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.
Endorsing the sharing economy, Ford’s newest app focuses on mobility
It may be a rather silly image now in the days of smartphones. But there was a time when in order to listen to your own music collection, you’d have to travel around with a bunch of vinyl LPs under your arm. Apple’s iTunes revolutionized the way we listen to our favourite music on the go. Now Read More...
Wind energy output ‘could power most Scots homes’
Wind power output hit record levels last year, generating enough energy to supply the electrical needs of 97 per cent of Scottish homes. Turbines provided 10,392,439 MWh of electricity to the National Grid, enough on average to supply 2.34 million homes, up 16 per cent compared to the previous Read More...
Forget Smart Meters, Here's Some Smart Grid Technology That’s Changing How We Use Energy
Talk of smart grid technology often revolves around how homeowners can reduce their utility bills by implementing smart meters on their homes. But focusing on such technology limits the understanding of how true technological innovations are transforming, and protecting, smart grids across the Read More...
UK demand soars for electric and hybrid vehicles
Demand for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles is soaring, according to new figures released today by the UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The data shows the number of new cars eligible for the government Plug-in Car Grant scheme rose from 14,532 in to 28,188 last Read More...
The neuroscience behind mindfulness
Mindfulness is currently a very hot topic. It seems like every health website, magazine and newspaper is touting the benefits of meditation and yoga practices. Wired posted an article on how meditation can calm the anxious mind and help one manage emotions, Shape magazine relays that meditation can Read More...
General Motors makes electric car for mainstream market
General Motors has just unveiled its latest electric car, the Chevrolet Bolt, claiming it’s the most serious of such vehicles available to the mainstream market. At $30,000 (after US federal income tax rebate for electric cars), the Bolt comes equipped with the latest transportation technologies, Read More...
Russia could get all its electricity from renewable sources by 2030
If you read about Russia in the media, it's usually not good news. Reinforcing stereotypes is, sadly, how the news industry works. So you won't have much chance reading elsewhere about a report showing that Russia could become a "highly energy-competitive" region by getting all its electricity from Read More...
Kia aims for self-driving car by 2030
The steady democratization of autonomous car technology continues at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, with populist South Korean automaker Kia announcing Tuesday that it is stepping up its mission to create a self-driving car for the masses by 2030. In the nearer term, Kia executive vice Read More...
UK wind industry smashes records in 2015
2015 was a record-breaking year for the British wind industry, with onshore and offshore farms providing a larger-than-ever share of the UK's electricity, according to new data released today by National Grid. Last year the UK generated 11 per cent of its electricity from wind, up from 9.5 per cent Read More...
Look again. A wood-fired power plant
The picture shows a power plant that looks like any other fossil fuel burning facility. That makes sense because the Drax power station in the United Kingdom used to be a coal-fired plant and one of Britain’s biggest polluters. However, today, the same plant is fired by wood chips and has turned Read More...