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.
Telehealth is booming in popularity and is now available for your pets
Telemedicine is booming during the pandemic. For simple aches, pains, and the common cold, an easy phone or video call appointment with your doctor can save you time, money, and the risk of leaving your home. But what about your pets? Fortunately, telehealth veterinary services are also here to Read More...
Google’s internet balloons are now connecting Kenya to the web
We may take our access to the internet for granted, but more than 40 percent of the global population still can’t connect to the web. With this in mind, Alphabet’s internet-beaming Project Loon has set off on a mission to overcome this digital divide, starting in Kenya. Project Loon is a Read More...
‘Million-mile’ EV batteries are near. The impact could be massive.
Electric vehicles (EVs) have a clear environmental advantage over their gas-guzzling counterparts, but when it comes to longevity, the two are in dead heat. Two hundred thousand miles is considered a good, long run for a car built today, regardless of whether it’s powered by a lithium battery Read More...
The tech workforce is mostly white and male. These groups are changing that
The tech industry is one of the largest sources of wealth generation in the United States. It’s also 68 percent white and 65 percent male. As we work to build a more inclusive economy after the pandemic, the Optimist Daily is spotlighting movements that seek to provide opportunities to Read More...
This study finds microdosing THC can reduce chronic pain
While CBD is the ingredient in cannabis that gets praise for its healing capabilities, a new study shows THC can also be effective in treating pain. The study, which was published in the European Journal of Pain, is the first clinical trial that investigated the efficacy of microdosing THC to treat Read More...
Scientists create robotic fabric that could lead to therapeutic wearables.
A team at Harvard is creating therapeutic wearables using robotic fabrics. While robotic fabrics are far from new, they’re usually attached to bulky external machines that can modulate air pressure inside them to make them move or change their shape. Since that could limit their potential Read More...
Scientists team up with trained dolphins to create data-collecting drone
Over the last decades, whale and dolphin populations around the world have dwindled significantly as a result of human activities. And while conservationists are working hard to help these animals recover, collecting data about their health in a non-invasive way can be extremely difficult. To Read More...
Robotic surgery will revolutionize healthcare. Here’s why
Surgical tools have evolved according to the needs of both surgeons and patients. Open procedures have long been performed because they allow surgeons to access anatomy with their hands and see the surgical site in 3-D. However, open surgery can be cumbersome and difficult, and the large incisions Read More...
This smart glove translates sign language directly into speech
It is estimated that between 100,000 and 1 million people use American Sign Language in the United States. And like deaf communities around the world, when they communicate with non-signers, they typically need someone else to translate for them or turn to text-to-speech software for that. But Read More...
Biologist belts out a ‘Hamilton’ tune to show effectiveness of masks
More and more research continues to show that the best way to stop the new coronavirus from spreading is by wearing a mask. Despite this, the mask remains a controversial symbol that many Americans are refusing to wear. If you need to convince anyone just how vital the mask is, consider showing Read More...