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.
Mussel-mounted motion sensors can help detect toxins in our water
Mussels are fascinating creatures that who's powerful role in our ecosystems is often overlooked. We’ve written previously about how mussels inspired highly effective surgical glue as well as how they can accurately gauge levels of pollution and identify contaminants in underwater Read More...
New blade design has the potential to reduce wind energy costs
As an increasing amount of evidence suggests, the world could be powered entirely by renewables a soon as 2050. But to make sure that happens, we need to continue to develop new, innovative designs that will streamline the transition to clean energy. That’s exactly what a team of scientists in Read More...
First all-electric Norwegian commuter aircraft to hit the skies by 2026
Earlier this year, we shared a story about Rolls-Royce's mission to develop 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel as part of its efforts to help transition the aviation industry towards a post-carbon future. Now, the second-largest manufacturer of aircraft engines wants to go a step further and Read More...
Sea cucumbers: The unsung heroes of coral reefs
When we think about the coral reef conservation efforts, hardly, if ever, does the humble sea cucumber cross our minds. However, it turns out that these slimy, faceless creatures—or rather their waste—play an important role in maintaining the health and biogeochemical cycles of the Read More...
This neighborhood food sharing app aims to cut down on waste
Food waste is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and a misuse of valuable resources. While at-home strategies like meal planning and freezing greens can help your family cut down your food waste footprint, it’s not always easy to use up every last grocery item before they go Read More...
This grassroots renewable energy organization is powered by local moms
One by one, more cities are banning natural gas in new construction projects. One grassroots organization leading the transition to fully-renewable in Cambridge, Massachusetts is HEET, the Home Energy Efficiency Team. HEET advocates for replacing old gas infrastructure with geothermal micro Read More...
Transparent solar cell greenhouses could grow food and produce energy
Solar power is one of the fastest-growing forms of renewable energy, so there are many initiatives that are trying to see how solar can be combined with other industries, like agriculture, to become even more effective. We at The Optimist Daily have already written about agrivoltaic farming, Read More...
Scientists test new technology to clean up space junk from Earth’s orbit
From large rocket parts to tiny shards of metal from accidental collisions and explosions, space junk is becoming increasingly problematic. As these pieces of debris fly around at about 18,000 mph, they pose a real safety risk to the astronauts aboard the International Space Station and could cause Read More...
Covid-19 detecting robot quickly scans wastewater for viral traces
Detecting Covid-19 outbreaks as soon as they emerge helps governments enact preventative spread measures and reduce the severity of the surge. Using wastewater as an early detection tool, a team of researchers from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) has developed a sewage-handling robot Read More...
Floating seawater reservoirs could help Helsinki become carbon neutral
As humans, we pride ourselves on our ability to innovate and adapt to a variety of environments. This has led us to develop technology that can support civilization, even in extreme environments. However, this technology largely relies on fossil fuels. Now, there’s a global push to put human Read More...