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.
This software allows anyone to monitor deforestation
Satellites are an excellent tool for monitoring forests. Those who work in the areas of forest management, policy development, and environmental conservation are increasingly making use of these eyes in the sky to track logging, deforestation, and other forest disturbance events. However, it takes Read More...
Earth Day is going digital. Here’s how to join in on the action
April 22nd marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, a yearly event where we celebrate and protect the planet through tree plantings, cleanups, and other in-person community gatherings. The 50th anniversary was bound to be a big celebration of all the progress we’ve made on the climate front, but Read More...
Mountain gorilla numbers are on the rise in East Africa
Good news from the WWF! A new survey that took place in the Virunga mountains of East Africa found that mountain gorilla numbers are growing. The critically endangered animals were once expected to be extinct by the end of the twentieth century, but there is hope the population will continue to Read More...
This app is helping local bookstores stay afloat
Last week we shared a story about how Powell’s Books is scraping by and rehiring employees with the support of online book sales. A new app called “Save Your Bookstore” is helping other independent sellers stay in business to make it easier for people to locate and support their local Read More...
Handlers are training dogs to sniff out COVID-19
Dogs have been trained to sniff out malaria, cancer, and Parkinson’s disease. A couple months ago, we shared a story about how dogs are even used to detect parasites in orange trees. Now, handlers hope to train dogs to smell COVID-19. Medical Detection Dogs, a charity based in the UK, is Read More...
Retreating ice in Norway has revealed treasure troves of Viking artifacts
At the Optimist Daily, we’re deeply concerned with global heating and its melting effect on Arctic glaciers. But as a publication that is always willing to see the silver lining in any situation, it’s been fascinating to see what archaeologists discover as the ice retreats. Recently in Read More...
Volunteers are fighting COVID-19 by creating world’s fastest supercomputer
Before new ways to tackle the coronavirus can be developed, scientists must first unravel the complex dynamics of the proteins that make up Sars-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). Doing this requires computers to perform folding calculations, a process that simulates how proteins are folded Read More...
Scientists discover brightest supernova ever recorded
A supernova is the bright and powerful explosion of a star that is at least five times larger than our sun. This week, scientists at the Center for Astrophysics discovered a supernova larger and brighter than any on record. These enormous stars burn large amounts of nuclear energy at their Read More...
Deep sea expedition leads to discovery of 30 new species
The depths of our oceans are some of the world’s most mysterious frontiers. A recent diving expedition off the coast of Western Australia unearthed new information about our deepest waters with the discovery of 30 new species. Researchers from Western Australian Museum, Curtin University, Read More...
A UK charity is rapidly producing computer boards to power ventilators
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to overwhelm the healthcare industry, one of the clearest needs is a more reliable supply of ventilators. To make more of the life-saving devices, manufacturers are turning to new designs that are faster and more affordable to make -- and the super affordable Read More...