Nature is wonderfully abundant, diverse and mysterious — but biological research today tends to focus on only seven species, including rats, chickens, fruit flies and us. We’re studying an astonishingly narrow sliver of life, says biologist Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado, and hoping it’ll be enough to solve the oldest, most challenging problems in science, like cancer. In this visually captivating talk, Alvarado calls on us to interrogate the unknown and shows us the remarkable discoveries that
To solve old problems, study new species
More of Today's Solutions
A Dutch startup is making concrete that grows its own moss
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Most building materials are designed to resist the elements, to stay sealed and unchanged for as long as ...
Read MoreThe surprising history of pumpkins: from ancient staple to autumn icon
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Pumpkin spice lattes, jack-o’-lanterns, and Thanksgiving pies: pumpkins are the unofficial mascots of fall. But behind their seasonal ...
Read MoreRotterdam becomes home to the world’s largest floating office
While Rotterdam is typically known for hosting Europe’s biggest port, the second largest Dutch city is also famous as a forerunning innovator in climate ...
Read MoreThere are special regions for singing in the brain
Music is a magical thing. There are many proven benefits to the power of music, from its synchronizing power to create bonds with the ...
Read More
