📈 Human Progress
In the last decades humanity has made great progress with less extreme poverty, increased health, wealth and democracy. We follow in the tradition of professor Hans Rosling.
💉 New method can reduce diabetes medication dosing to once a month
French researchers have developed a system that can reduce the dosing of diabetes medication to once a month. The drug is particularly effective in managing type 2 diabetes and is available in both injectable and oral forms.
🎗️ Skin cancer decrease among younger people in Sweden, the first country in Europe
The risk of malignant melanoma is decreasing for people under 50 in Sweden since 2015. Improved awareness of sun protection and reduced access to tanning beds contribute to the decrease. Mortality from skin cancer has also decreased for age groups up to 59 years.
🐦 Endangered grasshopper sparrow on the road to recovery
The number of grasshopper sparrows in Florida has increased from 80 to 200 individuals in five years. The 1000th captive-bred sparrow was recently released into the wild. Over 15 percent of the released birds survive and reproduce successfully.
📉 Large decrease in domestic violence
The number of domestic violence cases in the US has decreased by 67 percent between 1993 and 2022. Rapes and sexual assaults decreased by 56 percent during the same period.
🌳 Chainsaw amnesty protects rainforest in Borneo by exchanging chainsaws for healthcare
279 loggers have turned in their chainsaws since 2017. The program has reduced deforestation by 70 percent over 10 years. The initiative combines environmental protection with improved access to healthcare for local communities.
🚢 Plastic in the Pacific Ocean can be cleaned up in ten years, according to Ocean Cleanup
The Ocean Cleanup foundation has shown that all plastic in the Pacific Ocean can be removed within 10 years for $7.5 billion. The organization has already removed over 450 metric tons of trash from the central parts of the Pacific Ocean over the past three years.
🐢 Sea turtles in Brazil become healthier as water quality improves
Sea turtles in Guanabara Bay show better health after cleaning efforts. A tumor disease in turtles has decreased since 2023. Investments of over 300 million dollars have been made to clean the water in the area.
💉 World's first lung cancer vaccine being tested in clinical trials
Clinical trials of an mRNA vaccine against lung cancer have begun in seven countries. The vaccine is designed to treat non-small cell lung cancer, the most common form of the disease. Approximately 130 patients will participate in the study and receive the vaccine along with immunotherapy.
💡 Musings of the Angry Optimist: Wuuut, is AI making artists more creative?!
Even someone without talent can be right sometimes. And shocking news about French farmers.