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.
This simple driving questionnaire could make older adults safer
Sometimes, one of the biggest impediments to driver safety is an assessment of one’s own ability. North Carolina State University has tested its proof-of-concept of a simple questionnaire that predicts which drivers are most at risk of having an accident. “We developed the tool called the Read More...
Hugs, the natural stress-reliever
From lowering blood pressure to improving immunity, the health benefits of hugging have long been documented by researchers. Now, a team of scientists in Germany has found that a hug before a stressful event, such as a big presentation or an exam, can help calm your nerves. There’s one caveat, Read More...
3 speedy and surprising solutions to lower your anxiety
Sometimes, anxiety creeps up on us and we can’t pinpoint the reasons behind it. Feelings of anxiety can be evoked by our nervous system picking up on various signals that we’re exposed to throughout the day, that we aren’t aware of until the build-up becomes too much. Here are three Read More...
Doctors transplant 3D-printed ear made from patient’s own cells
A 20-year-old woman born with a small and malformed ear received a new 3D-printed ear made up of her cells. The ear, which was designed to perfectly match her other ear, was successfully transplanted onto her head earlier this year in a clinical trial. The company behind this impressive feat of Read More...
California is making composting a statewide practice
Composting is an easy and fun way to cut down on our carbon emissions while making our own fertilizer. Despite this, a lot of green waste like vegetable scraps and lawn trimmings wind up in landfills. Here they rot and release methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide. Read More...
How fish evolved to generate electricity, and how it can save lives
You’ve heard of electric eels shocking their prey, but did you know they also use their electricity to communicate and recognize other fish? Eels aren’t the only electric fish in the sea. There are several other species of electric fish, and biologists have often wondered about this Read More...
Fair scheduling practices boost retail sales and employee well-being
Retail stores are notorious for unpredictable work schedules. Employees are often called in last-minute or sent home well before the end of their scheduled shift. They’ll work late one day and then open the store the next day, a practice known as “clopening.” This intense variation in work Read More...
The VEST “hackathon”: designing safety vests for everyone
Despite its importance, a lot of construction wear isn’t made for comfort, especially if you don’t have a “default male body”. With a wide range of body types in the construction industry and its growing diversity, construction wear seems to operate on a one-size-fits-all standard, even Read More...
California doubles down as a sanctuary state for abortion rights
It remains a strong possibility that Roe V. Wade will be overturned, and sanctuary states and cities are preparing themselves for an influx of women seeking abortions. California, perhaps, is the foremost among them. The California State Legislature is considering a package of 13 bills aiming Read More...
Team sports reduce children's risk of mental health problems
Participating in sports from a young age is essential for developing teamwork and motor skills, improving self-esteem, and reinforcing healthy habits. New research from California State University, Fullerton brought this further, explaining how different types of sports can impact youth mental Read More...