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.
Zoom will offer unlimited video chats for several holiday celebrations
In a bid to make it easier to spend time with distant friends and family on Thanksgiving, during the holiday, Zoom lifted the standard 40-minute limit on its video chats. Now the company has announced it will do the same over the upcoming festive season so people can socialize safely with their Read More...
Japanese space probe returns to Earth with precious asteroid samples
In 2010, a spacecraft from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully managed to bring samples of an asteroid back to Earth, marking the first time this has ever happened in history. This month, JAXA did it all over again, returning precious samples from the asteroid Ryugu. After Read More...
India to build world’s largest renewable energy park
India is laying the foundation for what is expected to be the world’s largest renewable energy park. The site is expected to cover 180,000 acres, about the size of Singapore, and produce 30 gigawatts of electricity per year. The park will be located in the Kutch region of western Gujarat and Read More...
Researchers create first-ever aerial map of Hawaii’s coral reefs
Earlier this month, we wrote a piece about Hawaii’s Hanauma Bay and how its incredible coral reefs are teeming with life thanks to the lockdown. Today, we bring your more good news from Hawaii as a team of scientists have created the first-ever aerial map of the island's precious coral reefs. Read More...
Fossil hunter discovers entirely new species of ‘sea dragons’ in England
An amateur fossil hunter has discovered a new species of ‘sea dragons’ dating from 150 million years ago on the southern coast of England. While it couldn’t fly or breathe fire, the new specimen may have been capable of diving at incredible depths. The well-preserved ichthyosaur fossil was Read More...
A biotech company is using emissions to produce a palm oil substitute
Lipids and omega-3s serve as the foundation for many foods and fuel, but the problem is that they are typically produced in ways that are damaging to the planet. For instance, omega-3 fatty acids are usually sourced from farmed fish, which are commonly fed smaller, wild-caught fish. This is Read More...
This new material could help store renewable energy for months at a time
As renewable energy generation continues to grow at an exponential rate, it is essential that we find technologies that can efficiently store that energy until it’s needed. A new material identified by scientists at Lancaster University could offer exactly that. Known as a metal-organic Read More...
WayFinder helps people with intellectual disabilities navigate independently
Many of us don’t think twice about daily tasks like going grocery shopping or visiting the mall, but for individuals with cognitive disabilities, these outings often require the assistance of a caregiver. A new app, WayFinder, hopes to make daily tasks more approachable for all by unlocking Read More...
Virtual power plants are revolutionizing Australia's energy market
Australia has the most private rooftop solar panels in the world. One in four homes have their own solar panels. While this is fabulous for green energy generation, it also puts the country in another dilemma: how to rebuild an energy grid in which residents are largely generating their own power. Read More...
AI-powered display allows firefighters to see through heavy smoke
For firefighters, one of the scariest aspects of entering a burning building is that it can be nearly impossible to see anything due to the heavy smoke. That’s why firefighters often crawl along the ground where the smoke isn’t as thick—although this hinders the ability to put out a fire or Read More...