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.
New techniques preserve donor hearts after death—and could reshape transplant medicine
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In January 2020, surgeons at NYU Langone Health performed a groundbreaking procedure that restarted a donor’s heart after it had stopped beating. The heart was then transplanted into a patient in need. While effective, the method sparked significant ethical Read More...
From rubble to renewal: how recycling fire debris helps rebuild California—and the planet
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In the wake of Southern California’s Eaton Fire, which reduced entire neighborhoods to skeletal remains, a quiet effort is underway. One that’s turning charred debris into the foundation for rebuilding. At The Bunny Museum in Altadena, co-founder Read More...
UK scans 100,000 people to uncover hidden signs of disease before symptoms strike
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Imagine being able to spot the earliest clues of heart disease, dementia, or cancer long before symptoms ever show up. That’s exactly what scientists around the world can now explore, thanks to the UK Biobank’s groundbreaking full-body imaging Read More...
A major first in malaria care: newborn treatment approved for use in Africa
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM For the first time ever, newborn babies have a malaria treatment made just for them. Swissmedic, Switzerland’s drug regulator, approved the world’s first malaria drug formulated specifically for infants under five kilograms. This is an enormous step Read More...
Mushroom caskets offer an earth-friendly goodbye in North America’s first burial of its kind
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Traditional burials, though deeply meaningful, often come at a steep environmental cost. The chemicals, hardwood, and land use involved can have long-term ecological impacts. But a quiet revolution in burial traditions is beginning to bloom and its roots are Read More...
Why more kids are choosing to unplug: the quiet rebellion against screen overload
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a hopeful shift, children and teenagers are increasingly choosing to step away from their screens to care for their mental health, safety, and focus. Instead of waiting for parents or teachers to enforce rules, young people are beginning to take ownership Read More...
Tiny fire detector inspired by nature could transform wildfire prevention
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM As wildfires grow more frequent and destructive due to climate change, early detection is becoming more crucial than ever. But advanced systems like satellites and thermal imaging are often too expensive for many vulnerable regions. Enter Pyri: a new Read More...
Crossbreeding corals to save Miami's reefs
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Off the coast of Miami, a team of scientists is attempting something extraordinary: giving struggling coral reefs a fighting chance against climate change. In partnership with the University of Miami, the Florida Aquarium, and Tela Marine in Honduras, Read More...
A new study could change Alzheimer’s treatment by unlocking the brain's sugar code
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM A quiet but powerful ally in the brain may be reshaping how we understand and treat neurodegenerative disease. New research from the Buck Institute for Research on Aging uncovered the overlooked role of glycogen, a stored form of sugar, in brain cells. The Read More...
Okra and fenugreek extracts remove up to 90 percent of microplastics from water
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The slimy and sticky qualities that make okra divisive on dinner plates might just help clean our water. Researchers have found that natural polymers from common plants like okra and fenugreek are surprisingly effective at capturing and removing Read More...