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.
Study: Schools of fish operate like a superorganism
The world under the waves is still a mystery, with 95 percent of oceans yet to be explored. Scientists are always uncovering many new and exciting aspects of this ecosystem; from the importance of fish poop, to new species of whale, and even how fish use sharks like a day spa! Teams from the Read More...
Study brings us one step closer to sustainable pharmaceuticals
On average, the pharmaceutical industry creates 100kg of waste for every 1kg of small-molecule drug synthesized, which creates a lot of toxic waste. Furthermore, nitrogen-containing chemicals called primary amines, which are used in the majority of all pharmaceuticals, are sought after in the Read More...
New biomarker for Alzheimer’s discovered
Alzheimer’s is a complex neurological disease, with scientists still trying to piece together the complete puzzle of factors that contribute to its development. A number of different genetic and environmental risks have been determined─though more than 99 percent of cases are not inherited. Read More...
Jessica Watkins is first Black woman on a long-term mission aboard the ISS
Jessica Watkins will make history as the first Black woman to complete a long-term mission on the International Space Station (ISS) on the upcoming SpaceX Crew-4 launch, according to a statement released by NASA. Joining Watkins on her first voyage into space, which is set to launch in April Read More...
We’ve finally cracked the outer layer of HIV
The capsid is the complex outer layer surrounding HIV's genetic material. It is primarily used for protection, though also plays essential roles in early stage replication and transport inside the virus. A huge hurdle in HIV research has been figuring out how this protective protein is Read More...
Marvel at the power of the finger snap
Turns out the simple snap is a physics gold mine. Thanks to high-speed video footage from Georgia Tech in Atlanta, exactly how impressive the movement is has been exposed. The research group, led by Saad Bhamla, actually took inspiration from Marvel’s 2018 smash hit Avengers: Infinity War. Read More...
Microrobots may soon be swimming through our veins to kill cancer cells
We have shared many advancements in cancer research this year, such as the development of whole-genome sequencing, as well as various blood tests that can identify many types of cancer to help catch cancer earlier. Now, there’s a new and exciting addition: 3D-printed robotic animals that can Read More...
US allocates $6.6 million to Midwest Tribes for EV network
The US Department of Energy has approved $6.6 million in funding to create an electric vehicle charging network for Native American Tribes in the Midwest. Awarded to Native Sun Community Power Development and Standing Rock Renewable Energy Power Authority, the funding will be used to purchase Read More...
Could you build a net-zero city? This game lets you find out
More and more cities and countries are pledging to achieve net-zero emissions, but this task isn’t as easy as it seems. Some strategies, like installing renewable energy sources and electrifying public transport, are intuitive, but what about private households and emissions from landfills? To Read More...
Using black holes to study the expansion of the universe
Scientists have a new hypothesis called “cosmical coupling," which will potentially give more clues into how our mysterious world operates. The widely accepted theory about the origin of the universe is the Big Bang. It states that when the explosion occurred, the universe expanded outwards and Read More...