In today’s good news, flocks of flamingos are back to nesting at Turkey’s Lake Tuz following a devastating climate event that wiped out hatchlings. And in Abu Dhabi, dozens of medical professionals came together for a pioneering surgery that safely separated twin sisters born conjoined at the head.

Catherine Garcia
The Week Digital

A groundbreaking treatment involving exosomes could become an alternative to skin grafts for serious burns. Exosomes are minuscule particles released by cells that help reduce inflammation and repair tissue, and in a world first, doctors at Hamilton Health Sciences in Canada used them to treat an 18-year-old with severe burns on her neck and face. While skin grafts can cause scarring, this patient’s skin healed quickly and was remarkably unblemished. More trials will determine if it could become a standard treatment.

Surgeons from four continents successfully separated Nigerian twins Mercy and Goodness, who were born conjoined at the head and shared brain tissue and blood vessels. Before the pioneering procedure in Abu Dhabi, doctors used AI to create detailed imaging of the twins’ brains, then used augmented reality to practice operating. The girls made full recoveries and are back home. Experts say the techniques developed for the operation will help advance all pediatric surgeries, not just those on conjoined twins.

Flamingos are again thriving in Turkey’s Lake Tuz, an important breeding ground, after a revitalization campaign. The birds love the lake’s salty and shallow waters, but in 2021, thousands of hatchlings died there due to high temperatures and a lack of rain. To protect future hatchlings, the government began pumping water into nesting spots, and it’s paying off. About 5,000 young flamingos are now at the lake, more than double the amount spotted in June 2025.

Genicular artery embolization is showing promise as a minimally invasive procedure to relieve chronic knee pain in patients not requiring major surgery. During the procedure, a small catheter is threaded through to the genicular arteries, releasing tiny beads that block abnormal blood vessels around the knee, reducing pain and swelling. In research at University of Colorado Anschutz, 70% of GAE patients experienced “phenomenal” results, cutting their pain scores at least in half, said Dr. Leigh Casadaban.

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