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The 'moss wall' that helps cities breathe

Chris Giles

June 07, 2017 |

CNN |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Germany

Air pollution is a major health risk, and growing in severity as more of the population moves to urban (more polluted) areas. Several university friends from Germany developed a "CityTree," which filters toxic pollutants from the air with moss that can be installed around cities.

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How sexual assistants are helping disabled Czechs fulfil their ‘right to sex'

Lidija Pisker

June 07, 2017 |

Euronews |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: Czech Republic

An organization in the Czech Republic has hired "sexual assistants to help disabled Czechs explore their sexuality and satisfy their sexual needs" as part of an initiative to decrease the stigma around people with disabilities and the topic of sexuality. The initiative has received some community pushback but has gained support from the government’s Interior Ministry – and in other Western countries, some governments have gone so far as to also offer financial support.

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If You See Dirty Water, Don't Just Gripe. Talk To The Cloud!

Chhavi Sachdev

June 07, 2017 |

NPR |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: India, Delhi

Scientists and activists in India are training citizens to collect information on water issues like contamination — and upload it so it can be used to push for change.

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Rats are the world's best land mine hunters

Danika Fears

May 30, 2017 |

New York Post |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Cambodia, Phnom Penh

In countries like Cambodia, Angola, and Mozambique, rats are saving lives by detecting untriggered land mines. An international nonprofit, Apopo, provides funding a training and works with local organizations to operate at the local level. The rats are light enough that they don’t trigger the explosives and can cover up to 2,000 square feet in just 20 minutes – something that would take a human up to four days to complete.

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Italy's pollution-eating cement

Gelareh Darabi

May 25, 2017 |

Al Jazeera |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Italy, Milan, Lombardy

Respiratory diseases caused by air pollution now account for more premature deaths in people worldwide than malaria and HIV combined. To address increasing contamination levels, particularly in cities, scientists have developed a new kind of cement that absorbs pollutants like CO2. The special cement is being manufactured in Milan, and used around in the world in cities like Paris and Chicago.

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Medical Waste in Cairo: Impact and Health Problems

Alaa El Dirini

May 20, 2017 |

Shorthand Social |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Egypt, Cairo

Large amounts of mismanaged medical waste are a concern in Cairo, since they can cause a wide range of illnesses and negatively affect the environment. NGO's are working to direct waste to proper sites, provide medical treatment to infected individuals, and help educate the public.

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Printing A Solution to the World's Biggest Problems

Wendy Williams

May 11, 2017 |

Pro Bono Australia |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Solomon Islands, Honiara, Guadalcanal

A research fellow at Deakin University’s School of Engineering in Australia has developed a world-first technology 3D printer prototype capable of printing plumbing and sanitation supplies using discarded plastics - and what's more, it runs on solar power. They are partnering with NGO Plan International to implement this technology in the Solomon Islands, where locals will learn to print the parts they need, thereby solving the dual problems of plastic rubbish and a lack of access to vital mechanical parts for clean water supply. The model gives these communities tools to solve their own problems.

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How 700 Kerala villagers waded through a dead river, cleansed it and brought it back to life in 70 days

Ramesh Babu

May 07, 2017 |

Hindustan Times |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: India, Budhanoor, Kerala

The Kuttemperoor river in Alappuzha district of Kerala, India was once treated as a source for water and food stability. After years of illegal sand mining and construction sites dumping sewage, the river was unrecognizable to those that had once known its clean shores. As water scarcity became a reality for the small village of Budhanoor, and government action seemed unlikely, a group of 700 villagers - mostly women - banded together and spent 70 days physically de-silting and revitalizing the 12-kilometer long river.

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Prevention Point Philadelphia aims to reduce harm with syringe exchange

Erin Moran

May 04, 2017 |

Temple University |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Prevention Point Philadelphia provides needle-exchange, HIV and Hepatitis C testing, counseling groups, mailboxes, and Naloxone (an opioid overdose reversal drug) training to 18,000 people. The center also connects addicts to addiction services and other social programs if they want to seek recovery.

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Sometimes the Birds and the Bees Get Short Shrift in School

Anna North

May 01, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Due to school education pressures and time constraints, sex education is often limited or left out. Some schools have started using the 'Carrera Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program' which combines sex education, mental & physical health care, career training etc. and has shown success in decreasing teenage pregnancy and poor sexual health practices.

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