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Red Maple Trees Line English Road to Honor 418 Canadian Soldiers Who Died Defending Freedom Overseas

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Red maples commemorating 418 Canadian soldiers line the A3 in Hampshire, England by Mark Chambers –via SWNS
Red maples commemorating 418 Canadian soldiers line the A3 in Hampshire, England by Mark Chambers –via SWNS

Stunning photos of autumnal red maple trees lining a highway are a moving commemoration to Canadian soldiers who gave their lives overseas during the two World Wars.

Many motorists are unaware that they are passing through a sacred war memorial on the A3 in Hampshire, England.

The 418 maples, Canada’s national tree, were planted near Liphook to mark the lives of the 418 Canadian servicemen who trained locally and were stationed at Bramshott, in five temporary army camps established by the Canadian Army on each side of the A3.

Associated with the five military camps named for the five Great Lakes, there was also a large hospital caring for sick and wounded soldiers, especially in preparation for, and in the aftermath of, D-Day, which helped the allied forces win WWII.

Each tree is twinned with a soldier’s grave. Those who lost their lives in the World War I are buried in Bramshott Churchyard and St Joseph’s Catholic Church, in Grayshott. The soldiers who died in World War II were laid to rest at Brookwood Military Cemetery, in Surrey.

Mark Chambers took the photos last weekend at sunrise and sunset on October 22.

“I have been visiting and photographing the area, which is very near to where I live, for the last three or four years now and I have gradually learnt more about the significance of the trees,” said the 29-year-old.

The autumnal red maples commemorating Canadian soldiers who died in both World Wars by Mark Chambers –via SWNS

The maple trees were imported directly from their native Canada to replace the line of sycamores that were previously planted there as a reminder to the lost soldiers, but removed after they became a road hazard.

A plaque accompanying the original living monument to the Bramshott Canadian soldiers on the A3 was installed after World War II ‘as a continued memorial to those who gave their lives in defense of freedom’.

A plaque commemorating Canadian soldiers who died in both World Wars – SWNS

ALSO INSPIRING: Irish People Are Repaying Debt of Gratitude to Suffering Native Americans 170 Years After Potato Famine

The last of the maples were planted by visiting representatives of the Canadian Veterans’ Association and Royal British Legion, as well as government officials on Canada Day in June of 1995.

A scarlet maple leaf is the iconic symbol on the Canadian flag, known for its bold, red design. The use of these trees not only adds a seasonal crimson tribute but also serves as a representation of Canada’s role in the World Wars and the close ties between Canada and the United Kingdom.

A pedestrian underpass opened in 2008, allowing people to cross the motorway to pay their respects and marvel at the trees.

Mark, who bought his camera during lockdown as a “creative outlet during those isolated times”, also wrote about the commemoration in his blog.

SHOW CANADA Some Love By Sharing This Inspiring Story on Social Media…

“The soul is awakened through service.” – Erica Jong

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Quote of the Day: “The soul is awakened through service.” – Erica Jong

Photo by: adrianna geo

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

New Nanoparticle Treatment Could Ease Arthritis Pain Following Breakthrough Research in Mice

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Towfiqu barbhuiya
Towfiqu barbhuiya

A new treatment of nanoparticles has been found to be effective for easing the pain of rheumatoid arthritis in the lab.

Just one dose of the state-of-the-art medicine could provide patients with relief if clinical trials using lab mice can be replicated in humans.

A team of Korean scientists published their research after developing a new solution for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which currently has no cure.

First author of the study Dr. Sagang Koo explained that one of the major hurdles in RA treatment is the inability to restore the immune system to its healthy state.

“The disease triggers a mix of troublesome symptoms like inflamed joints, harmful cytokines, and immune system imbalances, which work together to create a relentless cycle of worsening symptoms.

“While targeting some of these factors can provide short-term relief, others remain unresolved, leading to a frustrating cycle of remission and flare-ups.”

She said that leaves the body unable to control the continuous production of harmful substances—such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory cytokines—leading to persistent inflammation and discomfort.

“The ideal treatment for RA should not only provide immediate relief from inflammation and symptoms but also address the root cause by restoring the immune system to its normal, balanced state.”

The research team confirmed the efficacy of their approach using a collagen-induced arthritis mouse model.

RELATED: Taking Care of Your Teeth Could Help Prevent Arthritis and Joint Pain

She explained that the new treatment involves immobilizing ceria nanoparticles (Ce NPs) onto mesenchymal stem cell-derived nanovesicles (MSCNVs).

Schematic illustration of comprehensive and combination RA therapy by Ce-MSCNV nanoparticles – Released (SWNS)

“Both of these components can hinder different pathogenic factors, allowing them to work both individually and cooperatively to achieve a comprehensive treatment.

“In short, this approach aims to bridge both innate and adaptive immunity to achieve both short-term pain relief, as well as convert the tissue environment into an immune-tolerant state to prevent the recurrence of symptoms.”

The Ce-MSCNV system was able to “comprehensively treat” and prevent RA by simultaneously relieving the immediate and restoring T cell immunity.

“Supporting data suggest that improvement in conditions can be achieved after only a single-dose treatment,” reported Dr. Koo in a press release.

“The mice treated with the Ce-MSCNV combination fared far better compared to the ones only treated using the Ce NP or MSCNV group.

“This clearly demonstrates the synergy between anti-inflammation and immunomodulation and underlines the importance of the combined therapy for effective RA treatment.

RESEARCH BREAKTHROUGH: How Lizards Regenerate their Tails Could Lead to Arthritis Treatments: Key Cartilage Cells Identified

“In addition, Ce-MSCNV administration prior to booster injection markedly reduced the incidence and severity of symptoms, supporting the prophylactic potential of these nanoparticles.”

Dr. Koo believes that a similar approach would also be applicable to other inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

“Overall, this study proves the potential of a hybrid nanoparticle system for the comprehensive treatment of autoimmune disease and modulation of the immune system.”

GIVE SOME HOPE to Sufferers By Sharing on Social Media…

Man’s Wedding Ring Lost in Ocean is Found So He Drives 1,600 Miles to Thank Humble Metal Detectorist in Person

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Joseph Cook shares an emotional moment with Stephane Seguin – by Marie-Eve Bedard
Joseph Cook shares an emotional moment with Stephane Seguin – by Marie-Eve Bedard

A metal detectorist has reunited a man with his diamond wedding ring after uncovering it on a sandy beach.

Stephane Seguin lost the ring while swimming on a trip to St Augustine, Florida.

The 40-year-old saw detectorist Joseph Cook out searching the sands and asked him to keep an eye-out for his ring.

“When I lost the ring in the sea it felt like falling in a dream,” said Mr. Stephane, a tinsmith from Quebec City.

“We spent every day looking and then we eventually saw Joseph on the beach. I said to Marie-Eve ‘I’m not going to tell him where it is as he’ll look for it and keep it!’

“But she went up to him and he told us if he finds it, he’d return it.”

Little did they know, Joseph had returned a diamond ring worth $40,000 last year after posting a video about the find.

Although the couple returned home to Canada the following week and Joseph still hadn’t uncovered the ring, but the determined hero returned to the spot every day for over a month—and eventually found the gold ring.

“I decided to try one more time and I wasn’t there for more than four minutes and ‘beep beep beep’—and I knew it was theirs.”

As soon as he gets a beep, he starts recording video and uploads all his finds to his social media pages. He had told the couple to follow him on his socials, and if he found the keepsake, he’d return it.

MORE INSPIRATION: Tide-Savvy Metal Detectorist Reunites Woman With Late Mother’s Wedding Rings 2 Weeks After They Fell into Sea

Just like any other find, Joseph posted it to his social media channels and hoped the couple would see it. Back home, Stephane and Marie-Eve had been watching the videos, in the hopes of spotting the ring.

“I was sure it was going to turn up,” said the groom-to-be.

The Canadian couple bought it in 2011 to be used as a wedding band, but with life and kids taking priority, they postponed the big day and Stephane started wearing it anyway.

“When I saw the video of him finding the ring, I knew it was mine even before he even closed-up on it—it was amazing.”

They sent a message, along with a picture of Stephane wearing the ring to prove it was theirs, then travelled 1,600 miles to collect the ring and thank Joseph in person—and they invited him to their wedding.

The 38-year-old detectorist and content creator said that of all the returns he’d ever facilitated these two were “the most humble people I’ve ever met.”

HERO DAD: New Jersey Dad Drives 1,000 Miles After Wife and Kids Had Flight to Disney Cancelled: ‘He’s Our Rock’

“They thanked me a million times and said October is a happy month in their life from now on. That’s why I do it.”

Joseph insisted they not pay him any reward, but they had brought him some gift baskets, took him out for dinner, and gifted him with a ring of his own.

SWNS

“The basket had all sorts of things from Quebec and a coffee mug that said ‘help others’, it was pretty cool.”

“But for me, it’s giving stuff back to the people,” added Joseph. “A ten dollar item to somebody could be worth $10,000 in their mind.”

SPREAD the LOVE By Sharing the Kindness on Social Media…

Giant Halloween Sculptures in Architect’s Front Yard Get Better Every Year, From King Kong to an Egyptian Tomb—LOOK

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An enormous dragon perches it's head on the porch of the house in one of Tom Saltsman's Halloween installations – SWNS
An enormous dragon perches it’s head on the porch of the house in one of Tom Saltsman’s Halloween installations – SWNS

A Massachusetts architect has been building epic Halloween installations every year in his front yard—becoming a local legend for his scary sculptures.

Tom Saltsman has kept up the tradition for the last eight years, after erecting an 80’s horror-themed piece for a party that so thrilled his friends and neighbors, he pledged to do it yearly.

His home in Marblehead has become the staging ground for an enormous dragon, an ethereal skeleton spirit, a spaceship, a pirate’s ghost ship, and a King Kong that moves his head and roars.

The 60-year-old spends up to two months ahead of the spooky season preparing the installations and recruits friends and family to complete them.

His most recent project in 2022, was a 22-foot-high Egyptian god, with his garage turned into an Egyptian tomb. His wife Brooke, who is also an architect, helped painted all the hieroglyphics along with three friends.

After scavenging scraps from his workplace, he can build most of the pieces for less than $200—with materials mostly being plywood, garbage bags and various types of foam. (See the video at the bottom…)

Tom Saltsman’s 22-foot-high Egyptian god – SWNS

He has become so well-known that his daughter Parker is recognized for her dad’s projects.

“I’m definitely known for my dad’s sculptures,” said the 25-year-old, who was 17 when he made the first one.

Tom Saltsman stands beside his model of King Kong – SWNS

“It started when I was born. He used to make these really elaborate cakes for my birthday so I actually wasn’t surprised by the sculptures.”

A spooky giant spindly skeleton spirit – Tom Saltsman / SWNS

LOOK: One-Legged Man Turns His ‘Disability’ Into the Best Halloween Costumes Ever

Tom is humble about his pieces and considers them more of a hobby or a way to connect with people than a claim to fame.

“It’s just kind of a fun outlet for artistic purposes,” he said. “It’s mainly for the community to come and enjoy it.”

“For the installations, it needs to look like it just appeared. The dragon looked like it just landed on my house—the spaceship too.”

“People really get a kick out of it, (and) I’ve got very patient neighbors.

Check out more sculptures and behind-the-scenes photos in the video below…

SPARK the Halloween Spirit in Friends on Social Media–SHARE This…

Your Halloween Horoscope (With Costume Suggestions!) From Rob Brezsny: A ‘Free Will Astrology’

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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 October 28, 2023
Copyright by Rob Brezsny, FreeWillAstrology.com

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
Scorpio author Ófeigur Sigurðsson writes, “You should never do what’s expected of you; there’s always another path through life than the one before you.” I wouldn’t recommend his approach to any other zodiac sign but Scorpio. And I would only advocate it for maybe 40 percent of Scorpios 10 percent of the time. The coming weeks will be one of those 10-percent times. So if you are among the 40 percent who would thrive on this demanding but potentially exhilarating counsel, get ready to be as original and imaginative in living your life as you have ever been. Halloween costume suggestion: unicorn, dragon, or phoenix.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
Only two items appear more often in the world’s landfills than disposable diapers. They seem to be among the least ecologically sound products. Or maybe not. Japanese researchers at the University of Kitakyushu have made building materials out of them in combination with gravel, sand, and cement. In the spirit of this potentially glorious alchemical transmutation, and in accordance with astrological omens, I encourage you to ruminate on how you might convert wasted stuff into usable valuables in your own sphere. Halloween costume suggestion: A janitor or maid wearing a gold crown and pearls.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):
Of all the ideas propounded by major religions, the saddest is the Christian assertion that all of us are born sinful—that we come into this world with a corruption that renders us fundamentally flawed: tainted, soiled, guilty, foul. I reject this stupid nonsense. In my spiritual philosophy, we are all born gorgeous, loving geniuses. Tough experiences may diminish our radiance and make it a challenge to be our best, but we never lose the gorgeous, loving genius at our core. In accordance with astrological mandates, your task in the coming weeks is to get into close touch with this pure source. Halloween costume suggestion: your gorgeous, loving genius.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):
According to my meticulous analysis of the astrological omens, you now have a sacred right to expand your ego at least one full size. Even two sizes will probably be fine. Your guardian angel is lobbying for you to strut and swagger, and so are your muses, your ancestors, and the Divine. I hope you will overcome any shyness you feel about expressing your talents, your intelligence, and your unique understanding of the world. Halloween costume suggestion: a charming braggart, charismatic egomaniac, or beautiful narcissist.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):
“The secret for harvesting the greatest fruitfulness and enjoyment is to live dangerously!” Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said that. “Build your cities on the slopes of Vesuvius!” he added. “Send your ships into uncharted seas!” As for you in the coming weeks, Pisces, I don’t recommend you live dangerously, but I do suggest you live adventurously. Surpass your limits, if you dare! Transcend your expectations and explore the frontiers. Those activities will be a good use of your life energy and are likely to be rewarded. Halloween costume suggestions: daredevil, swashbuckler, gambler, fortune-hunter, or knight-errant.

ARIES (March 21-April 19):
Shadow work is a psychological practice that has been deeply healing for me. It involves exploring the dark places in my soul and being in intimate contact with my unripe and wounded aspects. Engaging in this hard labor ensures that my less beautiful qualities never take control of me and never spill out into toxic interactions with people. I bring this up, Aries, because the coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to do shadow work. Halloween costume suggestion: Be your shadow, demon, or unripe self.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20):
The country where I live, the US, has banned over 2,500 books in recent years. But there has been an amusing consequence, which I am pleased to report: Banning the books has sometimes hiked their sales. For instance, Art Spiegelman’s Maus I and Maus II jumped 50 percent. Let this scenario serve as an inspirational metaphor for you in the coming weeks. If any person or institution tries to repress, deny, or resist you, do what you’re doing even bigger and better. Use their opposition as a power boost. Halloween costume suggestion: rebel, dissident, or protestor.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20):
Do you ever feel you are treated unfairly at your job? Is your workplace sometimes detrimental to your health? Is it possible that a few small changes could add up to a big improvement in how you feel while you’re earning a living? There’s rarely a perfect moment to address these concerns, but the coming weeks will be a more favorable time than usual. If you decide to seek shifts, devise a strategy that’s as foolproof as possible. Resolve to be calm, poised, and unflusterable. Halloween costume suggestion: a worker doing your ideal job

CANCER (June 21-July 22):
Cancerian comedian Dave Barry says that as he grows older, he looks forward to “continued immaturity.” That sentiment is probably based on the fact that his humor is often juvenile and silly. (I like it, though!) I’m guessing it’s also because he aspires to remain youthful and innocent and surprisable as he ages. I mention this, fellow Cancerian, because the coming weeks will be an excellent time to celebrate and honor the parts of you that are still blooming but not yet in full blossom. Be grateful you have not become a jaded know-it-all. Would you consider revisiting joys you loved as a child and teenager? Halloween costume suggestion: your younger self.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):
Horseshoes have symbolized good luck in many cultures. A common usage is to hang them over front doors. But there’s disagreement about the best way to generate the good fortune. Some people say the open end of the horseshoe should point upward, since that collects the luck. Others insist it’s best for the horseshoe to point down, as that showers luck on those who enter and leave the house. If you experiment with this fun myth, I advise you to point the open end up. It’s time for you to gather blessings, help, and fortuity. Halloween costume accessories: good luck charms like a four-leaf clover, acorn, cat’s eye gemstone, ankh, dragon, laughing Buddha, Ganesh statue, and horseshoe.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
There would be no life on earth if it weren’t for the sun. Our home star’s energy is the central force at work in the creation and sustenance of all humans, animals, and plants. Yet we must be sure not to get extravagant amounts of our good thing. An overabundance of solar heat and radiance can cause failed crops, dehydration, droughts, skin cancer, and wildfires. Are other factors at work in your sphere that are also nourishing in moderate amounts but unhealthy in excess? And do you know when just right becomes too much? Now is a favorable time to ruminate on these matters. Halloween costume suggestion: Goldilocks, Lady Justice with her scales, or a body suit adorned with a giant yin and yang symbol.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
The earliest known human settlement is Göbekli Tepe, in what’s now the country of Turkey. When archaeologists first excavated it in 1994, they realized it was built over 11,000 years ago. This was shocking news, since it dramatically contradicted previous estimates of how long people have lived in villages. I’m predicting a comparable shift in your understanding of your own past, Libra. The full effect may not be apparent for months, but there will be interesting jolts soon. Halloween costume suggestion: archaeologist, time traveler, or yourself in a past life.

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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Maybe “don’t do what’s expected of you; there’s always another path through life than the one before you.” – Ófeigur Sigurðsson 

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Quote of the Day: Maybe “don’t do what’s expected of you; there’s always another path through life than the one before you.” – Ófeigur Sigurðsson 

Photo by: ActionVance

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

Debt Activists Cancel $10 Million in Student Loan Debt After Buying it All for a Penny on the Dollar

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Andy Corbley
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From Atlanta comes an uplifting story of nearly 3,000 students getting a brighter future after a debtor organization bought $10 million in student loans for the purpose of canceling it.

The total cost of the purchase was one-and-a-quarter pennies for every dollar of debt—with the low value reflecting the likelihood of the university in question—Morehouse College—of recovering it.

The purchase from the Historically Black College wiped out the debt for 2,777 students, amounting to around $3,600 dollars of debt per student from the Fall 2022 school term.

Debt Collective and the Rolling Jubilee Fund were responsible for the purchase which amounted to the largest in the organizations’ histories.

“This nearly $10M of student debt cancellation will put thousands of black folks in a better position to be able to save for retirement, purchase a home, or start a small business,” Braxton Brewington, spokesperson for the Debt Collective, said in a statement.

These kinds of non-profit debt relief purchases have become less-than-rare in the US, where public and private debt levels are as high as they have ever been. With so much debt burdening students, consumers, and patients, it has become a valuable charitable service to seek to alleviate these by negotiating flat prices for the creditors’ claims.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Students Learn at Graduation the Snapchat Founder Paid Off Their College Debt With More Than $10 Million

As GNN reported in 2022 in the case of medical debt, large hospital bills are often so costly, that hospitals know from the get-go that they will probably never see the full amount repaid. As such, a fast cash injection is often a lucrative prospect for hospital bookkeepers, who have been making such deals for pennies on the dollar to RIP Medical Debt—an organization similar to Debt Collective, but which has canceled $6.7 billion with a ‘b’ in American medical debt so far.

MORE DEBT-RELIEF: North Carolina Church Raises Thousands to Pay Off Cafeteria Lunch Debt For Every County School

Student debt, because most of it is guaranteed by the government and is by law unescapable even through bankruptcy, is often even less valuable to creditors, and so Debt Collective and the Rolling Jubilee have been able to make these extraordinary purchases often for less even than RIP Medical Debt can.

Last year, the two organizations bought $1.7 million in student loan debt from Bennett College, another Historically Black College in Greensboro, North Carolina, for just fifty grand, according to Truthout. 

SHARE This Inspiring Charity Work To Unburden Our Students… 

A Teenager Was Having a Stroke but His Dog Helped Save Him, Explains Doctor

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Andy Corbley
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Gabriel and his dog Axel - courtesy of Amanda Tanner.
Gabriel and his dog Axel – courtesy of Amanda Tanner.

From the Washington Post comes the story of a family border collie whose 5:30 a.m. wake-up call saved the future, and possibly the life, of a family member.

Daines and Amanda were woken up by their dog Axel early on a Saturday morning in their home in Spring, Texas, and they couldn’t remember a time when he so desperately wanted to go outside, or so they thought.

However, once taken downstairs by Daines, Axel began frantically clawing at the bedroom door of Amanda’s son Gabriel. Inside, Gabriel was already awake—because he was having a stroke on the left side of his brain.

The 17-year-old Gabriel had had a headache early in the day he remembered, but it went away shortly after posing for his senior year school pictures in a black suit and bowtie. Coming home, he played some video games and then went to sleep, but woke up around 5:00, walked into the living room, felt he couldn’t move his right arm, fell over, watched the objects in the room seem to magnify, and decided to go back to sleep.

Daines, upon hearing some of this from a visibly befuddled Gabriel with slurred speech, rushed him to a Memorial Hermann Health System hospital in Houston where at approximately 6:30 a.m., doctors informed the family Gabriel was having a stroke after a blood vessel broke in his brain and cut off oxygen to millions of neurons.

“It’s amazing how adamant a dog was knowing something’s going on,” said Sabih Effendi, a neurosurgeon who treated Gabriel, and who told the family that if Axel hadn’t intervened when he did, Gabriel might have been mute, wheelchair-bound, or worse.

As it has happened, Gabriel’s physical, speech, and behavioral therapy has restored much of his previous abilities. The goalkeeper for his high school soccer team regained his ability to walk, use his right arm to play his Nintendo Switch, talk clearly, and complete algebra problems on his laptop.

SIMILAR: These Dogs Are Trained to Detect the Smell of Parkinson’s Just by Sniffing a Tee Shirt

He told The Washington Post he hopes to finish homeschooling this year and go to school for engineering next year, as well as enroll for next year’s squad and hopefully hold down the number 1 shirt between the posts.

Dogs have been known to detect strokes in people. Regarding certain chemicals, the special vomeronasal organ in their noses can detect changes in human physiology, which may include blood pressure. The American Heart Association has found that people living alone with a dog had a 27% better chance of surviving a stroke than those living alone.

MORE DOG NEWS LIKE THIS: Tiny Yorkshire Terrier Detects Breast Cancer in Woman, Jumping Up and Down on Her Chest in Alarm

As to the hero of the story, Amanda said that Axel has hardly left Gabriel’s side since the September 8th discharge from the hospital. She has commissioned a medal to hang around the front of Axel’s collar in honor of his life-saving support of her son.

SHARE This Heroic Dog And His Life-Saving Rescue 

A Zoo Is Fighting to Bring Lioness and Her 3 Cubs Abandoned in War-Torn Ukraine to Britain

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Andy Corbley
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Aysa and her cubs - credit Yorkshire Wildlife Park, via SWNS
Aysa’s three cubs – credit Yorkshire Wildlife Park, via SWNS

Zoo animals are always in great danger during wartime, but the Yorkshire Wildlife Park has been working to get a lioness mother and her three cubs from Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv to the safety of their zoo’s sprawling enclosure for months.

Safe but not sound, they were transferred from Kyiv to a holding facility in Poznan, Western Poland, where they remain to this day.

Pregnant lioness Aysa was left in a deserted private zoo in the Eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine. She was eventually rescued and transferred to a temporary sanctuary near Kyiv, where she gave birth to her three adorable cubs Emi, Santa, and Teddi.

“The lions were so distressed when I first encountered them,” said Deputy Section Head of Carnivores for Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Colin Northcott. “The cubs… cowered on top of each other in the corner and often hissed and spat loudly at me.”

“Seeing them so terrified made me feel desperately sorry for them, but by the end of the week that I was there, they were starting to trust me more so I felt terrible leaving them behind.”

Far from anywhere a southern African lion would feel at home, the Yorkshire zoo nevertheless hosts rescued lions in a 260-acre enclosure called Lion Country, and had previously rescued 13 lions from a Romanian zoo in 2010 and brought them to Yorkshire.

OTHER ZOO RESCUES: ‘World’s Loneliest Lion’ Returns to Africa After Years Alone in Zoo–WATCH His First Steps

The story of these lions, which were kept in concrete holding pens, touched the hearts of people across Yorkshire and the surrounding areas, and a public appeal raised $175,000—a staggering amount by conservation standards—to build a new reserve to house these poor animals, which would become Lion Country.

There is currently no arrival date for Asya and her cubs to come to the zoo, but staff are working with Polish authorities to arrange the necessary paperwork, and Colin has continued his work with Asya and her cubs by playing them sounds from the park, which has more than 400 animals in it, to get them accustomed to their new surroundings.

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS: After Spending Life at Roadside Zoo, Chimps Share Emotional Hug in New Sanctuary Home

“When Lion Country was built for the rescue of the 13 lions from Romania in 2010, it was built with the help of donations from people who loved animals and wanted to help rescue the animals,” said John Minion, CEO of Yorkshire Wildlife Park.

“It was always meant to be a welfare facility and now we are in a position where we can offer a home to these poor lions and hope that we can make a difference to their lives, just as we did for the Romanian lions in 2010.”

WATCH the story from the park… 

SHARE This Inspiring Rescue Of These Forgotten Victims Of The War… 

Elon Musk to Bring Back 1st Drive-in Movie Theater to LA at Tesla’s New Supercharging Station

By
Andy Corbley
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Credit - Ed Howard of HowardModels - retrieved from X
Credit – Ed Howard of HowardModels – retrieved from X

Have you ever been sitting at an EV charging station and wished you could throw on a movie or something while you wait? Well, Tesla is providing such an opportunity to the denizens of Los Angeles.

Tesla Motors recently received permission to break ground on a 1950s-style drive-in movie theater and diner where the cinema parking comes with Tesla fast-charging stations.

The permits allow for 30-some charging stalls, two outdoor movie screens, and a restaurant with rooftop seating all to be built on 7001 W Santa Monica Blvd. in LA, and Tesla fanatics have combed through the company’s recent press material to extract as many teasers and hint-drops as possible.

In fact, Tesla owners have been expecting such a project for some time, as Elon Musk tweeted about it back in 2018.

Then in 2021, Elon tweeted that he had a “major new Supercharger station coming to Santa Monica soon! Hoping to have 50’s diner & 100 best movie clips playing too. Thanks Santa Monica city!”

Tesla’s supercharging network is the most extensive and advanced currently deployed in the country, but Musk has theorized that a way to alleviate consumer concerns about the time it takes to charge an electric vehicle during one’s busy hours would be to add leisure and hospitality features around the charging stations.

MORE GOOD EV IDEAS: Swedish Firm Will be Mailing Flat-Packed Car with Top Speed of 55 for Urban Commuting

Once a classic American weeknight spot, there are only 320 or so drive-in theaters left in the country where there were once 4,000.

Despite California having more than almost any other state still in operation, there are no drive-in theaters in LA, the city where most of the movies shown at such establishments are made.

WOULD You Or A Friend Take Your EV To A Drive-In Charger?

“He that dares not grasp the thorn should never crave the rose.” – Anne Bronte

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By Daniel R. Blume, CC license

Quote of the Day: “He that dares not grasp the thorn should never crave the rose.” – Anne Bronte

Photo by: Daniel R. Blume

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

By Daniel R. Blume, CC license

Large Study of 80,000 Migraine Sufferers Uncovers Commonalities That May Lead to Potential Treatment

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By Matteo Vistocco
By Matteo Vistocco

Migraine sufferers have been offered fresh hope after research discovered potential new ways of treating the debilitating headaches.

Around one in five women, one in 16 men, and one in 11 children have regular migraines – with attacks three times more prevalent in women.

Now, an international study of the genetics of migraine has provided new insights into the biology behind the attacks.

Scientists say it will enable detection of rare variants protecting against migraine, opening an avenue for the potential development of new drugs to treat the problem.

An international team of researchers, led by deCODE Genetics in Iceland, analyzed genetic data from more than 1.3 million participants of which 80,000 had migraine.

The scientists focused on detecting sequence variants associated with the two main subtypes of migraine: migraine with aura, often referred to as “classical migraine”, and migraine without aura.

The results highlight several genes that affect one of the migraine subtypes over the other—pointing to new biological pathways that could be targeted for therapeutic developments.

Although recent advances have been made in studies of the genetics and underlying biology of migraine and new treatments recently developed that are effective for many migraine sufferers, they do not work for all types of migraine.

The study, published today in the journal Nature Genetics, discovered associations with 44 variants, 12 of which are new.

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Importantly, a rare variant pointing to the KCNK5 gene, confers large protection against severe migraine and brain aneurysms—either identifying a common pathway between the two diseases or suggesting that some cases of early brain aneurysms may be misclassified as migraine.

“Four novel migraine-with-aura associations were revealed and 13 variants associated primarily with migraine without aura,” explained Professor Kari Stefansson. “Of particular interest were three rare variants with large effects pointing to distinct pathologies underlying different types of migraine.

“Thus, a rare frameshift variant in the PRRT2 gene confers a large risk of migraine with aura and with another brain disease, epilepsy, but not of migraine without aura.”

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In SCN11A, a gene known to play a key role in pain sensation, the scientists detected several rare loss-of-function variants associated with protection effects against migraine, while a common missense variant in the same gene is associated with modest risk of migraine.

“What makes our study unique is that it includes large datasets from sequenced individuals enabling detection of rare variants protecting against migraine, potentially opening an avenue for development of novel drug targets,” said the Professor, and CEO of deCODE genetics.

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(Contributing writer: Stephen Beech/SWNS)

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Citizen Scientist Spots Eerie Face on Jupiter: ‘Just in Time for Halloween’

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Good News Network
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View of Jupiter – Vladimir Tarasov / NASA
Eerie view of Jupiter – Vladimir Tarasov / NASA

An astronomy fan has spotted a ghoulish face on Jupiter using images from NASA’s Juno spacecraft.

Vladimir Tarasov noticed an unusual pattern in storm clouds on the largest planet in the solar system.

The ‘citizen scientist’ processed data from the spacecraft to reveal what appears to be contorted eyes, nose and a mouth.

“Just in time for Halloween,” the space agency exclaimed on October 25th. “NASA’s Juno mission spots eerie “face” on Jupiter.”

“During its 54th close flyby of Jupiter, the NASA mission captured this view of an area in the giant planet’s far northern regions called Jet N7.

“The image shows turbulent clouds and storms along Jupiter’s terminator, the dividing line between the day and night sides of the planet.

Vladimir Tarasov made the image using raw data from the JunoCam instrument, which are available for the public to peruse or process into image products.

At the time the raw image was taken, the Juno spacecraft was about 4,800 miles (about 7,700 kilometers) above Jupiter’s cloud tops, at a latitude of about 69 degrees north.

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“The low angle of sunlight highlights the complex topography of features in this region, which scientists have studied to better understand the processes playing out in Jupiter’s atmosphere,” NASA wrote.

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Top 30 Most Delightful Things That Happen Unexpectedly–Like Finding Cash in Jeans or Compliments from Strangers

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Good News Network
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Simone Uriartt
Simone Uriartt

A new poll compiled the top 30 most unexpectedly delightful things to happen, including pulling cash from the pocket of an old pair of jeans, getting a surprise refund, and receiving a compliment from a stranger.

The survey of 2,000 adults, found 36 percent love it when someone lets them jump the line in a supermarket, and when you find a treasured item that had been lost.

Driving through a run of green lights, catching a whiff of a familiar smell from your childhood, and hearing your favorite song pop up on the radio, also feature in the top 30 list.

(Imagine feeling double the joy if you run into all green lights while your favorite track begins to play!)

Commissioned by Alpen Delight, a spokesperson for the snack brand said: “The nicest things are those which are totally unexpected, and they don’t have to be big things—sometimes little moments lead to big smiles.

Respondents guessed that unexpectedly delightful things happen to them an average of twice per week, and it automatically puts them in a good mood.

But it’s not just being on the receiving end of these unplanned surprises that brings the most joy. 77 percent of those polled find making others happy improves their mood, too—which is why 36 percent try to do this as often as they can.

Such acts include smiling as they walk past another person (52%), just being there to listen to a friend (50%), and telling someone they’re proud of them (38%).

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Nearly four in ten have cheered up others by making the effort to cook someone a meal, or by letting another driver into their lane while on the road.

And a generous 19% find joy in paying for the meal while out for dinner.

84 percent of those surveyed by market research firm OnePoll, said these moments in life restore a little hope in humanity. And half say they’re more inclined to pay such moments forward, if they’ve been on the receiving end themselves.

“It’s good to see how people enjoy delivering, and not just receiving, lovely surprises,” said the Alpen Delight spokesman.

TOP 30 UNEXPECTED MOMENTS OF DELIGHT:

1. Finding money in a coat or jeans pocket
2. Getting a surprise refund
3. A compliment from a stranger
4. Someone letting you go ahead of them in line at a store
5. When the radio plays your favorite song
6. Receiving a bonus at work
7. Constant green lights on the road
8. Hearing your baby’s first word
9. Your partner randomly showing affection
10. When someone actually understands what you’re talking about
11. A familiar smell from your childhood
12. A loved one randomly telling you they’re proud of you
13. Finding a treasured lost item
14. Waking up before your alarm, and getting to sleep for longer
15. Getting upgraded – on an airplane or at a hotel
16. Thinking it’s Thursday, but it’s actually Friday
17. When a child starts a conversation with you
18. Receiving a postcard
19. Hitting the exact number when getting gasoline
20. Getting home from work and finding someone else has cooked dinner
21. A work meeting getting cancelled last minute because the boss isn’t in
22. Seeing a funny car license plate
23. Getting asked for ID when you’re way over 21
24. When you’re brought breakfast in bed
25. When you and your friend say the same thing at the same moment
26. When your teenager wants to spend quality time with you
27. Your neighbor bringing over a baked good
28. Bumping into an old schoolteacher – and they recognize you
29. Catching the eye of your favorite artist during their performance
30. Witnessing a proposal in public

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One of the World’s Rarest Animals is Born – Zoo Conservationists Bolster Population of Only Hundreds Left in Wild

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Good News Network
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Philippine spotted deer –Chester Zoo/SWNS
Rare Philippine spotted deer born at Chester Zoo
– SWNS

A Philippine spotted deer, one of the world’s rarest animals, has been born to the delight of conservationists at Chester Zoo in England.

The adorable fawn was born in September weighing 4.4 pounds (2kg).
Now standing 12 inches tall (30cm), he has taken his first steps outdoors in their new enclosure alongside his doting parents—Nova and Cosmos.

As part of a special breeding program, the birth is said to provide a much-needed boost to an ultra-rare species classified as ‘highly endangered’ in the wild.

The tiny new arrival is part of conservation efforts between zoos in Europe, set up at the request of the Philippine government to ensure future survival of the species.

Zookeepers have decided to name him after the constellation of stars, Hercules.

“After eagerly waiting 240 days for his arrival, it was a huge relief when we saw a little bundle of fur curled up next to mum Nova one morning,” said Emma Evison, team manager at the zoo.

“She’s a great mum and has been doing everything perfectly so far – feeding him every few hours and keeping him right by her side.”

 

The new arrival is part of a vital conservation breeding program between zoos in Europe, set up at the request of the Philippine government to ensure the future survival of the Philippine spotted deer –Chester Zoo/SWNS

“We have a team tradition of naming newborn deer within the theme of ‘space’ and, given the importance of our new arrival to his species, we decided to name him Hercules, after the constellation of stars.

“Philippine spotted deer are incredibly rare and their decline has, for the most part, flown under the radar and only a few hundred now remain in the wild.

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“Every birth is therefore absolutely critical in boosting the safety-net population in conservation zoos across Europe.”

Stuart Young, regional field program manager for South East Asian Islands at the zoo, added “Philippine spotted deer have already disappeared across many parts of the Visayan islands, where they were once found roaming in large herds.

“Hunting and deforestation has led to the animals now only being found on two small islands, the islands of Panay and Negros.

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As a result of conservation efforts, however, 32 Philippine spotted deer were safely reintroduced into a protected nature reserve in 2020.

“Since then, a number of births in the wild has almost doubled the population and we’re very happy to report that they are thriving.”

Hercules still has lots of growing to do but his caretakers hope he will eventually live up to his moniker, and help carry the species on his spotted back.

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“When all else is lost, the future still remains.” – Christian Nestell Bovee

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Good News Network
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Quote of the Day: “When all else is lost, the future still remains.” – Christian Nestell Bovee

Photo by: Hadija

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

Local Car Community Comes Together in Two Days to Form Parade of 83 Drivers for Stranger’s Birthday – WATCH

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Good News Network
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Video by crazycarchik on YouTube
Video by crazycarchik on YouTube

A devoted single mom was looking for a budget friendly way to give her son a special birthday—so she reached out on Facebook to the local car community and their response left her speechless.

Mikayla Freeman was hoping to urge a few motor enthusiasts to form ‘a car parade’ down their street near Nashville.

“My son’s 8th birthday is Sunday, he’s a MAJOR car guy,” she wrote.

The plea was shared 550 times and Mikayla’s wish was granted.

Within two days, it sparked the generosity of 83 drivers who showed up at noon on a recent Sunday.

With large mylar balloons in the front yard, Tristan was brought outside to witness an endless stream of gorgeous cars tooting their horns and passing birthday wishes and gifts through the open windows.

Over 100 strangers showed up in the LaVergne neighborhood to surprise the 8-year-old. Especially welcome were those driving Challenger Hellcats and McLarens, Tristan’s two favorite cars.

A car videographer Tia May wanted to shine a positive light on the car community, so she filmed the event (see the video below).

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“I was a Veteran who struggled with mental and physical health issues for decades,” she told GNN. “The car community has changed my life in a very positive way.

“I reignited my passion for cars and started to connect heavily with the car community—that’s when everything changed. I met a ton of amazing people, many of which now feel like family.”

MATURE BEYOND YEARS: Boy Stops at Random House to Leave a Pep Talk on Stranger’s Doorbell Cam (Watch)

She started racing and shoots footage in “drift cars” for her new YouTube channel.

Watch the caring community make a little boy’s day…

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A Sculpture Gifted to Couple Who Gave Him Shelter During a Storm 68 Years Ago Sells for $100,000

By
Andy Corbley
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Stacey's Auctioneers Valuers, via SWNS
Stacey’s Auctioneers Valuers, via SWNS

One rainy day in Bedfordshire, England, Peter Richards and his wife noticed a pair of lads shivering under the eaves of their country cottage after getting a soaking.

Inviting them inside to dry off and have some tea, one of the two young men would eventually give Richards a ceramic sculpture of a black and white cat, which looked similar to their pet “Moggy” at the time, as a way of repaying the kindness from that day.

Now, that child-life sculpture has sold for a small fortune, because its maker was none other than Sir David Hockney, the most celebrated English artist of the 20th century.

David Hockney and his friend Norman Stevens from Bradford College of Art were hitchhiking to London to visit exhibitions at the time of the fateful encounter.

Hockney went on to have a long-lasting friendship with the Richards.

Owner Peter Richards with the cat – credit Stacey’s Auctioneers & Valuers, via SWNS

The sculpture, which could be Hockney’s first ceramic creation, is one of six cats produced by the artist in 1955 while still at art school.

It measures about two dozen inches long and demonstrates his incredible skill with three-dimensional forms.

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When the sculpture went up for auction recently, it didn’t quite reach the record for a Hockney work of £91 million, but it did eclipse the previous sale record of £100,000 ($121,000) set by a similar Hockney sculpture in June when it was sold for about $134,000

The piece also came with drawings and plans for the piece, along with letters and cards sent to the Richards by the artist over the years.

Hockney has long had a fascination with cats, and they have been a significant motif in some of his major works.

MORE INTERESTING AUCTION STORIES: The Painting Paid for Grilled Cheese Sandwiches 50 Years Ago – Now Earns the Restaurant Thousands

“This was a fantastic result for the vendor who was present in the room and was auctioning the Hockney items to benefit his grandchildren,” said Mark Stacey, from Stacey’s Auctioneers & Valuers who sold the item.

Peter Richards is in his 90s, said he’d decided now was the right time to sell the ornament to help the younger generations of his family.

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Explorers Become First Ever to Row 2,000 Miles of the Arctic’s Northwest Passage–Led by a Texan

By
Andy Corbley
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The Arctic Cowboys at the end of their journey. credit - West Hansen
The Arctic Cowboys at the end of their journey. credit – West Hansen

Described as “one of the last great ‘firsts'” the passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific through the Canadian Arctic was, for the first time ever, rowed by an expedition of 3 men and 1 woman.

West Hansen, Eileen Visser, Mark Agnew, and Jeff Wueste, who together styled themselves the “Arctic Cowboys,” set off in July and also became the first to make the crossing with kayaks in a single season, with the team needing just 83 wet, frigid, and largely grueling days to complete the journey of 1,600 miles.

62-year-old Wast Hansen is a legendary endurance kayaker and adventurer. He once paddled the entire 4,000-mile path of the Amazon River from source to sea, a feat he replicated on the Volga years later. Both experiences informed his organizing of this expedition.

This was an altogether different feat, however, and one that has been several years in the making.

The Northwest Passage has been crossed in boats many times before. In 1990, it was traversed by Jonathan Waterman, an explorer who used almost every mode of non-motorized transport you can think of.

In 2018, Hansen was putting the Arctic Cowboys team together and hoped to raise $70,000 for the expedition from sponsors. With just $10,000 accumulated, COVID-19 and weather delayed the trip until 2022, when he made his first attempt along with Wueste and another paddler.

“Primarily, the wind is the biggest concern,” Hansen told Texas Monthly prior to his 2022 attempt. “We’re prepared for snow and ice and rain, but the wind will create choppy waves and difficult paddling conditions.”

Severe weather completely interrupted their trip, and it almost ruined this year’s expedition as well, pinning them down at the entrance of the Passage near Baffin Bay for 2 weeks mostly on account of moving sea ice.

(Left to right) West Hansen, Eileen Wisser, Mark Agnew, and Jeff Wueste. released by Barbara Edington

Throughout their voyage they suffered perpetually from the elements, with Mark Agnew, who became the first Scot and the first Brit to make the crossing with a paddle, saying his feet essentially never warmed up the whole trip.

“The biggest challenge was the sea ice,” Agnew told the BBC, saying their early July start meant that a lot of the ocean was still frozen. “We became trapped in the ice a lot. There was this one occasion in particular where we were trapped in the ice and two icebergs began to ram together with us in between. I thought we were going to be crushed to death.”

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According to a blog post shared by Barbara Edington, expedition manager and Hansen’s sister on Monday, the final sixteen miles as the team approached Cape Bathurst on the other side of the remote Northern Territory, were the most harrowing. They involved terrifying 15-foot waves, and a long dark slog through freezing mud and water in the falling snow to find a campsite at the end of the day.

But there was beauty too. They often found themselves looking at beluga whales, narwhals, polar bears, shaggy musk oxen, and caribou. Several times the green of the Aurora Borealis was the backdrop to their paddling.

MORE ROWING CHALLENGES: 23-Year-Old Rows Solo 3,000 Miles Across Atlantic Setting Race Record for Female

At one point a polar bear sat on their tent wall which caused Agnew and another paddler to run outside and begin to scream and throw stones at the beast until it “sauntered off” being previously neither interested in eating them, amazingly, nor in running away.

“It has yet to settle in. I’m still in the mindset of getting the team safely back to their homes,” Hansen, now thirty pounds lighter than when he started, wrote Monday in a text message he sent from a GPS device.

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