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.
Grand Canyon’s oldest vertebrate tracks discovered in fallen boulder
Nearly six million visitors pass through the Grand Canyon each year, but researchers recently discovered footprints very different from those of the usual hiker. Allan Krill, a visiting professor from Norway, discovered a pair of fossil footprints that date back 313 million years. The Read More...
SeaClear project takes ocean clean-ups to the underwater level
While ocean clean-ups by themselves are not a solution to the pressing environmental crisis of plastic pollution, they are still essential if we are to reduce the problem’s already overwhelming impact on ocean health. But to do that effectively we need to collect not only the garbage that’s Read More...
Scientists create AI tool that detects Alzheimer’s through speech
Detecting Alzheimer’s in its early stages remains quite the mystery for scientists. In an effort to solve this mystery, a team of researchers are utilizing artificial intelligence to look for signs of Alzheimer’s within language. The research, which took place at New Jersey's Stevens Read More...
These "nanotweezers" can pick up an individual molecule
Most likely you’ve used tweezers to take out a tough splinter. Now, engineers are taking the humble tweezer to a whole new level with tweezers so small and precise they can grab individual molecules. It may sound impossible, but the newly developed “nanotweezers”, built by engineers at Read More...
Novel energy-efficient device could convert body heat into electricity
Wouldn’t be great if we could use our body’s heat to charge electronic devices such as fitness gadgets or even phones? Well, thanks to scientists in Russia, we are now closer to turning such an idea into reality. A team of researchers from the National University of Science and Technology in Read More...
This bike for two lets you pedal through the forest on old train tracks
In an effort to breathe new life into some of America’s historic railway lines, Skunk Train is repurposing unused train tracks as adventurous tour routes. But rather than ride the rails via train, passengers can pedal an electric-powered railbike meant for two. One of Skunk Train’s most Read More...
This system uses massive weights to store energy
When you coil a spring, you load it with a bunch of potential energy that gets released when you let go. Using the same basic principle, a Scottish company called Gravitricity is creating an energy storage facility that uses weights instead of springs to store energy. The idea is to hold 500 to Read More...
Scientists develop reusable adhesive material inspired by the feet of flies
From gecko skin to bee slobber, the natural world has been a great source of inspiration for scientists working on advanced adhesive materials. More recently, scientists in Japan have drawn inspiration from the clingy footpads of fruit flies to develop a material that can be attached and detached Read More...
Kite-like device harnesses the wind to generate renewable energy
When you think about wind power, chances are the first thing that comes to mind are the giant wind turbines that are among the key harbingers of the green energy transition. It turns out, however, that there are also other ingenious ways we can harness wind power. A German startup, for instance, Read More...
New lidar technology offers a glimpse into the unexplored depths of our oceans
The oceans make up more than half of our world, yet vast areas of them remain completely unexplored. The sheer depth of many parts of the ocean has kept their composition and species a secret from scientists, but a new method of ocean exploration may soon open these areas up to human Read More...