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This company lets you devote a section of your backyard to honeybees
In 2019, beekeepers in the US have lost 37 percent of their honeybee colonies, a disconcerting phenomenon that’s part of a broader global decline in pollinator populations. One way that people can help restore these populations is by practicing beekeeping. But as enticing as it may sound, Read More...
Dutch brewery produces beer using clean energy generated by iron fuel
As an increasing number of industries are looking to break ties with fossil fuels and transition towards greener fuels to power their industrial processes, a strange candidate has recently gotten under the spotlight: iron. At least that’s what a brewery in the Netherlands recently tried out, by Read More...
Do fireflies glow in space? These 2nd graders launched a rocket to find out
In 2015, a second grade class in Indiana curiously asked whether fireflies would still glow if sent into space. After doing some research, their teacher, Maggie Samudio, figured out that for just half the cost of the school’s football uniforms, they could actually send a rocket to space and find Read More...
Prop 17 restores voting rights for 50,000 paroled citizens in California
50,000 more Californians were welcomed back into the democratic process this election as the state celebrates the passing of Prop 17. The proposition, which passed with support from 59 percent of voters, will allow paroled citizens convicted of felonies to vote. Previously, those convicted of Read More...
Feeling down? Here are 3 science-backed ways to feel better now
When we find ourselves in a bad mood, we can either simmer in those negative feelings or choose to do something about them. The Optimist Daily is a fan of the latter option, which is why we want to share with you a few methods for immediate mood management that scientists have proven to be Read More...
Thankful Thursdays: Who makes you laugh and feel at peace?
Research has shown that gratitude promotes new relationships, improves mental and physical health, and boosts self-esteem. Although many of us think about what we are grateful for around the holidays, all too often we let this practice slip during the rest of the year. This is why The Optimist Read More...
To stop biodiversity loss, we must return half of the planet to nature
This will be a hard pill for nature lovers to swallow, but a recent report from the United Nations revealed that the Earth has lost 68 percent of species since 1970. This a huge problem for both wildlife and humans. Without a diverse range of animals and the lands they inhabit, humanity is poised Read More...
Sarah McBride just became America’s first transgender state senator
History was made on Election Day after voters in Delaware elected the first transgender state senator in American history. On Tuesday, Democrat Sarah McBride defeated Republic Steve Washington to win a seat that became open following the retirement of the longest-serving legislator in Delaware Read More...
This self-watering soil hydrates plants all by itself
Researchers from the University of Texas have designed a self-watering soil that could provide plants with the on-demand hydration they need, even in dry climates. It may sound like something out of a sci-fi novel, the new soil uses moisture-absorbing gels to capture water from the air. This water Read More...
Oregon becomes first state to legalize access to magic mushrooms
Back in July, we informed our readers that Oregon would officially vote on legalizing psychedelic psilocybin therapy. Fast forward to today, and the results of that vote are in: adults in Oregon can now legally access hallucinogenic mushrooms. This is a big deal. The Optimist Daily has long been Read More...