Just Good News Monday
- Editor OGN Daily
- May 22, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 1, 2023
Kick-starting the week with a global round up of positive news nuggets.
Universal Flu Vaccine
It’s still very early days, but the race to develop the first safe and effective mRNA-based influenza vaccine is gathering momentum with a Phase 1 trial at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, getting under way. “A universal influenza vaccine would be a major public health achievement and could eliminate the need for both annual development of seasonal influenza vaccines, as well as the need for patients to get a flu shot each year,” said Dr Hugh Auchincloss, acting NIAID Director. That would be very good news as, worldwide, the flu kills as many a 650,000 people each year.
Lucky Find
Sometimes finding the rare gem at a secondhand store is a matter of good taste. But often, it takes a bit of dumb luck. Recently, a pair of 4.5-inch-tall ceramic jars bought at a London charity shop for £20 (or $25) turned out to be 18th-century, Qing-Dynasty porcelain that could sell at auction for more than $60,000. According to CNN, the man is a passionate collector of ceramics and bought a batch of items, including the jars, without knowing how much it was worth. Only when he found a a six-character Qianlong seal on the bottom of the jars did he think it could be important - which the auction house confirmed.
GDP v CO2
The European Union has announced that its carbon emissions significantly declined in the final fiscal quarter of 2022, even as its gross domestic product (GDP) grew. Emissions fell by 4 percent year-over-year, while GDP increased by 1.5 percent during the same period - showing it's possible to reduce carbon emissions while posting economic growth. This is a major milestone for the trading bloc, which has looked to balance economic growth with its aggressive plan to transition to renewable energy sources.
Platypuses Return
Platypuses are back at Australia’s Royal National Park (established in 1879, it's the oldest national park in Australia and the second oldest in the world) after disappearing from it roughly 50 years ago. Wildlife officials have released four females inside the park, located south of Sydney, with plans to introduce two additional females and four males in the near future. In the long run, researchers hope that these duck-billed, egg-laying mammals can become the “new sentinels” of the country’s rivers, says Richard Kingsford, an ecologist. “If your platypuses are doing well, the river is probably in pretty good shape,” he adds.
One Good Turn
During the record-setting blizzard in New York state last winter, a tour bus of South Korean visitors found hospitality with two locals - the Campagnas - when their bus got stuck in the snow in Buffalo. Staying two nights, snow plows eventually had the Koreans on their way. Now, 5 months later, they’re getting the chance to return the favor. Fascinated by Korean culture, stemming from a love of Korean food, Alex and Andrea Campagna are now in South Korea on a vacation to keep the fire of that memorable snow day alive.
Character Strengths
The VIA Survey is the only free, scientific survey of character strengths in the world. Take this simple, 10 minute character test and discover your greatest strengths. Research shows that knowing and using your character strengths can help you: Increase happiness and well-being, find meaning and purpose, boost relationships, manage stress and health, and accomplish your goals.
"Whatever the problem, be part of the solution. Don’t just sit around raising questions and pointing out obstacles." Tina Fey
On this Day
22 May 1849: Future U.S. president Abraham Lincoln was granted a patent for a boat-lifting device; he is the only U.S. president to have a patent.
A mint-condition Rolex Milgauss was just snapped up for a whopping $2.5 million by a bidder representing Rolex itself. Wrist candy...
80 percent of strokes are preventable: here are three simple habits to help reduce the risk of a stroke. Lifestyle choices...
Mood Booster
Mesmerising line riders synchronized it to "Hedwig's Theme" by John Williams from the Harry Potter movie series.
