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.
Researchers are turning waste rubber tires into high-value aerogels
About 1 billion rubber tires—which are highly durable and non-biodegradable—are generated worldwide every year. Only 40% get recycled into low-value-added products, 49% are incinerated to generate energy, and at least 11% end up in landfills. While many go into landfills, landfill sites are Read More...
Tech giants are joining efforts to combat misinformation about the COVID-19
Preventing the circulation of misinformation in regards to the COVID-19 is arguably as important as stopping the spread of the virus itself. With that in mind, a group of the biggest technology companies in the US has recently banded together in a commitment to fight coronavirus-related fraud and Read More...
This tiny island just became the world’s first “dark sky” nation
Whether it’s urbanization, satellites in space or the increased use of greenhouses lit up by LEDs, there are many causes of light pollution that are spoiling the beauty of our night skies. That’s a crying shame, which is why a nonprofit known as the International Dark-Sky Association is working Read More...
Virginia is the first southern state to commit to 100 percent renewable energy
Virginia passed a landmark law on March 6 which makes it the first state in the southern United States to commit to achieving 100 percent renewable energy. The Virginia Clean Economy Act of 2020 includes plans to eliminate emissions from the electricity sector and create 13,000 new clean energy Read More...
The deepest waters south of Australia have finally been explored
Australia’s most famous coral resides on its Pacific coast. The Great Barrier Reef is amazing, to be sure, and a bellwether of how climate change is impacting reefs around the world. But there’s a reef hidden in the depths of the Southern Ocean off Australia’s south coast that could unlock Read More...
Non-profit launches virtual anti-censorship library using Minecraft
In authoritarian countries where censorship is common practice, many news sites and social media platforms are blocked, restricting millions of people from accessing accurate, uncensored information about events happening around the world and even their own countries. But apparently it’s still Read More...
Healthy wetlands can save coastal communities millions of dollars during storms
Wetlands such as mangrove forests, marshes, and seagrass beds are critical habitats for a wide variety of species. They also serve to protect inland areas from storm surges and strong winds. A new analysis of Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal storms has also found that areas with larger wetlands Read More...
Want to play a hands-on role in coral reef protection? Consider this course
Roatan Marine Park (RMP) has protected the reefs and surrounding ecosystems of one of the Bay Islands National Marine Park’s three islands off the coast of Honduras and Belize since 2005. After recently completing its newest coral nursery, the park has announced it will begin offering an RMP Read More...
Hong Kong rolls out a robot-sanitizer to disinfect its subway stations
Public transport is an essential component for any working city and vital to city dwellers who have to commute every day. Subways, in particular, are considered one of the most efficient means of mass transit, but they also have an inherent flaw that has become the center of attention at the moment Read More...
Buzz may look like a smart watch, but it does so much more
If you saw David Eagleman’s watch, you might think it was a smart watch, but in reality, it’s something much more complex. The watch prototype, called Buzz, was created by Eagleman’s startup, Neosensory, and it translates sounds into vibrations on the wrist in real time, like sonically Read More...