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.
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...
This software allows anyone to monitor deforestation
Satellites are an excellent tool for monitoring forests. Those who work in the areas of forest management, policy development, and environmental conservation are increasingly making use of these eyes in the sky to track logging, deforestation, and other forest disturbance events. However, it takes Read More...
Earth Day is going digital. Here’s how to join in on the action
April 22nd marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, a yearly event where we celebrate and protect the planet through tree plantings, cleanups, and other in-person community gatherings. The 50th anniversary was bound to be a big celebration of all the progress we’ve made on the climate front, but Read More...
Mountain gorilla numbers are on the rise in East Africa
Good news from the WWF! A new survey that took place in the Virunga mountains of East Africa found that mountain gorilla numbers are growing. The critically endangered animals were once expected to be extinct by the end of the twentieth century, but there is hope the population will continue to Read More...