After months of research, failures, and reconfigurations, and weeks spent at sea traveling to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and back, The Ocean Cleanup’s device—a 2,000 foot-long floating tube that skims the surface of the water to catch plastic trash—has returned to shore. And with it, Read More...
Finland’s new parliament looks radically different from most governments: it’s dominated by women under 35. The parliament is led by newly elected prime minister Sanna Marin, who, at 34 years old, is the youngest in the world. This may sound radical to Americans, but Finland elected its Read More...
As the micromobility revolution is in full swing, with electric scooters being hailed as efficient alternatives in urban transportation, the concept isn’t without its downsides, one of the major ones being injuries. Luckily, there are now services out there that are putting safety first. Enter Read More...
The animal diversity on planet Earth is truly spectacular. A testament to that comes in the form of a recent discovery by researchers in Africa, who found over 40 previously unknown species of fish--all from one lake. Lake Mweru, located between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, is Read More...
We at the Optimist Daily have long shared our love of mushrooms. They have been used for health purposes for thousands of years, both mentally and physically. Today, we take a look at four varieties of mushrooms which can boost your immune system to keep you healthy this cold and flu Read More...
Each year a third of the food produced - an estimated 1.3 bn tons - is destined for the bin. Particularly, because of their short window of ripeness, supermarket fruits like avocados or bananas are some of the main contributors to this staggering amount of food waste, In an effort to solve this Read More...
Picturesque images of national parks don’t often capture the gridlock that can take over their parking lots and roads during peak seasons. Anyone who has been on a road in Yellowstone during a bear or bison sighting knows how cars can pile up in these beautiful natural spaces. Worry not, if Read More...
Holidays are a popular time for “clear the shelter” events for local animal shelters. Recently, a Minneapolis animal shelter was overjoyed when over 300 residents showed up and waited in line in 30 degree weather to adopt every last one of the shelter’s pets. Dozens of cats, dogs, and Read More...
Daily birth control pills are the world’s most common form of medicinal birth control, but when it comes to remembering to take the pill every day, nearly half of women admit to slipping up. Fortunately, a new birth control solution may soon be available. Researchers at MIT and Brigham and Read More...
“Daily, our eating turns nature into culture, transforming the body of the world into our bodies and minds.” - Michael Pollan What do you picture when you hear the word halophyte? No, it’s not an obscure virus or the name of Elon Musk’s new futuristic car. Halophyte literally means “salt Read More...