Good News

A new catalyst has been created to break down Nylon-6 which is a common plastic found in nets, carpets, and garments. Normally this plastic is too strong to naturally break down, but now we could see that happen in just minutes thanks to this innovative idea. 

A plant scientist starting collecting wheat samples from all over the globe to study the differences between genomes. This project is now finding strains that can grow in salty soils, improve disease resistance from seeds, and reducing the need for nitrogen fertilizers causing carbon emissions. 

Over the span of 6 decades there has been a concerted effort to ensure the rhino population in India does not go extinct. By expanding habitats and reducing poaching in the area, these populations have grown to over 3,000 with the number expected to rise even more in the years ahead.

This collaborative effort could prove to be a massive game changer in the field of desalination. A new system, which is solar-powered and avoids the salt clogging issues of the past, will also have a longer lifespan and won't require additional electricity to run.  

A new facility in California has become the first commercial plant aimed at removing carbon from the air. With plans to expand, the idea is simple, "By removing some of the carbon dioxide we've already released, it could help us halt climate change even sooner."

For six days straight, the country of Portugal was able to run all energy through clean and renewable sources. Its unique placement on the globe allows it to take advantage of not only solar power, but also wind and waves on top of that.

Anyone who has to battle leukemia deserves recognition for the difficulties they have to endure. Babies who have to battle leukemia are immediately at a disadvantage which can make it even more challenging to overcome. Now, with a specific immunotherapy added to chemotherapy, those challenges may be easier for infants to manage.

For over 70 years, Belize has made steady efforts to do everything they can to eliminate malaria within the country. Specifically over the past 3 decades, those strides have produced such positive results that now the country is finally free of malaria. 

There is obviously a lot of unknown and uncertainty around AI, but this is one of those instances where we can see how the technology can be used for good. A deadly superbug that has previously been untreatable will now have a new antibiotic that was discovered by AI in a little over an hour.

In a medical breakthrough that could revolutionize the future, this paralyzed man is able to walk just by thinking about it. "The electronic implants wirelessly transmit his thoughts to his legs and feet via a second implant on his spine." Even with the system still being in experimental stage, the potential applications are evident.

An implantable mechanism that is smaller than a grain of rice has been developed by researchers in the fight against pancreatic cancer. This device penetrates the pancreatic tumor, delivers drugs instantly, and is designed to have long positive affects over a longer period of time to eliminate repeated treatment.

Researchers in Texas have discovered an innovative use for okra to help in the fight against microplastics in water. Current methods can sometimes add more pollutants to the water, but okra is providing a cleaner alternative for us moving forward.

I think most people would agree that food waste is a massive travesty, especially in developed countries like the US. Incredibly enough, South Korea has implemented a mandatory composting scheme that recycles close to 100% annually. Of course the population sizes are drastically different, but hopefully other countries can follow suit in some sort of way. 

It makes complete sense how a large portion of the population is leery to artificial intelligence and how it will impact our planet in the future. Stories like these give me hope that we will be able to harness these tools for positive circumstances, as AI was used to detect breast cancer in a woman, 4 years before it developed.

It's really quite astonishing how important bees are to the fabric of life and how quickly life could crumble without them. Morgan Freeman understands this importance, as he has converted his 124-acre ranch into a honeybee sanctuary, helping to keep the population alive in this area.

Most of us forget how important the ozone is to our survival, as it protects plants, animals, humans, and crops from the sun's harmful radiation. Although we have been destroying the ozone for decades, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is now stating that the ozone should close within the next 50 years. Hopefully we can speed up that timeline. 

I think most would agree that suicide is one of the more tragic situations we face in our society. Recently, the phone number for suicide prevention was changed to something that is easy for everyone to remember, and ever since that change was implemented, calls to the suicide prevention hotline have increased by 45%.

"CAR-T therapy, a way of amplifying a person’s own immune power against a disease target, is the latest tool in this shared playbook. Half a dozen people with severe lupus have gone into remission from their disease after receiving CAR-T, a result that researchers say could usher in a new era for a whole suite of hard-to-treat autoimmune conditions." A medical first and a breakthrough therapy option.

In an unprecedented move - the first of its kind - Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard is transferring ownership of the company in an effort to fight the climate crisis. Patagonia is worth roughly $3 billion, and they expect to contribute $100 million every year through a climate-focused trust and group of nonprofit organizations.

Breast cancer is something that affects so many women across the globe, and unfortunately it isn't always easy to identify. Regular visits to the doctor are always recommended, but this at-home tool is designed to help women stay on top of breast cancer by using high end technology to alert users of suspicious changes or abnormalities.

In a small clinical trial, scientists have made a breakthrough that could impact millions of people around the world. They have successfully bioengineered cornea implants made from pig skin, and 14/20 participants had their vision partially or completely restored.

Back in 2019 a CRISPR trial got underway which focussed on two specific blood disorders: beta-thalassemia and sickle cell disease. After 3 years and one of the longest-running human trials, all 75 patients are seeing 100% success with their treatment, which could lead to a potential FDA fast-track designation.

In a procedure that is the first of its kind, Professor Mashudu Tshifularo became the first surgeon on Earth to successfully perform surgery to cure deafness. The ear transplant was made possible through 3D printing and could be common practice in the years to come.

Dostarlimab was designed to be a helping hand in the fight against cancer, "But remarkably, the treatment alone seemed to wholly eradicate their cancer. As of the study’s publication, 18 patients have completed treatment, while 12 have been tracked for at least a year, and none of them have shown signs of their cancer returning so far."

Researchers at the University of Texas have discovered an enzyme that has the ability to break down plastics in just hours as opposed to centuries. This is a massive development that could help to eliminate one of the most pressing global issues of waste buildup.

Surgeons at a hospital in the UK have used a tiny device that helps to override brain patterns that are caused by Parkinson's. One patient received this treatment in a one year trial and the results have drastically improved his overall mobility. Not a cure necessarily, but an extreme help to those who suffer.

I've always felt like one of the biggest stains on American history is how we treated Native Americans. Seeing a story like this is a wonderful gesture in trying to do right by these people, and hopefully similar actions will follow suit in the future.

In 2020 Denver created STAR - the Support Team Assisted Response. This program sends medical and behavioral health clinicians to certain 911 calls as opposed to sending police officers. The program has been such an incredible success that they are adding 5 times the staff and vehicles to enhance the program significantly. 

Using umbilical cord blood through a stem cell transplant, this middle-aged woman is the 3rd person to be cured of HIV. Her procedure is the first of its kind and could be a new approach to curing future patients and potentially eliminating the virus for good.  

Elon Musk was challenged by the World Food Programme to use his extensive wealth to reduce world hunger. Elon asked for a plan, the WFP delivered one, and he responded with a considerable donation. How these fund will be distributed is still being determined, but love to see this call to action fulfilled. 

In what is being determined as a medical breakthrough, 3 paralyzed men have stood up on their own and now have a renewed sense of mobility. Electrodes were specially implanted to, "...deliver electrical pulses to specific regions of the spinal cord and thus activating muscles in the trunk and legs." Just phenomenal! 

Survey data has shown that giraffe populations are up 20% since 2015, and this is largely due to conservation efforts along with natural growth. This will help scientists further understand the species as a whole and how to continue their longevity moving forward.

If there's one thing that most people can agree on it's that prescription drugs have been overpriced for years, which is a true disservice to the people who need them. Mark Cuban has decided to action, launching an online pharmacy that offers affordable prices on hundreds of generic durgs. 

Anyone ever heard of an atmospheric water harvester? Well now you have, and this is something that could have a monumental impact on the world moving forward. It is designed to, "...pull in outside air, then use fans and heat from sunlight to create condensation, producing clean drinking water drip by drip." Mind blowing stuff here.

Ancient artifacts from the Mosul museum were  left in ruins after ISIS seized control of the city in 2014. Thanks to help from the Louvre museum, along with Washington's Smithsonian Institution, many historical pieces are being reassembled with the intent of reopening the museum in the future.

Frontline workers across the board deserve so much credit, recognition, and respect for their efforts during times of uncertainty. This additional bonus provided by Tyson is a wonderful token of appreciation that you hope will be copied by others.

At the COP26 event held in Scotland, more than 100 world leaders made a pledge to collectively work together on ending deforestation by 2030. There have been previous plans of the same nature that haven't achieved their goals, with deforestation increasing since a similar pledge was launched in 2014, so hopefully thing will be different this time around.

"A first-of-its-kind treatment from GenSight Biologics partially restored a blind patient's vision by combining gene therapy with specialized goggles." While this technology is still in its infancy, there is a lot of promise that this could eventually become a permanent solution for those who suffer.

One of the great things that came from the pandemic is that animal shelters nationwide were cleared out with some left completely empty. Many people worried that when the pandemic eased up people would send animals back to the shelter, so it's wonderful to hear that isn't the case.

The Ocean Cleanup has been developing a system that is designed to help eliminate the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. 10 years ago it was said that there was no hope to clean up this mess, but these test extractions have removed thousands of pounds of trash from the ocean with no plans of stopping anytime soon. Simply amazing.

Over the years Kuwait has had over 42 million tires dumped in the sands of suburbs, creating an environmental hazard for residents when toxic smoke is released from burning tires. With the help of EPSCO Global General Trading, all tires will now be recycled and turned into materials that will help produce a new "smart city" for the country. 

Parkinson's disease is something that no one should have to deal with, but for those who suffer on a daily basis, this story should provide some comfort. The amount of money raised by Fox's foundation has directly led to several different therapies that have made life better for thousands of people. Here's to the next billion dollars. 

The WHO is now endorsing the world's first malaria vaccine, which is undoubtedly a historic moment in the fight against this disease. After being administered to more than 800,000 children in pilot programs, the vaccine proved to significantly reduce severe malaria. Talk about a game changer.

Spain is implementing a new regulation which will put a ban on any plastic wrapping for fruits and vegetables. Although this is just the start, the country has set a goal to make sure 100% of packaging is recyclable by the end of the decade.

The English Midlands used to be an industrial landscape that was used as mining land roughly 30 years ago. Today, this land has been taken over by the National Forest Company which has planted over 9 million trees and provided thousands of jobs to those involved in the project.

The Rob and Melani Walton Foundation has made one of the largest contributions ever to protect and conserve various part of Africa. "This commitment will help to expand African Parks' impact to managing 30 parks over the next decade, preserving a significant portion of Africa's biodiversity for the long-term benefit of local communities..." Just fantastic stuff.

Yara International has developed the world's first autonomous cargo ship that is also zero emissions. Monitored by three separate data centers, this ship will produce a much more cost effective means of operation and will likely become the norm in the near future.

Select lung cancer patients will be given a new drug that has been proven to stop the growth of cancer for 7 months. This offering is the first of its kind and has the potential to spearhead future developments of the same kind.

One of the world's most wanted pedophiles has finally been arrested after 14 years on the run. Not only did he abuse dozens of children, but he also posted his heinous acts on the dark web. It's a great day anytime you can rid the world of filth like this. Good riddance is an understatement.   

This 17-year old high school student has created a fire extinguisher that is activated when high temperatures are detected. This invention was inspired by all of the catastrophic damage done by fires in California, and the design is to protect homes when no one is there.

Any type of cancer is devastating, and colon cancer is one that affects millions of people around the word. Well now, "Teams of scientists in India have paired with researchers in France to develop a novel technique for diagnosing colon cancer at the earliest stages." This breakthrough could potentially save thousands of lives in the future.

Starting in September, the 6.2 million students in California will now be able to enjoy a free lunch regardless of their family's income. This historic endeavor will eliminate the stigma of food insecurity, but it will also be the largest free student lunch program in the country. Bravo.

Insulin prices in the USA have only increased as the years have gone on, which has made it difficult for certain patients to afford their medicine. By selling its own private-brand insulin, clients will save $101 per branded vial and $251 per package of branded FlexPens.

Maine has become the first state to shift recycling costs from taxpayers to manufacturers, following similar programs that have been established by other countries. The idea is designed for "packaging producers to take responsibility for their waste stream" and eventually shift towards alternative options that are more environmentally friendly.

The Swiss have created a machine that uses skin cells from patients to grow and generate new skin for those affected by burns or skin defects. Normally surgical intervention is needed and sometimes diseases can pop up from standard treatments, so this machine is trying to break the mold when it comes to restoring skin function.

A first of its kind invention that will take the pain away from doing blood sugar tests. This biosensor interacts with saliva to measure accurate glucose levels that are then delivered to a smartphone app with the data being stored for future reference. 

Old Navy is working to provide kids - aged 16-24 - with the necessary skills they need to be successful in life. This mentorship program aims to create 20,000 new jobs for young people all over the country.

After large immunization efforts, and with no cases detected in the past 16 months, it is exceptional to hear that the polio outbreak that took place in the Phillipines has officially ended. 

A newly created device has shown to have 98% accuracy when it comes to detecting Covid-19 in crowded rooms. It tracks molecules released by people and sends results instantly so that the necessary actions can be taken sooner.

For years now I have been questioning the existence of mosquitoes and why they are necessary to have on the planet. Stories like this give me hope that there might be other ways we can use these pesky bastards. 

It really is a shame that it look so long for this to happen, but finally we will see some of the greatest female historical figures honored on our country's currency. Starting with Maya Angelou and Sally Ride, there will be more than 20 women featured in the next 4 years. 

Anytime you see an animal species go extinct it is a sad day for the planet as a whole. Many thought this species of tortoise had gone extinct over a century ago, but once they found "Fernanda" it revealed that they were wrong. 

This is one of those "better late than never" sort of things, as the U.S. has finally started the first large-scale offshore wind project in the country. This move will hopefully add a bevy of new jobs as well, so expect to see more of this to take place in the future.

While some parts of the world are affected more than others, Malaria is still a disease that kills hundreds of thousands of people each year. This vaccine being 77% effective could be a massive breakthrough for everyone.

"Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the tourist pressure was reduced drastically which resulted in the undisturbed habitat of rhinos." The numbers are rising, and apparently this is the case in India as well. 

This is still in the early stages of development and needs to be tested in a much larger capacity, but anything that helps eradicate this nasty disease is wonderful to see.

An experimental therapy shot has turned out to be a success, as a patient has regained and retained vision over a year after receiving the treatment. There is still a ways to go with curing blindness for good, but this is an incredible step in the right direction.

Normally Mount Everest is bustling with climbers, but sadly those individuals don't always clean up after themselves. Since the pandemic halted a majority of travel, these Nepalese climbers saw an opportunity and removed 2.2 tons of trash from the mountain.

This high school student came up with an incredible idea where stitches change color to indicate that an infection has taken place. This will help developing countries that are unable to use the latest technology to detect infections.

The impact of COVID-19 is an unknown variable that could have an impact on the data, but this is still wonderful to see and hopefully something we don't have to worry about in the decades to come. 

Scientists have identified the first compound to repair degenerating brain cells and reverse neuron damage that is caused by ALS. 

I'm a fan of anyone who is working to save animal species, and it's great to see that WallStreetBets is at the heart of this campaign. Hopefully more to come. 

While additional tests and studies are still needed, this breakthrough  in stem cell research could lead to major improvements in both mobility and motor functions. 

Five years ago a cyclone decimated the coral reefs in Fiji and left many wondering if they would ever bounce back. Scientists are thrilled to see how quick the recovery has been. 

It's not technically a vaccine as we have come to know them, but rather a “pre-exposure prophylaxis" which delivers anti-Lyme antibodies directly to the patient.

For the first time in 20 years, Kenya Wildlife Service says no rhinos were killed by poachers in 2020. COVID played a part, but it's also due to policing efforts and tackling poverty. 

This is not the first time that these two have opened up their hearts and checkbooks for those in need. Their donations will help thousands of people in both Canada and the US. 

The state of Florida has decided that February 20th will forever be known as "Sleep In Heavenly Peace Day" which honors an organization trying to help all children sleep in a bed. Hopefully other state officials see this and find other days on the calendar to honor organizations that are carrying out worthy causes.  

Mark Cuban has launched a new company that is aimed at providing alternatives to high cost drugs so that medical expenses aren't a burden for those who are struggling. 

Mexico City is one of the largest in the world, so seeing something like this is fantastic and hopefully the first of many dominoes to fall. 

An idea 30 years in the making is finally coming to fruition, as a French company has developed a breakthrough in saving lives by creating a device that is designed to mimic a real heart. 

This story was initially very sad, as these workers were trapped for 2 straight weeks due to an explosion in a gold mine. Although one worker died, this is still incredible news. 

Volunteers doing fantastic work to keep the Tennessee River clean. Hope to see more of this around the world. 

This endeavor is partially aimed at reducing air pollution, but it essentially turns one of the most beautiful avenues in the world into an outdoor space that everyone can enjoy. 

Most of us understand the financial burden that comes with a cancer diagnosis, so seeing Dr. Omar Atiq wipe out over $600k in medical debt for cancer patients is an extremely heartwarming gesture.

Thanks to a successful de-escalation program, New Jersey police didn't fire a single bullet in 2020. That's progress right there.

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy is helping over 90 small businesses through a fundraiser that has surpassed over $20 million to this point. 

Anything that helps us get closer to finding a cure for cancer deserves recognition. 

This 23-year-old was inspired by her mother's battle and decided to take action by creating a breakthrough invention.

Hopefully more companies will continue to follow suit, I love the distribution taking place here with the money. 

This guy has more money than anyone could ever need, so it's nice to see that he is using it for great causes. 

An inexpensive polypill is being deemed as a transformational approach to reducing heart attack and strokes by up to 40%.

Diabetes affects 1 in every 10 Americans, regardless of what type it is, so something like this is incredible to see. 

Madeline Swegle becomes the first black female fighter pilot in the US Navy's 110 year history. 

Dr Alessandra Devoto has discovered a plant that could potentially slow down the spread of breast cancer without damaging healthy cells. 

In the last 20 years childhood hepatitis b has been reduced by 80% and is now down to under 1%. The goal of eradicating the disease by 2030 looks promising. 

After normalizing ties earlier on in the year, ending a longstanding boycott by the UAE against Israel, this is a great first step in seeing permanent peace in this part of the world. 

A 14 year old girl has won $25,000 for her discovery that could be a huge helping hand in the battle against COVID. Spectacular stuff.

Gene therapy has allowed this boy to see for the very first time, providing a beacon of hope for those with similar conditions.

This is a wonderful step in the right direction, and hopefully other nations will follow their lead. Plenty of alternatives we can use instead. 

A $30 billion dollar commitment over the next five years to promote racial equality. That's billion with a B. 

This is something the rest of the world needs to get on board with because I don't think anyone really cares for this stuff anymore. 

Just another quick reminder at some of the great things police officers do on a daily basis.

Brad Paisley and his wife Kimberly have decided to take action and help families who are struggling with food insecurity. Wonderful stuff.

This kid pulled a mom and her three children from a burning car not because he had to, but because it's what he would have wanted if he were in their position.

This Hungarian researcher has just made a groundbreaking discovery that could lead to the end of blindness forever.

BP is taking a step here that is outstanding to see and will hopefully be copied by other large companies. 

I think a lot of us were wondering if anything would come from that ice bucket challenge, well now we have an answer. 

These fires are absolutely devastating to see, so any good news that comes from it is a breath of fresh air.

Anyone who is saving children from sex trafficking deserves recognition, awards, ice cream, all of that good stuff. 

It's always nice to see a sad story turn into a positive ending. No one should have to sit outside of a Taco Bell for access to wifi.

Still a lot of work to be done on a global scale, but progress is progress and it shouldn't be ignored. 

Talk about the perfect group of people to help save this woman who was hanging on a cliff for 45 minutes.

I've worked weddings in the past where so much food gets wasted each night. Nice to see that isn't the case here.

It always sucks when mother nature has a negative impact on our lives, but people like this are here to make it better. 

This is great to see considering how many plant and animal species are dying off each year. 

Mackenzie didn't need to do something like this, she could have easily spent that money on clothes, cars, and jewelry. Let's see if others follow her lead.

15 years old and creating wood carvings himself for some of the true heroes in life such as homeless veterans, special needs children, and first responders.

This special education teacher converted a truck bed into a portable classroom so that she could visit autistic children when  school was cancelled in Mexico. Not all heroes wear capes. 

She was left behind in a basket on a college campus and now she is making sure that older pooches are finding a home for the remaining years of their life.

We all have dreams as a kid to grow up and be something as an adult. Some of us make it happen, others don't, but this kid is well on his way with gestures like these. 

I think it's safe to say that Native Americans have not received the best treatment from the moment Europeans landed in North America. This kind of gesture is the least that can be done. 

A combination of radical government action and ordinary people's passion for the environment has created a change that hopefully the rest of the world can emulate. 

There is still a ways to go before something like this is accurate and mainstream, but boy could it be a game changer.

Hopefully the rest of the world can follow suit because this is an amazing achievement.

Sometimes it's the simple steps that can have the biggest impact. This seems like to right way to move things forward.

More...More...MOOOOOOREEEE!!!

A 9 year old from Kenya who took it upon himself to invent a hand washing machine to combat the spread of COVID. Just incredible. 

MIT clearly has a lot of smart people, they have proven that time and time again. This invention is not only great for the pandemic state of the world, but also beyond as well.

This is the kind of gesture you like to see from a company that makes as much money as Amazon does. 

Normally when students graduate, their teachers won't care about them too much anymore. Not the case here. 

Janitors deserve special appreciation for what they do, but this takes that respect to a whole new level.

This guy has a battle of his own trying to beat cancer, so for him to be this generous towards the homeless is a true testament to his character. 

It's encouraging to see both sides of the table come to an agreement on something, especially a measure to help the environment.

This story seems like it should have happened a while ago, but nonetheless a huge win for a community starving for equality. 

I had no idea that Pangolins were the world's most trafficked animal, this seems like a great step to be taking. 

The UK's biggest and most visited zoo is saved thanks to animal lovers who couldn't "bear" to see it close.

Being rejected is a difficult feeling that we all face at some point in our lives, but for a child to be rejected 20 times is just gut wrenching. This single dad deserves some recognition.

I was always so excited when the ice cream truck came around, and I can still hear the jingle playing in my head.

I think we can all agree that there are some things we learn in school that will likely never be applied in real life (algebra). So when I see something like this it gives me hope that future generations will be better educated than those before them.

This man has had so many successes over his career and so many times where he delivered for his team, but this gesture here could potentially be his biggest accomplishment of all time.

As crummy as it is to be in the middle of a pandemic, it is always encouraging to see that there are still people out there  who are doing everything they can to help those in need.

Hopefully this becomes a trend nationwide because it seems like a good idea overall, right? 

This is the kind of story that gives you hope that the younger generations will turn out to be decent people. 

Humans have been eating animals for centuries, but seeing something like this is a big statement. 

People helping people is a beautiful thing, this guy and all of the volunteers involved deserve a round of applause for sure.

Helping to prevent the spread of the Sahara Desert, but also having a positive impact on the global community as well.

There are several stories out there of celebrities making donations to help those affected by COVID, but I love seeing the specific gesture made here by Russ. 

Can't imagine what seniors in high school and college must be going through with COVID taking place, but this gesture is one that deserves some recognition.

Rural towns across the country might not have the same access to the necessary equipment that is needed to fight a pandemic. What Matthew & Camilla did here will go a long way towards the fight.

Everyone has been affected in some way by COVID, but there are hundreds of businesses in peril of closing for good. Magic putting an emphasis on helping minority and women owned businesses is extremely commendable.