Today’s Top Good News Story

Scientists uncovered a way to convert blood types — opening the door to universal blood donation

In a newly published study — and a medical breakthrough 40 years in the making — researchers shared the findings of a new technique taking the world one step closer to making blood types universal.

Using enzymes produced by bacteria (that almost all of us have in our guts already!), the scientists were able to strip red blood cells of antigens and sugars that create distinctions between blood types.

The blood types of donors and recipients need to match because the recipient’s immune system might attack and destroy the new blood cells, which could be fatal. Universal blood could also help curb mistakes like ABO-mismatched transfusions.

Why is this good news? This news is especially exciting to celebrate today on World Blood Donor Day, since last year the American Red Cross announced it’s facing severe blood shortages — which means life-saving surgeries, transfusions, and more are put on hold. This news could swiftly solve those shortages and bring life-saving blood to people in need.

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More Good News

​USPS just released a new sea turtle stamp collection to honor the conservation efforts behind six endangered sea turtle species. The book of stamps includes six different designs featuring different species that are dependent on U.S. coastal waters for their habitat and survival.

​Despite having less capacity, Amtrak is on track to break ridership records in 2024. Ridership was 20% higher in the first seven months of Amtrak's budget year that began Oct. 1, and ticket revenue was up 10% versus the same period in 2023.

​New fast chargers can charge more electric vehicles to 80% in just 15 minutes. While electric vehicles come with a slew of positive benefits, one of the drawbacks for many consumers is how long they take to charge — these new chargers help solve that.

Looking for the Helpers

To improve access to health care, nurses are going door-to-door in Baltimore to bring primary care to residents

A new program in Baltimore called Neighborhood Nursing aims to solve a major issue in the city: people missing out on primary preventative health care to catch medical issues before they turn into bigger, more expensive problems.

Aiming to “turn primary care on its head,” Neighborhood Nursing’s team of nurses and community health workers meet people where they’re at with free health checks.

They make weekly visits to lobbies of three apartment buildings in a predominantly Black neighborhood that’s been disadvantaged by decades of discriminatory housing policies.

The idea is modeled after a similar program first tried in Costa Rica, which saw people struggle to access preventive primary health care, especially in poor and rural areas — much like the U.S. is seeing now.

It worked spectacularly in Costa Rica — and they’re hoping to see similar results in Baltimore, too.

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More Good bits

👀 Spotted: An endangered “walking pinecone” for the first time in over two decades!

🧠 The anxiety squad has a wonderful reason to be excited for Pixar’s Inside Out sequel.

🎧 Amazon is a bummer. Get your audiobooks from an alternative that supports local bookstores!​

💰 Melinda French Gates is going solo with her giving back — and it’s going to benefit reproductive rights.

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What’s good?

I’ll be the first to admit I’ve put off primary, preventative care because it can be a hassle to coordinate!

Would you like a service like what Baltimore has near you?

Hit “reply” and let me know!

— Megan