The Schreiber Times is once again putting some good news in the hands of Schreiber students

Mushrooms have been known to be an amazing source of protein, antioxidants and fibers, while also having a low amount of calories.  These vegetables have been shown to lower an individual’s risk of cancer and premature death.  Recently, new research at the Penn State College of Medicine has discovered that eating mushrooms can benefit one’s mental health as well.  

The scientists came to this conclusion from dieting and mental health data collected from 2005-2016, in which 24,000 U.S. adults were examined.  The team found that the individuals who ate mushrooms had a lower risk of having depression, because mushrooms contain an antioxidant known as ergothioneine, which helps the body fight against cellular and tissue damage.  Antioxidants can help to prevent mental illness, and have been used for medicinal purposes to treat cataracts, liver damage, and heart disease.  

“Since mushrooms are one of my favorite vegetables to eat, it’s pretty fascinating to think about all of the amazing health benefits they can provide someone with, both mentally and physically,” said junior Jackson Walz.

Mosquitos are notorious for spreading diseases, making them a nuisance and one of the most commonly feared insects.  However, researchers have made a breakthrough discovery with a bacteria that has the ability to sterilize the Aedes aegypti, a species of mosquito known for spreading yellow fever, zika virus, and dengue fever.  By releasing 3 million sterilized male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Queensland, Australia over a 20 week period, it was found that the males couldn’t mate with the females, preventing any chance of offspring.  

When scientists returned the next year, they discovered that Mourilyan, a town in Queensland, was almost completely eradicated of mosquitoes.  Considering that more than 40% of the population has acquired a virus from a mosquito at some point in their lifetime, this has the potential to be a huge step forward in the effort to get rid of diseased mosquitoes. 

“Mosquitos have always been annoying to deal with, especially in the summertime, and the fact that they can spread diseases doesn’t help.  Hopefully, this bacteria has more success in the near future so this problem can be solved,” said junior Youso Lee.

Last year, McDonald’s gave out free breakfast meals to first responders and healthcare workers during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic to show their gratitude and appreciation.  Recently, McDonald’s has brought back this idea, but with teachers and school educators instead.  From Oct. 11 to the 15 during breakfast hours, the staff of schools was allowed to have one free meal.  A total of 12 million meals were given out, according to Joe Erlinger, the president of McDonald’s. 

Finally, Ford, one of the most recognized car companies in the world, has made a significant announcement.  The company has invested 11.4 billion dollars into building two new factories in Kentucky and Tennessee for the manufacturing of batteries for its electric pickup trucks.  This new addition will create a staggering 11,000 new jobs. Along with this, Ford’s transition from gas to electric fuel demonstrates its unwavering support to help clean up the atmosphere and guide the motor vehicle industry into a more environmentally friendly direction. 

“Pollution of the environment has been an ongoing problem in the world, and it has only escalated in recent years, but it’s a good sign to see support from some of the biggest companies in the world for a cleaner planet,” said junior Angelina Galanis.