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.
NASA's multi-pronged approach to the next 10 years of space exploration
The Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey is carried out every decade to discuss and prioritize upcoming projects of federal agencies and policymakers for the next 10 years. A panel of global experts is carefully curated by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine to come Read More...
Human's most rapid danger detection system is right under our nose
Organisms all over the animal kingdom can do extraordinary things. Each utilizes a particular sense or skill to be perfectly adapted to their environment. Many of them have a keen sense of smell which can lead them to food, detect other animals, and steer them away from potential danger, with Read More...
These ants can transform from worker to queen with one single gene
The social dynamics of ant colonies are complex setups, requiring sophisticated mathematical models to map them out. There is a strict hierarchy of jobs that are determined by age: sterile workers, reproductive males, and reproducing queens. Under this hierarchy, the colonies' main collective goal Read More...
How coal could help desalinate seawater in an eco-friendly way
While the practice of burning coal to generate electricity is soon to become a thing of the past, the material could prove useful in other, more sustainable ways. A new study, for example, has shown that the mineral could find use in the desalination of seawater. The study, conducted by Read More...
Over 40 countries pledge to shift away from coal during COP26
During the COP26 climate summit, more than 40 countries have pledged to move away from coal, one of the biggest contributors to climate change. This is a major win for the environment, even though some of the world’s biggest coal-dependent countries, such as the US, India, and China, opted out Read More...
Can a machine read your mind? Turning thoughts into words
BrainGate recently made a technological breakthrough that has the potential to improve the quality of life of people living with paralysis. Previously, brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) had been able to translate thoughts into the physical world through point-and-click systems using virtual Read More...
Shark scales: a day spa for fearless fish
Sharks are the apex predators of the ocean. They consume between 0.5 to 3.0 percent of their body weight each meal, which takes two to three days to digest. Depending on which species out of nearly 400 we are talking about, their diet consists of fish, crustaceans, stingrays, turtles, squid, Read More...
Whole-genome sequencing is a "game changer" for child cancer outcomes
A cancer diagnosis and the subsequent treatment is a scary, stressful, and physically taxing experience in anyone’s life—and especially for children. However, doctors at Cambridge University in England have been able to use whole-genome sequencing to make this process smoother for children with Read More...
4 simple ways to reduce your everyday waste
We all want to reduce our personal footprints, and a big part of this is reducing the amount of waste we produce at home. Today we bring you four strategies for reducing waste in commonly-wasteful areas of your life: Electronics, food, bedding, and the garden. Is it repairable? A high Read More...
Machine vision software reveals how spiders weave their web
How does a spider make a web? You’ve probably accidentally wandered into a spider web and wondered how they make these creations right under your nose without you noticing. This is because most spiders do their web weaving at night, away from prying human eyes. However, research from scientists Read More...