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.
World’s largest freshwater fish discovered in Cambodia
We often tend to think of stingrays as small and graceful, albeit dangerous, oceanic gliders. We marvel at them on nature shows and avoid them at the beach, but did you know they also inhabited freshwater? Did you know they can grow to weigh over 660 pounds? A 661-pound freshwater Read More...
Probiotics could help in the fight against depression
As we have reported many times here at Optimist Daily, our gut microbiome is extremely influential in how our body operates. We’ve previously reported on the possible role this group of bacteria plays in medical conditions such as anxiety, strokes, and overeating. Now, a new study from the Read More...
Study finds pigs and horses recognize positive and negative tones
Along the line, we evolved with certain animals and decided to keep their use but also their ability to connect with us. This is certainly the reason humans have bonded so closely with dogs and cats. As it turns out, this is the case with livestock as well. A recent study from the University Read More...
Upcycling plastic from old vehicles into graphene for new ones
Did you know that the amount of plastic used in vehicles has increased by 75 percent in the past six years? This has led to the average SUV containing up to 350 kilograms (771 pounds) of plastic that could sit in a landfill for centuries. Thankfully, researchers from Rice University were inspired Read More...
Google’s new tool lets us witness the planet changing in near real-time
Planet Earth is changing, transforming, and shifting faster than we can keep track of these days. Human development continues to spread, The Alps are turning from white to green, massive solar farms are being erected, and droughts are shrinking lakes and drying out rivers. All of these major Read More...
Bone loss pills may lower risk of ovarian cancer
A new study found that medication for the prevention of bone loss may help lower women’s risk of developing ovarian cancer. Researchers from the University of Queensland looked at the medical records of 50,000 anonymous Australian women and the medications they were taking. Drawing Read More...
Scientists discover surprising creatures 1,600 feet beneath Antarctica
Scientists seeking to study how the river in the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica has been impacted by climate change were surprised to find a lot more than they bargained for. While on the mission, the team (made out of professors and experts from a range of universities and organizations) found Read More...
Tree cities: regreening and making cities more climate-resilient
We decided to revamp a story about a wonderful solution: tree cities. At The Optimist Daily, as you’ve probably guessed, we love solutions for urban green spaces. We’ve written quite a bit about these, with their ability to offset carbon emissions, help grow food, and help animals and Read More...
Making spongier and more climate-resilient cities
We decided to revamp a story about a wonderful solution, with a few updates. The world’s cities and population centers are overwhelmingly located near water. This makes good sense since water is essential for living, and throughout history, people have built their settlements where water is Read More...
Astronomers discover nearby multi-planet system
Astronomers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have discovered a multi-planet system in our own galactic neighborhood. It is only 10 parsecs, or 33 lightyears, away from our own solar system, making it one of the closest systems to our own. Discoverers dubbed the small and cool Read More...