Neat News - Neat things do happen

In a primary school in Florida, teachers have build Covid-19 separators that look like cars so that in the classroom the pupils are keeping their distance and look like drivers. This way, there is more fun in the exercise for the children.

Early detection of forest fires is important. Detectors are used to this purpose. However, changing the batteries in tens of thousands traditional detectors is a problem. A new type of detector has now been developed that is powered by the swinging of the tree branches.

In a project `Open Piano for Refugees', a piano is placed temporarily at different places in Vienna where everybody can play between 12:00 and 21:00 hours. It is meant as a symbol that music is something that connects all human beings.

Following a directive by the European Union, France outlaws the controversial practice of catching birds by covering twigs in glue since the method is cruel and non selective.

In parts of an Indonesian city a large number of mosquitoes infected with a natural occurring bacteria, called Wolbachia, have been released. This resulted in a 77 percent reduction of dengue infections.

In a new study it has been determined that during the last ice age, some 20000 years ago, the average global temperature was 6 degrees Celsius lower than today. As a reference value, in the 20th century the average global temperature was 14 degrees Celsius.

The wild (not vaccine-derived) form of polio has been eradicated in Africa after billions of oral polio vaccinations have been applied since 1996. The only countries left with wild polio are currently Afghanistan and Pakistan.

In central Israel, young archaeological volunteers found 425 gold coins, which are some 1100 years old. They weigh 845g and are from the time of the Abbasid caliphate.

A new study found that for most women with early stage breast cancer a single application of radiotherapy during surgery is as effective as the traditional approach of several applications after surgery. The new approach saves the patient many visits to the hospital.

Using machine learning techniques it may be possible to use four selfies of a person's face to detect signs of a heart disease, a study shows.

A new nasal vaccine against Covid-19 is applied once and has proved effective in experiments with mice. Tests with primates are planned next.

A new catalyst made of nickel phthalocyanine has been found that allows the reduction of the greenhouse gas CO₂ to carbon monoxide more efficiently at room temperature.

There is now a better understanding how certain gut bacteria can support immunotherapy in treating some forms of cancer. This may lead to a therapy that supplements immunotherapy by combining it with a microbial therapy.

A mouse-sized relative of the elephant, the Somali elephant shrew, has been rediscovered in Djibouti, Africa, after it was not seen there for 50 years.

In order to nudge people to go for a healthier and more eco-friendly diet when selecting meals in a cafeteria, it can make a big difference in the number of people choosing a more plant based option when the meat variant is moved more than a metre further away from the plant based one.

Over 100 million people suffer from osteoarthritis. Now in a study with rats it has been found that an injection of liposomal adenosine can restore the cartilage to 35 to 50 percent. The findings could result in a new therapy against osteoarthritis.

Humans have another type of taste cells that are capable of detecting sour, sweet, bitter, and umami tastes. Future research is expected to lead to a better understanding how taste information is processed.

For the first time in 40 years a pair of golden eagles are rearing a chick in the Scottish Highlands. This is a success of a rewilding project.

The large blue butterfly, a globally endangered butterfly, has been successfully reintroduced in Gloucestershire, England. Of 1100 larvae an estimated 750 butterflies emerged, which mated and laid eggs.

Scientists have developed a spray, called AeroNabs, that can be inhaled and if applied on a daily basis seems to provide a good protection against Covid-19. Further tests are necessary.

An amateur treasure hunter has found a Bronze Age treasure in Scotland. It includes a sword, axle caps from a chariot, and a horse harness. The artefacts are some 3000 years old.

In experiments with mice it has been found that a drug that is used to treat heavy metal poisoning seems also to buy time in treating a venomous snakebite.

In order to find new antiviral and cancer drugs, a number of new drugs are built and explored. The synthesis is a time consuming process that typically takes months. By using different starting points for the synthesis the process can be shortened to weeks.

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.