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.
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...
Scientists discover natural antibiotics already inside the human body
One of the potential threats that the human species must soon face is antibiotic-resistant bacteria. As bacteria continue evolving to become resistant to the medicines that we use to treat them, previously-curable infections become “superbugs” and come back stronger and more dangerous. Some Read More...
Venus Flytraps generate magnetic fields when it’s time to eat
The most famous carnivorous plant, the Venus flytrap, is a pretty weird specimen. Possessing no nervous system, muscles, or tendons, they are able to trap their meals in fang-like mouths. Once their prey is enclosed by their jaws, they start to eat them, using digestive acids and enzymes to Read More...
Easy-to-repair Fairphone raises the bar for sustainable smartphone design
Current smartphone manufacturing methods have a hefty carbon footprint. These poor environmental credentials are only worsened by yearly device releases and hard-to-repair phones, contributing to an already overwhelming amount of e-waste. Some of the carbon-intensive components inside the device, Read More...