New brain cancer therapy has scientists “optimistic”
Published almost 2 years ago • 8 min read
Daily Edition • March 15, 2024
SUPPORTED BY
Nice News previously reported on the predictions that 2024 would be a banner year for seeing the northern lights, or aurora borealis. And it seems as though those predictions have come to fruition: According to Business Insider, next week’s equinox could create “holes” in Earth’s magnetic field, allowing solar wind “to transfer energy to our atmosphere.” That, combined with the fact that solar activity is generally quite strong right now, could create visible auroras in places around the globe that don’t usually get treated to the phenomenon. Learn more about how you can see the lights this month (and scroll through these 15 photos showing what auroras look like from space).
Must Reads
“Accidental Icon” Lyn Slater knows how to be old — it’s the title of her new book
CAR-T therapy, a form of cancer treatment that involves editing a patient’s immune cells to attack diseased cells, has been effective in fighting blood cancers, but scientists are developing a way to make it work for solid tumors, too. And not just any tumors: glioblastoma, one of the most deadly and aggressive cancers. Two teams of researchers, one at Massachusetts General Hospital and another at the University of Pennsylvania, separately tackled this problem, developing different methods for mobilizing CAR-T as a tool for glioblastoma patients. Both published the results of their research on Wednesday, and both found that the treatment led some participants’ brain tumors to shrink, at least temporarily. The next step will be to find a way to make those effects last, the Associated Press reports. “It’s very early days,” Dr. Stephen Bagley, who led the Penn study, told the outlet. He added: “We’re optimistic that we’ve got something to build on here, a real foundation.”
Together With Babbel
Bite-Sized Lessons, Big Results
Picture your dream international destination. Now, imagine confidently navigating local markets and ordering food like a pro in the native language, after just three weeks of practice. That’s all possible with Babbel’s scientifically proven method. The learning platform offers bite-sized, 10-minute lessons that go beyond tourist phrases, so you can speak the language of your choosing like a local. Babbel’s experts will help you improve pronunciation, gain cultural understanding, and unlock new opportunities. Nice News readers can check out this link to learn more and get 60% off for a limited time during Babbel’s spring sale.
Please support our sponsors! They help us keep Nice News free. ♡
Environment
Giant Sequoias Are Thriving in the UK, a Potential Boon for Carbon Mitigation
Then and Now Images/Heritage Images/ Hulton Archive via Getty Images
Giant sequoias, the largest species of redwood trees, are most associated with the Sierra Nevada in California — their native habitat. But while wildfires threaten the Golden State’s sequoia population, currently numbering around 80,000, the trees appear to be thriving in the United Kingdom. They were first brought across the pond in the 19th century to be planted at the estates of the wealthy. Today, there are about half a million giant sequoias in the U.K., and a recent study from researchers at University College London found they’re well-adapted to the climate. “The history of these trees in Britain is fascinating — initially as symbols of wealth and power, through to now being widely planted in parks and woodlands,” said senior author Mat Disney, adding, “I find it amazing to see these giants dotted across the landscape and see how rapidly they are growing.” Per a press release from UCL, the British sequoias are growing at similar rates to their U.S. counterparts and capturing “large amounts” of carbon from the atmosphere. They’re still young compared to the California trees, which means they could become even more important tools as they grow.
Humanity
This Couple Wants to Make Waterfront Living Affordable for Low-Income New Yorkers
Six years ago, TV personality Cat Greenleaf and her husband, 60 Minutes producer Michael Rey, moved from a Brooklyn brownstone to Sea Gate, a neighborhood on the western tip of Coney Island. Being near the water was transformative for the couple, so much so that they set out to make waterfront living more accessible to low-income New Yorkers by buying run-down properties and renting them out to tenants with Section 8 rent vouchers. Greenleaf said she wants to especially prioritize the formerly incarcerated. “Moving to the ocean was so profound and restorative for our family that we wanted to share it with as many people as we could,” she told The New York Times. “I wondered: Who needs the water the most? People who spent time living in cages seemed like a good place to start.” After buying their first distressed property about a year and a half ago, Greenleaf and Rey decided to form a nonprofit called the Restorative Housing Organization. “The goal is to find these waterfront gems to share the experience of the water. We still need to bring in rent and manage our costs, so it makes sense to be working with Section 8,” Greenleaf said. Check out their latest property.
Global Good
🇪🇺 Air quality in Europe has significantly improved over the past 20 years, per a report out of Spain.
🇮🇳 India rolled out an affordable HPV vaccine, a development that “will have a huge impact.” The virus causes cervical cancer, which kills about 70,000 women in India each year.
🏴 Liverpool, England, announced plans to build the world’s largest tidal power generator, a project that could power over 1 million homes for more than a century.
🇹🇭 Thailand celebrated National Elephant Day on Wednesday. See the food-filled festivities at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center.
🇦🇶 Job seeking?Antarctica’s “penguin post office” is looking to fill three coveted roles for the next Antarctic season, which begins in November.
Something We Love
Ikea Carafes These Ikea bottles are incredibly affordable for how chic they look. We love them for storing cold-brewed coffee and tea in the fridge as temperatures start to warm up, but they’re also great for serving water (or wine!) at dinner parties. Might as well stock up on a few now that the price has recently dropped.
Recommendations are independently selected by our team but may result in a commission to Nice News which helps keep our content free.
Inspiring Story
Puppy power
Brooke Hughes, a first grade teacher in Delaware, brings foster puppies into her classroom to help students feel calmer and more motivated — and it’s led to a nearly 32% improvement in reading skills. “Even the kids that have a hard time reading … [now] they can’t wait to read to the puppies,” she said.
Lenny Kravitz was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame earlier this week and received a tribute from daughter Zoë that was both sentimental and humorous. “I’ve seen the way you show up and take care of the people you love. I’ve seen your incredible dedication to your art. But mostly, I’ve seen through your shirts,” she joked at the ceremony, which you can watch here.
Discover Your Bilingual Potential With Babbel
Forget clunky apps and robotic learning: Babbel’s lessons are crafted by language experts, not algorithms, ensuring you learn practical phrases and vocabulary used in everyday situations. With regular practice, you’ll be well on your way to bilingual status in just three weeks.
