Today’s Solutions: December 25, 2024

Science

From mathematics and AI to medicine and psychology, The Optimist Daily features the latest news on discoveries, technological advances, and breakthroughs in the world of science. Our Science section is here to engage and enlighten you.

child sitting in car seat

New Hampshire mom designs innovative car seat-friendly coat for kids

Anyone with kids knows how difficult it is to put young children in car seats in bulky winter coats. Innovative thinker and mother Dahlia Rizk was all too familiar with this challenge raising her children in the chilly winters of New Hampshire, so she decided to come up with a coat that would make Read More...

Orangutan and her Orangutan Baby in Tanjung Puting National Park.

Researchers determine the evolution path of ancient giant orangutans

Once the dwellers of mainland Southeast Asia, the ancient giant orangutan is now extinct. Today, orangutans are only found in their natural habitat on the two islands of Sumatra and Borneo. These two are classed as different species due to the fact they grew so genetically different from each Read More...

mosquitofish underwater

Mosquitofish are a problem—a robotic bass could be the solution

What kind of feelings does the word “mosquito” bring up for you? Chances are they aren’t very positive feelings and are more along the lines of “annoyance,” or “irritation.” So, it shouldn’t be surprising to find out that the aquatic creature that bears the word “mosquito” in Read More...

Orange an yellow sports jackets for skiing and hiking. This new ventilation system could be key in their design and function in the future.

This textile vent regulates your body temperature by sensing sweat

An innovative new invention has recently come out of Duke University. A team of material scientists recruited physics rather than electronics, to create a ventilation system that can help regulate body temperature. The lightweight material catches thermal energy when dry to power the opening of the Read More...

Woman snowshoeing in winter

Winter Motivation: 4 Benefits of working out in cold weather

We all want to maintain an active lifestyle year round, but as the weather gets colder in the winter months, it can be difficult to find the motivation to put on your sneakers and get outside. Fortunately, there are some distinct benefits to working up a sweat in cold weather. It’s good for Read More...

Woman speech therapist doing speech exercises with with stuttering boy

Novel research could help improve the quality of life of people who stutter

According to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, there are about three million people in the US who stutter. Since stuttering can make it difficult to communicate with other people, it can also take a toll on a person’s quality of life by negatively impacting job Read More...

Image of M.xanthus swarms at 10 times magnification.

This bacteria looks just like Van Gogh's 'Starry Night'

Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh is known as one of the greatest post-impressionists to ever live; most famous for his ingenious use of complementary colors to create the eye catching and emotional masterpieces loved globally. Researchers were recently reminded of his legacy by a type of bacteria Read More...

Black woman sits next to her luggage in the airport with sandwich and a coffee

This US airport's fleet of autonomous robots deliver food to travelers

Considering the interconnectivity of our world, for some, air travel is a necessity. That said, with the pandemic, the more that travelers can physically distance, the better. For those at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, maintaining a safe distance from others is even easier Read More...

Car on an icy road

More cities are using beets to beat icy winter roads

Many cities with harsh winters turn to salt to melt ice and make roads safer, but while this helps out drivers, it doesn’t do the environment any favors. Fifteen to 17 million tons of road salt are used on US roadways each winter, contaminating waterways and natural ecosystems while degrading Read More...

a millipede on dry sand

Researchers finally discover millipede that actually has 1000 legs

If you have any knowledge of Latin, then you may know that the adorable critter known as the “millipede” gets its name from the Latin words for thousand which is “mille” and for foot which is “pes.” So, you may be surprised to find out that no millipede with more than 750 legs has ever Read More...