Neat News - Neat things do happen

When people worry too much or overthink matters too long then this has a negative psychological effect. By stopping and doing something else as a distraction - such as listening to music, reading a book, or meditating - the cycle can be overcome and stress can be reduced.

A new type of face mask has been developed that is made of titanium dioxide which reacts when exposed to ultraviolet radiation to produce oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide that have antibacterial and antiviral properties.

P.S.: Note that the form in which the titanium dioxide is brought in the masks is important, since the material as such is classified as carcinogen (e.g., by the European Commission), see cosmeticsdesign.

Even when people know that they are taking a placebo, it can help them to feel better. In a new study it has been shown that a placebo can reduce brain markers of emotional distress.

Using satellites, new colonies of emperor penguins have been detected. This means that about 5 to 10 percent more breeding pairs are around than previously thought. This is welcome news for the species which is under threat because of climate change.

Alzheimer's disease is accompanied by amyloid plaques that afflict brain cells. Now scientists have developed an infrared laser that at a specific frequency can disintegrate the amyloid fibrils. This may lead to a potential therapy against Alzheimer's disease.

Some 13,000 years ago the Earth cooled down by about 3 degrees Centigrade. Sediments recently found in Texas indicate that this was due to volcano eruptions and not caused by meteors.

Two six year old friends from London have raised GBP 37,000 for Yemen crisis by selling lemonade.

A study indicates that laughing regularly in everyday life may act as a buffer against stress, since symptoms such as headaches or restlessness are less frequent in corresponding people.