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.
Japan’s space agency to capture ultra-detailed images of Martian moons
Last week, we published a story coming out of Chile where scientists are building a camera so powerful it can spot a golf ball 15 miles away. The camera can snap 3,200-megapixel images and is meant to help us unlock some of the universe’s biggest mysteries. In related news out of Japan, the Read More...
Surfers are attaching Smartfins to their boards to collect data
With scientists in need of more data about the warming of our oceans, a US-based nonprofit has come up with a nifty solution: giving data-collecting “smart” surfboard fins to surfers. Surfboards typically have fins to improve stability. By including sensors into the fins, now it’s possible Read More...
The world’s first portable MRI machine is here
Traditional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines are expensive, large, and energy-intensive, but a new prototype from Hyperfine could revolutionize the field of diagnostic medicine with the world’s first portable MRI machine. Not only is it portable, but the machine is also 20 times Read More...
Volvo repurposing old electric bus batteries for energy storage
While electric vehicles are certainly greener than their gas-guzzling counterparts, the environmental benefits of owning an electric car, go to waste if EV batteries aren’t properly disposed of or repurposed. Battery waste is toxic waste, and the more EVs are driven, the more used batteries we Read More...
Portugal is no longer extracting fossil fuels on their soil
We recently shared an inspiring article about a group of young Portuguese activists taking 33 countries to court over climate change inaction. Today we also get to share that the country has canceled its last two remaining fossil fuel contracts, meaning Portugal is no longer extracting fossil fuels Read More...
Great Barrier Reef seafloor mapping reveals new species and rare samples
The Schmidt Ocean Institute's research vessel Falkor embarked on its fourth expedition this year to explore the deepest regions of the Great Barrier Reef. At 1,820 meters deep, the researchers discovered five new species of corals and sponges and took the first sample of the 40 and 50 million year Read More...
Map shows the natural areas we must protect to mitigate climate change
The world’s population has exploded and expanded over the past century, but more than half of the earth is still in a natural or semi-natural state. Protecting these untouched areas is critical for mitigating climate change, so the Global Safety Net project has created an interactive map of both Read More...
DNA study reveals rare frog species not documented since 1968
We recently wrote an article about five species that were rediscovered after being thought to be extinct. Thanks to a DNA study in Brazil, we have another species to add to the list: the Megaelosia bocainensis frog. Frogs are a notoriously elusive species with impressive camouflaging Read More...
Uber users can now opt for green rides in the US and Canada
An Uber feature that allows riders in European cities to opt for a “green” car is now coming to the US and Canada. Uber Green, as it’s known, is part of the ride-hailing giant’s renewed commitment to become zero-carbon by 2040. Basically, how it works is when you select a ride, a card Read More...
Scientists create camera so powerful it can spot golf ball 15 miles away
Scientists are developing the world’s biggest camera to help us unlock some of the universe’s biggest mysteries. What makes the camera so special is that it has a focal plane that can snap 3,200-megapixel images. What does this mean in layman’s terms? It means the camera can make images so Read More...