16-year-old codes speech app to help his nonverbal sister communicate
Families of individuals who have conditions that make it difficult or impossible for them to communicate verbally can attest to the fact that going through diagnosis and treatment can be astronomically expensive. So, when the tools and apps that can facilitate communication for those with verbal Read More...
This culinary program equips restaurants to expand plant-based options
The fact that we can no longer ignore the tell-tale signs of climate change (hello, heatwave!) is motivating people to find ways to reduce their own carbon footprint. Animal agriculture is one of the biggest threats to the environment—it kills over 88 billion animals per year and is estimated to Read More...
Why sweet potatoes are an even better snack in your 40s and 50s
No matter your age, you should be fueling your body with healthy staples. However, as you progress in life, your body will go through hormonal shifts like puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. During these times, there are specific foods that will help you get through these hormonal milestones, and Read More...
Magic mushrooms may help repair neural links harmed by depression
We have previously written about the potential medical applications of psilocybin — a naturally occurring compound found in some mushrooms. Last year, for instance, we shared the findings of a Yale study that showed promising results regarding the effect of magic mushrooms on migraines. Also Read More...
July 8, 2021
It's a self-care day on the Update with stories about the world's largest trial of the four-day work week, and how the pandemic changed our sleep habits for the better. Listen to The Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the Read More...
July 8, 2021
It's a self-care day on the Update with stories about the world's largest trial of the four-day work week, and how the pandemic changed our sleep habits for the better. Listen to The Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the Read More...
The Optimist View: The Doughnut Economy
“Don’t wait for economic growth to reduce inequality—because it won’t. Instead, create an economy that is distributive by design.” - Kate Raworth BY Amelia Buckley Years ago, before I decided that my writing skills were far stronger than my calculus abilities, I sat in an Read More...
Aiming for economic growth? Invest in transportation, not tax cuts
Cities are working hard to kickstart a post-pandemic economic recovery, and a big part of this effort is retaining existing businesses and recruiting new ones. Economic development expert David Zipper writes for Bloomberg that while many cities focus on tax breaks to attract new companies, Read More...
Tadpoles bred in Nashville could help save endangered Puerto Rico toad
The Puerto Rican crested toad is the only toad native to Puerto Rico and, in recent years, the endangered species’ population numbers have been decreasing. Currently, there are only an estimated 1,000 to 3,000 amphibians left in the wild in the Guanica State Forest in the southwest part of the Read More...
Why we should hold on to our pandemic sleep habits
According to a study from the University of Colorado, students slept an average of 30 minutes longer each night while attending remote courses, and these increased sleep habits translated over to weekends as well. Students aren’t the only ones sleeping more. Workers who don’t have to get up Read More...