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.
New prosthetic gives amputees real-time mind control of robotic hand
Machine learning algorithms and new techniques in biomedical engineering are leading to the creation of robotic hands that amputees can use to regain the functions of a real hand. Recently, researchers at the University of Michigan tapped faint, latent signals from arm nerves and amplified them Read More...
Fruit waste shows great potential as energy-storage technology
Biowaste has been used for energy production for some time already (see this story about using coffee grounds in your tank!), but tapping into its potential for energy storage is quite a recent phenomenon. Particularly, two unusual tropical fruits have been standing out as attractive candidates to Read More...
This bio-film could revolutionize immunization campaigns around the globe
While vaccination rates across the world have been on the rise over the past decade, they are still low — 13.5 million children were not vaccinated in 2018. One of the main challenges posed by global immunization campaigns is keeping the vaccines refrigerated during transportation, which is Read More...
Big companies are using tech tools to improve employee sleep habits
We at the Optimist Daily are big advocates of the power of sleep. These days, it also seems more big companies are hopping on board and promoting better sleep habits to boost productivity and beat burnout. And they’re turning to technology to help them do so. The athletic company, New Balance, Read More...
Researchers in Michigan are using lasers to better detect concussions
The process of detecting a concussion feels more like a field sobriety check rather than a proper medical exam. What day is it? Where are you? Who is the president? Can you count backward from 100 by sevens? These are the type of questions that are supposed to determine whether you have a Read More...
Taco Bell launches new 50 item “Veggie Mode” menu
Taco Bell has always been a fan of plant-based classics. It featured a vegetarian menu long before alternative meats hit the fast-food market. Now, the chain is expanding its meat-free options with its new "Veggie Mode," a 50-item, all-vegetarian menu. The menu will be available at all Taco Read More...
Danone’s organic dairy to become carbon-positive by 2025
While dairy products are a good source of energy and protein, they also bear a heavy environmental footprint because of the impact of growing cattle feed and because of cows’ methane emissions. But in an effort to take some of this burden away from the environment, Danone’s Horizon Organic Read More...
IKEA to launch its vegan meatballs in Europe starting this summer
IKEA’s new plant-based meatballs are heading to Europe this summer as part of the furniture giant’s greater plan to counter its climate impact. The so-called “plant ball” has a carbon footprint that’s 96 percent smaller than its iconic pork-and-beef meatballs, of which it has sold more Read More...
Saffron extract could help improve your sleep quality
If you’re having trouble getting a good night’s sleep and want to avoid relying on sleep-aid drugs, a new study suggests that you may be able to stave off insomnia with a natural supplement, in the form of saffron extract. Coming from researchers in Australia, the new research involved Read More...
Flashfood app benefits stores, customers, and the environment
Canadian grocery stores have evolved past pink-tagged discount shelves and have come up with a higher-tech discounted food program that benefits shoppers, stores, and the environment. The Flashfood app allows participating grocery stores to list foods that are up to two weeks from expiring at a Read More...