Today’s Solutions: September 22, 2024

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.

Rattlesnake

How to keep your garden snake-free

We decided to dust off this older story which offers some great solutions.  In many parts of the world, the summer is also snake season, and now is the time to be wary. There are plenty of different kinds of snakes. Some are harmless and actually help out their hosts by providing free pest Read More...

Pineapple leaves

3 amazing environmentally friendly leather alternatives

The global demand for leather takes a lot of cattle which are cruelly treated and contribute a great deal of greenhouse gasses. Not only that but the processes of tanning and crusting leather actually produce carcinogenic chemical runoff of dangerous heavy metals like chromium. These get into the Read More...

4 things that keep Canadian tr

4 things that keep Canadian traffic fatalities lower than the US

While traffic-related fatalities increased in the United States by 19 percent between 2010 and 2020, Canadian rates declined by about the same amount in that time. Many consider Canada culturally very similar to the US, but when it comes to traffic safety, they have more European attitudes. Here Read More...

Doctor examined the patient's ear with otoscope.

Diagnosing hearing loss with a simple speech test

According to the World Health Organization, more than 1.5 billion people live with some degree of hearing loss. Currently, to test the severity of an individual's hearing defect, lengthy examinations are carried out or sometimes not at all. Research conducted by the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Read More...

A snowy winter day in the old historic harbor of Berlin, Germany

Germany gets ahead of winter with its huge heating tower

Germany has set to work on an enormous thermos to help heat its citizen’s homes this winter while stepping away from its reliance on Russia’s fossil fuel industry.  Germany’s huge heat tower The thermos tower, which stands at almost 150 feet and can store an astounding 15 million gallons Read More...

An octupus in an aquarium.

Octopus and human brains have incredible similarities

Octopuses’ are some of the intelligent animals inhabiting our diverse planet. Their extensive neurological system is made up of 500 million neurons, similar to that of a dog. But unlike a dog where most of these neurons are located in their brain, over two-thirds of octopuses' can be found in Read More...

Chickens

AI could identify chickens in distress and improve conditions

We’ve already written before about AI’s potential to improve pigs’ lives by listening to them. Now, scientists have found they can use AI on another barnyard favorite: chickens.  Artificial intelligence can help the happiness and well-being of chickens by listening to them and determining Read More...

A group of antibiotic pill capsules fallling. Healthcare and medical 3D illustration background.

An "exercise pill" could be in our reach

Exercise is necessary for maintaining physical and mental health, and improving our quality and length of life. But for people who find it difficult to exercise due to age, medical conditions, and time, these benefits cannot be reaped. But what if we could get some of the advantages of exercise, Read More...

Street thermometer on the LED sign of a pharmacy showing a temperature of 50 degrees Celsius (122ºF)

Seville becomes first city to name and classify heatwaves

When a tropical storm or hurricane gets bestowed a name, people know to take weather warnings seriously and to prepare their households accordingly. Now, the southern Spanish city of Seville is taking the same approach to heatwaves, becoming the first in the world to name and classify these Read More...

Young plant in soil on dark background

Artificial photosynthesis helps plants grow with no sunlight required

Plants use a special natural process called photosynthesis to grow, mature, flower, and produce fruit. Photosynthesis is the way in which plants absorb energy from sunlight and use it to make their own food out of carbon dioxide and water.  For years, scientists have been investigating this Read More...