Concluding the week with an eclectic bundle of positive news nuggets.
Otus Bikegila
A new species of owl has joined the tree of life after having been documented as unique this year - and its Latin name references a local wildlife caretaker. Researchers believe the Principe scops owl is found exclusively on Príncipe, a tropical island off the west coast of Africa, in the Gulf of Guinea. It's called Otus bikegila and 'bikegila' was chosen to honour Ceciliano do Bom Jesus (nicknamed Bikegila) - a Príncipe Island ranger for the national park. “The discovery of the Principe scops owl was only possible thanks to the local knowledge shared by Bikegila and by his unflinching efforts to solve this long-time mystery,” according to researchers.
Gen Z in Congress
It has finally happened, after Maxwell Frost, 25, won the Florida House seat to represent a district in and around Orlando, after making gun violence a focal point of his campaign. Frost, a Democrat, will stand out among his soon-to-be peers in the halls of Congress where the average age of House members is 58. Members of the House must be at least 25. The minimum age to serve in the U.S. Senate is 30 and a president must be at least 35.
Solar Windows
Windows are said to be the eyes to the soul… and now they might also be the answer to your energy woes. Because there are now transparent solar windows, which can be retrofitted into old infrastructure and help save money on energy costs. The energy conversion efficiency of the modules is currently only around half that of conventional solar panels, so they’re not as efficient as you might want, yet. But it’s an exciting start, nonetheless.
Did you know Ancient Romans would sometimes drop a piece of toast into their wine for good health. That’s where we get the idea of “raising a toast.” Sounds soggy. But it sure beats going to the doctor!
Breast Cancer
A new paper in the journal JAMA Oncology has reported the results of a decade-long Phase 1 human trial testing a breast cancer vaccine. The novel treatment was found to be "very safe" and a larger Phase 2 trial is now underway testing efficacy. “If the results of the new randomized-controlled Phase 2 trial of the vaccine are positive, it will be a strong signal for us to rapidly move forward to a definitive phase III trial,” said lead author of the new study Mary Disis. “I have high hopes that we’re close to having a vaccine that can effectively treat patients with breast cancer.”
2023 Stamps
The US Postal has just revealed its line up for next year. Roy Lichtenstein, the late American artist central to the pop art movement, is to be honored with five stamps that feature his work - including "Modern Painting I" (1966) and "Portrait of a Woman" (1979). But no portrait of Lichtenstein; such an honor goes to others like the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and the late Toni Morrison, the first African American woman to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, and the great chieftain: Chief Standing Bear.
Saving Lives
A new study has found that routine midlife genetic tests could help reveal people with "invisible" heart attack and stroke risks and allow Britain's National Health Service to offer statins to those who need them, preventing up to 11,000 heart attacks and strokes within a decade. The honorary professor of primary care cardiology at Durham University, in north east England, said the study was “groundbreaking”. He added that the integration of genetic information into best practice could be a “gamechanger” for patients and GPs, saving lives.
Quote of the Day
“The most important thing is to never stop questioning.”
Albert Einstein
On this Day
11 November 1944: Franklin D. Roosevelt defeated Thomas E. Dewey and was elected to an unprecedented fourth term as president of the United States.
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Mood Booster
Here We Go Again: Mamma Mia (2018)