Fight against marine litter and reduced under-five mortality

In the fight against the growing problem of marine litter, we now have another ally: researchers and students at the Technical University of Munich have developed an AI-powered underwater robot that autonomously removes large pieces of litter from the sea. 

The robot has already proven its capabilities in the ports of Marseille and Hamburg and is intended to be used primarily in environments that are under similar ecological pressure. It can lift objects weighing up to 250 kilogrammes, thereby relieving the small number of qualified divers who currently perform this complex task. 

Fight against under-five mortality

A comprehensive approach to strengthening healthcare has helped India reduce under-five mortality from 48 to 28 per 1000 live births between 2015 and 2023, according to a report by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. During the same period, neonatal mortality declined from 28 to 17 per 1000 live births. 

This development aligns with the broader picture outlined by a widely cited Lancet study on global mortality trends, which shows a steady decline in under-five mortality since 1970, although progress has slowed since 2010. The study also finds that overall life expectancy has recovered to pre-COVID levels.

We regularly update you on more positive developments in our Good News section.

The D+C editorial team
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