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MRSA-busting drug discoveries at Swansea University

Researchers at Swansea University are a step closer to producing an antibacterial agent to wipe out MRSA in the NHS. ... Read more >>

Scandinavian airline SAS hosts first gay wedding in the air

Scandinavan airline SAS says it's planning to host the world's first same-sex wedding in the air. On a flight from Stockholm to New York it says it will wed one loving couple, making it one of the world's first gay-themed flights. ... Read more >>


Health Care Revolution? Computer system SMART could help long-term sick to manage their condition

An innovative computer system which allows the long-term sick to manage their condition, without health professionals, could revolutionise primary health care in Britain. ... Read more >>

Good news: Record number of householders fit solar panels

Latest figures from energy regulator Ofgem suggest a record number of homeowners are switching to solar power. ... Read more >>

Study to examine if physcial exercise can help smokers cut down cigarette intake

New research will examine whether physical activity can help people reduce the number of cigarettes they smoke, thereby helping more people attempt to quit. ... Read more >>

Good news: First UK operation to fit a single cochlear implant giving sound in both ears

The UK's first operation to fit a single cochlear implant capable of giving sound in both ears has taken place. ... Read more >>

The Kestrel Cannabis Car - a green electric car made from hemp

Canadian developers are plotting a small revolution in the still-tiny market for electric cars, with a concept vehicle made from hemp set to debut at a specialised auto show next month. ... Read more >>

Banana diet: Plaintain fibres could benefit Crohn's disease patients

Scientists at the University of Liverpool have found that soluble fibres found in plantain, a type of large banana, could be used to treat patients with Crohn's disease. ... Read more >>

Biosynthetic corneas could restore sight for millions of people, study finds

A new study from researchers in Sweden and Canada has shown that biosynthetic corneas can help regenerate and repair damaged eye tissue and potentially restore sight in millions of people. ... Read more >>

Children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent thrilled at donation from Big Brother 11 winner Josie Gibson

The UK's leading children's cancer charity, CLIC Sargent, says it's over the moon following Big Brother 11 winner Josie Gibson's pledge to donate £20,000 of her prize money to its work. ... Read more >>

Good news: Discovery of one of world's smallest frogs, Microhyla nepenthicola

One of the tiniest frogs in the world, and the smallest everseen outside of North and South America, has been discovered in the forests of the Southeast Asian island of Borneo. ... Read more >>

Horticultural Acumen: Social enterprise nursery gets people back to work

A social enterprise plant nursery in County Durham, is going from strength to strength, reaching sales of over £200,000 and helping to get more people back into work. ... Read more >>

Inspirational student Ben Rocket aims to break record for Lands End to John O'Groats cycle ride

Let's hope he lives up to his name...Ben Rockett has taken on the impressive challenge of setting the new record of cycling from Lands End to John O'Groats and back again. ... Read more >>

Girls build skills on outward bound course in Windermere

It's the kind of trip that can be life-changing – and will be remembered for many years to come.Ten teenage girls from Lancashire have returned from an outward bound course in Windermere, aimed at developing their team building skills. ... Read more >>

New caves discovered on the island of Crete by university team

Over a hundred new caves have been discovered on the Greek Island of Crete. ... Read more >>

Marathon runners in London sought by charity Mind to mark World Mental Health Day

Mind is calling for 10 people from every London Borough to join its team of runners for a half marathon to mark World Mental Health Day. ... Read more >>

Comedian Tim Vine wins best joke award at Edinburgh Fringe

It's been judged the best joke at this year's Edinburgh Fringe – a rib-tickling honour for comedian Tim Vine who delivered the award-winning one-liner. ... Read more >>

The Horse Trust sponsorship scheme offers new hope to rescued horses

A personalised horse sponsorship scheme has been launched which enables individuals or companies to sponsor the full costs of looking after a rescued horse at a sanctuary. ... Read more >>

Eating more green leafy vegetables may reduce Type 2 diabetes risk, study finds

Research published today in the British Medical Journal claims eating more green leafy vegetables can significantly reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. ... Read more >>

Corrie! Stars praise stage comedy play celebrating fifty years of Coronation Street

It's celebrating fifty years as a national institution and is by any measure the grand old lady of British television, but Coronation Street isn't too grand to laugh itself. ... Read more >>

Give Me Tap: Student's eco-friendly water bottle supports clean water in Africa

A student is helping fund third-world African communities with his design for an innovative eco-friendly water bottle. ... Read more >>

The Big Give doubles public donations to victims of floods in Pakistan

The victims of the Pakistan floods certainly need every penny of support at the moment -  and The Big Give has launched an emergency fund, doubling public donations to help those most in need. ... Read more >>

Student Richard Pay designs award winning advertising campaign to attract school leavers into the funeral industry

Encouraging school leavers to join the funeral industry is a campaign that would test the limits of the most creative ad designers - not so for a talented student from the University of Chester. ... Read more >>

Californian company Netflix lets staff take as much holiday as they want when they want

It sounds like an employee's dream – taking as much holiday as they like, whenever they like. It's become a reality at a Californian company. ... Read more >>

The Wildlife Trusts' Underwater Award funds diving tuition to enable artist to sketch life under the sea

Artist Anna Kirk-Smith has won a unique bursary to fund diving lessons and explore life under the sea. ... Read more >>

Scottish Wildlife Trust - Discovery of baby beavers shows success of beaver reintroduction in Scotland

Conservationists are celebrating the discovery of new-born beavers following the launch of a trial to reintroduce the animal in Scotland. ... Read more >>

Youth clubs help boost children's self confidence

When children belong to a youth club, they gain a stronger sense of who they are as a person and even youngsters who don't attend every day still benefit, according to the research by Ohio State University. ... Read more >>

Three US war veterans reach Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro

They are veterans of Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq and have only one good leg among them but against all odds, three US amputee veterans have reached Africa's highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. ... Read more >>

Stroke survivors could be helped in their rehabilitation by the beat of a metronome

Researchers are investigating whether a regular beat could help stroke survivors improve their walking and reduce the risk of a fall. ... Read more >>

Competitive hospitals save lives and reduce length of patients' stays, new study finds

Competition among hospitals saves patients' lives and decreases their overall length of stay in hospital, according to a new study, which found there was no corresponding increase in overall expenditure. ... Read more >>

First accurate measurement of Amazon floodplain will help scientists understand climate change

Scientists studying the largest drainage basin in the world have used satellite technology to provide the first detailed measurements of water flow between the Amazon River and its floodplains. ... Read more >>

Good news: Electronic nose may be able to detect cancer

An electronic nose could be used as a simple breath test to detect lung, breast, bowel and prostate cancers, say Israeli scientists. ... Read more >>

Good news for sustainable power: VW Beetle powered by sewage treatment works takes to the road

The UK's first people-powered VW Beetle has taken to the streets of Bristol in what has been hailed as a breakthrough in the drive to encourage sustainable power. ... Read more >>

Robbie Williams confirms marriage to Ayda Field

Let's hope he has No Regrets... Pop star and re-recruited Take That member Robbie Williams has finally married, his spokesman has confirmed. ... Read more >>

Cool! Keepers at London Zoo keep gorillas chilled with giant ice lollies

Gorillas at London Zoo are keeping cool in the heat this summer, with the help of special measures – giant-sized ice lollies. ... Read more >>

Good news for gardeners: Survey investigates whether snails have a homing instinct

A scientist is hoping to come to the rescue of exasperated gardeners by helping to solve one of the great gardening mysteries – do snails have sat-nav? ... Read more >>

Wearing red clothes makes men more attractive to women, study finds

Guys wanting to attract the opposite sex should try dressing in red, according to a new study. ... Read more >>

Chris Jackson runs 'The Most Dangerous Marathon In The World' to highlight the humanitarian crisis in The Congo

He is about to embark on a huge challenge – running what's been dubbed ‘The Most Dangerous Marathon in the World', amid the conflict of The Democratic Republic of Congo. ... Read more >>

Good news: Animal behaviour study could help early detection of environment change

New research is to investigate how the behaviour of animals can be used to allow earlier detection and warnings of environmental change. ... Read more >>

Good news: Amputee cats Pongo and Stumpy find new home together following RSPCA search

Two amputee cats injured in road traffic accidents are settling into a new home together, thanks to the RSPCA's rehoming scheme. ... Read more >>

New hope for eczema sufferers as University of Manchester tests treatment that reduces symptoms by more than a third

Skin experts are to test a new cream for the treatment of eczema after trials of an oral version of the drug reduced patients' symptoms by 35% within a month. ... Read more >>

London 2012 Olympic Games: Sport initiative International Inspiration is halfway to reaching twelve million children

A British initiative to enthuse children around the world about sport inspired by the 2012 London Olympics is halfway toward its target of reaching 12 million. ... Read more >>

Social relationships and interaction improve survival chances long term, study finds

A new US study suggests social relationships are among the key factors that determine a person's odds of living or dying. ... Read more >>

New research by University of Lincoln to improve safety of children playing with pet dogs

Researchers at the University of Lincoln have launched a new study which aims to reduce the risks of children being bitten by dogs. ... Read more >>

More young people are volunteering, according to research by the British Youth Council

New research has shown that up to 20,000 young people across the UK are volunteering in their local areas. ... Read more >>

Good news: Cheetah to be reintroduced at three sites in India

It was eradicated in India by hunting nearly a century ago, but the cheetah will live to see another day with its planned reintroduction at three Indian sites. ... Read more >>

Never too old for love: Henry Kerr, 97, marries Valerie Berkowitz, 87, after four year courtship

You're never too old love – just ask 97-year-old Henry Kerr, who has married his 87-year-old sweetheart Valerie Berkowitz after four years of wooing her. ... Read more >>

Hairy nosed otter: World's rarest otter species rediscovered in Borneo

The hairy nosed otter has not been spotted for over a decade but the world's rarest otter has been rediscovered in Borneo, after being captured on camera. ... Read more >>

Good news: Boy, 15, survives sixteen storey balcony fall in New Zealand , with minor injuries

A 15-year-old New Zealand boy has survived with minor injuries after falling 16-storeys from the balcony of his family's apartment onto a concrete floor. ... Read more >>

Mother's affection towards her child helps it cope better with adult stress, study suggests

The affection given to a young child by its mother can make it better able to cope with the stresses and strains of life as an adult, a study has found. ... Read more >>

Active play: Encouraging adolescents to keep active could reduce future cardiovascular disease, study suggests

Active play has a positive impact on children's physical activity and could play an important part in the health of future generations, a new study suggests. ... Read more >>

Action For Kids urges businesses to take part in Brighton Beach Volleyball Tournament

It's a chance to bond over a game of volleyball and supportthe national disability charity, Action For Kids. It's already proved a hit with city workers in London and now the charity is seeking firms in Brighton to do their bit. ... Read more >>

Young Achievers Awards: Search for England's star achievers

A national search is underway for England's star achievers with the opening of nominations for the prestigious Young Achievers Awards. ... Read more >>

Good news for conservation: Dainty Damselfly found in UK after more than half a century

It's been AWOL for more than half a century. Now the Dainty Damselfly a delicate, blue-hued insect has re-appeared in the UK, to the delight of conservationists. ... Read more >>

Death rates at their lowest ever, according to figures from the Office of National Statistics

Latest figures show that death rates in England and Wales are at their lowest-ever level, falling about five per cent in 2009. ... Read more >>

Forty mile party along closed German motorway, the A40 autobahn, celebrates European Capital of Culture

It was a party on a grand scale – with over two million party-goers, as crowds of people joined a street party on a 40-mile stretch of specially-closed German motorway. ... Read more >>

Joking Computer: Scientists develop joke generating software to help children's language skills

A computer programme that generates jokes has been created by Scottish scientists to help children develop their language skills. ... Read more >>

Engineers Without Borders - Young people in rural India learn engineering skills from students at Bath University

Engineers Without Borders - Eleven students from the University of Bath are teaching basic engineering skills to young people in rural India to help them find solutions to problems in their communities. ... Read more >>

Butch Cupcakes: Lawyer who lost his job finds success with manly cakes

He lost his job as a Wall Street lawyer two years ago, but businessman David Arrick wasn't going to take the news lying down. He spotted a gap in the market - making cupcakes more appealing to men. Butch Bakery is selling cupcakes for dudes.<... Read more >>

Paramedic-trained pizza delivery man saves life of heart attack victim

A laid-off paramedic who turned to delivering pizzas to make ends meet is credited with saving the life of a man who went into cardiac arrest just as a pizza was delivered to his door. ... Read more >>

First gay couple to marry in Argentina offered free honeymoon in Mexico City

It's an historic moment in Argentinian history - the first gay couple to marry under a new law. And now Mexico City is helping them to celebrate by arranging a free honeymoon. ... Read more >>

Good news: Troubled teenager Korrel Kennedy puts ASBO life behind him to become a catwalk fashion model

He was apparently branded one of the most problematic youngsters in Brighton, but Korrel Kennedy is turning his life around, with a new career on the catwalk. ... Read more >>

Painkiller to relieve chronic diabetes pain

Scientists could be one step closer to developing a unique painkiller for millions of people worldwide with diabetes, who currently have little in the way of effective treatments for the severe chronic pain associated with diabetes. ... Read more >>

Skoog: Invention by University of Edinburgh researchers enables severely disabled children to make music

A new university invention is helping children who cannot use traditional instruments to make music of their own.The Skoog is a colourful, squeezy cube that is sensitive to the slightest touch, yet robust enough to resist strong handling. ... Read more >>

Honest hotel cleaner Essa Khan in Pakistan hands in £33,000 left by guest

It affirms your faith in the goodness of human nature. Certainly, you have to admire the honesty of a hotel cleaner who handed in over £33,000 left by a guest. ... Read more >>

Good news: Inspirational former model launches The Katie Piper Foundation to support burns survivors

She is an absolute inspiration - a former model who has transformed her life with astonishing bravery after her ex-boyfriend threw acid in her face, causing her severe facial disfigurement. ... Read more >>

Solar Impulse HB-SIA: Aircraft completes first solar powered night flight

A giant glider-like aircraft the Solar Impulse HB-SIA has completed the first night flight propelled only by solar energy. ... Read more >>

Nudists stage world record skinny dipping attempt to overcome prudishness

It's being billed as a chance to be part of history... naked history at least - breaking a world record in the nude, just as nature intended. ... Read more >>

Cancer patients are twice as likely to survive compared to the 1970's, says Cancer Research UK

People diagnosed with breast, bowel and ovarian cancers and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are today twice as likely to survive for at least 10 years as those diagnosed in the early 1970s according to new figures released by Cancer Research UK. ... Read more >>

Yoko Ono thanks students from Chester University for recreating garden at John Lennon's childhood home, Mendips

John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, has thanked five history students for their help in preserving the former Beatle's childhood home. ... Read more >>

Britain's Got Talent star Susan Boyle searches for an unknown singer to duet on her new album

She dared to ‘dream a dream' and now Susan Boyle has launched her own search to find an unknown talent who could follow in her footsteps. ... Read more >>

Singing In Harmony: Women's Institute members audition to record with new WI band The Harmonies

First they were known for making jam, then they became famous for posing nude for a charity calendar. Now, The Women's Institute is aiming to set alight the music charts. ... Read more >>

Psychic octopus Paul at Sealife in Germany predicts Spain to beat Holland in World Cup final

If you can't wait to find out who wins Sunday's World Cupfinal in South Africa, help is at hand. An octopus credited with psychic powers is being called upon to predict who will be crowned winner. ... Read more >>

Back For Good: Robbie Williams reunites with Take That and duets with Gary Barlow for Brokeback Mountain style video

They said it could never happen, but Robbie Williams is set to reunite with Take That. And, get this, Robbie and Gary Barlow have apparently already filmed a music video together based on the film Brokeback Mountain. ... Read more >>

Chinese Goat Horn Tree finally flowers at Rowallane Garden after 91 years

It's been 91 long summers, but a tree that's been tended by staff at Rowallane Garden near Saintfield, County Down has finally flowered. ... Read more >>

Most sunbathing Germans are confident of their bodies, survey finds

If you want a little more confidence on the beach this summer – take a few tips from German sun worshippers. A new survey suggests the majority of German men won't allow a beer belly to stop them taking off their tops. ... Read more >>

First Class Honours degree student Mark Stevens celebrates graduation at Bath University after leukaemia battle

A student who's battled leukaemia will graduate today, when he receives a First Class Honours degree at the University of Bath. ... Read more >>

Young winners of Explorer 8 Life Academy Awards impress with their philanthropic ideas

They were selected from hundreds of hopefuls - twelve finalists, who went head to head in a live pitch to win one of three £10,000 grants which would help them put their philanthropic ideas into action. ... Read more >>

Bike The Planet: Expedition to inspire world debate ahead of United Nations Earth Summit 2012

It is a 30-month expedition, by bicycle and ship, aiming to connect with everyone from grassroots folk to government leaders - inspiring and empowering them to achieve the collective shift required for survival on Earth. ... Read more >>

Good news: Study by University of Graz could help phobics overcome over their fear of spiders

For some, just the mere sight of eight legs sends shivers down their spine and has them shrieking at the tops of their voices. Now a university study is seeking girls with a phobia of spiders for a project which could help ease their fears long te... Read more >>

Bionic cat: Pioneering surgery by Noel Fitzpatrick provides injured cat Oscar with two prosethic limbs

In a world-first operation, a cat that had its back feet severed by a combine harvester has been given two prosthetic limbs.The pioneering operation by a UK vet created the new feet for an injured cat called Oscar. ... Read more >>

You're hired! Young business hopefuls take part in University of Birmingham's ROCKET Challenge 2010

They would make Alan Sugar proud... would-be entrepreneurs from schools in the Midlands are taking part in a challenge to test their business acumen. ... Read more >>


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If you are an optimist – or aspire to be one - welcome to our world. Here at Optimist World you'll find daily good news headlines, inspiring stories about charities, positive corporate social responsibility activities, sustainable travel, optimistic stories from the world of sports, and so much more

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