Opt-out organ donation, malaria vaccines, collaboration between doctors and traditional healers

| Posted on May 25, 2020 |

Photo: Vidal Balielo Jr. / Pexey

Today we have articles on the new ‘opt-out’ organ donor system in England, how genetically modified malaria parasites could form anti-malaria vaccinations, and the traditional healers working with doctors in Sierra Leone to reach more patients.

Photo: NHS Blood and Transplant via The Guardian

‘Opt-out’ organ donor system introduced in England

In the UK, an estimated 80% said they would donate their organs but only 40% are signed up, so the new opt-out system will make organ donation more widely available.

Source: The Guardian

Genetically modified malaria parasites form basis for two promising anti-malaria vaccines

Humans have been inoculated with the engineered plasmodium parasites in clinical trials which have showed safe and encouraging immune responses.

Source: The Scientist

Traditional healers pair with doctors in Sierra Leone to reach more patients

In Sierra Leone, the majority of people visit healers rather than doctors, who are now stepping in to help bridge trust and collaboration between old and new methods.

Source: Al Jazeera

Photo: Carol Quintanilha/Instituto Socioambiental via Mongabay

Women’s collective in Brazil helps to reforest Xingu River Basin

The Yarang Women’s Movement have collected 3.2 tons of seeds over the past decade, which are sold back to rural landowners to help reforestation.

Source: Mongabay

Photo: Henry Do via Solent News via Shutterstock via New Scientist

170,000 mirrors used to create mega solar plant

The Ivanpah Solar Energy Facility plant covers 14,000 square kilometres and can power 140,000 homes every year, a scale that makes solar energy cheaper to access.

Source: New Scientist

3 billion trees will be planted in Europe to restore nature

The new strategy to preserve nature will plant 3 billion trees across the EU’s 27 member states in a strategy laid out by the European Commission as part of the European Green Deal.

Source: Euronews

Photo: Szasz-Fabian Ilka Erika via Shutterstock

Patients who must take multiple pills could be helped by 3D printed drugs

People who have to take numerous pills a day, especially those with dementia, would be helped by the pill that would deliver the right dose of medication at the correct time.

Source: The Conversation

Smarter Sorting’ utilises artificial intelligence to reduce retail waste

The sorting AI-powered platform detects products that could be reused and recycled, cutting retail waste by saving products heading to landfill.

Source: Reset

Factory workers in Bangladesh supported by mystery clothing boxes that also prevent landfill

Due to the pandemic, $2 billion worth of clothes orders are now destined for landfill. The £35 simultaneously supports the workers that made the clothes and averts waste.