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.
Could this invisible label revolutionize textile recycling?
It's no secret that garments are thrown out at an alarming rate due to fast fashion and the rapid-fire cycling of trends. Furthermore, we are doing a poor job of recycling textile waste. In the United States, less than 15 percent of the 92 million tons of clothes and other textiles are recycled Read More...
Backpack-wearing rats are being trained to find earthquake survivors
DECEMBER 21ST, 2023 UPDATE: This solution is a Reader’s Choice selection of 2023! Thank you for nominating the solutions that left you feeling optimistic this year. After the terrible earthquake in Turkey and Syria last week—with thousands and thousands of casualties—rescuers have been Read More...
Scientists find two new potential therapeutic options for ALS
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurological illness with a poor prognosis, but two new trials suggest a brighter future. A team of scientists led by the University of Southern California (USC) discovered a gene and a protein in human cells and live mice that appear to be good Read More...
Australia is the first nation to acknowledge psychedelics as medicine
Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration surprised researchers by approving the psychedelic chemicals found in magic mushrooms and MDMA for use by patients with specific mental health issues, making Australia the first country to recognize psychedelics as medicines. MDMA and psilocybin MDMA Read More...
“Biological clothing”— the future of 3D lab-grown skin grafting
The science of bioengineered skin grafting is making remarkable progress thanks to a team at Columbia University, led by Asst. Prof. Hasan Erbil Abaci. Currently, bioengineered skin is only available in flat sheets, which work well for grafting onto generally smooth, featureless body regions, but Read More...
This ultra-thin coating can make solar panels self-cleaning
Solar panels cannot perform successfully if they are caked in filth, yet cleaning them on a regular basis can be time-consuming. Luckily, engineers in Germany are on the case and have created an ultra-thin coating that can self-clean solar panels and other surfaces. Solar is the most important Read More...
Avatar's motion AI tech helps researchers detect rare diseases
Researchers are using motion capture artificial intelligence technology that brings characters to life in films like Avatar to track the onset of diseases that affect movement, according to a recent BBC article. The new system uses artificial intelligence to analyze body movements and diagnose Read More...
Magnets rapidly remove dangerous "forever chemicals" from water
Australia-based scientists have devised an exciting new method for eliminating dangerous "forever chemicals" from water. When a solution is added to contaminated water, it covers the contaminants and renders them magnetic, allowing them to be easily attracted and isolated. Per- and Read More...
New solar panels harness the full light spectrum to improve crop yields
Crops and clean energy are increasingly sharing the same land as the globe struggles to deal with the climate problem and transitions to renewables and agrivoltaics — the cultivation of crops beneath the shade of solar panels. Scientists are now investigating how to harness the sun's light Read More...
Looking to boost your health? Spend more time with friends
One of the more startling findings in relationship science is that both romantic love and platonic friendship, though very different relationships, typically begin the same way — with a spark. But what comes next? According to relationship specialists, we frequently prioritize our romantic Read More...