Arizona governor greenlights over-the-counter birth control
Arizonans 18 and older will soon be able to go to their local pharmacy and purchase oral contraceptives without a doctor’s prescription.
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U.K. to pardon women convicted of homosexuality
The British Home Office is expanding a program that pardons people convicted of any offense related to homosexuality. Previously, the program was only available to men, but it is now open to women.
The U.S. FDA releases first-ever guidelines for psychedelic medicine
The Food and Drug Administration has published a 14-page draft document that appears to be responsive, providing scientists with a framework to carry out research that could lead to the development of psychedelic medicines.
41 countries implement mental health and resiliency training for healthcare workers
Project HOPE has created and implemented a training program on mental health and resiliency that has reached over 100,000 healthcare workers since the start of the pandemic.
Brazil’s Amazon deforestation drops 34% under Lula
From January to June the rainforest had alerts for possible deforestation covering 2,650 square kilometres, down from 4,000 sq km during the same period last year under former leader Jair Bolsonaro.
Scientists create novel edible, biodegradable food packaging to replace plastic
The developers from the Chinese University of Hong Kong believe the new bacterial-cellulose-based material can offer a sustainable, easily available and non-toxic solution to plastics in food packaging.
U.K. achieves huge gains in 5-year survival rates of early breast cancer
A new U.K. study has found that, compared to 20 years ago, women diagnosed today with early invasive breast cancer and initially treated with surgery are 66% less likely to die from the disease.
Canada officially bans cosmetic animal testing and trade
This landmark decision is part of the Budget Implementation Act, not only prohibiting cosmetic animal testing but also putting an end to the sale of cosmetics that use new animal testing data for safety substantiation.
Indonesia and Malaysia have cut deforestation in half in last half-decade
Across both countries, average yearly forest loss fell dramatically between the years 2015-2017 and 2020-2022, with Indonesia seeing a 64 percent decline and Malaysia a 57 percent decline.
New Zealand bans thin plastic fruit and vegetable bags in world first
The new ban will also extend to plastic straws and cutlery, as the nation’s government expands its campaign against single-use plastics, which began in 2019 when it banned plastic carrier bags.