Inspirational and good news.
Bolivia’s first indigenous president, Evo Morales, has announced that he aims to reform the way that the government deals with the indigenous population.
“From 500 years of resistance we pass to another 500 years in power. We’re going to put an end to injustice, to inequality.” Morales said.
According to CBC.ca “Tens of thousands of Bolivians – led by Indians in traditional garb – gathered in a square outside the legislature, cheering and chanting “Evo, Evo.””
Thanks, Justin!
Scientists have used stem cells to grow lung cells, which means that we may soon have lung transplants from lungs grown in a lab.
“Following further laboratory tests, the researchers plan to use their findings to treat problems such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a condition which causes the lining of the cells to fall off, and which currently kills many intensive care patients. By injecting stem cells that will become lung cells, they hope to be able to repopulate the lung lining.”
Researchers at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada have looked into their soil to find a lot of resistance. The research scientists took some soil samples and found that a lot of microbes are not affected by antibiotics.
480 microbes were tested and a; showed resistance to two drugs, and most were resistant to 7 or 8 more of the 21 drugs tested. The scientists tried traditional medicines and recently designed drugs.
At first, you might think that this is not good news. I’d say that this is good news because by looking at these microbes we can gain a better understanding of why more and more microbes are resisting antibiotics. The more we know about this the better we can treat people.
Software for Starving Students is a collection of open source software one can download for free. It includes an office suite, firefox, and its own user-friendly interface.
From the site:
We created the SSS CD because we love open source software and want to help make it more accessible to students all around the world. Although all students need good software to be successful, many have a hard time getting it on student budgets. We empathize with them because we’ve felt that pinch ourselves. This software enables students to achieve more for less, and that inspires us. People all over the world are using free software to make their lives better.
Former political prisoner, Michelle Bachelet, ran for president of Chile and has won with 53% majority with almost 98% of the vote counted. The left-leaning politician has now become the first female president in the country, the female vote is argued to have made the majority happen.
Bachelet’s family has a legacy of challenging bad politicians, with her father protesting Pinochet.
In related news, Africa has its first ever elected female leader in the state of Liberia. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is inaugurated today as Liberia’s 23rd president. She aims to fight corruption within government and to rebuild the country after a massive civil war.
Thanks, Justin!