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.
Massachusetts sues 15 companies for contaminating drinking water with PFAs
Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become a widespread health concern. These forever chemicals have been linked to thyroid disease, kidney damage, and certain cancers. They take a very long time to break down in the environment, and many manufacturers knew about the risks but still Read More...
Activision Blizzard workers vote in industry’s first union
Video game makers may create and sell fun-filled entertainment products, but Activision Blizzard has been bogged down in suits and bad press for unfair working conditions. The makers of games like Overwatch and Call of Duty are accused particularly of fostering a “frat boy” culture where sexual Read More...
Genome of ancient Pompeian's sequenced for the first time
Over 2000 years ago, the famous city of Pompeii was buried by ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The layer of ash covering the city has acted as a protective shield against the environment and degradation. The historical site has provided a window into ancient Roman life, yielding insights Read More...
UK bill could fast-track gene-editing and improve food security
As we deduce more about the future with the changing climate, it becomes clear that secure and reliable food production will be a challenge. Gene-edited products could be a big help in making climate-resilient crops and securing our food supply. A bill on genetic technologies before the UK Read More...
Fun ways to counter lionfish invasion
You may have heard about the spread of lionfish throughout the western Atlantic Ocean over the last ten years. They’ve also gotten into the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, and more recently they’ve entered the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal. While these spiny, striped fishes are Read More...
Llamas could be the answer to cell-specific medication in humans
We all know llamas as those funny-looking animals at the petting zoo or from pictures of them grazing on Machu Picchu, but did you know they could also inspire the next generation of medicine in humans. In “proof of concept” experiments, researchers have created tiny proteins derived from llama Read More...
Scientists use CRISPR gene editing to make tomatoes richer in vitamin D
Over the past couple of years, people have become especially interested in CRISPR gene editing and vitamin D. Both are linked to fighting off the infamous Covid-19 virus, but in different ways. CRISPR gene editing offers us avenues and technologies that can help us detect the genetic signature of Read More...
Dance the cough away: how Kyrgyzstan folk dance treats COPD
Chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD) is a very common and also treatable lung disease that can be caused by pollution and smoking. It is preventable, and there are many medications for it, but some medical professionals believe that this doesn’t go far enough to treat the Read More...
San Francisco BART wants to get riders back with short stories
Many of us have whiled away the minutes on a bus or a train with a book. Now the Bay Area Rapid Transit District, the public transportation authority of San Francisco, is looking to attract riders back to public transportation by distributing short stories at select stations. The BART will Read More...
Eating just one daily cup of cranberries could prevent dementia
Currently, there is no cure for dementia, a neurological disease that is predicted to impact around 152 million people by 2050. Research teams around the world are constantly working on ways to ward off the disease and find ways to treat it. The Optimist Daily has reported on many of these efforts, Read More...