Syrian refugee’s super-seeds, largest ever arts crowdfund, 3D printers rallying for face shields

Photo: Akil Muzamder / Pexels (CC0)

In this issue of Squirrel News we have virus-resistant seeds to be distributed to suffering farmers, the campaign to preserve artist Derek Jarman’s Prospect Cottage reaches its target in the final days, and mass collective action from 3D printer owners to help support the health service.

Syrian refugee risked her life “for the world’s poor” by retrieving super-seeds from her home in Aleppo

Dr Safaa Kumari is a plant virologist that has successfully developed virus-resistant seeds to distribute freely to suffering farmers, despite cash offers.

Source: The Guardian

Largest ever arts crowdfunding campaign saves house, garden and living artwork of Derek Jarman

With nearly 7,300 donations from the public, the campaign led by Tilda Swinton to raise £3.5m succeeded in its final week against all odds.

Source: The Guardian

Collective action from over 1,400 3D printer owners boost supply of face shields

3D Crowd UK group has already donated thousands to frontline healthcare workers.

Source: BBC News

New blood test shows promise in detecting over 50 types of cancer

Offering hope for screening hard-to-detect cancers, this test uses machine learning, a form of AI to detect but also show what type of cancer it could be.

Source: The Guardian

OpenSurface is an AI-powered platform that can monitor and forecast land use and abuse.

By providing data to governments and researchers, OpenSurface hope to aid the monitoring and predicting of deforestation, biodiversity levels, and wildfires.

Source: Reset

Every rooftop in Utrecht’s city centre is getting a green makeover

In lower buildings the roofs will be adorned with plants and moss, then the higher rooftops absorbing the sun through solar panels.

Source: Global Citizen

Audible has made hundreds of books available for free for as long as schools are closed

With children at home all day, entertaining and educational audio books offer a helping hand to parents.

Source: Radio Times

Crocs is donating 10,000 pairs of shoes per day to health care workers in the US

Worn by health professionals across the world, this scheme has already received over 400,000 orders.

Source: Global Citizen

6 tips and tricks for mastering Zoom

Establishing itself as the go-to for family video calls or work meetings, Zoom is becoming a household staple.

Source: Entrepeneur

How Brazil have revolutionised their waste economy

Just two years go, Brasilia was the site of garbage dumps tended to by thousands of illegal workers – now, they’re employed in waste facility cooperatives.

Source: DW

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