The Happy Broadcast (2024)

19/08/2024

In a display of empathy and community spirit, a Brazilian priest has taken an unconventional approach to help stray dogs find forever homes. The clergyman is making sure that all members of his parish are cared for.

The priest has opened the doors of the church to provide shelter and solace to abandoned and homeless dogs. His kind gesture encompasses the rescue of stray dogs from the streets, providing them with nourishment. What distinguishes his approach is the exceptional way he aids these stray dogs.

Father Joao Paulo Araujo Gomes, from the Diocese of Caruaru, takes abandoned dogs off the streets, feeds them, bathes them, and then presents a dog to each mass, to be adopted.
Dozens of stray dogs already have a home thanks to the priest.

Source: Facebook

18/08/2024

A beaver baby boom is under way across Britain this summer in places where the species had been extinct for centuries.

From Ealing in London to the Cairngorms in Scotland, and from Canterbury in Kent to the Wallington Estate in Northumberland, new kits have emerged from their lodges for an after-dark dip in the water.

Until about 20 years ago, beavers had been extinct from Britain for 400 years, having been hunted for their fur, meat and their scent oil, castoreum. Today, after licensed and unlicensed releases, there are about 1,500 beavers in Scotland and 600 to 800 in England.

Dr Sean McCormack, from the Ealing Beaver Project, said: “Beavers are an important animal we once lived alongside up and down the country and welcoming them back, even to our towns and cities, is the right thing to do.”

Source: The Guardian

16/08/2024

The Kunstmuseum Den Haag is an art museum in The Hague in the Netherlands that just launched Art Connection: dementia-friendly tours and workshops.

Art Connection invites people with dementia and their carer to spend time together in a varied and meaningful way.

Research has shown that looking at and talking about art together can have a positive impact on people with dementia. It increases self-confidence and a sense of identity. A different environment and the proximity of art prompts new, positive experiences and new conversations. The focus is on having fun and interacting with each other, setting aside the care relationship just for a moment. The museum hope

The central element of this new programme is emotional response to and the connecting force of art.

Participation will be free of charge in 2024, thanks to the sponsorship of the Debman Foundation.

Source: Kunstmuseum

14/08/2024

Science shows petting a dog or even watching someone pet a dog, can lower blood pressure and anxiety, help increase the feel-good hormones serotonin and dopamine, and lower cortisol levels.

Four-year-old golden retriever Beacon is USAG’s first therapy dog.  Beacon was on hand earlier this summer to help calm the nerves of the athletes and coaches at the US Olympic trials.  USAG hired him part-time to comfort gymnasts and staff. Beacon’s role was vital during the trials, where gymnasts competed for a spot on Team USA for the Paris Olympics.

Beacon is just one of part of USA Gymnastics’ long-overdue mental health program. In addition to therapy pets, the initiative also includes mindfulness sessions and a team of therapists who are at the ready to work with athletes.

Source: People

12/08/2024

Are you the type of person that will typically stay mad at someone for extended periods of time — maybe for too long? Unfortunately, studies have shown that not only are these grudges not doing you any good, they’re actually hurting your health.

If you’re looking to be a healthier person all around, start by learning to let go!

The physical burden of holding onto a grudge stems from being upset, disappointed, or angry on a frequent basis.

This chronic-anger will keep a person in what’s called a “fight-or-flight” mode where they experience a constant increase in blood pressure, heart rate, and immune response. Experiencing this often can eventually lead to an increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and depression. 
On the other hand, learning to let go and forgive someone will lower your stress levels and keep you in good health.

11/08/2024

The program equips barbers and stylists with peer support tools they can use to become mental health advocates for their clients: active listening, validation, positive communication, and sigma reduction. The model has been studied by Harvard University and has shown to be effective in helping barbers and stylists become mental health advocates.

The Confess Project of America is an organization that has become a mental health resource, particularly geared toward Black men. This grassroots mental health initiative started in 2016 and has now trained 4,000 barbers across the country to become mental health advocates for their clients.

“The past six years have been incredibly humbling as we’ve experienced tremendous response and interest in our grassroots movement,” said Lorenzo Lewis, founder and national spokesperson of The Confess Project.

“Growing up, I witnessed first-hand the lack of mental health resources available to the Black community and how barbers and hair stylists can serve as mental health gatekeepers. We’ve made great progress since I founded the organization, and I can’t wait to see how The Confess Project’s evolution continues,” says Lewis.

Source: Parents.com |

09/08/2024

Thailand’s remarkable success, increasing the number of tigers in Thailand’s Western Forest Complex (WEFCOM) from about 40 to more than 140, stands in stark contrast to the tiger’s fate elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

Tigers disappeared from Java and Bali before the 21st century, and from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam by the mid-2000s.

We see very strong correlations between better law enforcement and the recovery of tigers,” said Pornkamol Jornburom, Director of WCS Thailand. “Prior to this, illegal hunting and logging were rife in WEFCOM, and tigers were on a path toward extinction. Here, as elsewhere in Asia, good enforcement is the cornerstone of the tiger recovery process.”

The news out of Thailand of a 250% increase in tiger numbers over 15 years is proof that the tiger can be saved but it takes long-term commitment on focused interventions. It does not happen overnight.

Source: Phys.org

07/08/2024

A broad range of investigations have found that animal-human interactions reduce anxiety,
depression, and loneliness as they enhance social support and general well-being.

Cow cuddling, as the name suggests, involves spending time up close with cows, often lying next to them, petting them, and enjoying their company. Originating from rural areas in Europe, particularly the Netherlands, this practice has spread to various parts of the world, including the United States.

This practice is gaining popularity worldwide because it is thought to offer a unique blend of emotional and psychological benefits. This serene activity primarily aids in reducing stress through gentle interaction with cows.

As one engages in the act of touching, petting, or even lying beside these tranquil animals, the body responds by releasing oxytocin, a hormone known for promoting feelings of happiness and reducing stress. This hormone release not only alleviates immediate stress but also fosters a general sense of well-being.

Moreover, for individuals dealing with emotional trauma or mental health challenges, the non-judgmental and comforting presence of cows offers a unique form of emotional support. The calm environment of a farm, coupled with the therapeutic presence of these gentle giants, creates a space for emotional healing and reconnection with oneself and nature.

Source: Psychology Today

05/08/2024

A cup of coffee, a smile and an opportunity are the ingredients of Café Joyeux’s recipe.

Studies show that 80% of adults with a form of mental disability are excluded from work.

Café Joyeux, first launched in 2017 in France, is helping to change the way people with disabilities are viewed in order to create a more inclusive society.

It is a non-profit organisation, with 100% of the profits contributing to employment and training for the mentally and cognitively disabled. It also has a shop and sells its own coffee beans, tea, and chocolate.

One of the cafe’s main focuses is to be as inclusive as possible, mainly by employing staff who have Down Syndrome or who have mental disabilities and neurodivergent challenges such as autism.

It states that its staff mission is to have “happy team members” who are trained on the job, and then able to join the cafe on a permanent basis. They work in jobs including on reception, as a cashier, and in the kitchen.

In the world, Café Joyeux currently operates 24 cafés.

Source: The Connexion /

04/08/2024

Strawberry contains antioxidants which reduces oxidative stress, a contributor to cardiovascular diseases.  Strawberries are more than just a delightful fruit; they are a powerhouse of nutrients that can significantly impact your health. From improving glucose control to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, the benefits of strawberries are backed by scientific research.

A new study indicates that daily strawberry consumption can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, underscoring the health benefits of this popular fruit.

The study focusing on cardiovascular health and improved glucose control was presented at Nutrition 2024, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition.

One of the key areas where strawberries have shown promise is in the management of blood glucose levels. This is particularly important for individuals with diabetes or those at risk of developing the condition. The fibre content in strawberries slows down the absorption of sugars in the bloodstream, preventing spikes in blood glucose levels.

Source: Onlymyhealth

02/08/2024

From Dua Lipa to “silent” book clubs, Millennials and Gen Z are joining book clubs as a way to socialize.

Book club event listings grew 24% in the United States in 2023 from the previous year, according to ticketing platform Eventbrite. Meetup saw a 10% increase in book club listings.

Many of these book clubs are not the stodgy ones of old, however, featuring wine and crackers in a host’s living room. Book club organizers and members are creating new gatherings to talk about books at dating events, breweries and on group runs. Social media is also helping lead younger readers to new genres and in-person communities built around reading.

Of more than 1000 official chapters of Silent Book Club worldwide, almost 400 have registered since January. Silent Book Clubs offer an introvert-friendly space to read and socialize with like-minded individuals.

At Silent Book Club there’s no assigned reading. Silent Book Club members gather in bars, cafés, bookstores, libraries, and online to read together in quiet camaraderie.
All readers are welcome—ebooks or audiobooks, poetry or prose, fiction or non-fiction... it’s BYOBook.

Chapters get the word out through Instagram and Facebook groups, and some hold fundraisers or special programs to support the places where they meet.

Source: CNN / Silent Book Club

31/07/2024

With summer temperatures that can reach 41C (106F), the streets of the Spanish capital are not a pleasant place to be during the hottest hours of the day.

While temperatures in the morning are bearable, even Madrid’s central Retiro Park “is hot at 3:00 pm. The best places to take refuge are air conditioned, and that means museums, cinemas and libraries,” said Madrid’s city councillor for culture and tourism, Marta Rivera de la Cruz.

The new programme, called Refúgiate en la cultura (Take Shelter in Culture), offers free flamenco shows – in the Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza museums, and the Royal Collections Gallery – as well as free comic monologues in libraries and discounted cinema tickets for screenings before 5pm.

Source: The Guardian

29/07/2024

Washington became the first U.S. state — and according to the group Compassion in World Farming, the first government anywhere — to ban octopus farming.  The legislation comes as scientists and animal advocates express outrage over a plan by a large seafood company in Spain to farm octopuses on an unprecedented scale to harvest them for seafood.

“Octopus farming hurts our environment and causes suffering for octopuses and it is well past time to prohibit this callous practice,” representative Strom Peterson who sponsored the bill said in a statement.  The US is also moving to pass a federal bill to ban commercial octopus farming as well as octopus imports. The move comes amid rising concerns over the environmental, ethical, and public health challenges associated with octopus farming.

Source: IFL Science

26/07/2024

Deforestation in Colombia fell sharply in 2023 to its lowest level in 23 years, the country’s environment ministry has said.

The amount of forest loss fell from 1,235 sq km in 2022 to 792 sq km in 2023 – a 36% decrease, official figures revealed.

Most of the environmental gains were in the Amazon rainforest, where the Colombian government is focusing much of its conservation efforts.

“It is a truly iconic year in this fight against deforestation,” Susana Muhamad, Colombia’s environment minister, told journalists in Bogotá.

Deforestation in Colombia rose to a record high in 2017 after the country’s largest guerrilla group, the Farc, demobilised, leaving a power vacuum in the country’s forests.

Source: The Guardian

22/07/2024

A German man have been cured of HIV after he received a first-of-its-kind stem cell transplant procedure nearly a decade ago,as researchers say he is probably the seventh person worldwide to be cured of the virus affecting tens of millions of people globally.

The German man—referred to as the “next Berlin patient,” after the first person cured of HIV—stopped taking antiretroviral treatment for HIV in late 2018 after receiving a stem cell transplant for leukemia in 2015, researchers announced ahead of the International AIDS Conference in Munich, Germany, adding he was still in HIV remission.

This appears to be the first case in which HIV is cured in a patient whose stem cell donor had a single HIV-resistant mutation, rather than two, which physician Christian Gaebler said could have “promising implications” for future cure strategies.

The case suggests “we can broaden the donor pool” for other similar cases, Sharon Lewis, president of the International AIDS Society, said.

Source: Forbes

21/07/2024

In Finland, speeding fines are calculated based on a driver’s income. The more a driver earns, the higher the fine will be. The minimum fine is €115, but it can be much higher for repeat offenders or for drivers who are caught speeding by a large margin.

The more a driver is over the speed limit, the greater the number of day fines they will receive.

Fine = Daily disposable income * Severity of violation

This has led to headline-grabbing fines when wealthy drivers have been caught driving very fast.

In 2002, Anssi Vanjoki, a former Nokia director, was ordered to pay a fine of 116,000 euros ($103,600) after being caught driving 75km/h in a 50km/h zone on his motorbike.

Source: WE Forum

19/07/2024

Tourism officials in Denmark’s capital city unveiled a novel initiative this month that grants freebies and perks to travelers who engage in climate-friendly behaviors, such as riding bikes, taking public transit or participating in clean-up efforts.

Called CopenPay, the new campaign aims to help transform tourism from “an environmental burden” into a “force for positive change”.

For example, visitors who take plastic waste to the National Gallery of Denmark will gain access to a workshop where they can turn it into a piece of art, while those who cycle or take public transport to the city’s famous heating plant will be allowed to ski down an artificial ski slope on the building’s roof.

“CopenPay rewards actions such as cycling, participating in cleanup efforts, or volunteering at urban farms with access to a variety of enriching experiences and everyday wonders of Copenhagen. This includes complimentary guided museum tours, free kayak rentals, and even a free vegetarian lunch made from local crops,” the Wonderful Copenhagen statement added.

Source: CNN

15/07/2024

Sweden launched a groundbreaking new law that allows grandparents to step in and get paid parental leave while taking care of their grandchildren for up to three months of a child’s first year.

The development comes after the Swedish parliament, the 349-seat Riksdag, approved last December the government’s proposal on transfer of parental allowance. This comes 50 years after the Scandinavian country became the first in the world to introduce paid parental leave for fathers and not just mothers.

Under the law, parents can transfer some of their generous parental leave allowance to the child’s grandparents. A parent couple can transfer a maximum of 45 days to others while a single parent can transfer 90 days, according to the Social Insurance Agency, a government agency that administers the social insurance system.

Source: NBC

12/07/2024

The earliest visual evidence of Przewalski’s- type wild horses has been found in cave paintings from 20,000 years ago.  By the time they were discovered by Russian geographer Nikolai Przewalski in 1879, their habitat had been reduced to a small area of western Mongolia. Competition from livestock, human activity and changes to their environment had all but wiped them out.

After the Second World War, their numbers were so low it became clear they could become extinct in the wild.  For the first time in at least 200 years, wild Przewalski’s horses have returned to Kazakhstan’s Golden Steppe.

These are the last truly wild horses left on Earth .
The Prague Zoo has restored 7 Przewalski horses to their original home in the plains of Central Asia.

The conservation team will follow their movements with tracking collars and plans to introduce about 30 to 40 more horses to the area in the coming years.

Source: EuroNews

10/07/2024

A new report has found that climate lawsuits being filed against companies are on the rise all over the world, and most of them have been successful.

The report by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) — Global trends in climate change litigation: 2024 snapshot — said that roughly 230 climate cases have been brought against trade associations and corporations since 2015, more than two-thirds of which have been filed since 2020.

One of the fastest growing types of litigation concerns “climate washing.” According to the report, 47 of these lawsuits were filed against governments and companies last year.

The report stated that there had been more than 140 such cases filed to date on climate washing, making this one of the most rapidly expanding areas of litigation.

Of the almost 140 climate-washing cases between 2016 and 2023, 77 had reached official decisions, with 54 being found in favor of the claimant.

Most climate cases that have been filed in the past have been against governments. In the United States, 15 percent of climate cases filed in 2023 were against companies, while 40 percent of cases in the rest of the world involved companies.

Source: EcoWatch

08/07/2024

A boy with severe epilepsy has become the first patient in the world to trial a new device fitted in their skull to control seizures.

The neurostimulator, which sends electrical signals deep into his brain, has reduced Oran Knowlson’s daytime seizures by 80%.  Epilepsy seizures are triggered by abnormal bursts of electrical activity in the brain.
The device, which emits a constant pulse of current, aims to block or disrupt the abnormal signals.

His mother, Justine, told the BBC he was happier and had a “much better quality of life”.

Source: BBC

05/07/2024

A Glasgow arts venue that doubles as a nightclub, SWG3, became the first in the world to switch to a power system that turns dancers’ body heat into renewable energy.

The inventor of the system, called Bodyheat, is geothermal entrepreneur David Townsend. Townsend also happens to be a regular nightclub-goer. He says heating and cooling, in particular, eat up a lot of fossil energy.  To reduce energy waste, he came up with the idea of storing the heat generated by human bodies on the dancefloor and using it as a source of thermal power for heating and cooling the buildings.

“If you have a thousand people in here, that’s enough to heat 65 homes, and a lot of gas that isn’t being burnt.” David Townsend

Source: BBC

03/07/2024

Scientists have found a simple new method to reduce the rate of people suffering from a peanut allergy by a staggering 71 per cent.

How? By feeding a child peanuts regularly between the ages of four months old and five years old. What’s more, the method works even if the child then continues to eat peanuts or avoids them entirely after the age of five.

“Decades of advice to avoid peanuts has made parents fearful of introducing peanuts at an early age,” said lead investigator Prof Gideon Lack from King’s College London.

But now, he says, “the evidence is clear that early introduction of peanut in infancy induces long-term tolerance and protects children from allergy well into adolescence. This simple intervention will make a remarkable difference to future generations and see peanut allergies plummet.”

Source: Science Focus

01/07/2024

Denmark is a major producer of dairy and pork. According to the European Commission report of 2022, a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions in Denmark come from the agriculture sector, which is highest among other sectors.

Livestock is one of the major contributors to global emissions according to various reports, with cows and other animals producing the greenhouse gas methane through their manure and burps.

Dairy farmers in Denmark face having to pay an annual tax of 672 krone ($96) per cow for the planet-heating emissions they generate.

The country’s coalition government agreed to introduce the world’s first carbon emissions tax on agriculture. It will mean new levies on livestock starting in 2030.

Source: CNN

30/06/2024

APOPO, an organization that trains rats to save lives, has been training African giant pouched rats (cricetomys ansorgei) to help find earthquake survivors for almost 25 years. The rats are trained to use their sense of smell to locate victims trapped under rubble and debris, and then navigate through small openings to reach them.   The HeroRats Project is training rodents to be sent into earthquake debris wearing tiny backpacks — so human rescuers can find and talk to stuck survivors.

For the training, the project uses homemade prototype backpacks containing a microphone. The rats learn to wear the backpacks and are sent into mock debris.  Specialist backpacks containing microphones, video gear, and location trackers will be created to allow rescue teams to communicate with survivors during actual earthquakes.

Source: APOPO

28/06/2024

Researchers are turning to organ-on-a-chip technology, which uses microfluidic devices lined with human cells to simulate organ functions. This innovative approach offers more accurate drug testing and toxicity screening compared to traditional animal models. With its potential to provide ethical and human-relevant data, organ-on-a-chip technology could revolutionize biomedical research and signal the end of animal testing.

The benefits extend beyond drug testing; organ-on-a-chip can also be used for personalized medicine, disease modeling, and chemical safety assessment. As this technology continues to evolve and gain regulatory acceptance, it promises to make biomedical research more humane, cost-effective, and precise, paving the way for a future without animal testing.

Source: MIT Technology Review

26/06/2024

In a bold move to support and nurture the arts, the Icelandic government has initiated a program that pays monthly salaries to hundreds artists annually. This innovative approach aims to provide financial stability to artists across various disciplines, allowing them to focus entirely on their creative endeavors without the burden of financial stress.

The Artists’ Salary (Listamannalaun) program is designed to recognize the invaluable contribution of artists to society. By offering these grants, Iceland not only invests in the cultural and creative sectors but also ensures the continuous growth and evolution of its artistic community. Artists from fields such as visual arts, music, literature, and performing arts benefit from this initiative, fostering a diverse and vibrant cultural landscape.

This support enables artists to dedicate their time and energy to creating new works, experimenting with different mediums, and pushing the boundaries of their respective fields. As a result, the program has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth within the Icelandic arts scene.

Overall, Iceland’s commitment to supporting its artists highlights the importance of nurturing creativity and ensuring that artistic expression thrives. By providing financial stability to artists, the government not only enriches the nation’s cultural heritage but also inspires future generations to pursue their artistic passions.

Source: Iceland Review

24/06/2024

Thailand will become the first nation in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage after the kingdom’s Senate approved a marriage equality bill, with supporters calling it a “monumental step forward for LGBTQ+ rights.”

The Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of passing the bill following a final reading, with 130 senators voting in favor. Only four members opposed the bill.  The result of the vote means that Thailand will become only the third place in Asia to allow for marriage equality after Taiwan legalized same-sex marriage in 2019 and Nepal in 2023.

The bill grants LGBTQ+ couples the same legal rights and recognition as heterosexual couples, including rights related to inheritance, adoption and health care decision-making.

Source: CNN

23/06/2024

Newcastle United have introduced ‘sound shirts’, designed to give deaf fans a sensory experience of match day at St James’ Park.

The shirts turns sound into touch using special sensors and motors, known as haptic technology. It will allow people to “feel” the noise and atmosphere of the stadium.

It will be the first time a hearing loss charity has been promoted on a Premier League front-of-shirt.

The club hopes this technology will inspire other football clubs across the Premier League, Europe and beyond to adopt this technology, and build on efforts to improve accessibility.

Source: ITV.com

20/06/2024

Scientists, based at the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences and the Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, Oxford University Hospitals and Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Center used a fluorescent dye attached to a special marker molecule to give medics a “second pair of eyes” during surgery for prostate cancer.

The marker dye found areas of cancerous tissue not picked up by the naked eye or other clinical methods.

The dye allowed the surgeons to remove all cancerous tissues—which could reduce the chances of cancer coming back—while preserving healthy tissues. Preserving healthy tissues means fewer life-changing side effects after surgery.

Source: MedicalXpress

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