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.
AI-powered robot that rapidly sorts through recyclables is going global
Before plastic can become recycled products, that plastic needs to be manually sorted by workers at a recycling center. The problem is that recycling centers can’t afford to hire the number of people needed to sort through all the plastic they receive each day, and even if they could afford it, Read More...
This zero-emission hydrogen ferry will help clean up the marine industry
Maritime transport is responsible for about 2.5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, emitting around 940 million tons of CO2 annually. As the industry seeks to transition to zero-carbon fuels, hydrogen is emerging as a promising candidate. One of the most interesting recent developments Read More...
Magnetic induction stoves solve the pitfalls of traditional electric stove tops
Cities like San Francisco and Ojai have voted to ban the use of natural gas in new construction projects, opting for all-electric homes for the environmental and indoor air quality benefits they provide. As we move toward this new generation of construction, magnetic induction offers solutions to Read More...
This technology uses ultrasound and nanodroplets to clear blood clots
When a patient has a blood clot, they are often prescribed blood-thinning drugs to clear it out. These drugs, however, do not guarantee success. In 2017, scientists at North Carolina State University described a newly-created technology that can be inserted into a vein to clear blood clots by Read More...
The Optimist View: The surge and success of citizen science
“Science and everyday life cannot and should not be separated.” – Rosalind Franklin By Amelia Buckley Several years ago, every member of my family unwrapped a bulky rain gauge on Christmas morning. A gift from my data-loving grandfather, the rain gauges were so that we could all take Read More...
New chemical process turns biomass into fuel in a cheap, efficient way
While biofuels are a great renewable energy source with a promising potential to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, producing them is no easy feat. This is in large part due to the fact that converting biomass into liquid fuels is quite an energy-intensive process. Fortunately, scientists at Read More...
Listening to salmon could make farmed fishing less wasteful
Farmed salmon make up somewhere between 60 and 70 percent of all the salmon humans eat. Those salmon need to be fed, but it can be tricky for growers to understand when to feed them and how much food to provide. After all, salmon do not behave like dogs, who will simply saunter over to their supper Read More...
Indian startup turns black carbon into eco-friendly tiles
Carbon dioxide is often seen as public enemy #1 in the battle against climate change, but there are more dangerous substances for the environment. For instance, there is a substance called black carbon that is found in air pollution that absorbs one million times more energy from the sun than Read More...
Scientists discover new species of blue whale in the west Indian Ocean
2020 was a busy year for scientists, with some 503 new animal species being discovered. Now it seems the New Year is following up right where 2020 left off as scientists have announced the discovery of a new species of the blue whale. Each species of whale can be identified by its unique song, so Read More...
Big and small changes to reduce your home energy consumption
Looking to reduce your energy bill and make your home more sustainable? Depending on how much disposable cash you have on hand, there are big and small changes you can make around your home to reduce your energy consumption, but even small changes can make a big difference. So why not take Read More...