This week saw a number of positive developments in the fight to protect our planet and our health. Here are some of the good news stories that made headlines:
The UK government has announced its support for a moratorium on deep-sea mining, reversing its previous backing for the controversial practice. The move was welcomed by conservation groups who warn that deep-sea mining poses a significant threat to marine ecosystems.
Researchers in the UK have developed an artificial intelligence algorithm that is twice as accurate as a biopsy at detecting the aggressiveness of some cancers. The AI system, which was trialled on sarcoma tumours captured in CT scans, could eventually be used to identify high-risk patients more quickly and improve the outcomes of cancer treatment.
A world-first experimental transplant has given a man with liver failure a second shot at life. Adam Eisenberg, who was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and given just months to live, underwent a procedure that used a new method of storing donor livers. Experts hope the Normothermic Machine Perfusion (NMP) system, which mimics conditions inside the body, could help address the shortage of suitable donor livers.
Wales has become the latest country to ban several single-use plastics in an effort to reduce waste and pollution. The new law, which came into effect on Monday, prohibits the use of straws, cutlery, plates, and cups made of foam or polystyrene, as well as plastic-stemmed cotton buds and balloon sticks. The Welsh government is also considering a ban on products made from ‘oxo-degradable’ plastic.
London’s air quality has improved significantly since the introduction of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) earlier this year. According to new data, the number of non-compliant vehicles on the capital’s roads has almost halved since the ULEZ was extended to cover Greater London in August. Mayor Sadiq Khan hailed the figures as evidence that his efforts to reduce air pollution were paying off
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