Around 3.7 billion years ago, early molecules on the young Earth learned to copy themselves. Over time, this simple act of replication - with help from chance and chemistry - blossomed into the plants and animals we see today.



Charles Darwin later explained how slow, steady change - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-intelligence-did-not-evolve-due-to-natural-selection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural selection</a> acting on isolated populations - could split one species into two.



Yet in the plant kingdom, an alternative route to diversity exists. It is called autopolyploidy, and a new theoretical study of a woodland herb known as beetleweed (Galax urceolata) shows just how powerful - and complicated - this mechanism can be.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dna-mistake-sparks-new-species">DNA mistake sparks new species</h2>



Most organisms, humans included, are diploid: they carry two complete sets of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-animals-balance-their-sex-chromosomes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chromosomes</a>, one from each parent.



In autopolyploidy, something unusual happens during the production of sperm or egg cells. Instead of halving the chromosome count, the cell leaves the full complement intact. When such a gamete meets another, the resulting embryo inherits double - or even triple - the usual DNA.



The newcomer may still manage to reproduce with its diploid relatives, but the hybrid offspring generally fare poorly. That mismatch in fertility often pushes the polyploid lineage to mate among its own kind, launching an instant reproductive barrier and, effectively, a new species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-three-types-one-plant">Three types, one plant</h2>



For decades botanists assumed these chromosome copycats were evolutionary curiosities - unlikely to survive, let alone thrive, alongside their diploid parents.



Field surveys later overturned that view: autopolyploids are widespread and resilient. 



The lingering mystery was whether several cytotypes - diploids, triploids, tetraploids - could share the same patch of ground without one eventually eliminating the others through sheer competition.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mountain-herb-with-three-identities">Mountain herb with three identities</h2>



Beetleweed, a low evergreen that carpets portions of the Appalachian Mountains, provided the perfect natural experiment. Earlier surveys revealed that some stands contain plants with two, three, or four chromosome sets.



“Through my fieldwork, I discovered that a single population could have a mishmash of cytotypes, which fascinated me,” remarked Shelly Gaynor, lead author of the new study that she&nbsp;completed at the <a href="https://www.ufl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Florida</a>.



“With this study, I set out to understand if these populations could persist over time. Would one cytotype eventually outcompete the others, or could all three cytotypes persist?”



Answering that required tools beyond the transect tape and microscope. Gaynor and colleagues designed a mathematical framework that treats population change as inherently noisy - subject to random swings in birth, death, climate, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-transforming-pollen-science-and-health-planning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollen</a> flow.



Their model tracks how diploids, triploids, and autotetraploids form, spread, and interact when gene flow keeps tossing new genetic combinations into the mix.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chromosomes-coexist-in-plants">Chromosomes coexist in plants</h2>



Two ingredients emerged as critical for long-term coexistence. First, self-fertilization rates matter. 



The more often a plant can pollinate itself, the easier it becomes for an odd-ploidy seedling to find a genetically compatible mate - sometimes its own flowers - without relying on scarce partners.



Second, partial reproductive isolation improves balance. If crosses between cytotypes rarely succeed, each form can maintain its numbers without being swamped by unfit hybrids.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-favors-the-strongest">Stress favors the strongest</h2>



Environmental hardship then tilts the playing field. Under harsh conditions and intense competition, the model predicts that autotetraploids gain an edge over their diploid ancestors.



Extra chromosome copies may buffer them against stress, confer broader ecological tolerance or fuel faster adaptation. Triploids, by contrast, often act as a genetic bridge, forming when diploids and tetraploids interbreed but typically suffer lower fertility.



Because Gaynor’s simulations embed both demographic randomness and shifting weather, they reveal outcomes conventional equations might miss.



Sometimes all three cytotypes coexist for centuries; other times one prevails after a long stalemate. The key lesson is that stochasticity - the roll of the “evolutionary dice” - cannot be ignored when forecasting which lineages persist.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impacts-beyond-one-plant">Impacts beyond one plant</h2>



Although the work focuses on a single Appalachia endemic plant, its reach extends far. Crop breeders deliberately create autopolyploids to enlarge fruit, boost resilience, or break <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crop-disease-experts-discover-how-bacteria-hijack-plant-cells/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">disease</a> cycles.



Understanding how mixed-ploidy fields behave over time could help manage gene flow between improved varieties and their wild relatives.



Conservationists, meanwhile, wrestle with how best to protect rare plants that harbor multiple chromosome races within the same reserve; the new model offers a scaffold for predicting viability under climate stress.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenging-evolutionary-assumptions">Challenging evolutionary assumptions</h2>



The research also nudges evolutionary theory. Instant speciation via autopolyploidy sits at one extreme of the continuum of reproductive isolation. 



By showing that such sudden splits can persist even when parents and offspring rub shoulders, the beetleweed study challenges the tidy notion that new species must always occupy distinct niches or territories to survive.



Gaynor’s findings do not close the book on polyploid dynamics; rather, they open new chapters. 



Field experiments that monitor marked plants through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/droughts-and-extreme-weather-events-are-escalating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">droughts</a>, fires, and pathogen outbreaks could test whether tetraploids really weather adversity better.



Genetic analyses might uncover which genes, duplicated in extra copies, underpin that resilience. And satellite imagery paired with ecological modelling may reveal whether mixed-cytotype populations correlate with particular microclimates across the Appalachian ridges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-evolutionary-pathways">New evolutionary pathways </h2>



For now, the humble beetleweed stands as living proof that life need not wait for continental drift or glacial cycles to carve new evolutionary pathways.



Sometimes a single cellular hiccup - one missed step in plant chromosome division - is enough to spin off an enduring lineage. 



In the grand narrative that began with rogue molecules self-assembling eons ago, autopolyploidy writes its own rapid-fire chapter, reminding us that the processes that generate biodiversity can be as swift as they are surprising.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/734411" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The American Naturalist</a>.



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Plant chromosome glitch fast-tracks evolution

Around 3.7 billion years ago, early molecules on the young Earth learned to copy themselves. Over time, this simple act of replication - with help from chance and chemistry - blossomed into the plants and animals we see today. Charles Darwin later explained how slow, steady change - natural selection acting on isolated populations - could split one species into two. Yet in the plant kingdom, an alternative route to diversity exists. It is called autopolyploidy, and a new theoretical study of a woodland herb known as...

The air we breathe, the weather we play in, the world we know – it's all changing fast. Unfortunately, kids are the first to feel it. Climate change is the culprit behind this rapid shift in the wellbeing of children. 



To understand how it impacts children's health, researchers at the <a href="https://www.uwa.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Western Australia</a> embarked on an innovative study.



The team took a massive data dive, scouring scientific databases for connections between any type of climate change and any kind of health concern in children under 18.



“We’ve crunched the data to show how certain types of future weather events will worsen particular medical issues in the population,” explained study co-author Professor Corey Bradshaw of Flinders University.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-children-and-climate-change">Studying children and climate change</h2>



The study reveals a worrying 60% surge in the risk of preterm birth associated with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ticks-are-highly-resilient-to-extreme-temperatures/">temperature extremes</a>. Preterm birth, occurring before 37 weeks, is not only a leading cause of infant death, but also carries lifelong health and developmental repercussions for children.



This isn't just a personal tragedy, it's a societal one. Premature births translate to higher healthcare costs, longer hospital stays, and a cascade of challenges for families and communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-air-pollution-nbsp">Impact of air pollution&nbsp;</h2>



Children are more vulnerable to air pollution from climate change than adults. Their developing bodies, especially their lungs, are affected by the harmful effects of air pollution. This study shines a light on the invisible dangers lurking in car fumes, factory smoke, and even dust, revealing a devastating impact on young lives.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nitrogen-oxides">Nitrogen oxides</h3>



Nitrogen oxides, spewed by vehicles and factories, top the list of culprits. These invisible gases inflame delicate lung airways and worsen asthma. For children, this translates to stunted growth and a lifetime of breathing difficulties.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smoke-and-fine-dust">Smoke and fine dust</h3>



The study also exposes the silent threat of fine dust, a ubiquitous enemy that triggers infections, exacerbates asthma, and throws a wrench into lung development. Smoke from burning materials, another common foe, adds to the misery, causing bronchitis and further hindering young lungs.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lifetime-of-health-challenges-nbsp">Lifetime of health challenges&nbsp;</h3>



The message is clear: air pollution, in all its forms, is a silent menace for children. It's not just about coughs and wheezes; it's about stolen breaths, stunted growth, and a lifetime of health challenges. We can't afford to ignore this invisible enemy any longer.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ticks-are-highly-resilient-to-extreme-temperatures/">Extreme temperatures</a>, both hot and cold, pose a significant threat to children's health, according to the study. Hospital and emergency room admissions for children spiked during these periods, which were instigated by climate change. Tragically, extreme temperatures are also claiming the lives of children. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-immediate-action-is-needed">Immediate action is needed</h2>



Moreover, children from low-income families face a heightened risk of illness due to temperature fluctuations. This exposes them to greater vulnerability in the face of climate change's impacts on health.



Children, particularly those in poverty-stricken nations, bear the brunt of climate change's burden. The study reveals a troubling research gap in poorer regions, suggesting that the true impact on children's health might be significantly worse than what we currently know.



Climate change acts as a health inequity amplifier, jeopardizing the well-being of young lives. The researchers are calling for immediate global action to mitigate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-outrun-the-flood-risks-of-climate-change/">climate change</a> and prioritize support for vulnerable children.



“Our research recognizes some important areas where children are most vulnerable to climate change,” said Dr. Lewis Weeda, who led the study. “The development of public health policies to counter these climate-related diseases, alongside efforts to reduce anthropogenic climate change, must be addressed if we are to protect current and future children.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-un-sustainable-development-goals-nbsp">UN Sustainable Development Goals&nbsp;</h2>



The research makes it clear: we absolutely need to put the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the top of our list if we want to protect children from the adverse <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fear-and-anxiety-the-mental-health-impacts-of-wildfires/">health effects</a> of climate change.&nbsp;



These goals, created by the UN, were designed to make the world a better place by 2030, a world without <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/satellite-imagery-used-to-map-global-poverty/">poverty</a> that is filled with peace and good things for everyone.&nbsp;



To make this big dream come true, they created a plan with 17 connected goals that tackle the hardest problems everyone faces.



Some of the SDGs include:



<ul>
<li>Zero Hunger: Ending hunger, achieving food security, and promoting sustainable agriculture are crucial because climate change disrupts food production and availability, directly impacting children's nutrition and health.</li>



<li>Good Health and Well-being: Guaranteeing healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages is essential, as research confirms the detrimental effects of climate change on children's health, including increased respiratory illnesses, higher mortality rates, and more hospitalizations.</li>



<li>Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensuring access to clean water and sustainable sanitation for all is paramount for preventing diseases worsened by climate change.</li>



<li>Decent Work and Economic Growth: Sustainable, inclusive economic growth, full employment, and decent work for all are key to providing the infrastructure and healthcare services needed to mitigate the impacts of climate change on children.</li>



<li>Sustainable Cities and Communities: Building inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements is crucial. Urban planning and infrastructure development that consider climate change impacts can protect children in urban areas.</li>



<li>Responsible Consumption and Production: Achieving sustainable consumption and production patterns is vital. This highlights the need to reduce the environmental footprint of human activities that contribute to climate change.</li>



<li>Climate Action: Taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts is essential. This directly addresses the need to protect vulnerable populations, including children, from the effects of climate change.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-new-insights-on-children-and-climate-change">Critical new insights on children and climate change</h2>



“We identified many direct links between climate change and child health, the strongest of which was a 60% increased risk on average of preterm birth from exposure to temperature extremes. Respiratory diseases, mortality, and morbidity, among others, were also made worse by climate change,” noted Professor Bradshaw.



“The effects of different air pollutants on children’s health outcomes were smaller compared to temperature effects, but most pollutants still had an effect of some type, so the news is concerning. The children’s health issues we identified depend on weather extremes - cold extremes give rise to respiratory diseases, while drought and extreme rainfall can result in stunted growth for a population.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-climate-change-s-impact-on-children">Broader implications of climate change's impact on children</h2>



The study emphasizes the urgent need to understand the far-reaching effects of climate change on children's health. It seeks to measure the extent of this impact, pinpoint areas most vulnerable to climate-related illnesses, and establish a framework for identifying risks specific to different populations.&nbsp;



“Given that climate influences childhood disease, social and financial costs will continue to rise as climate change progresses, placing increasing pressure on families and health services. For example, asthma has been estimated to cost as much as US$1.5 billion due to a single fire season in the future, while another study estimated the costs of a single case of childhood asthma at up to US$23,573 in the coming years,” said Professor Bradshaw.



The analysis forms a crucial step in tackling this ecological and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-climate-change-and-biodiversity-loss-are-one-indivisible-global-health-crisis/">health crisis</a>. By providing evidence-based insights, it paves the way for effective interventions and policies to safeguard child health amidst a changing climate.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170944" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science of the Total Environment</a>.



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Climate change takes a major toll on children's health

The air we breathe, the weather we play in, the...

Researchers at <a href="https://duke.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Duke University</a>'s Department of Biomedical Engineering have made a significant breakthrough in understanding how antibiotic resistance <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/river-plastics-may-harbor-antimicrobial-resistance-genes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genes</a> spread among pathogens and contribute to the development of resistance against new antibiotics. 



This critical research, led by Professor Lingchong You and the team working in his lab, has identified a direct correlation between the exposure of bacteria to antibiotics and the increase in identical copies of resistance genes within their genomes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria">Studying antibiotic resistant bacteria</h2>



The study reveals that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deadly-bacteria-has-an-ally-lurking-in-our-guts/">bacteria</a> in environments with high antibiotic usage tend to possess numerous copies of antibiotic resistance genes. 



These genes are often associated with transposons, or "<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-fungus-has-become-more-deadly-thanks-to-jumping-genes/">jumping genes</a>," that facilitate their transfer across different bacterial strains. 



This not only enables the rapid dissemination of resistance traits but also sets the stage for the evolutionary adaptation of bacteria to resist new antibiotics.



Previously, the You lab demonstrated that 25% of bacterial pathogens could spread antibiotic resistance through horizontal gene transfer.&nbsp;



However, they found that the presence of antibiotics did not accelerate this gene transfer, suggesting an alternate mechanism at play for the proliferation of resistance genes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapid-evolutionary-adaptation-nbsp">Rapid evolutionary adaptation&nbsp;</h2>



Rohan Maddamsetti, a postdoctoral fellow in You's lab, likened the duplication of certain genes to a "fingerprint" that indicates rapid evolutionary adaptation under antibiotic pressure.&nbsp;



"We hypothesized that bacteria under attack from antibiotics would often have multiple copies of protective resistance genes, but until recently we didn’t have the technology to find the smoking gun,” he said.



Advancements in long-read genome sequencing over the past five years have now made it possible to identify these genetic repetitions, revealing that bacteria from environments with prevalent antibiotic use - such as in humans and livestock - are more likely to have these gene duplications.&nbsp;



In contrast, such duplications are seldom found in bacteria from natural settings like wild plants, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/amazon-animals-will-suffer-as-the-rainforest-turns-into-savanna/">animals</a>, soil, and water.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clinical-settings">Clinical settings</h2>



The study also highlighted that the duplication of resistance genes is even more pronounced in clinical settings, where antibiotic use is common.&nbsp;



This suggests that the overuse of antibiotics not only promotes the spread of existing resistance but also enhances the bacteria's capability to evolve resistance against newly developed treatments.



"Constantly creating copies of genes for resistance to penicillin, for example, may be the first step toward being able to break down a new kind of drug. It gives evolution more rolls of the dice to find a special mutation," Maddamsetti explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-nbsp">Broader implications&nbsp;</h2>



Professor You underscored the broader implications of the findings, critiquing the prevailing approach to the antibiotic resistance crisis, which often focuses on developing new drugs. He argued for more efficient and effective use of antibiotics, especially in <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/global-land-for-agriculture">agriculture</a>, where the majority of antibiotics in the U.S. are utilized.&nbsp;



"The majority of antibiotics used in the United States are not used on patients, they’re used in agriculture," You remarked, highlighting the significant role the livestock industry plays in perpetuating antibiotic resistance.&nbsp;



“So this is an especially important message for the livestock industry, which is a major driver of why antibiotic resistance is always out there and becoming more serious.”



The research not only advances our understanding of bacterial adaptation but also calls for a reevaluation of antibiotic usage practices to combat the growing threat of antibiotic resistance more effectively.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-bacterial-antibiotic-resistance">More about bacterial antibiotic resistance</h2>



As discussed above, bacterial antibiotic resistance represents one of the most daunting challenges in the medical field today. It occurs when bacteria evolve mechanisms to resist the effects of antibiotics, making standard treatments ineffective and infections harder to control. 



This resistance emerges from the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in both human medicine and agriculture.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-bacteria-develop-resistance">How bacteria develop resistance</h3>



Bacteria develop resistance through several mechanisms. One common method is through genetic mutations. These spontaneous changes in their DNA allow some bacteria to survive exposure to antibiotics, which they then pass on to their offspring. 



Additionally, bacteria can acquire resistance genes from other bacteria through horizontal gene transfer, a process that allows them to share genetic material, including resistance genes, even between different species.



The impact of antibiotic resistance on public health is profound. It leads to longer hospital stays, higher medical costs, and an increased mortality rate. Infections that were once easily treatable, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and gonorrhea, are becoming more difficult to manage and cure. This resistance crisis threatens to undermine decades of progress in fighting bacterial infections.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-combating-antibiotic-resistance">Combating antibiotic resistance</h3>



One of the key strategies to combat antibiotic resistance is the implementation of antibiotic stewardship programs. These programs aim to optimize the use of antibiotics in hospitals and clinics, ensuring they are prescribed only when necessary and in the right dosages. 



By doing so, they help minimize the unnecessary exposure of bacteria to antibiotics, slowing down the development of resistance.



There's a pressing need for ongoing research and development of new antibiotics and alternative treatments. 



As many pharmaceutical companies have deprioritized antibiotic development due to low financial returns, governments and private sectors are encouraged to invest in research to discover novel antibiotics and develop alternative therapies, such as bacteriophage therapy and the use of probiotics.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-awareness-and-education">Public awareness and education</h3>



Increasing public awareness and education about the proper use of antibiotics is crucial. Patients and healthcare providers must understand the importance of using antibiotics responsibly. 



This includes not pressuring healthcare providers for antibiotics for viral infections, such as the common cold or flu, against which antibiotics are ineffective.



In summary, bacterial antibiotic resistance poses a significant threat to global health, with the potential to turn treatable infections into deadly diseases. It requires a concerted effort from governments, the healthcare sector, and the public to tackle this issue. 



Through stewardship programs, research, and education, we can slow the spread of resistance and protect the efficacy of antibiotics for future generations.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-45638-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Bacteria in livestock are major drivers of human antibiotic resistance

Researchers at Duke University's Department of Biomedical Engineering have made...

In a significant technological breakthrough, scientists have unveiled a pioneering technology, named PSiFI, capable of recognizing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-can-decipher-every-possible-facial-expression-outperforming-therapists/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human emotions</a> in real-time. 



This development from Professor Jiyun Kim and his team from the Department of Material Science and Engineering at <a href="https://www.unist.ac.kr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNIST</a> is set to transform a variety of sectors by integrating emotion-based services into next-generation wearable devices, enhancing how we interact with technology on a profound level.



Historically, accurately discerning emotional states has been a formidable challenge due to the inherently abstract and multifaceted nature of human emotions, moods, and feelings. 



Addressing this challenge, Professor Kim's team has introduced a cutting-edge multi-modal human emotion recognition system. This system uniquely merges verbal and non-verbal cues, offering a holistic approach to understanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/27-different-human-emotions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human emotions</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psifi-the-heart-of-emotion-recognition">PSiFI: The heart of emotion recognition</h2>



At the heart of this innovative system is the Personalized Skin-Integrated Facial Interface (PSiFI) system. Distinguished by its self-sufficiency, simplicity, flexibility, and transparency, the PSiFI system incorporates a <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/emotion-recognition-system_illustration_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bidirectional triboelectric strain and vibration sensor</a>. 



This sensor is pivotal in concurrently capturing and processing both verbal and non-verbal expressions. Coupled with a sophisticated data processing circuit, the system facilitates seamless wireless data transfer, enabling the instantaneous recognition of emotions.



Empowered by machine learning algorithms, the technology showcases remarkable efficiency in recognizing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/goats-can-recognize-human-emotions-in-the-sound-of-a-voice/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human emotions</a> accurately and promptly, even in scenarios where individuals wear masks. 



Its practical application has already been demonstrated in a digital concierge service within a virtual reality (VR) environment, underscoring its versatility and potential for widespread adoption.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-science-behind-the-psifi-ai-technology">Science behind the PSiFI AI technology</h2>



The foundation of this PSiFI AI technology lies in the phenomenon of friction charging, which generates power through the separation of charges upon friction, eliminating the need for external power sources or intricate measurement devices. 



Professor Kim elaborated on the development process, highlighting the use of a semi-curing technique for creating a transparent conductor crucial for the friction charging electrodes. 



“Based on these technologies, we have developed a skin-integrated face interface (PSiFI) system that can be customized for individuals," Kim explained.



A personalized mask, crafted using a multi-angle shooting technique, ensures the system's adaptability, combining flexibility, elasticity, and transparency seamlessly.



Jin Pyo Lee, the lead author of the study, expressed optimism about the system's capability to facilitate real-time <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-deprivation-has-a-big-impact-on-emotional-well-being/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emotion</a> recognition with minimal learning steps and without the necessity for complex equipment. 



“With this developed system, it is possible to implement real-time emotion recognition with just a few learning steps and without complex measurement equipment," Lee said. 



"This opens up possibilities for portable emotion recognition devices and next-generation emotion-based digital platform services in the future.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-possibilities-and-applications">Future possibilities and applications</h2>



This breakthrough heralds the advent of portable emotion recognition devices and paves the way for future emotion-based digital platforms.



The team's experiments in real-time <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/should-robots-be-programmed-to-have-human-consciousness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emotion</a> recognition, involving the collection of multimodal data like facial muscle deformation and voice, demonstrated high accuracy with minimal training. The PSiFI system's wireless, customizable nature promises easy wearability and convenience.



Expanding its application to VR environments, the system acts as a digital concierge in various settings such as smart homes, private movie theaters, and smart offices. 



By identifying individual emotions, it offers personalized recommendations for music, movies, and books, showcasing its potential to create more intuitive and personalized user experiences.



Professor Kim emphasized the crucial role of Human-Machine Interface (HMI) devices in facilitating effective interactions between humans and machines. 



“For effective interaction between humans and machines, human-machine interface (HMI) devices must be capable of collecting diverse data types and handling complex integrated information," says Kim. 



"This study exemplifies the potential of using <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exposure-to-womens-tears-decreases-aggression-in-men/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emotions</a>, which are complex forms of human information, in next-generation wearable systems.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-psifi-steps-harmonizing-humanity-and-technology">Next PSiFI steps: Harmonizing humanity and technology</h2>



In summary, Professor Jiyun Kim and his team at UNIST have propelled us into a new era of technological intimacy with their pioneering emotion recognition technology. 



By seamlessly integrating verbal and non-verbal cues through the innovative PSiFI system, they've unlocked the potential for machines to understand human emotions in real-time, making it possible for more empathetic and personalized digital interactions. 



This fascinating technology marks a significant leap in human-machine interfaces and opens the door to a future where technology can adapt to our emotional states, enhancing our daily lives in ways we've only begun to imagine. 



As we stand on the brink of this exciting frontier, the possibilities for deepening our connection with the digital world are limitless, promising a future where technology truly understands us.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-44673-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Wearable "PSiFI" AI tech device interprets emotions of any human nearby

In a significant technological breakthrough, scientists have unveiled a pioneering...

Every decision, big or small, good or bad, starts somewhere in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-learning-how-the-brain-stores-new-information/">brain</a>. But how does it reach that final conclusion?



Deep within the brain lies a decision-making powerhouse: the posterior parietal cortex (PPC). It's not just a control center, but a network of neurons. <a href="https://www.harvard.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard</a> researchers have unlocked some of the secrets of how these neurons work together, giving us a better understanding of how we make decisions. 



“How the brain is organized to help make decisions is a big, fundamental question, and the neural circuitry - how neurons are connected to one another - in brain areas that are important for decision-making isn’t well understood,” said&nbsp;



Study co-author Wei-Chung Allen Lee is an associate professor of Neurobiology in the <a href="https://hms.harvard.edu/research/blavatnik-institute" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blavatnik Institute</a> at Harvard Medical School. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observation-in-a-maze">Observation in a maze</h2>



The researchers studied decision-making processes in the brains of mice by observing their behavior in a maze. Trained to turn left or right depending on visual cues, the mice provided behavioral data on how they make decisions.&nbsp;



To peek inside the brains (specifically PPC) of these decision-makers, the researchers used a technique called 2-photon calcium imaging. This allowed them to observe activity patterns of individual neurons in the PPC, essentially witnessing how different brain cells "voted" during each choice.



Next, the team analyzed how the neurons were "wired" together, uncovering excitatory connections that boost activity and inhibitory connections that dampen it.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decision-making-inside-the-mice-brain">Decision-making inside the mice brain</h2>



The researchers found that when a mouse explores a maze, it chooses a direction beforehand, like turning left. This activates groups of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-impacts-the-brain-through-inflammation-not-infection/">nerve cells</a> in its brain that process that decision. The active groups become stronger, making the chosen path seem more attractive the next time.



Other nerve cells, groups that favored a different option like turning right, were silenced. This helps the mouse stick to its chosen path.&nbsp;



“As the animal is expressing one choice, the wiring of the neuronal circuit may help stabilize that choice by suppressing other choices,” said Dr. Lee. “This could be a mechanism that helps an animal maintain a decision and prevents ‘changes of mind’.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-brain-makes-clear-decisions">How the brain makes clear decisions</h2>



The study suggests a clear pattern in the PPC. When you decide something, like what to eat for dinner, two teams of brain cells battle it out. These are “excitatory” and “inhibitory” neurons.



When you start leaning towards one option, say pasta, the PPC sends out signals to reinforce that choice. The signals are amplified by excitatory <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-cell-origins-traced-to-creatures-that-lived-800-million-years-ago/">neurons</a>. They excite and activate other neurons, making your chosen meal seem more appealing and solidifying your decision in your mind.



But the PPC doesn't just boost your preferred choice. It also actively suppresses signals related to options that are not “pasta.” This suppression comes from inhibitory neurons. They slow down or even stop other neurons from sending messages related to the alternative meal, preventing confusion and helping maintain balance in the decision-making process. This ensures that only one meal wins out, ultimately leading to a clear and focused decision.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-decision-making-process">The decision-making process</h2>



Several factors influence which neurons get activated during decision-making:



What you sense: Your eyes, ears, skin, and nose send information about your surroundings and yourself to your brain. This information, like seeing paths in a maze, triggers specific neurons related to navigation and choosing.



What you've learned: Past experiences and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rewriting-negative-memories-by-activating-positive-ones/">memories</a> shape how your brain reacts to situations. Neurons involved in remembering and connecting things might activate based on what you've learned in similar situations before.



What you need to do: What you're trying to achieve influences which neurons get involved. Neurons related to planning, taking action, and getting rewards might light up depending on your goal and the likely outcomes of your choices.



How you're feeling: Interestingly, hunger, thirst, tiredness, or excitement can all affect your brain activity and decisions. Neurons that manage these internal states might activate to guide your choices towards fulfilling your needs.



How neurons talk: Brain cells don't work alone. They send signals to each other, exciting or calming each other down. This creates groups of active neurons representing different parts of the decision-making process.



So, when you're making a choice, your brain has a lot to consider. This complex interplay determines which neurons activate and ultimately guides your decision.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications">Broader implications</h2>



The study shows brain cells in mice activate in a specific order, and those representing "wrong" choices get suppressed as the decision becomes clear. Understanding this process in mice helps us understand how decisions "solidify" in humans.



By learning how animals make decisions, we can learn more about disorders like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/diet-plays-a-major-role-in-preventing-alzheimers-disease/">Alzheimer's</a>, schizophrenia, and addiction, where people struggle to make good choices. This knowledge might lead to better treatments for these conditions.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07088-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Brain cells communicate to support decision-making

Every decision, big or small, good or bad, starts somewhere...

Across Southeast Asia's lush rice fields, a hidden drama unfolds. Cultivated rice, our staple food, faces a persistent challenger: the "weedy rice," a wild relative that thrives where it shouldn't.&nbsp;



A study from <a href="https://wustl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington University in St. Louis</a> has cracked the code of this rebellious rice. By studying the DNA of various rice types, they've uncovered the secrets behind its resilience. The findings revealed how these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-capture-plant-communication-on-video/">plants</a> adapt and survive, even when we try to control them.



<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-the-study">Importance of the study</h1>



Weedy rice, the wild cousin of cultivated rice, has been growing alongside its domesticated relative for so long that it's picked up some unwanted traits, making it a tough competitor in rice fields.



Understanding how weedy rice evolved is not just interesting science, it's crucial for farmers. By knowing its tricks, they can develop better ways to control it and protect their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tackling-malnutrition-new-satellite-can-monitor-nutrients-in-crops-from-space/">crops</a>, ensuring food security for millions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-types-of-rice">Types of rice</h2>



Rice has a fascinating family tree. There are three main types:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wild-rice">Wild rice</h3>



Think of wild rice as the original, untamed versions of the rice we eat. They thrive naturally in marshes and rivers, unlike their farm-grown cousins. These are the ancestors of cultivated rice, boasting diverse genetic traits and contributing to natural balance. While not directly harvested, they offer valuable genes for improving future crops.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-weedy-rice">Weedy rice</h3>



Weedy rice is the unwanted guest. This "rebel" cousin shares similar roots with cultivated rice but wreaks havoc in farm fields. They steal resources from the good rice, making it grow worse and giving less food. Its resilience, with easy-spreading seeds and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/common-herbicides-linked-to-diminished-brain-functioning-in-young-adults/">herbicide</a> resistance, adds to the frustration.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultivated-rice">Cultivated rice</h3>



Cultivated rice is the rice we all know and love, carefully grown for us to eat. Through thousands of years of careful selection, farmers nurtured desired traits like higher yields, specific grain types, and reduced seed shattering. From fluffy white rice to nutty basmati, it's a staple food for half the world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



The researchers investigated the genetic interactions between wild rice, cultivated rice, and weedy rice in Southeast Asia. They collected 217 samples from the region, combining new data with existing information.&nbsp;



“Farmers in mainland Southeast Asia - including Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam - and most of the island regions of Indonesia, Philippines and parts of Malaysia grow a wide range of lowland and upland rice varieties,” said B.K. Song, a Malaysian weedy rice researcher and corresponding author of the study. “These include modern elite varieties and traditional landraces.”&nbsp;



DNA was extracted and sequenced from the rice types to create a detailed picture of their genetic makeup. The researchers then analyzed the data in several steps. They built a "family tree" to understand how the different rice types are related and also looked for signs of mixing between wild and cultivated rice, and how this might have contributed to the evolution of weedy rice.&nbsp;



This involved searching for specific regions in the rice genome that showed evidence of past adaptations and selection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-similarities-and-variations-nbsp">Similarities and variations&nbsp;</h2>



The analysis showed that weedy rice shares a lot of its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-can-now-collect-human-dna-from-water-air-and-basically-everywhere/">DNA</a> with wild rice, suggesting recent "breeding" between the two. This explains why weedy rice is so good at competing with crops.



The researchers found specific wild rice genes in weedy rice that help it thrive in harsh environments and spread easily, like genes that make seeds fall off the plant easily.



The study also revealed that weedy rice in different regions has adapted in unique ways. Some have picked up genes from wild rice that make them resistant to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-technology-can-detect-plant-diseases-from-above/">diseases</a>, while others have genes that help them survive in stressful conditions.



The research paints a picture of a complex relationship between cultivated rice, wild rice, and weedy rice. Their genes get mixed up, creating new and sometimes troublesome forms of rice.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-weedy-rice-thrive">How the weedy rice thrive</h2>



The study reveals that these weeds haven't followed a single path, but rather evolved in unique ways depending on their environment and human farming practices.



The researchers found that weedy rice has undergone intense selection, leading to specific regions in their DNA linked to beneficial traits like faster growth and stress resistance. These adaptations have allowed them to thrive in different conditions than their domesticated cousins.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-new-insights-nbsp">Critical new insights&nbsp;</h2>



Even more interesting, the researchers found genes associated with weedy lifestyles, including resistance to diseases and harsh weather. This explains their ability to survive and spread, becoming major agricultural headaches.



But this knowledge can be used as a weapon. By understanding how these weeds tick, scientists can develop strategies to fight back. This could involve breeding rice varieties less susceptible to invasion or even creating targeted weed control methods that exploit the weaknesses of specific weedy rice populations.



“Our study highlights how adaptive introgression - in other words, gene flow - from wild species can contribute to agricultural weed evolution,” said Olsen. “We’ve known that this process occurs for some time. But this is the first study to provide a detailed genomic characterization of the phenomenon.



“It’s important to recognize that crop domestication is an incremental evolutionary process, and not a single-step event,” he said. “Likewise, I think we run the risk of oversimplifying the picture by categorizing every rice plant as wild or weed or crop. The true dynamics are much more complex.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-benefits-for-agriculture-and-conservation">Benefits for agriculture and conservation</h2>



Weed management: Studying weedy rice's DNA and how it evolves can help farmers fight it better. This could involve creating crops resistant to specific weed killers or planting different crops in rotation to reduce its spread.



Conserving wild rice: By understanding how weedy rice adapts and spreads, scientists can better protect wild rice species. This could prevent the loss of valuable genetic diversity for both wild and cultivated rice.



Improving rice crops: Studying how weedy rice survives harsh conditions can help breeders develop new rice varieties that are more resistant to drought, disease, and poor soil.



Keeping ecosystems healthy: Understanding how weedy rice interacts with other plants and its environment can help farmers manage their land sustainably. This includes maintaining healthy soil and protecting other species that share the same habitat.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-45447-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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DNA study reveals secrets of weedy rice invasion

Across Southeast Asia's lush rice fields, a hidden drama unfolds....

Feeling like there's never enough time to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-may-actually-be-the-fountain-of-youth/">exercise</a>? You're not alone. Between work, family, and everything else, fitting in regular workouts can be tough.&nbsp;



But what if there's a secret weapon? Some people go all-out on the weekends, cramming their exercise into one or two intense sessions. Is it possible that this "weekend warrior" approach could be as effective as daily workouts for weight loss? 



A new study from the <a href="https://www.imm.ac.cn/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences</a> investigates this surprising idea, challenging traditional exercise advice and offering hope for busy individuals.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-widespread-issue-of-obesity-nbsp">Widespread issue of obesity&nbsp;</h2>



The study draws attention to the widespread problem of obesity, impacting a staggering 650 million adults globally. This excess <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-health-benefits-of-weight-loss-persist-for-years/">weight</a> brings about significant health challenges like diabetes and heart problems, various cancers, and even osteoarthritis.&nbsp;



Moreover, the location of the excess weight matters. People with belly fat (central obesity) have a higher risk of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/high-caffeine-levels-reduce-the-risk-of-diabetes/">diabetes</a> and heart trouble compared to those with fat on their hips and thighs.



Exercise is undoubtedly a powerful tool in managing weight and overall health. It burns calories, boosts metabolism, and promotes muscle growth, which in turn helps burn more calories even at rest.&nbsp;



To delve deeper into the impact of exercise frequency, the researchers carried out this interesting study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study">Focus of the study</h2>



The researchers looked at how different exercise patterns affect belly fat and overall fat in 9,629 adults aged 20-59 in the USA. They analyzed data from a big national survey called NHANES from 2011 to 2018.



The experts focused on people who did not have any limitations on exercise. The participants answered questions about how much light, moderate, and hard exercise they did each week for fun, at work, or while traveling.



The researchers then grouped the people into 3 categories based on their total exercise minutes:



<ul>
<li>Not active at all (less than 150 minutes per week)</li>



<li>Weekend warriors (at least 150 minutes in 1 or 2 sessions)</li>



<li>Regularly active (at least 150 minutes in more than 2 sessions)</li>
</ul>



Belly fat and overall fat were measured using specialized scans, along with traditional indicators like weight and waist circumference.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-results">Surprising results</h2>



The study shows that how you fit exercise into your week might not be as important as you think, especially when it comes to fighting weight gain. Whether you cram your workouts into the weekend ("weekend warrior") or spread them out throughout the week ("regularly active"), you'll likely see benefits like less belly fat, smaller waist size, and lower overall weight.



This is big news because it means more people can find an exercise routine that fits their life. You can forget the strict "every day" rule - any movement is better than none.&nbsp;



“The weekend warrior pattern is worth promoting in individuals who cannot meet the recommended frequency in current guidelines,” explained study co-author Lihua Zhang.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fat-reduction">Fat reduction</h2>



The study shows promise in fighting abdominal adiposity through both weekend warrior and regular exercise.&nbsp;



The data tells a great story: people in both groups saw big improvements in all measures of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-kimchi-helps-shed-belly-fat-and-improves-overall-health/">belly fat</a>. The measures include hidden fat around organs, fat under the skin, and total belly fat.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-waistline-and-bmi">Waistline and BMI</h2>



The experts dug deeper, looking beyond abdominal adiposity and found good news for both "weekend warriors" and regular exercisers. Their waistlines got smaller and their Body Mass Index (BMI) went down compared to those who didn't exercise at all.



Waist size is a simple way to measure belly fat, which is linked to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/excessive-smartphone-usage-linked-to-health-issues-in-adolescents/">health problems</a>. Smaller waist size and lower BMI reduce the risk of diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and other issues linked to being overweight.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-takeaways-nbsp">Key takeaways&nbsp;</h2>



For many, the structured demands of the work week create a yearning for unstructured time. A flexible approach allows you to embrace physical activity as a fun escape on weekends, not just a chore.



Staying active, even when your schedule changes, can boost your confidence. Feeling good about your progress helps you keep going, instead of getting discouraged and giving up completely.



Exercise can also naturally relieve stress by releasing feel-good hormones and calming your body down. When you feel tense, taking a quick walk or a relaxing swim can help you feel better and take charge of your mood.



Eventually, moving your body will make you happier. Maybe it's enjoying the sun on a bike ride, having fun with others in a fitness class, or just feeling good about being active - whatever it is, exercise can really lift your spirits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-recommendations">WHO recommendations</h2>



The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommend that adults aiming to mitigate obesity risks should engage in at least:



<ul>
<li>150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity (PA) like brisk walking, cycling, or swimming per week. This translates to roughly 30 minutes most days of the week.</li>



<li>75 minutes of vigorous-intensity PA like running, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), or sports games. This equates to 15 minutes three times a week.</li>



<li>A combination of both moderate and vigorous activity to suit your preferences and fitness level.</li>
</ul>



Remember, every body is different, so find what works best for you and celebrate the joy of movement. Whether you're a busy parent or a professional with long hours, you can still see major health benefits.&nbsp;



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.23986" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Obesity</a>.



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Weekend warriors can lose as much weight as daily exercisers

Feeling like there's never enough time to exercise? You're not...

A scoping review has brought to light five key ways in which the health of homeless <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pet-owners-are-happier-than-people-who-dont-have-pets/">pet owners</a> and their animals can be significantly improved.&nbsp;



Despite the fact that around 10% of homeless individuals have pets, detailed information on how to effectively support their health has been scarce. These pets often serve as the sole source of unconditional love and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-live-longer-and-happier-lives-when-they-get-to-socialize-often/">companionship</a> for their owners.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-interventions">Critical interventions</h2>



The research, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1079/hai.2024.0002" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Human-Animal Interactions</a>, outlines critical interventions for supporting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-mammals-in-zoos-are-now-living-longer-healthier-lives/">healthier lives</a> for homeless individuals and their pets. 



These include providing access to free veterinary clinics, establishing joint human/animal clinics, efforts aimed at reducing stigma, fostering interdisciplinary relationships, and ensuring the availability of pet-friendly lodging options.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-promising-avenues-nbsp">Promising avenues&nbsp;</h2>



Dr. Michelle Kurkowski and Dr. Andrew Springer, the study's lead authors, emphasized the diversity found in research on this subject. They highlight the urgent need for further program interventions that are necessary to recommend intervention best practices.



Exploring promising avenues for intervention and health improvement, the study suggests that joint human/animal clinics and interdisciplinary partnerships are some of the most promising avenues for evaluating interventions and improving health outcomes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-healthcare-for-pets">Healthcare for pets</h2>



One notable finding from a study by Ramirez et al (2022) involving 44 homeless pet owners in Seattle, USA, revealed a strong interest in healthcare for pets over personal healthcare, with a significant portion expressing willingness to attend a joint veterinary/human health clinic due to its convenience.



Dr. Kurkowski, previously a researcher at the University of Texas Health Science Center at <a href="https://sph.uth.edu/campuses/houston" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Houston School of Public Health</a>, is now a Veterinary Medical Officer for the US Department of Agriculture’s <a href="https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service</a>,



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lack-of-safe-places-nbsp">Lack of safe places&nbsp;</h2>



Dr. Kurkowski said: "Research has shown that companion animals are a source of friendship and physical safety, and homeless persons with pets report significantly lower rates of depression and loneliness compared to non-pet owners."



However, the review also uncovers the less-discussed challenges faced by homeless pet owners, such as the tough choice between accessing shelter and keeping their pets with them.&nbsp;



“Similarly, our review reveals that this group is less likely to utilize needing assistance, such as healthcare or career services, potentially due to difficulty using public transportation or lack of safe places to leave pets,” she added.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interventions-are-desperately-needed">Interventions are desperately needed</h2>



Dr. Kurkowski and Dr. Springer believe that while the literature on the benefits and needs of homeless pet owners is growing, interventions specifically designed to address their unique challenges are still lacking.



“Our purpose was to describe the study designs, measurements, and outcomes of relevant primary research studies to identify knowledge gaps in the body of literature on this topic," Springer explained.



Ultimately, the researchers advocate for a comprehensive and effective care package for homeless individuals and their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pets-did-not-improve-emotional-well-being-during-the-pandemic/">pets</a>, emphasizing the need for a collaborative effort among healthcare providers, social workers, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-poses-a-multi-faceted-threat-to-animal-welfare/">animal welfare</a> workers, and both governmental and nonprofit organizations to create innovative solutions for this underserved population.



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Homeless pet owners need better options to protect their animals

A scoping review has brought to light five key ways...

Imagine growing up surrounded by fear and uncertainty. Your neighborhood echoes with sirens, and news headlines scream of violence. Sadly, this is a reality for countless teenagers living in disadvantaged communities. But the impact goes deeper than emotional scars – it affects the very structure of their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brains-bend-time-to-adapt-to-lifes-rhythm/">brains</a>.



A new study from the <a href="https://umich.edu/">University of Michigan</a> delves into this critical issue, exploring how community violence, family life, and even brain activity itself intertwine.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-brain-region">Key brain region</h2>



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-the-brain-identify-rewards-and-punishments/">amygdala</a> is a small but important part of your brain located in the temporal lobe. It plays a crucial role in processing emotions and managing reactions to your environment.&nbsp;



The amygdala helps you understand emotions, both yours and those of others. It analyzes situations and triggers emotional responses like fear, happiness, or anger.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emotionally-charged-memories-nbsp">Emotionally charged memories&nbsp;</h2>



When you experience something scary, the amygdala remembers it. This helps you learn what to avoid in the future, keeping you safe from potential threats.&nbsp;



Strong emotions can make memories more vivid and lasting. The amygdala plays a part in storing these emotionally charged memories for later recall.



By understanding the amygdala's functions, we can better understand how people react to emotional experiences and challenging situations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disadvantage-gets-under-the-skin">Disadvantage gets under the skin</h2>



“Decades of research has shown that growing up in neighborhoods with concentrated disadvantage can predict negative academic, behavioral and mental health outcomes in children and teens," said study co-author Dr. Luke W. Hyde.



"And recent research is beginning to show that one way it does that is by impacting the developing brain. However, less is known about how neighborhood disadvantage ‘gets under the skin’ to impact brain development."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-study-nbsp">Focus of the study&nbsp;</h2>



The experts set out to investigate the link between neighborhood disadvantage and brain activity related to emotional processing. Using advanced imaging techniques, they monitored the amygdala as participants aged 7-19 viewed pictures of faces expressing various <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psifi-wearable-device-interprets-emotions-of-people-near-you/">emotions</a> and shapes.&nbsp;



The researchers used brain scans to see how active the amygdala was when teens saw different pictures. They looked at:



<ul>
<li>Emotional faces: Showing fear or anger (threats)</li>



<li>Neutral faces: Not showing any emotion (unclear)</li>



<li>Shapes: Not linked to emotions (neutral)</li>
</ul>



The experts also considered factors like community violence exposure, parental support, and participant demographics.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-new-insights-nbsp">Critical new insights&nbsp;</h2>



The study revealed that the amygdala was especially active when people looked at pictures of scared or angry faces. These faces are often signs of danger in the real world.&nbsp;



For teens who have been exposed to violence in their community, the amygdala was even more active. This suggests that their brains may have changed to be more alert and ready for danger.



The amygdala was also more active when teens looked at pictures of faces with no clear emotion. These faces don't usually tell you anything about whether someone is scared or angry.&nbsp;



However, for people who have been exposed to violence, even these uncertain faces might seem like they could be dangerous. This could mean that their brains are generally more on guard when it comes to reading other people's faces, possibly as a way to stay safe in dangerous environments.



“This makes sense as it’s adaptive for adolescents to be more in tune to threats when living in a more dangerous neighborhood,” said Dr Hyde.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-specificity-of-brain-activity">Specificity of brain activity</h2>



The scientists also studied how the violence affects the amygdala. They found different parts of the amygdala react differently. Some parts seem tuned to specific noise, especially those that might signal danger.



Using scans, they pinpointed which tiny areas ("voxels") in the amygdala are most active after people experience violence. This showed that violence doesn't affect the whole amygdala equally, it's more specific. Certain areas are more sensitive and react stronger, suggesting they handle different types of emotional and social clues.



The connection shows our brains are amazing at adapting. After violence, specific parts of the amygdala become more alert to better detect threats, like a survival mechanism. But this heightened sensitivity can also lead to stress and anxiety in violent environments.



Knowing which parts of the amygdala are affected helps us create targeted support for people to manage the emotional impact of violence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-parents">The role of parents</h2>



The researchers found that when teenagers who have seen violence get good support from their parents, their brains react less strongly to danger.&nbsp;



This support from parents acts like a shield. By creating a safe and loving environment, parents can help their children manage their feelings better. This makes them less likely to overreact to things that seem scary, which can help prevent anxiety and stress problems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-resilience-in-the-face-of-adversity">Resilience in the face of adversity</h2>



“Despite living in a disadvantaged neighborhood, children with more nurturing and involved parents were not as likely to be exposed to community violence, and for those who were exposed, having a more nurturing parent diminished the impact of violence exposure on the brain,” said study co-author Gabriela L. Suarez, a graduate student in Developmental Psychology at the University of Michigan.



“These findings really highlight how nurturing and involved parents are helping to support their children’s success, even in potentially harsh environments, and offer clues as to why some youth are resilient even when facing adversity.”



The knowledge can help kids in two ways. First, it helps them feel less stressed and anxious right away. Second, it helps them learn healthier ways to cope with difficult situations. This can have lasting benefits, making them less likely to struggle with emotional problems later in life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-implications">Study implications</h2>



The study shows how violence in communities hurts teenagers' brains and development. It affects everything from how governments make decisions to what schools teach.



We need programs to help reduce violence, especially in areas with high risk. This could involve funding programs that make communities safer and less violent. We also need to address the root causes of violence, such as poverty and lack of access to education and healthcare.



“Parents may be an important buffer against these broader structural inequalities, and thus working with parents may be one way to help protect children -- while we also work on policies to reduce the concentration of disadvantage in neighborhoods and the risk for exposure to violence in the community,” said study co-author Dr. Alex Burt.



Programs that teach parents how to support their children emotionally are crucial. This could involve workshops, counseling, and resources to help them manage stress. Schools and community centers can offer programs that teach parents and children how to build strong relationships, communicate effectively, and deal with stress.



Schools can teach children and teens about the effects of violence and how to cope with them. This may include lessons on managing emotions, resolving conflicts, and dealing with stress. Schools in high-risk areas may need special programs to help students who have experienced violence, such as counseling and mental health support.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0001712" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Developmental Psychology</a>.



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Exposure to violence may rewire teenage brains

Imagine growing up surrounded by fear and uncertainty. Your neighborhood...

Our cities are full of life, bustling with traffic and daily activities. But hidden in the air is a danger we can't see: tiny particles called <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heatwaves-and-air-pollution-may-double-fatal-heart-attack-risk/">PM2.5</a>, mostly from car exhaust.&nbsp;



We know air pollution hurts our lungs and hearts, but new research from <a href="https://www.emory.edu/home/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Emory University</a> suggests something even scarier: it might raise the risk of Alzheimer's disease, a brain illness affecting millions of people.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-tissue-markers">Brain tissue markers</h2>



This study looked at the possible link between air pollution and brain changes related to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/diet-plays-a-major-role-in-preventing-alzheimers-disease/">Alzheimer's</a> disease. The researchers examined brain tissue from 224 individuals with confirmed Alzheimer's disease who had donated their brains after passing away.



They checked for signs of Alzheimer's disease by looking for specific markers in the brain tissue, like neuritic plaques. This helped them assess the severity of the disease.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-air-pollution-exposure">Air pollution exposure</h2>



The experts estimated how much <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chemical-composition-of-us-air-pollution-has-changed-over-time/">air pollution</a> people were exposed to based on where they lived and traffic patterns. Different timeframes (1 year, 3 years, 5 years) were considered before the person passed away.



The researchers used statistical models to see if there was a connection between air pollution exposure and the severity of Alzheimer's disease markers. They also considered whether a specific gene, Apolipoprotein E (APOE), influenced this connection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increase-in-neuritic-plaques">Increase in neuritic plaques</h2>



The researchers found that higher exposure to PM2.5 was associated with higher levels of neuritic plaques in the brain. These are protein clumps considered a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.



The more PM2.5 someone was exposed to, the higher their risk of having more plaques. People with higher PM2.5 exposure were nearly twice as likely to have higher plaque levels compared to those with lower exposure.



The link was stronger when looking at PM2.5 exposure in the year before death. This suggests a potentially shorter-term impact of air pollution on Alzheimer's brain changes.&nbsp;



“These results add to the evidence that fine particulate matter from traffic-related air pollution affects the amount of amyloid plaque in the brain,” said study author Anke Huels from Emory University in Atlanta. “More research is needed to investigate the mechanisms behind this link.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-influence-nbsp">Genetic influence&nbsp;</h2>



The team explored whether the link between air pollution and Alzheimer's brain changes were influenced by genetics. The study was specifically focused on the APOE gene, which is known to increase Alzheimer's risk.



The analysis revealed that people without the APOE gene seemed more affected by air pollution in terms of Alzheimer's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-screen-time-changes-the-brain-based-on-23-years-of-research/">brain changes</a>.&nbsp;



For those without the gene, higher air pollution exposure was linked to a more than two-fold higher risk of having more plaques.



“This suggests that environmental factors such as air pollution could be a contributing factor to Alzheimer’s in patients in which the disease cannot be explained by genetics,” Dr Huels said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-factors">Environmental factors</h2>



The study shows that things in our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cigarette-butts-leak-thousands-of-deadly-toxins-into-the-environment/">environment</a>, like air pollution, can affect our chances of getting Alzheimer's disease. This means we can potentially prevent Alzheimer's by paying attention to the environment and keeping it healthy.



Air pollution has been linked to changes in the brain that are similar to those seen in Alzheimer's. This suggests that stricter rules are needed to limit air pollution, especially PM2.5, which comes from car exhaust and other sources. Lowering these limits in cities and factories could help protect people's health.



The study also suggests that cities could be designed differently to reduce air pollution from traffic. This could involve making it easier and safer for people to walk, bike, or use public transportation, instead of driving cars.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-health-implications">Global health implications</h2>



People with lower incomes and those living in certain areas are often exposed to more air pollution. The findings suggest that reducing these differences in how much pollution people are exposed to could be important for preventing Alzheimer's disease.



Air pollution is a major threat to public health around the world, and so is Alzheimer's disease. This means that the findings are important for everyone. By cleaning up the air we breathe, we could help prevent Alzheimer's disease in many different communities around the world.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000209162" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neurology</a>.



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Traffic-related air pollution linked to increased Alzheimer's risk

Our cities are full of life, bustling with traffic and...

Oxygen,Pressure,Chamber,Is,Being,Treated.,Treatment,Of,Pneumonia,And

Hyperbaric oxygen chambers have seemingly magical healing powers

Imagine being told that there exists a method to reverse...

Woman,Stretching,In,Bed,After,Waking,Up,,Back,View,,Entering

The significance of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/while-in-deep-sleep-humans-can-subconsciously-respond-to-verbal-communication/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a> extends far beyond mere rest, playing a pivotal role in the consolidation of our memories, particularly those involving complex events and facts. 



While previous studies have largely focused on simple associations, such as learning new vocabulary, recent research spearheaded by Dr. Nicolas Lutz from the <a href="https://www.imp.med.uni-muenchen.de/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LMU Institute of Medical Psychology</a> sheds light on a more intricate aspect of memory consolidation during sleep.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-simple-recall-the-complexity-of-memory">Beyond simple recall: The complexity of memory</h2>



Dr. Lutz explains, "events are generally made up of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-reset-sleep-restores-the-balance-between-order-and-chaos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">numerous components</a> -- for example, a place, people, and objects -- which are linked together in the brain. Thanks to the neural connections that underlie these associations, a single cue word is often all it takes for somebody to recall not only individual aspects of an event but multiple aspects at once."



This phenomenon, known as pattern completion, is crucial for our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-breathing-impacts-memory-formation-during-sleep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">episodic memory</a>, allowing us to recall complex events in a rich, detailed manner.



The study, featured in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), delves into how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/consistent-sleep-slows-down-aging-at-a-cellular-level/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a> influences our ability to remember events with intricate associations. 



Participants in the research first learned about events with complex connections. They were then divided into two groups: one spent the night in a sleep laboratory, resting as usual, and the other stayed awake all night. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-as-the-hero-of-complex-memory-consolidation">Sleep as the hero of complex memory consolidation</h2>



Following a recovery night at home, their recall of various associations between the event elements was tested.



Dr. Lutz summarizes the findings, saying, "We were able to demonstrate that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/light-color-has-no-impact-on-our-internal-clocks-or-sleep-patterns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a> specifically consolidates weak associations and strengthens new associations between elements that were not directly connected with each other during learning."



"Moreover, the ability to remember multiple elements of an event together, after having been presented with just a single cue, was improved after sleep compared to the condition in which the participants had stayed awake," Dr. Lutz explained.



This underscores sleep's critical role in enriching our memory by completing partial information and processing complex events.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-spindles-and-memory">Sleep spindles and memory</h2>



A fascinating aspect of this study was the observation of sleep spindles, or bursts of neural oscillatory activity during <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-deprivation-impairs-the-brain-potentially-causing-neurological-disorders/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a>, in participants. 



These are closely tied to the active consolidation of memories, through the reactivation of neural structures involved in memory. 



Professor Luciana Besedovsky, the study's lead researcher, points out, "This finding suggests that sleep spindles play an important role in the consolidation of complex associations, which underlie the completion of memories of whole events."



The implications of this research are profound, suggesting that the enhancement of memory through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-need-more-sleep-in-the-winter-season/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a> is a significant evolutionary adaptation. 



It enables individuals to form a more cohesive understanding of their surroundings, thereby improving their ability to anticipate future events. 



"Our results unveil a new function of sleep that offers an evolutionary advantage," Professor Besedovsky posits. “Furthermore, they open up new perspectives on how we store and access information about complex multielement events.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-giving-thanks-to-sleep-for-our-complex-memories">Giving thanks to sleep for our complex memories</h2>



In summary, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sleep-stimulation-can-improve-cardiac-function-overnight/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a> emerges as a pivotal player in the complex process of memory consolidation, revealing its indispensable role in enhancing and strengthening our recollection of intricate events. 



This fascinating research, led by Dr. Nicolas Lutz and Professor Luciana Besedovsky, illuminates the intricate workings of sleep-induced memory enhancement and underscores the evolutionary advantage provided by our nocturnal rest. 



By explaining how sleep spindles contribute to forming and solidifying complex associations, this study enhances our understanding of the cognitive processes underlying memory. 



Consequently, it underscores the critical importance of quality sleep in our daily lives, advocating for it as a fundamental pillar of cognitive health and well-being.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2314423121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Good sleep helps us remember facts and complex events

The significance of sleep extends far beyond mere rest, playing...

A team of scientists has uncovered the mechanism behind the complex vocalizations of baleen <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-20-minute-conversation-with-a-humpback-whale-named-twain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whales</a>, the largest animals on Earth. This revelation comes after more than half a century of mystery surrounding how these marine giants produce their distinctive songs, essential for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-capture-plant-communication-on-video/">communication</a> across the vast, murky oceans they inhabit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limited-communication-range-of-baleen-whales">Limited communication range of baleen whales</h2>



Led by voice science experts Professor Coen Elemans from the <a href="https://www.sdu.dk/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southern Denmark</a> and Professor Tecumseh Fitch from the <a href="https://www.univie.ac.at/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vienna</a>, Austria, the study found that baleen whales have evolved unique structures in their larynx for producing low-frequency vocalizations. 



This adaptation, however, also imposes limitations on their communication range.



“The toothed and baleen whales evolved from land mammals that had a larynx serving two functions: protecting the airways and sound production. However, their transition to aquatic life placed new and strict demands on the larynx to prevent choking underwater,” Fitch explained, highlighting the evolutionary pressures that shaped these adaptations.



The researchers discovered significant modifications in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baleen-whales-rewriting-the-evolutionary-history-of-the-largest-animals-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">whales' larynx</a>, particularly the arytenoids - tiny cartilages in the larynx responsible for adjusting vocal folds - which have transformed dramatically in baleen whales. 



“The arytenoids changed into large, long cylinders fused at the base to form a large U-shaped rigid structure that extends nearly the full length of the larynx,” said Elemans.&nbsp;



“We found that this U-shaped structure pushes against a big fatty cushion on the inside of the larynx. When the whales push air from their lungs past this cushion, it starts to vibrate and this generates very low frequency underwater sounds.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increasing-levels-of-human-noise">Increasing levels of human noise</h2>



This study not only sheds light on the acoustic capabilities of these majestic creatures but also underscores the challenges they face due to increasing levels of human-made <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/traffic-noise-increases-the-risk-of-hypertension/">noise</a> in the oceans.&nbsp;



“Regrettably, the frequency range and maximum communication depth of 100 meters we predict, overlaps completely with the dominant frequency range and depth of human-made noise caused by shipping traffic,” Elemans pointed out, indicating the potential threat to whale communication.



“The first acoustic recordings of humpback whale song by Roger and Katy Payne in 1970 resonated with humanity profoundly, started the flourishing field of marine bioacoustics, and sparked global interest in marine conservation efforts,” Elemans added. “Now we show that despite their amazing physiology they literally cannot escape the noise humans make in the oceans.”



This study - published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07080-1">Nature</a> - not only answers long-standing questions about baleen whale vocalizations but also calls attention to the urgent need for conservation efforts to mitigate the impact of human activity on marine life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-about-baleen-whales">More about baleen whales</h2>



Baleen whales are a distinct group of marine mammals known for their unique feeding mechanism, which involves baleen plates instead of teeth. These plates are made of keratin, the same material as human hair and nails, and are used to filter small fish, krill, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-plankton-hold-a-long-record-of-ocean-health/">plankton</a> from the water.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-baleen-whale-size-and-distribution">Baleen whale size and distribution</h3>



Baleen whales range in size from the relatively small minke whale, which can be about 23 feet long, to the blue whale, the largest animal on Earth, reaching lengths up to 100 feet or more.



These whales are found in oceans all over the world, from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-free-arctic-summers-could-be-the-new-normal-by-2030/">Arctic</a> and Antarctic to tropical seas. They are known for their long migrations, traveling thousands of miles between feeding grounds in colder waters and breeding grounds in warmer waters. 



Baleen whales are also notable for their complex vocalizations, which in the case of species like the humpback whale, are considered to be a form of song and are used in communication and possibly mating rituals.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-and-ecological-role">Conservation and ecological role </h3>



Despite their massive size and being top predators in their environment, baleen whales face several threats from human activities, including ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, and climate change which affects their food sources.&nbsp;



They are protected internationally by various conservation efforts and agreements aiming to mitigate these threats and ensure their survival for future generations. 



Baleen whales play a crucial role in marine ecosystems, contributing to the health of ocean environments through their feeding activity, which helps regulate the populations of their prey and recycle nutrients through the water column.



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How baleen whales talk to each other through complex vocalizations

A team of scientists has uncovered the mechanism behind the...

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing it with probiotics and prebiotics, aiming to create a treat that satisfies cravings while supporting gut health. 



The challenge lies in maintaining chocolate's beloved texture and flavor while adding health benefits.



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https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
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Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. 



Prebiotics act as food for these microbes, helping them thrive. Together, they form "synbiotics," a powerful health combination.



Researchers Smriti Gaur and Shubhi Singh from India's Jaypee Institute of Information Technology took an innovative approach, using natural prebiotics like corn and honey instead of complex processing methods. 



They created five chocolate varieties: a control and four synbiotic versions containing different combinations of prebiotics, probiotics (Lactobacillus strains), and flavor enhancers (cinnamon or orange).



Laboratory simulations of human digestion showed the probiotics remained viable for over five hours, suggesting they could survive long enough to benefit gut health.



Taste tests were positive, with researchers particularly enjoying the orange-flavored variety, describing it as having "vibrant citrus notes" complementing the "rich cocoa" with a "luxurious" texture.



This research represents just the beginning. With further refinement of strains, textures, and flavors, chocolate could evolve beyond mere indulgence to become a functional food that nourishes while it delights.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.4c00741" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Food Science &amp; Technology</a>.

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Nushagak Bay, a large estuary in southwest Alaska. Nushagak runs mainly north to south and exits in Bristol Bay, a large body of water in the Bering Sea.



"The bay is primarily fed by the Nushagak River, which begins in the Alaska Range and flows southwest approximately 450 km. The bay is also fed by several additional rivers including the Wood, Igushik, Snake and Weary rivers," says ESA.



"The dark colors of the Nushagak River are most likely due to tannins or lignins (chemical substances found in plants). Tannins and lignins from roots, leaves, seeds, bark and soil can leach into the water and give it a brown or even black colour. The sediments then flow southwards where it is mixed with the bluer waters of the bay."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> (ACS) reveals that proteins on flu viruses are actually flexible, tilting and waving in a “breath-like” motion. According to the experts, these proteins could be used to better defend against the flu.



"The main antigenic targets of influenza virus are two surface glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Whereas the structural and dynamical properties of both glycoproteins have been studied previously, the understanding of their plasticity in the whole-virion context is fragmented," wrote the researchers.



To investigate, the team conducted detailed simulations of the influenza A H1N1 virion, or the swine flu. The experts concluded that the visualizations show many new vulnerable states of flu viruses, which could improve future vaccines and antiviral drugs.



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Lake Trasimeno, which is located west of Perugia in central Italy. It is the fourth largest lake in the country. While Trasimeno’s water level varies, it has a maximum depth of approximately six meters.&nbsp;



"In this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, captured on 6 August 2022, the lake’s emerald green colour is likely due to the presence of phytoplankton. Streaks in the water, particularly visible in the west, indicate the presence of soil and sediments which have been stirred up by winds. Dark colored waters in the southern part of the lake indicate a presence of submerged and floating macrophytes (aquatic plants) as well as algae," says ESA.



"Surrounded by hills on three sides, Trasimeno is subject to heavy storms created by winds, especially from the north and west. There are three islets in the lake: Maggiore, Minore and Polvese (the largest). The lake’s shores are sparsely inhabited with only two popular villages: Castiglione del Lago and Passignano sul Trasimeno."



"Italy is experiencing its worst drought in 70 years which has affected drinking water supplies, hydroelectric power and agricultural production. High temperatures, hot winds and lack of rainfall are the main causes of drought in the Umbrian region which saw Lake Trasimeno’s drop 1.3 m, reaching the limit of the hydrometric zero in July 2022."



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes a new self-powered nanosensor that can instantly detect mercury contamination with the tap of a finger.&nbsp;



The oxidized form of mercury can be harmful when it is ingested through contaminated water or food. This makes it necessary for experts to develop sensors that can quickly and accurately detect the presence of mercury.&nbsp;



Zong-Hong Lin and colleagues have now created a triboelectric nanosensor (TENS) that can detect mercury by simply by touching a sample. According to the researchers, their TENS could serve as the basis for similar devices to safely and remotely monitor other pollutants.



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> explores the ability of salt to transform the way that foods and beverages taste. Salt is known to cover up undesirable flavors, such as bitterness in coffee or beer, but how exactly does sodium chloride change the taste of other compounds?



One previous study showed that, not only does salt suppress bitterness, but also enhances sweetness and sourness. Another study revealed that bitterness reduction by salt seems to be happening at the tongue receptor level as well as in the brain.&nbsp;



While it is known that salt taste is mediated by the presence of sodium channels in the form of taste buds, experts believe that there is also an unknown receptor responsible for how we taste salt that has not yet been identified.&nbsp;



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

How does salt makes things taste better?

[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Santiago, the capital city of Chile. The city is located in the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which has a population of about eight million people.&nbsp;



'The weather of Santiago resembles the Mediterranean climate with dry and warm summers with temperatures reaching up to 35°C (from October to March) and cool and humid winters that can drop to 0°C (from April to September)."



"The city lies in the centre of the country’s central valley around 80 km from the Pacific Ocean to the west and borders Argentina to the east. A tiny part of Argentina is visible in the top-right corner of the image where the mountain crest of the Andes Mountains acts as a divider between the two countries," says ESA.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Santiago, Chile in South America

[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

Spiral,Galaxy,,Illustration,Of,Milky,Way

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Astronomers at <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/">Johns Hopkins University</a> have created an interactive map of the universe, including the actual position and real colors of 200,000 galaxies. The map allows the public to access data that was previously only available to scientists.



The map was developed using data collected by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. For over two decades, a telescope in New Mexico was aimed at slightly different locations to capture the night sky.&nbsp;



"Growing up I was very inspired by astronomy pictures, stars, nebulae and galaxies, and now it's our time to create a new type of picture to inspire people," said map creator Brice Ménard, a professor at Johns Hopkins. "Astrophysicists around the world have been analyzing this data for years, leading to thousands of scientific papers and discoveries. But nobody took the time to create a map that is beautiful, scientifically accurate, and accessible to people who are not scientists. Our goal here is to show everybody what the universe really looks like."



"In this map, we are just a speck at the very bottom, just one pixel. And when I say we, I mean our galaxy, the Milky Way which has billions of stars and planets. We are used to seeing astronomical pictures showing one galaxy here, one galaxy there or perhaps a group of galaxies. But what this map shows is a very, very different scale."



"From this speck at the bottom, we are able to map out galaxies across the entire universe, and that says something about the power of science."



The <a href="https://mapoftheuniverse.net/">interactive map</a> is available online, where it can be downloaded for free.



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features northwest Lesotho in South Africa.



According to ESA, Lesotho is the only nation in the world that lies completely above 1,000 m in elevation. The country is famous for its tall mountains and narrow valleys, and is known as Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky."



Out of a population of around two million people, about 80 percent live in rural areas. More than 75 percent of these people are engaged in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-have-a-global-impact-on-agriculture/">agriculture</a>, including rainfed cereal production and animal grazing.&nbsp;



ESA reports that the country’s agricultural system faces a growing number of issues, with climate-related vulnerabilities such as drought, floods and extreme temperatures occurring more frequently. 



Diamonds are amongst the minerals found in the mountains. Indeed, Lesotho can truly be called the Kingdom in the Sky. Beautiful, culturally rich, safe, affordable, and easily accessible from Durban and Johannesburg, mountainous Lesotho is a vastly underrated travel destination. the Kingdom of Lesotho (Sotho: 'Muso oa Lesotho) is an enclaved country in southern Africa. It is just over 30,000 km2 (11,583 sq mi) in size and has a population of around 2 million.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Dublin, the capital and largest city of Ireland. Beyond its pub culture, Dublin is known as a modern culinary destination and a UNESCO City of Literature.



"Dublin is located near the midpoint of Ireland’s east coast in the province of Leinster. The city, which covers an area of around 115 square kilometers, is bordered by the Dublin Mountains, a low mountain range to the south, and is surrounded by flat farmland to the north and west," says ESA.



"The city straddles the River Liffey, which rises in the Wicklow Mountains and flows around 80 kilometers eastwards through the city of Dublin, in which it is canalised and bordered with quays. It then empties into Dublin Bay, an arm of the Irish Sea."



Dublin has an abundance of green spaces, including one of the largest enclosed public parks in any European capital city. Phoenix Park, which was originally formed as a royal hunting park in the 1660s, includes 707 hectares of green space.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.



"Together with the provinces of Huesca and Teruel, Zaragoza formed the old kingdom of Aragon. Its capital, also called Zaragoza (not visible in this image) is home to around half of Aragon’s population," says ESA.



"The Ebro River can be seen winding its way through the province from west to east in this image. Between its source in the Cantabrian Mountains in the northwest and its delta on the Mediterranean coast, the Ebro River is fed by more than 200 tributaries as it flows 910 km across much of northern Spain."



Since rainfall is very scarce in this region, irrigation in the Ebro basin is critically important. In the valleys surrounding the Ebro River, many fields are used for growing crops such as corn, wheat, and barley.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> reveals the evolution of the Columbia Glacier in southeastern Alaska. Columbia is among the fastest shrinking glaciers in the world, and the video documents its rapid retreat over the years.&nbsp;



Columbia Glacier is a large, multi-branched calving glacier that flows out of the Chugach Mountains to the Prince William Sound.&nbsp;



According to USGS, Columbia had a long history of stability prior to 1980, with a length 41 miles, and small, short-lived advances or retreats.



In the years since 1980, however, satellite images have captured Columbia’s alarming retreat. By using false-color images, scientists can distinguish between snow and ice, open water, vegetation, and rocky debris on the glacier’s surface.



The series of false-color images featured in today's video were acquired over the span of 35 years. You can see that by 2021, the glacier’s main branch had retreated about 15 miles from its initial position.



The Columbia Glacier has also lost more than 50 percent of its volume, mostly due to calving. <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/nasa-reveals-3d-visual-of-an-atmospheric-river/">NASA</a> reports that while climate change likely started the retreat, mechanical processes kept the disintegration going.



The NASA images are provided by Jesse Allen, Robert Simmon, Joshua Stevens, and Lauren Dauphin using data from Landsat satellites, from the U.S. Geological Survey, and data from MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite. The structure of Columbia’s moraine played a large role in the stability of the glacier before 1980. 



Like other tidewater glaciers, the Columbia built up a moraine over time, and the mixture of ice and rock functioned like a dam keeping out the sea. It was supported on one end by the shoreline and by the underwater terminal moraine at the other.



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Pyrenees Mountains, which form a natural boundary between France and Spain in southwest Europe.



The mountain range is 430 kilometers in length. It stretches from the Mediterranean Sea on the east to the Atlantic Ocean on the west.



At an elevation of 3404 meters, Pico de Aneto is the highest mountain peak in the Pyrenees, and the third-highest peak in Spain. Pico de Aneto is located in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park, which spans more than 82,000 acres.&nbsp;



"Geological studies have revealed that the Pyrenees Mountains have been around for longer than the Alps, with their sediments first deposited in coastal basins during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras," reports ESA.



"The entire mountain range formed due to the upwelling of large sedimentary rocks by the collision of the Iberian and the Eurasian plate around 100 to 150 million years ago, followed by intense erosion from ice and water."



The western Pyrenees receive more precipitation due to moisture blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean. The mountain range contains many lakes, several small glaciers, and some of the highest waterfalls in Europe.



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes two exoplanets that are orbiting a star 218 light-years away. A team of researchers led by the University of Montreal has found evidence that these planets are "water worlds."



The experts used data from NASA’s Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes. They discovered that exoplanets Kepler-138 c and Kepler-138 could be composed largely of water.



"We previously thought that planets that were a bit larger than Earth were big balls of metal and rock, like scaled-up versions of Earth, and that's why we called them super-Earths," explained study co-author Björn Benneke.&nbsp;



"However, we have now shown that these two planets, Kepler-138 c and d, are quite different in nature and that a big fraction of their entire volume is likely composed of water. It is the best evidence yet for water worlds, a type of planet that was theorized by astronomers to exist for a long time."



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and Leah Hustak (STScI)



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

[sendtonews key="QIoVYJqRBi-2434608-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes Earth’s interconnected systems, and how this network is affected by rising temperatures.&nbsp;



During 2020, average global temperatures matched the hottest year on record. The hurricane season was also record-breaking, with many of the storms intensifying at extraordinary speeds. Hot water in the ocean is fuel for hurricanes. The satellite data shows that it's all one interconnected system showing how Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected.



According to NASA, dust swept up from Northern Africa plays a major role in the formation of hurricanes, and is also a key source of fertilization in the Amazon rainforest. As a result of<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-wasting-disease-is-fueled-by-climate-change/"> climate</a> change, dust plumes are expected to decline, which will have an effect on vegetation far away.&nbsp;



Images from Earth-observing satellites show how the world’s plant life is affected by natural disasters, fires, and deforestation. Satellites also reveal how widespread changes in vegetation impact waterways,&nbsp; the climate, air quality. Satellites communicate by using radio waves to send signals to the antennas on the Earth. "Earth From Space" is a groundbreaking two-hour special that reveals a spectacular new space-based vision of our planet. 



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"] Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected...

Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://welcome.miami.edu/">University of Miami</a> Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science explores how changes in water temperatures have affected tiger shark habitats and movements in the North Atlantic Ocean. The study reveals that rising temperatures have caused the sharks to shift toward the poles over the past 40 years.



“Tiger shark annual migrations have expanded poleward, paralleling rising water temperatures,” explained study lead author Neil Hammerschlag. “These results have consequences for tiger shark conservation, since shifts in their movements outside of marine protected areas may leave them more vulnerable to commercial fishing.”



The researchers analyzed nine years of tracking data from satellite-tagged tiger sharks, combined with four decades of conventional tag and recapture data provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Shark Tagging Program.



The experts found that during the last decade of record heat, for every one-degree Celsius increase in water temperatures, tiger sharks migrated further poleward by over 400 kilometers. They also migrated two weeks earlier than usual to waters off the northeastern coast of the United States.



“Given their role as apex predators, these changes to tiger shark movements may alter predator-prey interactions, leading to ecological imbalances, and more frequent encounters with humans,” concluded Professor Hammerschlag.



Video Credit: University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

Today’s Video of the Day from the University of Miami...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> is focused on the melt ponds that emerge during the spring and summer on the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is the largest ice mass in the northern hemisphere.



"Melt ponds are vast pools of open water that form on both sea ice and ice sheets and are visible as turquoise-blue pools of water in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image," says ESA.



"When snow and ice melts atop glaciers, water flows in channels and streams and collects in depressions on the surface. These melt ponds can speed up the melting of the surrounding ice since they greatly reduce the ice’s ability to reflect sunlight."



"This can create a positive feedback where an increasing number of melt ponds absorb more heat which causes ice cover to melt even faster."



According to ESA, Greenland has been hit with a late-season heatwave that began in early September. This caused the type of melt event that usually occurs in the middle of summer.



"In a recent paper published in Nature Climate Change, scientists found that major sea-level rise from the melting of the Greenland ice cap is now ‘inevitable’ even if the burning of fossil fuels were to halt overnight," says ESA. "Using satellite observations of Greenland ice loss and ice cap from 2000 to 2019, the team found the losses will lead to a minimum rise of 27 cm regardless of climate change."



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

[sendtonews key="qARzJPSabQ-2270617-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes a new map of Mars that is providing insight into the planet’s watery past. The map also reveals where future missions could safely land on Mars.&nbsp;



The map has been created over the last decade using observations of water-rich rocks and mineral deposits. The images were captured by ESA’s Mars Express and NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.



"A big surprise is the prevalence of these minerals, with the map revealing hundreds of thousands of water-affected locations in the oldest parts of the planet," says ESA. "The new data will help answer exciting questions about Mars’ climate history, whether water was globally persistent or confined to short, intense episodes, and whether the conditions were ever suitable for life."



"Specifically, the map shows the locations and abundances of aqueous minerals. These are from rocks that have been chemically altered by the action of water in the past, and have typically been transformed into clays and salts."



According to John Carter of the Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale (IAS), our collective understanding of Mars has been oversimplified. He explained that planetary scientists have tended to think that only a few types of clay minerals on Mars were created during its wet period, then as the water gradually dried up, salts were produced across the planet.



The new map shows that the composition of Mars is much more complicated than what we thought. For example, while many salts formed after Martian clays, there are some salts that are presumed to be older than some of the clays.&nbsp;



“The evolution from lots of water to no water is not as clear cut as we thought, the water didn’t just stop overnight. We see a huge diversity of geological contexts, so that no one process or simple timeline can explain the evolution of the mineralogy of Mars. That’s the first result of our study. The second is that if you exclude life processes on Earth, Mars exhibits a diversity of mineralogy in geological settings just as Earth does,” said Carter.



Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.stowers.org/">Stowers Institute for Medical Research</a> describes how cavefish adapted to a sedentary lifestyle over tens of thousands of years. 



The experts found that the muscle metabolism of cavefish has been genetically reprogrammed over time. As a result, the animals have experienced major changes in their morphology and behavior. Despite these changes, however, the cavefish remain healthy and fit.



The research may provide new clues about the evolutionary consequences of prolonged physical inactivity in humans.&nbsp;



“It’s no surprise that people are moving less and less as technology has advanced,” said Rohner. “With cavefish, we have a unique system where we can study what might happen if people remained couch potatoes over very, very long periods of time.”



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> some of the most incredible waves in the world, as seen by Landsat satellites.



"With more than 370,000 miles of coastline on Earth, there are plenty of places where epic waves build up, curl over, and hurtle toward the shore.- much to the thrill of surfers," says NASA. "There are some places where these waves are so magnificent that they can be seen from space."



"With the broad perspective of satellites, we can see how these iconic waves develop into the world’s tallest, longest, fastest, and heaviest."



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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