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.
Helping the environment and fertilizing crops by upcycling pee
Here’s something you probably never thought you’d hear: the price of urine per 25 liters has risen from $1 to $6 since the start of the War in Ukraine. This is because there’s now a shortage of agricultural chemicals, and farmers and providers have turned to human urine as an abundant source Read More...
New electrolyzer improves green hydrogen production
Green hydrogen continues to gain momentum in funding and research. The hydrogen market is projected to grow to $2.5 trillion by 2050. "Green" hydrogen is hydrogen fuel made using energy from zero-carbon renewable sources through a method called electrolysis. As the world seeks to limit its carbon Read More...
Google puts data privacy back into users hands
Due to various political and healthcare data breaches setting off alarm bells, the general public is slowly realizing that their data is at risk of being used against them in potentially harmful ways. At issue as well, "big data" collection is such a new technology that there are few laws in place Read More...
Were tardigrades the first animals in history to survive quantum entanglement?
What is a tardigrade? Many people accept that the toughest animal on earth is the tiny tardigrade. These little critters - also known as “moss piglets” - can endure the most extreme conditions you can think of. From being bathed in boiling water, shot out of a gun, living on the moon, and Read More...
Explorers in China find prehistoric forest hidden in giant sinkhole
At a time when the entire world is concerned with the far-reaching effects of years and years of unchecked deforestation, the astounding discovery of an ancient forest inside an enormous sinkhole in China is welcome news. In May of 2022, cave explorers from the Institute of Karst Geology of the Read More...
New study identifies mosquitoes' favorite colors to feast on
While many of us look forward to the warmth spring brings each year, there’s another aspect of the hotter seasons that is not so exciting—pesky mosquitoes! This is especially true for those individuals out there whom mosquitoes find the tastiest (you know who you are) and always end up with Read More...
Just one brain scan can now diagnose Alzheimer’s
Many advances have been made in diagnosing, understanding, preventing, and treating Alzheimer’s disease over the past 100 years. Some of these include a nasal spray that could help prevent the disease and the discovery that our gut diversity plays a role in the risk of the condition. Doctors Read More...
Hubble takes beautiful image of galaxies "dancing"
The Hubble Space Telescope ventured into space over three decades ago in 1990, and has observed around 50,000 celestial bodies to date. During this time, the incredible machine fundamentally changed our understanding of the universe. Some of these achievements include its recent sighting of the Read More...
Fast-acting enzyme breaks down plastics and changes recycling game
We’ve all wondered when we take out the recycling just how much of it will be recycled, remade, and repurposed into a new product as we hope. Sadly, only 10 percent of plastics globally are successfully recycled, and there’s a lot of work to do to ensure everything we put in the recycling bin Read More...
Okra: the surprising hero in the fight against microplastics
According to new research from scientists at Tarleton State University in Texas, okra — you know, the green, finger-shaped pod that is often added to delicious dishes like gumbo and soup — is a valuable weapon in the fight to get microplastics out of our drinking water. What are Read More...