Good News Notes: “China harvested its first batch of “space rice” from seeds that returned from a lunar voyage last year, with scientists hoping it could help create new plant varieties and safeguard the country’s food security. The crop was grown from the 40 grams of seeds that traveled with the Chang’e-5 lunar probe in…
Month: July 2021
School built from recycled plastic in Indonesia offers blueprint for sustainability – and for disaster recovery three years after earthquakes
Good News Notes: “Asia’s first recycled plastic “Eco-Block” school has been built in a small, earthquake-devastated village in Lombok, Indonesia. The pilot project’s success has spawned a new wave of Eco-Block schools slated to begin construction in coming months on the Indonesian island. The earthquake-resistant five-classroom school was built in just five days in June…
New research finds that reforesting Europe would increase rainfall, fighting a drying trend
Good News Notes: ““Plant more trees” is often the first idea that comes to mind when we think about how to prevent further climate change or at least adapt to its impacts. There are good reasons for this. Multiple studies have shown that as well as trees being a fantastic way to store carbon dioxide,…
Record Electricity Generation in Faroe Islands Tidal Energy Project
Good News Notes: “Leading marine energy developer Minesto has reached further improved power production performance through upgrades and modifications of the company’s DG100 marine power plant. Furthermore, key aspects of test operations and electricity production with the DG100 system have now been third-party verified by DNV in accordance with international standards. Minesto recently resumed…
A Paralyzed Man’s Brain Waves Converted to Speech in a World-First Breakthrough
Good News Notes: “In a world first, US researchers have developed a neuroprosthetic device that successfully translated the brain waves of a paralyzed man into complete sentences, according to a scientific paper published Thursday. “This is an important technological milestone for a person who cannot communicate naturally,” said David Moses, a postdoctoral engineer at the University…
Orlando Police Department donates cruisers to Puerto Rican city
Good News Notes: “Fifteen Orlando police cruisers that had been keeping city streets safe for the past seven years will soon be continuing their mission 650 miles away, in Puerto Rico. “A lot of agencies out there are struggling and we don’t realize that here in this community, because it is the norm for us…
Community recycling program turns plastic films, bags into composite benches
Good News Notes: “A NexTrex recycling program turns plastic films that are typically hard to recycle into a composite bench for community organizations. The Rotary Club of Summit County became involved with the program this year, and the town of Silverthorne is now looking to follow suit. Mike Spry, Silverthorne Town Council and Rotary Club member, presented…
NTPC set to construct Indias largest solar power park in Kutch
Good News Notes: “Kutch region in Gujarat, the largest salt desert in the country and host to two of India’s largest coal-fired power plants, will now add another feather to its cap. The country’s largest power generator, NTPC, through its renewable energyarm, will construct what would be India’s largest single local solar power park of 4.75…
Magnificent Roman-era building unearthed under Israel’s Western Wall
Good News Notes: “Inside the tunnels beneath the Western Wall in Israel, archaeologists have uncovered the final parts of an elaborate building that may have been used as a reception area for members of Jerusalem’s local council and their guests on their journey to Temple Mount. The building consists of two hallways that were connected by…
SU alum Taye Diggs surprises Rochester school with $82,500 donation
Good News Notes: “Syracuse University alumnus Taye Diggs never forgets his roots. The award-winning actor surprised the School of the Arts (SOTA) in Rochester with a $82,500 donation on Wednesday, according to the Democrat & Chronicle. Diggs, SOTA’s most famous graduate, appeared in a video call to tell faculty that they would each receive up to…