Health
Finding good health news amidst a pandemic can be quite daunting. That’s not the case with The Optimist Daily, where positive news is in high supply. Our Health section covers the latest good news from the health sector, featuring solutions ranging from mental and physical health to immunity, nutrition, and cutting edge medical research.
The robot that can independently perform keyhole surgery
Believe it or not, robots can now perform surgery with no human assistance! The Smart Tissue Autonomous Robot (STAR), was designed by a team from Johns Hopkins University. The laparoscopic procedure was carried out on the intestine of a pig, as reported this week in Science Robotics. "Our Read More...
Experiencing frequent stress headaches? Try these tips
Do you feel like you experience more headaches when you’re stressed? If so, you’re not alone. Stress weakens immune systems, tightens muscles, and decreases the quality of sleep, therefore leading to an increased likelihood of gaining a headache. Here are some tips on how to know if stress Read More...
How magnesium improves immune cell capabilities
Magnesium is an essential mineral vital to many bodily functions including muscle contraction, nerve transmission, blood pressure, and immunity. Therefore, it makes sense that magnesium deficiencies are linked to a wide range of diseases. Scientists have previously shown that mice on a Read More...
Better air quality during initial lockdowns saved hundreds of lives
New research suggests that more than 800 lives may have been saved across Europe due to improved air quality during the initial Covid lockdowns. Transportation restrictions meant that there were far fewer cars and transport trucks on the roads, which made the most impact on air quality according Read More...
New program in California helps kids manage tough emotions
It should come as no surprise that children across the US and across the globe have collectively struggled much more than usual over the past couple of years. Even before the pandemic in 2019, more than one in three US high school students reported experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or Read More...
Scientists help frogs regrow amputated limbs
A recent study, published in Science Advances, has brought us one step closer to regenerative medicine. In a collaborative effort from Tufts University and Harvard, the teams were able to regenerate an adult African clawed frog’s (Xenopus laevis) limb, something they are naturally unable to Read More...
Sex in space? The push to find out if we can reproduce in outer space
Although human settlement on other planets was once just a pipe dream, rapid technological advancements are making it seem like a truly viable possibility for the future of humanity. However, before any human colony can settle in space, scientists need to figure out if and how people can reproduce Read More...
DNA mutations are not so random after all
A first of its kind study has added some evidence to challenge the widely accepted theory about genetic mutations: that they are completely random. The findings, published in Nature, could reshape evolutionary theories and our understanding of DNA forever. "We always thought of mutation as Read More...
This could be the start of the end for drug-resistant bacteria
The increasing occurrence of drug-resistant bacteria is a huge obstacle humans have to overcome to save lives across the globe. Researchers have done all they can to be prepared against this challenge, such as creating a model which calculates the chance of resistance against different drug Read More...
What the ideal sleep schedule is for every sleep chronotype
Getting enough good quality sleep is crucial for our overall health, but unfortunately, there isn’t a standardized sleeping schedule that will work for everyone. That's because, much like personality types, each person falls into one of four different “sleep chronotypes,” and each chronotype Read More...