Neat News - Neat things do happen

In addition to the right material used for a bicycle helmet its geometric design can improve its shock-absorbing properties. Now, a helmet has been developed using a so-called auxetic structure that can absorb energy more effectively than traditional materials.

related: #bicycle_helmet #auxetic

Two construction workers saw in the German city of Koblenz that the house opposite their building site was on fire and that some people were trapped. They set up an emergency call and used their crane to save all six people, four adults and two children, before the fire engines arrived, thereby probably saving the lives of the six.

related: #fire

New research finds that any form of exercise is good for brain function and can boost memory in people of any age.

related: #exercise #brain #memory

People who want to reduce the amount they eat should eat more slowly and chew more often per bite, new research suggests.

related: #food #eat

A new citrus oil has been made from oranges, lemons, and limes to relieve patients with a dry mouth. This can help in particular cancer patients who have the conditions as a side effect of radiotherapy.

related: #citrus #dry_mouth

In a referendum Parisians have voted to make Paris greener by converting 500 roads to pedestrian areas with many trees. This is also considered as a contribution against climate change and noise pollution in the city.

related: #pedestrian_area #Paris

Cement production is a major contributor to climate change by producing CO₂. Recycled cement from demolitions used to lack the good properties of new cement. However, now a new approach has been developed to recycle cement that has similar strength properties as ordinary Portland cement. The technology has the potential to contribute to a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions.

related: #cement #recycling #CO2

A new study finds that two drugs, lecanemab and donanemab, can add on average 10 and 13 additional months of independent living to patients with beginning Alzheimer's disease.

related: #Alzheimer

A short nap in the afternoon followed by bright light exposure can improve performance and alertness. For instance, after a 26 minute nap performance improves by 34 and alertness by 54 percent, a NASA study finds.

related: #nap #alertness #performance

Blood donors perform a life saving service to the community. New research has some evidence that they also do good to themselves, since the blood of frequent donors is healthier than that of other people. The effect is not necessarily causal, since it can also be assumed that healthy people are more likely to be blood donors than others.

related: #blood_donation #health

Obeldesivir, a drug orally given with antiviral properties, is also used against Covid-19. Now it has been tested on non-human primates and seems to give between 80 and 100 percent protection against lethal Ebola virus infection, when treatment is started 24 hours after exposure. Whether it also can protect humans is not clear yet.

related: #Ebola #obeldesivir

14 March is Pi-Day, the number describing the ratio between a circle's circumference and its diameter. It is approximately 3.14, also standing for March 14.

related: #pi_day

In the first half of 2024, 58 percent of the electricity in Germany was produced by renewable methods, compared to 52 percent the year before.

related: #renewable #Germany

A new study finds that physical exercising reduces the risk of elderly women to fall. The effect shows most in a group particularly at risk, those who regularly have to take four or more medications.

related: #exercising #falling

In experiments with mice with Alzheimer's disease it has been found that giving them a stable form of carnosic acid, an important ingredient in rosemary, improves their memory. The new substance is considered suitable for clinical trials with humans.

related: #Alzheimer #rosemary #memory

A gel has been developed that is at the same time stiff and flexible. It allows to deliver drugs and support the healing of wounds in the skin, thereby speeding up the wound healing process. In some cases, the healing of wounds can be completed within 24 hours after injury.

related: #gel #wound_healing #skin

A new study finds that group art activities, such as painting, dance, or music, are a powerful alternative to traditional treatments against depression and anxiety in older people.

related: #depression #anxiety #art #group_activity

In order stop the ever increasing amount of plastic in the oceans, a new plastic has been developed that dissolves in sea water, however, remains strong and stable before coming in contact with salt water.

related: #plastic #dissolvable

In South Korea a 32 km long bike highway has been built. It is covered by solar panels, which not only protect the bikers from the sun, but also generate electricity.

related: #solar_energy #bike_lane

A new study looked at the way many babies in Ghana grow up multilingually. Most of them come in contact with between two and six languages. They deal well with a rich spectrum of linguistic inputs, which are part of a vibrant multilingual environment.

related: #multilingual

A new study in the UK finds that joint physical activities - such as a walk in the park - lead to better relationships between daughters and fathers.

related: #daughter #father #relationship