Solar Punk — Positive news and world affairs

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For everything else, the world is already on it.

Monday, 9 November 2026

LIVELIVELIVE

A supervised LSD dose reduces anxiety and depression scores in phase III trials — Read on MedPage Today

Two phase III trials presented at a conference found lower anxiety and depression scores after one supervised LSD dose than after placebo. The trials enrolled 363 people, with differences still present at 12 weeks.

Research

A supervised LSD dose reduces anxiety and depression scores in phase III trials — Image: Solar Punk

A supervised LSD dose reduces anxiety and depression scores in phase III trials — Image: Solar Punk

Canada opens up to 200,000 extra permanent-residence places for 2027 — Show the summary

China adopts law requiring environmental checks for Antarctic activities — Show the summary

Satellite captures Europe’s weather every 2.5 minutes in imaging test — Show the summary

More to read

Single-dose psychedelic nasal spray eases depression symptoms in phase 2 trial — Read on Medical Xpress

In a trial of 193 adults with treatment-resistant depression, a single psychedelic nasal spray dose with psychological support reduced symptoms more than a low-dose comparator. Group differences persisted for eight weeks.

Research

Anthropic plans to put 5% of its shares into a public-benefit fund — Read on The Wall Street Journal

The proposed fund could support nonprofits and people affected by AI-driven changes at work. Its stake could grow with the company’s value; the plan needs shareholder approval.

A personalised vaccine lowers the risk of melanoma returning — Read on Associated Press

In a trial of more than 1,100 people treated surgically for melanoma, 82% were alive without recurrence after two years with the vaccine plus immunotherapy, versus 70% with immunotherapy alone. The vaccine remains experimental.

Coal supplied less than half of China’s electricity in first half of 2026 — Read on Caixin Global

China’s environment ministry reported that coal supplied 49.7% of the country’s electricity generation in the first half of 2026, its first share below half. The measured shift puts non-coal generation above 50% of the power mix.

World

UK appeal court rules ransom kidnap victims can qualify for trafficking protection — Read on The Guardian

The Court of Appeal has ruled that coercion to obtain ransom can count as exploitation under UK trafficking rules. The ruling preserves a route to assessment and potential protection for survivors.

UK appeal court rules ransom kidnap victims can qualify for trafficking protection — Image: Solar Punk

UK appeal court rules ransom kidnap victims can qualify for trafficking protection — Image: Solar Punk

Houston orders police to limit referrals to US immigration agents — Show the summary

FAA plans shared information displays at 435 air traffic control sites by 2028 — Show the summary

EU names Spain, Italy, Greece and Cyprus as eligible for 2027 asylum support — Show the summary

Our Picks

On

An 83-second animated film made with code

@0xMovez Movez

On

How an image changes after repeated AI edits

@SmokeAwayyy Smoke-away

On

AI trials for mechanical design

@BorisMPower Boris Power

On

ChatGPT Images 2.6 with GIFs and reference images

@OpenAI OpenAI

On

Two AI models compared with a cycling pelican

@ValencianaAbel Valenciana

On

ChatGPT and Codex for design, engineering and simulation

@OpenAI OpenAI

On

Another virtual port, with a hint at Fable 5.5

@anxuanng An Xuan

On

An AI-generated scene more realistic than almost all the content encountered

@aifilmmaker Ian Sharar

Abundance

S&P 500

7,377 +0.2%, 6 months

Italy proposes €100 a year in state-funded savings for newborns — Read on Il Post

Italy’s draft 2027 budget proposes automatic savings accounts for newborns, with €100 a year in state contributions until age 18. The scheme could give children a starting balance even when their families do not already invest.

Italy proposes €100 a year in state-funded savings for newborns — Image: Solar Punk

Italy proposes €100 a year in state-funded savings for newborns — Image: Solar Punk

Agility Robotics goes public to scale humanoid robots for warehouse work — Show the summary

Firefly signs $1.3 billion engine deal for AST SpaceMobile’s planned rocket — Show the summary

Physicl raises $10 million to build virtual training worlds for robots — Show the summary

Advances

A gut virus suspected of causing illness can infect bacteria — Read on Mondosanità

Experiments show that one picobirnavirus variant replicates in gut bacteria. The finding establishes a bacterial host for a member of a virus family long suspected of causing intestinal disease.

Research

A gut virus suspected of causing illness can infect bacteria — Image: Solar Punk

A gut virus suspected of causing illness can infect bacteria — Image: Solar Punk

Even an ideal superfluid would sap light’s energy, a preprint predicts — Show the summary

Preprint

Earth’s shifting interior may explain gaps of up to a billion years in its rocks — Show the summary

Research

Intense heat turns old wind turbine blades into additives that stiffen resin — Show the summary

Research

Fridays: seven things that work.

One selection a week on WhatsApp. Chosen by hand, each with its source. No other messages.

Waiting list: the first message goes out when the list is ready.

Culture

Doris Salcedo will exhibit a house woven from human hair in New York — Read on ARTnews

Doris Salcedo’s House, woven from human hair over three years, goes on display at White Cube New York from 13 November. The monumental sculpture explores displacement through collective craft.

Doris Salcedo will exhibit a house woven from human hair in New York — Image: Solar Punk

Doris Salcedo will exhibit a house woven from human hair in New York — Image: Solar Punk

Zaragoza’s Goya Museum reopens with expanded galleries and international loans — Show the summary

John Coltrane’s private club tapes emerge in an 11-track collection — Show the summary

Powerhouse Parramatta opens with five exhibitions in Western Sydney — Show the summary

Longevity

Italy begins funding a targeted drug for certain slow-growing brain tumours — Read on Mondosanità

Italy’s health service began reimbursing vorasidenib on 6 November for eligible patients with IDH-mutant grade 2 glioma. The drug delayed progression in a 2023 trial, giving public funding a credible basis for widening treatment access.

Italy begins funding a targeted drug for certain slow-growing brain tumours — Image: Solar Punk

Italy begins funding a targeted drug for certain slow-growing brain tumours — Image: Solar Punk

Blood pressure stays lower after hormone-blocking treatment ends in small follow-up — Show the summary

Research

One gene-editing dose suppresses a fat-regulating protein for three years in monkeys — Show the summary

Research

Early metformin prescription linked to lower risk of long COVID or death — Show the summary

Research

Consciousness

A general suspicious mindset is not always central to conspiracy beliefs — Read on PsyPost

Across nearly 30,000 respondents in 17 national samples, a general conspiracy mindset was not consistently central to networks of specific beliefs. The findings challenge a common account of how conspiracy beliefs fit together.

Research

A general suspicious mindset is not always central to conspiracy beliefs — Image: Solar Punk

A general suspicious mindset is not always central to conspiracy beliefs — Image: Solar Punk

Religious US adults can combine secular outlooks with belief in magic — Show the summary

Research

Cat specialists link resistance to belly rubs with vulnerability and sensitivity — Show the summary

Blaming outside factors for simulated betting losses is linked to wanting help — Show the summary

Research

Energy

Canada’s budget sets out C$518.5 million for nuclear energy strategy — Read on NucNet

Canada’s tabled budget sets out C$518.5 million over five years from 2027–28 for its nuclear energy strategy. Support for domestic suppliers could help prepare the country for additional low-carbon electricity capacity.

Canada’s budget sets out C$518.5 million for nuclear energy strategy — Image: Solar Punk

Canada’s budget sets out C$518.5 million for nuclear energy strategy — Image: Solar Punk

Half-metre gaps cool floating solar panels most in an Italian reservoir model — Show the summary

Research

X-energy extends Fluor partnership to a second planned nuclear power plant — Show the summary

New York awards nearly $13m to develop advanced energy storage — Show the summary

Planet

Divers remove invasive coral from Brazil’s protected Cagarras Islands — Read on Mongabay

Volunteer divers are removing invasive sun coral around Brazil’s protected Cagarras Islands. The operation aims to protect native marine communities, backed by local evidence that removal can control the invader.

Divers remove invasive coral from Brazil’s protected Cagarras Islands — Image: Solar Punk

Divers remove invasive coral from Brazil’s protected Cagarras Islands — Image: Solar Punk

Assam restricts drone flights near Amur falcon roosts — Show the summary

Kenya signs $160 million conservation programme to support habitats and communities — Show the summary

Mediterranean commission adopts fishing limits for hake, shrimp and dolphinfish — Show the summary

Today [18]

France’s new-generation TGV enters passenger service between Paris and Marseille — Show the summary

Construction begins on Chinese nuclear reactor designed to supply industrial heat — Show the summary

Research

Bird flu vaccine offers broader protection in mice and ferrets — Show the summary

Research

AI-assisted preprint claims proof of a longstanding quantum computing conjecture — Show the summary

Research

Gel membrane lets experimental fluoride batteries cycle at room temperature — Show the summary

Research

Flexible connectors let nanoparticles assemble into new crystal structures — Show the summary

Liquid-air storage plant begins supplying electricity to China’s grid — Show the summary

Pentagon signs conditional $250m loan commitment for 6K battery-material factory — Show the summary

UK government plans to require salaries in job adverts — Show the summary

Crystal Bridges integrates Indigenous art across its galleries — Show the summary

Matching paint strokes suggest Michelangelo used multi-headed brushes — Show the summary

Finn Janning reads Bolaño and Weil as guides to facing suffering — Show the summary

Research

Daily hassles are linked to small dips in feelings of romantic love — Show the summary

China’s operational energy storage capacity grows 63% in a year to 167 GW — Show the summary

Newsom moves to replace California’s 548 death sentences with life imprisonment — Show the summary

EU launches €525 million programme to help start-ups design chips — Show the summary

Axiom releases a maths library with computer-checked proofs — Show the summary

Japan begins post-approval use of stem-cell-derived Parkinson’s treatment — Show the summary

Monday, 9 November 2026

LIVELIVELIVE

A supervised LSD dose reduces anxiety and depression scores in phase III trials — Read on MedPage Today

Two phase III trials presented at a conference found lower anxiety and depression scores after one supervised LSD dose than after placebo. The trials enrolled 363 people, with differences still present at 12 weeks.

Research

A supervised LSD dose reduces anxiety and depression scores in phase III trials — Image: Solar Punk

A supervised LSD dose reduces anxiety and depression scores in phase III trials — Image: Solar Punk

Canada opens up to 200,000 extra permanent-residence places for 2027 — Image: Solar Punk

Canada opens up to 200,000 extra permanent-residence places for 2027 — Image: Solar Punk

Canada opens up to 200,000 extra permanent-residence places for 2027 — Read on Bloomberg

Canada has approved up to 200,000 extra permanent-residence places in 2027 for people already in the country. The worker, humanitarian and family pathways offer a route to greater security for established residents.

China adopts law requiring environmental checks for Antarctic activities — Read on Reuters

China has adopted a law requiring permits and environmental assessments for covered Antarctic activities from 1 January 2027. Fines and financial safeguards give authorities tools to enforce environmental duties.

Satellite captures Europe’s weather every 2.5 minutes in imaging test — Read on Phys.org

MTG-I2 has delivered a 45-hour sequence showing Europe and northern Africa every 2.5 minutes. The demonstration offers a closer view of rapidly developing weather as calibration continues towards operational service expected in mid-2027.

More to read

Single-dose psychedelic nasal spray eases depression symptoms in phase 2 trial — Read on Medical Xpress

In a trial of 193 adults with treatment-resistant depression, a single psychedelic nasal spray dose with psychological support reduced symptoms more than a low-dose comparator. Group differences persisted for eight weeks.

Research

Anthropic plans to put 5% of its shares into a public-benefit fund — Read on The Wall Street Journal

The proposed fund could support nonprofits and people affected by AI-driven changes at work. Its stake could grow with the company’s value; the plan needs shareholder approval.

A personalised vaccine lowers the risk of melanoma returning — Read on Associated Press

In a trial of more than 1,100 people treated surgically for melanoma, 82% were alive without recurrence after two years with the vaccine plus immunotherapy, versus 70% with immunotherapy alone. The vaccine remains experimental.

Coal supplied less than half of China’s electricity in first half of 2026 — Read on Caixin Global

China’s environment ministry reported that coal supplied 49.7% of the country’s electricity generation in the first half of 2026, its first share below half. The measured shift puts non-coal generation above 50% of the power mix.

World

UK appeal court rules ransom kidnap victims can qualify for trafficking protection — Read on The Guardian

The Court of Appeal has ruled that coercion to obtain ransom can count as exploitation under UK trafficking rules. The ruling preserves a route to assessment and potential protection for survivors.

UK appeal court rules ransom kidnap victims can qualify for trafficking protection — Image: Solar Punk

UK appeal court rules ransom kidnap victims can qualify for trafficking protection — Image: Solar Punk

EU names Spain, Italy, Greece and Cyprus as eligible for 2027 asylum support — Show the summary

UK government plans to require salaries in job adverts — Show the summary

Newsom moves to replace California’s 548 death sentences with life imprisonment — Show the summary

Houston orders police to limit referrals to US immigration agents — Show the summary

FAA plans shared information displays at 435 air traffic control sites by 2028 — Show the summary

Our Picks

On

An 83-second animated film made with code

@0xMovez Movez

On

How an image changes after repeated AI edits

@SmokeAwayyy Smoke-away

On

AI trials for mechanical design

@BorisMPower Boris Power

On

ChatGPT Images 2.6 with GIFs and reference images

@OpenAI OpenAI

On

Two AI models compared with a cycling pelican

@ValencianaAbel Valenciana

On

ChatGPT and Codex for design, engineering and simulation

@OpenAI OpenAI

On

Another virtual port, with a hint at Fable 5.5

@anxuanng An Xuan

On

An AI-generated scene more realistic than almost all the content encountered

@aifilmmaker Ian Sharar

Abundance

S&P 500

7,377 +0.2%, 6 months

Italy proposes €100 a year in state-funded savings for newborns — Read on Il Post

Italy’s draft 2027 budget proposes automatic savings accounts for newborns, with €100 a year in state contributions until age 18. The scheme could give children a starting balance even when their families do not already invest.

Italy proposes €100 a year in state-funded savings for newborns — Image: Solar Punk

Italy proposes €100 a year in state-funded savings for newborns — Image: Solar Punk

Physicl raises $10 million to build virtual training worlds for robots — Show the summary

EU launches €525 million programme to help start-ups design chips — Show the summary

Zipline raises $1.5 billion to expand drone delivery with Walmart — Show the summary

Agility Robotics goes public to scale humanoid robots for warehouse work — Show the summary

Firefly signs $1.3 billion engine deal for AST SpaceMobile’s planned rocket — Show the summary

Advances

A gut virus suspected of causing illness can infect bacteria — Read on Mondosanità

Experiments show that one picobirnavirus variant replicates in gut bacteria. The finding establishes a bacterial host for a member of a virus family long suspected of causing intestinal disease.

Research

A gut virus suspected of causing illness can infect bacteria — Image: Solar Punk

A gut virus suspected of causing illness can infect bacteria — Image: Solar Punk

Intense heat turns old wind turbine blades into additives that stiffen resin — Show the summary

Research

France’s new-generation TGV enters passenger service between Paris and Marseille — Show the summary

AI-assisted preprint claims proof of a longstanding quantum computing conjecture — Show the summary

Research

Even an ideal superfluid would sap light’s energy, a preprint predicts — Show the summary

Preprint

Earth’s shifting interior may explain gaps of up to a billion years in its rocks — Show the summary

Research

Culture

Doris Salcedo will exhibit a house woven from human hair in New York — Read on ARTnews

Doris Salcedo’s House, woven from human hair over three years, goes on display at White Cube New York from 13 November. The monumental sculpture explores displacement through collective craft.

Doris Salcedo will exhibit a house woven from human hair in New York — Image: Solar Punk

Doris Salcedo will exhibit a house woven from human hair in New York — Image: Solar Punk

Zaragoza’s Goya Museum reopens with expanded galleries and international loans — Show the summary

Crystal Bridges integrates Indigenous art across its galleries — Show the summary

Matching paint strokes suggest Michelangelo used multi-headed brushes — Show the summary

John Coltrane’s private club tapes emerge in an 11-track collection — Show the summary

Powerhouse Parramatta opens with five exhibitions in Western Sydney — Show the summary

Longevity

Italy begins funding a targeted drug for certain slow-growing brain tumours — Read on Mondosanità

Italy’s health service began reimbursing vorasidenib on 6 November for eligible patients with IDH-mutant grade 2 glioma. The drug delayed progression in a 2023 trial, giving public funding a credible basis for widening treatment access.

Italy begins funding a targeted drug for certain slow-growing brain tumours — Image: Solar Punk

Italy begins funding a targeted drug for certain slow-growing brain tumours — Image: Solar Punk

Early metformin prescription linked to lower risk of long COVID or death — Show the summary

Research

Bird flu vaccine offers broader protection in mice and ferrets — Show the summary

Research

Japan begins post-approval use of stem-cell-derived Parkinson’s treatment — Show the summary

Blood pressure stays lower after hormone-blocking treatment ends in small follow-up — Show the summary

Research

One gene-editing dose suppresses a fat-regulating protein for three years in monkeys — Show the summary

Research

Fridays: seven things that work.

One selection a week on WhatsApp. Chosen by hand, each with its source. No other messages.

Waiting list: the first message goes out when the list is ready.

Consciousness

A general suspicious mindset is not always central to conspiracy beliefs — Read on PsyPost

Across nearly 30,000 respondents in 17 national samples, a general conspiracy mindset was not consistently central to networks of specific beliefs. The findings challenge a common account of how conspiracy beliefs fit together.

Research

A general suspicious mindset is not always central to conspiracy beliefs — Image: Solar Punk

A general suspicious mindset is not always central to conspiracy beliefs — Image: Solar Punk

Blaming outside factors for simulated betting losses is linked to wanting help — Show the summary

Research

Finn Janning reads Bolaño and Weil as guides to facing suffering — Show the summary

Daily hassles are linked to small dips in feelings of romantic love — Show the summary

Research

Religious US adults can combine secular outlooks with belief in magic — Show the summary

Research

Cat specialists link resistance to belly rubs with vulnerability and sensitivity — Show the summary

Energy

Canada’s budget sets out C$518.5 million for nuclear energy strategy — Read on NucNet

Canada’s tabled budget sets out C$518.5 million over five years from 2027–28 for its nuclear energy strategy. Support for domestic suppliers could help prepare the country for additional low-carbon electricity capacity.

Canada’s budget sets out C$518.5 million for nuclear energy strategy — Image: Solar Punk

Canada’s budget sets out C$518.5 million for nuclear energy strategy — Image: Solar Punk

New York awards nearly $13m to develop advanced energy storage — Show the summary

Construction begins on Chinese nuclear reactor designed to supply industrial heat — Show the summary

Liquid-air storage plant begins supplying electricity to China’s grid — Show the summary

Half-metre gaps cool floating solar panels most in an Italian reservoir model — Show the summary

Research

X-energy extends Fluor partnership to a second planned nuclear power plant — Show the summary

Planet

Divers remove invasive coral from Brazil’s protected Cagarras Islands — Read on Mongabay

Volunteer divers are removing invasive sun coral around Brazil’s protected Cagarras Islands. The operation aims to protect native marine communities, backed by local evidence that removal can control the invader.

Divers remove invasive coral from Brazil’s protected Cagarras Islands — Image: Solar Punk

Divers remove invasive coral from Brazil’s protected Cagarras Islands — Image: Solar Punk

Mediterranean commission adopts fishing limits for hake, shrimp and dolphinfish — Show the summary

US weather service restores twice-daily balloon launches across its network — Show the summary

Immigrant grizzlies bolster Canada’s South Selkirk bear population — Show the summary

Assam restricts drone flights near Amur falcon roosts — Show the summary

Kenya signs $160 million conservation programme to support habitats and communities — Show the summary

Today [9]

Research

Gel membrane lets experimental fluoride batteries cycle at room temperature — Show the summary

Research

Flexible connectors let nanoparticles assemble into new crystal structures — Show the summary

Pentagon signs conditional $250m loan commitment for 6K battery-material factory — Show the summary

China’s operational energy storage capacity grows 63% in a year to 167 GW — Show the summary

Axiom releases a maths library with computer-checked proofs — Show the summary

Research

Wind and solar saved Spain $26bn on gas imports in 2011–2024, IEA estimates — Show the summary

Denise Herzing explains how AI can probe dolphin communication — Show the summary

Research

Spanish cave’s 280 Ice Age engravings expand the record of prehistoric art — Show the summary

California voters back permanent extension of higher taxes on top earners — Show the summary