Quick summary of last week's most important good news for people and planet.
In a week when a new survey revealed that the majority of voters in America supported holding the plastics and fossil fuel industries accountable for allegedly deceiving the public about the feasibility of recycling - and anyone who hit the snooze button this morning will be pleased to know that a new study found that those who compensated for lost sleep on weekends were 19 percent less likely to develop cardiovascular conditions (i.e. heart disease, heart failure, and stroke) when compared with those who compensated the least on Saturdays and Sundays - it's reassuring that there were plenty more positive news stories unveiled last week.
Health & Wellbeing
The Healthiest Vegetable: Watercress has been deemed the healthiest vegetable by America's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with an impressive nutrient density score of 100 out of 100. Put another way: the more nutrient-dense a food is, the more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants it has per calorie per gram.
Cancer From Mobiles? The relationship between mobile phone use and an increased risk of brain cancer is a debate that's now over. A huge study from the WHO shows that there is no increased risk of brain cancer. The research was published in the journal Environmental International.
Snooze Button: Chances are we’ve all used the weekends to catch up on sleep. And now there’s one more reason to hit snooze: It may benefit heart health.
Inspired by Wasps: In good news for those in need, a new 3D printer can build simple, eco-sustainable homes from waste and dirt for as little as $1,000.
Public Health Win: Public health officials (and likely parents) are celebrating a recent survey indicating that teens are finally vaping less - down to the lowest level in a decade. “This is a monumental public health win,” said Brian King, the tobacco director for the FDA.
Additional ULEZ Benefit: Schoolchildren living in London's ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) were nearly four times as likely to switch to walking and cycling after its introduction compared with those outside the zone, new research suggests. ULEZ was introduced to reduce traffic-related air pollution, which is known to affect neurodevelopment, cognitive ability, and lung function in children.
Environment & Sustainability
First For a Century: A cargo ship has crossed the Atlantic Ocean only powered by wind for the first time in nearly 100 years. The groundbreaking vessel successfully crossed the seas from France to New York, laden with hundreds of pallets of Champagne, wine, and cognac.
Blended Wing Airliner: This unique blended-wing aircraft could be part of the solution for decarbonising the aviation industry - particularly as regards long-range zero emission flights.
World's Biggest: China has installed “the world’s largest single-capacity offshore wind turbine” that delivers enough energy to power housing for 96,000 residents annually. With its massive wind rotor diameter of 260-292 m (853-958 ft), it has a maximum wind sweeping area of 66,966 sq.m - that's more than 12 NFL football fields.
Good News For Alaska: Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland finalized a decision to retain protections for 28 million acres of public lands across the state. These treasured lands had been protected for decades until the Trump administration proposed, but never finalized, opening the land to extractive industrial development.
Powerful Solar Panels: University of Oxford spin-off Oxford PV has revealed a “world-first” commercial sale of its tandem solar panels that produce 20 percent more energy than standard silicon panels.
The Next Frontier: The world’s largest wave-energy converter device is set to begin trials off the coast of Orkney, Scotland. Wave energy converters (WEC) are the next frontier of clean energy technology. While offshore wind farm installations are occurring rapidly, they are still tough to execute. In comparison, WECs offer a way to tap into another perennial energy resource through relatively easier-to-execute projects.
First Time in America: In 1874, a group of rebellious painters exhibited their work in Paris. They would become known as the Impressionists. Now, an exhibition marking the 150th anniversary of that historic show has landed in Washington, D.C. - including Monet’s Impression, Sunrise, which has never before been shown in the United States. “It’s the painting that gave the movement its name.”
Fair Competition Wins: In potentially good news for consumers from now on, Europe's top court has ruled Google must pay a €2.4bn ($2.65bn) fine for abusing the market dominance of its shopping comparison service. It brings an end to a long-running case that one of the complainants called "a win for fair competition and consumer choice".
That's it, you are up to date.
Today's Articles
Universal Vaccine: Researchers have announced the discovery of an antibody that could effectively fight against all variants of Covid-19.
Ocean Photography Awards: Showcasing the world’s finest underwater photography, this year’s winners highlight the ocean’s beauty.
No Longer Hidden: After decades of being largely unrecognised, female scientists and astronomers are being hailed for their brilliance.
Cylinder Sails: Could reduce ship fuel consumption by as much as 90 percent using stationary cylinders with no moving parts.
Remarkable Photo: How many geniuses? Of the 29 scientists pictured, 17 would win Nobel prizes in their lifetime.
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