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Rachel’s Legacy Inspires Other Kids to Give

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Nov 4, 2011

Rachel Beckwith, Charity Water fundraiser -family photo

Rachel Beckwith wanted to raise money for a clean-water charity by asking for donations instead of presents for her ninth birthday. Now, her death is inspiring other kids to do the same.

A California man who was touched by Rachel’s story has started 9th Birthday, an online campaign to get at least 300 children to skip presents on their ninth birthday and ask instead for donations to Rachel’s favorite nonprofit, charity:water.

Rachel’s heartbreaking story, spread by social media and newspapers, turned her child-sized charity effort into a national phenomenon. (Watch a TV news story below.)

Steve Jobs’s Last Words: ‘Oh Wow. Oh Wow. Oh Wow.’

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Nov 4, 2011

Steve Jobs at iphone premiere

The eulogy of Steve Jobs’s by his sister, novelist Mona Simpson, offered a touching look into the late Apple co-founder’s last days.

Hours before he slipped into unconsciousness, however, he did leave some enigmatic final words, which Simpson wrote in all capitals letters in her speech.

“Before embarking, he’d looked at his sister Patty, then for a long time at his children, then at his life’s partner, Laurene, and then over their shoulders past them. Steve’s final words were: OH WOW. OH WOW. OH WOW.”

Doctor Geek Saves Thousands for UK Health System Making Plastic Bones

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Nov 4, 2011

Doctor holds plastic bone - BBC video snapshot

A trainee surgeon has figured out a way to save the U.K. National Health program a lot of money by taking advantage of 3D-printer technology.

Success in orthopedic operations relies on surgeons having an accurate 3D model of the area where the operation will take place. Such models take time to produce and cost up to £1200 ($1,915).

Mark Frame, a self-confessed ‘technology geek,’ used free open source software to convert CT scans into files which are readable by some 3D printers. Within a week, the first plastic 3D model of a child’s forearm was produced and delivered at a cost of just £77 ($123).

Michigan’s Recovery is Second Fastest in US

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Nov 4, 2011

GM headquarters in Detroit by James Marvin Phelps

Michigan’s economy is recovering from the recession at the second-fastest pace in the U.S., lifted by reviving carmakers and local manufacturers, according to the new Bloomberg Economic Evaluation of States Index.

The home of Detroit was topped only by North Dakota, where an oil boom is raising incomes at the nation’s quickest rate. California, Massachusetts and Illinois round out the top five.

The index measures growth since 2008, when the country was mired in recession and as General Motors and Chrysler were on the path to bankruptcy.

Auto Racing’s Auction to Aid Family of Wheldon Triggers Outpouring

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Nov 3, 2011

Racer Dan Wheldon photo by Jim Greenhill, CC

The outpouring of support for Dan Wheldon’s family, after the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner was killed in a car race in Las Vegas Oct. 16, has been overwhelming.

It started with a small gesture by Graham Rahal, who wanted to raise money for Wheldon’s family by auctioning off his helmet, gloves and shoes from the IndyCar season finale.

He announced his intentions on Twitter and the response from the motor sports community was immediate.

Big ticket items donated to the auction had by Wednesday already brought almost a quarter million dollars for Dan’s wife and two young sons.

Auto Racing’s Auction to Aid Family of Wheldon Triggers Outpouring

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Nov 3, 2011

Racer Dan Wheldon photo by Jim Greenhill, CC

The outpouring of support for Dan Wheldon’s family, after the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner was killed in a car race in Las Vegas Oct. 16, has been overwhelming.

It started with a small gesture by Graham Rahal, who wanted to raise money for Wheldon’s family by auctioning off his helmet, gloves and shoes from the IndyCar season finale.

He announced his intentions on Twitter and the response from the motor sports community was immediate.

Big ticket items donated to the auction had by Wednesday already brought almost a quarter million dollars for Dan’s wife and two young sons.

New Material for Air Filters Captures Flu Viruses

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Nov 3, 2011

Surgeon in mask by wax115 via Morguefile

With flu season upon us, scientists are reporting the development of a new material for face masks, air conditioners and air cleaning filters that captures influenza viruses before they can get into people’s eyes, noses and mouths and cause infection.

A new report in the journal Biomacromolecules unveils a new approach, which uses a substance termed chitosan made from ground shrimp shells, that could help reduce the numbers of people killed or sickened by influenza worldwide, which is estimated at 300,000.

New Material for Air Filters Captures Flu Viruses

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Nov 3, 2011

Surgeon in mask by wax115 via Morguefile

With flu season upon us, scientists are reporting the development of a new material for face masks, air conditioners and air cleaning filters that captures influenza viruses before they can get into people’s eyes, noses and mouths and cause infection.

A new report in the journal Biomacromolecules unveils a new approach, which uses a substance termed chitosan made from ground shrimp shells, that could help reduce the numbers of people killed or sickened by influenza worldwide, which is estimated at 300,000.

Big Move: Chicago Schools To Buy Antibiotic-Free Chicken

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Nov 3, 2011

chicken drumstick Flickr-HermitsMoores-CC

Big news this week on several fronts: against the overuse of antibiotics in agriculture and for healthier food for school children. The Chicago Public Schools announced that its main food-service company, Chartwells-Thompson Hospitality, will begin buying and serving chicken drumsticks from birds raised in the local area without antibiotics. The deal will bring 1.2 million pounds of chicken to 473 schools per year.

Cuba Legalizes Purchase and Sale Of Private Property

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Nov 3, 2011

Cuba car building DirkvdM - CC photo

Cuba announced Thursday it is allowing the purchase and sale of real estate for the first time since the early days of the revolution, the most important reform yet in a series of free-market changes ushered in by President Raul Castro.

The change follows the legalization in October of the purchase and sale of cars. Castro has also allowed citizens to go into business for themselves in a number of approved jobs.

In the Company of Animals, Healing Happens for Humans

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Nov 2, 2011

Farm in autumn VWV

A six-acre ranch in Santa Clarita, Calif. is a facility that heals and rehabilitates abused farm animals and invites visitors with emotional and physical challenges to interact with them.

Bonding with Sophie the goat was “a life-changing experience” for Miss Mejia-Schnaufer, whose battle with depression and eating disorders led to a suicide attempt this year. She credits Sophie, a rescue from an abusive petting zoo, with making her recovery possible.

Keep Smiling… The World is Doing Fine, Says American Authors

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Nov 2, 2011

smiling-white-shirt

A rash of optimistic new books argue that all the essential statistics show the world is making progress, both materially and ethically.

The American authors do their best to lift the gloom created by a news agenda dominated by world recession, wars, floods and famine.

The latest to appear is The Secret Peace: Exposing the Positive Trend of World Events by Jesse Richards, with its theory that the world is a nice place — and getting better.

Pakistan Grants India Most Favored Nation Trade Status

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Nov 2, 2011

India and Pakistan flags

Pakistan’s cabinet unanimously decided on Wednesday to grant India Most Favored Nation trade status, a major breakthrough that could bolster efforts to improve relations between the two countries.

There are hopes that progress in trade ties will help bolster a fragile peace process, which the two resumed in February. ‘It’s a very powerful step, and a welcome step in the right direction,’ Indian Trade Secretary Rahul Khullar told Reuters in New Delhi.

Vatican To Host Stem Cell Research Conference

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Nov 2, 2011

Embryonic stem cells-cc license-Public Library of Science by Nissim Benvenisty — Public Library of Science by Nissim Benvenisty, CC 2.0.

Vatican officials, looking for the best way to make a positive impact on society, decided that adult stem cells, which hold the promise of curing the most difficult diseases, are the technology to watch.

“They can change our vision of human beings, and we want to be part of the discussion,” says Father Trafny.

In a rare move, the Vatican decided to invest $1 million to form a joint foundation, and next week, scientists from around the world will meet at the Vatican to discuss the future of stem cell therapies.

(READ the full story from All Things Considered on NPR)

Photo via Public Library of Science by Nissim Benvenisty, CC license

Test Your Prejudice With This Advert From Belgium

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Nov 1, 2011

Carlsburg Ad celebrates film-going couple w/ beers

The Carlsberg beer company tests the prejudice of movie goers at a Belgium theater. Some innocent couples want to take their seats, but then… surprise!

How will they react?

(A Funny and poignant look at human nature.)

Judge Tells Tennessee to Stop Arresting Occupy Nashville Protesters

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Nov 1, 2011

The 99% - Occupy DC Protester by Chris Wieland

A judge told Tennessee officials on Monday to stop enforcing new rules that have been used to arrest dozens of Occupy protesters in Nashville.

The decision was a victory for the American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee, which sought a temporary restraining order to block a curfew put in place last week, citing the people’s right to peaceful assembly.

U.S. District Judge Aleta Trauger issued the order and scheduled a formal hearing for November 21.

SPIDER-MAN Honors NY English Teacher as ‘Everyday Super Hero’

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Nov 1, 2011

Spiderman production photo from Broadway

The Broadway show SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark announced the second honoree of their “Everyday Heroes” initiative: a high school English teacher, Jacqueline Morelli of Putnam Valley, New York. The “Everyday Heroes” program seeks to shine the spotlight on people who embody heroism in their daily lives and reward them with a little Broadway glitz and glamor.

Jacqueline Morelli has been teaching English for 16 years, nine of which in a special education collaborative class at Horace Greeley High School. In his nomination submission on her behalf, Ms. Morelli’s friend and colleague Frank Ceruzzi described her as “the kindest and most inspiring teacher I have ever met.”

SPIDER-MAN Honors NY English Teacher as ‘Everyday Super Hero’

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Nov 1, 2011

Spiderman production photo from Broadway

The Broadway show SPIDER-MAN Turn Off The Dark announced the second honoree of their “Everyday Heroes” initiative: a high school English teacher, Jacqueline Morelli of Putnam Valley, New York. The “Everyday Heroes” program seeks to shine the spotlight on people who embody heroism in their daily lives and reward them with a little Broadway glitz and glamor.

Jacqueline Morelli has been teaching English for 16 years, nine of which in a special education collaborative class at Horace Greeley High School. In his nomination submission on her behalf, Ms. Morelli’s friend and colleague Frank Ceruzzi described her as “the kindest and most inspiring teacher I have ever met.”

Bank of America Drops Plan for Debit Card Fee, Other Big Banks Say No

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Nov 1, 2011

photo by Sun Star

In the biggest victory for consumers since the recent Netflix mea culpa, Bank of America said today that it was abandoning its plan to charge customers a $5 fee every time they use their debit cards.

The reversal, which came just a month after announcing the new fee, follows a huge backlash from customers.

The bank relented, but only after other large banks had indicated that they would not impose similar fees. Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, SunTrust and Regions Financial have all pulled back on their plans.

People Magazine Names Superintendent of Tornado-Ravaged Joplin Schools a 2011 Hero

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Nov 1, 2011

Jopline Superintendent Huff - school photo

For his herculean efforts to reopen schools buildings after five were destroyed by a May 22 tornado, Superintendent C.J. Huff has been honored as one of the top 2011 Heroes Among Us by People magazine.

Huff joins five other winners to be featured in the Nov. 7 issue.

Others include a judge who started a program for troubled youths, a man who rescues greyhounds and a group of strangers who rescued a college student from a burning vehicle.

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