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.
We’ve never been closer to sustainable desalination technology
When Cape Town came dangerously close to becoming the world’s first major city to run out of water, it was a wake-up call to all water-pressed cities around the world, such as Mexico City, Say Paulo, and Cairo. As the world’s population grows and climate change pushes temperatures up, water is Read More...
Waze believes it can get more people to start carpooling again
Back in the late 1970s, 20 percent of American commuters carpooled. At the moment, that number stands closer to 7 percent. This is problematic considering that carpooling is a good way for us to cut down on the individual emissions that come with traveling. Uber and Lyft have both tried to bring Read More...
Researchers say 3D printed hair farms could be the solution to balding
While hair loss is generally not something to worry about, don't tell that to people who are balding. One major solution to balding has been hair transplantation surgery. And while over the last decades the procedure has become increasingly sophisticated, it still fundamentally relies on hair Read More...
Automobile lovers are making electric cars using classic automobiles in Japan
How do you make electric cars more attractive? For some automobile lovers in Japan, the answer is turning retro cars into beautiful eco-friendly electric vehicles. One such example is the e-bug, an electric car based on the old version of the iconic Beetle, which was produced for more than half a Read More...
How hemp crops can help save pollinators during the summer months
For honeybees, the months between July and September aren’t the finest months for collecting pollen in America—which is problematic considering these are the months that honeybees are supposed to thrive. The reason behind this is that there’s a lack of farm crops during that time that Read More...
Researchers have finally found a greener way to produce graphene
We’ve written about graphene before and for good reason: it is extremely strong, ultra-thin, and has an excellent electrical and thermal conductivity that opens up all kinds of possibilities. The only problem is that producing it is resource-intensive and expensive. But that’s all set to change Read More...
Scientists in New Zealand are using ‘eavesdropping’ technology to protect birds
This week we’re giving extra attention to birds, bees and all the pollinators that keep our ecosystems in order. For today’s edition, let’s have a word about the Hihi bird—a rare species of bird that was recently reintroduced to a nature reserve in New Zealand after being regionally extinct Read More...
Scientists discover supposedly extinct species living in the forest of Honduras
Just because a species is labeled as extinct does not necessarily mean that they’re gone from this Earth forever. Deep in the Mosquitia rainforest of Honduras, researchers recently rediscovered a species thought to be extinct at the ruins of a recently discovered ancient settlement known as the Read More...
Robot ‘duck’ helps farmers in Japan keep rice fields clear of weeds
For centuries, rice farmers in Asia have been using birds as a natural solution to weeds and pests on their rice fields. While paddling around in flooded paddy fields, ducks tear up weeds and snack on insects, with their manure even acting as additional fertilizer. In the 21st century, this Read More...
CBD could potentially be used as an antibiotic against drug-resistant bacteria
For as long as modern medicine has treated infections with antibiotics, it has been entangled in an arms race against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. And as scientists look for ways to stem the tide of global health problem, the authors of a new study have discovered a potential new weapon against Read More...