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.
Gas pumps are starting to disappear in Norway
Norway’s consumption of gasoline and diesel fuel is starting to decline. The reason? As record numbers of drivers switch to electric vehicles, many gas stations are either closing or changing their pumps to electric charge stations. This comes as no surprise, as Norway possesses the largest Read More...
Renewables surpassed fossil fuels in the UK last quarter for the first time ever
We write about renewable energy milestones from time to time, but this one is rather special: for the first time since the Industrial Revolution, renewable energy sources provided more electricity to UK homes and businesses than fossil fuels over the last quarter. The renewables record was set in Read More...
New law makes it near impossible to drill for oil on public lands in California
California’s ban on the sale of fur (see Monday’s story) wasn’t the only bill to be signed into law on Saturday. As it turns out, California Gov. Gavin Newsom also signed a law designed to counter White House plans to increase oil and gas production on protected land. The measure bars any Read More...
This device uses the dark of night to generate clean energy
The common problem with renewable energies, such as solar power, is that they cannot produce energy all the time. When the sun goes down, the solar panels stop generating energy. Energy-storing batteries are one way to get around the problem, but what if we could also produce energy at night using Read More...
Brussels is encouraging its commuters to hitchhike to work
Being one of the smallest truly global cities in Europe, it’s no surprise that Brussels is also one of the continent’s most congested ones. To help clear up traffic jams and the air pollution linked to it, the local government has recently taken on an ambitious commitment to encourage its Read More...
KLM is attempting to reinvent the airplane. More airlines need to be like KLM
The oldest airline in the world, KLM, turned 100 years old last week. Rather than celebrate its past, however, the Dutch airline doubled-down on its commitment to making the airline industry cleaner and smarter. The airline is already known for using biofuel as a greener alternative to Read More...
Electric buses are driving big changes in the transportation sector
Buses are already a greener way to get around than personal vehicles, but this method of public transportation is preparing for another eco-friendly upgrade in the form of electric power. Growth in the electric bus sector has been huge in China where rates of electric buses increased 78.4 percent Read More...
Apparently painting zebra stripes on cows stops flies from biting them
The conventional way of ridding cows of biting flies is through the use of pesticides, but this is a toxic, expensive option. In Japan, researchers have come up with a strange, yet effective way of repelling flies that doesn’t require any pesticides: painting cows with zebra-styles stripes. Read More...
The case for banning SUVs from urban areas
After an SUV lost control and took the lives of 4 people in Berlin, the streets erupted with protesters who argued SUVs have no place in urban areas. And for good reason: SUVs are a paradox. While many people buy them to feel safer, they are statistically less safe than regular cars, both for Read More...
Meet Holly, the glorious winner of this year’s Fat Bear Week
Last week we couldn’t resist publishing a story on Fat Bear Week: an entire week dedicated to the brown bears of Katmai National Park who have stuffed themselves as much as possible in preparation for the winter hibernation. To celebrate the amazing sight of giant, chubby bears roaming the Read More...