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.
Hungarian scientist uncovers gene-based therapy that could cure blindness
Since 1985, the Körber Foundation in Hamburg has been awarding a prestigious prize to scientists whose work has applied futuristic techniques to physical sciences. This year, the Körber Prize for European Science 2020 was awarded to Hungarian researcher Botond Roska, who uncovered a gene-based Read More...
Battery-free Game Boy prototype runs on button taps and solar energy
The gaming industry is getting in on the green revolution. A new Game Boy prototype is battery-free and sources its energy from the sun and from users themselves. Created by researchers at Northwestern University and the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), the new gaming console actually Read More...
This startup is turning desert lands into nutrient-rich soil
Desertification is human-caused degradation of land in dry climates and it has been on the rise. This is one of the contributing factors to the challenge of feeding a growing global population in a changing climate. Norwegian startup, Desert Control, is attempting to get ahead of this problem by Read More...
New AI algorithm predicts pregnancy complications
After a woman gives birth, sometimes a specialist will conduct a placenta exam to analyze the organ for anything that might indicate health problems with the new baby or future pregnancies. The placenta is vital because it delivers blood, oxygen, and other vital substances to the baby via the Read More...
Scrolling on social media too much? Here’s how to kick the habit
When Marnie Vinall realized she had a problematic relationship with social media, she decided to take some action. Vinall knew her habit of endlessly scrolling on social media was making her weary and exhausted—and time abundance of time during quarantine only worsened the habit. But now Read More...
NASA has mapped out a faster and cheaper route to the moon
It took Apollo 11 just over two days to reach the moon in 1969, but for non-manned missions, the voyage can take up to a year. Now, thanks to a new route designed by NASA, there is a faster and cheaper way to reach lunar orbit. Designed by NASA's upcoming Dark Ages Polarimeter Pathfinder Read More...
Public transportation is now free for Parisians under 18
There are two keys to making public transportation more widely used: make it cheaper and make it more accessible. The city of Paris hopes to do both of these things by making public transportation free for those under 18. The free public transportation for those who live within the city comes Read More...
Grand Canyon’s oldest vertebrate tracks discovered in fallen boulder
Nearly six million visitors pass through the Grand Canyon each year, but researchers recently discovered footprints very different from those of the usual hiker. Allan Krill, a visiting professor from Norway, discovered a pair of fossil footprints that date back 313 million years. The Read More...
SeaClear project takes ocean clean-ups to the underwater level
While ocean clean-ups by themselves are not a solution to the pressing environmental crisis of plastic pollution, they are still essential if we are to reduce the problem’s already overwhelming impact on ocean health. But to do that effectively we need to collect not only the garbage that’s Read More...
Scientists create AI tool that detects Alzheimer’s through speech
Detecting Alzheimer’s in its early stages remains quite the mystery for scientists. In an effort to solve this mystery, a team of researchers are utilizing artificial intelligence to look for signs of Alzheimer’s within language. The research, which took place at New Jersey's Stevens Read More...