Happy Wednesday 👋

What comes to your mind when you hear the word “bacteria”?

You might immediately think of disease… and you wouldn’t be alone!

But did you know that most bacteria are not only completely harmless, but rather beneficial?

From recycling nutrients to producing oxygen to boosting your immune system, bacteria play an important role in holding ecosystems (and our own human bodies) together.

And recently, scientists have discovered a new type of bacteria that could spark a whole new generation of eco-friendly electronics!

Here are the impactful insights that I have for you today:

• The new type of bacteria that can generate electricity 🦠
• The new seal rehabilitation center in the Netherlands 🦭
• How smartwatches can track the impacts of extreme heat ⌚
• Discussion of the week: finding joy in low-waste living 💬
• And more… 💚

🦠 Scientists Discover a New Type of Bacteria That Can Generate Electricity

1️⃣ The big picture: In an exciting breakthrough in bioelectronics, scientists have discovered Candidatus Electrothrix yaqonensis, a new species of electricity-conducting bacteria, on a brackish beach in Oregon (US). What makes this species especially interesting is its high electrical conductivity, making it a potential candidate for future bioelectronics, biodegradable electronics, and biosensors. The presence of a nickel-centered metal complex inside its ridges acts like a biological wire, allowing efficient electron transport. The bacteria’s adaptation to fluctuating salinity, using different proteins for osmotic regulation, is another key feature, allowing it to thrive in brackish water. 

2️⃣ Why is this good news: This new species’ high conductivity and adaptability make it a promising candidate for applications in bioelectronics, such as biodegradable electronic devices, biosensors, and environmental remediation. Its unique biological properties may also help address issues like heavy metal contamination and pollution in sedimentary environments.

3️⃣ What’s next: Further studies into its conductive fibers and sheath formation could unlock even more potential applications, possibly transforming how we think about materials for electronics and environmental remediation. And this discovery opens up exciting possibilities for merging biological systems with technological innovations.

📢 More Good News…

🚢 Unveiling the world’s largest electric ship:

• The world’s largest electric ship, the China Zorrilla, has officially set sail from Tasmania, marking a monumental step forward in clean energy maritime transport. 
• Initially planned to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG), a shift in strategy led to the creation of this groundbreaking battery-powered ship, boasting a massive 40 megawatt-hour Energy Storage System (ESS)—four times larger than any existing maritime battery system. 
• The launch underscores the growing potential for large-scale, low-emission transport solutions to help reduce the maritime sector’s carbon footprint, which currently accounts for around 2% of global energy-related emissions.

🦭 The new seal rehabilitation center in the Netherlands:

• A new seal rescue facility, the World Heritage Centre (WEC), has opened in the northern Netherlands, replacing the older Pieterburen Seal Centre. 
• The facility includes 12 intensive-care units, can care for up to 70 seals at a time, and cost over €40 million, funded by local governments and charities. Besides rescue operations, it also serves as an educational center, teaching the public about the nearby Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and vital seal habitat.
• The WEC treats around 200 seals annually, primarily pups orphaned or injured by human activity such as marine debris or vessel strikes, with the goal of releasing them back into the wild.

⌚ How smartwatches can track the impacts of extreme heat: 

• To monitor and understand the effects of extreme heat on vulnerable populations, researchers are using smartwatches to track heart rate, pulse, sleep patterns, and conducting weekly blood pressure checks among residents of low-income neighborhoods in Ahmedabad, India.
• Ahmedabad has been struggling with rising temperatures, and the city saw nearly 1,300 excess deaths due to heat in 2010. The issue is expected to worsen with climate change, which could result in 370% more heat-related deaths globally.
• The research is part of a global project examining how heat affects vulnerable populations in cities across Burkina Faso, Niue, and the Sonoran Desert in Mexico. The ultimate goal is to develop scalable solutions to combat the growing heat crisis and adapt cities to increasing temperatures.

💬 Discussion of the Week: Finding Joy in Low-Waste Living

Welcome to our new section, where we spark meaningful discussions about everyday topics that can create a real positive impact in our lives!

This week’s discussion topic: How can we reduce food waste in our daily lives?

• What are some creative ways you’ve learned to use or repurpose what you already own instead of buying new?
• How has shifting your mindset toward “using what you have” made an impact on your daily life?
• Are there any tips or examples you’d share with someone looking to start valuing what they already own more?

I’d love to hear your stories and tips, so we can inspire each other to live more thoughtfully and waste less!

For our founding community members, keep the conversation going in our forum here.

Want to join our community when we reopen? Just reply to this email—I’d love to personally add you to our waitlist so you’ll be the first to know all about it 💚

🤝 Important Awareness Events At a Glance

🤱May, Maternal Mental Health Month:

• Maternal Mental Health Month was first recognized in 2016, building on earlier efforts by advocacy groups and healthcare organizations to highlight the importance of mental health care for mothers. 
• Over the years, Maternal Mental Health Month, along with Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week and World Maternal Mental Health Day, has gained traction as healthcare providers, policymakers, and advocates around the world recognize the need for comprehensive maternal mental health services.

🧒 May 7, National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day: 

• National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day emphasizes the importance of mental healthcare for children and teens. 
• The formative years of one’s life can come with a lot of unique challenges, so they cannot be forgotten when it comes to mental health care.

🦈 May 9, Fintastic Friday: 

• Fintastic Friday raises awareness of shark welfare worldwide. 
• As an often misunderstood animal, it is incredibly important to celebrate sharks and advocate for their welfare.

Related: You can discover all the 165 most important awareness events (for the month, days, weeks) in our awareness calendar for May 2025!

📜 These Days in History

🎭 May 7, 1663: The Royal Theatre, now known as the Drury Lane Theatre, opened in London. It is the oldest theater in England that is still in use. 

🇿🇦 May 10, 1994: Nelson Mandela was inaugurated as the first President of South Africa. His heavy involvement with the anti-apartheid movement was an important factor in his election. 

💭 Quote of the Day

“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”

― Nelson Mandela; South African anti-apartheid activist and first president of South Africa

Share the news with your friends to make a bigger positive impact on the world and society!

Stay impactful 💚