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 develop insulin pills that monitor patients' glucose levels
Daily insulin injections are a tedious reality for millions of people who have diabetes. But a team of researchers from New York University Abu Dhabi hope to make their lives easier. They have developed a new method for packing insulin into capsules; a very tricky task indeed as insulin is so Read More...
This at-home Covid test is made from coffee pods
For everyone’s health and safety, we must accept that Covid-19 tests are a part of our reality. Luckily, as time goes on, we’ve developed strategies to make administering these tests as convenient and hassle-free as possible. There are now low-cost tests that produce results in five minutes or Read More...
Britain’s electricity grid sees greenest day ever over Easter
Sunshine, coupled with windy weather over the Easter bank holiday has seen Great Britain’s electricity grid record its greenest day ever, with carbon intensity dropping to the lowest it’s ever been. On Easter Monday, power plants in England, Scotland, and Wales emitted only 39g of CO2/kWh of Read More...
World’s first hydrogen-powered cargo vessel to set sail in Paris this year
In a world's first, a commercial hydrogen-powered cargo vessel will make its maiden voyage later this year. Developed by French shipowner Compagnie Fluvial Transport (CFT), the vessel will be the world’s first cargo ship to run on hydrogen and is set to be deployed on the river Seine in Read More...
This reusable and biodegradable sponge can help clean up oil spills
Most of the materials designed for removing oil spills from water are single-use, meaning that they’re bound to eventually end up in landfills. We've written about the potential to use shed dog fur for oil spill cleanups, and now, scientists have developed an oil-absorbing sponge that can be used Read More...
Five sustainable brands pioneering the adaptive fashion movement
Sustainable fashion is on the rise as consumers increasingly opt for second-hand clothing or demand transparency and accountability from their favorite brands. But this doesn't mean sustainable style is accessible to everyone. Plus-size people have fewer options for ethical and eco-friendly Read More...
It’s International Dark Sky Week. Here’s how to celebrate
International Dark Sky week was established in 2003 by high-school student Jennifer Barlow. It aims to reduce light pollution and encourage people all around the world to appreciate the beauty of the night sky. This year, Dark Sky Week runs from April 5th through the 12th. We’re already part way Read More...
How to make EV infrastructure more equitable
The federal government and various US states have put significant emphasis on electric vehicles as a path towards a net-zero future, but expanding EV infrastructure is critical to making this transition happen. Unfortunately, electric vehicle and charging station access is significantly Read More...
How making sense of a scent can help protect coral reefs
Have you ever thought about what corals smell like? Caitlin Lawson, Marine biologist at the University of Technology Sydney in Australia, has made it her mission to collect the gaseous, smelly chemicals that corals release under different conditions with the hope that a deeper understanding of Read More...
AI can help doctors improve kidney transplant success
Kidney transplants can significantly prolong the life expectancy of patients, but over time, some recipients may experience complications, putting them back on dialysis when their kidneys begin to fail. In an effort to predict when that would happen, Halifax kidney specialist Dr. Karthik Read More...