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.
Drivers in Barcelona can exchange their old car for a free transit pass
With governments racing to meet their climate targets, many of them have been particularly attentive to the transportation sector, where reducing emissions can have a huge impact. In that vein, there is an increasing number of initiatives looking to move people away from cars and towards cleaner Read More...
Research yields surprising discovery about the benefits of green tea
Green tea has been shown to reduce the risks of chronic illness, and it is a common healthy staple in many cultures around the world. Researchers previously thought this tea’s benefits came from its antioxidants, which prevent oxidative stress by capturing free radicals, but a new study from ETH Read More...
Paris to become a 100% bicycle-friendly city by 2026
As cities are around the world increasingly step away from car-centric urban planning, it’s safe to say that cycling will soon become a primary mode of transportation for a growing number of people. In Paris, at least, that will definitely be the case. Starting this year, Parisians are expected Read More...
Unusual fruit byproduct makes tilapia fish healthier and stronger
Tilapia is a popular fish around the world, and now, researchers from Russia's RUDN University have discovered a way to make the fish more resilient─using a feed ingredient that would otherwise end up in landfills. The researchers spent eight weeks raising five groups of 60 Nile tilapia fry, Read More...
This science-backed playlist is full of songs that will give you chills
We all have those special songs we go back to every now and then if we want to get a good dosage of “chills”—that powerful emotional response reflected by a pleasurable sensation of tingles, and even goosebumps. But what exactly is it that makes our bodies respond that way to a piece of Read More...
Air 4 All hopes to make dignified air travel accessible for everyone
While many of us are craving new surroundings and landscapes, most would probably like to skip over the part where we are confined to the cramped space of an airline seat for hours and hours. That said, having a seat on an airplane that can adequately accommodate us is a privilege that not everyone Read More...
Implanted electrodes could offer improved vision for 148 million blind people
Berna Gómez is a former teacher who has been blind for 16 years. She recently regained enough vision to see letters and objects thanks to the successful implantation of a microelectrode array into her visual cortex. Implanting electrodes into the visual cortex has long been a dream of Read More...
Study: Lemurs are the only nonhuman mammal with a sense of rhythm
Birds are known for their beautiful melodious calls, but among mammals, no species besides humans have been known to use rhythm or songーuntil now. Researchers in Madagascar have documented lemurs using rhythm and even singing together in groups. The 12-year study followed specifically the Read More...
Study: Start of season metrics provide strong insights into future famine risks
Researchers from UC Santa Barbara’s Climate Hazards Center have released a new study that identifies how the start of season indicators could predict potential famines. Two key metrics are used to determine famine risk: availability and accessibility. Availability refers to yields, while Read More...
This wooden steak knife is three times stronger than steel
Scientists from the University of Maryland may have discovered a more eco-friendly alternative to ceramics and stainless steel for our knives and nails by figuring out how to chemically alter wood so that it can be fashioned into strong nails or knives that are three times sharper than a standard Read More...