Today’s Solutions: November 01, 2024

Technology

There has been no era like ours for the rapid development of technology. Stay updated on the hottest trends and advancements from all over the world.

The first fully autonomous biohybrid fish from human stem-cell derived cardiac muscle cells.

Scientists grow an artificial fish from human heart cells

From this headline you probably have a lot of questions, so let us explain. This seemingly crazy science experiment was carried out by a collaboration between Harvard University and Emory University, with the end goal of growing an artificial heart that pumps on its own. "Our ultimate goal is to Read More...

Pile of used, discarded batteries

This is how old batteries could help plants grow

Properly recycling our used batteries is key to preventing toxic waste from polluting the environment. With that said, recycling rates in Australia are quite discouraging, with about 97 percent of alkaline batteries ending up in landfills. A company called Envirostream wants to change that by Read More...

A user colors a digital mandala using a stylus on the main display. An EEG headset monitors brain signals and a peripheral display, in the form of an artists' palette, generates new colors based on the EEG data.

Understanding the brain through mindful mandala coloring

Mandala coloring is a centuries-old tradition. Coloring in these beautiful geometric configurations has been used by many as a technique for mindfulness, focusing your concentration on a certain task to improve overall mental health and wellbeing. Researchers, from the University of Lancaster, Read More...

High angle view of metallic vats in brewery for precision fermentation.

Precision fermentation: The food evolution to watch

Providing our readers with planet-saving tips and products is something we're passionate about at The Optimist Daily. With climate change lingering over humanity's head, people want to make changes in their everyday lives to slow this process as much as possible. This was apparent by the boost in Read More...

Ke Wu, a PhD student in BU’s department of mechanical engineering, demonstrates a new magnetic metamaterial device intended to be used in conjunction with MRI machines to boost the quality of brain scans.

Eccentric helmet may be the future of brain scans

We love reporting the latest cutting-edge medical inventions here at The Optimist Daily. In the past few months, we’ve written about an antibiotic-resistant sensor that drastically reduces diagnosis time and a magnetic device for better prosthetic limb control. This time we want to tell you about Read More...

Chicago Microgrid

The Bronzeville microgrid: One part of a bigger, safer future

Unpredictable and impactful weather events like wildfires, snowstorms, and tornadoes present a particular problem for large areas with large unifying power grids. In one wild day, a whole city’s power and essential services can be shut off. It’s for this reason that researchers and utilities Read More...

Two starfish on sea beach at sunset.

How starfish skeletons inspired ceramic engineers

Some species of starfish fortify themselves using a porous skeleton that is both lightweight and extremely sturdy. This provides the marine species with a safe protective home, while still permitting a degree of flexibility to their body and arms. Taking inspiration from mother nature Ceramic Read More...

Michel Roccati, patient who recieved spinal implant and who is able to walk with frame.

Man with severed spine walks again thanks to new implant

In 2020, scientists created a device that gives paralyzed people the ability to speak via brain signals. This time, they’ve one-upped themselves, creating technology that has allowed a man with a completely severed spinal cord to walk and swim again! This breakthrough study, published in Read More...

Three young people on their phones while waiting for the metro

How to do a digital detox while still carrying a smartphone

Like it or not, “interacting with the world around us” often requires a digital interface, which makes doing a digital detox pretty difficult — this is especially true during a pandemic. But that doesn’t mean you can’t disconnect from the digital world. It is possible to continue using Read More...

A sample of the new 2D polymer material 2DPA-1, as well as some of its potential applications

Scientists create ultra-thin material that’s two times stronger than steel

Polymers, such as plastics, are made up of chains of units called monomers. Although these chains are one-dimensional, they can be shaped into three-dimensional objects through manufacturing methods like injection molding. With that said, polymer scientists have long tried to grow polymers into Read More...