Alternative palm oil, mobile greenhouses in conflict zones, support for undocumented students

| Posted on December 16, 2020 |

Photo: Shawn Ang / Unsplash (CC0)

In today’s edition of Squirrel News, we’re looking at an environmentally responsible alternative to palm oil made from ecological waste, greenhouses that can be moved and provide nutrition in times of crisis and humanitarian disaster, and trauma specialists assisting teachers in welcoming undocumented students.

Alternative oil made from biological waste could replace palm oil

In an effort to reduce deforestation and protect biodiversity, this substance made from recycled materials might be a sustainable alternative to palm oil.

Source: BBC

Mobile greenhouses to combat hunger in humanitarian crisis

In order to provide essential nutrition in war zones, researchers have developed three systems that function without soil, are mobile and can yield returns on short notice.

Source: RESET

Pete Buttigieg en route to become first openly gay minister in USA

President-elect Joe Biden will nominate the former mayor as secretary of transportation and first member of his climate change team.

Source: The New York Times

Single experimental injection could improve overall eyesight

Despite only being injected into one eye, this gene therapy could combat vision loss in both eyes, first trials have shown.

Source: New Atlas

Vertical farm powered by renewable energy to produce 1,000 tons of vegetables per year

This collaboration between a Danish startup with a Taiwanese tech company uses wind power and aquaponics in indoor farms to improve food production.

Source: Fast Company

Relaxation of rules allows more gay and bisexual men to donate blood in UK

The move removes the need for three months of abstinence before donations, and marks a breakthrough in the acceptance of non-heteronormative men in British society.