In today’s edition, we’re exploring the newly-announced eco-corridor protecting Kyrgyzstan’s biodiversity, the UK’s move to ban disposable vapes, and the dissolvable basic paste that’s saving urban birds from injuries.
Kyrgyzstan announces development of 800,000-hectare eco-corridor
The 8,000km² corridor will connect existing protected areas, including Khan-Tengri National Park and Naryn Nature Reserve, growing the existing total protected landscape to over 1.2 million hectares.
As of Sunday, the country has joined France and Belgium in prohibiting the sale of single-use vapes, which have long been described by activists as an “environmental nightmare”.
Endometriosis research institute to be set up in Sydney
Thanks to a record-breaking $50 million donation, the Ainsworth Endometriosis Research Institute will work towards accelerating breakthroughs in diagnosis and creating precision-based treatments in one of the most underresearched areas of medical science.
New AI test can predict which men will benefit from prostate cancer drug
Abiraterone can halve the risk of dying from prostate cancer, but its side effects are significant enough that doctors tend not to prescribe it until a cancer has started to spread. A new AI test can help target which men are at greater risk so that treatment can begin earlier.
EU looks to tap into circular economy by “urban mining” for strategic metals
Although Europe lacks the raw materials needed to create buildings and devices like smartphones, it’s one of the largest product markets in the world. In order to reduce dependency on imports, the EU is looking closer to home in the form of unused tech and construction materials.
Disturbed by race day waste, runner designs a reusable cup
While running the California International Marathon in 2019, Kristina Smithe couldn’t ignore the growing piles of discarded paper cups at every aid station.On the trip home, inspiration struck: why not create a reusable alternative?
How shipping containers are being repurposed as solutions
From a UK-based start-up developing carbon storage units to a school in Mumbai built entirely from shipping containers, the world is getting creative when it comes to finding new uses for this staple of global trade.
Oregon farmers are preserving their land for future generations
With more and more US agricultural land being repurposed as housing developments, conservation agreements are making sure farmland stays farmland for the next generation.
The Internet Archive is stopping history from being erased
The San Francisco-based nonprofit is gathering billions of web pages in a huge digital archive to preserve it for future generations. It doesn’t stop at websites: it also stores and catalogues books, records and videos from every corner of the world.
