Synopsis of last week's most important good news highlights.
Uncorrected Proof: The auction of a rare Harry Potter book found at an Oxfordshire primary school has enjoyed a “fairytale ending” that will greatly benefit the school. The book's proceeds are going towards helping schoolchildren “develop their love of literature”.
NY Fashion Week: Old clothes took center stage at last week's New York Fashion Week as it made sustainability their trend of choice. That’s a very positive shift from the usual runway mindset...
Beneath Our Feet: A recent analysis has found that soil is home to 59 percent of all life on the planet (double what was previously thought), making it the single most species-rich habitat in the world. What’s more important than the numbers, however, are the functions that this biodiversity performs...
New Ruler Discovered: The name of a previously unknown Iron Age ruler or king has been discovered emblazoned on a 2,000 year-old coin that was uncovered in a field in Hampshire, southern England. Dating from around 50 BC and made of gold, the coin is stamped with the name Esunertos, a previously unrecorded Iron Age ruler.
Rewilding Rhinos: Conservation NGO African Parks has announced that it has purchased the planet’s biggest private captive breeding operation for rhinos and that it will work to rewild more than 2,000 southern white rhinos over the next decade. It's been described as a "moral imperative".
Revolutionary Antibiotic: Scientists working with "dark matter" bacteria have identified a new antibiotic called Clovibactin - it's hoped that it could be powerful weapon against superbugs. A global team worked on the research and released its findings last week in the journal Cell.
Unexpected Headline: Bank Refunds Depositor's Life Savings After Scam! But it really happened...
Restoration Complete: It has taken 37 years to restore Salisbury Cathedral in southern England - only 12 months less than medieval builders required to construct the main body of the great church in the first place. The foundation stones for the cathedral were laid in 1220 and it was dedicated to God in a special ceremony of consecration in 1258, the work of one generation.
Good News For Men: For the first time, scientists have fully sequenced the Y chromosome, the smallest and most complicated of all, reports CNN. Scientists have been working on fully mapping all 46 human chromosomes for the last two decades, and in 2022, the Telomere-to-Telomere Consortium announced it sequenced the complete human genome. Still, more than half of the Y chromosome's sequence was a mystery until now, researchers wrote in a new study published last week in the journal Nature.
Sign of Life: A Nasa telescope may have discovered potential evidence of a sign of life on a faraway planet. We have heard such claims numerous times before. This time, however, the James Webb Space Telescope may have discovered a molecule known as dimethyl sulphide (DMS), which, on Earth, is produced only by life.
Galapagos Reintroduction: Ecuador's government has announced it will spend $3.4 million on reintroducing 12 endemic bird and turtle species that have disappeared from an island in the Galapagos archipelago where Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution.
Post-Meal Stroll: Now you can add another reason to take a little wander after eating - it may lower your blood sugar. The excursion doesn’t need to take up a huge amount of your time either: Walking as little as two to five minutes after a meal can do the trick, according to a study in the journal Sports Medicine.
Joshua Trees: In a hard-won victory for environmentalists, new legislation in California will permanently protect the iconic Western Joshua tree, making it the state’s first law to focus on a climate-threatened species.
Paleolithic Cave Art: Archaeologists have discovered a major Paleolithic cave art site near Valencia in Spain. More than 100 ancient paintings and engravings, thought to be at least 24,000 years old, have been found in a 500 meter-long cave in Cueva Dones. Findings of a study into the cave art, which highlight its true significance, are now published in the journal Antiquity.
Early Detection: While incurable, early detection and treatment of Parkinson's disease could help patients live a long and productive life. So, it's good news that UK researchers have identified an AI-based solution that can detect PD in patients seven years before the current diagnostic methods by identifying markers for the disease in human eyes.
Medicare Surprise: For nearly as long as Medicare has existed in the United States, it has alarmed politicians and budget experts. Now, however, something strange has been happening. Instead of growing as it always had before, spending per Medicare beneficiary has nearly leveled off. 'Without a doubt, this is the most important thing that has happened to the federal budget in the last 20 years,' reports the New York Times.
First CO2 Border Tax: The European Union starts the initial phase of its plan for the world's first carbon border tax next month, requiring importers to report the CO2 emissions of products sold into Europe, such as steel and cement, or risk financial penalties. The aim of the new regime is to prevent domestic EU industries from being undercut by more-polluting foreign competitors, while they invest in reducing emissions, reports Reuters.
Vast US Lithium Discovery: The McDermitt caldera in Nevada is estimated to hold 40 million metric tons of lithium - the crucial material for batteries and computer chips - which is more than the known reserves of every lithium-producing mine on Earth. As well as securing a supply line of this valuable mineral to US manufacturing, it allows for environmental quality control and US manufacturers can avoid supporting exploitative operations elsewhere.
Mexico's Green Pivot: Mexico’s governing party has named Claudia Sheinbaum, a climate scientist, as its presidential candidate for the elections in June 2024 - a moment that could mark a turning point from the current administration’s pro-fossil fuel policies. That's particularly good news as Mexico is one of only two G20 countries not to have set net-zero emission targets. Sheinbaum is the favourite to win next year's elections, reports Climate Change News.
That's it! You're up to date.
Today's Articles
Whistle Blower: Scientist says that climate studies that aren't alarmist don't get published. The lowdown...