Things aren't as bad as they seem.

In the cloud forest near Cali, Colombia, birdwatching is emerging as both a thriving eco-tourism sector and a form of physical and mental therapy. Experts say that gentle movement through nature combined with birdsong can lower stress hormones, strengthen immune function and nurture emotional wellbeing.

Birdsong and exercise become therapy in Colombia

Birdsong and exercise become therapy in Colombia

28.02.2026

Heading layer

Birdsong and exercise become therapy in Colombia

25.02.2026

Kenya-Uganda trial cuts new HIV cases 70% in rural areas

The major trial, using existing infrastructure and available medications, paired digital tools with tailored HIV testing, strengthened follow-up through health centers, and increased care delivered by community health workers. The result was a dramatic cut in transmissions, with new HIV cases dropping by 70 % compared with standard services.

25.02.2026

A new eco-friendly water battery could theoretically last for centuries

Researchers have developed a new kind of eco-friendly battery that replaces traditional acids and alkalis with neutral salts of magnesium and calcium to create the electrolyte. The electrodes were engineered from organic polymers and a Prussian blue analog. The battery remained stable for 12,000 charge cycles - that's 300 years of charging your mobile phone.

25.02.2026

Giant coral discovery reveals the hidden wonders of the Great Barrier Reef

The coral measures roughly 111 meters in length and covers an area about half the size of a soccer field. Jan Pope, with 35 years of diving experience on the Great Barrier Reef, discovered it during a recent Great Reef Census, a citizen science initiative that employs crowd-sourced images to track coral coverage across the reef.

25.02.2026

Scientists find a way to shield the future of bananas from Panama disease

A breakthrough in genetic research offers a powerful defense for the world’s favorite fruit. Scientists have identified specific genes that allow certain banana varieties to resist the devastating Panama disease. This discovery paves the way for resilient crops, ensuring food security and a vibrant future for global plantations.

25.02.2026

Climate Action is the world’s most affordable insurance policy

A study from Vienna University argues that prioritizing environmental sustainability is a wise financial decision,showing that climate action offers the most cost-effective insurance for the global economy. By investing in green initiatives now, countries can avoid trillions in future damages and ensure a prosperous, stable future for all. This isn’t discretionary spending; it’s collective risk pooling.

25.02.2026

Kenya’s Rare Gem School unlocks brilliance of dyslexic students

In Nairobi, a specialized school is revolutionizing education by tailoring lessons to the unique strengths of students with dyslexia. By swapping rigid testing for creative, hands-on learning, teachers empower children to excel. This inclusive model is proving that every mind can flourish with the right support.

22.02.2026

In a pilot, Chile volunteers hug lonely babies to improve their health

In hospitals across Chile, trained volunteers are spending hours holding and comforting babies who are hospitalized without family by their side. The initiative ensures that newborns who are alone receive warmth, touch and human connection during critical early weeks. Health professionals say the steady presence of these volunteers supports emotional development and helps the infants thrive.

22.02.2026

New ‘whale highway’ discovered after tagging pygmy blue whale

Marine researchers in Indonesia have charted a previously unknown underwater migration route using a drone-deployed tag on an endangered pygmy blue whale for the first time. The data revealed that the gentle giants travel through a previously unknown, distinct ocean corridor, deepening our understanding of the species' movement in the rich waters of the Indo-Pacific.

22.02.2026

Thailand halves sugar in popular drinks to boost health

Marine researchers in Indonesia have charted a previously unknown underwater migration route using a drone-deployed tag on an endangered pygmy blue whale for the first time. The data revealed that the gentle giants travel through a previously unknown, distinct ocean corridor, deepening our understanding of the species' movement in the rich waters of the Indo-Pacific.

22.02.2026

Giant tortoises reclaim their ecological role on Galápagos Island

Once declared extinct, descendants of Floreana tortoises are now being reintroduced to Floreana Island. Hybrids raised in breeding centers are returning the giant tortoises to their rightful home and will play a crucial role in restoring native plants, controlling pests, and reviving ecosystems.

22.02.2026

Kenya to roll out twice-yearly HIV prevention drug in March

Kenya is set to begin a nationwide rollout of lenacapavir, a long-acting HIV prevention injection that only needs to be given twice a year and has shown extremely high effectiveness in global trials. The first 21,000 doses have arrived through a partnership with the Global Fund, and the phased programme will start in 15 high-burden counties with more doses expected soon.

22.02.2026

Imagine generating snow while skiing down the slopes

A new low-cost innovation could help ski resorts adapt to warming winters. Researchers have developed snow-generating stickers that encourage ice crystals to form, supporting artificial snow production at higher temperatures. By improving efficiency and reducing energy use, the technology offers mountain regions a practical tool to maintain winter tourism while responding to climate change.

21.02.2026

Most-decorated Indigenous olympian wins fourth medal

Canadian defense star Jocelyne Larocque has made history at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, by earning her fourth Olympic medal in women’s ice hockey. Even though Canada fell 2–1 to the United States in overtime, Larocque’s silver adds to her two golds and an earlier silver from past Games, making her the most-decorated Indigenous Olympian from North America.

20.02.2026

Find purpose by strengthening everyday connections

New research argues that feeling valued by family, friends, colleagues and community, along with opportunities to contribute to others, meets a deeply human need for mattering. Rather than grand gestures, everyday actions such as checking on a neighbor or appreciating a co-worker create meaningful bonds that support better mental health and lower stress.

19.02.2026

Hybrid offshore turbines boost renewable power by 70%

Researchers at the University of Surrey found that combining offshore wind turbines with tidal and wave energy devices on shared platforms can raise electricity output by up to 70%. The hybrid approach also lowers construction costs and improves stability, creating a steadier flow of clean power for coastal nations while reducing impacts on marine ecosystems.

19.02.2026

Bangladesh secures legal recognition for thousands of children

A powerful collaboration in Bangladesh is securing birth certificates for children born in brothels and on the streets. By utilizing a key law change, local groups and the Freedom Fund are granting these youngsters state recognition. This essential step opens doors to education and voting rights for the first time.

19.02.2026

Amazon deforestation set to be the lowest on record

The downwards trend has been going on since last year and consistency across multiple datasets suggests that enforcement and policy changes continue to suppress forest clearing. If current efforts continue, Brazil is on pace to achieve the lowest rate since record-keeping began in 1988.

19.02.2026

Norway to end male chick culling this year

Norway has set 2026 as the year it will end the routine culling of male chicks in its egg industry. By adopting widely available in-ovo sexing technology that determines a chick’s sex before hatching, producers can prevent male chicks from being born only to be killed. The move strengthens national animal welfare standards and sets a clear direction for humane food production in Europe.