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.
Genome study maps out optimistic future for California condors
Once driven to near extinction by hunting and habitat loss, the California condor appears to be making an impressive recovery. Numbers dwindled to just 22 animals in the wild 40 years ago, but today their number has grown to about 500. What’s more, a new study from UC Berkeley finds that the Read More...
This startup is spreading crushed rock in forests to tackle climate change
Increased urgency to reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases has led to a rise in the number of reforestation projects aimed at cutting carbon emissions while greening up our planet. However, with limited land available to restore forests, these projects alone won’t be sufficient to pull excess CO2 Read More...
This cycling jacket has an airbag that inflates in case of an accident
While bike helmets are great at protecting your head from injuries, the other parts of your body are still exposed in the event of an impact. Enter the Cirrus airbag jacket, which auto-inflates in the case of an accident to protect the torso. Designed by Paris-based startup Urban Circus, the Read More...
NASA research identifies key site for US methane emissions reductions
Back in April, we shared how a NASA project was using satellites to identify sites of extreme emissions generation, also known as “super emitters.” Now, preliminary results from the satellite imagery have already identified areas where a few fixes could go a long way in terms of reducing Read More...
How flight tracking is protecting eagles near South Africa’s wind turbines
South Africa’s blustery ridges are great for wind energy generation, but these prime renewable regions are also home to the country’s Verreaux's eagles, and protecting these eagles while generating clean power is becoming an increasingly pressing issue. To help reduce bird fatalities, Dr. Megan Read More...
Researches train AI system to sniff out cancer
We’ve shared before about how dogs can be trained to sniff out certain cancers, but now, researchers have discovered a way to use AI and machine learning to detect cancers in much the same way. Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania are using AI to decipher the mixture of volatile Read More...
Circular rugs: Scientists develop innovative process to recycle carpets
Though they may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of trash, carpets make up over 4 billion pounds of waste in American landfills — that’s 3.5 percent of all landfill waste in the entire country. Whether they end up in landfills or burned at the end of their life, carpets Read More...
NASA to launch 128 baby bobtail squid into space
Over 100 baby squid along with 5,000 microscopic animals are about to set off on the journey of a lifetime. To help scientists at NASA further their understanding of the effects of spaceflight, these tiny animals were launched towards the International Space Station last Thursday aboard Space X’s Read More...
This futuristic autonomous street sweeper is incredibly energy-efficient
City streets around the world may soon witness a new cleaning vehicle that looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie. Called the Trombia Free, the Finnish vehicle is the world’s first electric and autonomous street sweeper. The sweeper consumes less than 15 percent of the energy required by Read More...
Major supermarket chain makes first zero-emissions food delivery in the US
Supermarkets across the US typically use gas-guzzling semi-trucks to stock their grocery supplies. Last week, however, when a heavy truck pulled into an Albertson’s supermarket in Irving, California, there was no diesel exhaust coming out of its tailpipe. The zero-emissions food delivery was Read More...