CNN 5 Things 5 Good Things: Updates to Our Favorite Stories From 2025: Pt. 2
Jan 3, 2026
Discover the inspiring journey of a woman who performed a butterfly wing transplant, helping monarchs fly again. Learn about a breakthrough tracking tool that allows scientists to monitor these amazing creatures. In Los Angeles, signs of recovery emerge after wildfires, signaling hope for the community. Enjoy a heartwarming tale of comedy saving a life and sparking an unexpected friendship. Lastly, hear about an athlete pushing boundaries after receiving a new heart, showcasing the resilience of the transplant community.
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Tracking Unravels Monarch Migration
- New ultra-light tracking tags let researchers collect consistent, near real-time movement data from monarch butterflies.
- That data helps scientists pinpoint migration speed, timing, and pathways to better target conservation efforts.
Butterfly Wing Transplant Success
- Janine Bendixon repaired a monarch's broken wing using glue, cornstarch, and a donor wing to help it fly again.
- She plans to travel to Mexico hoping to spot her transplant patient and study tagged monarchs in the wild.
Monarch Conservation Benefits Many Species
- Conserving monarchs yields broad ecosystem benefits beyond pollinators, including species that feed on them and plants they pollinate.
- Targeted monarch protections can cascade positively across multiple trophic levels.