Scientists created a textile that makes viruses slide right off the fabric
Masks and gowns are crucial to protect health workers from the spread of viruses, but they only do so much. Germs can still latch onto the material that protective equipment is made of, and diseases can spread when people touch the masks or touch their gowns. What if, like water sliding off a Read More...
Forget dressers, IKEA wants you to build a bee house
The task of building IKEA furniture has been challenging newlyweds and college students for years. In 2020, the company started offering a new challenge to customers: building bee habitats. IKEA’s research and design lab, SPACE10, has partnered with European design studio Bakken & Bæck, Read More...
A previously extinct bird species has re-evolved itself back from the dead
A once-extinct species of bird has re-evolved back into existence and returned to the island it once colonized thousands of years ago. The Aldabra white-throated rail was reportedly wiped out around 136,000 years ago when the island it called home submerged under the ocean due to rising sea Read More...
A rare Pygmy hippo birth has taken place at the San Diego Zoo
Pygmy hippos are an endangered species native to the rivers and streams of West African forests. Less than 2,500 pygmy hippos live in the wild in Africa, but fortunately, a number of zoos around the world are caring for and breeding these curious creatures. Recently, the San Diego Zoo saw its Read More...
This viral COVID-19 bedtime story inspires children and parents alike
How do you explain a pandemic to young children? COVID-19 has not only thrown all facets of regular life into a free fall, but it can be especially difficult to even explain to children given its unprecedented nature. How do you tell a child what the future holds when adults aren’t even Read More...
The tire of the future: New recyclable rubber material repairs itself
Needless to say, getting a flat tire is a huge pain in the neck. And we can’t even fix the problem. All we can do is temporarily patch the rupture and then throw the non-recyclable tire away. But imagine a scenario where you get one, but instead of swapping it out for a new one, you just smear on Read More...
How to foster constructive debates within your work team
Working in a diverse workforce where different perspectives come together means learning to navigate conflict constructively. Debates at work can lead to new ideas, but if leaders don’t show receptiveness to different opinions, it will only undermine the whole purpose of having a diverse team. Read More...
Novel surroundings and fresh experiences can make you happier
New experiences and places to discover may be in short supply these days, as people haven’t been able to travel and move around too much due to coronavirus restrictions. Yet, in a study that reveals a connection between our daily experiences and our sense of well-being, researchers suggest that Read More...
Tokyo Fire Department welcomes all-electric ambulance
Tokyo Metropolitan Government's "Zero Emission Tokyo" initiative is making emissions reductions across all sectors, including health care. The Ikebukuro branch of the Tokyo Fire Department has welcomed its first all-electric ambulance. The new van, created in a partnership with Nissan based off Read More...
May 19, 2020
The Optimist Daily Update with Summers McKay & Kristy Jansen - Your weekday commute update from The Optimist Daily featuring our top 5 positive news solutions from independent, reader-funded, journalists. Listen in to start your day with a positive solutions mindset and share with someone else who Read More...