Good News: A robot that helps wheelchair users walk, how the book business is booming and more

Welcome to another episode of the Good News round-up. Today we’re covering new research on a way to help plants survive extreme heat; an exoskeleton that is allowing wheelchair users to walk; how the books business is booming; a study that says friends appreciate being contacted more than we think; and how macaws that were extinct in the wild have made a flying comeback in Brazil.

1. New research on a way to help plants survive extreme heat

Scientists from the US and Chinese universities have discovered that at high temperatures, plants are unable to produce a hormone called salicylic acid, which helps them fight pathogens and pests.

They experimented with a plant called thale cress and discovered that many of the genes that were “switched off” at high temperatures were controlled by a master gene called CBP60g.

When this master gene got too hot it stopped functioning. And under heat stress, the plant’s immunity was compromised.

Scientists think that if they create a mutant plant with the CBP60g gene permanently turned on, its defence system will be maintained even in fierce temperatures.

If they are able to reproduce the same heat resistance in common crops, it could prevent food crises during periods of extreme heat.

Read the full story by Euronews' Rebecca Ann Hughes here.

2. An exoskeleton is helping wheelchair users walk

A French company has been busy creating a bionic future for people living with disabilities thanks to a new robotised exoskeleton.

Wandercraft’s invention enables wheelchair-bound people to stand up, walk and do most simple tasks.

Their goal is to allow people living with disabilities to be independent and to give elderly people the chance to walk again.

The exoskeleton takes just a couple of minutes to put on,