Today’s Solutions: January 11, 2025

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.

Preschool children playing on floor with educational toys.

This smart jumpsuit tracks infant brain development

The human brain doubles in size in the first year of a person's life. This time is vital to building a foundation for future learning, health, and development and is where many underlying neurological conditions will reveal themselves. Recognizing and treating these conditions as early as possible Read More...

Robo-fish

Robot fish repairs itself with microplastics it collects

Microplastics are one of the most pervasive environmental and health issues of our time. And environmental engineers and researchers are working nonstop to address this, with enzymes, superworms, okra, and more.  Now, scientists from Sichuan University have developed and programmed a tiny robot Read More...

Green spaces

Get healthy, go to a green space

We decided to revamp a couple of stories on the benefits of green spaces, for which there is an ever-growing body of evidence.  NPR’s Aaron Scott recently spoke with environmental psychologist Ming Kuo on green spaces and why we all seem to feel better walking down a city street lined with Read More...

Walking

Some people have improved cognition while on a walk

While the large majority of us work sitting at a desk, we’ve all had those flashes of insight or a string of new ideas while running or on a walk. It’s probably too much to ask that people do their jobs running on a treadmill, but new research shows some have improved cognition while Read More...

Toy house in a palm of a man's hand against a blurred forest background.

5 lesser-known innovations for a more sustainable home

One of the big questions for environmentally-minded homeowners is how to make their homes more sustainable and energy-efficient. There are some more obvious switches one can invest in, like installing small wind energy systems or household hydropower systems, however, there are also many Read More...

Encouraging kids to eat their

Encouraging kids to eat their veggies with 3D-printed food

Despite vegetables' vital nutritional values, it’s a global phenomenon that they don’t go down with kids that smoothly. There are various physiological and physical tactics people use to help children overcome this negative association, such as hiding them in sauces or setting good examples Read More...

Statue of Liberty aerial view with Jersey City in the background.

New York Harbor: an unexpectedly popular feeding ground for dolphins

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) released a new study that reveals some surprising news about the New York Harbor—it’s an unexpectedly popular feeding ground for bottlenose dolphins from spring through fall. At a glance, the New York Harbor seems anything but ideal for dolphins. Read More...

Old viking boat and white chapel in shipyard in Marienhamn on Aland islands.

Unique Viking shipyard gives new insights into their way of life

Past civilizations are fascinating, knowing how our ancient ancestors lived, what innovations they developed and how history played out to lead to us reading this article is mind-blowing. The Vikings are one of these past influential societies that were around in the Middle Ages and were known for Read More...

Seattle

Seattle installs EV chargers on utility poles for residents

Electric vehicles are the transportation of the future. In the meantime, cities are struggling to install the infrastructure that we will all need to charge our cars. This is an important issue for EV owners away from a home or office charging port, or if they live in an apartment complex. If Read More...

3d rendered medically accurate illustration of a cancer cell

New photoimmunotherapy lights up and wipes out cancer cells

The future is looking light and bright in the world of cancer research! A team of European engineers, physicists, neurosurgeons, biologists, and immunologists from the UK, Poland, and Sweden have worked together to develop a potentially revolutionary cancer treatment. The treatment involves Read More...