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.
High levels of vitamin D in first year may protect children from obesity
A new study out of the University of Michigan School of Public Health suggests higher levels of vitamin D in the first year of life can help protect children against obesity in adolescence. The study, which was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, used data from more than 300 Read More...
This self-driving ferry in Norway can be hailed with the push of a button
Water transportation is voyaging into the future after a Norwegian company announced it will launch a zero-emission ferry next year that is fully autonomous. Operating in a similar fashion to an elevator, passengers will be able to call the ferry to their location by simply pressing a button. The Read More...
This startup produces rocket fuel using captured carbon
The fuel needed to launch a rocket into space creates a whole lot of emissions. In fact, each SpaceX launch is estimated to emit 715 tons of CO2, which is roughly as much as 10 cross-country flights on a 747. As spaceflights become more common, there is a need for a more sustainable source of fuel. Read More...
Exercise on your way to the polls with a free bike ride
Back in September, we wrote about an initiative from ride-sharing company Lyft that will allow voters to get free or discounted rides to their local polling stations. All you need to do is use the code 2020VOTE while requesting a ride. In a similar fashion, micromobility companies such as Bird Read More...
Revolutionary software translates chemist’s words into drug recipes
For years, chemist Lee Cronin of the University of Glasgow has dreamed of a future where researchers can distribute and produce molecules as easily as they email and print PDFs. That future has arrived thanks to Cronin and his colleagues, who have designed a system of chemical computers or Read More...
South Australia powered itself with 100% solar to set global record
Solar energy is gaining momentum across the globe, but some of the world’s sunniest places have already adopted solar as a primary energy supplier. One of these areas leading by example in the field of renewables is the state of South Australia which just became the world’s largest region to Read More...
MIT’s autonomous water cabs are almost ready to take to the canals
Autonomous cars may be all the rage now in the world of land transportation but over the course of the last four years, some researchers at MIT have been busy developing a different kind of self-driving vehicle. Enter the Roboat — a smart boat that navigates on its own to transport passengers and Read More...
NASA: There is water on the moon hiding in lunar soil
Scientists have long argued as to whether there is water on the moon or not. Now, after decades of debate, NASA has solved the mystery: Water has been confirmed on the sunlit surface of the moon, and it’s not just in the form of ice limited to the shadowed surfaces of larger craters as previously Read More...
Why developers should ditch gas and build all-electric homes
The residential construction sector is booming during the coronavirus pandemic as more Americans dream of having a bit more space. As developers build new homes, a recent report from a clean energy think tank illustrates how developers can keep energy costs and climate impacts down in these new Read More...
New skin test can provide an early diagnosis of Parkinson’s
In order to diagnose patients with Parkinson’s disease, physicians rely on clinical signs and symptoms. The problem, however, is that this method of diagnosing is not entirely accurate, which complicates clinical trials of potential treatments. Not to mention the fact that if a patient is Read More...