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.
Wastewater plants use a whole lot of energy. This could make them carbon-neutral
Coastal wastewater treatment plants may be a nasty but necessary way to handle the effluent from our cities, but a new study by Stanford University indicates that they could also double as power plants to make them energy independent and carbon neutral. By mixing freshwater from the plants with Read More...
Massachusetts wants to fight traffic congestion with a tax credit
Massachusetts is said to have some of the worst vehicular traffic on Earth, with many workers commuting at least 90 minutes one way to work. The state wants to fix this badly, which is why they are getting set to offer what is likely the first of its kind in the nation: a tax credit for employers Read More...
Japanese scientists develop concept tire that generates electricity as it rolls
Imagine you could recapture some of the energy lost through your tires whenever you drive, with that energy being reused to power your car. Well, that could soon become reality as Japanese scientists have come up with a tire design that would leverage friction down below to produce electricity for Read More...
Berkeley becomes the first city in America to ban natural gas in new buildings
For decades, natural gas was considered among the preferred energy sources for buildings and embraced as a bridge from dirtier fossil fuels to a green energy future. Now it seems that the transition period is coming to a close after the city of Berkeley passed a landmark ordinance that will ban Read More...
These 50 photos brilliantly captured humanity’s deep space fantasies
They say all of us humans are essentially made up of stardust. Perhaps that explains why us Earthlings are so fascinated by space travel. Its traces can be found in all areas of culture, from urban design and art to music and movies. In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, Read More...
How a bra-maker wound up designing the Apollo spacesuits
If there’s anything to take away from Space Week, it’s an appreciation for the dizzying complexity that comes with sending humans into outer space. Exact precision must be taken every step of the way, from the endless calculations that are needed to design flight trajectory to the spacesuits Read More...
20 everyday inventions that wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for space travel
For those who might think space travel is an unnecessary expense, you might want to reconsider. The fact of the matter is that many of the tools and appliances we use on a daily basis are the result of new technologies developed for the purpose of space travel. Take camera phones, for example. In Read More...
Scientists have managed to efficiently separate salt from water using sunlight
As competition for freshwater resources intensifies across the world, the prospect of using technology to tackle the problem is a tempting solution. Still, water desalination is one potential solution to the need for alternative sources of freshwater, current procedures are tremendously expensive Read More...
How food-spattered plastic waste could soon heat homes in the UK
When plastic waste is spattered with scraps of food, recycling it becomes impossible. But that could soon change after a group of scientists in the UK have discovered a way to use dirty plastic waste to produce hydrogen, which can heat homes and fuel cars without producing greenhouse gas emissions. Read More...
Researchers say they have found a way to make parts of Mars habitable once more
If you’re like most of us here at the Optimist Daily, then you probably think it’s wiser to spend money creating solutions down here on Earth rather than dedicating billions towards attempting to inhabit Mars. But before we can even think about settling on the big red planet, the question is: Read More...