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New French law helps independent bookstores compete with online retailers
A French law passed in 2014 that prohibits retailers from discounting new books has helped small bookstores survive amidst heavy competition from powerful online retailers. However, the owners of independent shops are still at a disadvantage because online marketplace giants such as Amazon have Read More...
Jersey City program expands access to local vertical farms
Vertical farms have been praised for their adaptability in dense spaces as well as low resource use. Another advantage is that they offer locally-grown produce to consumers that live miles away from traditional farmlands. In Jersey City, an innovative scheme is combining these different benefits of Read More...
Old Kingdom mummy upends previous beliefs about Egyptian mummification
When we think of ancient Egyptians, mummies usually come to mind pretty quickly, and new research is shedding light on the mummification process of these ancient civilizations. Specifically on the fact that Egyptians were practicing mummification long before we previously thought. The 2019 Read More...
The science behind the pumpkin spice latte
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM It’s pumpkin spice latte season, and whether you love or hate this classic festive beverage, you can’t deny that there is a nostalgic power to its sweet brew. To explore why exactly we love pumpkin spice so much, a pair of perception researchers from John Read More...
Sustainable renovation tips from an interior designer
If you’re thinking of giving your interior space a facelift before heading into the winter season but want to go about it in the most eco-friendly way possible, Toronto-based interior designer Rebecca Hay has some inspirational home design ideas that prioritize style and sustainability. Reduce, Read More...
Newly discovered spooky parasite eats and replaces fish tongues
If creepy crawlies and frightening monsters are your thing, then we’ve got a story for you. Officials at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department have discovered a peculiar parasite just in time for Halloween. The parasite doesn’t just feast on fish’s tongues—it replaces it and continues Read More...
Drivers in Barcelona can exchange their old car for a free transit pass
With governments racing to meet their climate targets, many of them have been particularly attentive to the transportation sector, where reducing emissions can have a huge impact. In that vein, there is an increasing number of initiatives looking to move people away from cars and towards cleaner Read More...
How to make a homemade bathroom air freshening spray
Nobody likes a stinky bathroom, but it’s especially unpleasant in the winter when it’s too cold to open the windows and air things out. Store bought air freshening sprays can help, but these can be costly and often contain toxic ingredients. Fortunately, it’s pretty easy to make a DIY version Read More...
Dutch pension giant ABP to divest from fossil fuel producers
Motivated by recent climate reports by the United Nations and International Energy Agency, the Netherlands’ biggest pension fund, the ABP fund, has announced that it will divest from companies that produce fossil fuels. The change, which many of the members of the fund were demanding, was Read More...
Research yields surprising discovery about the benefits of green tea
Green tea has been shown to reduce the risks of chronic illness, and it is a common healthy staple in many cultures around the world. Researchers previously thought this tea’s benefits came from its antioxidants, which prevent oxidative stress by capturing free radicals, but a new study from ETH Read More...