Welcome to the Good News Round Up for March 17, 2025
Artificial Heart Transplant Announced a Success
An Australian man has lived for 100 days with an artificial, titanium heart while awaiting a heart transplant.
The man in his 40’s – who didn’t want to be identified – was experiencing severe heart failure and was fitted with the BiVACOR artificial heart in November last year, before last month becoming the first person in the world to be discharged from hospital with the heart.
He’s since undergone a donor heart transplant and is recovering well.
It’s hoped the artificial heart can assist in keeping patients alive until donor hearts become available but you can read more about the long-term ambitions for the device here.
Over-The-Counter Pain Relief May Help Concussion Recovery
A preliminary study from the American Academy of Neurology has found over-the-counter pain relief may help people recover faster after concussion.
The study found that people who took pain relief medication were 20% more likely to be cleared for unrestricted activity sooner, with researchers also finding the earlier people took pain relief, the faster they recovered.
Study author Kyle Arnold says the results are exciting, as there are currently limited treatment options for concussion.
Eastern Monarch Butterfly Population on the Rise
There’s some good news for the eastern monarch butterfly population in Mexico, with the population almost doubling this year.
An annual survey conducted by the WWF-Mexico and Mexico’s National Commission of Protected Natural Areas found the number of butterflies wintering in forests occupied almost 4.5 acres, an increase from 2.22 acres the previous winter.
It’s hoped this year’s increase can become a lasting trend, boosted by efforts to protect both the butterflies and the forests in which they live and breed.
You can read more in this report from the WWF.
Study Highlights Benefits of Playing With Dogs
And a new study has confirmed what many people likely already believed to be true – playing with a dog can reduce stress.
The study out of Chiang Mai University in Thailand found just 15 minutes of interaction with a dog can reduce heart rate and cortisol levels, and self-reported stress levels were also reduced.
Dogs also benefit from human interaction, with stress levels in the animals reduced after a week.
Read more here.
