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.
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...
This gel film pulls drinking water from the air in even the driest places
Getting water to drought-stricken areas is an increasing concern for scientists. In the future, desalination systems will become simpler and more accessible to get water to those who need it, but another solution could be to just pull water right out of the air. Engineers from the University Read More...
Scientists use diabetes medication to treat heart disease
Our bodies have to regulate many processes daily: temperature, hydration, mineral balance, sugar levels, and many more. When these regulating processes get out of whack, this can lead to diseases and other serious health complications. This is exactly what happens in diabetes, where specialized Read More...
US injects 3.5 billion into carbon removal technologies
The US has ambitious goals to reach and maintain a net-zero economy by 2050. To get the nation closer to this objective, the US Department of Energy (DOE) is accelerating its Carbon Negative Shot initiative to facilitate the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere while also driving down the Read More...
Pennsylvania schools doubled their solar power in the last two years
Renewable energy production is taking off in the Keystone State. A new report from the nonprofit Generation180 reveals that Pennsylvania schools doubled their solar power capacity over the last two years of the Pandemic. This helped not only the planet but also the schools' bottom line and Read More...
Recycled old tires could make roads last twice as long
Prolonged sun exposure is one of the main contributors to asphalt cracking. That’s because the heat from the sun dries up the road’s moisture content, making it brittle and prone to wear. A team of scientists has found that adding rubber from old tires to asphalt can help roads last twice as Read More...
Germany slashes public transportation costs to reduce fossil fuel dependence
In the energy standoff between Europe and Russia, Germany has taken many measures to accelerate the phasing out of oil and gas. It has resolved to make energy cheaper for homes and businesses. It has pushed plans to put solar panels on every public building by 2025. Now, Germany has cut train, Read More...
Dolphins are using coral as a skin treatment
New research suggests that dolphins rub up against coral for more reasons than scratching a hard-to-reach itch. The cetaceans, which are known to rub against the rough surfaces of coral, take naps in coral beds, and enjoy soaking on sponges along the reef may actually be using the coral to treat Read More...
Check out these postage stamps celebrating Mars missions
More countries are operating spacecrafts on and around Mars than ever before! These important missions are revealing interesting secrets about our solar system, climate, and possibly the origins of life. To celebrate this momentous human achievement, the United Nations have honored the Red Read More...