Tag: #114

Trains offer sustainable transportation, especially when they remove CO2. Buses, too, at least compared with private cars. But the average usage rate of public transportation is only 15% in Europe. The electric ‘collective’ taxis developed by an Italian startup could soon change all that, because on shared routes, their modules combine together to make buses. Depending on the desired...

Sustainable hair extensions could soon be all the rage, and not just in salons run by the Black community. But in Africa, mental health treatment is more urgently required. Of the 110 million affected people, 66 million are women under 25. Since there is on average only one therapist for every 500,000 people, a non-profit-organisation is focusing its efforts...

Banana paper can protect potato seeds from pathogens. But soil bacteria provide vital nutrients for plants’ healthy growth. Making them a good replacement for chemical fertilisers. If only they were less sensitive to heat, humidity and freeze-drying... Now, thanks to a US-based research team, the bacteria can be given a protective coating. It’s made by mixing metal ions -...

Bears can teach us about blood sugar levels. If our blood sugar - or blood pressure - is too high, it can lead to chronic kidney disease. Early detection is rare, however, since the disease can be symptomless at the start. Enter an Edinburgh-based research team and its high-resolution 3D eye scans. By laser scanning retinal tissue - aka...

Artificial body parts can be tailor-made for extra comfort. For women who have had mammary tissue removed because of cancer, there are bras with built-in prostheses. Still, these are not always comfortable. A London-based architect, a cancer survivor herself, teamed up with underwear specialists to create one-cup lingerie and swimwear. Because not every woman chooses breast reconstruction, and losing...

Short videos promote reading in schools and technological skills can be acquired playfully. But what can be done when students in remote areas fall through the cracks? With its specially developed E-learning platform, a non-profit organisation in Africa is aiming to ensure everyone has access to the curriculum. Schools or religious institutions serve as learning centres, and children use...