Buzz
This collection is a response to the often overwhelming negativity in the media. Here, we present 10 stories designed to uplift and motivate. For those who enjoy the quirky side of life, feel free to check out the offbeat list here.
This week, teddy bears are thrown, money is returned, and mothers are joyfully reunited with their daughters. We also have two tales involving dinosaurs and a heartwarming love story between a donkey and an emu.
10. New Record Set for Teddy Bear Toss
The Hershey Bears set a new record for the Teddy Bear Toss, gathering nearly 34,800 stuffed animals to donate as gifts to charities and hospitals.
The Teddy Bear Toss is a heartwarming tradition during the holiday season at hockey games in certain leagues. Fans are invited to bring stuffed animals to the game and throw them onto the ice after the home team scores their first goal. These toys are then collected and donated to charity.
For nearly three years, the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League held the record with 28,815 stuffed animals thrown during their December 6, 2015, game before a sell-out crowd at the Scotiabank Saddledome. However, the Hershey Bears from the American Hockey League shattered that record during their recent game against the Binghamton Devils with an incredible 34,798 stuffed toys.
The donated toys will be distributed to more than 30 organizations. The Calgary Hitmen congratulated their competitors but quickly revealed plans to reclaim the record.
9. A Proposal That Will Be Remembered
The New York Police Department showed their softer side by returning an engagement ring to a couple who lost it in Times Square right after the proposal.
Last Friday, a couple was walking through New York when the man dropped to one knee and proposed. She said yes. But in the excitement, the ring slipped through a grate, and they couldn't retrieve it.
The entire incident was captured on security camera, and the NYPD released part of the footage to help identify the couple. The police had recovered the ring, cleaned it, and were trying to track down the couple's whereabouts.
Thankfully, the video went viral, garnering over eight million views. This led to the identification of the couple as John and Daniella, an English couple visiting from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. The NYPD later shared an update, featuring a photo of the happy couple celebrating with a toast, and Daniella proudly wearing her recovered engagement ring.
8. Royal Jelly and Alzheimer’s
A study from Stanford University, published in Nature Communications, revealed the mechanism behind the effects of royal jelly. It also proposed that this substance could serve as the foundation for new treatments for diseases like Alzheimer’s, which are caused by the degeneration of cells.
Royal jelly is a secretion produced by honeybees, fed to larvae to transform them into queens. It is widely sold for human consumption, offering numerous claimed benefits, although there is no scientific evidence to support these assertions.
This new research doesn't change that fact. Led by Kevin Wang, the Stanford team discovered that royal jelly contains a protein called royalactin, which can enhance stem cell regeneration. Furthermore, the protein has cross-species effects, as shown by prior studies where royal jelly extended the lifespan of various lab animals such as worms and mice.
Building on these findings, the Stanford researchers sought to identify a similar protein in humans. They discovered one present during the early stages of embryo development, likely responsible for generating stem cells. Wang initially suggested naming it Beyonce, but the team ultimately chose the name regina.
Research is continuing to investigate whether there are any drugs that could replicate the effects of the protein. Such drugs could enhance a person’s stem cell supply, potentially aiding in the regeneration of damaged or worn-out tissues.
7. One Man’s Opal Is Another Man’s Dinosaur
An opal turned out to be the jawbone of a previously unknown species of dinosaur.
The fossil was found near Lightning Ridge in New South Wales, Australia. It has been named Weewarrasaurus pobeni, in honor of the Wee Warra opal field where it was discovered, and Mike Poben, the opal dealer who purchased the gem and donated it for research.
After two years of research, a team of paleontologists determined that the fossil was 100 million years old. Weewarrasaurus pobeni likely belonged to a group of dinosaurs known as ornithopods. These plant-eating, bipedal creatures were about the size of a dog. This discovery marks the first new dinosaur species to be named in New South Wales in almost a century.
6. Strangers Help Rebuild Dinosaur Collection
Four-year-old Riley Wooten narrowly escaped the Camp Fire when it consumed his hometown of Paradise, California. He fled his home with his grandmother and great-grandmother, managing to save only two of his precious toy dinosaurs.
Like many boys his age, Riley is passionate about dinosaurs. In fact, he has an obsession with them and once owned hundreds of dinosaur toys. He was devastated when he realized that the fire had destroyed all of them.
The gifts kept pouring in, and so far, Riley has received over 100 dinosaurs to help him rebuild his collection. In fact, he now has so many that he decided to donate some to the local evacuation center, so other children affected by the fire could enjoy them too.
5. Santa Sunday Skiing Celebration
As Christmas approaches, the festive spirit is growing stronger. The small town of Newry, Maine, held its 19th annual Santa Sunday event, where participants dressed as Santa Claus and hit the slopes to raise money for charity.
Around 300 skiers and snowboarders joined the event at the Sunday River ski resort. Each participant made a minimum $20 donation and showed up fully dressed as Santa. Even more money was raised as spectators came to see and photograph the skiing Santas.
A photo session was held at the end of the ride to capture the essence of Santa Sunday. The funds raised from the donations went to the River Fund, supporting local education and recreational programs.
4. New 10-Minute Cancer Detection Test
Researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia discovered a distinctive DNA signature present in many, if not all, cancers. This breakthrough could revolutionize cancer diagnosis. They have also developed a new test that uses this genetic marker to detect cancerous DNA in under 10 minutes.
In a study published in Nature Communications, the research team focused on methyl groups, molecules that are crucial for gene regulation, instead of the usual DNA sequences when identifying cancer markers.
To their astonishment, they found that these methyl groups were concentrated in specific areas on the cancer cell genomes, rather than being evenly distributed as would be expected. This predictable pattern appeared across every type of breast cancer they studied, as well as colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and lymphoma.
The researchers then observed that these molecules had a unique reaction with gold, adhering to it. As a result, when cancer DNA was placed in a solution with gold nanoparticles, the solution's color changed almost instantly. This test was applied to 200 samples and showed a 90% accuracy rate.
While promising, the test can only confirm the presence of cancer, but it doesn't specify the type or stage of the disease. More studies are needed to refine the test and determine whether the genetic pattern is universally applicable.
3. A Bag of Cash and a Heart of Gold
What would you do if you stumbled upon a bag containing $17,000 in cash? Would you seize the opportunity or try to return it to its rightful owner?
The temptation to keep the money would be immense for anyone, but even more so for Kevin Booth from Sumner, Washington. Having experienced homelessness on and off for over seven years, Booth faced this very dilemma. Despite his struggles, he decided to donate the money to a local food bank, believing it would benefit more people than just himself.
Three months ago, Booth discovered a brown bag near the food bank's community bread box. When he opened it, he found a $20 bill inside. He admits that he briefly considered keeping the cash, but ultimately waited for food bank director Anita Miller and handed the bag to her.
At first, Miller assumed the bag contained food, so she took it to weigh it. However, her shock was evident when she discovered the bag actually held $17,000 in cash. The two immediately called the police, who reviewed security footage in hopes of identifying the person who left the bag.
The police were unable to determine the person who had dropped the money. According to state law, they waited 90 days for anyone to claim the funds. When no one came forward, the money was donated to the food bank. To express their gratitude, the food bank gave Booth part of the money in the form of gift cards, and Police Chief Brad Moericke awarded him a citizen citation for his honesty.
2. Reunited After Nearly Seven Decades
An 88-year-old woman was joyfully reunited with her daughter after being apart for nearly 70 years.
In 1949, Genevieve Purinton gave birth to a baby girl in Gary, Indiana. The hospital, however, informed her that the infant had passed away, allegedly due to the stigma of being a young, unmarried mother. But the truth was that her daughter had survived, was adopted, and grew up as Connie Moultroup.
Last Christmas, Moultroup received an Ancestry DNA testing kit from her daughter, Bonnie Chase. Chase also took the test, which led her to discover cousins she had never known before.
In time, she discovered that Purinton might actually be her long-lost grandmother. Chase reached out to her, leading Purinton to contact Moultroup. The two spoke for the first time this September and recently met face-to-face.
After taking her Ancestry test, Connie Moultroup learned that she is connected to thousands of relatives. She is now planning to meet two half-sisters on her father’s side in January.
1. A Heartwarming Tune
One of the most unlikely love stories of recent years is set to end on a high note, as Jack the donkey and Diane the emu were adopted by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, known for his role in The Walking Dead.
In early November, the heartwarming bond between Jack the donkey and Diane the emu captured public attention. Rescued by Carolina Waterfowl Rescue from an abandoned property, they were found alongside several other animals. The rescue organization soon shared updates that hinted at the deep connection between the two creatures, far beyond just friendship.
One image showed the duo curled up together, an unexpected sight given that neither species is particularly known for being affectionate. In another incident, Jack displayed a protective nature, defending Diane by chasing off a donkey that ventured too close. Additionally, Diane produced a deep, drum-like sound around Jack, which is the mating call of female emus.
Initially, the rescue center feared that the bond between Jack and Diane was hopeless, as finding someone willing to adopt both a donkey and an emu together seemed highly unlikely. But, against expectations, the situation took a surprising turn.
The story quickly went viral, generating over 2,000 inquiries to the Carolina Waterfowl Rescue. Ultimately, Jack and Diane were adopted by actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who welcomed them to his farm. He also promised to continue sharing pictures of their adorable relationship with the public.
