Today's smorgasbord of tasty good news nuggets.
Nobel Prize Barbie
Malala Yousafzai, the recently married activist, posed with her husband Asser Malik inside one of the promotional lifesize Barbie boxes that have popped up at movie theaters. To accompany the photo, Yousafzai added a cheeky caption: “This Barbie has a Nobel Prize. He’s just Ken.” The joke references one of the themes of the movie, where Barbies have a range of professions and accolades, and the Kens are “just Ken.” Thanks to Malala (and many, many others) Greta Gergwig's Barbie officially surpassed $1 billion at the global box office on Sunday.
Tiger Recovery
The BBC reports that India and Bhutan have recorded significant increases in their wild tiger populations. After decades of conservation efforts, India now has 3,682 tigers, making it home to 75 percent of the global population. Bhutan has recorded 131 tigers, an increase of 27 percent since 2015.
Bahn Storming
It’s a green policy that would do well to catch on: a €49 ($53) monthly pass allowing unlimited travel on buses and trains in Germany has resulted in a 25 percent year-on-year uptick in the number of people making low-carbon train trips, according to the national rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB). Launched on 1 May to encourage people to take the train instead of driving has encouraged almost 10 million people to use the pass by the end of June. DB said it had noticed that trains to popular holiday destinations were busier this summer, suggesting the pass is being used for long-distance travel, as well as commuter services.
Chesapeake Oysters
The world’s largest oyster restoration project in Maryland, in the United States, has repopulated more than 10 billion oysters in the Chesapeake since 1994. Along with boosting numbers, the project is improving water quality, and the new oyster reefs are providing a welcome habitat for crabs, fish and other marine life, says the Washington Post.
How an Oyster Forms a Perfectly Symmetrical Pearl: It's a level of symmetry that outstrips everything else in the natural world, with the exception of individual atoms. More...
Bear Necessities
It's been rather hot in California recently, even for those of us who don't walk around in a fur coat. So, it's hardly surprising that this intrepid bear decided to take a dip in the jacuzzi of an apartment complex in Burbank. As this picture shows, the bear looked remarkably relaxed enjoying a dip in the cooling water.
Wildfire Reduction
A wildfire reduction project in the Iberian Peninsula is using Garrano horses and European bison, both ancient breeds, to clear scrubland and vegetation that serve as fuel. This ‘eco-grazing’ marks a significant shift towards sustainable fire prevention strategies, reports EuroNews.
“Where there is love nothing is too much trouble, and there is always time.” Abdu’l-Baha
On this Day
8 August 1945: President Harry Truman signs the United Nations Charter.
Pale-skinned people know the indignity of spending the first few days of a sunshine break with stubbornly pasty limbs. But, actually, it's good news. DNA repair...
Study shows adult tropical trees intentionally distance themselves from trees of the same species in order to flourish. Survival strategy...
Mood Booster
Tap dancing to Bach.
Comments