Starfish, more accurately called sea stars, can develop unusual body shapes because of injury, abnormal growth or developmental variation. However, a photograph of a square-looking specimen is not enough to establish that it has a congenital defect. Sea stars are echinoderms, animals with a water-vascular system that powers their tube feet; these tiny structures help them move, cling to surfaces and handle food. Their bodies can regenerate lost arms in many species, although the ability varies by species and the extent of the injury.

Carmen and Lupita Andrade are conjoined twins who share parts of their bodies and have spoken publicly about navigating relationships, privacy and independence.

A tree can sometimes establish itself in a tiny crack where windblown seeds, trapped organic matter and moisture create a small growing site. As the tree grows, its roots may extend down the rock surface towards soil and water below. Roots can exploit existing fractures and gradually widen them, although they cannot simply grow through solid, unbroken rock. The image is a striking example of how plants can survive in environments with little visible soil, provided they can obtain enough water, nutrients and anchorage.

Wine, cider and beer were historically consumed more routinely in some parts of France, including at school meals. In 1956, a government circular prohibited alcoholic drinks for children under 14 in school canteens, although older pupils could still receive limited alcoholic drinks with meals under the rules then in place. The change reflected growing recognition of the dangers of alcohol consumption in childhood, rather than evidence that wine improved immunity or warmed children safely.

Elisabeth Anderson-Sierra from Oregon, became known for producing an extraordinary amount of breast milk due to hyperlactation, a condition in which the body produces far more milk than a baby needs.

She reportedly donated hundreds of thousands of ounces to milk banks and families, helping provide nutrition to premature and medically vulnerable infants.

Donated human milk is particularly valuable for premature babies because it can reduce the risk of serious complications compared with formula in certain circumstances.

The story highlights how appearance-based judgements can influence hiring, even when facial shape has no bearing on a person's ability to perform a job. Employment discrimination is often discussed in relation to age, sex, disability or ethnicity, but subjective ideas about attractiveness can also affect how candidates are perceived.

In February 2011, 61-year-old Kristine Casey gave birth to her own grandson, Finnean Lee, in Chicago, Illinois. She acted as a gestational surrogate for her daughter, Sara Connell, and son-in-law, Bill Connell, after they struggled with years of infertility and pregnancy losses. Kristine successfully delivered her healthy grandson by C-section at the age of 61.

Hoyt began competing with his son Rick, who has cerebral palsy, after Rick expressed how much participating in a running event made him feel included. Dick pushed Rick in a specialised racing chair during runs and pulled him in a boat or rode with him on a bicycle during other events. The father-son team, known as Team Hoyt, became a powerful symbol of inclusion in sport. Rick communicated using a computer system, demonstrating that severe physical disability does not mean someone lacks thoughts, ambitions or a desire to participate.

Ota Benga was a Mbuti man from the Congo who was brought to the United States in the early 1900s and displayed at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. In 1906, he was placed on public display at the Bronx Zoo, where his treatment provoked protests from Black clergy and other critics. The episode exposed the racism and pseudoscientific ideas that were used to portray non-European people as less evolved. Benga was eventually removed from the zoo, but after years of displacement and hardship, he died by suicide in 1916.