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.
“Living drug factories” produce insulin from inside the body
For type 1 diabetics, regular injections of insulin are an unfortunate reality of life, necessary to keep their blood sugar levels in check in lieu of a healthy pancreas. Scientists at MIT have developed a new type of implantable cell that could handle the heavy lifting by overcoming rejection by Read More...
An astronaut’s guide to surviving isolation
If you’re struggling to remain positive while social distancing, consider watching a space film to put your quarantine in perspective. All jokes aside, many astronauts are used to spending extended periods of time in isolation, sometimes up to a year. A few astronauts have weighed in on Read More...
Self-isolation has been a surprising boost for citizen science
The Rainfall Rescue Project was launched in the UK just last week to help scientists understand past rainfall variations—and a big part of doing that requires digitizing old written records. In what can be considered a little silver lining of the coronavirus pandemic, scientists have been amazed Read More...
10 ways to spot misinformation online
In today's online world, there is a plethora of misinformation around, especially in heightened times of tension. The Optimist Daily is always working hard to ensure that the stories we bring you are verified. Here are 10 ways to spot misinformation online as you browse media sources. Did the post Read More...
Drones to deliver medical supplies and equipment during the COVID-19
A week ago, we wrote about how drones are becoming an essential tool for combating malaria. Now, it appears that the technology holds the promising potential to help in the fight against the COVID-19 too. Zipline, a medical drone delivery company, which is currently helping hospitals in Rwanda Read More...
A newly proven Darwinian evolution theory shines new light on conservation
An anthropology doctoral student at the University of Cambridge has analyzed centuries of naturalist data to prove a longstanding theory from Charles Darwin’s work. The crux of the work is in the relationship between how species evolve into subspecies and whether that presages new species. Read More...
How animals understand and use numerical skills
Animals may have a more complex understanding of our world than we thought. Specifically, they may be able to understand numbers and counting. No, they don’t practice arithmetic, but researchers have found that most animals have what they call “numerical competence.” For example, honeybees Read More...
The critical role of bicycles during the COVID-19 pandemic
As the coronavirus spreads, one of our most powerful tools for self-sufficiency and staying healthy might just be the humble bicycle. In New York, cycling has increased by 52 percent over the city’s bridges since social distancing protocols were put in place and in Chicago, bike share use doubled Read More...
Novel testing device can diagnose coronavirus in as little as 5 minutes
Finding quick ways to diagnose coronavirus is incredibly useful for frontline health workers who have to meet an overwhelming demand to test thousands of people for the virus each day. Now, health care company Abbot Laboratories is unveiling a test for the virus that can tell if someone is Read More...
How and when you should be disinfecting your cell phone
We use our phones for everything from making grocery lists to watching Netflix and counting our daily steps. These devices play a significant role in our day to day lives, but what role do they play in the spread of COVID-19? While it is not clear how long exactly the virus can live on objects like Read More...