📈 Human Progress
In the last decades humanity has made great progress with less extreme poverty, increased health, wealth and democracy. We follow in the tradition of professor Hans Rosling.
📉 Poverty in the Philippines decreases faster than expected
The poverty rate in the Philippines dropped to 15.5 percent in 2023, from 18.1 percent in 2021. The number of poor Filipinos decreased by 2.45 million between 2021 and 2023. The result surpasses the government's development goal for 2023, which was set at about 16.0 percent.
🧬 Reconstructed genome may help us revive the mammoth
Scientists have succeeded in reconstructing the mammoth's genome and the 3D structure of its chromosomes from a 52,000-year-old tissue sample. The study shows that the mammoth's genome structure is similar to that of the modern elephant, which could facilitate the revival of the mammoth.
🤑 Money brings happiness far up the income scale
New research shows that the relationship between money and happiness continues far up the economic ladder. Billionaires report higher life satisfaction than people with annual incomes of $500,000.
💉 Ivory Coast first in the world to use new malaria vaccine
Ivory Coast introduces new effective malaria vaccine. The vaccine is expected to save tens of thousands of children's lives each year. 15 African countries plan vaccination campaigns during 2024.
👮 Crime continues to decline in major American cities
New data shows significant decreases in several crime categories in 49 medium and large American cities. Murders, car thefts, and burglaries decreased by over 22 percent compared to the same period in 2023. Statistically significant decreases were also noted for robberies and assaults.
🐝 Insects in Sweden have not decreased according to new study
A new study shows no decrease in insects in Sweden over the past 35 years. In one location in Skåne, the number of insects has even increased. The study is based on data from four different locations in Sweden.
🧬 Newly discovered system allows researchers to edit DNA using RNA
Researchers at Arc Institute have discovered a completely new molecular system for editing DNA using RNA. The system enables programmable DNA changes such as inserting, removing or inverting DNA sequences.
📉 The number of countries with high economic inequality is decreasing
The number of countries with high inequality has decreased from 77 in 2000 to 52 in 2022. High inequality is mainly concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. Reduced inequality can lead to increased economic and human development.
🌳 Deforestation in the Amazon reaches lowest level since 2018
Deforestation in the Amazon has decreased by 40 percent compared to 2023. May 2024 recorded the lowest deforestation level since March 2018. The accumulated deforestation over the past year has decreased by 54 percent compared to the same period the previous year.