Inspirational and good news.
The great news round-up for January is up on the Great News page.
As a reminder, you can always sign up to receive the great news newsletter, which is released once a month.
One last thing: our next meet up will be on Feb. 21st at the Embassy in Kensington Market. Show up any time after 8 pm to mingle with people who want to make the world a better place!
Detecting Alzheimer’s early allows for better treatment, and a new test that looks at the eye can make early detection a lot easier. Those with Alzheimer’s have cloudy-looking plaques that are present in the eye long before other signs of Alzheimer’s show.
A Harvard researcher says a laser-based diagnostic system might be used to detect the disease long before it affects the brain, allowing for early treatment that could defer its degenerative symptoms.
Thanks, Justin!
Researchers working at the Vanderbilt School of Medecine in Nashville may have found a substance which kills the HIV virus. The chemical called CSA-54 mimicks the functioning of a healthy immune system. It works by attacking the membrane of the HIV virus, preventing it from infecting it’s target cells, the body’s own Helper T immune cells.
The scientists are hesitant to call their new drug a cure, as much peer review still needs to be done. If all the testing goes well, the drug could be available for prescription in 3 to 7 years.
There are 40.3 million people in the world with AIDS.
ForestEthics, Greenpeace and Sierra Club of Canada, along with industry leaders and indigenous groups, celebrated success after a decade long campaign to protect the globally unique Great Bear Rainforest. The total area protected from the chainsaw equals 5 million acres, twice the size of Yellowstone Park and equal to 6300 of New York’s Central Park. This total includes new and previous protection areas, plus special no logging zones that require the use of more sustainable logging practices for the remaining area. The agreement also sets a new precedent for decision making for local indigenous groups (First Nations), giving them the right to define what happens on their land.
To date, almost half of a $120 million investment package has been raised by philanthropic donors for conservation and sustainable business ventures in First Nation territories. The BC government has committed $30 million to First Nations for economic development. The coalition is hopeful that the federal government will join in this initiative.
Scientists exploring in New Guinea have discovered dozens of previously unknown plant and animal species. Near the Foja mountain range in a remote jungle area of New Guinea, the researchers found twenty new species of frogs, four new butterflies, five plant species, a tree kangaroo that was thought to be on the brink of extinction, and spectacular birds.
More expeditions are planned to the remote jungle, and scientists are optimistic about discovering even more species.