Today's eclectic selection of good news nuggets from all corners of the globe.
Endurance Found
The “world’s most challenging shipwreck search” for one of the greatest legends of exploration history, Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance, lost 106 years ago in the icy waters of Antarctica, has succeeded. The remarkably intact wreck has been found 3,008 metres below the surface of what Shackleton described as “the worst portion of the worst sea in the world”. It was discovered on the 100th anniversary of Shackleton’s funeral, the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust said. Endurance was found approximately four miles south of the position originally recorded by its captain, Frank Worsley. It has not been seen since it was crushed by ice and sank in the Weddell Sea in November 1915. If you would like to see a 90 second video of the wreck, click here
New Hope
A breakthrough by scientists at AstraZeneca shows that a single antibody jab can provide a newborn child with 75 percent protection against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), an infection that results in about 29,000 paediatric hospitalisations and 80 child deaths each year in the UK alone. It is the first time there has been hope for a way to combat RSV over the long term.
Loggerheads
Sea turtle nests on the islands of Sal, Maio and Boa Vista – the primary nesting grounds for loggerheads in Cape Verde – have soared in the last five years. Cape Verde’s environment ministry puts nest numbers across all 10 islands at almost 200,000, up from 10,725 in 2015.
The West African island nation was considered the world’s third-largest nesting site for loggerheads (in terms of numbers of nesting females), after Florida and Oman. But nest numbers have risen so dramatically in recent years that some scientists now believe Cape Verde to be the second largest, or even largest.
Act of Kindness
A former UK Royal Marine has been praised for his mission to help Ukrainian refugees. After filling a 16-seater minibus loaded with sleeping bags, pillows and more, 31-year-old pub landlord Tom Littledyke travelled 1,000 miles through Europe to drop off supplies to those in need. He described the drive into Lviv as "eerily terrifying". Littledyke is now journeying home with one other stop planned - the Polish border, where he will drop off the 16 refugees for whom he provided safe passage out of Ukraine. This is just one of many such stories of brave, kind people doing all they can to assist the people of Ukraine.
Solar Panel Flowers
92,000 solar panels in the shape of plum blossoms now float on the gently bobbing surface of a reservoir in South Korea. The solar project generates enough to provide power for 60,000 people - more than the total population of the county. Putting solar panels on water sources like canals or reservoirs increases their efficiency by as much as 10 percent, as the surrounding water helps them remain naturally cooler. In further good news, $1.4 million, or around 4 percent of the total financing for the project, was fronted by locals. They were the first to be offered the chance at joining a 20-year, 10 percent annual return on investment scheme, which should help generate useful income for elderly residents in an area where the average age is nearly 60.
Cool Corona
Somewhat remarkably, new data from Brand Finance shows that Corona beer retained its position as the world's most valuable beer brand in 2021, with a brand value of $5.8 billion. Despite, some would say, its unfortunate name, it remained the bestselling imported drink in the United States, with an additional presence in over 120 countries. The Mexican brand has also recently become one of the fastest growing beverages in the United Kingdom. Just add a slice of lime!
Variant-Proof Jab
A UK-made “variant-proof” vaccine may provide more durable protection against Covid-19 and other forms of coronaviruses which don’t yet exist, reported The Times. Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed the technology, describing it as part of the “next generation of vaccines”. The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations will provide £32m in funding for the vaccine, which is made by the Cambridge University biotech spin-out Diosynvax. The jab is one of several in development.
Quote of the Day
“I like to think of home as a verb - something we keep recreating.” Madeleine Thien
On this Day
10 March 1849: Abraham Lincoln applies for a patent (only US President to do so) for a device to lift a boat over shoals and obstructions.
Dive in Deeper
Pig grunts have been decoded in a breakthrough which could help farmers monitor the emotional welfare of their droves and, in time, other animals too. Read on...
Rolls-Royce’s hopes of building 'half price' mini nuclear power stations have taken a significant step forward. Read on...
Garden Comes to Life
Journey through a blooming garden of dancing flowers in this incredible four-minute short film. Spring is on its way!