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.
Tiny sponge converts dirty cooking oil into biodiesel
Scientists in Australia have developed an incredible sponge-like material that can convert discarded cooking oil and other waste materials into biodiesel. The sponge, which is being described as the first of its kind, is micron-sized and highly porous. When molecules are fed into the sponge, they Read More...
This skin-like device could help ALS patients communicate more easily
People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) gradually lose control over the muscles that allow them to speak. And while there are some communication devices for ALS patients, most of them are quite cumbersome to use on a daily basis because of their bulky size and the fact that they’re Read More...
Electric cars should be as cheap to produce as regular models by 2024
A key factor that is limiting the adoption of electric vehicles is that they are simply more expensive than their gas-powered counterparts. For instance, a new Volkswagen Golf will cost you about $26,000, whereas the automaker’s first mass-market electric car will cost you at least $39,000. The Read More...
How switching schools to renewables can improve quality of education
In 2017, the Batesville School District, Arkansas, was facing serious financial struggles because of its high energy bills. In fact, the struggles were so big that most of its schools, six in total, were having a hard time retaining teachers and some of them even faced a possible shutdown. Read More...
Prisons often reject letters to inmates. This app stops that from happening
If you have a loved one in prison and want to contact them, generally you are allowed to call, email, or video chat with them. The only problem is prisons can charge a fortune for these services, leaving physical mail as the best and sometimes the only option for people behind bars. But mail Read More...
New map pinpoints where the world’s methane emissions are coming from
We all know that methane emissions are a significant driver of climate change, but pinpointing where exactly these emissions are coming from is a much more complex task. Fortunately, a new resource from GHGSat is putting methane emitters on the map. Quite literally. The organization’s Read More...
Prisons often reject letters to inmates. This app stops that from happening
If you have a loved one in prison and want to contact them, generally you are allowed to call, email, or video chat with them. The only problem is prisons can charge a fortune for these services, leaving physical mail as the best and sometimes only option for people behind bars. But mail comes Read More...
Oregon closes state’s last coal plant in favor of green energy
On October 15, General Electric closed the last coal plant in Oregon in favor of investments in renewable sources. It took a long time, but energy companies are finally coming around to the idea that renewable energy is not only better for the planet, but can also be more affordable and create more Read More...
Artificial intelligence may soon help linguists decipher ancient languages
Needless to say, deciphering an ancient language when there’s no one left alive who speaks it can be rather daunting. But historical linguists may soon get a helping hand thanks to an AI-based system developed by researchers at MIT. A team of researchers at MIT’s Computer Science and Read More...
Twins born with a fused skull return home after successful surgery
The story of Safa and Marwa Bibi is one that speaks volumes to the power of compassion. It also shows us just how far medicine has come. Safa and Marwa are twin girls who were born joined at the head, meaning their skulls were fused together. The girls are what is known as craniopagus twins, the Read More...