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.
An algorithm that screens for heart failure is getting fast-tracked by the FDA
An algorithm has been developed that makes screening for heart failure more accessible—both in traditional clinics and telehealth settings. The algorithm, which was created by digital health company Eko and Mayo Clinic, can use as little as 15 seconds of electrocardiogram (ECG) data to Read More...
Microsoft is backing plans to build a high-speed rail in the Pacific Northwest
Imagine it’s derby day between the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers, with the treasured Cascadia Cup on the line between these two MLS franchises and their passionate fanbases. In years past, the Timbers Army has caravanned up I-5 in a crawl, facing traffic as they leave the Rose City and Read More...
Conservationists are using a cool AI database to protect wildlife
As part of researching wildlife habitats, conservationists use sensor devices called camera traps to identify which species are living in certain areas. Though these cameras can be extremely useful, they take hundreds of thousands of pictures that often don’t actually feature any wildlife. Read More...
Major shipping groups to come together to decarbonize the industry
About 90 percent of world trade is transported by sea, with the global shipping fleet accounting for 2.2 percent of CO2 emissions. A coalition of the world’s biggest shipping groups, representing 90 percent of the industry, has submitted a research fund of $5 billion over 10 years to develop Read More...
Everything you need to know about Saturday’s winter solstice
Saturday is the 21st of December, aka the winter solstice, aka the shortest day of 2019 for everyone living in the Northern Hemisphere. If pagan rituals are your thing, this is probably a big moment for you. If not, the official first day of winter is neat for other reasons, too. For instance, Read More...
This incredible AI-powered leg helps amputees by thinking on its own
Prosthetics have come to life in a variety of ways, with recent evolvements looking more like a sci-fi depiction of the future. And most of this technology is designed to mimic our body and bring back the function that was lost. But what if we went further? What if instead of relying on our body to Read More...
This geothermal-powered community will feature connected public roof gardens
Of all the “sustainable” communities that global cities are planning to build in the coming years, the blueprints for a new net-zero community in Hamburg are particularly striking. One main reason is that the community, which will be built in the formerly industrial borough Harbugh, will be Read More...
Mining is set to become a tiny bit greener with hydrogen-powered haul trucks
Mining companies are responsible for a huge chunk of our carbon emissions. One reason why is that the process requires big trucks to haul those minerals and ore around. With heavy loads and lots of back-and-forth travel, a fleet of these diesel-powered dump trucks are the main source of Read More...
Could green light therapy provide drug-free pain relief for chronic migraines?
Ann Jones used to have as many as two dozen migraines a month. To soothe her pain, the Arizona resident tried everything short of surgery, but nothing seemed to get rid of her chronic migraines. In 2018, her doctor mentioned a study being led by Dr. Mohab Ibrahim at the University of Arizona: Read More...
California reaches 1 million solar panel landmark
Back in 2006, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger set out a plan to ‘terminate’ the use of dirty energy sources powering the state of California. His government proceeded to sign an act to subsidize and expand the installation of solar roof units throughout California. The program allocated around Read More...