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.
A Massachusetts-based startup has designed a hydrogen-powered flying car
In the past couple months, we’ve written about the exciting development of all-electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircrafts, which are better known as flying cars. The promise of flying cars is that they could make transportation across short distances greener and quicker, all while Read More...
Scientists are developing a super plant that stores massive amounts of carbon
If we want to minimize the effects of global heating, then we need to pull millions of tons of carbon dioxide out of the air. While capture technology is one potential way to suck up carbon, researchers at California’s Salk Institute for Biological Studies are taking a less mechanical approach Read More...
Scientists genetically modify fungus to wipe out malaria-carrying mosquitos
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 435,000 people die of mosquito-transmitted malaria each year, a parasitic disease that is both preventable and treatable. Numerous technologies and products have been developed to kill and halt the spread of mosquitos, including chemical Read More...
British Columbia to rid its roads of polluting cars by 2040
Canada is ramping up its efforts to get more electric vehicles on its roads. British Columbia, the country’s third most populous province, has recently followed through on a plan to ban sales of new gasoline and diesel cars starting in 2040. The legislation, which is known as the Read More...
Doctors used music to prevent neurodevelopmental disorders in premature babies
While advances in neonatal medicine have increased the chance of survival of premature babies, these children still remain at high risk of developing brain development disorders. This is because the vast majority of neural growth for a baby occurs during the last trimester of pregnancy. When this Read More...
Not even a coal-loving leader can stop the rise of renewables in Australia
Although the current Prime Minister of Australia continues to push coal power in the Land Down Under, state leaders have different plans that won’t let Australia continue to spew greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. The states of Queensland and Victoria, for instance, have renewable energy Read More...
This major American utility company is racing towards 100% clean energy
Xcel Energy is one of the biggest utilities in the US, serving 3.6 million customers across eight states. Back in December, the company pledged its commitment to going completely carbon-free by 2050 (and 80 percent carbon-free by 2030). Now, just months after making the pledge, the company Read More...
LEGO now runs only on renewables thanks to wind turbine built with LEGO pieces
Everyone knows that LEGO is all about building things, but it turns out their magic also extends brick by brick to positive systemic change. Recently, the 86 year-old multinational company met its goals of having all its production facilities powered entirely by renewable energy, three years ahead Read More...
Florida just appointed its first chief science officer to tackle climate crisis
The former governor of Florida, Rick Scott, was widely seen as a disaster for the environment, slashing $700m from the water management budget, rolling back crucial water quality safeguards and pursuing pro-industry policies that critics said turned a blind eye to pollution and polluters. On Read More...
Cut your energy bill by planting one of these shade trees in your yard
The free solar energy that hits the Earth each day can keep us warm, light our homes, grow our food, and generate clean renewable electricity, so we often invite it into our lives. But when the weather heats up in the summer, the sun can actually cause us to use more energy, because we then need to Read More...