Neat News - Neat things do happen

A new study with some 170,000 participants from a diverse group of people with an average age of 50 years found that people who sleep well (7-8 hours, having no problems falling asleep and staying asleep, having no need for sleep medication, and feeling well rested) were less likely to die in the five year study period.

related: #sleep #health

At an international conference, nations have pledged to give 1.2 billion dollars to support more than 17 million people in the Yemen. The money will be spend on food, water, medicine, and other humanitarian aid.

related: #Yemen #aid

In the last 20 years the air quality in Stockholm has improved with 40 percent lower air pollution. In the same period the risk of children and adolescents to have severe problems with their lung function has decreased by 20 percent.

related: #air_quality #health #lung

The German band "Die Toten Hosen" gave a benefice concert in the city of Dusseldorf and collected more than one million euros to support the earthquake victims in Syria and Türkiye.

related: #benefit_concert

In a study with mice, researchers found that fasting - although having a potentially big health benefit - can have a negative impact on the immune system and should not be done when fighting off infection, for instance. A rich breakfast has a positive effect on the white blood cells.

related: #breakfast #fasting

More and more cities and towns, such as Baden-Baden in Germany, build particular squirrel bridges so that squirrels can safely cross roads by walking along ropes connecting tree tops.

related: #squirrel #bridge

In the UK there was a test run of a four day week with pay for five days. Most companies want to stick to it, since there is actually a productivity gain.

related: #four_day_week #working_hours

For quite a few people, shopping is one of their main social contacts. In the Netherlands a supermarket chain has started to have special checkouts for people who want to have a chat when checking out. The checkout may take a bit longer, but it offers an opportunity to have some social contact.

related: #checkout #chat

A third patient has been cured from HIV and leukaemia using so-called allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

related: #HIV #leukaemia

The Biontech company used the mRNA technology to develop a highly effective vaccine against COVID-19. Now they have announced that they plan to start first clinical studies in 2023 to use the same technology in the fight against cancer. The development could lead to a highly efficient individualized therapy against cancer.

related: #mRNA #cancer #Biontech

In some Danish creeks a new virus has been discovered that can kill bacteria which are resistant against known antibiotics. It has been fully sequenced and there is hope that this may lead to new antibiotics in the long run.

related: #virus #antibiotics

Some 30 to 40 percent of the CO₂ greenhouse gas that we produce ends up in the oceans. Now an electrochemical method has been developed that can be used to capturing CO₂ from seawater more efficiently than methods for capturing it from the air.

related: #CO2 #carbon_capture

New research has confirmed the reputation of ginger to bolster the immune system. It contains a compound, [6]-gingerol, that stimulates white blood cells.

related: #ginger #immune

In the 1980 there were only four breeding pairs of white-tailed eagles left in West Germany and some more in East Germany. After DDT was outlawed the numbers recovered from 185 pairs in 1990 over some 700 in 2018 to around 970 now.

related: #white_tailed_eagle #conservation

Only few animals make use of tools and transport them. Now it has been found that some cockatoos, so-called Goffin cockatoos, do this too.

related: #tool_usage #cockatoo

Extracts from a mushroom called lion's mane have been used in traditional Asian medicine. Now it has been shown in lab tests that extracts promote neurons to extend to other neurons on cultured brain cells, that is, that they boost nerve growth.

related: #mushroom #lions_mane #nerve_growth

In Kenya at the shores of Lake Victoria some 2.9 million year old stone tools have been found. They are assumed to be used to butcher hippos and to pound plants. They would be the oldest human tools ever found.

related: #stone_age #tools

A new compound has been found that limits the replication possibilities of influenza viruses. In tests with mice it showed to supplement already approved influenza drugs well.

related: #flu #virus #medication

Magnesium is a promising candidate as a basis for a new generation of rechargeable batteries. It is safe, abundant, and offers the potential for higher capacities. It has, however, problems such as a low voltage. Now some mixture with manganese shows promise to master the problems.

related: #magnesium_battery

An afternoon nap can significantly improve cognitive performance, physical health, and productivity. However what is a good length? A new article suggests that up to 30 minutes or 90 minutes and more are fine. However, you should not aim for between 30 and 75 minutes, since then you would typically wake up from a deep sleep phase and not be refreshed.

related: #afternoon_nap #sleep

A new study found that conversations among peers can change the opinions of people who do not believe in sustainability issues by sharing a pro-sustainability point but typically not vice versa.

related: #sustainability #conversation

In a new study it has been found that in California over the years with an increased number of electric cars the air quality improved and asthma related emergency room visits dropped.

related: #air_quality #electric_car

Wetlands are currently lost even faster than forests and restoring them is no easy task. However, beavers are very good at that by building dams and slowing the flow of rivers. Beavers can transform streams into wetland ecosystems.

related: #beaver #wetlands

Lithium-ion batteries self-discharge and only recently it has been found out why. In order to prevent explosions some plastic tapes are used which partly solve and form a redox shuttle that transports electrons leading to the discharge. Changing the tape may mean that these batteries will remain charged for much longer.

related: #lithium_ion_battery #discharging

Social interactions are very important for human well-being. A new study suggests that just a single conversation with a friend per day improves the well-being of a person.

related: #conversation #well_being

Flying into windows is a common human-made cause of death for birds. Decals are put on windows in order to prevent this. A new study finds that it is important that these are put up on the outside of the glass and not the inside, since otherwise they are not well visible to the birds and are often overlooked.

related: #window #bird #decal

An interdisciplinary review finds that learning works particularly well when it combines multiple senses and/or movement. This applies to a wide range of domains such as reading, vocabulary learning, mathematics, music, and spatial orientation.

related: #multimodal #learning

Also for young children spending too much time before a screen causes problems. However, a new study finds that this can be compensated for by playing outdoors.

related: #screen_time #outdoor