A Daily Antidote to Everything Else
A new device that’s powered by sunlight could help solve water scarcity problems.
Source: How to Pull Water Out of Thin Air, Even in the Driest Parts of the Globe – MIT Technology Review
Not surprisingly technological advancements are of great interest to me. I also think I’ve mentioned how huge an opportunity providing potable water is in terms of world health. Here’s an interesting development that combines the two in a simple, and hopefully cost-effective manner.
LUTZ At the Lutz Cemetery, Andrew Lumish kneeled in the grass over a World War II veteran’s grave. Under a gray sky, he used a soft bristle brush to scrub the headstone.
Source: ‘Good Cemeterian’ volunteers to restore veterans’ headstones | Tampa Bay Times
Quoting the linked article:
He has restored almost all the veterans’ monuments at Lutz Cemetery. He intends to go to cemeteries that he hasn’t visited yet, to search for more veterans’ graves.
When he finds one, he will kneel in the grass for as long as it takes to restore the stone above the veteran’s body.
Then, he will do what he usually does when he has finished restoring a veteran’s monument.
“I thank them for their service,” he said, “and walk away.”
Very inspiring.
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 »
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.