Author: Daily Upsider

Thirty years ago this month, botanists in Australia discovered a pine tree species near Sydney that has been around since the time of dinosaurs.

To mark this milestone, the Botanic Gardens of Sydney are auctioning off six saplings to promote interest in this ancient conifer. The auction’s outcome is hard to predict, given the rarity of such high-profile plant sales.

The original 90 trees exist in a highly protected area, with entry restricted even for scientists. Unauthorized access can result in up to two years in prison and a $330,000 fine under the Australian Biodiversity Conservation Act. This strict control helps prevent the introduction of harmful plants, parasites, and diseases that could devastate this rare species. The Wollemi pine, which evolved 91 million years ago and was thought to be extinct for 2 million years, was rediscovered in 1994 in the Blue Mountains. It has survived major global events, including the comet impact that wiped out the dinosaurs.

For the past 30 years, the National Parks and Wildlife Service has been planting the Wollemi pine in other locations to help ensure its survival. John Siemon, Director of Horticulture at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney, hopes the auction winners will share their passion for conserving plant species and find suitable homes for the saplings.

Scientists have developed a groundbreaking gene therapy that dramatically improves vision in patients with a genetic disorder causing early vision loss. The therapy targets the specific gene responsible for the condition, leading to significant improvements—up to 100 times better vision for some patients, with the highest dose resulting in a remarkable 10,000-fold enhancement. For instance, a person who could previously only see in bright light might now be able to see clearly on a moonlit night.

This therapy, tested on 15 individuals (including three children) with Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA1), tackles a rare genetic mutation affecting around 100,000 people worldwide. LCA1 causes severe vision loss from infancy, and even with corrective lenses, patients typically couldn’t achieve better than 20/80 vision (meaning they need to be 20 feet away to see what others can see from 80 feet). In the trial, a gene therapy called ATSN-101 was injected directly into the eye. Patients experienced noticeable improvements within a month, with benefits lasting at least a year. Those receiving the highest doses saw the most dramatic results, including better mobility in low-light environments.

This trial, funded by Atsena Therapeutics, is part of a growing wave of gene therapies restoring vision in patients with inherited disorders. Earlier this year, another breakthrough using CRISPR gene editing also led to vision improvements in patients with a different mutation linked to LCA.

In Oklahoma’s Choctaw Nation, a powerful new sculpture, “Eternal Heart,” has been unveiled to celebrate a remarkable bond that has endured for over 170 years. The sculpture, a heart intertwined with a Celtic trinity, symbolizes the enduring friendship between the Choctaw Nation and the Irish people.

The story begins in 1847, during Ireland’s devastating Great Famine. Despite having endured their own hardships, including the forced relocation from their ancestral lands, the Choctaw people raised $170 (equivalent to about $5,000 today) to help those suffering in Ireland. Their selfless donation was sent to Midleton, County Cork, a gesture of compassion across oceans and cultural divides.

Nine years ago, a silver monument in Cork was dedicated to commemorate the Choctaws’ generosity, with tribal leaders invited to attend. Choctaw Chief Gary Batton reflected on this unique connection, noting, “The bond between our nations has strengthened over the years,”

This bond was rekindled in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. When the Navajo and Hopi nations faced severe struggles, the Irish people responded by raising $2.7 million through GoFundMe, with many contributors leaving heartfelt messages of gratitude, remembering the Choctaws’ generosity.

One remarkable aspect of this story is that the recipients of the Choctaw donation in 19th-century Ireland were unaware of its source until many years after the famine had ended. To their amazement, the aid came not from their fellow Catholics or countrymen but from the Native American Choctaw Nation—people they knew only from colonial writings and popularized depictions.

In 1995, Irish President Mary Robinson visited the Choctaw Nation to express formal thanks and was even made an honorary Choctaw chief. This visit marked a renewed commitment to this friendship, one that is now immortalized in the “Eternal Heart” sculpture. As sculptor Samuel Stitt said, “The Choctaw culture of giving and caring for others is passed down to each generation. The ‘Eternal Heart’ is an artistic interpretation of how the Irish people and Choctaw Nation will forever be connected by that human characteristic of compassion—one people for another.”

A recent survey of 2,000 American retirees or those planning to retire before 2029 reveals that many are living lives their younger selves would envy. The concept of “retirement reinvention” is popular, with 60% of respondents either planning or already embracing a new, vibrant version of themselves. Over 25% believe their younger selves would “love” their current life.

Retirees are rediscovering old hobbies, learning new skills, and exploring activities like sports, writing, or learning a new language. Travel plays a significant role in this reinvention, with four in ten retirees taking or planning a “trip of a lifetime,” and 59% intending to travel more in retirement than they did during their working years. Financial constraints during their careers, such as budget limit and lack of job flexibility , have motivated many to prioritize travel now, with half cutting back in other budget areas to fund these adventures.

The survey highlighted top retirement travel destinations, with 59% favoring U.S. locations, 31% choosing Europe, and some even eyeing Antarctica. Along with travel, 78% of retirees are considering starting a side gig for extra income and to keep boredom at bay. Socially, 15% are seeking love in retirement, while 16% are planning solo adventures.

Connor Smith, a vice president at IHG Hotels & Resorts, notes that retirement is becoming a time for adventure, reinvention, and living life to the fullest, countering the fear of boredom that often accompanies the transition.

Walking, a fundamental aspect of daily life, can become challenging for many due to age, illness, or muscle weakness. Addressing this issue, South Korean company WIRobotics has introduced an innovative solution: the WIM, a robotic assist device designed to make walking easier and more efficient. The WIM is a wearable device that fits around the waist and legs, reducing the energy needed to walk by approximately 20%. This reduction in effort allows users to walk longer distances with less fatigue, making it an invaluable tool for those who struggle with mobility.

What sets the WIM apart from other wearable robots is its focus on everyday use rather than industrial or medical applications. The device is equipped with advanced A.I. technology that monitors and predicts gait and movements, continually improving its assistance and providing users with performance feedback. This intelligent system adapts over time, enhancing the walking experience.

Weighing just 1.4 kilograms (3 pounds) and folding down to the size of a clutch, the WIM is both portable and convenient. In addition to its assistive functions, it features an exercise mode that adds resistance, mimicking the effect of walking in water. This mode is designed to target specific muscles and enhance overall fitness.