Upcycling plastic from old vehicles into graphene for new ones
Did you know that the amount of plastic used in vehicles has increased by 75 percent in the past six years? This has led to the average SUV containing up to 350 kilograms (771 pounds) of plastic that could sit in a landfill for centuries. Thankfully, researchers from Rice University were inspired Read More...
What’s the secret to a longer life? Optimism of course!
Do you want to live a longer, fuller life? Well, according to this study published earlier this month in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society, you should seriously consider cultivating higher levels of optimism. According to the new study, which involved almost 160,000 women of a range Read More...
Google’s new tool lets us witness the planet changing in near real-time
Planet Earth is changing, transforming, and shifting faster than we can keep track of these days. Human development continues to spread, The Alps are turning from white to green, massive solar farms are being erected, and droughts are shrinking lakes and drying out rivers. All of these major Read More...
Bone loss pills may lower risk of ovarian cancer
A new study found that medication for the prevention of bone loss may help lower women’s risk of developing ovarian cancer. Researchers from the University of Queensland looked at the medical records of 50,000 anonymous Australian women and the medications they were taking. Drawing Read More...
Scientists discover surprising creatures 1,600 feet beneath Antarctica
Scientists seeking to study how the river in the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica has been impacted by climate change were surprised to find a lot more than they bargained for. While on the mission, the team (made out of professors and experts from a range of universities and organizations) found Read More...
Tree cities: regreening and making cities more climate-resilient
We decided to revamp a story about a wonderful solution: tree cities. At The Optimist Daily, as you’ve probably guessed, we love solutions for urban green spaces. We’ve written quite a bit about these, with their ability to offset carbon emissions, help grow food, and help animals and Read More...
Making spongier and more climate-resilient cities
We decided to revamp a story about a wonderful solution, with a few updates. The world’s cities and population centers are overwhelmingly located near water. This makes good sense since water is essential for living, and throughout history, people have built their settlements where water is Read More...
Astronomers discover nearby multi-planet system
Astronomers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have discovered a multi-planet system in our own galactic neighborhood. It is only 10 parsecs, or 33 lightyears, away from our own solar system, making it one of the closest systems to our own. Discoverers dubbed the small and cool Read More...
VR study shows bright colors and green spaces bring joy to cities
We at The Optimist Daily have written a great deal about the positive effects of greenery in cities. They sequester carbon, boost climate resiliency, and they cheer people up. Now, there is research to support greenery, along with bright colors, making cities more enjoyable. A study from the Read More...
A beer a day may improve your gut microbiome, study shows
The health of your gut microbiome has many implications for your physical and mental health, from your risk of stroke to anxiety. That’s why taking care of your gut bacteria, such as increasing its diversity, is key to living a healthy life. Research has shown that eating more fermented foods can Read More...