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The Science Behind Why We Need More of the ‘Secret Sauce’ of Kindness

By
David Fryburg, MD, Founder, Envision Kindness
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As a means of continuing where we left off last month, this class is about how – in the face of adversity and negativity – we need to reconnect with one another more than ever before.

This installment of the Science of Kindness is reprinted with permission from Envision Kindness.

Reconnection is made possible by embracing kindness and compassion; embracing kindness and compassion happens once we realize that it is essential to our state of being and longevity. And it just feels good.

In case you can’t stay for the entirety of the class, here’s the “secret sauce” of this blog: when we truly understand that we are connected to one another, we give more freely, we treat each other with respect, we act with integrity, and we trust one another. As the socio-biologic need for kindness and connection is fulfilled, health, happiness, meaning, collaboration, and peace readily flow from there.

LOOK: 10 Best Stories When Kindness and Heroics Went Viral in 2018

Research already shows how satisfying our need for quality connections is absolutely critical for both mental and physical health. Adults who are socially isolated (lonely, without quality support group) have a risk of death that is 26% higher than those who have a quality social network, making it a formidable mortality factor that is comparable to health risks such as obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and smoking.

Heart disease is the major reason why lonelier people have higher mortality rates than those who maintain quality relationships (not social media relationships, either). This makes sense considering how loneliness is a potent psychological stressor that is also associated with higher blood pressure and blood sugar. People lacking quality social support also have understandably increased symptoms of anxiety and depression.

The need for connection is also seen in children, animals, and even insects. Given how widespread and strong the drive for connection is, the only logical conclusion is that the need to meaningfully connect with other living beings is baked into our biology. In fact, the area of the brain that is associated with the experience of social pain or loss is the same as the one that experiences physical pain, which partly explains why emotional loss is so painful and isolation in prison is such a powerful punishment.

MORE: Instead of ‘We Are What We Eat,’ the Science of Kindness Says ‘We Are What We See’ in Daily Life

Our need for one another may be an evolutionary adaptation to increase our chances of survival. Evolutionary biologists like Darwin have described how, in contrast to the concept of survival of the fittest (of an individual), members of a group must sacrifice for one another in order for the group to survive. Examples have been described throughout nature and across different species, such as bats, ants, and primates as well as humans. To sacrifice for, or GIVE to other people feeds that powerful, inborn drive to promote group survival.

Kindness and sacrifice, therefore, is the “default mode” of how almost everyone is born. When we give to someone else, especially for the sake of simply giving, we reconnect with our true nature AND we also send a signal to the recipient (and to ourselves) that we are connected.

Beyond spiritual or emotional terms, that signal can be described biologically. It is an internal signal in our brains that has been called the “helper’s high.” Scientists know that performing, thinking about, or simply witnessing acts of kindness activates the same parts of the brain responsible for reward (pleasure). It causes changes in our brain chemistry, including the release of endorphins (natural opiates in our bodies), dopamine, and serotonin. The latter two are both neuro-transmitters associated with feeling good. It is for these biological reasons that kindness can induce happiness: a natural, internal high or elevation. No other pharmacology needed.

RELATED: Exciting New Study Shows That Zapping the Brain ‘Acutely’ Relieves Symptoms of Depression

So how does kindness cause connection? On an obvious level, when someone gives of themselves to another person (even a smile or friendly hello), they are saying to that person “I see you—you are important and need to be recognized and/or supported.” Recognizing another person in a positive way makes the receiver feel valued, establishing a connection. And because nature has blessed the giver with internal reward mechanisms, the behavior can be reinforced as the giver’s biologic destiny has been momentarily fulfilled. Once we know that we are connected to one another in so many ways, kindness flows readily and becomes a virtuous, self-perpetuating cycle.

A major reason why people may feel like they are disconnected from their naturally compassionate tendencies is that the negative stories and images that are displayed on our social media feeds are very impactful—just like how our system is programmed to be kind, we are also programmed to identify threats and respond to them. Unrelenting negative images, stories, and experiences DISCONNECT us from each other—things like ego, fear, anger, and greed all make us think that we need to protect ourselves from other people.

Additionally, while people may appear connected through social media, these connections do not replace higher quality interpersonal relationships. In fact, as people spend more time on social media, they spend less time in interpersonal interactions. When people don’t feel connected to others, there is less kindness, tolerance, and collaboration. In contrast to the kindness-connection loop, this is a vicious and destructive cycle that perpetuates itself.

CHECK OUT: Next Time You’re Feeling Stressed or Anxious, This Study Says You Should Play Tetris

So how can we conquer this? We need to connect more meaningfully with others and show them kindness – even if it is in small, simple ways. For example, are there people at school or work who seem more alone or secluded? Instead of ignoring them or thinking they are anti-social, why not say “hello” and smile as we walk by; eat lunch with them, or recognize the good work that they do? Or maybe you can call a friend just to say hi and see how they’re doing? Visit the elderly; volunteer for a worthy cause. In this frame of thinking, we don’t let political or racial divisions rob us of the opportunities to work together.

Christian Picciolini, the former neo-Nazi who now helps white supremacists find their way back to mainstream society, bases his approach on how many neo-Nazis simply want to find compassion and a way to belong. Every soul, he says, needs identity, community and purpose – and all of these can come through meaningful connection. His recommendation? “Find someone who doesn’t deserve your compassion and give it to them because that’s what happened to me.”

So if you want to give yourself, your family, your community, and even strangers a significantly better 2019, try more kindness – and once you get better at recognizing how interconnected we are, you’ll quickly realize how easy it is to be compassionate.

Interested in learning more about the science of kindness and its role in your life? Visit EnvisionKindness.org to learn more.

Be Sure And Share The Secret Sauce Of Kindness With Your Friends On Social Media – Feature photo by Robert Anton Apparante / Envision Kindness

Woman Has Traveled Across 3 States to Rescue Dozens of Unloved, Abandoned Hermit Crabs

By
Good News Network
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You probably already know someone who has rescued a homeless dog or cat – but what about someone who adopts unwanted hermit crabs?

Sarah Porter has become the proud parent of over 30 pet hermit crabs that she has rescued from across New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

Some of the tiny crustaceans were found abandoned on the beach while others were relinquished by reluctant pet owners – but over the course of the last few years, Porter has traveled great distances in order to give them all a loving home.

“I think in the big scheme of things, it may look kind of silly,” Porter told USA Today. “They’re just these little hermit crabs, but honestly it feels good to know that they’re comfortable and happy as a crab can be, and I think all animals deserve that.”

RELATED: Hundreds of People Are Saving Feral Felines From Death in NYC By Adopting Them as ‘Worker Cats’

Porter says that people will often give the crabs as gifts without knowing the extent of their required care. Though they dwell on land, the crustaceans have gills that necessitate a humid environment, and many gift shop vendors will sell hermit crabs without the proper equipment to replicate their tropical habitat.

Since hermit crabs are native to the Caribbean, Porter is unable to reintroduce them to the wild. She has, however, turned a 55-gallon tank into a “crabitat” for her beloved clawed critters – and based on their daily treats of veggies and watermelon, it seems pretty safe to say that they are happy as clams.

“They deserve to be comfortable and well-fed and have the environment that nature designed for them,” says Porter. “So even if this isn’t a tropical beach it’s as close as we can get them there.”

(WATCH the video below) – Photos by Sarah Porter

Don’t Be So Crabby! Share This Sweet Rescue Story With Your Friends On Social Media

“On any day of the year the denominator of kindness will be vastly greater than the numerator of cruelty.” – Daniel Goleman (on the negativity of our daily newscasts)

By
Good News Network
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Quote of the Day: “On any day of the year the denominator of kindness will be vastly greater than the numerator of cruelty.” – Daniel Goleman (on the negativity of our daily newscasts)

Photo: by Ken Lund, CC license, via Flickr

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

 

When WWII Veteran is Saddened By Upcoming Birthday, 50,000 Strangers Give Him Reason to Smile

By
McKinley Corbley
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Despite 96 years old being an impressive milestone for this WWII veteran, Duane Sherman had been disheartened about his impending birthday.

Since the Purple Heart recipient has spent much of his life without social media or texting, he is used to handwritten letters being the primary method of communication amongst his peers.

So in the weeks leading up to his birthday on December 30th, Sherman hoped to receive a few birthday cards in the mail. Because many of his friends have passed away, however, the veteran was saddened by the lack of letters in his mailbox.

His daughter Sue Morse then took to social media with a plea for strangers to brighten her father’s day with a simple birthday card – and the internet was quick to respond.

LOOK: Veteran Who Was Given 4 Months to Live Transforms Polluted Creek – and Lives 27 Years Longer Because of It

The post was shared so many times, Sherman ended up receiving over 50,000 cards and letters from strangers across 50 states and 10 countries.

Needless to say, the veteran was delighted. He says that the outpouring of love and appreciation was the equivalent of receiving a Christmas, birthday, and New Year’s gift all wrapped up into one.

“I’ll have a hell of a time reading them,” laughed Sherman in an interview last month.

(WATCH the news coverage below or our international viewers can watch the footage on the CBS news website) – Photo by CBS News

Be Sure And Send This Sweet Story Over To Your Friends On Social Media

World’s First Fully 3D-Printed Electric Motorbike Even Comes With Airless Tires

By
Good News Network
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Motorcycle gangs may soon be able to join the green energy revolution thanks to this sleek new form of transportation.

German manufacturing company BigRep recently unveiled its prototype for the world’s first fully 3D-printed electric motorcycle.

The “NERA” e-motorbike, which was designed by the company’s NowLab innovation department, only weighs a stunning 132 pounds (60 kilograms).

All of the bike’s components, excluding the electronics, were 3D-printed in a laboratory. That includes the flexible bumpers, seat, chest rest, steering mechanisms, and even the airless tires, which can be designed with customizable treads.

LOOK: World’s Largest 3D Printer Makes Almost Zero-Cost Homes Out of Mud

Since the NERA is simply a prototype, there is no definitive timeline for when it will be speeding down our local streets, but the design is apparently a game-changer for the future of 3D-printing and eco-friendly travel.

“In building NERA, the engineers didn’t simply adapt existing motorcycle designs, but instead envisioned a bike for large-format FFF (a type of 3D printing) technology, setting a benchmark for truly creative design; breaking the limits of traditional mechanical engineering,” said Dr. Stephan Beyer, CEO and co-founder of BigRep, according to CNN.

(WATCH the video below) – Photo by BigRep

Drive Your Friends To The Good News By Sharing It To Social Media

Woman Publishes 365 Love Letters to Her Peers – and She Hopes The Success Will Inspire Others to Follow

By
McKinley Corbley
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While some people may have committed their New Year’s resolutions to going to the gym, this woman resolved to write one love letter to a different person for every day of the year.

They weren’t romantic love letters, however – they were letters of appreciation and praise for strangers, family members, friends, and old acquaintances from years past.

48-year-old Jen Kramer says that even though she never cared much for New Year’s resolutions in the past, she was inspired to start her #YearOfLove project when she read about the benefits of using resolutions for positive initiatives, rather than “arduous” self-improvement tasks.

Kramer, who works as the director of events at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, says that she didn’t often plan who she was going to shower with love on any given day – she mostly chose her love letter recipients based on her instincts. Some days, they were dedicated to high school friends whom she had not spoken to in years; others she dedicated to restaurant workers and custodians.

WATCH: Man Takes Mom on Bucket List Adventure as Redemption for Unappreciative Younger Years

Finally, after successfully publishing 365 love letters to social media, Kramer says that “it’s amazing what happens when you are on the lookout for love.”

“In a lot of ways, it’s been an experiment in healing,” Kramer told the Chicago Tribune. “Somehow, some way, showing love, expressing love, feeling love, exhibiting love has been a way to sort of navigate those moments of sadness — whether it’s about a person or a way things used to be or a way we used to treat each other.”

“This was an experiment that absolutely altered the course of my life and the way I go through life,” she continued, “and it cost me nothing.”

But while her labor of love was completely free of costs, it apparently still paid off. Science has already proven that being kind to other people has more mental health benefits than being a recipient of kindness – and Kramer’s fulfilled resolution is a testament to the research.

RELATED: 10 Best Stories When Kindness and Heroics Went Viral in 2018

“Where I went, love showed up,” she told the Tribune. “I took it with me everywhere. I looked for love everywhere. You just have to look.”

Kramer hopes that her project will inspire others to use 2019 as a year of showing gratitude to their peers – regardless of whether it’s expected.

Be Sure And Share This Inspiring Story Of Gratitude With Your Friends On Social Media – Photo by Jen Kramer

Here’s How Families and Groups Are Pitching in to Maintain National Parks During Government Shutdown

By
McKinley Corbley
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Though the partial US government shutdown has left some national parks scrambling to maintain their lands and facilities, hundreds of civilians are stepping up to care for the public lands of their own accord.

In Tennessee, a father-daughter duo has been tackling the litter left behind on the trails of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

With park services lacking funding to keep parks clean, Marc Newland and his 10-year-old daughter Erica have spent their days hiking the mountain trails with trash bags in hand so they can pick up litter along the way.

The Newlands have always been avid hikers, but when Marc told his daughter about how the shutdown would affect the mountain park, she suggested that they take it upon themselves to keep the trails tidy.

RELATED: Swiss Businessman is Contributing $1 Billion Towards Protecting 30% of the Planet

“Erica says that she would like to challenge other hikers to take one day off from getting in miles and impressive vista pics and instead, give back by grabbing a trash bag, heading to the park and collecting some litter!!” Mark wrote in a post to the Hike the Smokies Facebook page. “These mountains give so much to so many people. Imagine if only a fraction of those people decided to give back to the mountains.”

Meanwhile, hundreds of Muslim men volunteering with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association have been picking up trash in parks and public spaces across the nation – from the Everglades in Florida to the National Mall in Washington DC.

The group recently made headlines for their early morning clean-up of the trash left behind by New Year’s Eve festivities. According to a press release from Dr. Madeel Abdullah, the president of youth group, “service to our nation and cleanliness are important parts of Islam.

“We could not sit idly by as our national parks collected trash,” he added. “We will lead by example and dispose of this garbage appropriately and invite all Americans to join us in these parks and others across the nation.”

LOOK: This Simple Solution for Pollution Kept 815 Pounds of Trash Out of the Water–Make Sure Your City Does it

This is not the first time that the group has volunteered their services, either. With over 5,000 members of various ages, the organization has reportedly logged over 200,000 hours of public service since 2016.

In addition to individuals lending a hand, dozens of small businesses located in proximity to Yellowstone National Park have all chipped in thousands of dollars to keep the park open and tidy during the winter tourist season.

MORE: Couple Takes It Upon Themselves to Turn Ocean Trash into Prosthetic Limbs for Kids That Cost Only $45

With the breathtaking scenery blanketed in snow, the park is visited by over 20,000 tourists every month. Since many of these travelers had already planned their wintery expeditions months in advance, local tour guide services, snow mobile rentals, and park resorts volunteered to split the costs of paying park rangers to keep bathrooms and park lands clean.

“I mean it’s not cheap [for these families],” one snowmobile guide told NPR. “They had to plan and budget for this, and to all of a sudden get the carpet ripped out from underneath them, I think is not fair.

“[The park] should be open, and services should be there, because it is the people’s park,” he added, saying that he was happy to help keep the park open until the park received funding once more.

LOOK: When School Places Ad For Male Mentors, They’re Overwhelmed by ‘Volunteer Dad’ Responses

There are other smaller efforts underway to help keep the parks clean as well. According to the Washington Post, a team of 40 volunteers have been cleaning toilets, restocking toilet paper, and recovering trash throughout Joshua Tree National Park. Another group of civilians is maintaining Yosemite National Park.

While none of these efforts can replace the full force of the National Parks services, the volunteer-led initiatives show that Americans will always be willing to take care of its lands and communities when adversity arises.

Clean Up Negativity By Sharing The Good news With Your Friends On Social Media – Photo by Marc Newland

When Mom is Whisked to Hospital After Kitchen Accident, Firefighters Stay Behind to Take Care of Things

By
McKinley Corbley
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The firefighters who rushed to Rachel Schoonover’s aid last month did a lot more than just ensure her imminent safety.

The 6th grade teacher had been washing dishes at her home in Elmira, New York when a wine glass suddenly shattered and cut an artery in her wrist.

“Instantly, blood was everywhere, spraying all corners of my kitchen,” Schoover wrote in a Facebook post. “I wrapped it up in a towel, called 911, called my mom, and continued to bleed everywhere.”

Responders from the Elmira Fire Department were the first to arrive on the scene, and as they tied a tourniquet around Schoonover’s arm to slow the bleeding, they simultaneously helped her son Declan into his pajamas and kept the two of them calm as they waited for an ambulance.

LOOK: Family Was Filling Up Swimming Pool Using Only Pots and Pans Until These Firemen Came Along

Since Schoonover’s husband was still at work and her mother had not yet arrived, there was no one to stay behind and watch her son. Some of the firemen immediately volunteered to stay behind and hold down the fort until someone else arrived.

After being whisked to the hospital, Schoonover received some stitches and a tetanus shot before being discharged later that very same night – and she was surprised by what she found when she got home.

“When we got back to my house, I was dreading the bloody mess that was waiting for me in every room,” says Schoonover. “Surprisingly, though, the mess was nearly nonexistent.

RELATED: Hero Cop Holds onto Van Dangling Over a Bridge Until Man Inside is Saved

“These men wiped down my fridge, coffee maker, speakers, cupboards, bathtub, floors, and even individual K-cups that had been hit. They put the dirty towels in my bathtub, threw away the glass, and cleaned up the blood in my sink.”

Furthermore, they left a note for the young mother.

“Hope you feel better and have a happy holiday with your boy,” said the note. “We cleaned up some shortly after you left. Hope you don’t mind. We didn’t know what to do with the rug though. Have a glass of wine for us and feel better.”

MORE: When Pizza Driver Gets into Accident, Firefighters Deliver the Hot Pizza Themselves

Schoonover posted a photo of the note to social media where it was shared thousands of times.

“While everyone last night went above and beyond to help me, I am especially grateful for these guys,” wrote Schoonover. “Thank you so much, West Elmira Fire Department!”

Be Sure And Share This Sweet Story Of Kindness With Your Friends On Social Media

“We are all lies waiting for the day when we will break free from our cocoon and become the beautiful truth we waited for.” – Shannon L. Alder

By
Good News Network
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Joel Olives, CC license

Quote of the Day: “We are all lies waiting for the day when we will break free from our cocoon and become the beautiful truth we waited for.” – Shannon L. Alder

Photo: by Joel Olives, CC license, via Flickr

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

 

 

Hundreds of People Are Saving Feral Felines From Death in NYC By Adopting Them as ‘Worker Cats’

By
McKinley Corbley
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There are thousands of feral felines living on their own in the United States – and with some cities scrambling to control the increasing number of wild cat colonies, homeowners and businesses are lending a hand with a special kind of adoption program.

Instead of laboring to turn feral cats into pets, more cities are offering “adoptions” for cats as working animals.

By caring for homeless cats as mousers, animal lovers are able to rescue the felines from euthanization while simultaneously purging their properties of rats and mice.

“Even though there’s absolutely no guarantee they will get any rodents, it often works out that way. The cat gets a home and the business or owner gets reduced or no rodents,” Jesse Oldham, a community cat expert for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), told the New York Times. “We’ve also seen a lot of people who just like cats. It’s nice having them around, even if they’re not particularly social.”

LOOK: One Cat’s Obsession With Hunting Birds Leads to Invention That Has Saved Hundreds of Thousands

Following in the paws of several working cat adoption programs in the United States, the NYC Feral Cat Initiative has met with plenty of success, processing over 1,000 feral cats in veterinary offices or animal shelters across the city every month.

Using a trap-neuter-return approach, volunteers humanely capture the cats, bring them to a vet to be spayed, neutered, and vaccinated — and their ear is painlessly clipped at the corner so that rescuers can see it has already been treated.

If the cat’s original territory has been destroyed or is being permanently altered, the program pairs the feline with someone who has a rodent problem. (Though adjusting a cat to a new property and caregiver requires more work than adopting a house pet, the pairings have proven to be ideal.)

LOOK: Photos of 75-Year-Old Volunteer Napping With Cats Hauls in Funds to Run Sanctuary for a Year

The Tree House Humane Society of Chicago launched a similar program in 2016, placing “unadoptable” working cats in rodent-infested environments with such great success that they have a 60+-day waiting list for the feral felines.

Animal rights organizations in Austin and Los Angeles became inspired to start their own working cat programs.

One client in The Big Apple boasted to the Times: “I tell the neighbors how important they are. They don’t need any poison or mouse traps around the house.”

Be Sure And Share This Pawesome Story With Your Friends On Social Media

Read Woman’s Heartfelt Open Letter to Flight Attendant Who Extended Simple Offer of Kindness 17 Years Ago

By
Good News Network
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17 years ago, Annemarie Kaan was on a plane flying from Australia to Canada, preparing to start her new life in a totally different country.

The nurse had just said goodbye to her family at the Sydney airport, and she was feeling anxious and lonely about living in Vancouver.

“Of course, I was excited — I’m a nurse and love to ski so when an opportunity to work at St. Paul’s Hospital came up, I grabbed it — but I also had a lot of trepidation,” Kaan wrote in an open letter published by CBC. “I didn’t know anyone where I was going so was feeling quite lonely and worried about how it was all going to pan out.”

A flight attendant for Air Canada then brought Kaan a cup of tea and the two started chatting about how she was nervous about the move.

RELATED: Mom Brought to Tears When Airline Stranger Gives Up First Class Seat for Her Sick Daughter

Sympathetic to her anxieties, the man continued to check up on Kaan throughout the journey and offered her words of comfort and encouragement.

But as they were nearing their arrival, the flight attendant approached Kaan and said: “You know, it’s going to be okay in Canada but if you ever feel like you need help or want to have dinner with someone, here’s my parents’ phone number. They live in Vancouver and if you feel lonely, call them and they’ll have you up for a meal.”

Kaan was stunned by the simple, comforting gesture. In her open letter, she said: “It was such a lovely offer and it blew me away.

MORE: When Boy Mails a Birthday Card to His Dad in Heaven, Postman Comforts Him With a Celestial White Lie

“There was no ulterior motive — you weren’t asking me out on a date or anything like that — it was just a pure act of kindness coming out of concern for me.

“It’s a moment that’s stuck with me all these years. Seventeen years later, I still think about it.”

Kaan never ended up phoning the man’s parents because she was immediately swept into a flurry of activity upon arriving in Vancouver – but she says that she often wishes she had. She even tried emailing the airline in hopes of getting the attendant’s contact information, but to no avail.

LOOK: When Stranger Finds Lost Wallet on Airplane, He Returns It to Owner With Even More Cash Inside

Regardless, Kaan published the letter in hopes of her story reaching the flight attendant – and she hopes that it will inspire others to perform similar acts of compassion.

“The kindness you showed me that day had a lasting impact,” writes Kaan. “I’ve taken a page out of your book and I try to show small acts of kindness every day — I make an effort just to smile at someone or offer them a cup of tea. It can make such a difference.

“Thank you for teaching me that life lesson because it has served me well over the years.”

Fly This Sweet Story Of Compassion Over To Your Friends On Social Media – Photo by Annemarie Kaan

“The world is not to be put in order, the world is order incarnate. It is for us to put ourselves in unison with this order.” – Henry Miller

By
Good News Network
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Quote of the Day: “The world is not to be put in order, the world is order incarnate. It is for us to put ourselves in unison with this order.” – Henry Miller

Photo: by Alicia Lynn, CC license on Flickr

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

Watch Aussie Woman Share Her Water With Thirsty Koala on a Hot Day

By
Good News Network
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When this good Samaritan saw a koala who was hanging out in the Australian heat, she didn’t hesitate to share her water with the thirsty critter.

Chantelle Lowrie had been staying at a campground in southern Victoria last week when she saw the marsupial on the side of the road.

Temperatures had reached a sweltering 111º Fahrenheit (44º Celsius) when Lowrie spotted the koala, and she couldn’t help but wonder whether it needed some hydration in the heat.

“My first thought was that the poor little fella needs a drink,” Lowrie told ABC News.

LOOK: Fearless Uber Driver Stops Mid-Trip to Scoop Up Injured Hawk and Save It From the Highway

Lowrie then approached the koala as it was climbing a tree and held out her water bottle. When it spotted the water, however, it stopped and enjoyed a 25-second respite as Lowrie poured the water into its mouth.

Once it was satisfied, it continued on its merry way and Lowrie posted a video of the exchange to Facebook where it garnered thousands of views from social media users applauding the Aussie woman for her compassion.

(WATCH the video below) – Photo by C’Lowrie’s Photography

Are Your Friends Thirsty For Good News? Be Sure And Share This Story Of Compassion To Social Media

Surgeons Successfully Implant World’s First 3D-Printed Rib – and They Plan On Doing Even More in the Future

By
McKinley Corbley
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In a world first, surgeons successfully implanted a 3D-printed rib into a hospital patient.

The procedure, which was recently performed at Tokuda Hospital in Bulgaria, used an implant which was crafted out of an FDA-approved material called Nylon 680.

In addition to being drastically cheaper than titanium, the material was used to make the rib in less than 24 hours for the insignificant cost of $114.

According to 3DGence, the company that manufactured the 3D-printer used for the procedure, the material is unique because it can withstand the temperatures necessary for sterilization and it functions much more similarly to an actual rib than titanium implants.

RELATED: World’s First Cell-Grown Steak Doesn’t Cause Harm to Animals

“The patient, Ivaylo Josifov, was diagnosed with a rib deformation (and) the doctors were concerned that the deformity may progress, and decided to replace the rib with an implant,” Mateusz Sidorowicz, director of marketing at 3DGence, told Digital Trends.

The physicians say that the 35-year-old patient is in “perfect health” after the procedure, and they are already planning on performing additional surgeries with the 3D-printed ‘bones,’ including three ribs along with a sternum.

MORE: Researchers Develop Cheap, 10-Minute Test That Can Detect Cancer Anywhere in the Body

“This is a new era in thoracic wall reconstruction for patients with tumors,” says Professor Tzvetan Minchev, Head of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Department at the hospital.

“The material used has proven tissue compatibility and the accuracy of reproduction allows for large chest wall resections …with individually designed implants.”

Cure Your Friends Of Negativity By Sharing The Good News To Social Media – Photo by 3DGence

Blue Light Reduces Blood Pressure, Just as Effectively as Medication – UK Study

By
Good News Network
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File photo by Aki Sato, CC

An exciting new study says that exposure to blue light is an effective, non-pharmaceutical treatment for high blood pressure, which simultaneously reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

During this study, which was published in the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology, participants were exposed to 30 minutes of whole-body blue light at approximately 450 nanometers – a dose comparable to daily sunlight – followed by exposure to a control light on a different day.

Visible blue light, as opposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, is not carcinogenic. To assess the impact, participants’ blood pressure, stiffness of arteries, blood vessel dilation, and blood plasma levels of nitric oxide stores were measured—before, during, and up to two hours after irradiation with both lights.

The researchers who conducted the study from the University of Surrey and Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf discovered that exposure to whole-body blue light significantly reduced the systolic blood pressure of participants by almost 8 mmHg, compared to the control light which had no impact.

RELATED: When Blueberries and Grapes Are Combined, a Dramatic Decline in Memory Loss and Aging – Study

What’s even more remarkable is that the reduction of blood pressure from blue light is similar to what is seen in clinical trials with blood pressure lowering drugs.

Besides the blood pressure lowering effects, it was also uncovered that exposure to blue light improved other cardiovascular risk markers, including reduction of arterial stiffness and increasing blood vessel relaxation. This further supports the notion that light could aid in preventing cardiovascular disease, which kills over 150,000 people in the UK alone every year.

Researchers also found that exposure to blue light increased levels of nitric oxide which is an important signaling molecule that protects the cardiovascular system. It is believed that blue light releases it from the skin into the blood stream where it relaxes the blood vessels, increasing blood flow and decreasing blood pressure.

MORE: Want to Stop Eating Junk Food? New Research Says You Should Get More Sleep

Christian Heiss, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Surrey and NHS consultant, said: “Exposure to blue light provides an innovative method to precisely control blood pressure without drugs. Wearable blue light sources could make continued exposure to light possible and practical. This would be particularly helpful to those whose blood pressure is not easily controlled by medication, such as older people.”

This is not the first time that blue light has been revealed to have a positive impact on people’s health. Because blue lighting has been linked to improving mood, dozens of Japanese train stations have installed blue lighting as a means of reducing their suicide rates. Over the course of 10 years, the suicide rate at the stations plummeted by 84%.

Shine A Light On This Fascinating Story By Sharing It With Your Friends On Social Media – File photo by Aki Sato

Kidnapper Got More Than He Bargained for When He Chased Woman into Karate Dojo

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Good News Network
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A man who apparently was attempting to kidnap a woman off the street made a big mistake when he followed her into a North Carolina karate dojo.

Randall Ephraim, the head instructor of Bushiken Karate Charlotte Dojo, says that he was tidying up the studio earlier this week when the woman ran into the building.

“There were still some kids in the dojo being picked up by parents and a couple of adult students cleaning up when a young lady came through our doors and stated that someone was trying to harm her,” Ephraim told CNN. “Shortly afterward, a big male entered the building. Not knowing what he wanted, I assumed he was inquiring about classes.”

RELATED: Woman Prevents Girl’s Kidnapping by Pretending to be Her Mother

“I asked how I could assist him and he stated that he was there for the lady. She insisted that she did not know him and tried to kidnap her.”

The 47-year-old perpetrator had reportedly tried to force the woman into his car just outside of the facility.

Ephraim simply asked him to leave, but the kidnapper refused and began “aggressively swinging” his way further into the dojo.

MORE: Quick-Thinking Teen ‘Befriends’ Couple to Thwart Kidnapping in Progress

Ephraim then took action and forced the man outside where the perpetrator unwisely attempted to attack the instructor.

According Ephraim, the man was “dealt with accordingly.”

Although the man was later taken into custody, he first had to be wheeled away from the scene on a stretcher before being taken to jail and charged with drug use and kidnapping.

(Photo by Randall Ephraim ,Bushiken Karate, Charlotte Dojo)

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Instead of Running, These Inmates Rush to Aid Their Supervisor Who Collapsed From Stroke Along a Roadside

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Good News Network
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These three inmates could have taken advantage of their security supervisor’s medical emergency earlier this week – but instead, they stayed by his side and ensured that he was taken care of.

The Bladen County inmates from North Carolina were picking up trash on the side of the road as a part of a program that allows them to perform community service in exchange for having their jail time reduced.

Their work was interrupted, however, when their supervisor James Smith started to stumble, which led him to fall into a ditch.

The inmates immediately rushed to his side. When Smith was unable to answer basic questions, the men used his phone to call for an ambulance before stopping traffic and asking drivers for help, according to the sheriff department’s Facebook page.

LOOK: Inmates Write Heartfelt Letter to Police Department Offering Condolences for Slain Officer

Paramedics escorted Smith to the Cape Fear Valley Medical Center where doctors were able to diagnosis the episode as a stroke.

While the supervisor has been recovering in the hospital, each of the three men were honored with the sheriff department’s esteemed Life-Saving Award.

The awards can dramatically improve their chances of landing employment once their are released from prison, but the men say that they are simply happy that Smith is okay.

MORE: Organizations Learn Cheap Tattoo Removal to Help Inmates Get Jobs

“At the end of the day, knowing he is OK, that makes you feel better,” one of the inmates told WECT, with another inmate adding: “He’s a good man. He’s more than a police officer. He’s more or less like my friend. He’s just a really good guy all the way around.”

Upon presenting the awards, Sheriff Jim McVicker said: “It goes to show, if you treat people right, they’ll return the favor and treat you right, and that’s exactly what [these men] have done here.”

(WATCH the news coverage below) – Photo by WECT

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“You will either experience the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The choice is yours.” – Zig Ziglar

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Good News Network
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Quote of the Day: “You will either experience the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The choice is yours.” – Zig Ziglar

Photo: in public domain, on Flickr

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

Want to Fight Air Pollution? New Study Says Planting Hedges is More Effective Than Planting Trees

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Good News Network
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If you want to protect your lungs from nearby road pollution, new research says you should be planting some hedges as the most effective way to cleanse the air.

In a paper published in Atmospheric Environment, researchers looked at how three types of road-side green infrastructure – trees, hedges, and a combination of trees with hedges and shrubs – affected the concentration levels of air pollution. The study used six roadside locations in Guildford, UK, as test sites where the green infrastructure was between 3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 meters) away from the road.

The University of Surrey researchers found that roadsides that only had hedges were the most effective at reducing pollution exposure, cutting the black carbon by up to 63%.

They also observed an appreciable reduction in harmful heavy metals that originated from the traffic.

LOOK: City is Converting Highway Pillars into Vertical Gardens to Clean the Air

Roadsides with only trees showed no positive influence on pollution reduction at breathing height, as the tree canopy was too high to provide a barrier/filtering effect for road-level tailpipe emissions.

MORE: Don’t Rake Those Leaves – Good for Your Yard, and the Planet

“The best way to tackle pollution is to control it at the source,” said Professor Prashant Kumar, the study’s senior author and founding director of the university’s Global Centre for Clean Air Research. “However, reducing exposure to traffic emissions in near-road environments has a big part to play in improving health and well-being for city-dwellers.”

“There are many miles of fences in urban areas that could be readily complemented with hedges to reduce pollution exposure for pedestrians, cyclists and people who live close to roads. Urban vegetation should be about much more than just trees on wide urban roads.”

(Source: University of Surrey)

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Police Are ‘Happily Surprised’ to Report Zero Roadside Busts for Drunk Driving On New Year’s Eve

By
McKinley Corbley
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Contrary to what you might expect, the police officers of this major city were delighted to report that none of the drivers they breathalyzed at road checkpoints were busted for driving while illegally impaired.

Surrey is the second largest city in British Columbia, Canada with a population of roughly half a million. Vancouver holds the title for biggest city with just 100,000 more residents.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police of Surrey had several road stops set up across the city throughout New Year’s Eve and New Year’s – and despite breathalyzing hundreds of drivers, no one had a blood alcohol content over the legal limit.

“We had no criminal impaired investigations or charges this year,” Surrey RCMP spokesperson Chad Grieg told Global News. “Surprised? I am, happily surprised.”

LOOK: Parking Officer Takes Pity on Driver After Finding Note in Windshield

“I think it’s people understanding it’s not just their safety, it’s the safety of other people on the road,” he added.

Additionally, Grief said that drivers were also better behaved in contrast to years past.

The lack of impairment is a prime example of the continuously declining rate of drunk driving across North America. According to the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, their education efforts and outreach programs have been linked to a drop in impaired driving over the course of the last two decades in the United States.

RELATED: Random Company Will Pay Man’s Drunken $1,600 Uber Fare As Thank You For Not Drinking and Driving

“For more than two decades, the foundation has been leading the fight to eliminate drunk driving and underage drinking,” reads their website. “During this time, drunk driving fatalities have declined 31% and among those under 21, the number of fatalities has decreased 65%.

“Underage drinking among the nation’s youth has continued to decline with fewer reporting drinking each year – past month consumption decreasing 53% since 1991 – while the number of conversations among parents and kids has increased.”

Be Sure And Share The Good News With Your Friends On Social Media – File photo by Tech Sgt. Chad Thompson / U.S. Air Force

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