Forest fight: Across Britain’s woodlands, ash trees are showing signs of a surprising recovery against a fungus that once threatened to wipe them out. The disease, known as ash dieback, devastated landscapes after spreading through Europe. But new generations of trees are sprouting with stronger natural resistance compared to their predecessors, offering fresh optimism to conservationists. Researchers studying their DNA found many small genetic changes, rather than a single mutation, working together to provide protection. This gradual process highlights natural selection at work, as seedlings endure exposure to the spores in their environment. For now, it seems the species may yet carve a future where it thrives again.
Echoed depths: In Abhaneri, India, stands Chand Baori, a vast stepwell long linked with chilling tales and unsettling folklore. Its stone flights plunge 13 levels, forming a geometric maze of thousands of steps that once guided people to cool water and hosted important social gatherings. Folklore claims the structure rose almost overnight, crafted by unseen spirits, with secret tunnels adding to its enduring mystery. At the floor, the air is cooler and the silence is heavy, broken only by faint echoes. Some visitors describe sudden shivers, strange noises, or even shadow-like phantoms. Both an engineering wonder and a source of legend, Chand Baori remains a place where awe meets unease.
