This week was filled with positive news from around the world. The Earthshot Prize announced its winners, offering £1m to five eco-innovators with solutions to environmental problems. Among those awarded were a company that offers easier-to-recycle batteries for electric vehicles, a scheme to reduce food waste and a community initiative that helps protect Andean forests. Prince William spoke at the event, mentioning that this decade marked the moment humanity refused the voices of denial and defeatism, and instead turned to creating a healthy and sustainable world.
In other news, England has licensed a drug called Anatrozole that helps prevent breast cancer. It has been in use for several years to treat the disease, but recent trials found it can also minimise its incidence by half in postmenopausal women at risk of developing breast cancer. Cancer Research UK described the new measure as a welcome relief. While the drug costs £0.04 a day for five years, several companies can produce it now that it’s off-patent.
British attitudes towards immigration have softened, according to the European Social Survey. The survey has recorded attitudes among the population since 2001; its latest poll of around 1,150 people suggests that immigration has undergone an “about-turn” and that people are increasingly open to its benefits. In particular, 59% of those surveyed believe immigration was very positive for the UK economy. This upward trend in attitudes towards immigration is a marked change from the past and could be seen as Brexit’s most positive outcome.
Finally, Bangladesh has eliminated visceral leishmaniasis, making it the first country to do so. This milestone represents a significant development in public health: a health program began in 2005 that encouraged early diagnosis, improved treatment options and coordinated disease surveillance. Due to these efforts, Bangladesh can now resolve this disease as a public health issue. Visceral leishmaniasis is caused by a bacterial parasite transmitted by infected sandflies and constitutes a significant health risk. The elimination of the disease thus represents a critical step in saving many lives
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