Rising Wolf Numbers

March 23, 2023

On this week's episode: A 3-D printed heart, rising wolf numbers, and a surfboard made of mushrooms.

3-D Printed Heart
Wolves
Mushroom
Surfboard

On this week's news update…
3-D Printed Heart
A 3-D printed heart…
Wolves Return
…rising wolf numbers...
Mushroom Surfboard
…and a surfboard made of mushrooms.

First up…

The size and shape of a human heart can vary from person to person.

This provides doctors with a challenge when it comes to treating patients

because the same treatment won't work for all patients with the same condition.

Now, scientists at MIT have created a personalised treatment for heart conditions to help doctors meet this challenge.

They have developed a process for making a 3-D printed copy of a patient's own heart.

Each copy is adjusted to match the patient’s heart condition as closely as possible.

By testing different treatments on this personalised 3-D printed copy, doctors can decide the best option before operating on the patient.

Improving the potential success of the surgery and the patient’s recovery.

Up next…

Despite being at the top of the food chain, the number of wolves worldwide has declined due to hunting.

But that is beginning to change.

Since 1992, it has been illegal to capture or kill wolves in many parts of Europe.

This has meant that, slowly, the animals have begun to return to the wild across the continent.

Now, wolves have reached Belgium, in Western Europe, for the first time in over 100 years.

Conservationists are pleased to see the number of wolves begin to recover.

But not everyone is happy to see the animals back.

Some local farmers are struggling to keep their animals secure. They would like the wolves' protection reduced so they can keep their livestock safe.

Despite this, conservationists see the return of wolves to the wild as necessary for the animal’s survival and want their protection to continue.

They hope that humans and wolves can adapt to living together again.

And finally…

It’s Eco Zone…

Surfing may not create harmful emissions, but surfboards can still have a negative impact on the environment.

Most surfboards are made from plastics, so broken boards can remain in the sea or landfills for a long time.

Now, designer Steve Davies is hoping to improve the surfboard’s sustainability by developing a new prototype using mushrooms.

mycelium
Mushrooms contain a substance called ‘mycelium’ which has similar properties to some plastics used in surfboards.

The prototype’s interior is made from natural materials like straw and the mycelium works like glue to keep the board together.

This means that the prototype is fully biodegradable, making it environmentally friendly, unlike the plastic boards.

Steve is working on a full-size prototype, and hopes one day that his boards will be used by both beginners and professionals.

That's all for this week, we'll see you next time!

Teaching Overview

Learning Points

Scientists have developed a process to create personalised 3-D printed hearts to test potential treatments before surgery.
Wolves return to the wild in Belgium for the first time in 100 years.
Designer Steve Davies has developed a sustainable surfboard prototype made from mushrooms.

Curriculum Keywords

3-D Printed Heart
Wolves
Mushroom
Surfboard

Spark a Discussion

3-D Printed Heart

What personalised 3-D Printed organ have scientists at MIT created?
To recreate the patient's condition in the lab, what else is added to the 3-D printed organ to restrict the flow of blood?
What other surgeries do you think technology like this could be used to trial the best treatment?

Wolves Return

Where have wolves returned to the wild for the first time in 100 years?
Who would like to see the legal protection of wolves reduced?
Do you agree with the farmers or conservationists opinion on the wolves returning to the wild?

Mushroom Surfboard

Why are surfboards potentially harmful to the environment?
What substance from mushrooms is used in the new surfboard prototype?
Can you think of any other sports that could benefit from a sustainable redesign?

Credits

3-D Printed Heart: Melanie Gonrick / MIT
Rising Wolf Numbers:INBO/ANB
Mushroom Surfboard: BBC Wales News / Steve davis

Discover More About Topics Covered in This Week's Episode

Classroom Resources

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Video Viewing Guide

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Language and Literacy Activities

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