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.
Check out the most-detailed images ever made of the sun's surface
Is it melted caramel, or maybe some popcorn kernels? Actually it's neither-- the picture above shows the molten layer that covers the sun’s surface. This impressive new picture taken by the new Daniel K. Inouye telescope in Hawaii shows us the highest resolution images ever taken of the sun’s Read More...
How improv classes can serve as natural remedy for anxiety
Feeling anxious? Taking improv classes might just be a fantastic natural remedy for your worrying ways. In a pilot study in the Journal of Mental Health, scientists in 2017 discovered that improv exercises may provide a “strong and efficient treatment for patients with anxiety and depression.” Read More...
New discovery could lead to huge drop in solar power costs
A new breakthrough from scientists at Washington State University could soon cause the price of solar power to plunge well below the US Department of Energy’s 2030 cost targets for renewable energy way ahead of schedule. What the scientists have discovered is a new way to produce cadmium Read More...
Yale scientists discover potential off-switch for type-2 diabetes
At Yale University, scientists have been studying how fasting can drive the onset of type-2 diabetes. From this research, the scientists have unearthed a novel way of intervening and switching off the process that leads to type-2 diabetes. The research is described in a pair of studies published by Read More...
Renewable hydrogen is getting set to oust natural gas
An economy powered by hydrogen may seem like a distant dream, but the US Department of Energy is pouring millions of dollars into research and development to make it happen soon. The latest developments have all been about leveraging wind and solar energy to bring the cost of renewable hydrogen Read More...
New Red Sea bacteria could be the key to developing saltwater toilets
Freshwater is a scarce and valuable natural resource. Humans couldn’t survive without it, so why do we waste precious freshwater to flush our toilets? Researchers from Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) are trying to solve this water-wasting dilemma with the Read More...
This harvester can pull record amounts of water out of thin air
Today we bring you a story from Johns Hopkins University where scientists have discovered materials that can collect huge amounts of water from the surrounding air. If this narrative sounds familiar, that’s because we’ve written about other companies and scientists that have created Read More...
3 effective and often-overlooked tips to reduce your home’s energy use
There’s no shortage of earnest advice about all of the ways you can reduce your energy use at home. Beyond the obvious stuff like setting your thermostat wisely, many of the tips, tricks, and optimizations take a lot of effort for a small payoff. From Liam McCabe at the New York Times, the Read More...
Planning a ski trip? Consider one of these eco-friendly resorts
For those of you who love the thrill of hitting the chilly slopes, skiing is one of winter’s most exciting prospects. Unfortunately, climate change is taking a toll on winter snow levels and, with high energy consumption, transportation emissions, and bulky equipment, the sport itself takes a Read More...
Descendants of an extinct species of Galápagos tortoise have just been found
Conservationists on the Galápagos Islands have discovered 30 giant tortoises partially descended from two extinct species, including that of the Lonesome George. If you can’t recall, Lonesome George was a famous giant tortoise that was over 100 years old and was the last of the Chelonoidis Read More...