🦫 Beavers in the Bronx

Good morning. It’s been a busy week so far. From beavers making a triumphant return to the Bronx River after two centuries away, to a groundbreaking gene therapy offering new hope for those with Huntington’s disease, these stories remind us that resilience and innovation can spark remarkable change.

We also want to celebrate a young hockey player’s inspiring comeback after a life-altering injury, and a daughter’s heartfelt gift of a first-ever bedroom to her mother after years of homelessness.

🎧 P.S. Don’t miss today’s new episode of Good News To Go, your 5-minute boost of joy on the move.

—Stephanie S

After 200 years without beavers, camera traps have confirmed their return to the Bronx River. Once wiped out by fur trading and habitat loss, beavers were first spotted again in 2007, but disappeared by 2018.

In 2024, new camera traps set by biology student RJ Hawkins captured footage of a beaver swimming in the river. This exciting discovery signals ecological recovery and highlights the river’s ability to support biodiversity.

Further evidence this summer showed beavers building dams and leaving their signature marks on trees. Their presence is a hopeful sign for urban wildlife and conservation efforts.

Beavers are not just back, they’re thriving, reminding us that even city rivers can become havens for nature’s comeback stories.

After years of instability and homelessness, Ana Duarte surprised her mother Anette with a bedroom of her own for the first time at age 64. Ana, the first in her family to graduate from college, now works helping others in need.

Growing up, the two endured shelter stays and constant moves, but Anette remained a steady source of comfort. Ana’s gift symbolizes peace and a fresh start.

Their story is a moving reminder of resilience, gratitude, and new beginnings.

After a devastating spinal cord injury during a hockey game, Minnesota teen Jackson Drum was told he might never move or breathe on his own again. Refusing to accept this, Jackson embarked on a nine-month journey of intense rehabilitation.

Defying the odds, he regained movement, left his ventilator and feeding tube behind, and even returned to the rink to cheer on his teammates.

For the first time, a clinical trial has shown that Huntington’s disease can be significantly slowed. Patients receiving the new gene therapy, AMT-130, saw 75% less disease progression over three years.

The treatment works by introducing custom DNA into brain cells, reducing the harmful protein that causes Huntington’s. Results were so promising that some patients even returned to work.

Researchers hope this breakthrough will lead to lasting hope for families affected by this devastating disease.

80 years ago today, self-taught engineer Percy Spencer of Maine patented the microwave oven after a sweet accident revealed the power of radar waves. While working at Raytheon, Spencer noticed that a Mr. Goodbar in his pocket had melted near an active radar set. His curiosity led him to experiment with popcorn—successfully—and then an egg, which promptly exploded.

Raytheon filed a patent for Spencer’s discovery and soon released the “Radarange,” the world’s first commercial microwave oven. Towering six feet tall and weighing 750 pounds, it cost $5,000 in 1945 (roughly $66,000 today). Despite its size and cost, it marked the dawn of a kitchen revolution that would reshape how the world cooks and eats.

Other notable October 8 events:

1889: The Moulin Rouge cabaret opened in Paris, dazzling crowds with its new can-can dance.

1956: Don Larsen pitched the only perfect game in World Series history for the New York Yankees.

1971: John Lennon released Imagine, his timeless anthem for peace.

1988: The Dark Side of the Moon ended its record 741-week run on Billboard’s album chart.

💨 New Zealand: A new study found that a 2-in-1 inhaler reduces asthma attacks in children by 45% compared to the standard treatment.

🔬 UK: Scientists have developed a new way to create holograms, paving the way for holographic displays on smartphones and everyday devices.

💉 Illinois: Doctors used a new technique to deliver chemotherapy directly to a woman's liver for a rare eye cancer, shrinking her tumors by 50%.

☕ California: A supervisor is pushing to remove business regulations after local entrepreneurs' dream of opening a coffee shop was blocked by outdated permitting rules.

🌳 UK: A 75-foot ash tree in the heart of Glasgow has been named the 2025 Tree of the Year by the Woodland Trust.

— William Makepeace Thackeray

Every day brings amazing advances and uplifting moments that remind us just how wonderful the world can be. Here are five reasons why today is the best time ever to be alive:

👁️ Vision Restored: Global blindness prevention initiatives are restoring sight through surgeries and low-cost treatments.

🔧 Tool Libraries: Community tool libraries allow neighbors to borrow tools instead of buying.

🖨️ Braille Access: AI-powered braille printers are producing affordable educational materials for visually impaired students.

🪸 Coral Nurseries: Community-led coral nurseries are restoring reefs and boosting coastal protection.

⚡ Smart Solar Grids: AI-powered solar grids are optimizing energy use based on real-time demand.

Australian researchers have developed a bite-resistant wetsuit fabric that dramatically reduces shark bite wounds, even from great whites. Tested in real ocean conditions, this new material could soon protect surfers, divers, and lifeguards in shark-prone waters, saving lives while helping us coexist safely with nature.

👉 Catch this, along with other feel-good stories from around the world, in this week’s episode of Good News To Go.

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