Optimistic Observer 08/22/24
By Capital Investment Counsel - August 22, 2024
The Ocean Cleanup has removed over 15,000 tons of trash.
This is a group I've been keeping tabs on over the past several years, and their recent progress shows how good news happens slowly but definitely compounds over time.
Since its launch in 2013, The Ocean Cleanup has removed over 15 million kilograms of trash from oceans and rivers worldwide. Founder Boyan Slat recently posted, 'During the first eight years of The Ocean Cleanup, we collected 314,000 kg of trash. We're now collecting the same amount... every 4.5 days.'
Their website is worth skimming through; this video shows what they are accomplishing in the Gulf of Honduras. Read more here and watch here.
Another example of AI is helping to create better healthcare outcomes.
In a recent study published in the journal Radiology, researchers in Denmark and the Netherlands found AI-driven mammography has significantly reduced the workload for radiologists by 33% while improving breast cancer detection rates. This advancement highlights the potential of AI in healthcare, offering a more efficient and accurate approach to early cancer detection. The technology streamlines the diagnostic process and enhances the chances of catching breast cancer earlier, which is crucial for effective treatment. Read more here.
Investment in America (even in Mississippi!)
Amplify Cell Technologies is building a 2 million-square-foot factory in Mississippi to produce lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery cells with an annual capacity of 21 GWh. The project will begin production in 2027. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves highlighted the factory's impact, noting it as the largest payroll commitment in state history, bringing 2,000 new jobs and significantly boosting the state's electric economy. Read more here.
Pioneering the Future of U.S. Nuclear Energy in Wyoming.
Bill Gates' TerraPower is advancing nuclear energy with its Natrium reactor, set to be built in Wyoming. This innovative reactor combines advanced nuclear technology with molten salt energy storage, providing reliable, clean energy with flexible power output. The 345-megawatt reactor, which can ramp up to 500 megawatts during peak demand, marks a significant step forward in sustainable energy, with plans to be operational by 2030. Read more here.
Crows can count out loud, and elephants have names for each other
Scientists have shown that crows, can 'count' out loud, producing a deliberate number of caws responding to cues—the first evidence of numeric literacy observed in any non-human species. Machine-learning analysis has suggested that elephants make calls with elements specific to individuals, which is the first evidence of names observed in any non-human species. Read more here and here.
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