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.
The UAE is stepping away from oil after opening world’s largest solar project
In one fell swoop, the United Arab Emirates has reduced its dependence on oil after opening the largest individual solar power project in the world. Before the UAE brought its massive solar farm online recently, the US held the record for the biggest facility, a solar farm that could generate Read More...
The Governator is acting as a pro-gas salesman to convince people to go electric
“I’ll be back”… “Get to the choppa!”… “Hasta la vista, baby.” Action star and former governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger got famous by delivering some of the best one-liners in movie history. Now Arnold is back in a new role, one that is not as malicious as the Read More...
Scientists build mind-controlled robotic arm that works without a brain implant
Robotic arms and other robotic instruments may sound like a futuristic development, but they have been around for years, helping out surgeons and engineers alike. Less common, though, are prosthetic, robotic arms that allow people who have lost a limb to regain freedom of movement. Recently, Read More...
Scientists find Achilles’ heel of malaria-transmitting mosquitos
Nearly half the world's population lives in areas vulnerable to malaria which kills roughly 450,000 people every year. And while it's tempting to spray heavily for the mosquitoes that spread the disease, the suckers have developed resistance to conventional insecticides – also believed to be Read More...
New evidence suggests link between advancement of Parkinson’s and gut health
For several decades, there has been a debate on whether there is a strong link between the advancement of Parkinson’s disease and certain toxic proteins found in the gut. New compelling evidence from a study led by scientists at Hopkins University has demonstrated that this may actually be the Read More...
For the first time ever, renewables generated more power than coal in America
If you’re looking for some solid evidence to back the potential that renewables have to replace fossil fuels, consider this: For the first time in industrialized American history, green energy sources supplied more energy than coal. The feat was achieved in the month of April, when clean Read More...
Apparently, honey can serve as a sensitive indicator of air quality
While honey is perfect for making anything a little bit sweeter, that’s not the only thing honey is good for. According to a recent study, honey can serve as a sensitive pollution detector. As it turns out, bees pick up on trace amounts of metals as they forage for pollen, which settles on Read More...
Scientists have discovered a way to harness the heat from subway tunnels
If you’ve ever walked over a grating in the city that sits above a metro line, you’ve probably felt a warm gust of air. That’s because subway tunnels are full of trains, electronics and people packed in like sardines, which turns them into pretty hot places. In theory, all that heat could Read More...
In Minnesota, solar farms are commonly surrounded by bee-friendly flowers
Solar farms? Good. Solar farms surrounded by prairie grasses and budding flowers? Excellent. In Minnesota, it’s becoming common for large solar energy sites to have pollinator-friendly plantings around them. Not only do they provide habitat for the bee and butterfly populations people have been Read More...
There’s a total solar eclipse happening next week
If you missed the total solar eclipse that bisected the continental United States in 2017, you have another shot to see this amazing phenomenon on July 2. All you have to do is travel to Chile or Argentina to see it. Once every 18 months or so, the moon aligns completely with the surface of the Read More...