In today’s edition of Squirrel News, Brazilian kids fight dengue fever with modified mosquitoes, Kingston passes a historic rent reduction law, and a mobile oral surgeon helps rural Americans.
Brazilian kids breed modified mosquitoes to limit spread of dengue fever
Residents, including children, of the Complexo da Maré area, are breeding mosquitoes infected with a bacteria called Wolbachia which limits the spread of bloodborne disease.
Kids whose parents receive guaranteed income have better quality of life
An Austin guaranteed income programme is having results. Parents feel less stressed which improves family stability, with positive knock-on effects for young children in particular.
Kingston, in New York State, has passed a law cutting rents by 15%. The move comes as a result of a tenant union actively presenting the legislature to combat rent hikes in the city.
Student unions help post-graduates negotiate from a position of strength
Graduate students from the University of Boston have formed a union to help combat exploitative workplace practices. They seek to pressure lawmakers and businesses into providing a living wage.
A battery built using CO2 is entering the US market
Italian startup Energy Dome has developed a battery that stores energy using processed CO2. It offers a greener alternative to lithium batteries and is soon to be in use in the US.
The Netherlands installs solar panels that follow the sun
Utilising the many canals and waterways of their country, the Netherlands is upgrading its water-borne solar panels with the ability to follow the sun throughout the day.
The Florida community building disaster-resistant neighborhoods
A non-profit is building cheap housing designed to survive extreme weather. The houses are built on poles to avoid the surge of floodwater during a hurricane.
This undersea art installation targets illegal trawlers
An Italian fisherman has installed an underwater sculpture that ensures illegal bottom trawling fishing boats. The installation protects the local undersea flora.
Often small-town residents have very limited access to important dental surgery like wisdom tooth removal. Dr. Cameron Lewis travels from town to town in the northeastern United States, helping communities with oral surgery.
