“Scientists are making strides in the fight against Alzheimer’s, improving their understanding of the devastating brain disease and searching for new drug treatments, including 10 different approaches to dealing with Alzheimer’s that are close to or in clinical testing.” (Louisville Courier-Journal)
Scientists see Alzheimer Efforts as ‘Extremely’ Encouraging
French Use Happiness as Economic Measure
French President Nicolas Sarkozy wants to include happiness in measurements of French economic growth, to help explain “the growing gap between statistics that show continuing progress and the increasing difficulties (French people) are having in their daily lives.”
(Associated Press)
World’s Cheapest Car The ‘Nano’ Debuts in India
India’s Tata Motors has unveiled what is being called the world’s cheapest car — the $2,500 Nano.
The four-person sedan, also called the People’s Car meets all safety and environmental requirements, said the company’s founder, even getting 50 mpg with lower emission levels than modern scooters of India.
Singapore Opens “Green” Airport Terminal
“Singapore opened a new “green” airport terminal on Wednesday, boasting 919 energy-saving skylights, a butterfly garden and over 200 species of foliage spread over enough floor space to cover 50 soccer fields.” (Reuters)
Uzbekistan Abolishes the Death Penalty
The trend towards total abolition of the death penalty has continued with Uzbekistan becoming the latest country to put an end to executions. From 1 January 2008, it becomes the 135th country in the world to abolish the death penalty in law or practice. Capital punishment has now been replaced with life or long-term imprisonment.
(READ the news from Amnesty Internationl)
First Snow for 100 Years Falls on Baghdad
The people in Baghdad delightedly woke up early on Friday morning to watch the extraordinary snowfall on their neighborhoods for the first time in memory. Jubilant children and elderly gathered in the yards and on the roofs and some in the streets dancing. Thanks to Shannon G. for the tip!
Australia to End Plastic Bags in Supermarkets
Australia’s government said Thursday it hoped to phase out the use of plastic bags from the nation’s shopping centres by the end of the year.
Dog’s Bite Saves Boy and Pals From House Fire
“A black Labrador that bit a 13-year-old boy’s foot repeatedly, waking him up, is being credited with saving the boy and two of his friends from a house fire.” (Associated Press via MSNBC)
Swedes to Use Body Heat to Warm Offices
“A Swedish company plans to harness the body heat generated by thousands of commuters in Stockholm’s railway station using it for heat in a nearby office building.” (Associated Press)
Harvard Professor Recommends Good News Daily
The Good News Network is an extremely important initiative. I recommend that each person makes it a habit to visit the website at least once a day. Positive information benefits us emotionally, physically, and mentally. It can contribute in a meaningful way to a happier and healthier life.– Tal Ben-Shahar, Harvard University psychology professor
With Diet, Exercise and Friendship, Man Loses 400 Pounds
In a courageous journey of personal transformation, fueled by friendship and the ability to trust after so many years, a man is able to lose 400 pounds. He is now best friends with his trainer, fitness correspondent for Good Morning Arizona, Chris Powell. (Video, photos and story at ABC News)
New Car Can Run on Air (Video)
The French and Indians have produced a new car that is powered by compressed air. Not only is it good for the environment, it’s good for your pocketbook, traveling 200 km on a tank of compressed air costing 1.5 Euro per fill-up.
Top Ten Good News Stories of 2007!
Looking back and choosing the top good news stories of the year was a happy exercise and I’ve concluded that 2007 was a good year! Here is my annual countdown of the Top Ten Good News:
10) U.S. Cancer Death Rates Continue to Fall for Men, Women and Children – Thanks to advances in treatment, fewer U.S. cancer patients are dying. Death rate are dropping,
nearly across the board, more than 2 percent per year from 2002 through 2004, for lung, prostate and colorectal cancers in men, as well as for breast and colon cancer in women. The declines recorded nearly doubled the rate of the preceding decade, according to the federal health agencies and the American Cancer Society. Cancer deaths among kids and teens in the U.S. have also become rarer, decreasing by 1.7% per year from 1990 to 2004.
For Iraqi Refugees, Art May Be Avenue to New Life
Many of the more than 2 million Iraqi refugees now in Jordan and Syria are hoping to build new lives elsewhere. For young artists forced to flee Iraq, talent is one way out. Invitations from Europe are the prize: an opportunity to perform and, hopefully, find a new life. (Story and audio at NPR)
Four Health Changes Can Prolong Life 14 Years
People who drink moderately, exercise, quit smoking and eat five servings of fruit and vegetables each day live on average 14 years longer than people who adopt none of these behaviors, researchers said on Tuesday. Thanks to Elen M. for the link!
US Farmers Show Grass Makes Better Ethanol than Corn
Farmers in Nebraska and the Dakotas have worked with the USDA to plant switchgrass and measure the native plant’s ability to deliver Ethanol more efficiently than corn. The results are dramatic. Switchgrass delivers 540 percent of the energy used to produce it, compared with just roughly 25 percent returned by traditional corn-based ethanol.
New National Park for Russian Tigers
Endangered northern Amur (Siberian) tigers have received a boost to their protection through the creation of a new national park in the Russian Far East. The Russian Government signed a decree declaring the new Aniyuiskii national park in December, making it the third established in the Khabarovsk province this year, lessening the extreme pressures on the tigers from uncontrolled logging, construction and wildfires.
Saudis More Pro-America Than Ever
In advance of President Bush’s anticipated visit to the country later this month, Kenneth Ballen, president of Terror Free Tomorrow, a public opinion organization, shares the results of a surprising new survey of Saudi public opinion. (Christian Science Monitor )
Ford Ecoboost Engine Technology To Yield 20% Better Fuel Economy This Year
Ford Motor Company is introducing a new engine technology called EcoBoost that will deliver up to 20 percent better fuel economy on half a million Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles annually in North America — for a range of vehicles from small cars to large trucks — during the next five years.
Maldives President Saved by Boy Scout
An attempt to stab the president of the Maldives was thwarted Tuesday when a 15-year-old boy scout grabbed a knife from the would-be attacker.
