Dutch Man Invents Coffin That Turns Bodies Into Mushrooms: ‘We are nutrients, not waste’

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Dec 2, 2020

mushroom-coffin-released-loop-bob-hendrikx (2) — Bob Hendrikx, Loop

In the Netherlands, an 82-year old woman was recently laid to rest in a coffin made entirely of fast-composting mushroom fibres that will considerably increase the health of the soil in the years that follow.

Dubbed the ‘Living Cocoon,’ the coffin gives an option for a more ecologically conscious generation who may want to leave a positive impact on the planet after they’ve gone.

Created by 26-year-old Bob Hendrikx, a bio-designer from the University of Delft, the Living Cocoon is made by growing mycelium around a coffin-shaped frame. Mycelium is the part of the mushroom we can’t see—the underground fibrous network that makes up most of the lifeform.

Hendrikx also referred to it as “nature’s recycler,” as mycelium has been shown by mushroom scientists, called mycologists, to be able to process things which other agents of decomposition can’t tackle.

“Mycelium is constantly looking for waste products–oil, plastic, metals, other pollutants–and converting them into nutrients for the environment,” Hendrikx said, according to the Guardian. “This coffin means we actually feed the earth with our bodies. We are nutrients, not waste.”

In contrast to the years it can take a conventional coffin—with artificial cloth fibers, laminated wood, and metal components—to break down, local newspapers covering the funeral claimed the Living Cocoon “takes one week to grow and then, containing the body of the deceased, takes an estimated two to three years to decompose.”

Currently the coffin costs around $1,350, but Hendrikx hopes that as more and more people become interested, he can drive the cost down.

Hendrikx, a radical thinker, imagines a day where every coffin used on earth is made of mycelium, allowing our species that has grown to dominate every corner of the world to constantly give back to the soil we owe so much of our prosperity to.

Living Cocoon’s parent company, Loop, is actually conducting research on the impact of human bodies on soil quality, with the hope of “convincing policymakers to convert polluted areas into healthy forests–with our bodies as nutrients.”

In this way, rather than designating lush and picturesque areas for cemeteries, societies could create more lush and picturesque areas through use of the Living Cocoon.

MORE: Student Treks to Yellowstone and Finds Bacteria That Eats Pollution and ‘Breathes’ Electricity

Hendrikx also wants to harness the power of mycelium, which has even been shown to be able to make canoes, and to make sustainable furniture and other goods.

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‘It’s working!’ From Bobcats to Bears, Utah’s First Wildlife Bridge is a Hit–And There’s Video to Prove it

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Andy Corbley

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Dec 2, 2020

A video posted on Facebook in mid-November shows the outstanding success of the i-80 wildlife overpass in Utah, where you can watch elk, moose, small mammals, black bears, coyotes, and even what appears to be a porcupine safely cross a dangerous stretch of road.

For wildlife researchers, it demonstrates that the time it takes for animals to adapt to using wildlife overpasses may be years shorter than first anticipated.

“From what we can tell, the number of accidents there is down dramatically. At least initially, it appears the investment in safety is paying off,” Utah DoT spokesman John Gleason told the Salt Lake Tribune in 2019. “And we expected it to take several years before the animals got used to using it, so this is great.”

Completed in 2018 by Utah’s Dep. of Transportation and costing $5 million, the wildlife overpass was lobbied for by a group called Save People Save Animals, after a particular stretch of i-80 was unfortunately dubbed “Slaughter Row” due to the large number of traffic collisions with crossing wildlife.

The bridge incorporates miles of fencing in both directions on both sides of the road, funneling mammals to the bridge which is covered in soil, boulders, and logs to make it feel like a natural environment.

Not only are the animals using it instead of crossing the highway further down the corridor, but they are treating it like their natural habitat. A cougar was recorded scratching and stretching on one of the logs, which it wouldn’t do in a stressed state.

Collisions with cars are a real danger to millions of animals, but even 15 years ago, there were already more than 700 terrestrial and aquatic wildlife crossing points in North America, with more and more being built every year, including the largest in the world to help California’s isolated mountain lion populations, which is to be completed in 2021.

(WATCH the video showing the wildlife crossings so far.)

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“Life is 10 percent what you make it, and 90 percent how you take it.” – Irving Berlin

Quote of the Day

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Good News Network

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Dec 2, 2020

Quote of the Day: “Life is 10 percent what you make it, and 90 percent how you take it.” – Irving Berlin

Berlin was an American composer and lyricist called one of the greatest songwriters in American history. His hits included White Christmas, Alexander’s Ragtime Band, Easter Parade, Puttin’ on the Ritz, Cheek to Cheek, Happy Holiday, Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better), and There’s No Business Like Show Business. (1888–1989)

Photo by: Abdelrahman Mohamed

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quote of the Day page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

Americans Reveal How They’re Staying Positive in 2020 With 66% Agreeing Their Communities Are Closer Than Ever

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Good News Network

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Dec 1, 2020

Eight in 10 Americans in a new poll said they were desperate to hear some positive news in the remainder of 2020—and believed the constant stream of bad news has taken a toll.

The survey asked 2,000 Americans nationwide about how they’ve coped with the stress of this year.

The ‘good news’ is that 7 in 10 respondents have made it a priority to do something positive every day as the quarantine continues.

The top goal, shared by 43% of respondents, is just to make at least one person smile every day. 34% are trying to make someone laugh daily, and to make it a priority to share positive news with their loved ones.

And when respondents need some cheering up themselves, their recipe is turning on their favorite movie (46%) and eating their favorite snack (43%).

Forty-three percent of respondents also go for a walk, four in 10 respondents call a friend, and 38% snuggle up with their pet.

A quarter of respondents also shared that they sing in the shower for a pick-me-up and 19% even have a solo dance party to get in better spirits.

Thirty-eight percent of those surveyed mentioned they’re donating to local charities to foster positivity and 28% are finding a safe way to volunteer.

Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Vitamin Angels for Giving Tuesday, the survey included six in 10 respondents who said the difficulties of 2020 and COVID-19 have led them to give back to their community even more—and 66% were in agreement that their communities are closer than ever.

Despite the stress of COVID-19, 78% of respondents also said the pandemic has made it more important than ever to give back to their local communities.

In fact, 42% of those polled have increased their donations to charities during COVID-19, saying they have donated to an average of four charities throughout the year, with the average totaling $36.47 a month.

CHECK OUT: Performing Acts of Kindness Can Boost Both Physical Health and Happiness Levels, Study Finds

Half of those polled are also donating to charities that are currently addressing COVID-19, with 87% of whom saying they’re more likely to support causes that are specifically helping women and children impacted by the pandemic.

Over half of respondents (57%) also plan to increase their planned holiday donations because of the impact of COVID-19.

“Communities in the U.S. and around the world were already vulnerable before COVID-19 and now is the time when they need us most,” said Howard Schiffer, Vitamin Angels Founder & President.

MORE: 8 in 10 Americans Say Positive Memories Have Been a ‘Lifeline’ During the Pandemic

“Right now, we have an opportunity to come together and take what has been one of the hardest years in our lives, and turn it into one of our best, positive actions; to help the most vulnerable in our communities.”

And as respondents look to the new year, three-quarters are hoping to start off fresh and share positivity as much as they can, with another eight in 10 hoping others will do the same.

The top goals to share positivity in 2021 included having a more positive outlook in life (52%) and trying not to focus on the negative things as much (50%).

Forty-eight percent of respondents are also aiming to take better care of their mental health, and a third of respondents want to donate more to charity and to amp up their volunteering commitments.

“This holiday season is a great opportunity to connect with loved ones and share some much-needed positivity,” said Schiffer. “Another way to share positivity is giving back to at-risk members of our communities.”

TOP THINGS AMERICAN DO TO CHEER THEMSELVES UP IN 2020
Watching their favorite movie – 46%
Eating their favorite snack – 43%
Going for a walk – 43%
Calling a friend – 40%
Cuddling their pet – 38%
Taking a nap – 37%
Hugging a loved one – 37%
Baking cookies – 31%
Singing in the shower – 25%
Having a solo dance party – 19%

TOP POSITIVITY GOALS DURING COVID-19
Try to make someone smile once a day – 43%
Donate money to local charities – 38%
Share positive news with their loved ones – 34%
Try to make someone laugh once a day – 34%
Volunteer in a safe, social distancing compliant fashion – 28%

GOALS FOR 2021
Have a more positive outlook in life – 52%
Try not to focus on the negative things in life as much – 50%
Take better care of their mental health – 48%
Donate more money to charity – 34%
Volunteer in their community more – 32%

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Canadian Man Drives Stranded American Family 1,000 Miles to Alaska

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Judy Cole

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Dec 1, 2020

gary-bath-lynn-marchessault-copyright-Gary Bath — Gary Bath

Though most modern-day women generally don’t like to think of themselves as damsels in distress, when fate lands them in peril, sometimes the only thing to do is call for a knight in shining armor to come to the rescue. For one American woman, that knight turned out to be a Canadian ranger.

Lynn Marchessault was behind the wheel of a pickup towing a large trailer as she and her two children headed to Alaska to join her husband at the military base where he currently serves.

Although Marchessault is former military and used to tough situations, even after upgrading to studded snow tires, the Southerner wasn’t prepared for the snowy conditions that gradually worsened the further north they traveled.

Rather than risk harm to her children or herself, Marchessault decided to pull off the road and bivouac at a highway lodge that had been set up to house temporary workers. Her husband, stranded due to COVID-19 protocols, was unable to come to their assistance, so Marchessault sent an online plea for help.

The message was spotted by the watchful eyes of Gary Bath, who lives with his wife, Selena, in Fort St. John, British Columbia. Though the trek was close to 1,700 kilometers (roughly 1,056 miles), he was determined to see this woman he’d never met and her kids to their destination.

MORE: Selfless Cop Picks Up Smelly Hitchhikers, Drives Them 40 Miles – And Stops For BBQ

“I didn’t care how far it was, I just knew they needed help and they had a few short days to hit the border before they were going to get in trouble,” Bath told CBC News.

In addition to the stressful driving conditions, as a ranger, Bath knew Americans are only allowed a certain grace period to reach Alaska from the lower 48 states.

Bath and his wife, their car loaded with provisions, met up with Marchessault and her family at the inn. Entrusting them to Bath’s care, Selena drove home, leaving Bath behind to perform his knight in shining armor chauffeuring duties.

With Bath as pilot, the rest of the trip was uneventful. Everyone in the car observed COVID-19 precautions and the group reached their destination at the Alaskan border near Beaver Creek in the Yukon in good spirits.

His charges safely delivered, Bath now faced the daunting undertaking of making the return trip, but he needn’t have worried. News of his good deed had quickly spread.

Thanks to word of mouth among his fellow rangers, combined with generous public contributions for his airfare to complete the final leg of his journey, Bath made it home in good time.

Bath says as happy as he was to help out, he was also touched by the generosity of others who pitched in along the way.

Marchessault was full of praise for the man who’d saved the day—and for his wife as well. “We are forever grateful to Gary and I’m thankful to his wife for bringing him up and loaning him out,” she said.

It seems that Marchessault and Selena Bath really hit it off, and are hoping to renew the friendship when the family heads back south.

MORE: Police Officer Helps to Shave Homeless Man’s Face in the Rain After Seeing Him Struggle Without a Mirror

And if that’s not a heartwarming ending for a story that started on a snowy winter day, we don’t know what is.

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Additive That Makes Plastic Harmless Has Potential to Be Biodegrading Game-Changer

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Andy Corbley

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Dec 1, 2020

plastic bottle on leaves biodegradable-pubdomain-Erik Mclean — By Erik Mclean

Branding itself as the only plastic that ‘truly’ biodegrades, a new materials company is manufacturing plastics that break down into harmless component elements in less than a year.

A special ingredient is added to the manufacturing stage of plastic to create completely normal forms of plastic that can be used to make both rigid or flexible products, allowing no great overhaul of production lines or schedules.

Seriously big companies are not waiting for extensive testing to begin adding Polymateria’s special biodegrading plastic to their operations, even though the UK firm has done tests that confirm their claims that after around 226 days, a harmless wax, edible by microbes, is the only thing that will remain of something like an ice-cream wrapper if left on the side of the road.

Polymateria Ltd was developed at Imperial College London and is chaired by former Marks & Spencer CEO Mark Bolland. The firm aims to tackle the plastic problem head on, with a plan to launch their products as soon as possible in Asia, and to target the two most common types of polluting plastic polymers, polyurethane and polypropylene.

Though designed to be recycled normally, a light breeze, a forgetful hand, or an irresponsible decision which normally can leave plastic loitering on the roadside or by dumping sites for years won’t affect Polymateria plastic: It will eventually turn to a waxy sludge that’s harmless to plants, animals, and river systems.

One of the major advantages is that the plastic is turned into normal organic elements like carbon dioxide and oxygen, not merely more easily breaking down into microplastic granules that, while making it easier to recycle, causes oftentimes worse and harder to detect pollution effects in an ecosystem.

The sportswear brand Puma will be the first to incorporate Polymateria’s plastic, adding it to a whopping 160 million plastic bags according to The Sunday Times. Other brands haven’t been revealed but reports say that Polymateria is on shelves in the UK, Portugal, Spain, Taiwan, and Kenya.

Niall Dunne, the company CEO, told National Geographic that they “are testing in India, and due to launch soon, and we are talking to manufacturers in China and the USA.”

Frederic de Mevius, dynasty part-owner of the Anheuser-Busch InBev global brewing conglomerate, is a director and investor in Polymateria, and told Sunday Times reporters that “Within two to five years we will be supplying 20 to 50 of the largest brands that are responsible for plastic pollution.”

The British Standards Institution has confirmed many of the company’s claims through working with Polymateria to develop a rigorous testing standard using a “weatherometer” to measure biotransformation of the materials in precise conditions of UV light, moisture, and more.

Any Polymateria products would come with a “recycle by” date, after which they would gradually return to nature.

MORE: These Sunglasses Are Made From the First Ever Batch of Plastic Waste Recovered by the Ocean Cleanup Project

With the Pacific Garbage Patch recently recognized as a country, with its own citizenship, monarchy, currency, and passports, truly biodegradable plastic that won’t trouble the environment even if it isn’t recycled would, at anypoint, be a timely intervention.

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They Canceled Their Big Wedding But Took a $5k Catering Deposit And Served Thanksgiving Meals To The Needy

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Judy Cole

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Dec 1, 2020

couple-copyright-Sophie Cazottes Photography-food-released-Big Delicious Planet — Billy Lewis and Emily Bugg, Sophie Cazottes Photography https://www.sophiecazottes.com/; turkey meals, Big Delicious Planet

Wedding events last a few hours. Marriages are meant to last a lifetime. In the wake of COVID-19, although disappointed by the necessity of having their big days significantly scaled back, some special couples have been able to embrace the bigger picture with open hearts.

Billy Lewis and Emily Bugg, Sophie Cazottes Photography; dinners, Big Delicious Planet

Such was the case for Chicago residents Emily Bugg and Billy Lewis. Originally, the pair had planned fairly lavish nuptials, but as the pandemic wore on, rather than wait to wed, they eventually decided to trade-in their upscale plans for a small ceremony at City Hall.

Love may have won the day, but it did leave the newlyweds with a conundrum. What to do about their non-refundable deposits and wedding-related purchases?

Some things—like the dress and the D.J.—were write-offs. However, Bugg and Lewis decided that having their health and being together more than made up for those things.

And all was not a loss: The reception venue agreed to let them put their deposit on hold to be used for a future charity event, and the wedding photographer shifted gears to record the couple’s small but heartfelt City Hall ceremony for posterity.

That left the $5,000 catering deposit—but rather than roll the money into an event to be named, Bugg and Lewis decided instead to spread their joy to others less fortunate.

Bugg, an outreach worker at Thresholds, a nonprofit geared toward helping sufferers of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and other psychiatric illnesses, knew exactly where she wanted the money to go.

With an enthusiastic thumbs’ up from caterer Heidi Moorman Coudal, owner of Big Delicious Planet, and the blessing of Thresholds CEO Mark Ishaug, the designated fare from the original 150-person guest list was transformed into 200 boxed Thanksgiving dinners for Windy City residents dealing on a day-to-day basis with severe mental health challenges.

Charitable donations have taken a big hit as a result of the financial impact of the Coronavirus, so Ishaug was especially grateful for the couple’s inspiring gift to the Threshold community. He was also greatly heartened by “the copycat effect” the generous gesture seems to have spawned.

“Other people start asking themselves, ‘What can I do for others at Thanksgiving?’ There’s been so much anger and fear this past year … and then we have something like this from Emily and Billy, which is just about humanity and kindness,” he told the Washington Post.

In addition to tying the knot, Bugg and Lewis recently adopted a rescue dog they named June, adding a little more love to the family. While she might be wistful at not having had the chance to wear her wedding dress, Bugg believes even though theirs wasn’t the traditional start to a marriage, it was beautiful nonetheless.

MORE: Caring Hospital Staff Help COVID-Stricken Groom Say ‘I do!’ in Heartwarming Bedside Wedding Ceremony—WATCH

It’s clear Lewis shares the sentiment and couldn’t be prouder of his bride. “I’m lucky to have a wife who is clever and thoughtful enough to change a not-so-good situation into something positive for a lot of people,” he said.

And we think Chicago is lucky to count both of them among its citizens.

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“Hope is one of the principal springs that keep mankind in motion.” – Andrew Fuller

Quote of the Day

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Good News Network

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Dec 1, 2020

Quote of the Day: “Hope is one of the principal springs that keep mankind in motion.” – Andrew Fuller

Photo by: Jason Olliff

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quote of the Day page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

A ‘Beaver Full Moon’ With Lunar Eclipse Happened This Morning—And Folks Took Some Stunning Photos

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Good News Network

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Nov 30, 2020

If you were up in the early hours of this morning, you may have noticed the full moon turning a shade or so darker and redder.

What you were seeing is called a penumbral lunar eclipse. Caused by the moon dipping behind the Earth’s fuzzy penumbra, or outer shadow, this subtle shading effect peaked at 4:32 am ET November 30, when—according to NASA—83% of the moon was in the shadow of our planet.

NASA has also given a list of the names November’s full moon is known by: The Algonquin tribes have long called this the Cold Moon after the long, frozen nights. Others know it as the Frost Moon, while an Old European Name is Oak Moon: perhaps because of ancient Druid traditions that involve harvesting mistletoe from oak trees for the upcoming winter solstice.

In America, the November full moon is perhaps still best known as the Beaver Moon—with Native Americans associating it with a time when the beavers are scrabbling to finish building their dens from mud and sticks and rocks in preparation for winter.

While this was the last penumbral eclipse of the year, don’t worry if you missed the occurrence due to sleep or clouds.

For those who didn’t get to witness the phenomenon in person, from San Francisco to Michigan to the Sydney Opera House, here are some stunning pictures of this year’s last partial lunar eclipse.

P.S. The next full moon will be the Cold Christmas Moon on December 29, 2020.

The full moon captured with the San Francisco skyline view at Alameda

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A post shared by David Yu (@davidyuweb)

A peaceful scene from Mackinac Island in Michigan

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A post shared by Sara Wright (@greendrinks)

Surreal views from Joshua Tree

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A post shared by Mike Dorsey (@miketaylordorsey)

The Columbia River Gorge became a moonrise kingdom

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A post shared by Kristar Burton | Landscapes (@kristarphoto)

Cool blue views were taken by this photographer in Northumberland, England

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A post shared by Richie Jameson (@richie_jameson)

This photographer in Russia caught an image straight from a folk tale

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A post shared by Климов Юрий (@yuri_klimov)

Clouds added interest and atmosphere to these photos taken in Preston, England

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A post shared by Sonia Bashir 🔥📸 (@soniabashir_)

A calming moment was captured on Rhode Island

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A post shared by Ross McLendon (@wrossmclendon)

The moon united photographers everywhere last night. Here’s a view from Sydney.

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A post shared by RobbieSydney Photography ® (@robbiesydneyphotography)

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Sufferers Living With Severe Arthritis Could be Given Lasting Pain Relief Thanks to a New Technique

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Good News Network

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Nov 30, 2020

A novel outpatient procedure offers lasting pain relief for patients suffering from moderate to severe arthritis in their hip and shoulder joints.

According to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America, researchers said the procedure could help reduce reliance on addictive opiates.

People with moderate to severe pain related to osteoarthritis face limited treatment options. Common approaches like injections of anesthetic and corticosteroids into the affected joints grow less effective as the arthritis progresses and worsens.

“Usually, over time patients become less responsive to these injections,” said Felix M. Gonzalez, M.D., from the Radiology Department at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. “The first anesthetic-corticosteroid injection may provide six months of pain relief, the second may last three months, and the third may last only a month. Gradually, the degree of pain relief becomes nonsignificant.”

Without pain relief, patients face the possibility of joint replacement surgery. Many patients are ineligible for surgery because of health reasons, whereas many others choose not to go through such a major operation.

CHECK OUT: First Ever Study Shows Chair Yoga is Effective Arthritic Treatment

For those patients, the only other viable option may be opiate painkillers, which carry the risk of addiction.

Dr. Gonzalez and colleagues have been studying the application of a novel interventional radiology treatment known as cooled radiofrequency ablation (c-RFA) to achieve pain relief in the setting of advanced degenerative arthritis. The procedure involves the placement of needles where the main sensory nerves exist around the shoulder and hip joints. The nerves are then treated with a low-grade current known as radiofrequency that “stuns” them, slowing the transmission of pain to the brain.

For the new study, 23 people with osteoarthritis underwent treatment, including 12 with shoulder pain and 11 with hip pain that had become unresponsive to anti-inflammatory pain control and intra-articular lidocaine-steroid injections.

Treatment was performed two to three weeks after the patients received diagnostic anesthetic nerve blocks. The patients then completed surveys to measure their function, range of motion and degree of pain before and at three months after the ablation procedures.

There were no procedure-related complications, and both the hip and shoulder pain groups reported statistically significant decrease in the degree of pain with corresponding increase in dynamic function after the treatment.

“In our study, the results were very impressive and promising,” Dr. Gonzalez said. “The patients with shoulder pain had a decrease in pain of 85%, and an increase in function of approximately 74%. In patients with hip pain, there was a 70% reduction in pain, and a gain in function of approximately 66%.”

The procedure offers a new alternative for patients who are facing the prospect of surgery. In addition, it can decrease the risk of opiate addiction.

“This procedure is a last resort for patients who are unable to be physically active and may develop a narcotic addiction,” Dr. Gonzalez said. “Until recently, there was no other alternative for the treatment of patients at the end of the arthritis pathway who do not qualify for surgery or are unwilling to undergo a surgical procedure.”

At last year’s RSNA annual meeting, Dr. Gonzalez presented similarly encouraging results from a study of a similar procedure for the treatment of knee arthritis. Together, the knee, shoulder and hip articulations account for approximately 95% of all arthritis cases.

The procedure could have numerous applications outside of treating arthritic pain, Dr. Gonzalez explained. Potential uses include treating pain related to diseases like cancer and sickle cell anemia-related pain syndrome, for example.

MORE: Hydrolyzed Collagen Supplements Are Good for Health: Benefitting Hair, Skin, Joints, and Muscles

“We’re just scratching the surface here,” Dr. Gonzalez said. “We would like to explore efficacy of the treatment on patients in other settings like trauma, amputations, and especially in cancer patients with metastatic disease.”

Source: Radiological Society of North America

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Huge Indigenous Solar Farm Opens in Remote Northern Community: ‘We work with the sun for the children of the future’

By

Andy Corbley

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Nov 30, 2020

solar energy-social-Facebook-3NE (1) — 3NE/Facebook

Canada’s largest indigenous-owned solar farm has just been opened in the Northern Alberta community of Fort Chipewyan.

Supplying 2.2 megawatts of solar electricity for three First Nations tribes, it will decrease the reliance of the community on the diesel-fired plant that has supplied them for decades.

Jointly owned by the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, the Mikisew Cree First Nation, and the Fort Chipewyan Metis Association, Three Nations Energy was established to bring about low-cost, low-carbon energy to help mitigate climate-related threats and decrease reliance and unreliable diesel tanker deliveries.

“We worked together and we made it happen,” Chief Allan Adam of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation said Tuesday at a COVID-limited celebration of the completion of the project’s second and final phase.

“We work with the sun, we work with the wind, we work with mother nature and we work the water for the children of the future—to give them a better life, a cleaner life.”

A community of just 1,000 people, until now, Fort Chipewyan got their necessary three million liters of diesel a year from fuel trucks braving ice roads that melt away in summertime, or by river barge.

The 5,760 solar panels will contribute about 25% of the community’s power demand, but being in the subarctic, daylight hours in wintertime are few, meaning that solar energy is a little less reliable than in most other places.

The renewable energy it generates will be equivalent to about 800,000 liters of diesel, or 2,300 tonnes of CO2, sparing 25 tankers the 220-kilometer (124-mile) trek up from Fort McMurray in the south on dangerous ice roads.

“This is a very proud moment for all of us as a community. We’ve worked together very hard for these past couple of years,” said Blue Eyes Simpson, vice-president of the Fort Chipewyan Métis Association.

The state and federal government helped contribute to the $7.6 million project, which is also the world’s most remote solar farm.

MORE: Solar is Now the Cheapest Electricity in History and Just Met 100% of Demand in South Australia For First Time

“Indigenous people must have an equity stake in resource projects if there’s going to be a healthy future for our vital resources industry,” said in a pre-recorded congratulations from Rick Wilson, Alberta’s minister of Indigenous Relations.

(WATCH the video below to learn more about the new solar farm.)

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Gone For a Century, Plant Finally Shows Itself When Conservation Work on ‘Ghost Pond’ Stirs Up Hidden Seed

By

Andy Corbley

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Nov 30, 2020

grass-poly-released-UCL, Rob Peacock — Rob Peacock

A rare plant ‘rose from the dead,’ and was found recently in a Norfolk ‘ghost pond’, becoming the first one spotted in a century.

Happened upon by a rambling geography professor, its existence could potentially lead to the rediscovery of other hidden plants lost in England’s recent history, and gives hope to conservation botanists.

The plant, known as grass-poly and sporting pinkish-white petals, was found growing on an old farmland pond in the English countryside in Norfolk. When Professor Carl Sayer found it, he took a picture and sent it to his friend—a local botanist called Dr. Jo Parmenter, who confirmed its rarity.

“I never ever expected to see it in Norfolk; it was quite extraordinary,” said Dr. Jo, according to the BBC. “I saw a photo and straight away I thought, I know what you are.”

Found only in ponds on muddy ground in isolated parts of the UK, this was the first sighting of the plant in the county of Norfolk in more than 100 years, and the scientists concluded that the seeds must have lain dormant for over a century before restoration work on the pond created the soil conditions that allowed the seed to finally germinate.

Effectively “coming back from the dead,” nearby willows were uprooted to help restore the pond before the sunlight was able to penetrate deep enough to reach the seed.

Conservation botany

When people think of an endangered species, they often picture flagship animals like the tiger, panda, or rhino. However, plants can also be endangered, and the grass-poly certainly ranks among those.

Professor Sayer, part of the University College London’s Pond Restoration Research Group, imagines that if Norfolk’s thousands of wild ponds can be restored, more “missing, presumed dead” species may emerge once again.

“There’s no oxygen, it’s very dark, and it’s perfect for preserving seeds,” says Sayer, referring to the muddy banks of the average pond.

While often appearing as nothing more than mudhole, ponds can act as hubs in a local ecosystem. In Norfolk, many of the ponds are known as “ghost ponds,” harboring little environmental value in their current, degraded state.

CHECK OUT: With 14,000 Critical Acres Added to Montana Wildlife Reserve, It May Become the Largest in the Lower 48

Yet in both the United States and in England, river and pond restoration is becoming a more actively undertaken form of conservation, due to the keystone aspect of ponds and rivers for local wildlife.

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Breakthrough App Guides Blind Runner on Solo 5k Run Through Central Park

By

Judy Cole

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Nov 30, 2020

thomas-panek-run-blind-YouTube-Google-Video — Google/YouTube

Vision isn’t always measured by the things we see, but rather by the things we imagine, the things we strive to accomplish, and the things we make happen. Runner Thomas Panek lost his sight to a genetic disorder in his twenties but he’s never given up on the race.

“The safest thing for a blind man is to sit still. I ain’t sitting still,” he told Reuters.

Three decades down the road, Panek is breaking into a new stride. Using a cutting-edge app he was instrumental in developing, he recently became the first blind runner to complete a 5K race without the aid of a guide dog or human running partner.

Panek is no stranger to firsts. As president and CEO of New York-based nonprofit Guiding Eyes for the Blind, in 2015, he launched the “Running Guides” program that trains guide dogs for blind runners.

“I’ve been a runner for my whole life, except I stopped for a time too afraid to run without assistance. I picked up running again using human guides,” Panek said in an interview with Time. “People volunteered to connect with me with a tether to show the way to go but I would have to leave my guide dog at home—and yet, dogs love to run and I love to run so I really wanted to see with my training from Guiding Eyes for the Blind if it was possible to train a guide dog to run.”

CHECK OUT: Athlete With Downs Syndrome Makes History as First to Finish an Iron Man Race–And Gifts the Medal to His Mom

In March of 2019, Panek—the first blind entrant to do so—ran the 13.1 mile New York City Half Marathon, crossing the finish line with a time 2:20:52 with the help of a three-dog relay team.

He started the race accompanied by a black Labrador named Westley. Westley was relieved by a yellow Lab named Waffle. Panek completed the last leg of the race with his personal guide dog, Gus.

As much as he enjoyed the companionship of his guide dog, Panek wondered if there might not be a way to race on his own. He reached out to Google for help.

The answer came in the form of a camera-assisted artificial intelligence cell phone app. Using painted track markers, the app calculates a runner’s location and orientation and responds with audio cues to guide them in the right direction.

At an event co-sponsored by Google and the New York Road Runners Club, Panek tried out the Project Guideline app for the first time. “To be able to be here, it’s real emotional,” he said. “It’s a real feeling of not only freedom and independence, but also, you know, you get that sense that you’re just like anybody else.”

MORE: Meet the 18-Year-old Blind Piano Player Who is So Talented, Scientists Are Studying His Brain

Except Panek isn’t like anybody else. He believes humans are “born to run” and he’s gifted with the kind of vision that strives to make sure that no one who shares his dream gets left behind.

(WATCH the Google video of how the technology got made below.)

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“All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

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Nov 30, 2020

Quote of the Day: “All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

Photo by: Michel Stockman

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Revolutionary CRISPR-based Genome Editing System Destroys Cancer Cells ‘Permanently’ in Lab

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Nov 29, 2020

Cancer cell during cell division Credit-National Institutes of Health — Cancer cell during cell division (Credit-National Institutes of Health)

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have demonstrated that the CRISPR genome editing system is very effective in treating metastatic cancers, a significant step on the way to finding a cure for cancer.

In a paper published this week, the researchers demonstrated a novel lipid nanoparticle-based delivery system that specifically targets cancer cells—and co-author Prof. Dan Peer said it’s the first study in the world to prove that the CRISPR/Cas9 can be used to treat cancer effectively in a living animal.

“It must be emphasized that this is not chemotherapy. There are no side effects, and a cancer cell treated in this way will never become active again,” said Peer, the VP for R&D and Head of the Laboratory of Precision Nanomedicine at the Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research.

“The CRISPR genome editing technology, capable of identifying and altering any genetic segment, has revolutionized our ability to disrupt, repair or even replace genes in a personalized manner.”

Peer’s team that includes researchers from an Iowa company, Integrated DNA Technologies, and Harvard Medical School, chose two of the deadliest cancers: glioblastoma and metastatic ovarian cancer to examine the system’s feasibility. Glioblastoma is the most aggressive type of brain cancer, with a life expectancy of 15 months after diagnosis and a five-year survival rate of only 3%.

The researchers demonstrated that a single treatment with CRISPR-LNPs doubled the average life expectancy of mice with glioblastoma tumors, improving their overall survival rate by about 30%.

Ovarian cancer is a major cause of death among women and the most lethal cancer of the female reproductive system. Despite progress in recent years, only a third of the patients survive this disease—but treatment with CRISPR-LNPs in mice with metastatic ovarian cancer boosted the overall survival rate of by a whopping 80%.

“Despite its extensive use in research, clinical implementation is still in its infancy because an effective delivery system is needed to safely and accurately deliver the CRISPR to its target cells,” Peer told Tel Aviv University news. “The delivery system we developed targets the DNA responsible for the cancer cells’ survival. This is an innovative treatment for aggressive cancers that have no effective treatments today.”

The system, called CRISPR-LNPs, carries a genetic messenger (messenger RNA), which encodes for the CRISPR enzyme Cas9 that acts as molecular scissors that cut the cells’ DNA. “The molecular scissors of Cas9 cut the cancer cell’s DNA, thereby neutralizing it and permanently preventing replication,” explained Peer.

The groundbreaking study was funded by the Israel Cancer Research Fund, and published this week in Science Advances.

The researchers note that by demonstrating its potential in treating two aggressive cancers, the technology opens numerous new possibilities for treating other types of cancer, as well as rare genetic diseases and chronic viral diseases such as AIDS. They intend to proceed with experiments treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy, for instance.

“It will probably take some time before the new treatment can be used in humans, but we are optimistic. The whole scene of molecular drugs that utilize messenger RNA (genetic messengers) is thriving—in fact, most COVID-19 vaccines currently under development are based on this principle,” says Peer.

“When we first spoke of treatments with mRNA twelve years ago, people thought it was science fiction. . . We are already negotiating with international corporations and foundations, aiming to bring the benefits of genetic editing to human patients.”

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This Moving Company Now Helps Victims of Domestic Violence Leave Abusive Homes Nationwide At No Cost

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Nov 29, 2020

A moving company announced this month a new commitment to provide free moves to victims of domestic violence and those currently living in abusive situations.

Since the recent launch of the program, College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving has already completed over 100 free moves for those who are fleeing an unsafe situation in the U.S. and Canada.

This new program is even more important as more cities are going into lockdown and victims can end up being trapped during the pandemic without relief.

“I definitely think our Free Moves for Survivors of Domestic Violence program sheds light on a really important issue that is not often talked about,” College Hunks co-founder Nick Friedman told GNN.

“As a purpose driven, socially-conscious organization we’re always looking for ways to positively impact our communities—in this case, particularly for those who feel powerless in unhealthy home situations.”

20 years ago, another moving company, Meathead Movers, began offering free moves to people in abusive homes. Last year they donated more than $150,000 worth of moving services, partnering with eight domestic violence shelters in Central and Southern California.

Now, College Hunks Hauling is extending the same kind of help across their 131 franchise locations in the U.S. and Canada, offering the use of trucks and labor at no cost.

How to apply

Individuals who need this kind of help should first contact their local domestic violence-prevention shelter to notify them of their situation.

A certified domestic violence-prevention shelter will then need to approve and coordinate the no-cost move requests through College HUNKS to ensure that the victim is supported throughout the entire transition.

College HUNKS on GNN: Man Acts as Human Bench for Elderly Lady Stuck on Elevator

Once qualifications for the free move are confirmed, the approving shelter works in partnership with College Hunks to execute the move in coordination with their local franchise owner and the local authorities, as needed, for the safety of both the victim and the assisting College HUNKS team.

Beyond domestic violence assistance, College Hunks has also provided trucks for transporting COVID-19 testing supplies and other medical equipment, for relocating beds and goods from one hospital to another, and delivering water to healthcare workers.

MORE HUNKS: Watch College Mover Take Break From Hauling to Serenade Elderly Widow

In addition, they have also been donating 2 nutritious meals for every completed job to Feeding Children Everywhere—with over 1 million meals donated since the program began.

College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving was originally founded by two college buddies, Omar Soliman and Nick who began using a beat-up cargo van to haul furniture. H.U.N.K.S. becoming an abbreviation for Honest, Uniformed, Nice, Knowledgeable, Service.

WATCH their video below—and follow the instructions above in order to be considered for free moving services…

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Deaths From Terrorism Reach Five-year Low – Falling For Fifth Straight Year

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Nov 29, 2020

Globally deaths from terrorism fell for the fifth consecutive year in 2019—a 15 percent decrease from the prior year, continuing a positive trend.

The 2020 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) reports this week that deaths from terrorism peaked in 2014 and the number of deaths has now decreased by 59 percent since then.

The annual report, now in its eighth year, is developed by the think tank Institute of Economics and Peace (IEP) which uses a number of factors to calculate its score, including the number of incidences, fatalities, injuries, and property damage.

103 countries improved their scores, with the largest decreases in deaths occurring in Afghanistan and Nigeria, though they are still the only two countries to have experienced more than 1,000 deaths from terrorism. This is the highest number of countries to record a year-on-year improvement since the inception of the index.

The Middle East and North Africa recorded the largest regional improvement in terrorism for the second consecutive year, recording the lowest number of deaths since 2003.

The largest increase in terrorism occurred in Burkina Faso—with deterioration also reported for Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Mali and Niger.

Conflict remains the primary driver of terrorism, with over 96 per cent of deaths from terrorism in 2019 occurring in countries already in conflict.

Central America and the Caribbean region recorded the lowest impact from terrorism.

Terrorist deaths attributed to the Taliban declined by 18 percent and ISIL’s strength and influence also continued to decline, especially in the Middle East and North Africa. For the first time since the group became active it was responsible for less than a thousand deaths in any one year.

The fall in terrorism has also been accompanied by a reduction in the global economic impact of terrorism, decreasing by 25 percent.

MORE: U.S. Plans to Reduce Number of Troops in Iraq by Nearly Half This Month

Since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020, preliminary data suggests a decline in both incidents and deaths from terrorism in most regions in the world.

The full GTI 2020 report is available online at visionofhumanity.org.

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‘Mom, It’s Me!’ Woman Meets Son She Placed For Adoption 45 Years Ago And Confirms She Made Right Decision

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Nov 29, 2020

If Brenda Van Sickle would have been able to care for a baby at 16 years old, she would have gladly—but she was determined to get him the best care, so gave him up for adoption.

Last month, 45 years later, she got a phone call, and was able to meet the man who benefitted from that difficult decision.

Wes Fenner found his mother through DNA testing, after living a good life with a loving family. He works for a major bank in New Orleans, and started a family of his own.

After talking to Brenda on the phone for a few weeks, he flew to North Texas to meet her alongside a pond.

She told NBC-5 News about hearing a voice behind her: ‘Mom, it’s me.'”

Wes said, “I’m not a huge crier, but it was definitely one of those moments. It was kind of like looking at myself, a slightly older version of myself, in the mirror.”

“You know you wonder about nature versus nurture,” Van Sickle said. “We send each other song lyrics back and forth and he listens to the same music I do. We like the same movies. We have the same snarky sense of humor. I’m going, ‘Yeah, this is my kid.'”

WATCH the news report below—or read the full story at NBC-5…

CHECK OUT: Nurse Adopted Man With Autism After Knowing Him Just 2 Days So He Could Receive a Heart Transplant

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“If your heart is broken, make art with the pieces.” – Shane Koyczan

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Nov 29, 2020

Quote of the Day: “If your heart is broken, make art with the pieces.” – Shane Koyczan

Shane Koyczan is a Canadian spoken-word poet and writer known for talking about issues like bullying, cancer, death, and eating disorders. His anti-bullying poem “To This Day” has over 24 million views on YouTube.

Photo by: Kelly Sikkema

With a new inspirational quote every day, atop the perfect photo—collected and archived on our Quote of the Day page—why not bookmark GNN.org for a daily uplift?

U.S. Department of Defense Funds New Lyme Disease Vaccine Development

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Nov 28, 2020

Researchers at Baylor College along with Texas Children’s Hospital’s Center for Vaccine Development have received an $860,000 grant from the Department of Defense to develop a recombinant protein vaccine for Lyme disease—the most common vector-borne disease in the U.S. military and in the general U.S. population.

“We have partnered with the experts that have identified a novel vaccine antigen and plan to accelerate its development as a new prototype vaccine from the bench into the clinic,” said Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi, associate dean of Baylor’s National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and co-director of Texas Children’s Center for Vaccine Development.

No human Lyme disease vaccine is currently available, she added. And, those candidates that have advanced into clinical trials have not developed a safe and effective or efficient response

Lyme disease, transmitted by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, can infect at the site of the tick bite and then survive in the bloodstream and spread to the heart, joints or brain, resulting in arthritis, neurological abnormalities, and carditis.

CHECK OUT: Scientists Develop New Test That Can Diagnose Lyme Disease in Just 15 Minutes

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 300,000 Americans are infected annually, especially in the Midwest and Northeast, including New York state—and with warmer temperatures becoming the norm, the disease cases have been geographically expanding in the past 20 years.

Researchers from Baylor will partner on this work with Lyme disease experts from the Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health.

A Baylor College news release reports the team will develop a process to manufacture the vaccine prototype and define host immune responses triggered by the prototypic vaccine under different regimens, including different doses, number of immunizations and type of immune-stimulants, to identify the most efficient way to prevent bacterial colonization and Lyme disease manifestation.

“Contributing to this work and applying our strict quality system practices will be crucial to realize our long-term goal to develop a Lyme disease vaccine, and our vaccine center is well poised to achieve the goals of the project,” said Dr. Wen-Hsiang Chen, assistant professor of tropical medicine at Baylor and director of vaccine quality control and analytical development at Texas Children’s.

“This program builds nicely on our strengths in identifying Lyme disease bacterial proteins as vaccine candidates and investigating how injecting these vaccine candidates blocks tick-to-human transmission of bacteria and/or prevents the disease manifestations,” said Dr. Yi-Pin Lin at Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health.

“This study will significantly benefit the quality of life for U.S. Service members, their families and the general public around the globe.”

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