How seaweed forests can be a massive tool against climate collapse
The Optimist Daily has long been a proponent of seaweed as a food source to help feed the world’s growing population, and because of its tremendous health benefits. It also has the potential to serve as a powerful tool to fight against climate collapse. A recent study documents for the first Read More...
Spiny sea friends help treat Hawaii’s smothered coral reefs
For tourists, sea urchins may be an unwanted addition to a Hawaiian vacation, but these spiky little creatures are a welcomed habitat dweller for the islands’ coral reefs. The sea urchins, which are native to Hawaii’s waters, eat invasive smothering algae which threaten the health of the reef Read More...
Some compasses will soon point to true north - for the first time in 360 years
We all know the four directions on a compass: North, South, East, and West. However, when delving deeper into Earth’s rotation, we find there are actually two versions of North: magnetic North and true North. True north is a familiar friend we see on maps and longitude lines, but magnetic North, Read More...
Sage and respected: Positive words linked to positive outcomes as we grow older
Aging is often associated with unpleasant side effects: achy joints, forgetfulness, limited mobility. But one technique that has proven to make a difference and improve the lived experience of growing older is “positivity”. Psychologist Becca Levy studies the correlation between attitudes Read More...
How AI can help save our favorite fruit
Although we consume about 100 billion bananas each year, the future of the world’s most popular fruit is threatened by a number of diseases that are silently destroying crops around the world. For that reason, researchers have been working on a tool that allows farmers to detect diseases early Read More...
Revving a noisy engine could soon get you in trouble in Paris
Parisians with powerful cars might want to think carefully before showing off their rides. Parts of the city (most recently the suburb of Villeneuve-le-Roi) are testing a "noise radar" system from Bruitparif that can pinpoint loud vehicles and, eventually, ticket them. The system uses four Read More...
What this inmate’s journey to a tech career can teach businesses
At the end of 2017, Emile DeWeaver was 20 years into a life sentence in San Quentin for murdering a man when he was 19. Right now, he’s sitting at a desk in San Francisco in the offices of Pilot, a startup that manages bookkeeping for businesses, working as a product specialist and communicating Read More...
Why conservationists are giving these rare bats a manicure
Conservation technology has come a long way in recent decades. Scientists can now track birds’ migratory patterns via satellite and try to bring species back from the brink of extinction through advanced fertility technology. But there is still room for more low-tech approaches. Sometimes all you Read More...
A huge study just found optimism can help you lead a longer, healthier life
We’re not alone in believing in the power of optimism. In a comprehensive new study, scientists found that individuals with greater optimism are more likely to live longer and to achieve “exceptional longevity”—that is, living to age 85 or older. By optimism, the scientists are referring to Read More...
It could soon be possible for your damaged tooth to repair itself
Enamel may be the hardest tissue in the body, but once it’s damaged, it cannot self-repair. The good news is scientists have discovered a method by which its complex structure can be reproduced, essentially allowing the enamel to grow back. In studies thus far, the repaired enamel has been found Read More...