Uncategorized
Why a walk in the woods really does help body and soul
You may have experienced the health benefits of a walk in the forest, or a stroll through the city park. But what are the mechanisms behind this? Well, we know from science that a diverse ecosystem supports a varied and beneficial microbial community living around and inside us. We also know Read More...
Africa is an emerging superpower. Just wait and see
For most Africa is a continent summarized by terms like war, hunger, malaria, tribalism, Ebola and crushing poverty. But that’s only part of the story. Driven by big Chinese investments that are aiming for a replacement of cheap Chinese labor, Africa is destined to become the new world’s Read More...
New balloon device is a promising 'last chance treatment' for heart failure
Treating heart failure is tricky business, especially when the patient is deemed too unwell to have open heart surgery. This was the case for a patient in London, who became the first patient ever to have a balloon device implanted into his heart to close off a leaky heart valve. The balloon Read More...
When employees have unlimited vacation days, the business can thrive even more
Today, we’re in a participation economy, where people are measured and paid for what they produce. Yet, when it comes to time off, we’re still clinging to the vestiges of the industrial economy, where people were paid for the time they spent on the job. So why not allow employees to take time Read More...
The healing power of the brain could complement modern medicine
Scientists have shown that we may not need pain medication after all. Our brains appear to only have a certain capacity for attention. So, basically, if you got something that's commanding your attention, there's less attention left over for experiencing the pain. Here's an interesting conversation Read More...
Microcredit pioneer Muhammad Yunus on how to change the world
At The Optimist, we've always kept a close watch on Muhammad Yunus. We interviewed him in his office in Dhaka, Bangladesh, before the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his groundbreaking work with microcredit pioneer Grameen Bank made him famous. So when Yunus speaks out about the new goals he's Read More...
Kudzu: the Chinese herb that can help you stop drinking so much
Cutting back on alcohol consumption can prove to be difficult when you’re having a night with friends. Many struggle with drinking less, but an ancient Chinese herbal remedy called kudzu may be helpful in reducing the amount you drink without going entirely dry. In a randomized Read More...
Mindfulness therapy may be a powerful tool for curbing obesity rates in children
A new study from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine suggests that mindfulness therapy can help curb obesity rates among children. In the study, the researchers used MRI scans to study three parts of the brain in children that were obese, children that were slightly overweight and children Read More...
Small neighborhood businesses could benefit from relaxed crowdfunding laws
New laws in the US, passed in 2015, mean the same everyday folks who have backed video games and kitchen gadgets on platforms such as Kickstarter will be able to put thousands of dollars into building a shopping center, for example, or developing a trailblazing vehicle. Companies can now raise up Read More...
Ikea believes the way forward is manufacturing less and recycling more
Consumers can play a large role in slowing down climate change by purchasing less unnecessary things, which would cause companies to manufacture less. Although most companies would never want consumers to stop buying their products, Ikea’s sustainability officer Steve Howard sees that as a way to Read More...