This man makes bricks out of chewed-up gum and discarded masks
Have you ever reached in your pocket to find you had forgotten a rock-hard piece of chewed-up gum wrapped in a scrap of paper? This happened to Binish Desai when he was a boy, and that mundane event inspired his childhood dream to build the world’s least expensive houses for the people he saw Read More...
The power of cartography for advocacy in Panama's indigenous communities
26-year-old Carlos Doviaza is a self-taught cartographer, but his maps are making a real impact among indigenous communities in Panama. An indigenous person himself, Doviaza feared that these communities, which make up 12 percent of Panama’s population, would be disproportionately affected by the Read More...
Scientists develop robodogs for the visually impaired
Robot dogs with laser vision may sound like the main characters of a Saturday morning cartoon, but don’t be surprised if you see one out and about in the future. A team of scientists from the University of California, Berkeley, published a study on March 26 that detailed their robodog prototype Read More...
4 Ways to spruce up your houseplants for the new season
Spring has sprung and your closet and bathroom aren’t the only things in need of seasonal cleaning. After a long winter, spring is the perfect time to clean up our houseplants and prep them for the big growing season ahead. Here are four ways to spruce up your houseplants this spring. Read More...
The UK announces program to monitor the world's oceans
The ocean has always been a source of wonder and inspiration. Many have dedicated their entire lives to uncovering the mysteries of the ocean, but there is still so much we don’t know. This past Saturday, the UK announced its mission to fund a worldwide effort to monitor wildlife in the open Read More...
Sponsor-A-Hive program protects bees and promotes food security
Habitat loss and pesticide use are driving factors behind the decline of global bee populations. Creating habitats for bees is a great way to protect bees and boost food security, so The Bee Conservancy is giving out hundreds of free bee homes to groups across the US and Canada in hopes of Read More...
Scientists collect animal DNA from the air in a world’s first
For the first time ever, scientists have demonstrated that animal DNA can be collected from the air — a breakthrough that could revolutionize forensics, conservation, and even epidemiology. Collecting environmental DNA (eDNA) is nothing new in itself. Ecologists have previously collected eDNA Read More...
Study: Read before bed for a better night’s sleep
We’ve shared before how cutting down on screen time before bed helps promote better sleep, but it turns out that filling that time with reading could lead to an even more restful night. A new survey found that those who read before bed have an easier time falling asleep and improved sleep Read More...
April 7, 2021
We're talking food solutions today with the powers of sustainable breadfruit and a partnership in California's Central Valley focused on improving water conservation. Listen to The Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the Read More...
April 7, 2021
We're talking food solutions today with the powers of sustainable breadfruit and a partnership in California's Central Valley focused on improving water conservation. Listen to The Optimist Daily Update with Summers & Kristy - Making Solutions the Read More...