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.
These biodegradable capsules could help solve the problem of microplastics
From the highest peaks to the ocean’s deepest points, microplastics are virtually everywhere. These pernicious plastics usually originate from unexpected sources such as laundry detergents, which are typically made with plastic microcapsules in order to retain fragrance for longer. Making those Read More...
Researchers use AI to complete Beethoven’s unfinished 10th Symphony
Ludwig von Beethoven is celebrated as one of the best composers of all time, but when he died in 1827, he left behind the unfinished sketches of his 10th Symphony. Beethoven fans have since pondered what the remainder of that piece would sound like, and now, thanks to a dedicated team of music Read More...
Thanks to a DNA tool, researchers can now determine the age of lobsters
Lobsters are famous for living long lives, but when it comes to determining the age of an individual organism, it’s actually surprisingly difficult. As they molt and develop new exoskeletons throughout their lives, they shed many of the telltale signs of aging, making it difficult for fishermen Read More...
Renewables provide more than just energy to Native American communities
Lack of resources and unclear regulatory oversight has slowed electrification on Native American Reservations, but some organizations believe the transition for renewable energy offers an opportunity to bring reliable, green, independent energy resources to reservations. Among these groups are Read More...
Breast cancer survivor develops app to help other conduct self-breast exams
"I'm not an app developer. I'm just like a passionate advocate," Jessica Baladad tells WTVF. The 36-year-old woman from Tennessee is the creator of "Feel For Your Life,” an app that helps people conduct self-breast exams from home. After having a benign fibroadenoma removed in college, Baladad Read More...
How portable solar-powered batteries can help expand access to clean energy
Reliable access to electricity is a luxury in Lagos, Nigeria, where the power can go out multiple times a day, rendering many inhabitants dependent on expensive, noisy, and polluting diesel generators. A corner shop in the Nigerian city, however, offers a solution to this problem in the form of a Read More...
This technique measures drinking water quality using a smartphone camera
While the provision of safe drinking water in impoverished countries is of vital importance, people often lack the facilities necessary to test the water for pollutants. To help solve that problem, a team of scientists has developed a system that uses a smartphone camera to check up on tiny aquatic Read More...
Bacteria can filter toxic metals out of wastewater to make it drinkable
From recycling car batteries to tackling plastic pollution, bacteria has been increasingly under the microscope of scientists working to provide solutions to some of the most challenging global issues. Most recently, researchers in India have discovered a strain of bacteria that can filter Read More...
This AI system is designed to protect roosting bats
The US is home to more than 40 species of bats, but habitat loss, climate change, and disease have taken a toll on populations with many species facing potential extinction. Bats often nest under bridges or overpasses as a way to seek shelter, but lack of awareness about their presence can cause Read More...
Ancient footprints could be earliest evidence of humans in the Americas
Exciting new research from a team of archeologists in New Mexico shows that humans likely reached the Americas far earlier than previously thought. A hotly debated topic in the scientific community, previous research placed the arrival of humans in the North American interior around 16,000 years Read More...