Not All News is Bad!

The World Health Organization has announced that Mexico has eliminated trachoma, the leading infectious cause of blindness.

Source: Mexico Eliminates Infectious Disease Which Is Leading Cause of Blindness – NBC News

Naturally I find this story very cool on many levels. What’s as great, to me at least, is that it seems that there’s a trend of stories like this in recent years. I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen stories where this disease or that condition is cured or eliminated. That’s a trend for which this story is another great example.

A chance encounter at a medical supply store led to a young man with down…Read More »

Source: Steven Tyler Runs Into Devastated Fan In Drugstore, Decides To Do Something Unbelievably Kind. – InspireMore

All of a sudden Steven Tyler seems more … human, and in such a great way. 🙂 Be sure to read the linked story… it’s pretty cool.

This is actually the second story about him in this vein that I’ve run across in recent days. Check out This woman spotted Steven Tyler on a plane and asked him for a favor — the rock star happily obliged as well.

UCLA researchers successfully use a new technique to “wake up” a patient after coma.

Source: UCLA Scientists “Jump-start” the Brain of a Coma Patient | Big Think

Well, that’s pretty cool. Let’s hope that continued tests pan out….

A drug for depression could stop all neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia, scientists hope.

Source: Experts excited by brain ‘wonder-drug’ – BBC News

Given the aging population and the expected higher incidence of diseases like Alzheimer’s, this could be some very good news indeed….

Ten-year-old Isabella Nicola Cabrera plays her violin with her new prosthetic at the engineering department of George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., Thursday, April 20, 2017. Isabella never had any doubt it would come together. “I felt right away that I’d be able to play,” she said. “I’ve always had perseverance.”

Source: Undergrads build prosthetic arm for 10-year-old violinist

3-D printing has always seemed somewhat magical to me, but this is a case where it just makes so much sense. It’s an awesome application of the technology.

Conversation is everything.

Source: The Royals Make A Perfect Observation About Mental Health | The Huffington Post

That mental health is getting “the royal treatment” is only good news. Too many people have suffered – and died – because of the negative stigma associated with mental health issues. This is fantastic.

…data from the WHO’s World Health Statistics 2016 report shows a much-needed positive: life expectancy on the continent is better than it was in 2000. While the report shows a global spike in life expectancy across the various regions, Africa has gained the most increase with life expectancy up 9.4 years between 2000 and 2015.

Source: Africans are living longer than at any point in the last 25 years — Quartz

The big reasons? Improved access to treatment for the HIV, as well as progress in malaria control and treatment. In other words: improved health care. Awesome.

Jason Parker has shipped more than 100 wheelchairs to animals in need through his nonprofit, Gunnar’s Wheels Foundation.

Source: Gunnar’s Wheels aims to help injured dogs get wheelchairs – TODAY.com

As someone who’s had two dogs in “wheelchairs” over the years, I can tell you two things: the carts may not be inexpensive, but they can make a world of difference for the dog. In our most recent experience our dog Helen (far right in this photo) just got in the chair and walked on as if nothing special. It added quality years to her life. Gunnar’s Wheels is awesome recognition of this. I know that many breed-specific groups and organizations also often offer information, loaners, and financial support, to dogs and their owners in need.

BEL-RIDGE, MO (KTVI) – A police officer with an unusual pedigree is getting a second shot at life.K9 Officer Luke went from living in a shelter, just days away from being euthanized, to becoming a star crime fighter.The narcotics and tracking dog is newest member of the Bel-Ridge Police Department. And in a short period of time, the yellow-white Labrador is making his mark.

Source: From animal shelter to crime fighter, K9 officer gets second shot at life | FOX2now.com

Rescuing dogs is wonderful, of course, but it’s extra special when that dog goes on to play an even larger role – be it narcotics tracking, service dog, or even someone’s “one special dog”. (I particularly enjoyed watching his leaps and bounds of happiness on being rewarded for his ‘find’.)

Kathrine Switzer ran the Boston Marathon in the same bib number that a race official tried to rip off her in an iconic photo from the 1967 race.

Source: Boston Marathon 2017: 1st woman to officially run does it again 50 years later – CNN.com

Ground breaking at 20. Wonderful for so many reasons at 70. We’ve come a long way. (Though as Ms. Switzer herself says, we still have a long way to go.)