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.
4 lessons the pandemic has taught us about online learning
As we reflect on the pandemic it’s easy to pick out the overwhelming negatives that we faced. One of these hardships was online schooling where millions took to their computers to learn digitally. Overnight, institutions had to scramble to keep education running, providing not just an online Read More...
Research links breastfeeding and reduced rate of heart disease
Breastfeeding is a beautiful and natural time for bonding between mother and child. It helps the baby by giving it nourishment and stronger immunity from the mother, and it can even help the mom by reducing the risk of postpartum depression, increasing post-pregnancy weight loss, and even reducing Read More...
US cities work together to create network of abortion safe havens
After a draft of a US Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe V. Wade was leaked, people across the country now worry about the future of their ability to access safe abortions. A collective of city and state leaders across the United States are working together to create a facilitative network Read More...
The newest advancement in VR? Simulating sensations in and on your mouth
We have to admit that the combination of pandemic social isolation (read: loneliness) and the continuing advancement of virtual reality (VR) technology makes this news particularly interesting. A new device developed by scientists at Carnegie Mellon University can create sensations on your Read More...
Daily steroid treatment safe and helpful for children with muscular dystrophy
Many of us listen with apprehension when a doctor suggests steroids because they have a bad reputation, and justifiably so. Steroid use can have long-term consequences like stunted growth, reduced bone density, and even compromised glandular function. As patients, we should get all the Read More...
Pee could help feed the world
Humans create a lot of waste. Whether that’s electronic, agricultural, medical, or fuel waste, we have a lot to dispose of. Coming up with creative ideas to use this waste to our advantage could be what saves the Earth and everything that lives on it from the climate crisis. An idea catching Read More...
Ole-Kristian Sivertsen: revitalizing deserts with nano clay
Climate change is drastically changing global weather patterns. Wet places are getting wetter, and dry places are getting drier. The human-caused degradation of dry land known as desertification is growing across farmlands, such as in California. The state is one of the country's largest producers Read More...
Finally, the Webb telescope is ready to start observing the universe
Finally, the James Webb Space Telescope can look at our beautiful universe. The last time we reported on the marvelous machine it had taken its first stunning image of a star and was waiting for its other instruments to cool and align. NASA’s Webb team has now released an update that its huge Read More...
UN experts and analysts plan to reinvigorate the “Great Green Wall”
The African Great Green Wall is a titanic ambition to restore an 8,000 square kilometer expanse across the continent, from Djibouti in the East to Senegal in the West. In the face of increasing desertification from climate change, the initiative aims to restore 100 million hectares (386,000 square Read More...
This newly developed “heat battery” could make millions of homes gas-free
After 12 years of research and development, a team of scientists from the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands believes that their “heat battery” can soon get millions of homes in Europe off of their gas dependency—and considering the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, this Read More...