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.
Scientists map an entire ancient Roman city using only radar technology
We have previously written about how high-tech laser scanners have enabled scientists to discover the oldest and largest known structure built by the Mayans. Equipped with similar state-of-the-art technology, a group of archaeologists has managed to map an entire ancient Roman city while it’s Read More...
Australian fault lines could help us predict future earthquakes
If you live in an earthquake prone area, you know one of the scariest aspects is not knowing when “the big one” will hit. Scientists in Australia may be able to help with that. Researchers in Uluru think they may be able to predict earthquake location and size based on surrounding geologic Read More...
Drone delivery service will soon start dropping books to kids in Virginia
For many school librarians, getting kids to read over the summer can be a challenge, but a librarian in Christiansburg, Virginia, has found an ingenious way to get kids to read more: drones. In a hope that watching a drone deliver books to their house will entice kids to read more, middle-school Read More...
Wow: Scientists created a 3D heart model that shows the heart’s neurons
Everyone knows that the heart’s critical role is circulating oxygen and blood throughout the body — a role that is maintained in the brain through a network of nerves between the brain and the heart. Damage to those nerves could cause a heart attack, heart disease, or even death. But what Read More...
How food delivery apps could make our eating habits greener
Even before COVID-19 struck, food delivery apps were gaining popularity. With people stuck at home and restaurants closed, demand for services like DoorDash, Grubhub, Seamless, and Uber Eats has skyrocketed, leading environmental thinkers from GreenBiz believe this has potential for making our Read More...
Britain’s coal-free streak is still going as renewables beat fossil fuels
Back in April, we published a story detailing how the UK had gone 18 days without using coal energy. Now we’re in June—and guess what? That coal-free streak is still going. Midnight on Wednesday marked two full months without burning coal to generate power, an incredible streak for a country Read More...
Google Maps unveils new updates to help you travel safely in COVID-19 era
Even though lockdown orders are being eased, we still want to carry on living safely by avoiding close contact with too many people. That’s why Google has rolled out two new features for its Maps app meant to help users get around safely in the time of COVID-19, according to a new post on the Read More...
Autonomous underwater vehicles have changed ocean exploration forever
In just the last couple of years, we’ve been discovering more about the deep seas than ever before—and much of this is thanks to the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). An AUV is essentially an underwater drone. Able to perform its tasks without being tethered to the surface or needing a Read More...
Solar panel-like device can generate power even when shadowed
While shadows reduce a solar panel's ability to generate electricity, a new innovative device is using shadows to its advantage. Developed by scientists at the National University of Singapore, the strange new device is capable of generating electricity from the darkness. The gadget dubbed a Read More...
This man started a father & daughter coding startup after being in prison
Antoine Patton had a difficult childhood. He got his first full time "dead end" job when he was just 14 years old. He became a father when he was still a teenager. And a few years later he was committing crimes. But Patton sought inspiration in the darkest place — prison — which he describes as Read More...