Sudan Lifts Ban on Opposition Newspaper
A Sudanese official said in late January the government has lifted a ban on an opposition newspaper, a week after Khartoum announced that it would hold a national dialogue to address freedom of expression. -AP
Measle Deaths Down 78 Percent
Deaths from measles have dropped 78 percent since 2000 as global vaccination campaigns curb outbreaks of the pneumonia-causing disease, according to the World Health Organization. (Bloomberg)
Antibiotic Use in Children has Dropped
The number of children taking antibiotics has decreased over the past decade with fewer unnecessary prescriptions being written in every age group, according to a study in the March 2014 Pediatrics that examined the years 2000-2010. - American Academy of Pediatrics
Health Spending as Share of GDP Drops for First Time Since 1997
Spending on health care as a share of GDP in 2012 dropped slightly for the first time since 1997, as overall growth in health-care spending remained relatively low for the fourth consecutive year, the federal government announced in January.
World Sea Piracy Falls for Third Straight Year
"World sea piracy fell for a third straight year in 2013, as Somali pirates were curbed by international naval patrols and improved ship vigilance." (AP)
Signs of Coral Recovery for the Great Barrier Reef
Queensland scientists say baby corals are blooming again on the Great Barrier Reef, both in some of the shallows and also deeper areas, say scientists, which demonstrates the ability to bounce back after multiple impacts. (ABC)
Number of Gray Whales Seen Migrating South Doubles From Year Ago
The number of gray whales spotted migrating south off the Southern California coast in December was double what it was compared with the same period last year, reflecting a possible population boom for the once endangered species. (LA Times)
World Manufacturing Ends 2013 on Strong Note
Global manufacturing ended 2013 on a strong note as major exporters like Japan, Germany, and Italy posted their fastest growth in years, and China saw no major slowdown in manufacturing output. (Reuters)
Fewest Americans Killed in 2013 Lightning Strikes Than Any Year Before
Thanks to public safety awareness, lightning strikes killed fewer people in the U.S. last year than in any other year on record, according to federal officials at NOAA. Compared to 70 years ago when 432 people were struck and killed, the 2013 total reached just 23. (NBC)
Home Electricity Use in US Falls to 2001 Level
Because household appliances are more energy efficient than ever, Americans' electricity use is at the lowest level its been in a decade. Power usage declined in 2013 for the third year in a row, to 10,819 kilowatt-hours per household -- the lowest level since 2001. (AP)
US Vehicles Hit Record Gas Mileage in 2012
New cars and trucks sold in the US in 2012 hit a record for average of miles per gallon - 23.6 - in combined city and highway driving through improvements to engines and transmissions. Carbon dioxide emissions also hit a record low.
Eastern Congo Rebel Group Lays Down Arms in Defeat
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the defeated M23 rebel group, whose bloody insurgency displaced 800,000 people, announced it is ending its attacks, laying down its arms and signing a peace deal with the government on Monday. - Reuters
Atlantic Hurricane Season Quietest in 45 years
So far, the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season has been one of the weakest since modern record-keeping began about half a century ago, marking the first time in 45 years that the strongest storm to form was just a minor Category 1 hurricane. -Global Post
Coral More Resilient Than First Thought, Australian Scientists Find
Australian scientists studying the ocean have found that coral is more resilient than first thought, and has the ability to deal with increasing temperature. - ABC News
Wind Energy Surges in Ohio Over Five Years
Wind power generation has exploded in Ohio with the capacity increasing from 7.4 megawatts in 2008 to 428 megawatts in 2012. With utility companies erecting 423 turbines, the output grew from enough to power 1,300 homes to more than 100,000 homes.
Salmon Rebound on Columbia River Results in Record Fall Run
The 2013 chinook salmon run on the Columbia River is the largest ever, and could hit 1 million fish, following years of court-ordered actions to make the 14 dams in the Columbia Basin less lethal to fish. -AP
UK Breaks its Renewable Energy Record
The UK has generated a record amount of energy from renewable sources in the second quarter of 2013, a full 15.5% of its total production – a jump of 5.8% compared to the same period last year. -Department of Energy And Climate Change
Trends: Teens Eating Better, Exercising More
Teenagers are eating less sugar, more fruits and vegetables, and exercising more, which may be cutting obesity rates, a new study shows. -NYTimes
Volunteerism Becomes Part of Modern Culture in America
Since 1989, the number of Americans who volunteer has grown by more than 25 million and service is up across all age groups. -White House, 2013
Scottish Crime Falls to 39-year Low
Crime in Scotland has fallen to the lowest level since 1974 with homicide and other violence plummeting by more than 20 percent. Even robbery and theft rates dropped despite the recession. - Scotsman