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.
AI traffic lights could make traffic flow way more efficient
We’ve all been there—running late and trapped behind a red light, even though there’s little to no traffic flowing on the other side. This is made even more frustrating if it happens to be one of those traffic lights in your town or city that, for some reason, always remains red for what Read More...
Cargo e-bikes are here to make parcel delivery more efficient
The final step in parcel delivery is called the “last mile”. It is essentially the stage of a product’s journey from a warehouse, into a truck, and finally to the buyer’s doorstep. While key to customer satisfaction, this final step is also overwhelmingly inefficient. This is because Read More...
Industry is finally taking PFAS destruction technologies seriously
What are PFAS? Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used chemicals that break down very slowly over time thanks to the extreme strength of the carbon-fluoride bond. Due to their long lasting nature, they are used in clothing, furniture, heat-resistant non-stick cooking surfaces, Read More...
3D graphene hugely increases hydrogen storage capabilities
Graphene is a material that many of us come across in our day to day lives. From water filtration systems to mobile touch screens, clever material has revolutionized many aspects of the modern world. It is made up of a single layer of carbon atoms, therefore it is referred to it as a Read More...
High-schooler presents first student-written bill for UK climate education
Youth climate activist Scarlett Westbrook decided that she was fed up with the lack of formal education UK students receive on the devastating climate crisis. At one point during a geography exam, she was even asked to list the benefits of climate change — and while this was disappointing, she Read More...
Doctors in Nepal trial potentially revolutionary leprosy treatment
High up in the mountain ranges of Nepal, a bit south of Kathmandu, doctors at the Anandaban leprosy hospital are trialing a new treatment for skin wounds that could be revolutionary for millions of patients around the world. The study, which is led by the University of Birmingham and funded by Read More...
Recruiting kombucha in the fight for sustainable drinking water
We’ve previously reported about the use of kombucha for a number of innovative reasons. Like stylish compostable shoes, sustainable wood alternatives, and as the key ingredient to boosting your brain and gut health. This time kombucha is helping us humans out in a different walk of life, water Read More...
The robot that can independently perform keyhole surgery
Believe it or not, robots can now perform surgery with no human assistance! The Smart Tissue Autonomous Robot (STAR), was designed by a team from Johns Hopkins University. The laparoscopic procedure was carried out on the intestine of a pig, as reported this week in Science Robotics. "Our Read More...
Fish talk: study confirms that most fish use sound to communicate
While sound may not be the first thing to come to mind when we think of fish, it is actually a key element of communication for the vast majority of fish species. That is according to scientists at Cornell University, who have recently discovered that about two-thirds of all fish species in the Read More...
More lifelike avatars are on their way...
Like it or not, humans are spending more and more time interacting with each other using digital technology. This can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunication and other feelings of isolation as our daily lives are more enmeshed in keyboards, screens and simple audio. This is one reason Read More...