Six good news stories to start your week right

January 12, 2026

Hello dear Good News community,

If there’s one thing that always brings me joy in my daily life, it’s my workout. It’s when I can truly switch off, forget my problems, and focus entirely on myself – a genuine feeling of happiness. Now, a study shows that exercise can also help fight depression. If that’s not motivation to hit the gym more often!

Enjoy reading, Selina

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A new AI detects 130 health risks while you sleep

Researchers at Stanford University have developed an AI that can assess the risk of over 130 diseases from a single night in a sleep lab. By analyzing brain waves, heart rate, breathing, and movement, the AI can estimate years in advance the likelihood of conditions such as dementia, heart disease, or cancer. Source: DW

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Chile plans a national park in Patagonia

The Chilean government is creating the new Cape Froward National Park to protect almost 200,000 hectares of untouched coastal and forest landscapes. The area lies at the heart of a 2,800-kilometer wildlife corridor and is home to an extraordinary diversity of species. Source: THE GUARDIAN

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Early detection of Alzheimer’s: New at-home blood test shows great potential

A simple fingertip blood test could soon make early detection of Alzheimer’s much easier. A Europe-wide study shows that the test can identify early stages of the disease – even before severe symptoms appear. While it is not yet clinically available, the test could be performed at home in the future. Source: EURONEWS

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New burrowing snake species discovered on Indian coffee plantation

Ten years after a chance discovery on a coffee plantation in southern India, researchers have officially described a previously unknown snake species. Rhinophis siruvaniensis lives underground in the Siruvani Hills of the Western Ghats and has long been known to local farmers. Source: MONGABAY

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LED conversion reduces light pollution in Vienna

Since switching to LED streetlights, Vienna’s public lighting emits far less light into the night sky. A study by the Kuffner Observatory shows that light pollution from street lamps has dropped by around 75 % since 2015. Energy use and CO₂ emissions have also decreased, benefiting nocturnal wildlife. Source: VOL.AT (Si apre in una nuova finestra)

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Study shows exercise can be as effective as therapy for depression

Researchers at the California Academy of Sciences described a total of 72 previously unknown animal and plant species in 2025. Discoveries range from a new bird species in the Galápagos Islands to the first new plant genus in a U.S. national park in nearly 50 years. Source: EURONEWS

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❣️ Thank you to all 100 supporters in January!
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Best regards,

Bianca Kriel & Selina Mahoche