This rather charismatic mollusk is the white abalone, a Critically-Endangered species of sea snail that’s Wanted: Alive in the state of California. That’s because it hasn’t been seen in 5 years after populations declined 99% since the 1970s. On May 12th, 2026, a research mission aboard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration research vessel Shearwater […] The post First Live White Abalone Found in 5 Years During Channel Islands Survey Sparks Hope for Recovery appeared first on Good News Network.

When we think of rainforests, we usually picture tropical rainforests like the Amazon in South America, the Congo in Central Africa, or Borneo in Southeast Asia. We don’t usually (or ever, really) think of the British Isles. But surprisingly, the United Kingdom is home to one of the most critically endangered rainforests in the world. The Atlantic, or Celtic, rainforest is one of the rarest biomes, as temperate rainforests make up only 2.5% of the forested land on Earth. And one man and his son are on a mission to save it. Robin Hanbury-Tenison has spent much of his 90 years traveling the world’s rainforests. As an explorer and conservationist, founder and former president of Survival International, Gold Medallist of the Royal Geographical Society, and the author of more than 25 books, he could reasonably have retired from arduous conservation work long ago. Instead, he’s been training to pedal a water bike 104 miles down the River Thames to help save the British rainforest. View this post on Instagram Why is a 90-year-old biking down the Thames? On June 19, he will set off from Magdalen Bridge in Oxford on a water bike, pedaling the floating bicycle down the famed River Thames. After covering approximately 26 miles per day over four days and navigating at least 31 locks, he will end his journey at Teddington Lock on International Rainforest Day, June 22. Each day, he will be joined by a prominent guest who will be interviewed alongside him. The objective is to raise £150,000 for the Thousand Year Trust, a charity led by his son, Merlin, to construct Europe’s first dedicated temperate rainforest research station. “I’ve spent a lifetime exploring the world’s great rainforests,” Robin told Oxford Mail. “What many people don’t realize is that one of the most remarkable was right here, on our own doorstep, and it’s almost gone. I’ve seen what we’ve lost.” Rather than let his age stop him, he says that it’s a motivating factor: “I’ve reached an age where I feel, rather urgently, that if I’m going to do something about it, I’d better get on with it.” View this post on Instagram Europe’s first temperate rainforest research station Merlin founded the Thousand Year Trust to address the loss of Britain’s temperate rainforest. The trust operates from a 250-acre rainforest restoration site on the edge of Cornwall’s Bodmin Moor, which contains an ancient oak woodland carbon-dated to be more than 3,600 years old. As the only charity focused solely on this unique habitat, the trust is advancing scientific research, conservation practices, and community partnerships to restore Britain’s temperate rainforest on a large scale. The money raised from Robin’s pedal-powered trek down the river will help the trust build Europe’s first dedicated temperate rainforest research station. “My father has spent his life fighting for the natural world,” Merlin said. “To see him take on something like this at 90 for a cause we are now building together, is extraordinary. This research station will give Britain’s temperaterainforest the scientific home it has never had. We are asking people to help us make it a reality.” How we can all help conserve and restore the endangered rainforest Robin’s water bike challenge, like the “Ice Bucket Challenge” and other public stunts, is meant to bring attention, awareness, and ultimately financial support to an important cause. Saving our planet, even one forest at a time, is a worthy cause. Temperate rainforests are home to some of the largest and oldest organisms on the planet. The biodiversity and biomass these forests hold are impressive, as are the massive amounts of carbon they absorb from the atmosphere. Beyond that, they are simply beautiful and magical: @spiral.flyer Is this the most beautiful forest in the UK? Puzzlewood, Forest of Dean, GL16 8QB Entry: £10 adults Hidden just over 2 hours from London, this rare temperate rainforest feels like stepping into another world – with moss-covered ravines, twisted ancient roots, and pathways that don’t feel real. You might recognise it from Star Wars, Doctor Who, and The Secret Garden. Getting there: Around 2-2.5 hours from London Train to Lydney or Gloucester + short drive/taxi This is one of those places that feels completely different from anywhere else in the UK Save this for your next day trip #puzzlewood #forestofdean #uktravel #uktravels #outdoorlovers Things to do in England, Places to visit in England, Forest of dean, Puzzlewood Forest ♬ One of the Dúnedain / “Evenstar” (feat. Isabel Bayrakdarian) – Howard Shore While the majority of temperate rainforests have been altered by centuries of human harvesting, climate change threatens those that remain. The health of one part of our planet is a concern for all. What happens in Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa affects us here in North America, and vice versa. We can all help support Robin and Merlin’s “once-in-a-generation” effort to save the British rainforest for all our sakes. You can learn more about and donate to Robin’s water bike challenge here. The post 90-year-old explorer to water-bike 104 miles to save Britain’s endangered rainforest appeared first on Upworthy.

Difficulties with balance are one of the more recognizable symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The symptom can lead to falling and serious injury, as well as loss of independence.  However, Calgary High School students Allen Guo-Lu and Luotong Shi came up with an inventive way to “give back to the community” and help Parkinson’s patients avoid these precarious situations: a 3D-printed wearable “tail” that, quite literally, follows them wherever they go.  The device operates on the principles of biomimicry, which is basically a fancy way of saying humans creating technology that copies time-tested methods used by Mother Nature. In this case, inspiration comes from cats and other mammals who use their tails, i.e., an extension of their spine, to counterbalance their center of gravity and stabilize themselves. Several tubes extend from a belt and act as “tendons” which move the “tail” according to what input they are receiving from built-in sensors.  This portable tech ranges from around .8-2.6 pounds, depending on the patient’s progression and support needs, and a companion smartphone app allows users to adjust the tail’s sensitivity to their specific body and gait. Ko Currie with Parkinson Canada shared why it’s so important that young people take an interest in Parkinson’s research with CBC. “Whether that’s new young scientists, young investigators — the more people we can get into the field…the more we’ll see big discoveries moving faster and faster and getting in the hands of real people that need it.”  However, while the tail was intended to help those with Parkinson’s, Shi noted that it can “benefit” anyone with balancing issues. And considering parts for it cost around $100, it might be a viable low-cost option for assistive aid. Shi and Guo-Lu’s device won them the University of Calgary Chancellor and Senate Award at the Calgary Youth Science Fair, and was a finalist at the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Edmonton last week. Their invention joins a growing list of medical and scientific breakthroughs conceived by teenagers.  In 2013, then-15-year-old Jack Andraka gained international attention for developing a low-cost method that showed promise for detecting pancreatic cancer. More recently, students around the world have designed affordable prosthetic limbs using 3D printing technology, created smartphone-based diagnostic tools, and developed devices aimed at improving accessibility for people with disabilities. These breakthroughs are prime examples of how young researchers often bring fresh perspectives because they are less constrained by conventional thinking and more willing to experiment with unusual concepts. It also demonstrates the value of encouraging students to pursue science, engineering, and medicine. When young people are given opportunities to explore, create, and test their ideas, the results can extend far beyond the classroom. A school project can evolve into a practical tool that improves daily life, and a teenager’s curiosity can spark advances that benefit entire communities. It’s a promising notion that the next generation of scientists may already be hard at work solving some of today’s most pressing challenges. The post High schoolers create device to keep seniors with Parkinson’s from falling, inspired by cats appeared first on Upworthy.

When people think of sexual education, they often think about the awkward talk depicted in movies: a parent nervously sits down with their teenager to explain the mechanics of sexual intercourse. There’s also the uncomfortable acknowledgement of urges, and how surprise pregnancies are prevented. A certified sexologist who goes by the name Ticha Kanticha online recently caused a stir on whether this common practice, and its timing, is best. In a video, Kanticha is challenged by her friend Dr. Kevin Liu to a debate around sex education. He starts by asking how young sex education should start. The sexologist quickly responds between ages 2-3 years old, which seemingly not only blows Liu’s mind, but some viewers’ minds as well. Mom and child playing.Photo Credit: Canva Liu replies, “Okay…I’m going to say around the teenage years, and a common argument is that because that’s when puberty hits, and that’s when they’re going to get the most exposure to intimacy and sexual experiences. And that’s when they need to know, and it’s generally just too much info at this stage of life.” This take is a common one, but for Kanticha, that’s entirely too late. After she asks if people only start getting sexually harassed at the age of 12, Liu quickly retorts that sex education won’t help in those situations. But sexual education is not just about the mechanics of the act of sex. It encompasses everything that has to do with someone’s genitalia and sexual organs, which Kanticha breaks down for her friend. Mom and toddler on laptop.Photo Credit: Canva What is sex education anyway? “I’ll give you an example. Sex education, people assume you have to teach people what sex is,” she says before later adding, “Sex education is everything related to…it’s a big umbrella. It’s everything related to sex. So, for example, your body parts that could be sexual, which is to say your intimate area here (she gestures below her waist).” Kanticha goes on to explain that teaching a 2 or 3-year-old the proper names for their genitals or private areas is considered sex education. This would also be the time when parents tell their toddlers that no one is allowed to touch their private areas. She says this teaches children at a very young age that this type of touching is inappropriate and should not happen, nor should anyone tell them to touch others there. Parents laughing with child.Photo Credit: Canva Kanticha explains that this is something children should be aware of and learn to tell a trusted adult if someone ever touches them in that way. The University of Michigan states that children should learn about good touch versus bad touch during preschool ages, specifically between ages 2 and 4. Having age appropriate conversations According to the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health at Michigan Medicine, “Despite expert recommendations to talk about ‘body safety’ during preschool years, less than half of parents of preschoolers say they’ve begun that discussion. Meanwhile, one in four parents of elementary school-age children say they haven’t talked about inappropriate touching. The most common reasons include not getting around to it, the child is too young, not wanting to scare the child, and not knowing how to bring it up.” View this post on Instagram The CDC reports that “At least one in four girls and one in 20 boys in the United States experience child sexual abuse.” They also point out that these figures are likely underestimated due to children waiting to report or never reporting sexual abuse. Viewers react Early sexual education is about safety, not sharing inappropriate content, but there were mixed reactions in the comments of the video. One person shares, “Netherlands starts at 2 or 3 and they have the lowest teen pregnancy rate in the world.” Mom and dad playing with daughter.Photo Credit: Canva Another disagrees, writing, “I’d say sex education begins as soon as the individual exudes sexual behavior or is exposed to it or has related communication on it etc.” Someone else says, “Maybe rebrand it for every phase of life? Maybe for freaking toddlers you can rebrand it into “Safe Happy Home” education or whatever. Then once in a teen years called it Sex Education or whatnot.” “Sex is not a bad word, it isn’t even a bad thing. You don’t call math “happy numbers time”. Sex exists and it’s a part of life. Teaching kids about it, adapted to their age (obviously!), won’t turn them into some depraved sexual deviants. This whole puritanical stance is dangerous, and it tells more about your dirty minds than it helps kids,” this viewer responds. Dad playing with daughter.Photo Credit: Canva “100% it starts from the very beginning and every kid girl & boy needs to be taught this so they can be aware! Protect Your Children! Protect All Children! Stop being scared to communicate with your kids. Just like she said you don’t have to explain everything in detail those steps go in stages as they grow up but the conversation needs to start immediately about their body parts and that they need to be protected so they don’t get manipulated and hurt,” someone else points out. The post Sexologist stirs debate after revealing sex education should start between 2-3 years old appeared first on Upworthy.

Crossing the international border between the United States and Canada without identifying yourself through an official port of entry is illegal. But for a cat named Louis Vuitton, the law doesn’t apply. Not because it actually doesn’t, but because he and his ungovernable cattitude have clearly decided it doesn’t. Louis crosses over the official line between the nations multiple times a day in his hometown of Surrey, British Columbia. No wall, fence, or wire separates the U.S. from Canada here, just a ditch on the side of the road monitored carefully by border patrol agents. If a person were to hop over the ditch, they would be apprehended. But Louis Vuitton travels freely between the countries, even smuggling mice he catches across the border. In the words of CTV News, he is “decidedly confident, ignoring the watchful gaze of border agents and that machine in the sky that’s as useful as the dog as far as he’s concerned.” In other words, regardless of his national identity, he’s 100% cat. People came rolling in with the cat and border jokes The jokes almost write themselves, don’t they? With over 4 million people watching and thousands commenting, we got a bunch of punny gems: “He’s got a pawsport.” “He’s a dual kitizen.” “A Catnadian and Ameowrican at the same time.” “That’s a diplocat.” “He’s conducting very important paw-litical negotiations.” “The cat is trying to smuggle catnip across the border.” “Where’s Paw Patrol when you need one.” “It’s out of Border Patrol’s purrisdiction.” “Border Agents: ‘Do you have anything to declare?’ Louis: (drops dead mouse).” “Said the cat: ‘tariff this!'” “This cat doesn’t care about ICE, he just cares about mice.” “He’s looking out for M-ICE.” Cat carrying a mouse (Photo credit: Canva) Louis got people thinking about human borders Many commenters simply loved the lighthearted story and said this is the only kind of international news they want to see right now. But others pointed to the reality that Louis’ border crossing forces us to think about: the nature of national borders in general. “Just a cat living a normal life, meanwhile the humans going insane about some imaginary pretend line they can’t cross.” “Cat proves to humans how arbitrary an imaginary line can be.” “Cats are not bound by ideals as foolish as mortal law.” Some discussion on nations and borders and territories (which cats are known for) ensued, with some compelling points being made from different perspectives. Borders are made up by humans, the lines that divide nations are largely imaginary, and the fact that nature itself ignores them highlights how unnatural they are. : Astronaut who spent 178 days in space says humanity lives in a 'lie'.From orbit, Earth does not look divided by countries or borders. It appears as a single, radiant blue sphere floating in darkness. There are no lines separating continents, no flags marking territory.… pic.twitter.com/11YUwmM3Dc— All day Astronomy (@forallcurious) February 24, 2026 Unnatural doesn’t automatically mean bad or unnecessary, of course. Clothing is unnatural, but we generally agree on the benefits of it. However, we also don’t wage war and kill one another over clothing (for the most part). Borders serve some important purposes for governance. But there’s certainly room for debate about how they are handled. Rethinking the concept of freedom of movement Watching a cat freely roam back and forth across the U.S.-Canada border puts the concept of “freedom of movement” in the spotlight. We have freedom of movement within the United States thanks to the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. Our individual states have defined borders, but they are not enforced as lines that require a formal process to cross. But international borders don’t work like that. Except when they do, of course. The European Union allows citizens to cross international borders without restriction, despite being made up of sovereign nations with borders and separate governments and laws. And it’s not like that was always the case on that continent. Look at the centuries of near-constant war between European nations over territory and identity. And now, citizens of EU member nations travel freely across one another’s borders. It’s quite a remarkable turnaround. Stray dog accidentally becomes the first to cross the Romania-Hungary border after Romania became a full member of the European Union's Schengen area.pic.twitter.com/TroXkb3Q1Y— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) August 22, 2025 Is a whole world like that possible in the future? Few could have imagined the current reality of the European Union during the two World Wars, so you never know. Perhaps Louis Vuitton can help us at least envision that world, even if it feels like a slim possibility right now. The post A cat keeps illegally crossing the Canada-U.S. border. The jokes about him are actually thought-provoking. appeared first on Upworthy.