Episode Description:

In this episode of The Optimist Daily’s Weekly Round-up, Karissa and Arielle dive into groundbreaking advancements in women’s health with a revolutionary blood test for endometriosis and explore Oslo’s quiet construction revolution, leading the way in sustainable and emission-free building practices. Tune in to discover how optimism is shaping the future!

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Transcript:

Theme music

Karissa:

Hello and welcome to The Optimist Daily’s Weekly Round-up. I’m Karissa.

Arielle:

And I’m Arielle, and we’re working hard to put solutions in view and optimism in movement.

Karissa:

Hi again! We’re back with another episode of the pod to share the solutions from the Optimist Daily this week. Arielle, how have you been?

Arielle:

Umm, honestly, a bit under the weather, but I think everyone is feeling a little bit under the weather. I hear so many sniffles, sneezes, and coughs.

Karissa:

Oh no!

Arielle:

Yeah, while I’m on the metro, which is not… it’s not the best.

Karissa:

Yeah, it’s definitely that time of year.

Arielle:

How are you over there?

Karissa:

I’m doing well and in good health for now. I’m just trying to take a lot of vitamin C and protect myself when I’m out in public. Still sore from my skiing lessons last weekend.

Arielle:

Oh, wow!

Karissa:

Yeah, it’s been fun to learn something new as an adult—and very humbling.

Arielle:

Mm. Skiing is… well, actually, I can’t even talk because I’ve never been skiing. But I snowboard.

Karissa:

Mm.

Arielle:

And learning that was really painful.

Karissa:

Yeah, it’s been part of my New Year’s intentions. I guess we were talking about this a couple of weeks ago on the podcast. My intention there was just to be open to trying new things.

Other than that, over here in the States, it’s been a little bit of a chaotic week. But we have some positive news to counterbalance the not-so-encouraging news.

Arielle, if it’s OK, I think I’m going to jump into my solution.

Arielle:

Yeah, go for it.

Karissa:

My solution is called Blood test for endometriosis brings hope for millions. I was really glad to see this solution because I’ve heard countless narratives from peers of mine and stories online about women dealing with this painful condition and going a really long time without getting a proper diagnosis or treatment.

Thankfully, an Australian medical technology company is making waves in the fight against endometriosis, a chronic and often debilitating condition that affects one in ten women globally. Proteomics International, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Melbourne and the Royal Women’s Hospital, is on the verge of launching the world’s first blood test to diagnose endometriosis.

This test, called PromarkerEndo, could transform the diagnostic process for a disease that has long been underserved by medical advancements.

Arielle:

Wow, this is such an important breakthrough. So many women have been waiting for something like this, as it affects so many of us.

Karissa:

Yeah.

Arielle:

Can you explain a little more about what endometriosis does to the body?

Karissa:

Sure. Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing painful lesions that can lead to severe discomfort, infertility, and other health complications. Despite its prevalence, patients often endure up to seven years of debilitating symptoms before receiving a diagnosis.

Arielle:

Seven years is such a long time to wait while enduring that kind of pain. What’s the process for diagnosing it right now?

Karissa:

The current gold standard for diagnosing endometriosis is laparoscopy—an invasive surgical procedure that is expensive, carries risks, and is inaccessible to many. The long diagnostic delay is compounded by the disease’s variable and often dismissed symptoms, leaving many patients feeling overlooked and untreated.

Arielle:

That’s heartbreaking. So how is this new test changing the game?

Karissa:

PromarkerEndo aims to change the narrative by providing a simple, non-invasive alternative. In recent peer-reviewed trials, the test demonstrated a remarkable 99.7% accuracy in distinguishing severe endometriosis cases from those without the disease.

Even in the early stages, where markers are harder to detect, the test maintained an accuracy rate exceeding 85%. The development of PromarkerEndo is the result of years of research into blood biomarkers for endometriosis.

This test builds on insights gained from other conditions, such as cervical cancer, where biomarkers have been successfully used for early diagnosis. While prior attempts at identifying endometriosis biomarkers struggled to achieve diagnostic accuracy above 90%, PromarkerEndo’s results surpassed these benchmarks.

Arielle:

Those accuracy rates are amazing! It sounds like this test could be a lifeline for so many people. But is there anything delaying its release for widespread use?

Karissa:

Well, yeah. Despite these promising results, researchers acknowledge the need for further refinement. For instance, it’s possible that some control participants in the trial were undiagnosed positive cases, which could have influenced the test’s accuracy.

Proteomics International is currently refining its algorithms with additional datasets to address such limitations.

The good news is that the company plans to launch PromarkerEndo in Australia by the second quarter of this year, pending approval from the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration. Proteomics International has also filed patents for the test in major jurisdictions worldwide.

Arielle:

All right. That’s encouraging. It’s clear this test has the potential to transform how we diagnose and treat endometriosis. I’m really hoping for its success.

Karissa:

Me too. Endometriosis has long been a silent burden for millions of women around the world, but this breakthrough could herald a new era of timely diagnosis and treatment.

By offering a non-invasive, reliable alternative to laparoscopy, PromarkerEndo has the potential to improve countless lives. And while researchers are tempering their optimism with caution, many experts agree that a reliable, non-invasive biomarker test for endometriosis is no longer a distant dream. So, this is all great news.

Arielle:

Yeah, that’s a reason to feel hopeful—especially at a time when a lot of people feel hopeless. Thank you so much for bringing this story, Karissa. I’m always happy to see a leap forward for women’s health.

Karissa:

Me too. Women’s health is often, as we’ve mentioned, underserved.

But, Arielle, what solution did you find intriguing this week from the Optimist Daily?

Arielle:

OK, well, mine is completely unrelated to yours, so I don’t think there’s a smooth segue into it.

Karissa:

Yeah, and that’s OK.

Arielle:

I’m going to start us off with a little bit of imagination. So, imagine walking past a construction site and hearing almost nothing.

Karissa:

I’ve never walked by a construction site and heard nothing.

Arielle:

Exactly!

Karissa:

Unless no one was working.

Arielle:

Right. That’s what the article I’ve chosen to share today is all about. It’s titled Oslo’s Quiet Revolution: How electric construction sites are changing the game. It focuses on the city’s revolutionary policy to eliminate fossil fuels from municipal building projects, bringing a quieter, cleaner future to construction.

Karissa:

OK, so no more jackhammers rattling your teeth?

Arielle:

Pretty much. Oslo’s new mandate, which started this month, requires municipal projects to use emission-free machinery whenever possible. Tafseer Ali, a construction manager, summed it up perfectly. He said, If we have less noise, we get fewer complaints.

Karissa:

Well, that’s music to my ears—literally. How is the transition going so far?

Arielle:

It’s actually going amazingly well. By 2023, 98% of Oslo’s construction sites were already fossil-fuel-free. Most of them run on biofuels, with the rest powered by electricity. For projects managed by the city’s Urban Environment Agency, the use of electric machinery has doubled in just two years.

Karissa:

Oh, OK, wow. So what’s the big deal with quiet construction, besides fewer noise complaints?

Arielle:

Well, there are many helpful benefits. Lars Olav, a project manager, pointed out that quieter machines mean schools and businesses near construction sites can continue as if nothing’s happening. Reduced noise also creates better working conditions for construction crews.

Karissa:

Yeah, well, that’s definitely a win for everyone. But what about emissions?

Arielle:

Great question. Traditional construction sites are massive polluters, pumping out toxic gases and harmful particles. By switching to electric engines, Oslo is cutting air pollution and reducing its carbon footprint.

While cement and steel production are the biggest contributors to the building sector’s emissions, using clean construction machinery addresses the local impact—and it sets a powerful example for the rest of the world.

Karissa:

So Oslo is basically showing the rest of us how it’s done.

Arielle:

Yeah, exactly. But leading the pack isn’t easy. Stine Marie Haugen from Norway’s Construction Association says the shift to electric equipment isn’t cost-efficient or practical just yet. There’s limited availability, and the machines can cost twice as much as their diesel counterparts.

Karissa:

Yeah, the green premium is really no joke.

Arielle:

Right. But Tora Leifland from Volvo Construction Equipment is optimistic. She points out that long-term savings on fuel and overall project costs help offset the initial expense.

Like with all new technology, there is a green premium, she said. But Oslo’s early adoption is encouraging manufacturers to innovate and improve.

Karissa:

And it’s not just in Norway, right? I can imagine that other cities are getting on board with this technology.

Arielle:

Absolutely. Stockholm now requires 50% of construction machines in certain projects to be electric, and the Netherlands, where I am, is installing fast-charging stations for vehicles.

Oslo’s bold move is creating ripples across the industry, proving that procurement policies can drive global change.

Karissa:

So they’re not just reducing emissions—they’re making green tech more accessible for everyone.

Arielle:

Right, exactly. As Leifland said, we need more Oslos and more sites like Stockholm’s meatpacking district. The more cities follow suit, the faster these technologies will improve and become affordable.

Karissa:

But what’s next? Can Oslo actually hit its goal of going fully fossil-fuel-free?

Arielle:

Well, they’re certainly on track. Each year, they’re getting closer. As electric machinery becomes more widespread, these cost barriers will likely fall, making it easier for other cities to join in.

Oslo’s quiet revolution isn’t just about reducing emissions—it’s a blueprint for sustainable construction.

So, yeah, who says building a better future has to be loud?

Karissa:

Not me, because I’m all for quieter, cleaner cities! This is really cool. Thank you so much for sharing this story. It’s definitely a hopeful sign of what’s possible.

Arielle:

Yeah, there is actually a lot to be hopeful for when you look for it. We know that the negativity bias in media and news is real, but that’s why we’re here—to offset those problems with some solutions.

We actually had a lot of solutions on the Optimist Daily this week, and they include:

Karissa:

What happens to your brain when you take a social media break? You know, with all that negative news and such. So that’s an interesting one for sure.

Arielle:

Mm-hmm.

Karissa:

Nine things flight attendants never do as passengers—and you shouldn’t either. New York’s Climate Superfund Act: Making polluters pay for a warming world. And DIY toothpaste: A simple eco-friendly guide to sparkling teeth.

Arielle:

We also have How to spot early signs of frailty and build strength for the long run.

The FDA finally pulls the plug on red dye #3 in food—I think California had already banned it, but it’s great for the whole nation!

Architects embrace trees to bring nature in and redefine home design.

And Tokyo’s four-day workweek: A radical step to address Japan’s fertility crisis.

Karissa:

We had a lot of diverse topics this week, so definitely go check them out!

If you want to start your day off right next week, make sure to subscribe to our free daily newsletter to get our solutions straight to your inbox.

Arielle:

We also have a lot more on our social channels. You can find us @OptimistDaily on most platforms, including Threads and Pinterest. The only difference is on X, where we are known as @OdetoOptimism.

Karissa:

Yeah! And we are a small team of optimists working hard to bring you positive news. If you want to support our mission of putting optimism into the world, click on the link in the show notes to find out how.

Arielle:

And remember, support doesn’t always have to be financial. Even just recommending our podcast to a friend, leaving a positive review on Apple or Spotify, forwarding a link to a loved one, or sharing a solution on your socials—if you’re not taking a break—would be a big help.

Karissa:

Well, as always, Arielle, it was great to be here with you and put a little bit of optimism into the world.

Arielle:

Yes, Karissa! And we look forward to being back next week. In the meantime, we hope our listeners and readers have a wonderful weekend.

Karissa:

Bye, everyone!

Arielle:

Bye!