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 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...
Discovery of solar system ‘superhighway’ could speed up space travel
For all our space geeks, we have some fascinating news from the cosmos. Scientists have discovered what is being called a Solar System “superhighway” network of routes that could allow spacecraft to travel much faster during future deep space missions. In essence, this could help humanity Read More...
Solar cell technology nears impressive record efficiency of 30 percent
Our technology for harvesting solar power has just gotten better thanks to scientists in Germany who have achieved a new efficiency record of almost 30 percent. The new achievement comes from researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) who created a new solar cell that combined silicon and Read More...
Toyota to unveil an EV with 10-min fast-charging battery in 2021
The adoption of electric vehicles might get a boost next year as giant automaker Toyota is expected to introduce an electric car with a 310 miles range and a rapid recharge from zero to full in 10 minutes. With range anxiety and recharge time being among the main reasons preventing drivers from Read More...
This two-person solar electric car has a range of 1,000 miles
Personal transportation is about to take a giant leap into the future now that US startup Aptera unveiled a three-wheeled solar electric car with a range of up to 1,000 miles on a full battery. Although the car can be fully charged via a charging cord, it won’t need that when drivers are out on Read More...
These tools are designed to help deliver surplus food to those in need
It’s mind-boggling that while 40 percent of the food supply in the US ends up in the bin, millions of Americans are still food insecure. One of the main reasons behind this problem — which has been exacerbated by the pandemic — is poor logistics. “We probably have two to four times as much Read More...
New York to divest massive pension fund from fossil fuels
Environmental activists won an incredible victory this week after the state of New York announced it will divest its $226 billion pension fund from fossil fuels. New York state has the third-largest pension fund in the US, with more than $12 billion having been invested in fossil fuels. In fact, Read More...
NASA announces 18 astronauts training for Artemis moon landing
NASA’s upcoming Artemis missions will send American astronauts to the moon for the first time since 1969. The men and women that will take part in these historic missions were announced last week at a meeting at the Kennedy Space Center. The team includes nine men and nine women, two of Read More...
Yale study: E-waste in the US on the decline in recent years
In an age when most of us can’t imagine life without technological devices, it comes as a pleasant surprise that a recent Yale study has found that the amount of e-waste generated by Americans has been declining in recent years. Conducted by researchers at the Yale School of the Environment, the Read More...
15-year-old inventor named Time’s ‘Kid of the Year’
For 92 years, Time Magazine has finished the year off by presenting a “Person of the Year” on its front cover. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg graced the magazine’s front cover last year, becoming the youngest ever to do so at the age of 16. This year, Time wanted to recognize “the Read More...