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.
This invention extends strawberry shelf life
About a third of our food goes to waste — that’s problematic not only because those bites could instead go toward feeding people in need but also because food waste is responsible for about 8 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. A lot of that food ends up as waste because we fail to Read More...
This swimming robot shows how bacteria move
We all know it takes some practice learning to swim in the ocean with waves and riptides pulling at us. With some practice and experience, though, it becomes a fun, even fulfilling pastime. Now, imagine how hard it would be if the ocean were tar instead of water. This is essentially what it is Read More...
"Dramatic" success in clinical trials of novel asthma treatment
According to the AAFA, around 25 million people in the U.S. have asthma, about one in every 13 people. This long-term disease causes swelling and inflammation of the airways, resulting in restriction and discomfort when breathing or even death in some severe cases. Currently, there is no cure for Read More...
“Blue Corridors”: using science and animal instinct to save fish populations
We’ve all marveled at the intrepid salmon swimming against the current, up waterfalls, and avoiding predators to return to its native spawning grounds, or at least we’ve all seen it on a nature show. This behavior is called philopatry, an animal’s tendency to return to its area of birth, and Read More...
Study reveals how our minds hold information
Memory is a funny thing. We’ve all walked into a room, only to forget the reason we entered or lost an item we are sure we saw on the side cabinet. As we age, this typically gets worse, with our working memories declining and everyday tasks becoming more difficult to perform. The anterior Read More...
MIT system uses machine-learning to reduce traffic and car emissions
As if idling in a line of cars at a red light forever wasn’t bothersome enough, vehicles emit greenhouse gasses while they’re stopped in traffic. Not only that, exposure to excess vehicle emissions while idling in traffic can be a major health risk. What if drivers could time their trips Read More...
How scientists are bringing human eye cells back from the dead
Scientists from Switzerland and the US were able to achieve something miraculous—some might even say Biblical: bringing dead human cells back to life! The team published a study that opens by defining death as the irreversible cessation of circulatory, respiratory, or brain activity. The paper Read More...
New Zealand passes landmark climate legislation, helping switch to EVs
New Zealand has one of the highest per capita carbon emissions rates in the world, but it still has a strong reputation for environmentally responsible behavior. In the spirit of the latter, it plans to help with the former and has just passed landmark legislation that may set a standard for other Read More...
Hawaii-based startup unveils world’s first ocean carbon-removing machine
Cutting greenhouse gas emissions at the source should be the main goal when tackling climate change, but the most recent IPCC report also recommends carbon capture and storage technologies as key parts of the effort to limit global warming to 1.5°C. The startup Heimdal is well aware of the need Read More...
This robot chef can perfectly season your food
Robots are commonly being recruited to solve many problems for humans in society. One of their incredible uses is in food preparation, with some being able to cook and plate up entire meals. An issue that still needs to be tackled in this area is their ability to adapt to seasoning. The texture Read More...