Malaria is still a giant problem for African nations and the Gates Foundation is looking to help the people living on the continent. The Gates Foundation is donating $258 million to various places to combat malaria over the next five years.
Category: Body & Mind
Rome Encourages Happy Pets
Rome is taking the welfare of pets into serious consideration and has actually banned small fish bowls! The popular round fish bowls have been banned under a new by-law which also stops fish or other animals from being given away as fairground prizes. The bowls apparently do not supply adequate oxygen for fish and can cause them to go blind.
Dog walking is also becoming mandatory for pet owners and dog owners are required to regularly walk their dogs and stop clipping their tails for esthetic reasons.
“It’s good to do whatever we can for our animals who, in exchange for a little love, fill our existence with their attention,†said Monica Cirinna, the councilor behind the by-law.
It’s nice to know that pets out there are getting the rights to live a good quality of life!
Empty Houses in Britain to be Occupied
If a law passes in April next year councils in England can start seizing empty houses and convert them into social housing. The houses can then be renovated and leased out for up to 7 years before the houses are returned to their owners.
This strategy for repurposing housing is predicted to help those who need subsidized housing and help to fight crime. Of course, before the property is seized negotiation will be attempted with the property owner.
New Drug Halves Breast Cancer Replapse
U.S. researchers have published a study in The New England Journal of Medicine that claims the drug trastuzmuzab can stop almost half of all breast cancers from reappearing. The drug is currently used to treat advanced cancers.
The treatment only works with women whom have high levels of the protein HER2, the protein makes the cancer more active. 1 in 5 women with breast cancer have the protein so this new treatment can benefit a lot of women with breast cancer.
Royal Society Issues IP Charter
Slashdot has a great short post about a good proposition for dealing with intellectual property from the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacture and Commerce in Britain.
Essentially they feel that intellectually property is helping the few, opposed to helping the public good, and that this needs to be changed – in fast. Power to them!
Thanks, Ben Powers!