Join us at Squirrel News today as we delve into Finland’s innovative approach to nurturing critical thinking skills in classrooms, a gene therapy trial that’s successfully restored hearing in a deaf toddler, and a fencing initiative in Nairobi offering a constructive path forward for young people.
In Finnish classrooms, teachers are helping young people to develop critical thinking skills by engaging students in crucial discussions on discerning credible sources of information, emphasising the lure of tabloids prioritising readership over accuracy, and guiding them to reputable platforms.
UK toddler has hearing restored in world first gene therapy trial
Opal Sandy was born unable to hear anything due to auditory neuropathy, a condition that disrupts nerve impulses travelling from the inner ear to the brain and can be caused by a faulty gene. After receiving an infusion containing a working copy of the gene during surgery that took just 16 minutes, the 18-month-old can hear almost perfectly.
Belgium passes legislation granting employment rights to sex workers
The law includes safety provisions empowering sex workers to decline specific services or clients without fear of reprisal, alongside the mandatory installation of emergency buttons in each workspace.
The Belgian town where families take in people with psychiatric conditions
The city of Geel has a foster care system for people dealing with mental health issues, in which foster families host boarders with mental psychiatric issues. The families want to normalise the lives of those with mental illness, treating them not as patients with a diagnosis, but as individuals deserving of dignity.
The migration routes of birds often intersect with wind farms, posing a significant hazard to avian populations. By implementing certain tactics – such as black blades, acoustic lighthouses and high-visibility cables – the occurrence of bird collisions with turbines can be significantly minimised.
Spider-inspired soft robotics boost precision in delicate maneuvers
Researchers from the University of Tartu are developing soft robotics technology, drawing inspiration from spider legs. Their latest creation, a miniature robot mimicking the flexibility of these natural appendages, shows improved dexterity compared to traditional robotic systems.
Housing solutions for rural America: insights from a decades-long project
Affordable housing remains scarce in many rural areas across the US. Over three decades, Auburn University in Alabama has dedicated its efforts to tackling this issue head-on through unique architectural approaches.
Swapping guns for swords: fencing captivates Nairobi’s youth
In 2021, Mburu Wanyoike launched a fencing club in his former neighbourhood, where he once dealt in illegal firearms. His aim? To provide a constructive alternative for young people, steering them away from violence. The initiative has been a success: 15 club members now represent Kenya on the national fencing team.
The all-female guardians of Ecuador’s Amazon: the Yuturi Warmi patrol
Meet the Yuturi Warmi, a dedicated patrol unit in Ecuador committed to defending their ancestral territory within the Amazon Rainforest. With a determined stance against the encroachment of extractive industries, these women are proving effective in preserving the pristine beauty of their land.
Nine eco-friendly traditions inspired by Native American practices
For generations, Native American communities have employed techniques like constructing clam gardens by the coast and cultivating crops in desert landscapes. These sustainable practices might offer invaluable insights for environmental stewardship across the United States.
