In today’s issue of Squirrel News, a non-profit housing trust has made its first land purchase for a fire damaged LA community, a blood test newly FDA approved can help seniors discover Alzheimer’s, and indigenous women in India are mapping out ideally restored and resourced communities.
With 10,000 homes and businesses destroyed in the Eaton fire, the historically Black community of Altadena, California, is vulnerable to outside investors and speculators. Housing non-profit Greenline has just purchased a first property to be held in trust for the community and plans to continue buying more as they find donors to support the effort.
New law in Guyana will give liability for oil spills to companies responsible
A bill passed Friday by legislators in Guyana will make companies financially liable for damages from oil spills, including from ships. Businesses that fail to comply with regulations could have their licenses for oil exploration and production suspended.
Final OK on first blood test to get FDA approval for diagnosing Alzheimer’s
The FDA announced Friday that a blood test to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease has been approved for people over 55 who have symptoms possibly related to dementia. The test should help differentiate between Alzheimer’s and cognitive difficulties from other causes, and facilitate early treatment to delay disease progression.
First-ever human bladder transplant performed on cancer survivor
Surgeons at UCLA transplanted the bladder of a 41-year old man, who had most of his bladder removed in cancer treatment. He is one of four participants in a clinical trial of a potentially life-altering surgery for people with severe bladder conditions.
‘Inverse vaccines’ could be a ‘holy grail’ treatment for autoimmune diseases
Some researchers say a new approach, which suppresses a particular part of the immune system rather than amplifying it, could be available in the next five years. It promises to work for a wide variety of autoimmune disorders by re-educating the immune system to not attack the body.
In Bangladesh a new way of brick stacking cuts air pollution, study shows
Air pollution in Bangladesh ranks among the worst in the world with much of it caused by smoke from brick kilns, but recent study from Greentech Knowledge Solutions shows simple changes in things like brick stack formation would make a big difference. The changes could reduce CO2 and particulates in the air by 23% and save money by reducing fuel costs.
An artificial reef scent that attracts coral larvae could help save coral reefs
Scientists have developed a nanoparticle gel that attracts larvae to resettle on and renew reefs that have degraded. They found that making the gel smell like a particular algae made larvae 20% more likely to settle, but say that they plan to further study and enhance the entire life cycle of the nascent coral.
Scientists in Mexico make a fermented tortilla that needs no refrigeration
The wheat tortilla contains probiotics and can last a month outside of a refrigerator. In a hot climate where many can’t afford a fridge and malnutrition is high, it was developed with vulnerable communities in mind. The science team have patented their award-winning product, but still need a partner to market it at scale.
Indigenous women in India map how to restore and protect communities
Woman of tribes which have lived in India for millennia are drawing “dream maps” to submit to government officials as a step towards restoration of resources and ecosystems in the face of climate change.
Programmes offer a fresh start in food service for people rebuilding lives
Journalists from BBC’s The Food Chain visit businesses in London, Kentucky, and Columbia to talk about opportunities that bakeries, cafes and restaurants can offer to people in addiction recovery and reintegration after prison or rebel gang membership. Business owners and workers alike agree that food offers a unique chance for a new start.
