Already hit your coffee treat budget for the fall? No worries: You can make a pumpkin spice latte at home for cheaper (and it'll probably taste better, too). USA Today compiled five of the best recipes out there, including a vegan version and a Starbucks copycat — check 'em out.
Ocean scientists have found a deep-sea predator that looks a lot less scary than its name. Dubbed a "death ball" sponge (and pictured here), the species is somewhat translucent, located at depths of nearly 12,000 feet, and covered in tiny hooks that are used to trap prey. Per the Nippon Foundation–Nekton Ocean Census, it's among 30 previously unknown deep-sea species recently found in the Southern Ocean, one of the most remote and under-sampled parts of the world. Using cutting-edge technology such as seafloor mapping and high-definition ROV imagery, teams aboard a Schmidt Ocean Institute research vessel discovered this treasure trove during two 2025 expeditions. Other highlights from the expeditions include armored and iridescent scale worms, three new species of sea stars, and a variety of crustaceans, as well as the first confirmed sighting of a baby colossal squid, which Nice News covered earlier this year. And there's likely more creepy and cool finds to come. "To date, we have only assessed under 30% of the samples collected from this expedition, so confirming 30 new species already shows how much biodiversity is still undocumented," Michelle Taylor, head of science at the foundation, said in a statement. See more pics of the deep-sea species.
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Smartwatch Program Brings Peace of Mind to Vulnerable Individuals and Their Loved Ones
LA County Aging & Disabilities Department
Los Angeles County is a sprawling landscape of mountains, urban development, bodies of water, public parks, wildlife preserves, and more — and while it isn't known for being the most walkable area in the U.S., it's certainly a place you could get lost in on foot. That risk is even higher for people with cognitive conditions like autism or dementia. Jordan Wall, who has Down syndrome, is no stranger to adventure. At 27, she works as an actress in television and commercials, competes in the Special Olympics, and keeps her hundreds of thousands of social media followers abreast of her many pursuits. The City of Angels resident is also a participant in a program called L.A. Found. Since 2018, the program has provided free tracking bracelets to vulnerable people at risk of losing their way in the big city and beyond. And this October, L.A. Found announced it was upgrading its tools by also offering new Theora Care GPS smartwatches. The watches are enabled with real-time location tracking, geofencing alerts, and a caregiver-connected SOS button, bringing peace of mind to participants and their loved ones. For Wall's mother, Mary Brown, the program helps lift a weight off her shoulders. "When you're a caregiver, it's really hard, so we're grateful for the help we're getting," Brown said in a news release. "I'm not losing this one."
Culture
World's Smallest Theater Gets Big Reopening After Community Bands Together to Save It
SWNS
There's nothing like seeing the bright lights of Broadway — and there's also nothing like watching a play in the world's smallest theater. That's how one group of volunteers felt anyway, and it's why they banded together to give a second act to Earth's tiniest venue for catching a show. Located in Worcestershire, England, the Theatre of Small Convenience was once a Victorian toilet and is just big enough to seat 12 people in front of its stage, which measures 17 feet long by about 9 feet wide. It first opened in 1997 and was officially named the world's smallest commercial theater by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2002. Unfortunately, the itty-bitty playhouse was forced to close in 2018 following a fire, and the building soon fell into disrepair. But thanks to the efforts of some drama-loving friends and the surrounding community, the unique theater is being returned to its former glory. Read more about the journey to save it, and see what it looks like inside.
In Other News
Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest fell to its lowest level in nearly a decade (read more)
The world's tallest church isnow Barcelona's Sagrada Famรญlia, which is inching closer to completion (read more)
A novel device made to alleviate IUD insertion pain is newly available in the U.S. (read more)
ActorJesse Eisenberg is donating a kidney to a stranger later this year — and he's "so excited to do it" (read more)
Hundreds of birdersfrom near and far flocked to Long Island, New York, for a chance to see a rare cuckoo (read more)
Inspiring Story
Moving forward after a mistake
"On the morning of Feb. 24, 2013, a picture of me went viral," writes Desmond Bryant, a former professional football player, referencing a mugshot from a misdemeanor charge. Over 10 years later, he's reflecting on how one of the lowest moments of his life became a turning point on his journey back to faith and, ultimately, himself. Read his moving story.
Photo of the Day
Nicolas Reytet/ Close-up Photographer of the Year
The shortlist for the Close-up Photographer of the Year contest is in — and narrowing down the contenders was no easy feat. A panel of 22 judges evaluated a record-breaking 12,557 photographs during 20 hours of Zoom calls. The insects category is particularly cool, featuring the above image of an owlfly perched on a blade of grass. Stay tuned for the winners in January.
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Odds & Ends
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Quote of the Day
"Ruptures almost always lead to a stronger project."
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