Photo: Endemic Architecture
In today’s edition of Squirrel News: the “micro-community” in California that’s home to the state’s first 3D-printed homes nears completion, the world’s most populous country ends mother-to-child HIV transmission, and the comediennes across the Middle East using laughter as a vehicle for female empowerment.
Just north of Sacramento in the town of Olivehurst, a new “micro-community” of 3D-printed homes has a threefold mission: to resist climate change, to provide affordable and safe housing, and to act as a blueprint for the housing shortage solution.
Source: Good Good Good
Mother-to-child HIV transmission, also referred to as vertical transmission, affects millions of newborns worldwide. Now, thanks to extensive awareness campaigns and educational programmes, Brazil joins 19 territories worldwide that have been validated by WHO for eliminating mother-to-child transmission.
Source: POZ
South Korea’s already-dwindling bear bile farm industry has officially ended as of January 1st, in line with a revised animal rights protection law that imposes up to two or five years of prison sentences to violators.
Source: CNN
Upcoming features hope to help users spot early signs of the degenerative disease by tracking changes in speech, movement and daily routines. Designers hope this will encourage users receiving warning alerts to seek medical advice sooner than they otherwise might.
Source: T3
Climate-heating emissions from aviation could be slashed in half – without reducing passenger journeys – by getting rid of premium seats, ensuring flights are near full and using the most efficient aircraft, according to a new analysis.
Source: The Guardian
Climate change-related disasters are expected to increase in frequency and intensity, threatening forests’ ability to absorb carbon, as well as thousands of jobs in the tourism and timber sectors. Now, forest engineers are working on ways to future-proof forests in North Rhine-Westphalia under a scheme that includes mixing tree varieties to build resilience.
Source: Context
“Over the past few years, [comedy] performance has emerged as a meaningful vehicle for female empowerment and social critique in parts of the Arab world,” says Elham Manea, a Swiss-based political scientist. “This visibility matters, women reach audiences well beyond activist or elite circles.”
Source: Deutsche Welle
From corporate “friendship hours” to buddy schemes and more, a growing number of the 8% of Swedish adults who claim to have “no close friends” are exploring different options to expand their social circles.
Source: BBC News
As US alcohol consumption declines amid rising demand for non‑alcoholic drinks, the popularity of so-called “sober bars” is growing. Experts attribute the decline to a variety of different factors, including a heightened interest in other forms of socialising that are less damaging to a person’s health.
Source: Deutsche Welle
