Global News Podcast The Happy Pod: Life-saving rat retires
Apr 12, 2025
Discover the amazing story of Carolina, a rat trained to detect tuberculosis, as she retires after saving countless lives. Hear about Uganda's promising malaria vaccine rollout, bringing hope to communities battling the disease. Be inspired by a recovering addict's journey through barefoot running, proving resilience can lead to remarkable achievements. Dive into cutting-edge brain-computer interface technology that's revolutionizing communication for paralyzed individuals, and enjoy some laughs with a lighthearted take on British tea time customs!
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Carolina the Rat
- Carolina, a rat, saved thousands of lives by detecting tuberculosis in Tanzania and Ethiopia.
- She sniffed 200,000 samples, identifying many positive cases missed by local clinics.
Rats' Superior Sense of Smell
- Rats have an exceptional sense of smell, with up to 1,200 nerve endings in their noses.
- This makes them even better at sniffing out diseases like TB than dogs.
Carolina's Retirement
- Carolina, known for her calm demeanor and love of cuddles, retired at age eight after seven years of service.
- Her work spared an estimated 30,000 people from TB infection.