In today’s Good News, donkeys in Spain are aiding in firefighting efforts, chowing down on dry brush that might otherwise fuel a dangerous blaze. And in Montana, volunteers who found an unusual way to thank drivers for making responsible choices have inspired similar efforts in five other states.

Catherine Garcia
The Week Digital

Two new tests cleared for use in England and Wales can diagnose endometriosis in weeks, bringing faster relief for patients. Endometriosis, a painful disease in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows in the pelvis or abdomen, is typically only diagnosed after years of symptoms and laparoscopic surgery. But EndoSure and Endotest detect the condition far more quickly. The EndoSure testing method involves placing sensor pads on the abdomen to measure electrical signals, while Endotest looks for microRNAs in saliva. 

The Bar Fairies reward people who get a ride home after a night out, putting $5 coffee gift cards on the windshields of cars left overnight at bars. The volunteer-run organization started in Flathead Valley, Montana, in honor of a resident killed by a repeat drunk driver. Videos of the Bar Fairies dropping off gift cards on Saturday mornings went viral on TikTok, and there are now volunteers in six states. Bar Fairies also holds DUI prevention events and grief support gatherings.

Rescue donkeys are helping prevent wildfires in Spain’s Doñana National Park by grazing on dry scrub before it can burn while also creating natural firebreaks. Spain has been hit hard by fires in recent years, with more than 100,000 acres already burned in 2026. The donkeys work from March to November and clear brush in places that vehicles can’t reach. Thanks to their effort, there have been no wildfires in Doñana in the last nine years.

Injecting lab-grown cells into mice with retinal disease regenerates blood vessels and helps restore retinal function, according to new research from Duke University. In a world first, Duke biomedical engineers used induced pluripotent stem cells to grow specialized blood vessel cells necessary for a healthy retina. During testing, the team found the cells successfully integrated into tissue and formed blood vessels with strong barriers. Millions in the U.S. have retinal vascular diseases, and this could pave the way for new treatments.

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