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.
6 dirty power plants in New York to transition to cleaner technologies
Power plants that rely on fossil fuels are already bad enough, but what makes these polluting plants even worse is that they are disproportionately located near communities of color. In a study from the University of Washington and Stanford University, researchers found that Black, low-income Read More...
NASA collects samples from a space asteroid for the first time
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft has spent nearly two years in space circling Bennu, a near-Earth asteroid. Now, it has successfully helped NASA gather samples from an asteroid in space for the very first time. In a momentous milestone for space exploration, the spacecraft’s robotic arm was Read More...
Research says seawater air conditioning could cool coastal cities
There’s no better feeling than a cool dip in the ocean on a hot day, but what if this same idea could be used to cool our home and buildings? A new study from the International Institute of Applied System Analysis (IIASA) showed that seawater air conditioning (SWAC) could be a greener alternative Read More...
Study: Getting naked around strangers can improve your body image
The way you see your own body is entirely perceptional. What you see is not necessarily a correct representation of how you actually look, and oftentimes, we disparage our own bodies for things that others do not see or notice. Having a negative body image of yourself can hinder confidence, but Read More...
Deep computer model detects Lyme disease through images of rashes
Each year, there are more than 300,000 new cases of Lyme disease in the United States. Treatments for Lyme disease can be effective, but it depends on how early the disease is detected. To develop a quick, easy way to detect Lyme disease, scientists have developed deep learning models that can Read More...
Successful trial of new drug brings ALS treatment closer to FDA approval
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative neurological condition, but there may soon be another treatment option for the disease as Amylyx Pharmaceuticals finishes successful phase 2 of human trials and moves into phase 3 of a new experimental drug. The new treatment, called Read More...
Scientists use spinach to improve the efficiency of fuel cell technology
Thanks to its nutrient-rich profile, spinach has long been touted as a superfood worthy to be included in any diet. But this leafy green vegetable also has the potential to revolutionize fuel cell technology, according to a recent proof-of-principle experiment conducted by a team of scientists at Read More...
Research says arts and STEM depend on same type of creative thinking
Are you a math person or a writing person? Right-brained or left? New research indicates that the two might be more interconnected than we might have thought. Although we often think of arts and science as opposites, it turns out the same type of creative thinking is critical for both. A new Read More...
This Dutch wind farm will also restore oyster populations
Apart from playing a key role in our clean energy transition, offshore wind farms may also play an essential part in restoring the European flat oyster beds in the North Sea. At least that’s what Dutch maritime contracting company Van Oord plans to do by installing eight reef structures within Read More...
Flying taxis could be the future of air rescue emergency services
The promise of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) was that they would unlock the skies to bring high-speed, traffic-free transportation to the public. But now it seems flying taxis could be a valuable asset for emergency air rescue services. In a recent feasibility study Read More...