New treatment allows blind mice to recover vision, will now be tested for humans
The new treatment is rapidly approaching human trials and hopes to have an FDA-approved treatment out the other end of the pipeline in 2-3 years.
North & Central America
This archive covers progress stories from North and Central America, spanning the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the nations of Central America. Readers will find reporting on health, environment, community resilience, and policy advances across the region.
Asthma rates in Kentucky improve as coal plants shut down, new study finds
After four coal plants in Kentucky either retired or were retrofitted, local asthma-related hospitalizations dropped and individuals used their inhalers less frequently.
Six-junction solar cell sets two world records for efficiency
While the six-junction III-V technology underlying these new cells is likely too costly at this time to be put to use in everyday rooftop applications, the new cell has great potential for application in concentrated solar panel arrays.
Virginia governor signs LGBTQ nondiscrimination measure into law
Gov. Northam signed the Virginia Values Act, making it the first in the South and the 21st across the United States to pass anti-discrimination protections for the LGBTQ community.
New magnetic brain therapy relieved depression in 90% of the participants in small trial
“There’s never been a therapy for treatment-resistant depression that’s broken 55% remission rates in open-label testing,” the team says.
New coronavirus test provides results in as little as 5 minutes
The new point-of-care test, having just received an emergency-use authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) begins shipping today, April 1.
MIT to publish plans for an emergency ventilator that can be built for $400
The ventilator shortage is a key barrier worldwide to effectively managing the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Now, teams around the world can use MIT’s plans to make them for less than $500.
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe prevails as federal judge strikes down DAPL permits
The Court found the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers violated the National Environmental Policy Act when it affirmed federal permits for the pipeline originally issued in 2016.
U.S. Congress reaches historic $2 trillion stimulus deal amid pandemic
The package includes $250b aside for individuals and families, $350b in small business loans, $250b in unemployment insurance benefits, and $500b in loans for distressed companies.
McDonald’s to eliminate plastic in Happy Meal toys by 2021
The fast-food chain expects to remove over 3,000 metric tons of plastic from the business from 2021 by abolishing plastic happy meal toys.