What better way to start the week than with some upbeat news?
Early Detection
Researchers at Oxford University have unveiled an innovative liquid biopsy test capable of detecting six cancers at an early stage. Powered by AI, the test analysed multiple features of DNA in the blood to identify subtle signs of colorectal, oesophageal, pancreatic, renal, ovarian and breast cancer. The technology could revolutionise early screening and diagnostic practices.
EU Employment Up
Remember the European employment crisis of a few years ago, when young people couldn't find a job and were leaving in droves? Unsurprisingly, there hasn't been nearly as much coverage of the fact that unemployment has steadily declined since then, dropping by more than 50 percent. Indeed, it is now at its lowest point in more than three decades, reports Our World In Data.
Biden's Last Moves
Today, of course, a new president is being sworn in but, it's good to know that in the final days of his presidency, the outgoing president has edged the U.S. 848,000 acres closer to the 30x30 nature targets with the designation of two National Monuments in California: Chuckwalla and Sáttítla Highlands. Furthermore, Biden has recently protected 625 million acres from offshore oil and gas drilling across United States coastal waters in the Atlantic, Pacific, Northern Bering Sea, and eastern Gulf of Mexico. It appears that Biden may have been trying to cement his legacy on climate change and conservation in his last days in office.
'Road-Tripping Auntie'
For millions of Chinese women, this road-tripping grandmother is an inspirational figure of freedom from convention. After divorcing an abusive husband, Su Min (now 60) has spent the last four years traveling around her vast country all alone, while amassing a vast social media following. Her followers call her the “road-tripping auntie,” and she was named one of BBC’s 100 most influential women of the year. Over the last 48 months, she has driven in 3 different cars across 20 Chinese provinces, and through 400 cities. Su Min never imagined becoming a figure of inspiration, but believes that all women, no matter where they’re from or what their circumstances are, must be good to themselves.
Water Hyacinth
An invasive plant in Africa is being transformed into biodegradable shopping bags and planters. The water hyacinth, a destructive aquatic plant in Kenya's Lake Naivasha, has devastated native species and damaged livelihoods. To combat it, HyaPak Ecotech has begun employing locals to harvest the hyacinth, turning it into eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastics. This innovation, which both supports conservation and creates jobs, will soon expand to India and El Salvador, countries also struggling with the water hyacinth.
Ants vs Humans
Humans and ants are the only two animals capable of transporting an object so large it can only be moved by co-operating. So, who does it better? Researchers designed an experiment in which individuals and groups of both species had to move a T-shaped object through different obstacles, reports ArsTechnica. The result: When it came to individual trials, humans bested the bug but in group experiments the ants excelled, exhibiting an 'emergent' collective memory.
“No expression of love is wasted, and even the smallest gestures tend to go much further than we think they will.” Brad Aronson
On This Day
20 January 1945: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was inaugurated for an unprecedented fourth term in office.
Today's Articles
New Observatory: Six months from now, the largest camera ever built for astronomy will come into service in Chile.
Hidden For 2,000 Years: New discovery of a sumptuous spa reveals the spectacular luxury of Pompeii for the lucky few.
Rules For Life: Have you read 12 Rules For Life: An Antidote To Chaos ? Even if you have, here's a precis of the book's conclusions.
Mood Boosting Video
Embarrassing! King Penguin Gets Seaweed Stuck to Foot.