Latest news with #Maisey
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Maisey O'Donnell, Two-Time State Diving Champion, Dead at 18
Originally appeared on E! Online A Massachusetts high school community is in mourning. Two-time state diving champion Maisey O'Donnell and her Concord-Carlisle High School classmates Jimmy McIntosh and Hannah Wasserman, were killed in a car accident in Florida, just a little over a month before their graduation from the Boston area school. A fourth passenger, an 18-year-old woman, remains in critical condition. The high school seniors all 18, were traveling in an SUV on a highway in the Florida Panhandle just before 9:30 p.m. April 21—the first day of their school's spring break—when their vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer as it was performing a U-turn on a paved median, the Florida Highway Patrol said in a statement to E! News. The car carrying the teens then traveled moved across the median and both eastbound lanes before coming to a rest off the road, police said, adding that Jimmy, who was driving the car, and Hannah were pronounced dead on the scene. Maisey and the unnamed fourth passenger were transported to a hospital in critical condition. The tractor-trailer's driver and passenger, men aged 19 and 23, respectively, were unharmed, police said in their statement. Maisey, who had planned to attend Williams College, received a slew of tributes from friends and family on social media. "I don't really have words. I never thought this day would come," her younger sister Emmy O'Donnell wrote on her Instagram April 22, alongside photos of the two. "I love you more than anything in this world. You were my sister but my best friend. There was never a day that you weren't there for me when i needed you most." More from E! Online Kanye West Says He Had Past Incestuous Relationship With Cousin Lily Allen's Ex David Harbour Has 2-Word Response to Their Breakup Sophie Nyweide Investigation: Former Actress Was Pregnant When She Died Following the tragedy, officials in their school district shared their grief. "The Concord-Carlisle High School community has learned of a tragic car accident that took place in Florida on Monday night, "Concord-Carlisle Regional School District Superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter said in a statement April 22, per Boston TV station WCVB. "Two seniors, Jimmy McIntosh and Hannah Wasserman, passed away as a result of the accident." The statement continued, "We offer our deep condolences to the families and friends of Hannah and Jimmy during this unimaginable time. Their loss will be deeply felt by our school community as well as by so many families in Carlisle and Concord." The superintendent than shared an update later that day. "We learned that a third CCHS senior, Maisey O'Donnell, passed this afternoon," she said in a new statement. "Maisey is in the organ donation program as her family hopes that it will give meaning to these meaningless tragedies." Maisey, who had planned to attend Williams College, received a slew of tributes from friends and family on social media. "I don't really have words. I never thought this day would come," her younger sister Emmy O'Donnell wrote on her Instagram April 22, alongside photos of the two. "I love you more than anything in this world. You were my sister but my best friend. There was never a day that you weren't there for me when i needed you most." Describing Maisey as "so kind, funny and smart," she continued, "I remember the times when it felt like nothing else mattered and it was just you and me laughing together. To those who knew you, you were so special. You were so full of light and potential. I don't know what to do without you. You were my inspiration and my role model in everything I did." Emmy said she "will always remember every drive to school, vacation, food and gym run" with her sister. "You will always be so loved by everyone," she added. "I know you will always be watching over me and I promise to make you proud. Rest easy." For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists baffled after observing unusual behavior in vulnerable bird species: 'Their farming actions play an important role'
The superb lyrebird, an Australian ground-dwelling songbird, has long been known for its talent for mimicry and elaborate mating dance. But scientists recently discovered that this bird is more than a master impressionist with a knack for shaking its tail feather — it's also a forest farmer with a surprisingly big impact. As reported by researchers at La Trobe University recently published findings in the Journal of Animal Ecology that reveal the lyrebird actively cultivates its own food supply by raking through the forest floor. With this behavior, it plays a key role in maintaining biodiversity, offsetting what it eats by continuously replenishing the food source — and even preventing forest fires. By observing the lyrebird's natural foraging technique and recreating it in a simulation, researchers learned just how much the bird was altering the environment and helping its favorite foods — invertebrates like worms, spiders, and centipedes — thrive. According to the study's lead author, Alex Maisey, "Lyrebirds set up the perfect home for their prey, creating conditions with more food resources and effectively fattening them up before eating them." In an article for The Conversation, the authors added: "The interaction between lyrebirds and invertebrates has wide benefits for forests. Invertebrates help cycle nutrients and disperse seeds. They also provide food for many birds, small mammals and reptiles." Not only are lyrebirds enriching habitats for other creatures by spreading nutrients, but they're also helping prevent bushfires — a natural part of Australia's ecosystem that has become more frequent and intense due to rising global temperatures. The researchers found lyrebirds can move around a whopping 155 tonnes (171 tons) of organic material per hectare, making sure it breaks down and enriches the soil. "Lyrebirds are widespread and active across millions of hectares of forest. Their farming actions play an important role in maintaining forest biodiversity," said Dr. Maisey. By recognizing lyrebirds as "ecosystem engineers," conservationists hope to better protect their habitat — and in turn, protect the forests they help maintain. These findings show just how vital local biodiversity is — and how much we rely on native species to maintain balance in the natural world. If you're feeling inspired by this feathered forest farmer, you can take local action to support native wildlife and sustainable ecosystems in your own community. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. As Dr. Maisey told the British Ecological Society: "Without the lyrebird, these forests would be vastly different — poorer in biodiversity and less resilient to disturbances like fire. Understanding and protecting these natural ecosystem engineers is crucial for maintaining the health of our forests for future generations." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
