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.
Roman road in Wales shows farther reach of the ancient empire
We don’t get to venture into the annals of history much at The Optimist Daily. Every once in a while, though, archaeologists discover something truly newsworthy. These include treasures discovered beneath the floors of Notre Dame during its reconstruction, or new burial sites in Egypt upending Read More...
US pushes through solar panel imports while helping boost production
A tariff investigation by the Commerce Department has stalled the expansion of the United States solar industry. This was a look into whether or not Chinese solar manufacturers were improperly funneling parts through other Asian countries. Determined to meet its clean energy and climate goals, Read More...
University of Illinois students build solar charging station for food truck and other EVs
Students at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) have demonstrated once again the ingenuity and motivation of today’s youth to meet the challenges of climate change. The team built a solar-powered charging station so that an on-campus food truck can make emission-free deliveries. The Read More...
This device helps farmers raise happier, healthier cows
Dairy farmers have a regular problem when it comes to testing their cows’ health and the quality of their milk. They have to ship milk samples to labs for each cow and wait on the results. Two MIT alumni aim to help with their new device which gives the same results in 10 minutes. Testing Read More...
Introducing the world’s first ammonia-fueled tractor
Alternative fuel sources are a hot topic these days, with the widespread boycott of Russian oil and gas combined with the dire state of the environment. In terms of reducing the negative impact conventionally powered vehicles have on the planet, there’s been a lot of investment in electric Read More...
This study brings us one step closer to conquering fear
Humans experience many powerful emotions: love, anger, excitement, and fear. The question is why do fearful memories stay with us so strongly when others become increasingly difficult to remember? Collaborating teams of researchers from Tulane University and Tufts University have been Read More...
This simple driving questionnaire could make older adults safer
Sometimes, one of the biggest impediments to driver safety is an assessment of one’s own ability. North Carolina State University has tested its proof-of-concept of a simple questionnaire that predicts which drivers are most at risk of having an accident. “We developed the tool called the Read More...
Doctors transplant 3D-printed ear made from patient’s own cells
A 20-year-old woman born with a small and malformed ear received a new 3D-printed ear made up of her cells. The ear, which was designed to perfectly match her other ear, was successfully transplanted onto her head earlier this year in a clinical trial. The company behind this impressive feat of Read More...
Stressing out crops could be a good thing
Plants have feelings too. Although they are not conscious, plants release hormones in response to stimuli such as mechanical stimuli - like touch, wind, or rain - light, water, gravity, and nutrients. For example, when you run a knife down a rhubarb stalk, thousands of genes are activated, and a Read More...
California is making composting a statewide practice
Composting is an easy and fun way to cut down on our carbon emissions while making our own fertilizer. Despite this, a lot of green waste like vegetable scraps and lawn trimmings wind up in landfills. Here they rot and release methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide. Read More...