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.
Scientists use silk to make a sustainable leather alternative
Though highly useful thanks to its impressive properties of durability and versatility, animal-derived leather has its issues, most of which pertain to the environmental toll associated with its production. That’s why, scientists and designers are in search of more sustainable materials to Read More...
Rewilding: A Key Solution for Biodiversity
Wild wolves used to roam freely across most of the United States, but when these wolves were hunted to extinction in areas like Montana and Wyoming, ecosystems quickly fell out of balance. Without natural predators, elk populations soared, eating away at trees and grasses, eliminating building Read More...
Solar panels and California's water canals: A match made in heaven
About 4,000 miles of canals transport water to some 35 million people and 5.7 million acres of farmland across California. As the state enters another year of severe drought, researchers from the University of California have come up with a proposition to cover these canals with solar panels to Read More...
Solar Mountain installation could power Burning Man with clean energy
Burning Man is an annual music and arts event that attracts a lot of creative, expressive, and entrepreneurial individuals. However, because of its expansive desert setting, visitors tend to use a lot of motorized fossil-fuel vehicles to navigate their way around, while several displays require the Read More...
Mosquito monitors prove that these pests can be useful after all
Many of us have probably wondered to ourselves while swatting away pesky mosquitos if these itch-inducing creatures exist solely to ruin our fun and buzz in our ears. As it turns out, Ethan Jackson, a researcher at Microsoft, has found that mosquitos can actually serve a great Read More...
2020 Coal consumption was lowest in US since 1965
2020 marked an important milestone in our transition away from coal as a means of producing electricity. In the US, coal power plants experienced the country’s lowest annual coal consumption since 1965, and the fossil fuel is expected to reach levels last seen in the 19th century in coming years, Read More...
Gettin' sweaty: Your wearable device may soon be powered by perspiration
Wearable biosensors like smartwatches have become increasingly popular in recent years thanks to their great potential for monitoring people’s health. However, finding a suitable power source for these devices has proven challenging. On one hand, conventional button batteries are too bulky, while Read More...
US Earthquake alert systems now covers entire West Coast
Due to the unpredictable nature of earthquakes, we usually have far less time to prepare for these natural disasters than others such as tornadoes or hurricanes. The good news is that researchers have been able to design earthquake alert systems that can offer some advanced warning and allow Read More...
Thought Leader Series: The resiliency of human nature
Isolation, financial stress, and uncertainty have made many people more depressed and anxious during the pandemic. The good news is that psychiatrist and neurobiology expert Dr. Richard Friedman, whose work was shared with us by an Emissary, finds that humans have boosted resilience in the face of Read More...
Perspectives: Unpacking the hydrogen color codes
You may have heard the terms brown hydrogen, grey hydrogen, blue hydrogen, and green hydrogen when referring to this energy source. Who knew hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe (76 percent of all molecules in the universe are hydrogen), came in so many colors! Actually, it Read More...