World In Progress

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/10508698

In a new study, the scientists show that their synthetic melanin, mimicking the natural melanin in human skin, can be applied topically to injured skin, where it accelerates wound healing. These effects occur both in the skin itself and systemically in the body.

When applied in a cream, the synthetic melanin can protect skin from sun exposure and heals skin injured by sun damage or chemical burns, the scientists said. The technology works by scavenging free radicals, which are produced by injured skin such as a sunburn. Left unchecked, free radical activity damages cells and ultimately may result in skin aging and skin cancer.

Let's hope this can be in production in the coming years as this really could help people in many ways.

Read the link for a pretty good ELI5 to understand what melanin does and why it works.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/10468036

The EU has announced €4bn (£3.4bn) of state aid investments in new factories producing electric batteries for cars, heat pumps and solar panels as it seeks to accelerate production and the uptake of green technologies and combat cheap Chinese imports.

The Swedish battery producer Northvolt will receive €902m in state aid to build a new factory in Heide in Germany, while a wide range of clean tech factories in France are to get a €2.5bn bump in state aid.

Following the discovery of the rock, Jan Christian Vestre, Norway’s minister of trade and industry, said Norway had an “obligation” to develop “the world’s most sustainable mineral industry”.

Once mined, the ore can be processed into phosphoric acid and supply a broad range of uses, including lithium-iron-phosphate batteries and animal feed.

“When you find something of that magnitude in Europe, which is larger than all the other sources we know - it is significant,” founder and deputy CEO of Norge Mining, Michael Wurmser told news website Euractiv.

"We believe the phosphorus that we can produce will be important to the West - it provides autonomy," he continued.

However, the refining of phosphorus has historically been very carbon intensive, which is partly why there has been little production in Europe in recent years.

Norge Mining plans to use carbon capture and storage to offset the environmental impact of production, though the efficacy of these technologies is often called into question.

It wasn’t just phosphate that was discovered at the site. Large deposits of critical raw materials titanium - used frequently for joint replacements and in building aeroplanes - and vanadium - used to strengthen steel - were also present.

• from the article.

And this is net emissions reductions, also taking into account the emissions from extra electricity generation.

Still a long way to go. The world still uses more oil each year, but new technology is certainly helping in lowering that curve.

I recommend to read the whole article for more information and what we can expect in the future.

Food experts from Queen Margaret University (QMU) in Edinburgh, Scotland, have cooked up a substitute for one of the world’s most environmentally contentious ingredients: palm oil.

They’re calling the breakthrough innovation PALM-AT, and say the plant-based discovery is healthier for both people and the planet.

It has 88 per cent less saturated fat and comes with – they say – 70 per cent lower emissions than regular palm oil, which is used in everything from baked goods to toothpaste to cosmetics.

Developed using linseed and rapeseed combined with fibre, it can be made locally on a global scale, avoiding the deforestation and habitat loss associated with palm oil production in countries including Malaysia and Indonesia.

Donanemab and Lecanemab work by clearing the amyloid protein that builds up in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. Trials suggest they can slow cognitive decline, but not halt the disease. The drugs – set for UK approval in 2024 – mark a turning point in treating a disease that is expected to affect 1.7m Britons by 2040.

“We’re now on the cusp of a first generation of treatments for Alzheimer’s, something that many thought impossible only a decade ago,” said Dr Susan Kohlhaas, executive director of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK. “People should be really encouraged by this news.”

Source headline 4

Alot of businesses are starting to prioritise sustainability as it's what the customers want.

Vote with your wallet, if you can.

Welcome to WIP! (World In Progress)

What we try to achieve

The goal is simple. We want to inspire people around the world through positivity, as it can be the best motivator. We want people to be happy about our world be celebrating the progress.

It's the same old story; too many negative news because they "sell". But we'll do the opposite, and therefore negative posts are not allowed here and belongs to other communities.

What we don't see fit for this community

This community is not just a 'feel good' community, like if you're familiar with r/UpliftingNews. These are mostly personal stories, where person A selfishly helps person B in a single event. While this is very good and beautiful, it doesn't qualify as world progress.

How we start

As a start I will post some news that belongs here, just for an example for new users who will find this community.

Hope you are interested!