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.
Scientists use new technique to produce more heat-resistant coral
Rising sea temperatures have created a crisis for coral populations that are experiencing widespread bleaching events. Researchers are being forced to get creative with solutions to save reefs. A team in Australia may have an answer to the crisis with a technique they call “directed Read More...
Newly discovered remains may be earliest evidence of humans in Europe
The oldest evidence of Homo sapiens in Europe previously placed the first humans on the continent between 45,000 to 41,500 years ago. Now, new evidence discovered in a cave in Bulgaria shows that humans may have walked the area as far back as 46,000 years ago. A team of researchers found the Read More...
India witnesses drop in carbon emissions for the first time in four decades
India’s rapid growth as a global economic power over the past decades came in tandem with a sharp, consistent rise in the country’s carbon emissions. Now, for the first time in nearly 40 years, CO2 emissions are falling in India. While the coronavirus lockdown plays a role in the decline of Read More...
Google is using Nest Cams to monitor patients and protect health workers
The more tragic aspect of COVID-19 is that a patient with the virus can not get physical care or comfort—not without endangering those they come in contact with. The fact of the matter is in-person checks on patients is an inherent risk and requires using up valuable protective equipment (not to Read More...
North Dakota’s largest power station is ditching coal for wind energy
Coal energy can’t seem to catch a break these days. In the past month, we’ve shared stories about both Sweden and Austria closing the last of their coal-fired power plants. All the while, the US has seen renewables overtake coal as America’s leading power source for a record-breaking 40 days Read More...
Britain to invest $2.5 billion into cycling and walking after pandemic
The UK is viewing the coronavirus pandemic as an opportunity to reduce crowding on public transport and gridlock on roads. To do this, the UK has announced a £2 billion ($2.5 billion) package to put cycling and walking “at the heart of” Britain’s post-coronavirus transportation Read More...
A look inside the quest for endlessly circular plastics
The Eastman chemical plant in Kingsport, Tennessee, appears to be just another chemical manufacturing facility. Sprawling over 900 acres are hundreds of buildings and countless miles of pipes, conveyors, distillers, cooling towers, valves, pumps, compressors, and controls. It doesn’t exactly look Read More...
Researchers plan to clone antibodies of COVID-19 patients to fight the virus
Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, scientists have been ceaselessly looking for ways to fight back. And while much attention has focused on the development of a vaccine, researchers have also been looking at using antibodies from recovered patients to unlock new treatments for COVID-19. Read More...
New AI algorithm effectively streamlines Alzheimer’s diagnosis
In our Optimist View yesterday, we discussed how one woman can smell out Alzheimer’s even years before diagnosis. Now, thanks to an AI algorithm, there is yet another way to diagnose the disease even earlier. The algorithm uses a combination of factors including magnetic resonance imaging Read More...
Astronomers in Hawaii capture ‘lucky’ infrared image of Jupiter
One of the beautiful things about living in this day and age is the incredible imagery of outer space that technology allows us to capture. Yesterday, astronomers shared a remarkable new image of Jupiter that was captured in infrared by the Gemini North Telescope in Hawaii. The image shows the Read More...