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.
Scientists help frogs regrow amputated limbs
A recent study, published in Science Advances, has brought us one step closer to regenerative medicine. In a collaborative effort from Tufts University and Harvard, the teams were able to regenerate an adult African clawed frog’s (Xenopus laevis) limb, something they are naturally unable to Read More...
Sex in space? The push to find out if we can reproduce in outer space
Although human settlement on other planets was once just a pipe dream, rapid technological advancements are making it seem like a truly viable possibility for the future of humanity. However, before any human colony can settle in space, scientists need to figure out if and how people can reproduce Read More...
Here’s how offshore wind farms can help capture CO2 from the air
One of the conundrums posed by the increasing expansion of wind power is what to do with the excess energy that renewable technologies produce. Because wind power is intermittent and demand for energy also varies, when wind turbines produce more electricity than is needed, their operations are Read More...
DNA mutations are not so random after all
A first of its kind study has added some evidence to challenge the widely accepted theory about genetic mutations: that they are completely random. The findings, published in Nature, could reshape evolutionary theories and our understanding of DNA forever. "We always thought of mutation as Read More...
AI helps scientists model the big bang
The number of factors you have to consider when calculating how the big bang went down is tremendous. The key part of the story you have to model is quark-gluon plasma. This is a state where there were many tiny quantum entangled particles, which eventually reached a point of extremely high energy. Read More...
Scientists use wood waste and water to create sustainable disinfectant
While the use of disinfectants has already been a regular thing for many people when cleaning their homes, the pandemic has called for unprecedented sanitization of our close surroundings. While good at their job, some disinfectants, such as chlorine-based ones, are actually environmentally Read More...
This could be the start of the end for drug-resistant bacteria
The increasing occurrence of drug-resistant bacteria is a huge obstacle humans have to overcome to save lives across the globe. Researchers have done all they can to be prepared against this challenge, such as creating a model which calculates the chance of resistance against different drug Read More...
Can you guess the number of black holes in our universe?
The all encompassing death of a giant star collapsing in on itself, sucking in everything in its path including light and time, is a mind boggling thing to get your head around. That’s why black holes have captured human’s fascination ever since we discovered them in 1971. It is important for Read More...
Ease menopause by listening to music
Going through menopause can be an extremely challenging time, where the world you’ve known for most of your life is turned upside down. Not every person's experience of menopause is the same, with symptoms ranging in frequency and severity. These include depression, sexual dysfunction, joint and Read More...
This bio-rover is essentially driven by a marimo ball
What is marimo? Marimo is arguably one of nature’s most bizarre creations. Commonly known as algae balls or moss balls, these algae bundles are typically found on lake floors in Japan and Northern Europe. Their fuzzy spherical shape is the result of gentle currents rolling the algae over and Read More...