ANNIKEN CELINE BERGER/NTB/Arkeologisk museum, UiS /AFP via Getty Images

While some people hitting middle age buy a new car or do a career pivot, Erlend Bore decided he would take up metal detecting. 

The 51-year-old Norwegian bought his first metal detector just before the summer, “partly to go treasure hunting, but mostly to have a hobby that got him off the sofa,” according to a translated Facebook post from the Archaeological Museum at the University of Stavanger

In a surprise for Bore and archeologists alike, he ended up making the country’s “gold find of the century.” Though he initially thought he had come upon a trove of chocolate coins while canvassing the island of Rennesoey, the metal detectorist actually unearthed nine pendants, three rings, and 10 gold pearls. 

“It was completely unreal,” Bore said in a press release, while museum director Ole Madsen added, “To find so much gold at the same time is extremely unusual.” 

Archaeological Museum at the University of Stavanger/ X
Archaeological Museum at the University of Stavanger/ X
Archaeological Museum at the University of Stavanger/ X
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The pendants and pearls were part of “a very showy necklace” that one of society’s elite may have worn 1,500 years ago, explained archeology professor Håkon Reiersen. He continued: “In Norway, no similar discovery has been made since the 19th century, and it is also a very unusual discovery in a Scandinavian context.” 

The artifacts date back to Norway’s Migration Period around A.D. 500. It was likely a time of crisis that may have been particularly bad in the area where the items were found, as evidenced by the prevalence of abandoned farms from the era. 

RELATED: Michigan State Students Unearth 19th Century Observatory Foundation

“Given the location of the discovery and what we know from other similar finds, this is probably a matter of either hidden valuables or an offering to the gods during dramatic times,” Reiersen said.

As required for objects from before 1537 in Norway, Bore handed his find in immediately and the artifacts will be “preserved and displayed as soon as possible” at the Archaeological Museum. “We would like to praise the detectorist for doing everything right when he found this unique gold find,” said Marianne Enoksen, the section manager for cultural heritage in Rogaland County Municipality, which comprises Rennesoey.

Eckart Demasius/ Giraffe Conservation Foundation

This article, originally titled “Rare Spotless Giraffe Born at Tennessee Zoo Believed to Be the Only One ‘on the Planet,’” was updated on 9/12/23 with the name of the giraffe and information about another one recorded in the wild, pictured above.

Giraffes are defined by their long necks and spotted pattern, but one young animal at Tennessee’s Brights Zoo was unexpectedly born without the latter — and she was originally thought to be the sole living giraffe without spots. 

“Giraffe experts believe she is the only solid-colored reticulated giraffe living anywhere on the planet,” the zoo said in a press release in August, per WJHL.

The calf’s rare appearance quickly captured attention online and more than 40,000 people voted on what she should be named, with Kipekee (meaning “unique” in Swahili) ultimately winning

But then, weeks later, something incredible happened: Another monochromatic mammal was recorded, this one in the wild.

In early September, the Giraffe Conservation Foundation announced that a young spotless Angolan giraffe was photographed on a private game reserve in Namibia, Africa, a first for the continent. 

Experts said the lack of spots could be a genetic mutation, but it’s difficult to know for sure. 

“Maybe we do not always need to have explanations for everything. Why don’t we simply marvel about the wonders of nature?” added Stephanie Fennessy, the organization’s director and co-founder.

Eckart Demasius/ Giraffe Conservation Foundation

RELATED: Rescued Walrus Calf Separated From Mother Receives Care Regimen of Constant Cuddling

Brights Zoo founder Tony Bright previously said he hoped the media attention surrounding Kipekee would help raise awareness of the importance of giraffe conservation in the wild. 

According to an assessment of the species conducted by the International Fund for Animal Welfare in 2018, there are about 68,000 wild giraffes left, making them a vulnerable species. They’re already extinct in seven African countries they once roamed and today “occupy only a fraction of their historic range,” per the organization.

“The international coverage of our patternless baby giraffe has created a much-needed spotlight on giraffe conservation,” Bright said. “Wild populations are silently slipping into extinction, with 40% of the wild giraffe population lost in just the last three decades.”

He encouraged people to get involved in helping wild giraffes by supporting the nonprofit Save Giraffes Now — “The more of us that support these organizations that do work in the wild, the better. We want to ensure that future generations get the opportunity to see these wonderful animals.” 

Photo courtesy of Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections

Students at Michigan State University have gotten a unique opportunity to glance into their school’s past after workers came upon the foundation of a 19th century observatory. They called MSU’s Campus Archaeology Program to investigate, and the students in the program were able to unearth remnants of the campus’s first observatory, constructed in 1881. 

“It gives us a sense of what early campus looked like in the late 19th century,” Ben Akey, a Michigan State campus archaeologist and anthropology doctoral student, said in a press release. “The original campus observatory was built and used at a time when Michigan Agricultural College — what would become MSU — was a radically different institution with only a handful of professors and a relatively small student body.”

One of those professors was Rolla Carpenter, who graduated from what was then Michigan State Agricultural College in 1873. He returned to teach a variety of courses, including math, French, civil engineering, and astronomy. For the latter, he would take students to the roof of a campus building to observe the cosmos. 

Nick Schrader, MSU University Communications
Nick Schrader, MSU University Communications
Nick Schrader, MSU University Communications
Nick Schrader, MSU University Communications
Photo courtesy of Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections
Photo courtesy of Michigan State University Archives and Historical Collections
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“But he didn’t find it a sufficient solution for getting students experience in astronomical observation,” Akey explained. “When MSU acquired a telescope, Carpenter successfully argued for funding for a place to mount it: the first campus observatory.”

Over a century later, the university now has a more sophisticated setup, with a 24-inch reflecting telescope and a more modern observatory used for research as well as public events. 

“It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come from a little 16-foot circular building to a large building with a high-quality telescope and an electric dome,” Levi Webb, an astrophysics and anthropology student who participated in the archaeological dig. “Seeing the difference between how observing used to be versus how it is now is very interesting to me and makes me appreciative of the observatory we have now.”

Next summer, the original observatory site will be the focus of an undergraduate archaeological field school “where students can enroll for credit and get experience excavating the foundation of the first observatory on campus,” per Stacey Camp, the director of the Campus Archaeology Program and an associate professor of anthropology. 

“I love watching students connect with artifacts and try to tell a bigger story about humankind with those objects,” she added.

LeoPatrizi/ iStock

A recent study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that isometric exercises can be an effective, non-pharmacological way to lower blood pressure. But what are isometric exercises? Per the Mayo Clinic, these strengthening movements involve tightening or contracting a muscle without moving any joints or lengthening the muscle. Planks, wall sits, and leg lifts are all good examples.

For the study, researchers looked at 270 different clinical trials with a total of 15,827 participants. They found that, compared to aerobic exercise, dynamic resistance training, and high intensity interval training, isometric exercises were the most effective at lowering both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

That doesn’t mean you have to completely revamp your workout routine, though, and not everyone will be able to do these exercises right away — the most important thing is to start small and continue finding joy in movement.

“We know that those who take on exercise they enjoy tend to carry on for longer, which is key in maintaining lower blood pressure,” Joanne Whitmore, a senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, told The Guardian

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We’ve compiled some how-tos on five isometric exercises you can try, most of which can be done without any equipment and all of which can be adjusted to your particular needs. Some suggestions before proceeding: It’s quality over quantity with these moves, so focus on having good form over pushing yourself to the limit — and if something doesn’t feel right, that’s your body telling you to stop. As always, be sure to consult a healthcare professional as needed before changing up your workout routine. 

Wall Sits 

Demonstrated in the photo above, wall sits are a great isometric exercise for people who struggle to balance without support — though you will feel the quad burn pretty quickly with these. Aim to form a right angle at your hips and knees, with your knees directly above your ankles, your back flat against the wall, and your heels planted firmly on the ground. If that’s too intense, you can take some of the pressure off by making more of a 45-degree angle. Try holding for 30-60 seconds, and remember to rest between reps. 

Planks 

solar22/ iStock

Anyone who suffered through junior high gym class has likely done a plank, but we’re here to tell you the classic core exercise doesn’t have to be miserable. For one, there are several modifications you can make, like lowering to your knees, as seen here. The important things to remember for this move are engaging your abdominal muscles and focusing on creating a straight line from your ears to your toes (think: plank of wood). That means avoiding sagging your hips or arching your back. For an added challenge, you can press into your hands instead of your forearms — and if that’s not enough, consider getting your obliques involved and try a side plank

Start small, holding for 5-10 seconds at a time, and then work your way up to longer.

Leg Lifts 

solar22/ iStock

This isometric exercise has a bit more movement than some of the others, but it’s definitely slow and controlled. Start on your back with both legs lifted at a 90-degree angle (some bend in the knees is OK). Then slowly lower your legs as low as you can without arching your back at all — you may only go a few inches at first, but it’s important to keep the back pressed to the floor to maintain proper form and avoid injuring yourself. Try doing sets of 10-15 at a time.  

Bridge 

solar22/ iStock

You’ll also start on your back for bridge, but plant your feet on the ground so your knees are bent. Then, simply lift your hips to create a straight line from your knees to your shoulders. Hold for 30 seconds (remembering to take deep breaths) before slowly lowering and going again. 

Overhead Hold

solar22/ iStock

This is the only exercise on this list that requires equipment, but the good news is that you probably have something around your house that will work. Grab a light to medium weight — a dumbbell, kettlebell, some cans of soup, or even a full water bottle all work — and you’re good to go. You’ll want to hold the item steady above your head with your arm(s) fully extended for 20-30 seconds at a time. You can do this with both hands holding the weight, or try one at a time. 

© Michel Zoghzoghi/Comedy Pets

Wildlife photographer Michel Zoghzoghi has taken close-up shots of lions in Africa, tigers in India, and jaguars in South America, but the fiercest (and funniest) felines he’s ever encountered reside in his very own home. 

Today, Zoghzoghi was named the overall winner of the 2023 Comedy Pet Photography Awards for the above image of his two rescue kittens. “Max and Alex form a lethally cute duo,” he said in a press release. “I had more fun and surprises taking photos of these two characters than during my most adventurous wildlife photography trips.”

Zoghzoghi, from Beirut, Lebanon, also won the Best Cat Category for the photo, titled “A Life Changing Experience.” The competition, now in its fourth year, highlights the funniest pet photos and videos submitted by animal lovers all over the world. 

RELATED: Mating for Life: 17 Animal Species That Are Monogamous in the Wild

“I am extremely happy and proud to have won it, as all the finalists were really outstanding and some of them made me laugh to tears,” Zoghzoghi added. “Pets are a very, very important part of our families and should be celebrated.”

Scroll down to see the rest of the winning funniest pet photos and commended images. 

2023 Grand Category Winners

Dog Category & People’s Choice Award: Chris Porsz | “Barking”

© Chris Porsz/Comedy Pets

All Other Creatures Category: Darya Zelentsova | “The First Outdoor Walk” 

© Darya Zelentsova/Comedy Pets

Pets Who Look Most Like Their Owners Category: Klaus-Peter Selzer | “The Three Greys”

© Klaus-Peter Selzer/Comedy Pets

Junior Category: Monyque Macedo Dos Santos | “‘Is It a Seal or Is It a Dog?’” 

© Monyque Macedo Dos Santos/Comedy Pets

Highly Commended Winners 

Kenichi Morinaga | “The Big Boss”

© Kenichi Morinaga/Comedy Pets

Sophie Boynton | “When Digging Gets Serious” 

© Sophie Boynton/Comedy Pets

Kazutoshi Ono | “Victory”

© Kazutoshi Ono/Comedy Pets

Kenichi Morinaga | “Football Free Kick”

© Kenichi Morinaga/Comedy Pets

Karl Goldhamer | “Zorro Reborn”

© Karl Goldhamer/Comedy Pets

Gill Woodcock | “Keep Your Eye on the Ball” 

© Gill Woodcock/Comedy Pets
Alaska SeaLife Center

A walrus calf found in northern Alaska captured hearts online after the organization caring for him shared that he’s been put on a regimen of 24/7 cuddling. 

The young animal, which weighed in at around 140 pounds, was rescued in late July about 4 miles inland from the Beaufort Sea — “a highly unusual location for [a] Pacific walrus,” the Alaska SeaLife Center said in a press release

Walruses depend heavily on their mothers for their first two years of life, and with no maternal figure in sight, officials knew the wandering calf wouldn’t survive alone. 

Alaska SeaLife Center

Estimated to be about 1 month old at the time of rescue, he was flown to the SeaLife Center and diagnosed with malnutrition, dehydration, a cloudy eye, and a possible infection. 

“We are lucky that his first night went well,” said Jane Belovarac, the center’s wildlife response curator. “It isn’t often that we’re able to admit a walrus calf, but every time we do, we learn more about the species and how to care for them.” 

Now onto the cuddles: As of August 3, the walrus was put under a 24-hour care regimen that includes “round-the-clock ‘cuddling’” in order to emulate the physical closeness usually provided by the mother. Since “calves tend to habituate quickly to human care,” he was already eating formula from a bottle at that time. 

Alaska SeaLife Center

In an update two days later, the center said staff were continuing to provide constant care to the calf, who was alert and still eating well. 

“This is the center’s first walrus patient in 4 years, and one of only 10 admitted in the center’s 25-year history, making this an exceptional case for the Wildlife Response Program and a rare opportunity for all involved,” the release read. 

Courtesy of AdoptAClassroom.org

Back-to-school season can be an exciting time for kids — shopping for new backpacks, lunch boxes, and supplies branded with the year’s hottest trend (’90s kids might fondly remember the Lisa Frank varieties). But for teachers, especially those in high-needs schools, it can be more stressful. 

“I realized that it was not an exciting time,” Cristina Easton, who spent 15 years working in Title I schools in New York City and Baltimore, told Nice News. “I would submit my supply list to my principal and I would have to edit, edit, edit. Because we really could not ask much of our families who couldn’t afford all of the supplies that we were asking for.”

Easton used her own money to outfit her classroom with the necessary materials and make it a welcoming place for kids. And she’s not alone — U.S. teachers spend an average of $860 of their already limited salaries on school supplies, according to a survey conducted by the nonprofit AdoptAClassroom.org.  

“Our kids spend more hours in school than they spend at home. So, for many of our kids, particularly in high-needs communities, school really is a second home,” Easton said. “That means as the adult in the classroom, I am creating an environment where my kids trust me, they know that I care about them, they feel excited to be there, they feel seen and recognized, and they feel comfortable enough to open up when they need something.” 

Courtesy of AdoptAClassroom.org

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She now works as a program strategy manager at AdoptAClassroom.org, which provides classroom funding to prekindergarten through 12th grade teachers and schools throughout the U.S. One of the things that drew her in was the organization’s flexible funding model, allowing teachers to decide what they need and when they need it.

Through AdoptAClassroom.org, people can donate directly to grants or to specific classrooms, and the teacher or school can purchase the most necessary materials. Easton said the COVID-19 pandemic was a perfect example of why flexible funding is so important: The health crisis completely shifted students’ needs, with cleaning supplies, masks, and social distancing measures becoming more important than ever. 

“There’s a lot of questioning of teachers happening right now and whether they know what’s best for their kids,” Easton continued. “[We’re] saying to our educators, ‘We’re going to give you this funding and allow you to make the choices about what is needed’ and the feedback we get from our teachers is that they feel really supported, seen, and respected when they’re given that flexibility.” 

Courtesy of AdoptAClassroom.org

Alongside the challenges brought on by the pandemic, it’s a particularly fraught time for educators right now: K-12 workers experience the highest burnout rate in the country and more than three-quarters of U.S. states were in the midst of a teacher shortage as of February.

Helping them get the right supplies for their classrooms is one small way we can alleviate some of that stress during the back-to-school season. 

“I think oftentimes people aren’t sure how to help when they hear about the struggles that teachers are facing, and AdoptAClassroom.org is a really easy way to just donate,” Easton explained. “You know that those funds are going to go to a classroom with a teacher who knows exactly what they want to do with that money.” 

At the end of the day, she said, it’s all about the kids — “One of the most exciting things about going through our impact content is seeing the pictures of really happy kids who are proud of their school supplies. For many of our students, because their families can’t afford materials, receiving new supplies in their classrooms gives them a sense that there are people out there who are looking out for them.”

Donate to AdoptAClassroom.org through Nice News’ August Cause of the Month fundraiser, or check out the nonprofit’s Ways to Give page to find a specific teacher to support.  

Photo Courtesy of Cheznee Johnson

On December 7, 1941, a surprise Japanese attack on a United States naval base near Honolulu, Hawaii, would change the course of history and incite the U.S. involvement in World War II. The ambush, which claimed the lives of over 2,400 U.S. personnel, became known as Pearl Harbor, named after the devastated base.

Now, over 80 years later, a 10-year-old boy living in North Carolina is making sure that the sacrificial veterans, service members, and civilians connected to the tragic event will never be forgotten.

Harrison Johnson first learned about Pearl Harbor while doing research for his third grade history project, and he quickly became fascinated with it, reading books and old newspaper articles and even writing letters to survivors. 

“The moment he started learning about the attack on Pearl Harbor, it took over his every conversation. It was like a fire had been ignited inside him,” Harrison’s mother, Cheznee Johnson, told Nice News. “He became so eager to learn more that he read books, listened to radio clips, and immersed himself in everything related to Pearl Harbor.”

Photo Courtesy of Cheznee Johnson

After persuading his parents to take him on a trip to visit the Pearl Harbor National Memorial on Oahu, he returned to school excited to share what he had learned with his friends. But when his stories were met with blank stares and confused faces, Cheznee said, he decided to do something to make sure that the history of Pearl Harbor would never be forgotten. 

“I made up my mind to raise $100,000 and fill the gap in kids’ knowledge about Pearl Harbor,” Harrison said in a statement. “I especially want to share the untold tales of heroes, particularly those of women and minorities like Japanese Americans and African Americans. Their stories deserve recognition, and they should be heard by everyone who visits the Pearl Harbor memorial in person and online. It’s important to highlight their contributions and bravery during such challenging times.”

In May of 2022, Harrison began to raise money for his fundraising campaign, Harrison’s Heroes, after reaching out to the Pacific Historic Parks, the nonprofit responsible for the Pearl Harbor National Memorial.

By spreading the word to “anyone who will listen,” partnering with restaurants to host fundraising events, and speaking at different functions, such as Memorial Day barbecues, ice cream sales, and a charity golf tournament, he’s been able to raise over $50,000 so far. 

Photo Courtesy of Cheznee Johnson

He’s halfway to his $100,000 goal, which he hopes to reach before the 82nd anniversary of Pearl Harbor in December. 

“Me and my friends are big fans of superheroes like Batman, Wonder Woman, and Black Panther. We love reading about their amazing adventures. But as much as we enjoy those stories, we know that they are not real,” Harrison said. “The real heroes are the men and women who sacrificed their lives to protect our freedom.” 

One of the largely forgotten heroes he admires is Doris Miller, a cook on the USS West Virginia who manned an anti-aircraft gun — “for which he had no training,” per Britannica — to defend his ship when the attack occurred. “He showed amazing bravery and became the first African American to be awarded the Navy Cross [for valor],” Harrison said. 

Harrison continued: “All these heroes have different stories, but they all showed bravery, selflessness, and a strong sense of duty,” he continued. “They inspire me to be courageous and to always stand up for what is right.”

The young history buff urges everyone to learn more about Pearl Harbor and visit one of the memorials and museums, if possible. “It’s a way to learn, show respect, and remember our heroes,” said Harrison, later adding, “By spreading the word, we keep their memories alive and show our gratitude.”

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

In 2016, 11-year-old Konnor McClain proclaimed that she would compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics during an appearance on Steve Harvey’s since-canceled talk show, Little Big Shots

After being introduced as “the best 11-year-old gymnast in the country,” young McClain said she started her gymnastics career when she was 18 months old in “mommy and me” classes. She added that not only would she make it to the Games, she would win the all-around gold medal. 

Now 18 and just one year away from the Olympic trials, she’s closer than ever to making that prediction a reality. 

“It feels incredible. Oh, my gosh, it feels like I’m almost there,” McClain said during a recent appearance on Today, adding, “I’ve been training 17 years for this.”

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Her journey hasn’t been an easy one: Her father Marc died in December 2021 due to COVID-19, and she lost her grandmother just a week later. McClain returned to the mat in February 2022 for the Winter Cup Challenge with “low goals” for herself, she previously told Olympics.com

But armed with the memory of her dad — her coach Anna Liukin gave her a patch with his initials, MM, to wear on her leotard — she won the competition. 

“Anna gave me the patch three days before the competition. She was like, ‘Here you go. I just wanted to give you this just so you have something to remember him and just to know that he’s right there with you,’” McClain recalled, adding, “I teared up a little bit because [it] was just so sweet and so special. It felt like he was there actually just with the patch there. It was kind of crazy.”

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Then, in August 2022, the athlete made headlines again when she, Shilese Jones, and Jordan Chiles became the first three Black women to sweep the podium at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships. 

In the months following, she underwent surgery and rehab for a back injury but shared on Instagram that the operation “went even better than expected.” She wrote in January: “I am on the road to a bigger and better comeback and healthier me.”  

With the Olympic trials scheduled for June of next year, her sights remain set on Paris 2024. “[I’m] doing it for myself and my family, and for especially my dad, and just making it through, pushing through,” she told Today

It’s safe to say that in the seven years since her stint on Little Big Shots, she has more than proven Harvey’s confidence in her — “I think you’re gonna make it,” he said at the time. 

Courtesy of PriestmanGoode

Traveling can be a pain for everyone, but flyers who use wheelchairs face another level of obstacles, from a lack of bathroom accessibility, to potential injuries incurred while boarding the plane, to the possibility of damaging expensive — and essential — equipment. 

That last point is a particular problem: According to the latest data from the Department of Transportation, at least 1.5 of every 100 wheelchairs and scooters are mishandled during air travel. Over the past five years or so, that translates to tens of thousands of damaged mobility aids. 

“If you’re a full-time wheelchair user, your wheelchair has been designed to fit your body and your specific medical condition and your needs,” John Morris, founder of the website Wheelchair Travel, explained to The Washington Post in 2021. “It’s a critical issue when they’re damaged.”

A new plane seat design, being developed by Delta Flight Products and the U.K.-based consortium Air4All, is looking to change that and prevent people with disabilities from experiencing the distressing and all-too-common occurrence of a damaged chair. 

Courtesy of PriestmanGoode

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The innovative seat folds up, allowing passengers with limited mobility to remain securely in their own powered wheelchairs for the duration of the flight, while still maintaining access to the headrest and console tray table. According to designboom, once the seat is folded up, it reveals a floor latch for a wheelchair to attach to and detach from the cabin floor, thus giving flyers more mobility. 

Air4All is a collaboration in itself, formed by the design consultant PriestmanGoode, the advocacy organization Flying Disabled, SWS Certification, and Sunrise Medical. 

Delta Flight Products, a subsidiary of the airline, is debuting a prototype of the seat at the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2023 in Hamburg, Germany, this week, per a press release

Courtesy of PriestmanGoode

“An innovation like this in air travel provides those with reduced mobility a safe and comfortable way for them to travel and remain in their own power wheelchair,” said Flying Disabled founder Chris Wood. “It has taken a truly collaborative effort to develop this seat and we believe this product provides an optimal solution for all parties.”

After the Aircraft Interiors Expo, Delta will finalize the design and send it off for testing and certification.  

“This patented design offers new possibilities for customers in wheelchairs to enjoy a travel experience they truly deserve,” said Rick Salanitri, the president of Delta Flight Products.