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.
How dialysis centers could help promote vaccine equity
Although many states have now expanded vaccine access to include nearly all demographics, there is still valid concern over how to get shots to marginalized populations, which are vulnerable to Covid-19 but don’t have ready access to vaccination services. One proposed solution for improving Read More...
These simple stickers can make fruit last longer
More than 50 percent of fresh fruit and vegetables in the US end up getting tossed. In many cases, this is due to the short shelf life of produce. We’ve previously shared the story of Santa Barbara-based startup Apeel, whose mission to reduce food waste involves an ingenious bio-coating that Read More...
Bird-friendly coffee is the next trend for caffeine-loving conservationists
In many cultures around the world, coffee is a daily staple, a social gathering point, and a workday necessity, but when it comes to sustainability, not all coffee is created equal. Now, those who want to sip on coffee with a clear conscience can look for “bird-friendly” or "shade grown" labels Read More...
Scientists use durian waste to make antibacterial hydrogel bandages
While it’s rather uncommon to come across tropical fruits like durian at your local grocery store, these unusual fruits are quite popular in Singapore, where scientists have recently figured out a way to turn discarded durian husks into sustainable and affordable antibacterial hydrogel Read More...
These melatonin-rich foods do more than just promote healthy sleep
Many people use melatonin-rich foods or supplements to get better sleep or regulate their sleep cycle. Although this sleep hormone does signal to our body that it’s time to wind down, it also has other critical functions in our bodies. For example, it serves as a mitochondrial antioxidant that Read More...
High school student develops infection-detecting suture thread
In low and middle-income countries, 11 percent of surgical wounds develop an infection. The problem is particularly severe among women in some African nations where 20 percent of those who deliver via cesarean section experience infection at surgical sites. Realizing the scope of this problem, Read More...
Immunotherapy toothpaste could reduce peanut allergy severity
New nut allergy drugs and exposure therapies have made allergy diagnosis and treatment easier. Now, there’s even a toothpaste entering phase 1 trials that easily delivers immunotherapy for peanut allergies. Created by New York-based startup Intrommune Therapeutics, the therapeutic toothpaste Read More...
Researchers learn how to maximize the benefits of purple corn
Purple tortilla chips add a fun pop of color to your appetizers or finger food spreads, but the benefits of purple corn go far beyond just aesthetics. Purple corn contains a healthy pigment that, when ingested, can help reduce the risk of developing heart disease or diabetes. This pigment is Read More...
The Optimist View: Trauma and healing in the first responder community
“Trauma creates change you don’t choose. Healing is about creating change you do choose.” –Michelle Rosenthal By Amelia Buckley and Kristy Jansen As we move in to a second spring colored by coronavirus, we all feel the toll. For those of us who have been working from home and living Read More...
Novel mRNA technology could yield an effective malaria vaccine
This past weekend we shared an Optimist View highlighting the positive innovations that have come from the pandemic. Among these is the development of mRNA vaccines which are expected to revolutionize immunization. mRNA technology is already being experimented with to create an HIV vaccine and now, Read More...