Neat News - Neat things do happen

After introducing a speed limit in 2024 of 30 km per hour on most roads, in Bologna there was not a single pedestrian killed in the city, a first since 1991. Also in other aspects (severely wounded, accidents in total), the introduction was a success and indicates that calming the traffic improves the safety in cities.

related: #speed_limit #traffic #pedestrian #accident

A new study done in about 20 cancer centres found that sickle cell disease can be cured by a bone marrow transplant.

related: #sickle_cell_disease

In a new study it was found that adults over 60 with sleep problems sleep better when they are exposed to blue-enriched light for two hours in the morning, but the problem is aggravated when they are exposed to it in the evening.

related: #blue_light #sleep

New research shows that brewing tea removes significant amounts of lead, cadmium, and other heavy metals from the water used. Ground black tea leaves perform best.

related: #tea #heavy_metal

Although research is not completely unambiguous and matters depend on the exact conditions, research finds that after an intense workout it may be better to follow a so-called active recovery strategy than to just do nothing. For instance, a 6-10 minute light exercise may be most effective when you want to speed up recovery to under 24 hours.

related: #active_recovery

Mice help other mice in great need. A new study finds that mice tend to other mice in distress and even perform acts that can be interpreted as giving first aid, focusing the attention on the face. A mouse has even been observed to pull the tongue of an unconscious mouse out of its mouth so that it can breath better.

related: #mouse #first_aid

There is growing evidence that the infection of the mouth by so-called gum disease, caused by the bacterium porphyromonas gingivalis, is linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease. If this turns out to be a causal connection it could be an important angle to prevent Alzheimer's.

related: #gum_disease #Alzheimer

There is the old advice to have "breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper". A new study seems to confirm this by finding some evidence that adolescents who are overweight or even obese consume more calories later in the day than those with normal weights.

related: #eat #timing

Some people have a "dessert stomach": After a big meal they feel being completely full, but then they still have a craving for sweets. New research with mice found that the same neurons, triggered by beta-endorphin, that are responsible for us feeling full also produce the craving for sweets afterwards.

related: #dessert #stomach

A 24-year-old kayaker was swallowed by a humpback whale and seconds later spit out again unharmed in the Strait of Magellan off southern Chile. The whole episode was caught on camera.

related: #whale

In an innovative approach, it has been studied how to revert cancer cells into healthy cells, an approach particularly promising at a time when the the cells are in the transitional phase from normal cells to cancer cells. The research is still in a very early state.

related: #cancer #cell #revert

In a study it has been explored how to transform highly radioactive waste to less dangerous materials by shooting neutrons on the nuclear waste in a former nuclear power plant. The study finds that it should be possible this way to reduce the half-life period as well as the radiation intensity of the waste.

related: #nuclear_waste #neutron

In an online study with more than 400 13 to 17 year olds it has been found that it possible to nudge these people to healthier less calorie rich options by firstly reducing the unhealthier and calorie rich options and by secondly putting the healthier and calorie reduced options at the top of the menu.

related: #healthy_eating

Estimates of the speed of the food through the gastrointestinal tract are between 12 and 73 hours with about 24 hours on average. If the speed is too slow or too fast it can be adjusted by the diet. For instance, by eating more fruit and veg you can speed up the transition. You can measure the speed by not eating sweetcorn for a week and then eating a handful of corn, which are not digested, and check when they are visible in your stool.

related: #gut #sweetcorn

In the Czech Republic there were plans to build a dam as part of the renaturation of an area. While the planning for the 1.2 million euro dam was still underway, a family of beavers built a dam and created a beautiful swamp area, making the human project obsolete.

related: #beaver

Despite a growing population and corresponding pressures on the habitat of tigers and despite poverty, the tiger population in India has increased by 30 percent in the last two decades with now 3700 tigers in the wild. New research finds that this is a result of ecological restoration, economic initiatives, political stability, and a culturally rooted reverence for tigers.

related: #tiger #India

In a new study with more than 200 couples in a romantic relationship it has been found that - although an honest statement such as "I really dislike when you do x" can be hurtful - in the long run honesty is beneficial for relationships. For instance, honesty contributes to a better overall well-being.

related: #honesty #couple

A new study with mice shows that GL-II-73, a drug recently tested to treat Alzheimer's disease, can restore some memory and cognitive functions of mice with Alzheimer's disease. The drug has the potential of delaying the progression of the disease or even preventing some damages to the brain.

related: #Alzheimer

A new study suggests that higher caffeine levels might reduce obesity and the risk of type 2 diabetes.

related: #coffee #caffeine #diabetes #obesity

In Denmark, there is "The Denmark Library Borrow a Person" initiative, in which you can book a 30 minute slot to listen to a person's life story. The project is meant to foster meaningful connections, learning from others' experiences, and fight prejudices. It can help individuals to gain a better understanding of themselves and to develop resilience and coping strategies. More than 1000 people have registered as "books".

related: #library #person