January 09, 2026
Hello dear Good News community,
The first week of 2026 is behind us – and it was full of good news. Today, look forward to newly discovered animal and plant species, how the fashion industry can become more sustainable with the help of AI, and how a new opioid-free pain therapy could relieve suffering. Enjoy the read, and have a great weekend – wherever in the world you’re joining us from.
Enjoy reading, Selina
NEWS OF THE DAY
(Abre numa nova janela)New approach in pain therapy
Opioids relieve pain effectively, but they are addictive and have side effects. A research team at the University of Pennsylvania is working on a novel gene therapy that targets pain centers in the brain to reduce suffering without causing tolerance or dependence. Source: MEDICAL NEWS I NOTE: ARTICLE DISCUSSES ANIMAL TESTING
Go to article (Abre numa nova janela)
World's largest wildlife bridge opens
In Colorado, the world’s largest wildlife bridge has opened between Denver and Colorado Springs. It allows animals to safely cross a busy road and can reduce vehicle collisions by up to 90 percent. Similar green bridges in Germany also help connect habitats. Source: USA TODAY
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Espresso instead of toxic contrast agents
A researcher at TU Graz has discovered that espresso can be used for electron microscopy. Coffee stains ultra-thin tissue samples, making cellular structures clearly visible. This creates an inexpensive and environmentally friendly alternative to the previously used toxic uranyl acetate – with initial tests even producing sometimes better images. Source: BLUEWIN
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Croatia: Even more people can now travel by train for free
Croatia is expanding its free train program in 2026. In addition to children, students, retirees, and people over 65, people with disabilities can now also travel for free across the country. Source: CROATIAWEEK
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How AI could make the fashion industry more sustainable
The fashion industry is one of the world’s biggest polluters. But AI-powered technologies are increasingly being used along the entire supply chain—from regenerative cotton farming to more efficient production processes. Fashion journalist Brooke Roberts-Islam demonstrates with a single pair of jeans just how much potential AI has to make the industry more sustainable. Source: BBC
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From the deep sea to national parks: Researchers discover 72 new species worldwide
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: MONGABAY
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ON OUR OWN BEHALF
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(Abre numa nova janela)❣️ Thank you to all 79 supporters in January!
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Best regards,
Bianca Kriel & Selina Mahoche
Data
09/01/2026