. You take a look at this ticket, this does it pretty well.

Democrats have been proudly calling Kamala Harris the “border czar” to highlight her role in immigration for years. However, it’s become increasingly obvious that the title isn’t one to gloat about — as it appears she has done absolutely nothing to remedy the very clear crisis at the southern border. And a new Donald Trump political ad highlights just how bad the “border czar” has been. The ad opens with a video of Harris dancing in a brightly colored button-down shirt as a voice says “This is America’s ‘border czar.’” “She’s failed us. Under Harris, over 10 million illegally here. A quarter of a million Americans dead from fentanyl. Brutal migrant crimes and ISIS, now here,” the voiceover continues. The ad then plays the now famous clip of Harris admitting to a reporter that she’s never been to the border by saying “And I haven’t been to Europe.” Gray has one criticism of the ad, but it’s not much. “Whether or not you want to split hairs, but that wasn’t her title. It wasn’t an official title, everybody knows that. But she was placed in charge of the border,” Gray says. “She was placed in charge of border security. That’s just a fact that they are trying to eliminate from the American psyche.” While the stats on the border couldn’t be clearer, it seems that Harris doesn’t understand them. “I will proudly put my record against his any day of the week,” Harris said about immigration in a recent rally. “Do it,” Gray says. “You will lose.” Want more from Pat Gray?To enjoy more of Pat's biting analysis and signature wit as he restores common sense to a senseless world, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

The U.N. agency operating in Gaza fired several staffers in January after Israeli authorities provided evidence of their alleged involvement in the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel. Two of the 12 staffers accused are dead. Keenly aware that the U.N. depends largely on American funding and on the generosity of other nations allied with Israel, U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini promised that any "UNRWA employee who was involved in acts of terror will be held accountable, including through criminal prosecution." Following the initial layoffs, the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services conducted a months-long investigation to determine the extent of the terrorist rot in Lazzarini's organization, during which other staffers were flagged as potential terrorists. 'The UN is incapable of running a state-like enterprise in Gaza without being infiltrated by terrorist organizations.' The U.S., the U.K., Canada, and 13 other nations cut off funding to UNRWA pending the results of the investigation. The American pause on funding, in particular, likely prompted the organization to take the matter especially seriously granted the U.S. provided the UNRWA with $422 million in 2023 alone. On Monday — just days after the Israeli government stated that "the UN is incapable of running a state-like enterprise in Gaza without being infiltrated by terrorist organizations" — the OIOS concluded its report. According to the U.N., investigators reviewed email records, information on agency vehicles, and information from other sources, including communications with several member states. While Israeli intelligence was apparently critically important, U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq claimed that "since information used by Israeli officials to support the allegations have remained in Israeli custody, OIOS was not able to independently authenticate most of the information provided to it." Although the report remains confidential, Lazzarini detailed the OIOS' findings regarding the 19 UNRWA staffers allegedly involved in the terrorist attacks. In the case of one of the accused, Lazzarini said that "no evidence was obtained by OIOS to support the allegations of the staff member's involvement. That staff member has rejoined the Agency." The commissioner further claimed that the evidence presented in nine of the 19 cases was insufficient to support the staffers' involvement in the terror attacks and that those investigations have been closed. The OIOS apparently was wiling to acknowledge that nine of the accused were potential terrorists. "For the remaining nine cases, the evidence — if authenticated and corroborated — could indicate that the UNRWA staff members may have been involved in the attacks of 7 October," said Lazzarini. "I have decided that in the case of these remaining nine staff members, they cannot work for UNRWA. All contracts of these staff members will be terminated in the interest of the Agency." Israeli Ambassador Gilad Erdan blasted the report, stating, "The UN investigation, which focused exclusively on 19 UNRA workers, is a disgrace! Too little and too late. The investigation ignored the thousands of agency employees involved in the terrorist activities of Hamas, and the scope of the involvement." "The Secretary General should resign and UNRA should be closed!" continued Erdan. "Israel needs to act quickly now to outlaw UNRA, declare it a terrorist organization and expel its leaders from Israeli territory and not allow them to enter." The OIOS report comes several months after a separate review panel headed by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna stressed the need for UNRWA to implement strategies to address "increased politicization among its staff, affecting its neutrality." The panel's final report also raised concerns about the misuse of UNRWA facilities for "political or military gains." Even if the U.S. joins Canada, Australia, and other nations in reversing its funding pause to the UNRWA following the conclusion of the OIOS investigation, Reuters indicated that renewed funding will require congressional approval. After all, Republicans in Congress successfully passed legislation to defund the agency in March. 'Not one more penny of YOUR tax dollars should go to UNRWA.' Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) said at the time that the corresponding bill, H.R. 2882, "prohibits funds to UNRWA, which has become the de facto subsidiary of Hamas. The passage of this bill means not one additional dollar from the American taxpayer will go to this deeply flawed organization." It appears there may be some opposition to reversing course on UNRWA funding. Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) tweeted Monday, "The United Nations just ADMITTED that UNRWA employed the TERRORISTS who butchered and raped American and Israeli citizens on October 7th. Not one more penny of YOUR tax dollars should go to UNRWA." Sen. Marsha Blackburn also wrote, "We should never give another penny to antisemitic, terrorist supporting UNRWA." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Last month, the Republican National Committee released the most pro-tech party platform in American history – pro-Bitcoin, pro-AI, pro-space exploration, and anti-regulation. Crucially, the platform pledges the party to "defend the right to mine Bitcoin, and ensure every American has the right to self-custody of their Digital Assets, and transact free from Government Surveillance and Control." Bitcoin is unique among leading-edge technologies in giving everyday Americans a powerful way to forge markets free of centralized regime control.If they play their cards right, they can patriotically reconnect tech sector elites to the priorities of the American people.For now, at least, Democrats have largely criticized Bitcoin mining for contributing to climate change and alleged that cryptocurrency enables political extremism since it allows for anonymous transactions. This same anonymity, privacy, and decentralization attracts those looking to bypass invasive ideological institutions. Sensing the opportunity, Trump and the Republicans have grown increasingly vocal in calling for Americans to take the lead on Bitcoin and crypto innovation, driving "America first" policies. At a campaign rally last month, President Trump said, "We will ensure that the future of crypto and the future of Bitcoin will be made in America, otherwise, other countries are going to have it" — an appeal pitched to resonate with libertarian-leaning voters and nationalist conservatives. Additionally, the platform lays out a pro-tech yet conservative AI policy. Over the course of the Biden/Harris administration, it has exploited AI by using it to promote and enforce "social justice" causes and customs. The administration even wants a Council of Chief AI Officers to be appointed in every federal agency to "address the climate crisis" and "advance equitable outcomes" — a move spurring the Republican platform's call to "repeal Joe Biden's dangerous Executive Order that hinders AI Innovation, and imposes Radical Leftwing ideas on the development of this technology. In its place, Republicans support AI Development rooted in Free Speech and Human Flourishing." (Trump's capitalization-heavy rhetorical style seems to have rubbed off on the platform this year.)Lastly, the platform proposes new investment and research possibilities for the technology industry by boosting the American manufacturing sector literally out of the world, expanding space exploration, and sending astronauts to Mars. "Under Republican Leadership," the party vows, "the United States will create a robust Manufacturing Industry in Near Earth Orbit, send American Astronauts back to the Moon, and onward to Mars, and enhance partnerships with the rapidly expanding Commercial Space sector to revolutionize our ability to access, live in, and develop assets in Space." Perhaps predictably, the platform's positions on social issues, immigration, and populist economics have taken center stage.Nevertheless, the embrace of technological innovation directed toward restoring Americans' flourishing and America's form of government is more important still since it signals a seismic shift in American politics and heralds a new non-woke elite. In the past election cycles, tech billionaires and investors were usually associated with holding center-left views and voting for Democrats. But now, many are swinging to the right, backing Trump's White House bid and donating millions partly due to President Biden's anti-crypto stances.Tyler Winklevoss, a venture capital investor, announced on X that he donated $1 million in bitcoin to President Trump due to the Biden administration's "war against crypto." In a post on X, Winklevoss blamed Biden for weaponizing the banking industry and the Securities and Exchange Commission "to bully, harass, and sue the good actors in our industry in an effort to destroy it. This Administration's actions have been nothing short of an unprecedented abuse of power wielded entirely for twisted political gain at the complete expense of innovation, the American taxpayer, and the American economy," he warned.The new GOP platform shows the wisdom of Republicans capitalizing on tech policy. If they play their cards right, they can patriotically reconnect tech sector elites to the priorities of the American people. Such a move would reshape the future of the GOP, creating a new donor base and increasing the party's appeal to young voters looking for economic opportunity. As with any would-be sea change, however, there are perils. If the GOP grants Silicon Valley elites all their wishes, like unlimited H1-B visas or sweeping biotech deregulation, grassroots disillusionment will surely follow.

Motherhood is undoubtedly one of the hardest jobs there is — but some women make it look easy. Jasmin Paris is one of them. Paris is not only a mother but somehow has also been able to accomplish being a clinical academic, small animal vet, teacher, and an ultramarathon runner. Paris took life and literally ran with it. The mother became the first woman ever to finish a 100-mile ultramarathon called the Barkley Marathons and participated in the Spine Race — which is around 268 miles. “The reason I signed up for it originally was when I was coming back into training after having my daughter, my first baby, and I kind of wanted a new challenge. Something that would keep me motivated,” Paris tells James Poulos of “Zero Hour.” When her daughter was 10 months old, Paris was back at work full time — but that didn’t stop her from training for the Spine every single day. “It’s difficult when you compare yourself to the way that you were before you had a kid, but if you sign up for something completely new, and a different challenge altogether, then you’ve got nothing to compare yourself against. You can just go into it completely new and excited,” she explains. Poulos is thoroughly impressed. “That’s beautiful, that you’re splitting your time, aside from family of course, between caring in expert ways for small animals, and then taking on some of the biggest challenges that just seem to be outside of all human proportions,” he tells Paris. One of Paris’ main reasons for running the way she does is that she says it’s where she is truly herself. “Once you kind of become a parent, I think it’s difficult to, alongside work, to keep something that’s just about you. And I personally found that having running helps me be a better parent,” she explains. “I also think it’s really good for the next generation, for my kids to see that I’m not just taking them around from swimming class to gymnastics class, with my whole life revolving around them.” “It’s good for them to see that I’ve got a hobby as well, because if you want them to grow up like that, with a passion, and be ambitious, and believe in themselves, then you need to lead by example,” she adds. Want more from James Poulos?To enjoy more of James's visionary commentary on politics, tech, ideas, and culture, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

WOW: NJ Mayor Steven Fulop Leaks His OWN Texts Targeting Republican's Bro/City Employee Over HER Opinions

Kamala Harris SOOOO Good at Being the Vice President Biden Just Kicked Her OUT of THIS Meeting and LOL

Once Again, David Hogg Demonstrates He's Not So 'Slick' With Ridiculous Oil Challenge