2022 was quite a year. Understandably, it was a rough year for many people for various reasons. But it wasn't all bad. No, really. There was some good things that happened this year. Let me alert you to a few of them, courtesy of the Good News Network.
- Scientists use artificial DNA to kill cancer cells. The main reason why cancer is lethal is because it is able to fool our immune systems. Cancerous cells can resemble normal cells, allowing them to grow right under our immune systems' metaphorical noses. Oncologists in Japan have been experimenting with using artificial DNA to essentially train the immune system to recognize these rogue cells and attack them. The research is still early, but the potential is enormous. This could literally be one of the medical holy grails: a cure for cancer.
- Unrecyclable plastics being made into roads. The states of Virginia, Hawaii, California, Missouri, and Pennsylvania have been starting pilot programs to take unrecyclable plastic items like printer ink cartridges and plastic bags and turn them material to repave and repair roads. The results of these programs have been impressive. And this isn't just happening in the United States. Australia had completed a stretch of highway with recycled facemasks. This is a fantastic way to help reduce waste and give new purpose to items that were originally useless junk.
- Gecko makes a comeback. On St. Vincent and the Grenadines, there resides a little gecko called the Union Island Gecko. Barely larger than a paperclip, the little geckos are known for their hides having markings like jewels. Since their discovery in 2005, they've been a popular target of animal smuggling, which has threatened to drive them into extinction. However, over the last four years, thanks to an international collaborative effort, the gecko's population has been going up. Nearly 20,000 geckos are known to live in Union Island now.
- Kitty rescued from winter storm. In Michigan, a good Samaritan found a cat frozen to the ground during a winter storm. The kind stranger managed to get the cat to the Big Lake Community Animal Clinic in Muskegon. The vets at the clinic were able to save the cat's life and is resting comfortably. The Clinic is looking for any information on the cat's owner.
- Penguins visit an old folks' home. The residents of the Colne View facility in Halsted, Essex, England got a very special surprise for the holiday: A visit from penguins! A pair of penguins, named Pringle and Widget, got to explore the facility and hang out with the residents, providing them some wonderful Christmas cheer.
- Image of Earth still inspires. In 1972, Apollo 17 went on its way to the Moon. It would be humanity's last attempt to set foot on a non-Earth body. During that trip, the astronauts took a photograph of the Earth that became known as "The Blue Marble". 50 years later, it has become regarded as one of the most powerful images of Earth ever taken. It has even become a symbol of Earth Day.
- Money thrown into fountain helps the poor. In Rome, people like to throw coins into its famous Trevi Fountain. It's estimated that about I million Euros in coins are thrown into the fountain yearly. The tradition is believed to have originated with the 1954 film Three Coins in the Fountain. In the film, two of the three main characters throw coins into the fountain as a way of wishing to find love. You may ask, where does that money go? Well, it's collected by a charity called Caritas. They use the money to help fund soup kitchens, and various other projects (even a dental office) for those who live in poverty. A wish on the fountain gets to help people.
- Farmers in Bangladesh create a "Water Machine". Using simple farming methods, farmers in Bangladesh have created an irrigation system that has turned the Bengal Basin into one of the richest croplands on Earth. It's allowed them to produce so much rice the country is now grain-independent. Scientists hope similar systems can be used to help area like the Mekong Delta that are vulnerable to climate change.
- Scientists discover way to make new brain cells in mice. Scientists at the University of Illinois-Chicago discovered a way to use gene therapy to stimulate the hippocampus in mice to grow new brain cells. This could potentially lead to an actual cure for memory loss diseases like Alzheimer's.
- New solar panels can also collect energy at night. Solar panels do have one big downside. At night, they can't collect energy, requiring them to be paired with batteries to store the energy they collect. That may be a problem of the past. Scientists at Stamford University have developed photovoltaic cells that solve that problem. How? Well, the Earth absorbs solar energy during the day when the sun hits it. At night, that energy is released back into space. These new cells collect that energy as well as sunlight. The technology is new and is being worked on, but it could help make solar a much more attractive option for a person's power needs.
These are just some of the really neat and heartwarming things that 2022 has brought about. Hopefully, we'll see many more awesome things in 2023. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves and each other! Stay safe, stay home, wash your hands often, wear a mask, and get your vaccine/booster! See you next time! Happy New Year to you all and may your 2023 be a great year!
.gif)
