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.
A new tool for bear conservation in Canada: facial recognition
When it comes to conservation, tracking specific animals usually involves collars or tags, but when software developers Ed Miller and Mary Nguyen saw the fast growth of AI for human facial recognition, they thought, “why can’t this be used for conservation efforts too?” This idea, combined Read More...
This recycling breakthrough brings EV batteries closer to circularity
In a recent Optimist View, we discussed how battery recycling must become an integral part of the electric vehicle transition. Most lithium batteries rely on heavy metal extraction which takes its own toll on the environment. Lithium iron phosphate batteries are cheaper to produce and have a longer Read More...
Clean energy revolution: Philippines to stop building new coal power plants
Currently, coal is the dominant source of energy in the Philippines, with more than 41 percent of the country’s economy relying on dirty fossil fuel. That may soon change though, as the Filipino government recently announced that it will no longer accept proposals to build new coal power plants, Read More...
New ‘right to repair’ law makes important car data accessible to drivers
As much as a driver might want to fix a broken part in their car, oftentimes it is not possible because auto manufacturers withhold information about their vehicles. That means the automakers themselves hold a monopoly on repairs and can charge exorbitant prices for them while taking power away Read More...
Laser tech could help prevent wildfires by controlling lightning strikes
While fascinating to the eye, dry lightning strikes are actually an ominous phenomenon, especially during wildfire seasons. In the past year alone, the blazes of several large bushfires in Australia and the western US are thought to have been sparked by lightning strikes. A team of international Read More...
Battery efficiency solution: Just add a dash of potassium salt
Lithium-metal batteries are lighter and have a higher energy storage capability than their lithium-ion counterparts, but their use has been restricted due to safety concerns. The inclusion of an electrode made of lithium makes the batteries more prone to short-circuiting. That problem, however, may Read More...
San Francisco becomes latest city to ditch gas in new buildings
We recently discussed how Ojai, California is banning gas in new construction. Now, a much bigger city is tossing their hat in the gas-free ring. San Francisco’s board of supervisors unanimously voted this week to ban gas in new buildings, making it the second-largest city in the country to do so Read More...
New footage shows how remoras hitchhike on the back of a blue whale
Ever heard of the remora? It’s a suckerfish famous for hitchhiking on the backs of larger marine animals for food and shelter. The remora has a funky appearance compared to other fish, which largely comes down to the fact that it has a flattened head covered in ridges. Beneath that Read More...
UK: New HIV diagnoses in gay and bisexual men hits 20-year-low
A new report from Public Health England (PHE) revealed that new diagnoses of HIV amongst gay and bisexual men (GBM) have dropped to its lowest point in 20 years within the UK. The report shows that there were 1,700 new HIV diagnoses in GBM back in the year 2000. In 2019, the number of new HIV Read More...
Scientists develop 3D-printing method to replace damaged knee cartilage
Out of all the parts of the human body, the knee is perhaps the most infamous for its susceptibility to wear and tear. Surgeries to remove some of the damaged meniscus—the rubbery cartilage in the knee— is not uncommon amongst older adults, but the good news is that there’s a promising Read More...