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.
Say what?! A 3-year-old in Texas found a candy-pink grasshopper
Did you know grasshoppers can be bright pink? Neither did we—until this past weekend when an eye-catching story was published by an NBC affiliate in Texas. Apparently, a three-year-old discovered a bubble-gum pink grasshopper while exploring his garden in Austin, which prompted his mother to snap Read More...
Shipping industry to use fertilizer in attempt to run vessels in a greener way
The shipping industry bears an egregious carbon footprint, amounting to nearly 2 percent of total global emissions, about the same as the entire German economy. In its efforts to clean up its act, the industry is preparing to move away from fossil fuels and is exploring using ammonia - the key Read More...
Microgrids are restoring power to rural Australians after the bushfires
For years, the Optimist Daily has been a vocal advocate of microgrids for their ability to provide a reliable, low-cost source of clean energy to local areas. On top of that, microgrids are optimal because they don’t rely on a national grid and can function separately even if a national grid Read More...
Airbus unveils fuel-saving plane model that blends wing and body together
In the wake of increased awareness about the negative impact of flying on the environment, aircraft manufacturers are not falling behind on coming up with new solutions that reduce aviation's carbon footprint. Now, Airbus is proposing a “blended wing body” design that could reduce fuel Read More...
Novel generator produces electricity by using moisture in the air
Harvesting renewable energy offers the promise of a cleaner and greener planet, but solar and wind technologies tend to rely on specific environmental conditions that restrict where they can be deployed and limit their potential for continuous energy production. An experimental new device, however, Read More...
Even Cadillac is unveiling an all-electric car
For generations, Cadillac has been a symbol of luxury in the automobile industry. Now, luxury is going green with the unveiling of its first all-electric vehicle. The electric crossover will debut at the National Auto Dealer Association in April. The vehicle runs using Cadillac’s BEV3 platform Read More...
UC San Diego aquarium successfully breeds rare weedy sea dragon
At first glance, the weedy sea dragon looks like a piece of floating seaweed. But if you look a little closer, you'll see the rare sea creature is actually a relative of the sea horse. Last week, San Diego's Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography announced that it has successfully Read More...
Carmaker Renault to introduce an affordable electric car in the next two years
Apart from perceived range anxiety, another factor influencing the decision of many people to avoid buying an electric car is the cost barrier. Now, French car manufacturer Renault has officially confirmed that in the next two years it plans to introduce the cheapest electric car in Europe under Read More...
Scientists use wasp nests to date ancient Australian rock paintings
Gwion style rock paintings in the Kimberley region of Australia are twice as old as the Giza pyramids, but until recently, scientists had a hard time telling exactly how old they were. Now, they are able to date the paintings to 12,000 years ago with the help of an unlikely ally: wasps. Using Read More...
The UK is acquiring the world’s fastest weather supercomputer
Weather forecasts could soon see a sharp increase in accuracy after the UK’s weather service, the Met Office, announced it will spend £1.2 billion ($1.6 billion) to acquire the world's most powerful climate supercomputer. The Met said the computer will create a "digital twin" of our atmosphere Read More...