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.
New power plant uses liquid air to store renewable energy
While batteries are great for short-term energy storage, they are still too expensive to do long-term energy storage. Plus, batteries require minerals that are becoming increasingly scarce as the world moves towards power systems based on variable renewable energy. Fortunately, there is a promising Read More...
City of Austin votes to spend $7 billion to revolutionize transportation
In a city where roughly three-quarters of residents drive alone to work, it’s no surprise that drivers in Austin, Texas, spend an average of 104 hours stuck in traffic each year. One of the main reasons behind this vehicle-mania is the city’s innate car-oriented infrastructure. That’s now Read More...
Diving program teaches kids to document sunken slave ships
In the quest to create a more complete picture of African-American genealogy, an underwater archaeology group called Diving With a Purpose (DWP) focuses on documenting old slave ships that have sunk to the bottom of the sea. Documenting these ships and other artifacts of the transatlantic slave Read More...
Renowned Brazilian pianists regains ability to play thanks to bionic gloves
Due to a mugging incident, it has been more than 20 years since internationally acclaimed pianist João Carlos Martins has played his beloved instrument with 10 fingers. But the Brazilian maestro is finally able to play his favorite Bach sonatas once again thanks to innovative “bionic gloves” Read More...
Washington’s first human compost company is open for business
Washington passed a law in 2019 allowing citizens to compost themselves after death for a more sustainable burial process. Fast forward a year later and the first human composting company is open for business in the state. Called Recompose, the company was instrumental in passing the 2019 law Read More...
Study: psilocybin therapy 4 times more effective than antidepressants
In 2020, Oregon voted to become the first state to legalize access to psilocybin for all adults. A study reinforces the idea that voters made a sensible decision. The preliminary human trials investigated the effect of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy to treat the major depressive disorder Read More...
Maid of the Mist launches zero-emissions touring boats at Niagara Falls
Since 1846, the iconic Maid of the Mist ferries have been bringing visitors up close and personal with the breathtaking waterfalls at Niagara Falls. Now visitors are able to enjoy the awe-inspiring trip in a more environment-friendly manner, thanks to the recent launch of two new all-electric, Read More...
Burial site shows men were not always the hunters in prehistoric society
Traditional assumptions about prehistoric society placed males in hunting roles and women as gatherers. A new study from the University of California, Davis upends this archaeological thinking with the discovery of what looks like the remains of a 9,000 year old female hunter found in the Andean Read More...
Ojai, CA is the latest city to ban gas in new buildings
We recently discussed the benefits of an all electric home, including lower costs, reduced emissions, and better air quality. In a timely turn of events, the city of Ojai, California has banned gas in all new buildings with the exception of restaurants and pools. The city had already banned Read More...
Dutch brewery produces beer using clean energy generated by iron fuel
As an increasing number of industries are looking to break ties with fossil fuels and transition towards greener fuels to power their industrial processes, a strange candidate has recently gotten under the spotlight: iron. At least that’s what a brewery in the Netherlands recently tried out, by Read More...