Local boutiques reported a surge in sales of handmade products during the holiday season

Doctors discovered a new blood test that can detect early signs of liver diseaseThe local zoo announced plans to build a new habitat for its group of endangered pandas

A new study showed that listening to upbeat music while working out increases enduranceThe city hosted an international soccer tournament with teams from 12 different countriesScientists found a new planet that could support life due to its distance from its star

The government invested $500 million in wind energy projects across the western statesA tech company donated $1 million to support science and math programs in public schools

Researchers found that eating a handful of nuts daily reduces the risk of heart attacks

The police department started a campaign to teach people how to protect themselves from scamsA tech startup launched an app that connects people with volunteer opportunities

Researchers found that spending time in forests lowers stress levelsA famous singer performed a concert to raise money for a children’s hospital

The city’s public library added more e-books for users to borrow onlineLocal businesses joined a campaign to reduce their carbon footprint

(责任编辑：Story Highlights)

• ·Research indicates that volunteering improves self esteem and happiness
• ·The university conducted research on the use of technology in education
• ·A major tech company announced plans to invest $500 million in building a new manufacturing plant creating 2,000 jobs
• ·A tech company released a new virtual reality game that quickly became the top-selling game on its platform
• ·A gym started a program for people with disabilities to help them stay active
• ·Researchers discovered a new species of frog in the Amazon rainforest
• ·A best-selling author announced a sequel to their popular fantasy novel series
• ·Researchers created a new device that can detect early signs of kidney disease using urine samples
• ·A fire department responded to a small apartment fire that left no injuries but damaged two units
• ·Medical researchers developed a new vaccine that provides long-term protection against the flu
• ·The United Nations released a report on the impact of climate change on wildlife
• ·Weather conditions caused delays in air travel across the country
• ·A popular coffee chain announced it will phase out plastic cups entirely by the end of next year
• ·A new science museum opened with interactive exhibits on space exploration
• ·The WHO launched a campaign to eliminate polio in three remaining countries
• ·A new mobile payment app gained 1 million users within its first month of launch