Today’s Solutions: April 22, 2026

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.

Highway in Chile's Atacama desert with bright blues skies

Recycled old tires could make roads last twice as long

Prolonged sun exposure is one of the main contributors to asphalt cracking. That’s because the heat from the sun dries up the road’s moisture content, making it brittle and prone to wear. A team of scientists has found that adding rubber from old tires to asphalt can help roads last twice as Read More...

Berlin public transportation

Germany slashes public transportation costs to reduce fossil fuel dependence

In the energy standoff between Europe and Russia, Germany has taken many measures to accelerate the phasing out of oil and gas. It has resolved to make energy cheaper for homes and businesses. It has pushed plans to put solar panels on every public building by 2025.  Now, Germany has cut train, Read More...

a dolphin swims up to the camera against a coral reef backdrop

Dolphins are using coral as a skin treatment

New research suggests that dolphins rub up against coral for more reasons than scratching a hard-to-reach itch. The cetaceans, which are known to rub against the rough surfaces of coral, take naps in coral beds, and enjoy soaking on sponges along the reef may actually be using the coral to treat Read More...

The collection of stamps released by the UN to celebrate the international achievements of Mars missions.

Check out these postage stamps celebrating Mars missions

More countries are operating spacecrafts on and around Mars than ever before! These important missions are revealing interesting secrets about our solar system, climate, and possibly the origins of life. To celebrate this momentous human achievement, the United Nations have honored the Red Read More...

Cooling home

Seven tips for cooling your home without AC

Many of us can already feel the heated start of Summer, along with the urge to crank up the air-conditioning. While heatstroke is a serious health concern, a whole city blasting cool air into their homes presents a threat to the power grid. Some places like Texas are already experiencing Read More...

Two doctors having discussion about patient diagnosis, examining viral infection or pneumonia lesion on Chest X-ray film in hospital.

This AI could be a gamechanger for patients with lung problems

While we are largely out of the worst parts of the Pandemic, some of the lasting effects of COVID-19 can still be felt, especially in the lungs of those who endured the virus. Studies have found that lasting harm can be left from having the disease and scientists have had a hard time visualizing Read More...

Less TV

Keeping TV to less than an hour a day greatly reduces risk of heart disease

In the age of binge-watching, there is no shortage of good things to watch, but is watching this much TV a good thing? Besides spending too much time inside and a lack of exercise, excessively watching TV can have negative health consequences. New research shows that reducing our daily streaming Read More...

Plankton drifting in water.

Study reveals planktons' unexpected resilience to global warming

With our changing climate, protecting all impacted organisms on Earth is a huge priority. The planet has gone through previous cycles of heating and cooling, and looking at these periods can give us clues about what may happen. An international team of researchers has done just that, by studying Read More...

diverse group does high intensity interval training

Why is high intensity interval training (or HIIT) so good for you? An expert explains

In recent years, interval training has taken off, with many gyms and online workout apps offering high-intensity interval training (or HIIT) sessions or videos. These short, high-energy sessions involve pushing yourself hard until you reach as close to your peak heart rate as you can for Read More...

Lab Mouse

Successful treatment with mice shows promise of new spinal injury drug

Spinal cord injuries can be debilitating and change a person’s life with a partial or full loss of movement. In the US, there are an estimated 17,500 new spinal cord injuries every year, and there are currently no mainstream ways to reverse these injuries.  Researchers at the University of Read More...