In today’s edition of Squirrel News, we learn about the therapists providing mental healthcare to Ukrainians from the other side of the world, groundbreaking technology that’s helped a paralysed woman speak again, and regenerative agriculture that joins chickens and trees in one farm.
The therapists helping Ukrainians thousands of miles away
Founded in 2022, TeleHelp Ukraine provides virtual medical appointments as it’s become both harder and more vital for Ukrainians to access healthcare. Volunteer translators not only help with communication but also become a second source of support.
Telehealth makes a difference in mental health of rural seniors
Elderly folk in rural areas of the US often have difficulty reaching medical care and can feel isolated. Remote psychotherapy sessions are a convenient and effective tool that’s bridging this gap in care.
Paralysed woman able to ‘speak’ through digital avatar in world first
Latest technology uses tiny electrodes on brain surface to read electrical activity in the part of the brain that controls speech and facial movements which are immediately translated into a virtual avatar’s speech and movement.
Germany adds record 1.2 gigawatts of new solar power in July
7.69 GW of new solar power installations have been added to the grid in Germany since the beginning of the year, with total solar capacity now at 75.1 GW. The German government subsidises new installations.
A new study shows that coral reefs in the island of Palau seem to have adjusted to higher ocean temperatures, providing hope for the possibility of reduced future bleaching events due to climate change.
Lego to sell bricks coded with braille to help vision-impaired children read
Lego bricks with studs corresponding to braille numbers and letters will be available for the public to buy from September, after already having been supplied for free to schools and services for blind children.
Technique for planting of tiny forests developed in Japan has been embraced around the world, including the US. The tight forests of native trees planted by locals in small plots of land in urban areas grow fast and yield big environmental benefits.
The regenerative farmers combining chicken and tree farming
Tree-Range Farms has pioneered a farming concept of raising chickens and trees together, which fosters biodiversity and enables more carbon and water storage in the soil.
Standard funeral practices are very carbon intensive and even novel types of burial sold as eco-friendly are not always truly so. Natural burials as well as “water cremations” are becoming more popular.
Biologist saves birds by teaching them new migration paths
Johannes Fritz has dedicated his life to reintroducing northern bald ibises to the wild in Europe. In order to ensure their survival, he has used an ultralight aircraft showing them a migration path over the Alps.
