A big Swiss family has invented Europe’s first all-electric, solar-assisted tractor, and is now selling the vehicle in 5 countries. The Knüsel Family lives in the canton of Schwyz, where patriarch and father of 4, Sepp Knüsel, has been building tractors for over 20 years under the brand name Rigitrac AG.  In 2019, with the […] The post 4 Sisters Invent Electric Tractor with Mom and Dad and it’s Selling in 5 Countries appeared first on Good News Network.

A U.S. city of 60,000 people would typically see around six to eight traffic fatalities every year. But Hoboken, New Jersey? They haven’t had a single fatal crash for nine years — since January 17, 2017, to be exact.  Campaigns for seatbelts, lower speed limits and sober driving have brought national death tolls from car crashes down from a peak in the first half of the 20th century. However, many still assume some traffic deaths as an unavoidable cost of car culture. The global Vision Zero movement, by contrast, believes traffic deaths aren’t inevitable, celebrating Hoboken and related milestones in larger cities like Helsinki, Finland, as proof of what can be achieved. By studying which factors contribute to local crash fatalities, Vision Zero proponents say, communities can decide to change policies, infrastructure and human behavior to reduce the likelihood of fatal accidents. The post The City Where Traffic Fatalities Vanished appeared first on Reasons to be Cheerful.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM New research reveals how small changes to your routine can lead to major health benefits. If you spend most of your day glued to a chair, whether at work, home, or somewhere in between, you’re far from alone. But a new study offers a surprisingly simple way to support your long-term health without overhauling your routine: just sit less. According to recent research, cutting back on sitting time by even 30 minutes per day may help improve how your body burns fat, processes energy, and manages blood sugar. And it doesn’t require breaking a sweat or squeezing in an extra gym session. All it takes is to set a simple reminder to stand or move a little more throughout the day. Why less sitting matters Rather than focusing on structured workouts, researchers turned their attention to everyday movement. Specifically, they looked at something called metabolic flexibility. That’s your body’s ability to switch smoothly between burning carbs and fat depending on your activity level. When your metabolism is flexible, it adapts easily. You burn carbohydrates during higher-intensity activity and tap into fat stores during rest. But when that flexibility starts to decline, energy management becomes less efficient, and the risk of insulin resistance, fatigue, and weight gain goes up. That’s where reducing sitting time comes in. What the study found In the six-month study, researchers followed 64 adults with metabolic syndrome, a condition that increases the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Half the participants were encouraged to reduce their sitting time by about one hour per day, primarily through standing or light movement. The other half kept their normal habits. On average, those in the movement group sat 41 minutes less per day. It may sound like a modest shift, but even for those who reduced sitting by just 30 minutes, the improvements were clear: Greater metabolic flexibility: their bodies became better at switching between fat and carbohydrate use. Increased fat oxidation: they were more effective at using stored fat for energy, particularly during low-intensity activities. Improved insulin sensitivity: this helped better regulate blood sugar and reduce the risk of metabolic diseases. As lead researchers noted, the less time participants spent sitting, the more efficiently their bodies processed energy, making it easier to burn fat and support overall health. Light movement goes a long way One of the most encouraging aspects of the study is that none of the benefits came from intense exercise. Simply standing more and engaging muscles in your legs and core was enough to trigger meaningful improvements. Scientists believe this kind of light but consistent muscle activity can enhance mitochondrial function (the way your cells generate energy) and support healthier glucose and lipid metabolism. In essence, it trains your body to become more metabolically resilient. These findings also echo past research: even if you work out regularly, long, uninterrupted periods of sitting can blunt the benefits of exercise. The key is getting movement in often, even if it’s just a little bit. Easy ways to sit less (without overthinking it) If you’re working a desk job or find yourself sitting for long stretches, there are a few low-effort ways to work more movement into your daily rhythm: Set alarms every 30 to 60 minutes to stand or stretch. Take calls on your feet; walk around or step outside while chatting. Stand for short tasks like scrolling, journaling, or making your morning coffee. Use a standing desk or countertop setup to switch up your posture throughout the day. Add in micro-movements (think calf raises, weight shifts, or even fidgeting). Even small movements matter. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s consistency. What this means for your health You don’t need to log a full workout or aim for 10,000 steps to improve your health. This research reinforces a simple but powerful message: small, consistent lifestyle changes like sitting just 30 minutes less each day can spark significant improvements in your metabolism. Better fat-burning, more stable energy levels, and improved blood sugar regulation are all within reach, no matter your schedule. It’s a reminder that your daily habits, no matter how minor they may seem, can move the needle on your health in meaningful ways. Source study: Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports— Successfully reducing sitting time can improve metabolic flexibility     Did this solution stand out? Share it with a friend or support our mission by becoming an Emissary.The post Sitting 30 minutes less a day could seriously improve your metabolism, researchers say first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Each winter, the Bay of Biscay sadly becomes a hotspot for tragedy and loss for dolphins. These highly intelligent marine mammals migrate into the region just as fishing activity intensifies, creating a dangerously deadly overlap. For years, hundreds of dolphins have washed ashore on the coasts of France and Spain, many bearing the unmistakable scars of accidental capture in fishing nets. But this year, Europe is hitting pause again. The European Commission announced that it will reintroduce a seasonal fishing ban in early 2026, following positive results from similar restrictions in previous years. The temporary closure, set to run from 22 January to 20 February, will apply to vessels over eight metres in length operating in the Bay of Biscay. The aim is simple: give dolphins a fighting chance during the most dangerous time of year. A proven solution that’s gaining momentum This will be the third winter in a row that the European Union has applied this type of closure in the region. What’s changed is the tone of the conversation: unlike past years filled with uncertainty and pushback, this time, the results are speaking for themselves. In 2025, dolphin mortality dropped significantly, according to data cited by the Commission. That success is being used as a clear justification to repeat the measure. “This isn’t just theory—it’s evidence-based policy,” noted one official involved in the rollout. For researchers at PELAGIS, a French marine observatory that has tracked cetacean deaths for years, the move represents long-awaited validation of what their data has long shown: that reducing fishing activity during key migration periods works. Balancing conservation with livelihoods The ban will affect approximately 300 vessels across EU member states, disrupting business for many small and medium-scale fisheries. The Commission acknowledges the economic cost but has made support available. To soften the blow, impacted fishers will be eligible for compensation through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, along with potential national aid. The goal is to ensure that conservation does not come at the expense of coastal communities’ stability. This balance between environmental protection and economic resilience is central to the EU’s approach. Tech, oversight, and year-round safeguards The winter closure is not a one-note solution. It’s part of a broader strategy to make fishing more dolphin-friendly throughout the year. Several policies already in place will continue into 2026: Acoustic deterrent devices (pingers) are required on certain vessels year-round. These devices emit sound frequencies to warn off cetaceans before they come too close to nets. Expanded monitoring programs, including the deployment of on-board observers and video camera systems, are being scaled up to track interactions between marine life and fishing gear. These tools help ensure that protective measures don’t rely solely on seasonal bans, but instead embed safeguards into the fabric of day-to-day operations. A model for pragmatic conservation At its heart, this recurring closure is an example of pragmatic, measurable environmental action. This elegant solution is one that acknowledges both the urgency of wildlife conservation and the realities of the fishing industry. By limiting fishing activity during peak risk periods, while offering financial support and expanding monitoring, the EU is carving out a middle path that other regions may look to replicate. Dolphins, it seems, are already responding to that lifeline. And as policymakers and communities gear up for 2026, the hope is that this seasonal pause becomes more than a band-aid solution, but perhaps even a blueprint.     Did this solution stand out? Share it with a friend or support our mission by becoming an Emissary.The post EU to reinstate Bay of Biscay fishing ban in 2026 after dolphin deaths decline first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

There are two statements kids often make that decades of scientific research suggest are actually true: "It takes one to know one" and "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." The big takeaway is that the things you say about other people are often seen as a reflection of you, too.Dr. Shadé Zahrai—an award-winning leadership strategist, Harvard-trained coach, and member of the Forbes Coaches Council—explained the phenomenon in a viral TikTok post that focuses on how to be more likable and seen as a good person by others. Her lesson, however, is a double-edged sword. @shadezahrai This habit makes you more likable (and a better human). #psychology #socialpsychology #socialintelligence #conversations #emotionalintelligence #leadership How to be more likable"Ever notice how people who speak kindly about others seem naturally likable?" Zahrai asked in the video. "There is something called the social transference phenomenon, and it is pretty fascinating. Research shows that when you describe someone's traits, people who hear unconsciously associate those same traits with you."(Note: Research dating back to 1998 refers to this phenomenon as Spontaneous Trait Transference, or STT.)"So when you highlight someone's optimism or compliment their trustworthiness, you're not just uplifting them, you're building your own reputation as optimistic and trustworthy," she continued. "And if you gossip or speak badly about others, those listening can't help but link those same traits back to you. Your words shape how other people see you." A woman sharing her ideas with friends.via Canva/PhotosIf you're hearing about STT for the first time, you might cringe when thinking about past gossip sessions at work or over drinks with friends. But it's also an invitation to be more mindful of how you talk about others. When you voice negative opinions out loud, they can reflect back on you. Conversely, it's the perfect excuse to start looking for the good in others and bringing it up as much as possible.What is Spontaneous Trait Transference?Research suggests that the human brain associates a communicator with the traits they assign to others, whether those traits are positive or negative, such as brilliant, rude, selfish, thoughtful, or trustworthy. For example, if you tell a story about your friend Stacey being disrespectful to a waiter, listeners are likely to view Stacey as rude and also associate that same trait with you, even if they know you are not typically that kind of person.In this way, the brain can be somewhat sloppy when assigning traits. As the listener processes the story, the idea of "rude" becomes top of mind and is quickly attached not only to Stacey, but also to you, simply because of your proximity. A man and woman enjoying a pitcher of beer.via Canva/Photos"The takeaway? Authentic compliments allow you to express admiration for others, with the positive traits you cite also being attributed to you," writes Wendy L. Patrick in Psychology Today. "The opposite, of course, is true as well."The big lessonsTalking positively about people makes you seem positive. Talking negatively about people makes you seem negative.Spontaneous Trait Transference is a reminder that the brain often makes hasty associations that are not always rooted in reason. The good news is that, when used to your advantage, it can be a win-win. You can focus on uplifting others rather than bringing them down, which will make you more likable, too.