Today’s Solutions: January 05, 2025

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.

Offshore wind farm electric boat

These wind-powered offshore chargers could change shipping

Wind energy is a major part of our energy future. As the technology develops it opens up new possibilities in different areas of our economies.  The biggest CO2 emitter for offshore wind farms is the diesel boats that drive out for maintenance on the turbines. Scottish firm Oasis Marine Power Read More...

scientist engineering chemicals in test tubes in lab

This bacteria "eats" carbon emissions and makes useful chemicals

Scientists at LanzaTech in Illinois have engineered some exciting new bacteria that actually transform carbon dioxide into ethanol and isopropanol, compounds used in paint remover and hand sanitizer. Michael Köpke and his colleagues went on a hunt for strains of the ethanol-producing bacterium, Read More...

Carbon Dioxide Molecule

This startup uses electrochemistry to capture carbon

A tricky part of carbon capture technology is the energy required to pull it off. Many critics, while agreeing on the need to pull carbon dioxide out of the air, say that existing technologies might produce more emissions than they remove. Now, startups are getting creative to optimize carbon Read More...

Browser Outside Climate Action

This cheeky browser helps you pursue climate action

As the urgency to take action against climate change becomes more apparent in our day-to-day lives, an increasing number of people — especially younger generations — are experiencing feelings of eco-anxiety. These overwhelming feelings are only exacerbated by recurrent news headlines about Read More...

Seniors exercising aging well

Exercise trains your fat to help you age well

When you exercise, you train your muscles and your cardiovascular system, and even improve your immune system. Did you know that when you regularly exercise you are also training your fat cells?  A recent study from the University of Copenhagen shows that properly trained fat cells actually Read More...

3D Illustration Human Respiratory System Anatomy (Lungs) For Medical Concept.

Is this the end of organ transplant shortages?

According to the HRSA, 17 deaths occur in the US every day due to not receiving an organ before an illness progresses too far. Waiting times are on average three to five years, so it's about time we came up with some alternative solutions. A recent advance that hugely helped this effort was the Read More...

Coffee Caffeine Espresso

How caffeine may reduce your risk of heart attack

You might be enjoying a cup of coffee while you read this. Many of us enjoy the ritual of a morning coffee or tea, a little pick-me-up to clear the fog from our morning brain. Caffeine perks you up, helps your heart, and, sure, gives you the jitters if you have too much, but did you know that it Read More...

New recycled plastics can upgrade roads and held curb plastic waste

This highway was made from recycled diapers

Recycling plastic to create a new purpose for it is nothing new. Here at The Optimist Daily, we’ve previously shared how innovators have reused this material to create blocks for building, a sleek chair, and LEGO bricks. A diaper highway For the first time, the plastic in diapers is being Read More...

Ukraine Support Image

Avoid sharing misinformation about Russia's invasion to support Ukraine

The Optimist Daily is committed to supporting truth in news and solutions-focused journalism for a better world. As we have witnessed for more than a month now, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia comes in the form of not only physical violence but also belligerent media manipulation and Read More...

Lightning over sea, city

This non-profit aims to harness the power of weather events on land and sea

When it comes to hurricanes, wildfires, and other environmental hazards, early alerts are key to minimizing risk to people from these high-powered natural phenomena.  What if there were a system that both warned individuals of weather events like these and then converted their power into usable Read More...