All News - Page 127 of 1690 - Good News Network
Home Blog Page 127

Since 1968 French Teachers Have Come to Louisiana Classrooms to Preserve French Language Through Immersion

By
Andy Corbley
-
credit - Consulate General of France in New Orleans
credit – Consulate General of France in New Orleans

A program that has seen French language teachers working in American immersion schools in the state of Louisiana has been extended another 4 years.

Organized by the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana (CODOFIL), the southern city has enjoyed the fruits of the partnership for nearly 60 years and every scholastic year invites teachers from French-speaking countries around the world to teach in Louisiana to preserve the city’s unique heritage.

According to Peggy Feehan, its executive director, CODOFIL already has 155 teachers working in 14 parishes and more than 40 schools across Louisiana.

They come from not only France, but Senegal, Ivory Coast, Belgium, and Cameroon.

“It means the world to us to have a longstanding relationship with France since the beginning,” Feehan told NOLA. “Without that cooperation, that’s a lot of kids that wouldn’t have a French teacher.”

Senator Jeremy Stine (R – LO) recently returned from Paris where alongside Ronnie Morris, president of Louisiana’s state board of education, and Rodolphe Sambou, director of education for the Ministry of Education at the Consul General of France in Louisiana, the state extended France’s participation for another 4 years.

Many of the state’s parishes do not have immersion schools, but in Calcasieu, Lafayette, and Orleans, parents can enroll their children, Pre/K through 12, in schools that teach French alongside English.

MORE GOOD LANGUAGE NEWS: 89-year-old had to ‘Speak Up’ to Save Believed-Extinct Language of Indigenous People Who Revered Silence

Saint-Landry, Baton-Rogue Est, Assomption, Saint-Martin, Iberie, Jefferson, and Evangeline counties offer Pre/K through 8, and Terrebonne, Vermillion, Lincoln, and Caddo counties offer Pre/K through 5.

A full register of the immersion schools can be seen here.

KRVS, 88.7 FM, reports that the new school in Terrebonne Parish is the first Indigenous French immersion school in the state, and possibly the country.

MORE STORIES OF COOPERATION: Siri and Alexa Don’t Support African Languages But This Nonprofit Swooped in to Offer 60 New Voices – Including Welsh

Mr. Sambou said that about 250,000 people in Louisiana speak French or the French dialects spoken by some of the state’s Cajun, Creole, and Indigenous communities. Sambou added that the fact that France continues to send teachers despite teacher shortages across the country shows their commitment to the long-standing partnership.

SHARE This Wonderful, Enriching Partnership In This Historic US State…

Houston Chick-fil-A Workers Help Terminally Ill Diner ‘Visit Alaska’ to Complete Bucket List–LOOK

By
Andy Corbley
-
Inside the Alaska State Capitol - Provided by Chick-fil-A at Springwoods Village
Bill and Becky, center, pose with family and Chick-fil-A Market – Provided by Chick-fil-A Market at Springwoods Village

A Houston Chick-fil-A recently went far above and beyond the typical customer service to surprise a terminally-ill regular with a bucket list experience… of sorts.

Bill and Becky decided 20 years ago as they approached retirement they’d set out to visit every state capital, but as the years went on they never found a good time to visit, Juneau, Alaska.

Now carrying a terminal cancer diagnosis, Bill and his partner Becky of more than 50 years had all but accepted this bucket list adventure would end on a dour note.

But when the Springwoods Village location of Chick-fil-A found out about Bill’s unfulfilled dream, they decided, in honor of the two longtime regulars, to contact a location in Juneau and concoct a plan.

“Bill and Becky mean so much to our team and we wanted to do what we could to help them complete their bucket list,” said Mike Magdaleno, local Chick-fil-A owner-operator. “We loved channeling a spirit for adventure from Alaska to Texas, and were honored to play a small part in helping them achieve this incredible milestone.”

The Juneau Chick-fil-A team got a hold of a photograph from Bill and Becky’s wedding day, blew it up into a cardboard cutout, and began placing it in front of iconic Juneau sites, including the state capitol building, and the Mendenhall Glacier, where a visual artist used their wedding photo as inspiration to draw them sitting comfortably in front of the Glacier as if they had visited in their twenties.

Inside the governor’s office – Provided by Chick-fil-A Market at Springwoods Village
– Provided by Chick-fil-A Market at Springwoods Village
Inside the Alaska State Capitol – Provided by Chick-fil-A at Springwoods Village

The team then took all these photos and made a scrapbook, placed it in a basket with some souveniers, and mailed it to the Houston Springwoods Village location as a surpise.

As an extra touch, the touring Chick-fil-A team members signed Bill and Becky’s names in the capitol building visitor’s log.

– Provided by Chick-fil-A Market at Springwoods Village

Lone Star Live reports that Bill and Becky met in 1972 at a telephone company. They live surrounded by loved ones with the company of 5 children, 17 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.

SHARE This Heartfelt Gesture In Honor Of Two Loyal Customers… 

AI Safety System Stops Train After Detecting Elephants Crossing the Tracks Ahead

By
Andy Corbley
-
Northeast Frontier Railway / Supriya Sahu, Tamil Nadu’s Health and Environment department
Northeast Frontier Railway / Supriya Sahu, Tamil Nadu’s Health and Environment department

In India’s wildlife capital of Assam State, the driver of a train was alerted to the presence of a herd of elephants crossing the tracks ahead.

The alert came from a safety system powered by an AI that can identify wildlife and convey that information to trains in the area.

Driver J.D. Das and his assistant Umesh Kumar of Kamrup Express were able to apply the emergency break in time to avoid hitting or startling the elephants.

East Central Railways claim their AI system has prevented 800 potential collisions with elephants crossing tracks in the states of Tamil Nadu and Assam.

They plan to install monitoring stations across their entire jurisdiction to make certain that no elephant corridor is without AI-assisted surveillance.

AI is an emerging force in wildlife conservation, especially in the realm of reducing human-animal conflict.

 

Recently in Virginia, two Indian-Americans were awarded $15,000 for their invention of an AI detection system to monitor deer crossings.

OTHER GOOD USES FOR AI: 

Positioned on the side of the road, if the device detects both cars and deer in the vicinity, it emits high-frequency pulses and animal sounds to deter the deer from attempting to cross at that moment.

In 2022, 6,100 traffic collisions, or 15% of the total number in the state, involved deer, an incident ratio that left 500 people injured.

AI has also been used to help prevent shark attacks. The developers of a shark attack forecast app took advantage of a deep learning algorithm to compartmentalize over a hundred years of shark attack data to create a forecast for beaches around the US with an 89% accuracy.

Called SafeWaters.AI, they hope not only to save lives—their primary objective—but to help reduce persecution of sharks in response to attacks on humans.

SHARE This Great Use Of Technology With Your Friends… 

“Are right and wrong convertible terms, dependent upon popular opinion?” (Let’s hope not.) – William Lloyd Garrison

By
Good News Network
-
Getty Images for Unsplash+

Quote of the Day: “Are right and wrong convertible terms, dependent upon popular opinion?” (Let’s hope not.) – William Lloyd Garrison

Photo by: Getty Images for Unsplash+

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?

Getty Images for Unsplash+

Novel Plant-Derived Compound May Be Game-Changer for Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis

By
Andy Corbley
-
A bloodroot flower - CC 4.0. BY-SA Erutuon.
A bloodroot flower – CC 4.0. BY-SA Erutuon.

A plant-derived compound was shown in a recent study to kill strains of tuberculosis that were resistant to existing therapies.

The compound was found in a plant native to North America, and was not only able to suppress dormant TB bacteria from resurfacing but also didn’t damage the gut microbiome.

Tuberculosis is the second-leading killer of humans from an infectious disease worldwide, and has been developing resistance to many of the antibiotics previously used to treat it.

Caused by a species of bacteria that invades the respiratory system called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, it can also affect the heart, brain, and spinal column.

A new study published in the journal Anti-inflammatory Nutraceuticals and Chronic Diseases, found that sanguinarine, a derivative of bloodroot, a wildflower found in North America, could combat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MRTB) after being genetically modified to reduce its natural toxicity.

TB is treated with multiple medications over a 6-month period, exposing the human organism to substantial weakening. By contrast, the sanguinarine selectively targeted the bacteria responsible for MRTB, leaving harmless and beneficial bacteria intact.

However, in its natural form, sanguinarine is toxic to human cells, so Dr. Jim Sun, senior author and assistant professor at the University of British Columbia’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology, led a team to genetically reduce the toxicity of the phytochemical while increasing its potency as a tuberculosis killer.

ALSO CHECK OUT: A Hero Ingredient To Help Manage Obesity: The Hardy Roselle Plant

This resulted in the creation of 35 new derivatives, two of which—BPD9 and BPD6—showed over 90% inhibition of 8 different forms of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, 3 that were particularly virulent, and 5 that were resistant to existing drugs.

“TB treatment takes six months because the bacteria can ‘hibernate’ in your lungs until reactivated. Most antibiotics work best against actively growing bacteria, but BPD9 seems to be able to stop dormant bacteria from coming back to life,” explained Dr. Sun.

STORIES SIMILAR TO THIS: Plant Toxins Fatal to Sugarcane Hailed as the ‘New Weapon’ Antibiotic in Fight Against Bacteria

It took just 8 days to significantly reduce the quantity of MRTB and other TB strains in mice treated with BPD9, delighting the research team, who nonetheless say that more work needs to be done to lower the compounds’ toxicity and conducting additional tests on drug-resistant strains of TB-causing bacteria.

SHARE This Positive Public-Health Development With Your Friends…

Egypt Has Finally Been Declared Malaria-Free After 4,000 Years of Infections—Even the Pharaohs

By
Andy Corbley
-
Cairo on the Nile - Photo by Jack Krier on Unsplash
Cairo on the Nile – Photo by Jack Krier on Unsplash

Egypt, one of the world’s 15 most populous nations, has been certified malaria-free after a ‘pharaonic’ effort that began 100 years ago.

Killing nearly 600,000 people every year, almost all of whom dwell in Africa, the malarial transmission chain has been interrupted for three years in a row, proving that the Egyptian health authorities can ensure it remains a negligent public health burden.

“Malaria is as old as Egyptian civilization itself, but the disease that plagued pharaohs now belongs to its history,” said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, to mark the occasion.

The WHO praised “the Egyptian government and people” for their efforts to “end a disease that has been present in the country since ancient times,” and added that Egypt and her 114 million inhabitants were now the second country declared malaria-free in the WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean region.

Malaria has been traced as far back as 4,000 BCE in Egypt, with genetic evidence of the disease found in Tutankhamun and other ancient Egyptian mummies. With most of Egypt’s population living along the banks of the Nile River, malaria prevalence has been recorded as high as 40%.

The statement detailed how Egyptian health advocates first took action to combat the spread of malaria in 1923 when the government prevented agricultural cultivation near settlements.

Only 44 countries in the tropical belts where malaria spreads have been declared malaria-free since the creation of the WHO. Near-neighbors UAE, and far neighbors Morocco, have also won the designation.

ALSO CHECK OUT: Cape Verde Becomes the First African Country in 50 Years to Eradicate Malaria

“Receiving the malaria elimination certificate today is not the end of the journey but the beginning of a new phase,” said Egypt’s Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar.

“We must now work tirelessly and vigilantly to sustain our achievement through maintaining the highest standards for surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment.”

OTHER DISEASE ERADICATION: Cancer Plummets, Guinea Worm Eradicated, Bye-Bye Ebola—3 Huge Wins for Humanity

Malaria diagnosis and treatment are provided free of charge to the entire population in Egypt regardless of legal status, and health professionals are trained nationwide to detect and screen for malaria cases including at borders. Egypt’s strong cross-border partnership with neighboring countries, including Sudan, has been instrumental in preventing the re-establishment of local malaria transmission.

SHARE This Momentous Public Health Victory On Social Media… 

The Medicinal Value of Chaga Mushrooms as a Nutraceutical for Good Health

By
Andy Corbley
-
Björn S, CC license
Björn S, CC license

In an updated review of the medicinal value of the Siberian native fungus called chaga, international researchers underscored the almost unbelievable value of this humble organism for functional medicine.

Their review, synthesizing old and brand new studies on chaga, describes its anticancer, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immunomodulating properties as “remarkable.”

As World at Large reports, there is a very wide, very blurred line separating food from medicine. Nearly all known diseases are diagnosed alongside nutrient deficiencies, from bone cancer to sepsis.

While no one suffering from a migraine or eczema is running to the kitchen, clinical deficiencies in certain micronutrients may be the underlying or exasperating causes of many maladies.

As part of eating for health, nutraceuticals—sometimes called “functional foods”—which define the blurred line mentioned above, are of great interest. Mushrooms are certainly included in this category.

Chaga is not a mushroom as we would recognize it, but a white rot fungus that grows on trees rather than up from the soil. It’s found in North America, Siberia, and Scandinavia, and has a traditional history of use as medicine. It’s boiled in tea and consumed to treat inflammation and cancer in native cultures across Russia, for example.

Chaga possesses a panoply of polyphenols and triterpenes, also known as phytonutrients, (compounds contained in plants), many of which have already been established as medicinal in their antibacterial, anti-toxic, antioxidant, anti-cancer, antiviral, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, and immuno-modulatory effects.

These include betulinic acid, betulin, ergosterol peroxides, caffeic acid, inonoblin B, trametenolic acid, lupeol, lanosterol, inotodiol, and melanin.

Chaga, like all mushrooms, contains beta-glucans as its principal source of fiber. Beta-glucan is probably the most fortifying and beneficial type of fiber humans can consume, but is present in the largest quantities in mushrooms. A great source of fiber helps modulate the immune responses originating from the gut, prevent colon and stomach cancers, and reinforce the mucus lining on the inside of the GI tract, thereby preventing gut-borne pathogens from seeping into the bloodstream.

Part of chaga’s nutriceutical arsenal are betulin and betulinic acid. These names refer to the birch tree (Betula) and the chaga likely gathers these compounds from its parasitical relationship with the hardwood.

“Betulin has anticancer activity and is used for the treatment of wound healing. Derivates of betulin stimulate collagen synthesis in normal human fibroblasts. Betulin can be easily converted into betulinic acid, a compound that has anti-malarial, antifungal, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory activity,” the authors write.

“Betulin and betulinic acid are the most effective compounds used against skin inflammation. Betulin, betunilic acid, and their derivates can be used against melanoma skin cancer, epidermoid carcinoma, and actinic dermatosis.”

ALSO CHECK OUT: Vitamin D Improves Immunity to Cancer And Reduces Tumor Growth in Mice, Study Finds

The anti-cancer effects are particularly noteworthy. The authors continue…

“Furthermore, triterpenoids, such as inotodiol and ergosterol peroxide, found in [chaga] have exhibited anti-cancer properties by inducing apoptosis, inhibiting cell proliferation, and suppressing angiogenesis. Similarly, the compound called 3,4-dihydroxybenzalacetone has been found to have anticancer properties.”

EATING FOR HEALTH: Holy Mackerel! Fish Really Is Brain Food – Even if You Only Eat a Small Amount

“It can regulate the expression of genes that promote anti-apoptosis and cell proliferation. Additionally, [chaga] produces polyporenic acids, including inotolic acid, which have shown promising anti-cancer effects by inhibiting cancer cell growth and inducing cell cycle arrest.”

“Water extract of chaga mushroom exhibited a potential anticancer activity against B16–F10 melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo through the inhibition of proliferation and induction of differentiation and apoptosis of cancer cells,” they write.

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS: Porcini Mushrooms Rank Among Highest in the World for Rare ‘Essential Vitamin’

Chaga is one of a host of popular health-promoting fungi species, and is certainly one of the most researched. It’s often taken as a supplement because most humans don’t live close enough to the Arctic Circle to find chaga in the wild.

Picking a supplement should be done with care, however, as the supplement industry is filled with hucksters, contaminated products, and scams. Beyond these rudimentary challenges, picking the right chaga supplement would also involve ensuring you’re getting a product that is made with actual mushrooms, or is at least mostly mushrooms, rather than the mycelium.

SHARE This Nutraceutical Review With Your Friends Who Are Crazy About Health And Fitness…

Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story stated that beta-glucans are only found in mushrooms. The statement has been corrected. 

To Help Your Local Wildlife, Stop Raking and Join the ‘Leave The Leaves’ Campaign This Autumn

By
Andy Corbley
-
Rodolfo Mari - Unsplash
Rodolfo Mari – Unsplash

A wildlife conservation and advocacy group is encouraging Americans this year to take a break from raking and just ‘leave the leaves.’

It’s part of a campaign to try to educate the public on the value of leaf litter to dozens of native wildlife, plant, and fungi species.

Raking up these leaves removes valuable habitat and food for the biodiversity that persists on America’s lawns.

“Songbirds, small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles all rely on the leaf layer in some way,” explains the National Wildlife Federation, organizers of the Leave the Leaves Pledge. “Many beloved insect species like butterflies, moths, and fireflies use this layer as a safe spot to wait out the winter, and others forage in and even eat the decomposing leaves.”

Established by the Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist and illustrator of the first Federal Duck Stamp, J.N. Darjeeling, the National Wildlife Federation offers some tips for how to manage dead leaves in the autumn that doesn’t involve removing them entirely from the micro-climate that is your yard.

Because a thick leaf layer can damage your grass and make pathways slippery, rake the leaves to other parts of your yard where trees aren’t located.

Adding a layer of leaves to your garden beds not only benefits overwintering wildlife, but it can also help suppress weeds and return important nutrients to the soil.

Place excess leaves under native trees to provide prime habitat for wildlife. Caterpillars that live in native trees will be looking for a leaf layer to overwinter. Mammals and birds that enjoy the shelter of the tree can also forage in the leaf layer.

OTHER LAWN TIPS: ‘No Mow May’ Gives You a Reason to NOT Mow the Lawn: Leave the Weeds to Feed the Bees

If you still have leftover leaves and debris, you can pile them up in a corner of your garden and they will break down into an incredible compost for your garden that can be used in the coming seasons.

GOOD GARDENING: Millions of Wildflowers Now Delight the Town After Vermont Couple Got Tired of Mowing the Lawn All Day

Go beyond leaves by leaving the logs and stems, too. Many insects, like native bees, overwinter inside of hollow dried flower stems or in decaying logs and branches.

Helping them doesn’t necessitate leaving your lawn a mess—instead make an ‘insect hotel’ by stacking fallen branches and logs into a natural structure, clearing your yard of debris while creating a more robust haven for invertebrate neighbors.

SHARE The Leave The Leaves Pledge With Your Homeowning Friends… 

“If one truly loves nature, one finds beauty everywhere.” – Vincent van Gogh (in letter to his brother)

By
Good News Network
-

Quote of the Day: “If one truly loves nature, one finds beauty everywhere.” – Vincent van Gogh (in a letter to his brother Theo, 1874)

Photo by: © GWC

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?

Toddler Unable to Bend Arms Due to Burns Hugs Parents For First Time After Free Life-Changing Surgery

By
Good News Network
-
Gamai couldn't move her arms due to burn scars until free treatment from Mercy Ships – SWNS
Gamai couldn’t move her arms due to burn scars – Mercy Ships / SWNS

A toddler who couldn’t bend her arms due to burn scars can now finally give her parents a hug after life-changing surgery.

Gamai accidentally pulled a pot of boiling water over herself when she was only one-year-old and, unable to access proper burn treatments, she grew up with contracted hands and arms as her scarred skin tightened.

She was scorned by others because of how she looked and was unable to write, dance, or fully hug her family due to her severely limited movement.

But Gamai’s mum, Confort, heard that the international charity Mercy Ships was sending a hospital ship to their country of Guinea.

Volunteer doctors and surgeons on board routinely help people with injuries like Gamai’s, so Confort set off with the four-year-old, who was selected for surgery—and after weeks of rehabilitation on the ship they returned home.

Now healed and healthy, Gamai can play, write, and dance and, for the first time in her life, she can reach out her arms to hug her parents.

“We carried her to our local hospital, but they only gave us ointment for her hands,” said Confort. “They said it could not be cured.”

Currently, an estimated 93 percent of the population in sub-Saharan Africa still lack access to safe surgery, and tens of thousands of children die of burns in sub-Saharan Africa each year.

Mercy Ships provides hundreds of life-changing reconstructive plastic surgeries every year to treat burn patients, like Gamai, who live years with conditions that are easily treatable.

Gamai gets free burn treatment from Mercy Ships / SWNS

Gamai’s family had real hope after hearing of Africa Mercy’s arrival in Guinea, the charity ship that contains five operating rooms, 80 ward beds, and a intensive care unit.

When she was discharged after her rehabilitation weeks later, Gamai leapt for joy as she greeted her family and neighbors, who were outside waiting for her.

She was able to hug her parents with her newly outstretched arms after years of being unable to do so.

“Today, she is so active because she can move like she couldn’t before,” said her father, Lamine.

CHECK OUT: Teen Can Return to School After Undergoing Free Surgery to Correct Her Extreme Bow-Leggedness

Gamai couldn’t move her arms due to burn scars until free treatment from Mercy Ships – SWNS

“It was as if she was in prison, but today I can say she is free.”

REACH OUT WITH LOVE By Sharing The Charitable Healing on Social Media…

Researchers Make First Food Using a 3D Printer For People With Swallowing Difficulties or Dysphagia

By
Good News Network
-
PhD student Oluwatobi Fatola 3D printing food for people with swallowing difficulties- UWE Bristol / SWNS
PhD student Oluwatobi Fatola 3D printing food for people with swallowing difficulties- UWE Bristol / SWNS

Scientists at a British university have become the first create 3D printed food–to help people with swallowing difficulties.

Academics led by UWE Bristol have used an extrusion-based 3D food printer to produce meals which are easy to chew, swallow, and digest.

Meals produced for the research were developed alongside clinical nutritionists to ensure they were complete, multi-ingredient, nutrient-rich dishes suitable for people with dysphagia.

Trying to overcome the problem of pureed foods often being bland, unappetizing in texture, and lacking in nutritional variety, the team made their food using pureed garden peas, strained Greek yogurt, extra virgin olive oil, powdered organic mint leaves and vegetable stock.

The researchers experimented by trying different novel combinations of food grade thickeners and gelling agents until they identified an optimum formulation that provided a texture and viscosity suitable for people with the disorder.

“With our 3D printed food, there is significantly less risk of food particles sticking in the throat or the oesophagus, which can be very problematic for people with dysphagia,” said Dr. Alexandros Stratakos, Associate Professor in Sustainable Agri-Food Production at UWE.

“It requires less chewing and has a specially formulated structure which gives more control of the food to the person with dysphagia.

“Previous research on 3D printed food suitable for dysphasia has focused on meals with only one or a small number of ingredients and has paid less attention to the nutritional profile of the food.

“Our food product is the first that is suitable for people with dysphagia, but at the same time is nutritious, palatable and rich in calories.

3D Printer Healing: Woman Given New 3D-Printed Windpipe in World First

“As researchers we try to solve real life problems and dysphagia is a very important one. It is a growing issue due to our aging population and will become a bigger healthcare burden both in the UK and internationally.

“This study highlights the importance of bringing together multidisciplinary expertise, in this case on food science, additive manufacturing and dietetics/nutrition, to develop novel solutions for real-world problems.”

Estimates suggest that up to 16% of the UK population has dysphagia – with the condition more common among older adults and individuals with certain health conditions including stroke patients and dementia patients.

To make the food, the researchers added ingredients to cartridges which are placed inside the 3D printer. When the machine is switched on, the ingredients are extruded like ‘ink’ through nozzles onto a plate. (Watch the video below…)

Layers are deposited on the surface of the plate in a pre-programmed shape, then multiple layers are added to build a three dimensional object.

3D Printing Magic: Scientists Are 3D-Printing Stem Cells that Can Be Implanted as Brain Tissue

Meals can be produced quickly, in approximately 20 minutes, and printed in a variety of attractive patterns and shapes.

A survey showed UK-based dysphagia patients, and their caregivers, were ‘overwhelmingly positive’ about the concept of the type of 3D-printed meals produced in the study. Respondents said if they were commercially available they would be willing to purchase the meals, which are high in fiber and protein.

Following the success of their lab-based research, the team now hopes to secure funding to conduct a clinical trial.

Dr. Stratakos said he could envision 3D food printers eventually being introduced to care homes and hospitals to enable food produced on site. “We have taste-tested the food ourselves here in the lab and it tastes great.”

3D HOUSING: First 3D Printed Neighborhood is Providing 100 Sturdy Affordable Solar Homes Near Austin For $400K+

Dr. Clare Jonas at the Stroke Association said swallowing problems affect around half of all stroke survivors—and this can be dangerous, causing foods to ‘go down the wrong way,’ which can lead to choking or lung infections. “Safety is therefore a primary concern, but healthy and palatable meals matters too.”

The project was an international collaboration between the UK, Greece, and Serbia, including researchers from the University of the Peloponnese and University of Novi Sad.

SHARE With Compassionate Research On Social Media…

How Confident Are Parents in Giving Good Financial Advice to Their Kids?

By
Good News Network
-
SWNS / Talkers Research
SWNS / Talkers Research

American parents offer their kids lots of financial advice per year, according to a new poll—but they admit their guidance isn’t always implemented.

Indeed, respondents said their child listens only about half the time.

The survey of 5,000 parents over age 30, split evenly across all 50 states, asked about the type of financial advice they give their children and which areas parents feel knowledgable.

On average, kids are asking for financial advice multiple times per month, but parents are often giving unsolicited advice about five times a month, adding up to over 100 tips shared per year.

In the survey conducted by Talker Research on behalf of the international money app Wise, the findings showed that parents’ confidence levels vary widely.

When asked for financial advice, 36% said they feel “very” confident, while 34% said they are “somewhat” confident in the suggestions they provide.

From a list of 14 different financial areas, parents had the lowest confidence in assisting their child with currency conversion (11%), taking out/refinancing loans (13%), and sending money abroad (14%).

On the other hand, a majority of parents noted higher confidence in helping their child with budgeting their money (55%), managing savings options (52%) and navigating credit cards (41%), as well as understanding debt (32%) and credit scores (32%).

“Parents have to manage countless complex conversations as they prepare a child for adulthood,” said Ankita D’Mello, a Manager at Wise. “Finances are certainly top of the list, and international finance is one area where more education is essential.”

“As our lives become increasingly global, whether that’s a child studying abroad or sending money to family and friends in another country, the importance of managing money across borders is becoming more of a mainstay for parents and kids.”

40% of parents surveyed shared concerns their kids will “outgrow” the advice they are equipped to give. It’s why most of those surveyed (72%) want to further their financial knowledge.

RELATED: How Americans Are ‘Paying it Forward’ Hundreds of Times Every Year

This may be due to the changing nature of how we manage our finances, as nearly three-quarters (74%) of respondents believe it’s become more complicated since they were a child.

When asked why they believe financial management has become more complicated, 48% of these respondents noted the internet makes it easy to search for financial information, but it’s hard to know what to trust.

The vast majority (79%) of parents said they’re open to new tools and resources to help them improve their financial knowledge, and nearly a quarter (22%) actively look for new services to use.

“With more financial information available now than ever before, it’s essential to work with providers that are established, affordable, convenient and transparent, especially when looking to move money internationally,” said D’Mello.

HOW CONFIDENT ARE PARENTS HELPING THEIR CHILD IN 14 FINANCIAL AREAS?

● Budgeting — 55%
● Savings options — 52%
● Credit cards — 41%
● Managing debt — 32%
● Managing credit score — 32%
● Insurance — 29%
● Financing a car — 29%
● Investments — 21%
● Mortgages — 16%
● Retirement planning (Roth vs. traditional IRAs, etc.) — 16%
● High-yield savings accounts — 15%
● Sending money abroad (i.e., sending money to friends or family internationally) — 14%
● Taking out/refinancing loans — 13%
● Currency conversions (i.e., exchanging money when traveling) — 11%

FALLING FOR FALL: 56% of Americans Say They’re Happier in Autumn Than Any Other Season: Here’s The Top 20 Reasons

Dog Groomer Turns His Poodle into a Skeleton for Halloween–Using a Nontoxic Dye for Pets (Video)

By
Good News Network
-
Poodle transformed by Gabriel Feitosa – SWNS
Poodle transformed by Gabriel Feitosa – SWNS

A California dog groomer gave his dog a spooky makeover for Halloween and turned her into a skeleton.

Known for his extreme dog grooming designs, Gabriel Feitosa has previously transformed dogs into foxes, cheetahs, and even giraffes.

But this year, Gabriel Feitosa went all out for Halloween by giving his standard poodle a makeover—spending hours carving and dying the 3-year-old’s coat.

“I loved how she turned out – she looked so cool for Halloween,” said the 32-year-old who lives in San Diego.

“It came out better than I expected. When I was carving the bones, I thought this is going to look cool—but after I applied the dye, I was like ‘Whoa’.

The intricate design, which took six hours to complete over three sessions, involved carving the shape of bones into Edea’s coat and then carefully dying it to create the skeleton effect.

“The carving of her coat took me about two hours and then the dying process took two and a half hours. I did some additional trimming later to highlight the bones.

The dyes Gabriel uses are non-toxic and specifically developed for pets.

Dog groomer Gabriel Feitosa’s poodle Edea
– SWNS

“The dyes are completely safe. I’ve painted hundreds of dogs and have never had a case of an allergic reaction.

“Dogs don’t understand that they look yellow, red, or pink—but when she walks down the street, everybody’s looking at her, everyone wants to pet her, and she loves the attention.”

Gabriel, originally from São Paulo, Brazil, started his dog grooming career at the age of 12, washing and trimming dogs in his neighborhood.

He moved to the US in 2017 to follow his dream and opened his own store, Gabriel Feitosa Grooming Salon. His creative designs have brought him international fame particularly after appearing on ABC’s “Pooch Perfect” in 2021.

HILARIOUSLY CUTE: Meet the French Bulldog Who’s Dressing Up in Halloween Costumes Every Day in October

Gabriel now beautifies around 6,000 dogs a year, and has launched his own line of grooming tools.

WATCH the transformation below… And check out more of his amazing designs on YouTube.

SHARE THE PAW-SOME FUN With Halloween Lovers on Social Media…

“Remember, upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all.” – Alexander the Great

By
Good News Network
-

Quote of the Day: “Remember, upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all.” – Alexander the Great

Photo by: Parker Johnson

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?

After Getting $4.99 Cheese-making Kit for Christmas He Now Runs His Own Creamery And Wins Awards (LOOK)

By
Good News Network
-
Mathew Lloyd with homemade cheese – The Rennet Works / SWNS
Mathew Lloyd with homemade cheese – The Rennet Works / SWNS

A father-of-five who was given a $4.99 cheese-making kit as a Christmas present now runs his own artisan creamery in his garage—and is winning multiple awards for his tasty creations.

Matthew Lloyd’s interest in cheddars and edams was sparked five Christmases ago when his sister-in-law gave him the novelty set that included a cloth, a thermometer, and a rennet tablet containing milk-curdling enzymes, enough for one batch of cheese.

The cheese making process was so enjoyable that Mr. Lloyd began experimenting with different varieties and flavors.

The construction consultant now sells the homemade goods from his backyard creamery called The Rennet Works in Shropshire, England—and is on the way to transforming his hobby into a full-time career.

“I absolutely love the science of turning milk into cheese products,” says the 50-year-old.

“Some people hit middle age and buy golf clubs, I bought massive pots and a micro lab.”

He taught himself the nuances of cheese making, learning all he could from books and the internet.

Mathew Lloyd making cheese in his shop, The Rennet Works / SWNS

“I’ve got lots of cheesy friends, and I got sort of goaded into entering the 2023 Cheese and Dairy awards.

There were about 5,500 cheeses entered from all over the world and he threw in a couple entries and won Best Soft Cheese With Flavorings in Great Britain and the Best International Novice Award.

Mathew Lloyd wins awards for cheeses, pictured in his shop, The Rennet Works / SWNS

“It was amazing and I just thought I had to keep going to see where this hobby took me.”

ALSO DRINK IN: Couple Makes Award-Winning Gin and Vodka After Starting Distillery in a Shed During Lockdown

He spent seven months converting his garage into a cheese factory, featuring gleaming stainless steel work stations, second-hand equipment including 100-quart pots, and a homebuilt cheese press Matthew built himself. (See the video below…)

“I’ve spent my career giving other businesses help to develop and grow, and for once I was giving myself the advice to realize my own dream.

“After the competition I thought to myself, ‘let’s get this to market’.”

The Rennet Works cheese company is already supplying a local deli and two high class cheese shops with several creations—made in single batches of about 10 kg (22 lbs) each.

“I sell a halloumi-style cheese, I call it Hallouminati. It’s completely handmade; there is not a single machine used, it’s all hand pressed.

The Rennet Works / SWNS

“The other cheese I make is the Templar—after the Templar knights. It’s an alpine style German cheese, a washed curd.” The cover around the cheese is printed with a Templar cross on the top, using smoke (pictured in top photo).

“It’s a very extensive process. It won bronze at the internationals and bronze at the British.

LOOK AT THIS KID: 11-Year-old Boy Determined to Be a Farmer: Rents His Own Land, Breeds Sheep, and Spins Wool (Video)

“I am developing some Christmas soft cheeses for markets in the area. The cheese is flying off the shelves. I can’t make enough to supply the demand.

It’s a very young business so he can only produce so much, but he’s taking it seriously, even learning more by taking a sustainability course that helped him “understand the journey of the food” he was making.

“When I look back now, it’s amazing that all this started with a novelty Christmas present.”

WANT TO ease into cheese? Check out the cheese-making kits on Amazon, selling for between $30-45. And, watch the SWNS video below…

INSPIRE CHEESE-LOVERS In Your Life By Sharing This On Social Media…

94-Year-old Woman’s Ferrari Adventure Reaches 150 MPH: ‘If You’re Alive, Then LIVE!’

By
Good News Network
-

Donna Maddox took the ride of a lifetime at age 94, racing around the Michigan International Speedway in a Ferrari and hitting 150 miles per hour—proving it’s never to late to chase your dreams.

A true daredevil at heart, she once pushed her Lincoln to 115 MPH.

“My mother used to say I came into this world running,” she joked, while reflecting on her journey.

“If you’re alive, then live.” It’s a mantra she’s followed from the start.

Donna has always been on the lookout for her next adrenaline rush and her adventurous spirit has been a constant throughout her life. She climbed the Smoky Mountains and explored caves in her younger years—always living life at full throttle.

It’s been a dream of hers to hit the speedway in her home state, whether in a Ferrari or Bugatti, and the opportunity proved that age is not necessarily a roadblock when it comes to pursuing your passion.

The adventure was made possible by a program at her retirement home, Waltonwood Twelve Oaks in the city of Novi, outside Detroit. Their Adventure Program encourages residents to pursue their dreams, and helps make it a reality.

“Donna is also such a joy to talk to and is incredibly passionate about encouraging others to chase their dreams, as well” said a spokesperson.

LOOK: 102-Year-old Woman Becomes Britain’s Oldest Skydiver–to Inspire People in Their 80s or 90s ‘Not to Give up Anything’

Watch her interview from CBS News Detroit…

RACE THIS INSPIRATION To Every Senior You Know By Sharing on Social Media…

New ‘Click-to-Cancel’ Ruling Makes It Easier to End Recurring Subscriptions for American Consumers

By
Good News Network
-

The Federal Trade Commission this week announced a final ‘Click-to-Cancel’ rule that will require sellers to make cancelling their enrollment “at least as easy to use” as the sign-up process.

“Too often, businesses make people jump through endless hoops just to cancel a subscription,” said Commission Chair Lina M. Khan.

“Nobody should be stuck paying for a service they no longer want.”

The actions are part of the FTC’s ongoing review of its 1973 Negative Option Rule, which describes a transaction in which sellers can interpret a customer’s failure to take action—either to reject an offer or cancel a membership—as an agreement to be charged again.

While negative option marketing programs can be convenient for sellers and consumers, the FTC receives thousands of complaints about recurring subscription practices each year. The number of complaints has been steadily increasing over the past five years and in 2024 the Commission received nearly 70 consumer complaints per day on average—up from 42 per day three years earlier.

The new rule prohibits requiring consumers who signed up through an app or website to go through a chat bot or to wait endlessly on hold until an agent can answer a telephone.

GOVERNMENT SUCCESS: Historic Negotiations With Big Pharma to Lower Drug Prices Will Save $1.5 Billion for US Consumers–and More

Some of the more egregious examples are gym club memberships that require a certified letter or in-person visit to the business in order to cancel. The new rule would require them to offer an online option to cancel on their website or with a simple phone call.

“The FTC’s rule will end these tricks and traps, saving Americans time and money,” said Chairwoman Kahn.

The Commission’s updated rule will apply to almost all ‘negative option’ programs in any media and will require sellers to provide important information before obtaining consumers’ billing information and get consumers’ informed consent to the negative option features before charging them.

The ‘Click to Cancel’ rule is one of the last pieces of the Biden administration’s effort to get rid of “junk fees,” which included new rules requiring airlines to promptly give automatic cash refunds when they cancel or significantly change flights, or don’t provide the extra services when purchased. The effort also eliminated exorbitant charges for prisoner phone calls and banned paywalls on scientific publications containing taxpayer-funded research.

The final rule will provide a legal framework by prohibiting sellers from:

  • failing to provide a simple mechanism to cancel the negative option feature and immediately halt charges;
  • misrepresenting any material fact made while marketing goods or services with a negative option feature;
  • failing to clearly and conspicuously disclose material terms prior to obtaining a consumer’s billing information in connection with a negative option feature; and
  • failing to obtain a consumer’s express informed consent to the negative option feature before charging the consumer.

Since the March 2023 opening of a public comment period, the Commission received more than 16,000 comments from consumers, federal and state government agencies, consumer groups, and trade associations.

The Commission ended up dropping two proposed changes that might have required sellers to provide annual reminders of the negative option feature of their subscription, and one that banned sellers from telling consumers seeking to cancel their subscription about plan modifications or reasons to keep their existing agreement, without first asking if they want to hear about them—a good practice that Verizon Fios had been providing for years during phone cancellations by asking for permission to review your plan and seek better deals.

ANOTHER GOVERNMENT ASSIST: New Senate Bill Could Reform Concert Ticket Sales in the ‘Fans First Act’

The Commission voted 3-2 to approve publication of the final rule in the Federal Register, with Commissioners Melissa Holyoak and Andrew Ferguson voting no. Not surprisingly, industry leaders complained that it forces an undue burden on businesses, even though websites and apps can be updated with unsubscribe buttons fairly easily.

Most of the final rule’s provisions will go into effect in about six months, See the FTC Fact Sheet, here.

STREAM THIS GOOD NEWS to Friends By Sharing on Social Media…

Your Weekly Horoscope – ‘Free Will’ Astrology From Rob Brezsny

By
Good News Network
-

Our partner Rob Brezsny, who has a new book out, Astrology Is Real: Revelations from My Life as an Oracle, provides his weekly wisdom to enlighten our thinking and motivate our mood. Rob’s Free Will Astrology, is a syndicated weekly column appearing in over a hundred publications. He is also the author of Pronoia Is the Antidote for Paranoia: How All of Creation Is Conspiring To Shower You with Blessings. (A free preview of the book is available here.)

Here is your weekly horoscope…

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY – Week of October 19, 2024
Copyright by Rob Brezsny, FreeWillAstrology.com

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
Your bulboid corpuscles are specialized nerve cells in your skin that can experience intense tactile pleasure—more so than any other nerve cells. They are located in your lips, tongue, and genitals. According to my analysis of your astrological potentials, these ultra-sensitive receptors will be turned on extra high in the coming weeks. So will their metaphysical and metaphorical equivalents. That’s why I predict you will gather in more bliss than you have in a long time. Please give yourself permission to exceed your usual quota.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
Once upon a time, you were more hazardous to yourself than you are now. I’m pleased about the progress you have made to treat yourself with greater care and compassion. It hasn’t been easy. You had to learn mysterious secrets about dealing with your inner troublemaker. You had to figure out how to channel its efforts into generating benevolent and healing trouble. There’s still more work to be done, though. Your inner troublemaker isn’t completely redeemed and reformed. But you now have a chance to bring it more fully into its destined role as your ally and helper.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
I predict that your past will soon transform. You may discover new details about old events. Stories you have told and told about your history will acquire new meanings. You will be wise to reinterpret certain plot twists you thought you had figured out long ago. There may not be anything as radical as uncovering wild secrets about your true origins—although I wouldn’t discount that possibility. So expect a surprise or two, Sagittarius. But I suspect you will ultimately be pleased to revise your theories about how you came to be the resilient soul you are now.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):
Of all the astrological signs, Capricorns are least likely to consult horoscopes. There are many skeptical people among your tribe who say, “Astrology is irrational and illogical. It can’t be precise and accurate, so it’s not even real.” My personal research also suggests, however, that a surprising percentage of Capricorns pretend not to be drawn to astrology even though they actually are. They may even hide their interest from others. How do I feel about all this? It doesn’t affect me as I compose your oracles. I love you as much as the other signs, and I always give you my best effort. Now I suggest that in the coming weeks, you do what I do: Give your utmost in every situation, even if some people are resistant to or doubtful of your contributions. Be confident as you offer your excellence.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):
You are ready to graduate to a higher octave of maturity and wisdom about everything related to love, romance, and sex. It will be instructive to meditate on your previous experiences. So I invite you to ruminate on the following questions. 1. What important lessons have you learned about the kind of togetherness you want? 2. What important lessons have you learned about the kind of togetherness you don’t want? 3. What important lessons have you learned about how to keep yourself emotionally healthy while in an intimate relationship?

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):
Are you longing to feel safe, cozy, and unperturbable? Are you fantasizing about how perfect life would be if you could seal yourself inside your comfort zone and avoid novelty and change for a while? I hope not, Pisces! By my astrological reckoning, you are due for a phase of experimentation and expansion. You will thrive on the challenges of big riddles and intriguing teases. Please take full advantage of this fun opportunity to hone your intuition and move way beyond random guesswork. For extra credit: Prove the theory that it’s very possible to cultivate and attract good luck.

ARIES (March 21-April 19):
As a young adult, I lived in a shack in the North Carolina woods. I was too indigent to buy a car or bicycle, so I walked everywhere I needed to go. Out of necessity, I discovered the practical power of psychic protection. I envisioned myself being surrounded by an impenetrable force field and accompanied by guardian spirits. This playful mystical practice kept me safe. Though I was regularly approached by growling dogs and drunk thugs in pickup trucks, I stayed safe. Now would be an excellent time for you to do what I did: put strong psychic protection in place. You’re not in physical danger, but now is a good time to start shielding yourself better against people’s manipulative gambits, bad moods, emotional immaturity, and careless violations.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20):
“Dear Rob: I once heard you say that the best method for solving any dilemma is to sit silently, calm my mind, and listen for the ‘still, small voice of the teacher within me.’ I have tried your advice, but I have never detected this voice. What am I doing wrong? — Deprived Taurus.” Dear Taurus: Here’s how to become available for guidance from the still, small voice of your inner teacher. 1. Go someplace quiet, either in nature or a beloved sanctuary. 2. Shed all your ideas and theories about the nature of your dilemma. 3. Tenderly ask your mind to be empty and serene as you await an intuition. 4. Feel sweet gratitude for each breath as you inhale and exhale. 5. Visualize your inner teacher smiling. 6. Make yourself expectant to receive an insightful blessing.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20):
In the parlance of people who love to trek in natural places, a “cobbknocker” refers to a hiker who precedes you and knocks down the spider webs crossing the trail. I would love for you to procure a similar service for all your adventures in the coming weeks, not just hiking. See if you can coax or hire helpers to clear a path for you in everything you do. I want you to be able to concentrate on the essentials and not get bogged down or distracted by trivial obstructions. You need spaciousness and ease.

CANCER (June 21-July 22):
When you are at your Cancerian best, you nurture others but don’t smother them with excessive care. You give your gifts without undermining your own interests. You are deeply receptive and sensitive without opening yourself to be abused or wounded. In my astrological estimation, you are currently expressing these qualities with maximum grace and precision. Congratulations on your ever-ripening emotional intelligence! I trust you will be rewarded with grateful favors.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):
Here’s the deal that life is offering: You temporarily suspend your drive to possess crystalline certainty, and you agree to love and thrive on ambiguity and paradox. In return, you will be given help in identifying unconscious and hidden factors at work in your destiny. You will be empowered to make confident decisions without needing them to be perfect. And you will learn more about the wise art of feeling appreciative reverence for great mysteries.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
I once had a Virgo girlfriend. She was talented, hardworking, meticulous, organized, health-conscious, and resourceful. She also hated it when I neglected to put the jar of honey back in the cupboard immediately after using it. She would get upset if I neglected to remove my shoes as soon as I entered the house. Her fussy perfectionism wasn’t the reason we ultimately broke up, but it did take a toll on me. I bring this to your attention because I hope you will mostly keep fussy perfectionism to yourself in the coming weeks. It’s fine if you want to indulge it while alone and doing your own work, but don’t demand that others be as fanatically fastidious. Providing this leeway now will serve you well in the long run. You can earn slack and generate goodwill that comes in handy when you least expect it.

WANT MORE? Listen to Rob’s EXPANDED AUDIO HOROSCOPES, 4-5 minute meditations on the current state of your destiny — or subscribe to his unique daily text message service at: RealAstrology.com

(Zodiac images by Numerologysign.com, CC license)

SHARE The Wisdom With Friends Who Are Stars in Your Life on Social Media…

“The greatest indicator of the world’s stability, wealth, and safety is the status of women.” – Gloria Steinem

By
Good News Network
-

Quote of the Day: “The greatest indicator of the world’s stability, wealth, and safety is the status of women.” – Gloria Steinem

Photo by: Fellipe Ditadi

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?

Boy with Rare Skin Condition Can Sleep with Eyes Closed for The First Time in 7 Years

By
Andy Corbley
-
Photo by Shai Bresee via Gofundme
Photo by Shai Bresee via Gofundme

This little boy from Nevada is pictured here before a life-changing surgery that allowed him to blink and sleep with his eyes closed—for the first time in his 7 years of life.

Can you even try to imagine what that must have been like?

Carter Bresee was born with lamellar ichthyosis (LI) a rare genetic skin disorder in which the body creates skin cells that do not separate from each other at the surface of the skin the way they should. In addition, the body does not shed the skin fast enough, causing brown scales to form.

Fox News has followed his condition for years, leading to Carter developing a bit of a supporter base in Nevada, many of whom contributed through a GoFundMe to his medical bills in May, when he had the chance for a life-changing eyelid skin graft.

It also resulted in Carter’s eyelids turning outward, preventing him from closing his eyes.

“He cannot blink, he sleeps with his eyes open and is often experiencing lots of pain and discomfort because of this,” Shai, Carter’s mom, wrote on that GoFundMe, which raised $46,000 towards the $8,000 cost of an oculoplastic surgery that would help the boy close his eyes.

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS: Watch Teen With Rare Skin Disease React to His Family Being Surprised With Handicap-Accessible Home

“I didn’t realize what a sense of community we really had,” she admitted to Fox 5, after seeing how much money the two had received. “It’s really crazy to feel so included.”

Last month in San Diego, the surgery was carried out successfully, and Carter slept. Oh boy did he sleep.

OTHER RARE DISEASES: There Was No Treatment for His Son’s Rare Disease, so Dad Moves Mountains to Make One for Kids Worldwide

“He slept until noon today. He got the best night’s sleep,” Shai said in a video interview after the boy’s first night of being able to sleep with his eyes closed.

She added that he was a “champ” throughout the sometimes painful surgery, remaining calm and asking for medicine if it got too severe.

WATCH The Story Here From Fox5 News And SHARE The Palpable Relief Of This Poor Boy… 

1...126127128...1,690Page 127 of 1,690
© Copyright 1997–2025 GNN, LLC