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.
How tiger sharks help researchers map the world’s largest seagrass system
Tiger sharks have a symbiotic connection with seagrass habitats, acting as the apex predator to prevent overgrazing by other species while patrolling the underwater meadows for food. Using cameras affixed to their backs, scientists investigating these species have used their free-roaming Read More...
Are egg whites the missing ingredient for cheap effective water filtration?
As microplastic contamination and the lack of drinkable water worsen, finding efficient technologies to filter and desalinate seawater becomes increasingly vital. A novel airgel, fabricated from egg whites, shows great promise. An egg-citing concept Professor Craig Arnold of Princeton University Read More...
France mandates that all large parking lots be outfitted with solar panels
Last week, the French Senate passed legislation mandating the installation of solar panels on all new and current parking lots with room for at least 80 vehicles— an enormous boost for solar power. Doubling solar and wind energy The new provisions are part of French President Emmanuel Macron's Read More...
Could wind turbines capture CO2 while generating clean energy?
Wind turbines have long been one of the primary sources of clean energy. While they have not been without controversy over the years, they are widely acknowledged as a planet- and people-friendly answer to climate change when compared to other green energy sources. Soon, they may be able to Read More...
Study reveals bumblebees play with toys for fun, too
According to a new study, bumblebees don't just work hard—they like to play too. Scientists observed that the little insects enjoy rolling small wooden balls for no apparent reason other than for pleasure. "As humans, we might believe that we are the smartest and perhaps the only creatures Read More...
Tiny “endo-microscope” helps surgeons discover cancer cells quickly
In order to treat breast cancer more quickly, researchers have developed a little microscope that can be maneuvered into tight places inside the body during surgery. The endo-microscope Imperial College London researchers have created an endo-microscope that is less than 1mm in diameter - around Read More...
The RobotFalcon, an innovative solution to bird and aircraft collisions
One of the unfortunate side effects of air travel is increasing collisions between birds and aircraft. These incidents, which are known as bird strikes, kill thousands of birds each year and can also cause damage to aircraft, cause flight delays, and even cancellations. This costs the Read More...
Meet Dr. Wade: writer of thousands of Wikipedia pages for women scientists
Though the world has made some strides in gender equality, there is certainly still room for improvement, especially in the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (or STEM for short). Unfortunately, women continue to be underrepresented in most STEM fields. For example, Read More...
New radioactive implant attacks cancer tumors with remarkable success
Engineers at Duke University created a promising novel cancer treatment delivery system and demonstrated its efficacy against one of the disease's most complex forms. The scientists demonstrated how a radioactive implant could completely eliminate tumors in the majority of rodents in newly Read More...
Scientists improve cervical cancer prediction with new test
Great news! A more accurate test for cell changes that can lead to cervical cancer has just been developed by scientists. The groundbreaking test can also detect DNA markers for some other common cancers, implying that it could be used as a predictive test for breast, womb, cervical, and ovarian Read More...