Science
From mathematics and AI to medicine and psychology, The Optimist Daily features the latest news on discoveries, technological advances, and breakthroughs in the world of science. Our Science section is here to engage and enlighten you.
Save the spirit guardians: Hawaiian crows get a fresh start on Maui
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM For the first time in decades, five Hawaiian crows, or 'alalā, are soaring freely on the lush slopes of Maui's Haleakalā volcano. These birds are the most endangered crows on Earth, with only 110 of them left in existence. Extinct in the wild since 2002, Read More...
AI to the rescue: how technology slashes stillbirths and saves lives in Malawi
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM When Ellen Kaphamtengo, 18, experienced intense stomach pain late in her pregnancy, she trusted her intuition. With her mother's help, she boarded a motorcycle taxi and traveled to the Area 25 Health Centre in Malawi's capital, Lilongwe. It was a false Read More...
Science backs up how small acts of kindness can create global change
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a society fraught with political divisions, global crises, and seemingly insurmountable obstacles, it's easy to believe that individual efforts are insignificant. However, research increasingly shows that tiny acts of compassion and connection can have Read More...
Pakistan's surge in solar may be a promising solution to blackouts
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Pakistan has quietly emerged as an unexpected global leader in solar energy adoption. By 2024, the country is forecast to add an amazing 17 gigawatts (GW) of solar power, accounting for more than a third of its production capacity. This quick rise has Read More...
TikTok's ban on beauty filters for teens is a step toward safer social media
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In an era where social media often sets the tone for beauty standards, TikTok’s decision to restrict beauty filters for under-18s signals a significant shift. Teenagers will soon be unable to use filters that artificially enlarge eyes, plump lips, or smooth Read More...
HPV vaccination shows promise in reducing cervical cancer deaths among young women
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Cervical cancer fatalities among young women in the United States have dropped dramatically, marking a significant public health breakthrough. A new study, published in JAMA on the 27th of November, found that mortality rates for women under the age of 25 Read More...
Canadian project addresses global insect crisis
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Insects, the often-overlooked building blocks of our ecosystems, are disappearing at an alarming rate. "Of all the mass extinctions we have experienced in the past, the one affecting insects is happening a thousand times faster," cautions Maxim Larrivée, Read More...
How Minnesota’s Sherco Solar is leading a clean energy revolution
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The biggest coal plant in Minnesota is going through a major makeover. The Sherburne County Generating Station, known as Sherco, is transitioning from a coal-fired legacy to a renewable energy hub. Sherco Solar, owned by Xcel Energy and currently in the Read More...
Investigating when our bodies change the fastest and why it matters
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Aging might seem like a slow, steady march, but science suggests otherwise. If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought, "When did I get older overnight?", there’s a good chance you weren’t imagining it. Researchers have found that human aging Read More...
Stronger concrete, cleaner landfills—how scrap carpet fibers are reinventing construction
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Concrete is the foundation of modern civilization, but its notorious tendency to crack isn’t just a construction headache—it’s a multi-billion-dollar problem. In Australia alone, repairing cracks in reinforced concrete structures costs a staggering $8 Read More...