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 app recognizes bird songs in the name of conservation
Our world has lost a third of bird populations since 1970, but unlike elephants and pandas which are constantly referenced in discussions surrounding species loss, many people don’t even realize how quickly avian species are disappearing. Fortunately, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology is working to Read More...
Exoskeletons improve bowel function in patients with spinal cord injury
Following a spinal cord injury, damage can occur to the nerves that allow a person to control bowel movements. This often leads to constipation and uncomfortable bowel and bladder accidents — one of the most common problems reported by people who experience a spinal cord injury. That problem, Read More...
The Olympic Games showcase Japan’s ‘hydrogen economy’
When Naomi Osaka lit the Olympic flame in Japan last week, it not only marked the start of the Olympic Games, but also showcased the increasingly important role that hydrogen plays in the country’s drive towards a greener future. For the first time ever, hydrogen is powering both the Olympic Read More...
These solar-powered meeting pods take remote work to a whole new level
As the pandemic has normalized remote work, designers are coming up with innovative solutions that could change the future of work for the better. In a bid to achieve exactly that, furniture studio Duffy London has designed the Minka Solar Pod. The project is essentially an outdoor office pod that Read More...
The “Frozen Zoo” could be endangered species' last hope
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is home to the world’s last two remaining northern white rhinos. The future is bleak for this species, but the alliance’s special Frozen Zoo is hard at work to ensure that the legacy of these species is not lost forever. First and foremost, what is a Read More...
This new report debunks one of the biggest myths about electric vehicles
With fossil fuels driving the climate crisis, the switch to electric vehicles (EVs) has obvious benefits for the environment. With that said, there are still people who claim that’s not the case, arguing that the energy used to make the batteries, plus the emissions associated with producing Read More...
New IBM tool quantifies the amount of carbon an individual tree sequesters
Although all trees sequester CO2 as they grow, not all of them do so equally. Depending on their type and their location, trees capture different amounts of carbon. In an effort to measure their exact climate benefits, IBM has developed an AI-based tool that precisely maps trees and shows how Read More...
Snakes assist scientists in studying areas affected by nuclear disasters
In 2011, a 15-meter tsunami disabled the power supply and cooling at Fukushima Daiichi Power Plant, damaging three nuclear reactors in the process. The accident was rated a seven, which is the highest level on the International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale. Now, a decade later, Read More...
Snake venom is the special ingredient in new life-saving super glue
If someone were to ask you to think of a life-saving substance, snake venom is probably low on the list—especially if you’ve read our recent article about snakes in India—but scientists from the Universities of Manitoba, Shantou, and Western Ontario have discovered how this unlikely Read More...
Google Maps launches feature showing which subway cars are least crowded
If you live in New York or Sydney, you will soon be able to use Google Maps to see how busy each transit car is before stepping aboard a train or subway. The new feature is part of a product update announced by Google last week, which will allow users to observe live crowd data on individual Read More...