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.
Agrivoltaics: The mission to combine agriculture with solar farming
Are fields of open, often fertile land better used for producing renewable energy or food? The United States already hosts more than 2 million solar installations, and photovoltaic capacity is projected to more than double over the next five years. Meanwhile, our growing global population means Read More...
Craving a new workout? These studios are offering free online classes
Earlier this week we shared a story about the benefits of light to moderate exercise if you are feeling healthy, to boost wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak. If you’re looking for new and fun ways to stay active while practicing social distancing, look no further, we have a list of resources Read More...
The southern jet stream is moving back to normal thanks to global efforts
Have you ever heard of the southern jet stream? It’s a powerful wind that shapes weather patterns and ocean currents in the southern hemisphere, particularly in the summer. Up until about 2000, it had been shifting from its usual course and moving southwards towards the Antarctic at a rate of one Read More...
Global wind energy capacity hits all time high; it grew by a fifth last year
The past year was a good one for renewables as the world’s wind power capacity grew by almost a fifth in 2019, boosted by a boom of wind farms in China and the US. The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) found that wind power capacity grew by 60.4 gigawatts, or 19 percent, compared with 2018, in Read More...
The UK’s parliament pension fund is dumping fossil fuel investments
Good news from the clean energy front in the UK: The Parliament’s pension fund, which takes care of the pensions for members of parliament (MP), has made record investments in renewable energy and cut its exposure to fossil fuel companies. A new report from the £700m pension fund showed that Read More...
NASA’s “Perseverance” rover will still launch on time this summer
The new Mars rover, scheduled to launch in July, is most appropriately named “Perseverance.” Despite budget complications and the global COVID-19 pandemic, NASA is confident that the six-wheeled rover will still take off this summer. According to division director Lori Glaze, the rover is Read More...
Children’s book authors are hosting virtual live readings for kids
Last week we shared a story about how artists are hosting virtual concerts via Instagram to keep self-distancing fans entertained. Now, online platforms are hosting something more entertaining for a younger generation: children’s book authors performing live readings for elementary school Read More...
London gives streetlamps double-duty by turning them into EV charging points
As an increasing number of people are opting for electric vehicles in search of cleaning their environmental footprint, cities are facing the challenge of finding ways to install charging infrastructure on their streets without having to severely disrupt current urban layouts. In London, however, Read More...
This company is using drones to help fight malaria
Technology is a critical tool in modern medicine. In parts of Africa, drones are becoming a vital resource for combating malaria. A “crowd-droning” platform called Globhe is providing critical information for public health agencies on population statistics and potential mosquito breeding Read More...
Why cutting fares can make public transport safer right now
The coronavirus’s spread has placed American transit agencies in a bind. Ridership has nosedived — as much as 70% on the Bay Area’s BART system — bringing a corresponding drop in revenue collected from fares. With millions of Americans working from home and sheltering in place, health Read More...