There was also good news in 2021

The global pandemic hasn't made it easy to see the bright side of things over the past couple of years. However, even though things are not quite back to "normal" as of yet, the vaccine against the disease has prevented thousands of deaths and infections in countries with high vaccination rates. Undoubtedly, this is one of the best things that occurred in 2021.

The same pharmaceutical company that created one of the vaccines against Covid-19 announced in November that it had requested authorization for the use of its antiviral Paxlovid. The clinical trials showed an 89% efficacy in reducing the risk of hospitalization and death in those infected with Covid -19.

Medical achievements have gone beyond the beneficial effects of immunizing against the Coronavirus in 2021. According to Time magazine, a vaccine against triple-negative breast cancer, which is the most aggressive, will begin to be tested on women. The person in charge of the study is the physician G. Thomas Budd, from the Cleveland Clinic team, in the United States.

Another significant advance in the health field is related to Alzheimer's disease. A vaccine against the disease, manufactured by the Swedish biopharmaceutical company Alzinova, has started trials on humans. It acts specifically on beta-amyloid oligomers (chains of several protein units), which, when they accumulate in the brain, trigger Alzheimer's.

The World Health Organization approved and recommends the use of the innovative RTS,S vaccine against malaria, which can also be applied to children. For a pilot campaign in African countries, 10 million doses were donated.

Cabotegravir with rilpivirine is now being recommended as an option for adults with HIV infection. The medication that only needs to be injected every two months can be used when the patients' antiretroviral medicines have kept the virus at a low level.

As part of research at the University of California, USA, a patient with acute depression said that she has had a more pleasant life since an electrical device was installed in her brain. According to the scientific journal Nature Medicine, the treatment is still experimental, although it seems very promising.

Empathy, ethics, and solidarity were seen in various moments of the Tokyo Olympics, held in mid-2021. An example of this was when, in the high jump final, Italian Gianmarco Tamberi and Qataz Essa Barshim, from Qatar, obtained the same mark and chose to split the gold in a historic decision.

The Paralympics were also held in 2021 in Tokyo, showing the potential of many physically challenged athletes in 22 different sports. A lesson in strength and resilience for the entire world.

In November, the Spanish Congress approved a bill that legally treats animals differently from material goods. Now, they are considered "living beings endowed with sensibility." In addition, the court recognized that the custody of the animal should be shared in the case of a separation or divorce.

For the first time in history, an indigenous woman was chosen as Miss Brazil. Elâine Souza was born in Pariconha, in Alagoas, is a model and studies psychology. She is part of the Katokinn ethnic group.

Even greater triumph was for the First Nations of Canada. In June, after hundreds of skeletons of indigenous children were found buried in a former boarding school in Kamloops, British Columbia, the country passed a bill to guarantee the rights of the Indigenous people of Canada, combat prejudice and violence, among other goals.

After six years of hiatus, the British singer shook the world with the release, on November 19, of another album: '30'. The work brings together 12 tracks, including 'Easy on me,' which became an instant hit.

At the end of September, Britney Spears fans worldwide received the news they had been waiting for: after a long court battle and a lot of public pressure, Britney was no longer in conservatorship under her father and could take back the reigns of her life and her money!

They formed one of the hottest couples in Hollywood between 2002 and 2004. Almost twenty years later, marriages and children with other partners, JLo and Ben Affleck are together and in love again. A real treat for fans of love!

Many 'Sex and the City' fans have been waiting for YEARS for the reboot of the series. On December 9th, the series premiered on HBO Max, and fans finally got their fill of Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte after a very long hiatus!