Fishing-free corridor in Pacific, gene sequencing fights childhood cancer, ATMs distribute green fuel

| Posted on November 8, 2021 |

Photo: Photographer / Platform (Licence)

In today’s edition of Squirrel News, we’re talking about a fishing-free passage in the Pacific, how deciphering the genetic code of childhood cancer can improve diagnosis and treatment, and large cash machine lookalikes in Kenya that dispense clean cooking fuel.

Four Latin American countries establish fishing-free corridor in Pacific

To protect marine life, Costa Rica, Colombia, Panama and Ecuador will join forces to create a passage devoid of fishing in the Pacific Ocean.

Source: Washington Post

Whole-genome sequencing can improve childhood cancer outcomes

A pilot study shows sequencing the genes of children affected by cancer provides in-depth information that can improve their diagnosis and treatment.

Source: The Guardian

The ATMs delivering cooking fuel instead of cash

Big blue boxes erected in Nairobi that look like cash machines instead dispense bioethanol, a eco-friendly cooking fuel that can replace charcoal and reduce household pollution.

Source: BBC World Service

TikTok signal saves young girl

A girl reported missing was rescued from a man’s car when a motorist regognised her hand gesture: a signal of domestic violence, popularised on social media platform TikTok.

Source: NPR

Chile goes solar to cut coal

The first solar power plant in South America has a specialised molten-salt absorption tower which allows energy to be stored for up to 17 hours a day, currently impossible with other solar-powered systems.

Source: Deutsche Welle

World’s longest underwater wire to send green energy from Morocco to UK

The Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project plans to send enough wind and solar energy from North Africa to Devon, England to power 7 million homes by 2030.

Source: Good News Network

These nations push banks to report their carbon footprint

New Zealand, France, Switzerland and UK enforce measures on banks to publicise the impact of their businesses on the climate.

Source: Euro News

New Mazda cars designed to pull up if driver has health issue

The cars fitted with cameras can detect when drivers are about to have a stroke or heart attack, alert them and bring them to safety.

Source: AP News

Uber-style app for blind people to receive guided help from public

Travel Hands, a London-founded startup, will launch an app to assist blind people to navtigate urban environments, with the help of public volunteers.

Source: Forbes

Young South Africans use magic in school

For over 30 years, the college of Magic in Cape Town, South Africa has been training youngsters in card tricks and illusions, inspiring children and helping to unite separated communities.