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.
Why do we find puppies so gosh dang cute?
With those big eyes and perfect little paws, dogs hold a special place in our hearts. Our strong bond with these furry creatures started around 40,000 years ago in hunter-gatherer societies. New research from Duquesne University has explored exactly how and why we’ve chosen to transform ferocious Read More...
Want to slow climate change? Consider making your home all electric
Despite the alarming reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, experts still think that if we pull together and act quickly to use energy more efficiently, slow deforestation, and make a rapid shift to renewables, we can still cut global greenhouse gas emissions in half by Read More...
Carbon-cutting, high-speed train could run from So-Cal to Vegas
Understandably, there’s a particularly high commuter rate going from Southern California to Las Vegas. While people come from all over the world to party in Las Vegas, those coming from So-Cal have regular flights and even create notable traffic jams on their way, creating an unnecessary amount Read More...
This atlas maps out the area of the brain associated with substance disorders
As we have reiterated many times at The Optimist Daily, the brain is an extremely complex organ shrouded in mystery. Incredible and interesting breakthroughs are always being made on this front, including how our brains interpret smell, how they communicate with our organs, and the regions involved Read More...
A new way to prepare eggs as an antiviral
Preventative medicine is the low-cost, common-sense way of avoiding big and often expensive acute medical incidents. We don’t smoke so we don’t get cancer. We eat healthily and drink coffee in moderation to avoid bad cholesterol. Now, we could reduce the spread of viruses with simple household Read More...
ReTreePC: Reinvigorating the community and the canopy in Panama City
At The Optimist Daily, as you’ve probably guessed, we love solutions for urban green spaces. We’ve written quite a bit about these, with their ability to offset carbon emissions, help grow food, and help animals and humans cohabitate. We can’t get enough of it! Another aspect of urban green Read More...
Mice aboard the ISS show why astronauts get kidney stones
Humans are terrestrial creatures. We adapted and evolved to the environments of Earth, and, needless to say, things can get complicated for us when we venture beyond our atmosphere. In addition to the myriad other concerns astronauts have, they also have a high chance of developing kidney stones Read More...
Wireless video could make intubation safer
Intubation is a drastic yet necessary procedure that medical professionals perform to open patients’ airways. While it can be a real lifesaver, intubation is difficult to perform, and sometimes the tube can be placed incorrectly. A specialized, 3D-printed device with a small wireless camera Read More...
Food forests and regenerative agriculture
Feeding an urban population in ever-growing cities around the world is a big challenge. The growth of these concrete jungles can lead to food deserts: areas of urban land that have insufficient access to grocery stores. Supermarkets in some urban areas can’t meet the needs of a growing Read More...
What this zebrafish gene reveals about autism in humans
The human brain is enormously complex, no one can deny that, but some parts of our brains are similar to those of some simpler animals. Think of it this way: a motorcycle may not have a car’s rear differential, air conditioning, or safety features, but they do both have an engine. Some of the Read More...