Welcome to the Good News Round Up for April 7, 2025
UN hails India’s work on reducing infant mortality rates
India has been recognised by the United Nations for its exceptional progress in reducing child mortality rates, with figures showing the rate for children under five has fallen 70 percent since 2000.
The UN highlighted the Ayushman Bharat programme, which provides free maternal and infant care for low-income families, as one of the major drivers behind the improvement.
Read more here.
Child Discovers Ancient Egyptian Artifact
In a remarkable find, a three-year-old girl has uncovered an ancient Egyptian scarab seal at the site believed to be the location of David and Goliath’s battle.
Ziv Nitzan was hiking with her family on a dirt trail about 40 minutes out of Jerusalem when she spotted the unusual ‘rock’.
The Israel Antiquities Authority later identified it as a 3,800-year-old Egyptian amulet, dating from the Bronze Age.
Read more, and see the artefact here.
Statins Linked to Reduced Dementia Risk
New research suggests that statins, commonly used to lower cholesterol, may also reduce the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
A study from Hallym University College of Medicine in Korea has found people taking statins were able to lower their low-density lipoprotein levels (also known as ‘bad cholesterol’) and saw a 26% reduction in dementia and a 28% decrease in Alzheimer’s risk.
As you can read here, researchers are still cautioning against seeing statins as a silver bullet.
Surf’s Up for Seniors
In a case of you’re never too old to try something new a group of over-60s is learning to bodyboard for the first time, thanks to a couple of legends of the sport.
Former world champions Ben Player and Damian King are running Silver Surfers clinics at Port Macquarie in New South Wales, to help older Aussies stay active in a low-impact sport.
Participant Ruth Goodwin praised the magic of “vitamin sea”, and the mental and physical benefits.
Read more here.
