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.
Want to go to space? Here’s what you need to know
Most of us would have never imagined traveling to outer space in our lives, but these days, it’s looking ever more possible for the average Joe to go into orbit—or at least, an average Joe with bags of money. This month, Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic announced it is going public and is Read More...
An electric Ford truck just showed it can tow over a million pounds
If we want to spur a transition to electric vehicles en masse, then the rabid pickup truck lovers of the world will need to be convinced about the power of EVs. Ford is on a mission to do just that. In an impressive demonstration of torque, Ford recently had an electric F-150 prototype tow 10 Read More...
Kenya unveils Africa’s largest wind farm
With an eye on sustainable development, Kenya announced at the end of last year that it plans to move the country to 100 percent green energy by 2020. Now the nation has officially launched Africa’s largest wind power farm in a bid to boost electricity generating capacity and bring the country Read More...
Creating the Apollo lunar module changed the way we work down on Earth
Something absolutely crazy about Apollo lunar module was that it couldn’t be flight-tested before use. The first time each lunar module got a shakedown flight was the moment it was being used in space. It also meant that the astronauts flying the lunar module could only ever learn to fly it using Read More...
With its “virtual” power plant, Oakland looks set to move away from fossil fuels
When the demand for electricity surges in Oakland, California, a power plant burning jet fuel switches on, pumping pollution into the western part of the city. But the plant will soon close—and will be replaced in part by a network of solar panels and batteries installed in affordable apartment Read More...
Space week: Celebrating the 50 year anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing
If you really think about it, the fact that humans managed to step foot on the moon in 1969 is absolutely mind-boggling. It remains one of humanity’s greatest feats and continues to capture the hearts and minds of people all over the world. That’s why in honor of the Apollo missions' 50th year Read More...
How science fiction continues to shape real technology today
If you ever watch Star Trek, you’ll notice something very interesting: the wristwatch they used in the show has many remarkable similarities to today’s smartphones and smart watches. This isn’t the only instance where science fiction later became science fact. In 1945, long before the first Read More...
Why Explore? Highlights from Space Week!
Exploration is in our nature. We began as wanderers, and we are wanderers still. We have lingered long enough on the shores of the cosmic ocean. We are ready at last to set sail for the stars. - Carl Sagan This past week, our Editorial Team put our focus on the Moon and the stars, the Read More...
The cargo ships of the future might use traditional sails to lower emissions
The vast majority of products that move globally, from jeans to bananas to cars, travel on cargo ships that generate around 3 percent of global emissions (for context, aviation generates 2 percent). And while shipping companies such as Maersk are investing heavily in new technologies to reduce Read More...
The shipping industry will be forced to use cleaner fuels in less than 6 months
From the return of sails on cargo ships to shipping giant Maersk’s quest to drastically reduce emissions, the shipping industry has been in the spotlight this week at The Optimist Daily—and for good reason: as one of the highest polluting industries in the world, much has to change in order to Read More...