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.
How the Chicago River went from dumping ground to eco destination
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM For generations, the Chicago River was overlooked, dismissed, and heavily polluted. But today, this waterway is showing signs of life so promising that Chicago is preparing to host its first downtown open-water swim in nearly a century. "Everyone used to Read More...
Ovarian cancer symptoms you shouldn’t ignore: what to watch for and how to lower your risk
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Cancer doesn’t always announce itself with dramatic symptoms, which makes early detection and treatment difficult. This is especially true for ovarian cancer. Doctors often call it a “silent killer” because many people feel fine until the disease is Read More...
7 science-backed benefits of getting older you might not expect
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM When we talk about aging, the narrative often centers on loss. The loss of youth, of energy, of possibility. But that picture is far from complete. “Everyone talks about aging as this decline,” says Michelle Feng, chief clinical officer at Executive Read More...
Mexico’s jaguar numbers rise: conservation sparks a 30 percent increase
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Good news for the jaguar, a species often teetering on the edge of survival: Mexico has just recorded a 30 percent increase in its population since 2010. From 4,100 individuals to 5,326 today, this remarkable rebound is the result of years of coordinated Read More...
3 minute “Fastball test” could help spot Alzheimer’s risk earlier
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM A simple three-minute test using brainwave technology could provide a new window into the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Developed by researchers at the University of Bath, the test picks up subtle memory problems linked to Alzheimer’s long before Read More...
From wind farm to front door: architects turn turbines into tiny homes
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Step inside Nestle, and you might think you’re in a sleek, minimalist cabin. The sunlight filters through glass doors, white walls glow under a skylight, and four solar panels gleam overhead. Step outside, though, and the secret is revealed: this cozy Read More...
Europe approves twice-yearly HIV prevention shot amid rising cases
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Imagine replacing a daily pill with just two injections a year. That is now a reality in Europe, where the European Commission has approved the first twice-yearly shot to prevent HIV. The drug, lenacapavir, marketed as Yeytuo, is already being hailed as a Read More...
Japan’s first osmotic power plant shows how salt and fresh water can fuel renewable energy
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Fukuoka, Japan, has quietly switched on a facility that could point to the future of renewable energy. The country’s first osmotic power plant (and only the second in the world) will generate roughly 880,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. That Read More...
Spacey September: 10 dazzling night sky events you won’t want to miss
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM September is shaping up to be a month where the sky itself feels like a calendar of wonders. A total lunar eclipse, bright planets at their peak, and even a rare solar spectacle are just a few of the reasons to step outside after dark. Whether you’re an Read More...
How a beneficial bacteria could help save Florida’s coral from devastating disease
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Marine biologists are celebrating a potential breakthrough in the fight against one of the deadliest coral diseases in the Caribbean: stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD). A naturally occurring probiotic, discovered on a coral colony that survived an SCTLD Read More...