Good News
Follow Aylah Graves as she discusses the Good News from around the world.
Good news
By Aylah Graves
Oct. 2023 has been filled with many events around the world. There has been war breaking out in Israel, increased political tension in the U.S., and rumors of new nuclear offensives taking place in Russia. Currently, world news is filled with tragedy and hostility. However, there is still good news.
Our first piece of Good News, is a wondrous scene from the sky. On Sat., Oct. 14, 2023, there was a rare solar eclipse. The eclipse was seen over the U.S. and parts of South America before ending over the Atlantic Ocean. According to the Good News Network, “An annular solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the sun at a time when the moon is at or close to its farthest point from our planet. It does not completely obscure the face of the sun, unlike in a total solar eclipse.” Many people could be spotted wearing special sunglasses to watch the eclipse take place. The eclipse proved to be a very entertaining spectacle.
The second piece of Good News is positively impacting the issues of pollution in the oceans. Scientists have invented sponges made from natural materials to soak up microplastics. These sponges are currently experimental but could be used to help reverse the pollution by microplastics. Andy Corbley with the Good News Network says, “In testing their simple invention made from gelatin and cornstarch, it was able to remove around 90% of micro and nano plastic particles from environmental and food matrices, including seawater, tap water, soil surfactant, and even take-out lunch soup.” The effects of microplastics in the ocean are dangerous to humans and the health of the planet. By using these natural inventions, there is hope for some of these dangers to be reversed and even prevented.
The last piece of Good News, is a vaccine used to treat malaria. Malaria is a deadly disease that has significant impacts in Africa. Malaria is mosquito-borne. Many people contract this virus and fall ill. This disease is usually fatal. According to the Good News Network, “As a malaria researcher, I used to dream of the day we would have a safe and effective vaccine against malaria. Now we have two,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Demand for the RTS,S vaccine far exceeds supply, so this second vaccine is a vital additional tool to protect more children faster.” This is the second invented vaccine created to prevent Malaria. According to the World Health Organization, “The World Health Organization (WHO) officially recommended the R21/Matrix-M vaccine this week…this vaccine is shown to be safe and effective in preventing malaria in children and, when implemented broadly, is expected to have high public health impact.” The R21/Matrix-M vaccine is providing some security and help for the people of Africa. The vaccine is also significantly less expensive than the other approved vaccine. There is now more hope for the people who are greatly affected by this disease.
October was filled with conflict and destruction. However, there is still a lot of goodness, even if it may seem small. It is important to try to find the silver lining, no matter how thin it may be. The world needs hope and coalition. Don’t let the bad around you blind you from seeing all of the good.
