Health
Finding good health news amidst a pandemic can be quite daunting. That’s not the case with The Optimist Daily, where positive news is in high supply. Our Health section covers the latest good news from the health sector, featuring solutions ranging from mental and physical health to immunity, nutrition, and cutting edge medical research.
Scientists use AI and smartphones to detect skin cancer highly accurately
The idea of using smartphones to detect potential skin cancers has been around for more than a decade, but until now, the technology hasn’t been advanced enough to challenge the accuracy of a trained dermatologist. Recently, however, researchers at MIT and Harvard developed deep learning Read More...
These chefs are using dumplings to bridge racial divides in the Bay Area
As you may have seen in the news, attacks on Asian Americans are on the rise this year. One particular video from Oakland’s Chinatown drew demands for action after it depicted a 91-year-old man being shoved to the ground in the city. Unfortunately, the perpetrators of the violence captured on Read More...
Cambridge study: Robot dogs, laughter and meditation may relieve loneliness
For many people, one of the most distressing parts of the pandemic has been dealing with the feeling of loneliness associated with social distancing rules. A new study shows that robotic dogs, mindfulness, and laughter therapy may be among the most effective interventions to help people cope. As Read More...
This vegan ice cream gets its creaminess from lab-grown milk proteins
The dairy industry is a major culprit when it comes to global carbon emissions, emitting nearly as much as the shipping and aviation industries combined. Cutting down or eliminating dairy consumption is one way we can personally spur reductions in dairy emissions, but when things such as ice cream Read More...
A strong coffee 30 minutes before exercise can boost the burning of fat
Enjoying a cup of coffee while reading this? If so, you might want to consider exercising 30 minutes from now. In a small study in Spain, researchers found that drinking a strong cup of coffee half an hour before aerobic exercise can significantly boost the body’s rate of burning fat, something Read More...
New York State mandates fertility treatment coverage for same-sex couples
Governor Andrew Cuomo’s 2021 Women’s Agenda has already introduced a host of protections for women and LGBTQ+ New Yorkers such as mandating insurance coverage of in-vitro fertilization services, banning conversion therapy, and stronger protections for marriage quality. Most recently, Cuomo Read More...
New drug shows promise in pancreatic and breast cancer treatment
Researchers studying potential treatments for pancreatic and triple-negative breast cancers have reported that they may be on track to a promising therapy with the development of a new drug called ProAgio. The team from Georgia State University created ProAgio with help from the structure of a Read More...
This little known weed is a powerful source of plant-based omega-3s
Omega-3 fatty acids are an essential fat that the body can’t produce on its own and that we need to survive. They are key for improving cardiovascular health and can help to lower blood pressure. Omega-3s are primarily found in animal-based diets, which helps to explain why a lack of omega-3s Read More...
Meet the Spanish designer who created a cosmetic line out of food waste
A third of the European Union’s horticultural production is estimated to be rejected by supermarkets based on sub-par cosmetic quality, meaning that plenty of perfectly good food is needlessly going to waste. But Spanish designer Júlia Roca Vera has created a sustainable cosmetic line made of Read More...
Bhutan: A case study for pandemic solutions
Countries like New Zealand and Vietnam have been praised for their rapid and comprehensive covid-19 response, but one of the most impressive pandemic successes comes from a small and often under-publicized country: Bhutan. On January 7, 2021, Bhutan reported its first covid-19 death. Not of Read More...