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.
SF State leads the way as the first major university to require climate justice course
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM San Francisco State University is setting a historic precedent by becoming the first major public university in the U.S. to require all students to take a climate justice course before graduating. Beginning as early as fall 2026, this initiative ensures that Read More...
How vertical farming transforms urban spaces and breathes new life into empty offices
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In cities across the globe, office vacancies are at an all-time high. In the United States alone, more than 20 percent of office spaces sit empty, a consequence of the shift to remote and hybrid work. While real estate developers scramble to repurpose these Read More...
Why we can sense when someone is staring at us
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEA Have you ever had that prickly sensation on the back of your neck, only to turn around and catch someone staring at you? It’s tempting to attribute this experience to intuition or even extrasensory perception (ESP), but science offers a simpler Read More...
The rise of ethical social media: can open-source alternatives challenge the tech giants?
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM For years, social media has been dominated by a handful of tech giants, each offering a seemingly inescapable ecosystem of content, connection, and controversy. But cracks in the foundation are beginning to show. TikTok faced temporary shutdowns, Meta scaled Read More...
Solar shines brighter than coal in the EU
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM For the first time in history, solar power has overtaken coal in the European Union’s electricity mix. In 2024, solar energy generated 11 percent of the EU’s electricity, while coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel, fell below 10 percent. This milestone, Read More...
Frost-fighting apples: Michigan’s native tree may hold the key to climate resilience
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In the forests of Michigan, a small, bitter apple may hold the secret to protecting one of the world’s most beloved fruits. The Malus coronaria, commonly known as the sweet crabapple, blooms weeks later than popular commercial varieties like Honeycrisp or Read More...
How sheep are powering the solar boom in a win for sustainability and agriculture
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM On a sprawling solar farm in rural Texas, thousands of sheep are hard at work. Beneath rows of glinting panels, the animals nibble through lush pastures, turning vegetation management into an eco-friendly endeavor. At SB Energy’s 4,000-acre solar project in Read More...
Oslo’s quiet revolution: how electric construction sites are changing the game
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Imagine walking past a bustling construction site and hearing… almost nothing. In Oslo, that’s becoming the new normal. The city’s ambitious mandate to eliminate fossil fuels from municipal building projects has ushered in a quieter, cleaner era for Read More...
New York’s climate superfund act: making polluters pay for a warming world
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a move to address the escalating costs of climate change, New York passed the Climate Change Superfund Act, becoming the second state in the nation to hold major fossil fuel companies financially accountable for their contribution to the climate crisis. Read More...
A hidden crisis: what LA residents need to know about water safety after wildfires
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM As Los Angeles begins to heal from the wildfires that have devastated neighborhoods and left thousands displaced, a quieter crisis lingers beneath the surface—ensuring safe drinking water for returning residents. In places like Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Read More...