Sniff, snuggle, snooze: Your lover's scent may be the key to better sleep
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! To celebrate this day of love, we’re bringing back this fascinating article—because what’s more romantic than better sleep and the scent of your special someone? Snuggle up and enjoy! Have you ever snuggled up Read More...
Sniff, snuggle, snooze: Your lover's scent may be the key to better sleep
Have you ever snuggled up in bed and buried your face in an old t-shirt when your partner is away? Science tells us you're on to something! According to a quirky 2020 study from the University of British Columbia, your beloved's aroma might be your ticket to a more tranquil night's sleep—no, Read More...
“Blue Corridors”: using science and animal instinct to save fish populations
We’ve all marveled at the intrepid salmon swimming against the current, up waterfalls, and avoiding predators to return to its native spawning grounds, or at least we’ve all seen it on a nature show. This behavior is called philopatry, an animal’s tendency to return to its area of birth, and Read More...
World Happiness Report shines a light in dark times
The past few years have been incredibly challenging for the world, though it turns out we’re doing better than you might think! According to an international research project, levels of social support and benevolence actually increased in this difficult time. This year is the 10th Read More...
Researchers make a surprising discovery about common west coast flower
The western false asphodel, or Triantha occidentalis, was first noted in the scientific record in 1879 and commonly dwells in bogs near urban centers of the Pacific Northwest. Despite being on scientists’ radar for over 140 years, it was not until very recently that researchers discovered a Read More...
Novel technology cools air far more efficiently than air conditioners
With rising temperatures as a result of climate change, the demand for air conditioners is expected to rise at unprecedented rates, which, in turn, will only further contribute to climate change due to the large amount of energy they require. That, however, is not their only problem. In a time of Read More...
New research shows the neurological importance of living near green spaces
As the Optimist Daily has often reported, natural spaces improve air quality, mental health, and boost community building. Adding to their list of superpowers, a new study from the University of British Columbia has found that living near green spaces can reduce your risk of developing neurological Read More...
“Molecular Clock” could revolutionize how we study child development
Diet, stress, and home life are all factors that affect gene expression. Epigenetics, the study of how gene expression affects our cells and tissues, has been used to study early signs of diseases such as breast and cervical cancer, but now researchers at the University of British Columbia have Read More...