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.
Solar-powered umbrella aims to make your beach holiday more sustainable
Given how much time parasols on coastal beaches sit under the sun, wouldn’t it make sense to replace the thick fabric they’re made of with solar panels — and maybe even use some of the energy generated to power, let’s say, beachfront ice-cream freezers? Italy’s leading gelato and frozen Read More...
BIOMILQ is the first to replicate healthy and sustainable human milk
Breastfeeding is a beautiful and miraculous event for new mothers to share with their infants—but it isn’t always easy. In fact, many women experience complications when breastfeeding including latching issues, an inadequate supply of milk, pain, and more. It is also an often inaccessible Read More...
Researchers turn biodegradable cutlery into recycled insulation
Picking up a biodegradable fork may seem like an environmentally friendly choice, but these utensils still require new materials for their production and oftentimes won’t actually degrade naturally. Fortunately, researchers at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand have come up with a way to Read More...
NHS to pilot blood test that can accurately diagnose 50 types of cancer
Detecting cancer before it spreads too far means that treatment is more likely to be successful, thus significantly increasing the patient’s chances of survival. However, for many types of cancer, early diagnosis is very complicated, which makes the disease a leading cause of death Read More...
These sanitary pads change color when they detect an infection
Checking up on our reproductive health should be something that we do regularly and for most of us, it's as easy as booking an appointment at the doctor's office. Unfortunately, for many people who live in less privileged parts of the world and can’t access quality healthcare, infections can Read More...
Lobster-inspired hydrogel could help build artificial tendons
Earlier this year, we shared a story about how lobsters are inspiring scientists to develop stronger 3D-printed concrete. In a similar manner, scientists are now turning to the intricate architecture of the crustacean’s underbelly to develop a strong and stretchy hydrogel-based material. The MIT Read More...
Spora trains doctors to deliver better care to patients of color
Systemic inequalities put Black Americans at higher risk for many diseases than white Americans, but even within medical institutions equipped to treat these diseases, Black patients are often denied the highest caliber of care. New startup Spora aims to improve medical equity by providing a Read More...
The Bison Bridge - World's longest human-made wildlife crossing
Chad Pregracke is an impassioned conservationist who spends his time on barges, cleaning up refuse from the Mississippi River. While on the river, he watches cars drive across a 55-year-old concrete bridge that is meant to be demolished and replaced—but when he sees the aging bridge, he imagines Read More...
Colombia declared home of the most butterfly species in the world
A new study released by the Natural History Museum in London has just dubbed Colombia the world’s official butterfly paradise. The country of Colombia is home to some of the richest biodiversity on the planet, including approximately 20 percent of the world’s butterfly species. An Read More...
Innovative exoskeleton technology allows paralyzed race car driver to walk once again
Paralyzed race car driver Sam Schmidt took his first steps in over two decades last month, thanks to an exoskeleton designed by Arrow Electronics. Schmidt, who has been paralyzed from his shoulders down since a racing accident in 2000, grew emotional as he walked around and gave full-body Read More...