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.
Introducing the world’s first ammonia-fueled tractor
Alternative fuel sources are a hot topic these days, with the widespread boycott of Russian oil and gas combined with the dire state of the environment. In terms of reducing the negative impact conventionally powered vehicles have on the planet, there’s been a lot of investment in electric Read More...
This study brings us one step closer to conquering fear
Humans experience many powerful emotions: love, anger, excitement, and fear. The question is why do fearful memories stay with us so strongly when others become increasingly difficult to remember? Collaborating teams of researchers from Tulane University and Tufts University have been Read More...
This simple driving questionnaire could make older adults safer
Sometimes, one of the biggest impediments to driver safety is an assessment of one’s own ability. North Carolina State University has tested its proof-of-concept of a simple questionnaire that predicts which drivers are most at risk of having an accident. “We developed the tool called the Read More...
Doctors transplant 3D-printed ear made from patient’s own cells
A 20-year-old woman born with a small and malformed ear received a new 3D-printed ear made up of her cells. The ear, which was designed to perfectly match her other ear, was successfully transplanted onto her head earlier this year in a clinical trial. The company behind this impressive feat of Read More...
Stressing out crops could be a good thing
Plants have feelings too. Although they are not conscious, plants release hormones in response to stimuli such as mechanical stimuli - like touch, wind, or rain - light, water, gravity, and nutrients. For example, when you run a knife down a rhubarb stalk, thousands of genes are activated, and a Read More...
California is making composting a statewide practice
Composting is an easy and fun way to cut down on our carbon emissions while making our own fertilizer. Despite this, a lot of green waste like vegetable scraps and lawn trimmings wind up in landfills. Here they rot and release methane, a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide. Read More...
How fish evolved to generate electricity, and how it can save lives
You’ve heard of electric eels shocking their prey, but did you know they also use their electricity to communicate and recognize other fish? Eels aren’t the only electric fish in the sea. There are several other species of electric fish, and biologists have often wondered about this Read More...
What you need to know about NASA’s new mineral dust detector
Did you know that a billion metric tons of mineral dust - equivalent to 10,000 aircraft carriers - from deserts and dry regions on Earth get carried by strong winds into the atmosphere? Scientists are sure that this dust impacts the environment and climate, but there isn't enough data to determine Read More...
The VEST “hackathon”: designing safety vests for everyone
Despite its importance, a lot of construction wear isn’t made for comfort, especially if you don’t have a “default male body”. With a wide range of body types in the construction industry and its growing diversity, construction wear seems to operate on a one-size-fits-all standard, even Read More...
Stanford study shows cleaner air leads to more crops
Fertile soil, good seasons, and plentiful water aren’t the only things that affect our crops. Air pollution, and one air pollutant in particular, negatively affect the number of crops we can grow. Using satellite imaging, Stanford researchers discovered just how many nitrogen oxides affect Read More...