Canada expands its pollution pricing rules
The federal carbon price floor was a charge of CAN$40 per ton on carbon emissions in 2021, and this fee will rise to CAN$170 per ton by 2030.
Public health & disease
Monash University develops world’s first bionic eye to fully restore vision in blind people
Researchers have seen successful results in sheep with minimal side effects. They are now preparing for its first-ever human clinical trial to be conducted in Melbourne.
Toledo City Council approves medical debt relief legislation
In a 7-5 vote, council members approved legislation to create a partnership between the city and a nonprofit group called RIP Medical Debt to relieve debt for eligible Toledo residents.
Cases of blindness and visual impairment in India have declined by roughly 50% since 2010
According to a recent study for estimating the prevalence of blindness and visual impairment in the Indian population, more than one fourth of people in India aged 50 years and above are visually impaired.
First human patients receive transfusions of lab-grown blood cells
Demand for blood donations currently far outstrips supply and matching blood types is an extra hassle that often results in patients missing out even as donated blood goes to waste.
Prevalence of dementia is declining among older Americans
The age-adjusted prevalence of dementia declined from 12.2 percent of people over age 65 in 2000 to 8.5 percent of people over age 65 in 2016—a nearly one-third drop from the 2000 level, according to a new RAND Corporation study.
“Remarkable” results for new maternal RSV vaccine in Phase 3 trial
Maternal vaccination reduced rates of severe medically attended lower respiratory tract illness due to RSV by 81.8% across the first three months of life.
Radioactive implant wipes tumors in unprecedented pre-clinical success
Across all the models tested, the scientists report a 100% response rate. They deployed the treatment against pancreatic cancer specifically, but believe the results bode well for its wider application.
The world’s first Phase 3 psilocybin clinical trial is about to commence
The landmark Phase 3 trial to explore the psychedelic’s ability to treat depression will enroll close to 1,000 participants and Compass is looking to U.S. FDA approval by the end of 2025.
Gates Foundation pledges $1.2B to eradicate polio globally
The money will be used to help implement the Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s strategy through 2026 and will be focused particularly on Pakistan and Afghanistan.