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 global renewable energy sector employed 11 million people in 2018
As the world prepares to hop onto the clean energy wagon, the renewables job market is set for a boom in the coming future. Just in 2018, 11 million people around the world were employed by the renewable energy sector - an increase of 700,000 jobs from 2017, growing nearly seven percent in just one Read More...
Scientists are turning cotton waste into plastic that actually biodegrades
When a cotton gin is used to separate cotton fibers from their seeds, a lot of lint is produced as a waste product. In fact, approximately 32 million tons of cotton lint is produced annually, with about a third of that simply being burnt or put in landfills. Thanks to recent research out of Read More...
Scientists convert type A blood to ‘universal’ with the help of gut bacteria
Everyone inherits a certain blood type – A, B, AB, or O – which also determines the type of blood you can receive via transfusion. Inject a recipient with an incompatible type, and the reaction can be fatal. The difference between the various blood types centers on the sugar molecules, or blood Read More...
Scientists have developed a ‘virtual biopsy’ that detects skin tumors painlessly
Doctors typically perform a biopsy on a patient in order to diagnose or identify a cancerous tumor, which usually involves using a scalpel to remove a piece of a patient’s skin or tissue. As you might suspect, this can be an uncomfortable, invasive, and time-consuming procedure. With that in Read More...
This automaker is repurposing old EV batteries for solar power in Puerto Rico
Rivian is known for pushing the boundaries of battery tech. Not only is the startup working on the first all-electric pickup for the US market, but it's also planning "Rivian-to-Rivian" charging, which will allow its vehicles to charge each other, and it designed a camp stove add-on that takes Read More...
Britain just committed to net zero emissions by 2050
The United Kingdom has just become the first major economy in the world to commit to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Although the UK already had a 2050 target to reduce emissions by 80%, which was agreed upon by MPs under the Climate Change Act in 2008, that target is now amended to the Read More...
IKEA is on a quest to bring energy to people with no access to power
In the world of positive news, IKEA’s name pops up quite often. Just last week, we wrote about a new line of IKEA homeware that is being made using waste straw from rice farmers in India who typically burn it, which contributes heavily to air pollution. And the week before, we ran a little story Read More...
Renewables can officially generate more power than coal in America
The clean energy revolution is on the verge of a tipping point. That’s the verdict at least after a new report found that the renewable energy sector had slightly more installed capacity than coal in April. That means US power plants can produce more energy from clean sources than coal for the Read More...
Scientists use light to produce eco-friendly plastics and fuels
In a stunning breakthrough for the environment, scientists have figured out a way to convert CO2 into a variety of plastics and fuels, paving the way for low-cost carbon sequestration and eco-friendly manufacturing for chemicals. The research team managed to successfully develop ‘living Read More...
The airline industry could be in trouble once self-driving cars go mainstream
Imagine someone who lives in Atlanta and needs to travel to Washington, DC, for business. This is about a 10-hour drive. A flight takes about two hours, assuming no delays. Add to that the drive to the airport, checking in, the security line and waiting at the gate. Upon arrival in D.C., it may Read More...