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.
These life-like robots are helping frontline medical staff keep safe
As personal protective equipment in hospitals is in short supply these days, figuring out ways to reduce the exposure of medical workers to coronavirus patients while treating them at the same time is essential to ensure the safety of those best equipped to combat the pandemic. Turning robots into Read More...
This fishing line biodegrades under UV light
The fishing industry is estimated to contribute half of the plastic waste in our oceans. Fishing lines can take up to 600 years to biodegrade, so researchers at Cornell University are investigating a type of plastic that could biodegrade under UV light exposure. The type of plastic is called Read More...
These solar windows rival rooftop panels in terms of efficiency
Windows capable of harvesting energy from the sun have been on the horizon for a number of years, but they've yet to help cut down a building's energy costs. A new development from Australian researchers may change that. What the researchers have created are semi-transparent solar cells made of Read More...
Drones are accelerating the speed of coronavirus testing in Ghana
Testing for coronavirus has been a struggle in Ghana. Apparently, health officials in the cities of Accra and Kumasi would wait for hours or even days for delivery trucks to visit rural medical facilities, collect batches of test samples, and then deliver them for analysis. The delivery time is now Read More...
How to reduce your energy consumption while sheltering at home
COVID-19 shutdowns have reduced overall energy consumption greatly in the US. Without businesses, factories, and offices running, it is estimated that the country’s overall energy use will drop by 3 percent in 2020. However, energy use in many homes is on the rise. Isolating at home has people Read More...
Aerogel purifies polluted water by turning it into steam
The incredible properties of aerogel have allowed the material to be used for numerous purposes, from lining the walls of buildings in the form of insulation to making Mars habitable for humans. Now the wondrous material has also proven its abilities as a water-purifier. A postdoctoral student at Read More...
Tired of Zoom meetings? Consider adding a llama
Silicon Valley is famous for its tech scene, but it is also home to the animal sanctuary Sweet Farm. Now, the farm is getting cozier with its tech neighbors and renting out farm animals to add some flair to Zoom meetings. For $100, companies can hire a llama or goat to make a virtual Read More...
Germany crushes solar power record thanks to smog-free skies
As Europe halts daily life in the fight against coronavirus, the skies above have become as crisp and clean as ever. And not only does that allow for a fresh breath of air, but it also allows solar panels to produce maximum power. In Germany, solar panels produced record amounts of electricity, Read More...
Happy International Dark Sky Week! Here’s how to celebrate virtually
This week is International Dark Sky Week. Although astronomers and stargazers are not meeting up in-person this year to gaze up at our marvelous night sky, enthusiasts are still celebrating online and from the comfort of their homes. International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) has put together a Read More...
Austria phases out coal from its energy production
In a win for the planet, Austria has officially shut down its last coal-fired power plant as part of a broader plan to end the use of fossil fuels for energy production by 2030. The plant stopped operating on Friday, after providing heat and electricity for the nearby city of Graz for 34 years. Read More...