Tuesday’s news cycle was appropriately dominated by election coverage — but hidden behind the drama of red versus blue were some interesting non-political stories.
Here are some of those news items that you may have overlooked during Election Day 2014:
Two men ‘spontaneously cured’ of HIV after genetic mutation
According to a report in the International Business Times, French medical researchers discovered an evolutionary phenomenon that led to two men being effectively cured of HIV.
Published by 13 scientists in the journal Clinical Microbiology and Infection, the findings indicated the patients, ages 31 and 57, were infected with HIV but never developed AIDS because of a natural alteration that happened in the genetic code of the disease.
The two men “were not unique” and the phenomenon “is the result of an evolutionary shift between some humans and the virus,” according to the IBT. Scientists are quoted in the journal as writing this “may be a prerequisite to HIV cure.”
WNBA star slashed by attacker with knife
TMZ reported yesterday that Brittney Griner, arguably the biggest star in the WNBA, was attacked by a knife-wielding man in China. The attack happened Monday after Griner and several teammates were chased by the man while getting onto a team bus.
Griner, a former NCAA and WNBA champion, suffered a cut on her elbow but didn’t require hospitalization — likely because of the thick coat she was apparently wearing. Griner is playing basketball in China during the WNBA offseason.
Disney: More than 3 million ‘Frozen’ dresses sold in under a year
It’s been nearly a year since Disney released its smash hit “Frozen,” but the movie’s popularity continues to skyrocket.
The Hollywood Reporter wrote that more than 3 million costume dresses designed to mimic those worn by the film’s princesses have been sold in the U.S. alone. A spokesperson from Disney Consumer Products announced the staggering number Tuesday.
NFL player’s sick daughter will get to see her first game this week
In arguably the most feel-good story published Tuesday, Leah Still, the 4-year-old daughter of Cincinnati Bengals player Devon Still, will finally get to see her dad play football.
Leah’s story has been well-documented this year, as she’s been undergoing surgery and chemotherapy to battle cancer. Devon Still’s now-iconic number 75 jersey quickly began selling at a record pace, after the Bengals announced all proceeds would go to pediatric cancer research.
Leah Still will attend the team’s game Thursday night in Cincinnati.
Clint Davis is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @MrClintDavis.
