Walking giants: Researchers believe they now understand how the famous stones were moved into place on Rapa Nui, better known as Easter Island. Using 3D models, field trials, and physics-based simulations, scientists from Binghamton University and the University of Arizona found that the statues’ forward-leaning shape and curved bases allowed them to rock side to side as they advanced. In experiments, a small group “walked” a full-scale replica using ropes, supporting long-standing local traditions about how the moai were transported. The study suggests the islanders engineered both the statues and roads for this motion, revealing a resourceful approach to one of archaeology’s oldest mysteries.
Tiny fighter: In Ankeny, Iowa (U.S.), a baby born 133 days early and recognized as the world’s most premature defied every prediction to survive after birth. Arriving far sooner than expected, he weighed less than a can of soda and required immediate intensive care. Doctors used advanced equipment and careful monitoring to support his heart and lungs, and his parents spent long months beside him in the hospital. Over time, the baby’s condition improved enough for him to go home after a lengthy recovery. His story reminds families and doctors everywhere that medical care and persistence can help even the most fragile lives survive and grow.
