AFRICA
South Sudan: Radio station’s new role
The United Nations (UN) radio station Radio Miraya (above) promotes peace in communities affected by conflict. Nowadays, Radio Miraya has another important role — getting accurate information on COVID-19 out to vulnerable communities. Its broadcasts are critical in places without internet, television or newspapers. And, its local songs and light-hearted tips on staying safe have reached out to many, including young people.
ASIA
India: Transplanted hands adapt
A young woman who lost both her arms in an accident received transplanted arms from a male donor. The transplanted arms were darker and larger than her original arms. Three years later, doctors were surprised to find that the transplanted arms had become lighter in colour, to match the young woman’s skin tone. They also looked more feminine. Doctors think that the arms have adapted to their new host. They are studying the changes to better understand what is causing them.
Cambodia: Mekong dams halted
Cambodia has stopped plans to build two dams at the Mekong River (below) for the next 10 years. The government is turning to coal, natural gas, and solar energy to meet its electricity needs. Cambodia will also import electricity from neighbouring Laos. Researchers have warned that dams will harm fisheries and farming that depend on the river.
China: Better air quality
There was a huge improvement in air quality over major Chinese cities during the months of January and February. This was when China was under lock-down to contain the coronavirus threat. The drop in nitrogen dioxide emissions, which are released by industrial activities and vehicles, was especially dramatic. Scientist Marshall Burke believes that these two months of cleaner air may have saved thousands of lives. Does this mean pandemics are good for health? “No,” he told CNN. “Instead, it means that the way our economies operate absent pandemics has massive hidden health costs, and it takes a pandemic to help see that.”
North Korea: More missiles
North Korea has fired more ballistic missiles into the sea. There were four projectile launches in March. “This kind of military action is extremely inappropriate, particularly at a time when the entire world is undergoing difficulties of the coronavirus outbreak,” the South Korean military told Bloomberg.
EUROPE
Denmark: LEGO bricks go green
Toymaker LEGO has promised that its iconic plastic bricks will be fully sustainable by 2030. It hopes to develop a “greener” material to make its bricks. Bricks made with the new material will be as strong, colourful, and easy to assemble as the original bricks, the toymaker says. In fact, it hopes that LEGO enthusiasts will not know that the new bricks are any different from the old. “We don’t want you to notice it,” a LEGO spokesperson told CNA. LEGO has been working hard to become a more sustainable business, as people increasingly choose to buy more environmentally-friendly products.
NORTH AMERICA
UNITED STATES: Pee to build moon bases
If people plan to live on the moon, they will need to build the first moon bases. It is very expensive to transport construction materials from Earth. So, astronauts will have to make use of what is already on the moon, such as lunar soil and … astronaut urine. Scientists are exploring the use of urea, which is found in urine, to make lunar soil soft enough to be extruded from a 3D printer nozzle and moulded into shape. So far, studies show that the mixture is stable and able to bear heavy loads when hardened. More research is needed before we can start building moon bases.
SOUTH AMERICA
Chile: Puma in the city
As the city of Santiago lay dark and silent, a wild puma wandered down from the surrounding hills in search of food. The city had been deserted because of a pandemic curfew. The puma was captured and taken to the Santiago zoo for tests. It was given a clean bill of health.
