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.
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...
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...