<p>Young aspen trees in Yellowstone are doing something they have not done in almost 100 years. Rather than sprouting and being eaten back to nubs by elk and bison, they're actually growing into tall, adult forest trees rising up towards the canopy.</p>



<p>This matters more than it might seem, because it shows what happens when a missing piece of an ecosystem returns.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-yellowstone-aspens-and-elk">Yellowstone, aspens, and elk</h2>



<p>In the 1920s, people <a href="https://www.yellowstone.org/wolf-project/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eliminated wolves in Yellowstone</a>. At the time, with limited scientific knowledge, managers believed it was the right thing to do.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/from-wolves-to-dogs-did-domestication-begin-without-human-help/">Without wolves</a>, elk herds grew very large. Elk love to eat aspen shoots - the tender young growth is highly palatable to them.</p>



<p>For roughly 70 years, elk browsed aspen sprouts down to stub height, and the trees couldn't grow. </p>



<p>If you had walked through Yellowstone in the 1980s, you would have seen many tiny aspen shoots covering the ground, but almost no young trees gaining height. </p>



<p>The forest's regeneration was stalled. Old trees died, and no new ones replaced them.</p>



<p>In 1995 and 1996, park managers reintroduced wolves into the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yellowstone-supervolcano-eruption-study-sparks-new-debate-on-where-and-when-it-will-erupt/">Yellowstone Park ecosystem</a>. Scientists hoped and wondered whether this would change anything for the trees.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-aspen-matter-to-yellowstone">Why aspen matter to Yellowstone</h2>



<p>Aspen groves provide habitat for many species. Birds nest in them. Beavers eat the bark and use the wood for dams. Butterflies and moths lay eggs on the leaves. </p>



<p>Their canopy admits enough light for wildflowers and shrubs to grow beneath. When it rains, aspen groves hold water in the soil better than some other forest types.</p>



<p>In short, when aspen return, dozens of other species benefit. More trees support more insects, which in turn support more birds, enriching the ecosystem.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-checking-the-trees-three-decades-later">Checking the trees three decades later</h2>



<p><a href="https://fwcs.oregonstate.edu/users/luke-painter" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luke Painter</a>, an ecologist at <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon State University</a>, sought clear answers. His team returned to 87 aspen stands across Yellowstone that scientists had previously surveyed. </p>



<p>They measured thousands of young trees, looked for bite marks, and counted how many stems were tall enough that elk could no longer reach the tips.</p>



<p>About a third of these stands now have many tall young aspens pushing toward the canopy. </p>



<p>"About 26 of the 87 aspen stands we examined had large numbers of tall saplings throughout, a remarkable change from the 1990s when surveys found none at all," Painter said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-wolves-matter-to-yellowstone-aspens">Why wolves matter to Yellowstone aspens</h2>



<p>Breaking it all down, the conclusions of this study are pretty simple. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wolves-move-pups-across-mountains-to-adapt-to-climate-pressure/">Wolves hunt elk</a>. When wolves came back, two things happened. First, elk numbers declined from unusually high levels. Second, elk changed their behavior. They spent less time in the same areas feeding.</p>



<p>With fewer elk and shorter feeding bouts, more aspen shoots survived long enough to exceed the browsing zone - about six to seven feet high. </p>



<p>Once a sapling reaches that height, elk cannot easily reach the growing tip. The tree continues to grow.</p>



<p>"The reintroduction of large carnivores has initiated a recovery process that had been shut down for decades," Painter explained.</p>



<p>Scientists call this a <a href="https://www.nature.com/scitable/knowledge/library/trophic-cascades-across-diverse-plant-ecosystems-80060347/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trophic cascade</a> - when adding or removing one species causes changes that ripple through the whole system.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-places-recover-others-don-t">Some places recover, others don't</h2>



<p>Unfortunately, not every aspen stand has recovered yet. Some valleys still have many short, heavily browsed shoots, because it's not only elk eating them anymore. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yellowstones-iconic-bison-have-merged-into-a-single-herd/">Bison herds have grown</a>, and bison browse on aspen as well. They are strong enough to break young trees. </p>



<p>"Increasing numbers of bison may be emerging as a new constraint to aspen in some areas," Painter confirmed.</p>



<p>Additionally, winter snow depth varies; droughts stress trees; bears and mountain lions also hunt elk; and hunting outside the park influences elk distribution. </p>



<p>All of these factors interact, which is why some sites show strong recovery, others show moderate recovery, and a few have changed very little.</p>



<p>The key pattern is that places with many tall saplings experience little browsing, and aspen groves that remain popular eating grounds today stay short. </p>



<p>This fact is the strongest indication that tree recovery is linked directly to wolf presence, not solely to weather or soil conditions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-proof-in-the-measurements">Proof in the measurements</h2>



<p>Painter's team did not rely on casual observation. They used the same methods as earlier researchers, measuring the same plots. </p>



<p>They counted recruitment - when young trees surpass browsing height and begin progressing toward maturity. This measure is crucial. Sprouts are insufficient if they never grow; without recruitment, the forest cannot replace itself.</p>



<p>The results are robust. After being stalled for most of a century, Yellowstone's aspens are increasing in height. In recovering stands today, you will see saplings - six, eight, or ten feet tall - that were not present in the 1990s.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-yellowstone-s-aspens">The future of Yellowstone's aspens</h2>



<p>"This is a remarkable case of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-viruses-found-in-yellowstones-hot-springs-may-be-near-the-root-of-all-life-on-earth/">ecological restoration</a>," Painter concluded. "Wolf reintroduction is yielding long-term ecological changes contributing to increased biodiversity and habitat diversity."</p>



<p>Trees grow slowly, so even with wolves restored, it will take decades for these young aspens to form a full-grown forest. </p>



<p>Some areas might never fully recover if bison numbers continue to rise or if the climate becomes too hot and dry.</p>



<p>Thanks to the work of Painter and his team, scientists are now certain that restoring the Yellowstone predator has restarted aspen forest regeneration. Not everywhere and not perfectly, but enough to be measured, creating hope for the future.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378112725004499?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Forest Ecology and Management</em></a>.</p>



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Yellowstone's aspen trees are growing again thanks to the reintroduction of wolves

Young aspen trees in Yellowstone are doing something they have not done in almost 100 years. Rather than sprouting and being eaten back to nubs by elk and bison, they're actually growing into tall, adult forest trees rising up towards the canopy. This matters more than it might seem, because it shows what happens when a missing piece of an ecosystem returns. Yellowstone, aspens, and elk In the 1920s, people eliminated wolves in Yellowstone. At the time, with limited scientific knowledge, managers believed it was the right...

Happy,African,American,Young,Woman,With,Afro,Hair,Modern,Cafe

<p>Paper coffee cups may not be the environmentally friendly alternative to plastic cups that we hoped for. Researchers at the <a href="https://www.gu.se/en">University of Gothenburg</a> have found that these seemingly eco-friendly substitutes may be just as harmful as their plastic counterparts.</p>



<p>As distressing news continues to emerge about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unprecedented-increase-in-global-ocean-plastic-pollution-since-2005/">plastic pollution</a> contaminating every part of our planet, consumers are opting for what they believe to be more eco-friendly options.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A notable trend has been the growing preference for paper coffee cups. Many cafes have transitioned from plastic to paper cups, often served with paper lids. However, this well-intentioned switch might not be the ideal solution.</p>



<h2 id="h-studying-disposable-paper-cups">Studying disposable paper cups&nbsp;</h2>



<p>In a meticulously executed study, the Gothenburg team observed the effects of disposable cups made of various materials on butterfly mosquito larvae.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"We left paper cups and plastic cups in wet sediment and water for a few weeks and followed how the leached chemicals affected the larvae. All of the mugs negatively affected the growth of mosquito larvae,” noted study lead author Professor Bethanie Carney Almroth.</p>



<p>Given that paper on its own is neither fat nor water-resistant, it needs a surface coating to make it suitable for food packaging. This coating is a plastic layer designed to protect the paper from the contents it holds, like the piping hot coffee from your favorite café.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-paper-cups-have-toxins">Paper cups have toxins</h2>



<p>In recent times, this protective plastic film has been made from polylactide (PLA), a type of bioplastic commonly derived from renewable resources like corn, cassava, or sugarcane.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Although it's frequently labeled as biodegradable – implying its ability to decompose faster than conventional oil-based plastics under ideal conditions – the study indicates that PLA can still have toxic implications.</p>



<p>Professor Carney Almroth points out the grave environmental challenge posed by bioplastics, which do not break down effectively when they end up in the environment, in water.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"There may be a risk that the plastic remains in nature and resulting microplastics can be ingested by animals and humans, just as other plastics do. Bioplastics contain at least as many chemicals as conventional plastic."</p>



<h2 id="h-potential-health-hazard-of-paper-cups">Potential health hazard of paper cups</h2>



<p>But what about the direct health implications for humans? “Some chemicals in plastics are known to be toxic, others we lack knowledge about," said Carney Almroth.</p>



<p>"Paper packaging also presents a potential health hazard compared to other materials, and it’s becoming more common. We are exposed to the plastics and the associated chemicals via contact with food.”</p>



<h2 id="h-transformative-shifts-are-needed">Transformative shifts are needed</h2>



<p>The study authors emphasize the need for transformative shifts to address the ongoing environmental and health challenges posed by plastic pollution.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“When disposable products arrived on the market after the Second World War, large campaigns were conducted to teach people to throw the products away, it was unnatural to us! Now we need to shift back and move away from disposable lifestyles," said Carney Almroth.</p>



<p>"It is better if you bring your own mug when buying takeaway coffee. Or by all means, take a few minutes, sit down, and drink your coffee from a porcelain mug.”</p>



<p>On a global scale, discussions are currently in progress at the UN, aiming to negotiate a binding agreement to curb the proliferation of plastics both in our societies and the natural environment.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-phasing-out-problematic-plastics">Phasing out problematic plastics&nbsp;</h2>



<p>As a member of the <a href="https://ikhapp.org/scientistscoalition/">Scientists Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty</a> (SCEPT), Carney Almroth and her fellow scientists are supporting the cause by providing invaluable scientific insights into these negotiations.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The coalition vehemently advocates for the phasing out of superfluous and problematic plastics. They also emphasize the importance of due diligence to ensure we aren’t simply replacing one detrimental product with another.</p>



<p>“We at SCEPT are calling for transparency requirements within the plastics industry that forces a clear reporting of what chemicals all products contain, much like in the pharmaceutical industry. But the main goal of our work is to minimize plastic production," said Carney Almroth.</p>



<h2>More about eco-friendly cups</h2>



<p>In today's fast-paced world, disposable cups have become an everyday convenience for many. But with concerns about environmental degradation rising, the demand for eco-friendly alternatives has surged. Eco-friendly cups, crafted from sustainable materials and designed for minimal environmental impact, have emerged as a frontrunner in this green revolution.</p>



<h3>Materials matter</h3>



<p>Eco-friendly cups typically come from renewable resources. Manufacturers make these cups from materials like bamboo, paper sourced from responsibly managed forests, or even bioplastics derived from plants. Unlike conventional plastic cups, which can take hundreds of years to decompose, eco-friendly materials break down much faster, reducing the strain on our landfills.</p>



<h3>Less carbon footprint</h3>



<p>Producing conventional plastic cups emits significant amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. In contrast, eco-friendly cups often have a smaller carbon footprint. For instance, bamboo grows rapidly, absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide, which offsets the emissions from manufacturing products made from it.</p>



<h3>No harmful chemicals</h3>



<p>Many plastic cups contain chemicals like BPA, which can leach into beverages and pose health risks. Eco-friendly cups, on the other hand, steer clear of such harmful additives. By choosing these, consumers can enjoy their drinks without worrying about ingesting toxic chemicals.</p>



<h3>Reusability and recyclability</h3>



<p>While many eco-friendly cups are disposable, an increasing number now come as reusable options. Materials like stainless steel and glass make for durable, long-lasting cups. And when these eco-cups have reached the end of their lifespan, many can be easily recycled, further reducing waste.</p>



<h3>Supporting sustainable industries</h3>



<p>By purchasing eco-friendly cups, consumers support industries committed to sustainable practices. This demand can shift market dynamics, encouraging more companies to adopt eco-friendly strategies.</p>



<p>In summary, the shift towards eco-friendly cups isn't just a trend, it's a necessary step towards creating a sustainable future. By making the switch, consumers can enjoy their favorite beverages guilt-free, knowing they're making a difference. As more people adopt these green alternatives, the positive impact on our planet will only continue to grow.</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121836" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Environmental Pollution</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Paper coffee cups are not so eco-friendly after all

Paper coffee cups may not be the environmentally friendly alternative...

<p>A recent study published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-076058">BMJ</a> has found that consuming certain emulsifiers (part of the “E numbers” group of food additives) commonly used in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ultra-processed-foods-can-make-you-feel-mentally-unwell/">ultra-processed foods</a> (UPF) to improve texture and extend shelf-life has been associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular issues, such as heart attacks and strokes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to the experts, these findings could help protect consumers by highlighting the urgent need of reassessing current food industry regulations.</p>



<h2 id="h-potential-health-risks">Potential health risks</h2>



<p>The scientists examined the potential health risks of specific emulsifiers that are often included in various packaged goods, including bread, margarine, cakes, and other processed items.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Previous studies have already argued that these food additives might disrupt the gut microbiome, induce inflammation, and thereby potentially exacerbate heart-related issues.</p>



<h2 id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The researchers conducted a comprehensive review of the diets and health of 95,442 French participants, none of whom had a prior record of cardiovascular disease. These individuals were part of the <a href="https://info.etude-nutrinet-sante.fr/upload/siteinfo/files/ck/files/protocole%20general%20en%20anglais%20NutriNet_Aug2013_EM_03_09_13.pdf">NutriNet-Sante research project</a> from 2009 through 2021. The majority (79 percent) were female, with a median age of 43.</p>



<p>The participants were asked to share their food intake details by completing multiple online food diaries over a span of two years. The researchers then cross-referenced every consumed item with three distinct databases to identify and quantify any additives present in them.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Major cardiovascular incidents were also recorded, along with cardiovascular-related mortalities from the French national death register, while factoring in other risk factors such as age, family medical history, and smoking habits.</p>



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-learned">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The analysis revealed a significant correlation between the increased consumption of specific emulsifying agents used to improve the texture of food - such as total celluloses (E460-E468), cellulose (E460), and carboxymethylcellulose (E466) - and the likelihood of cardiovascular and coronary diseases.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Moreover, higher intakes of monoglycerides and diglycerides of fatty acids (E471 and E472) were also associated with higher risks of all studied outcomes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Among these food additives, lactic ester of monoglycerides and diglycerides of fatty acids (E472b) – which is used as an airing agent in pastries and cakes - was linked to higher risks of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and citric acid ester of monoglycerides and diglycerides of fatty acids (E472c) was associated with higher risks of cardiovascular and coronary heart disease.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Finally, high intake of the acidity regulator trisodium phosphate (E339) was also found to increase the risk of coronary heart disease.</p>



<h2 id="h-strong-correlation">Strong correlation&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Although the experts acknowledged that this study is observational and cannot conclusively establish a causal relation between intake of these substances and cardiovascular issues, it nevertheless highlights a strong correlation and thus calls for a more extensive investigation into the possible causality of this association.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Since the cohort was large, the researchers were able to adjust for a wide range of potentially influential factors while using detailed brand-specific data on food industry, and the results were similar after further testing, these findings seem to be quite robust, implying the existence of a causal relationship.</p>



<h2 id="h-further-research-is-needed">Further research is needed&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“We need more research to properly understand the link between UPF and heart disease,” said Tracy Parker, a heart health dietitian at the <a href="https://www.bhf.org.uk/">British Heart Foundation</a> (BHF), who was not involved in the study.</p>



<p>“While it would be hard to avoid UPF entirely in our diets, cutting down on food like cakes and biscuits and cooking more from scratch are already things we know can help improve our diets and, in doing so, lower our cardiovascular disease risk. It is also essential to create an environment that supports this, by implementing delayed policies that are already on the table to restrict the advertising and promotion of&nbsp;often highly processed foods which are high in fat, sugar, and salt.”</p>



<h2 id="h-studies-with-similar-results">Studies with similar results</h2>



<p>Interestingly, similar findings of two other studies were recently presented at the <a href="https://www.escardio.org/Congresses-Events/ESC-Congress">European Society of Cardiology Congress</a> in Amsterdam.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In the first one, a team of scientists from the <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/">University of Sydney</a> who examined over 10,000 middle-aged women during a period of 15 years has found that 39 percent were more likely to develop high blood pressure than those consuming small quantities of ultra-processed foods.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The second study, led by China’s <a href="https://www.fmmu.edu.cn/">Fourth Military Medical University</a>, argued that people consuming more UPFs were 25 percent more likely to suffer from heart attacks, strokes, or angina.</p>



<p>Thus, although such results need replication in other large-scale studies, they could already contribute to a re-evaluation of food additive usage regulations in the food industry to protect customers.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Meanwhile, several public health authorities recommend limiting the consumption of ultra-processed foods as a way of limiting exposure to non-essential controversial food additives,” the authors concluded.</p>



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Food additives linked to higher risk of cardiovascular disease

A recent study published in the journal BMJ has found...

<p>Deep beneath the waves off the coast of Alaska, an exploration team embarking on the <a href="https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/seascape-alaska/welcome.html">Seascape Alaska 5 expedition</a> encountered a mystery.&nbsp;While guiding a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) along the ocean floor, they noticed a shining golden object. </p>



<p>This unexplained discovery has stunned scientists, presenting more questions than answers.</p>



<h2 id="h-oceanic-wonders">Oceanic wonders&nbsp;</h2>



<p>It’s often stated that our understanding of the Moon's surface surpasses our knowledge of our own ocean. This bizarre "golden egg" can now be added to the list of oceanic wonders that include the eerie yellow-brick roads and peculiar creatures of the Mariana Trench.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As researchers pilot their equipment thousands of meters below the sea level, every dive has the potential to unveil secrets that we cannot yet comprehend.</p>



<h2 id="h-inspecting-the-object">Inspecting the object</h2>



<p>The golden object - located two miles deep and firmly attached to a rocky base - wasn't just a solid piece. It was found with a gaping hole in the front, prompting a researcher (as captured in the live feed broadcasted by the Miami Herald) to remark, “Something tried to get in… or to get out.”</p>



<p>The task of closely inspecting this orb fell upon a robotic arm. The ROV’s capabilities went beyond mere inspection: it delicately vacuumed a series of peculiar discs from a sea wall. This highlights the advanced capabilities that scientists now have to interact with deep-sea environments.</p>



<p>One of the expedition members humorously noted the surrealness of the situation: “I just hope when we poke it, something doesn’t decide to come out.”</p>



<h2 id="h-leading-theories">Leading theories</h2>



<p>Currently, the leading theories surrounding the golden object mystery range from it being an unusually reflective egg casing to the remnants of an unknown species of sponge.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, no consensus has been reached. It was fortunate that the ROV managed to secure the specimen for further analysis.</p>



<p>One thing is for certain - this discovery is genuinely odd. “When our collective knowledge can’t identify it, it’s something weird," said a team member.</p>



<h2 id="h-potentially-a-new-species">Potentially a new species</h2>



<p>Dr. Tammy Horton at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton said the golden object is potentially a new species.</p>



<p>"It is not unusual to find unknowns in the deep sea – we have a lot to explore," Dr. Horton told MailOnline</p>



<p>"They have a sample and will be able to study it more closely and will probably do some genetic analyses to determine at least what sort of animal it came from."</p>



<h2 id="h-the-sponge-theory">The sponge theory</h2>



<p>Dr. Lucy Woodall, a professor at the University of Exeter, agreed with the idea that the golden object may be a type of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-sponges-play-a-critical-role-in-the-ocean-and-they-are-rapidly-vanishing/">sponge</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"The hole is probably just damage that has been suffered over time, but then again it could provide a whole new insight as to how life in the deep sea survives and thrives," Dr. Woodall told MailOnline.</p>



<p>"However the deep sea is full of wonders that we are only just discovering. I look forward to learning more about it from the taxonomists who will be working on the collected specimen."</p>



<h2 id="h-seascape-alaska-5-expedition">Seascape Alaska 5 expedition</h2>



<p>The Seascape Alaska 5 expedition, which began on August 23, has been navigating from Kodiak to Seward, Alaska. Their mission focuses on exploring marine environments deeper than 200 meters (656 feet), reaching depths up to 6,000 meters (19,685 feet).&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to NOAA, the objective is to explore deep-sea coral and sponge habitats, fish habitats, chemosynthetic communities, and the water column and to improve knowledge of past and potential geohazards.</p>



<p>And the most exciting part of this grand oceanic journey? Thanks to cutting-edge telepresence technology, this expedition is not limited to scientists and crew members.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Anyone with internet access can <a href="https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/seascape-alaska/">join virtually</a>, witnessing and listening to the ongoing dives, making the deep mysteries of the ocean more accessible to all.</p>



<p><em>Image Credit: <a href="https://www.noaa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOAA Ocean Exploration</a>&nbsp;</em></p>



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Mysterious golden object unknown to science is recovered from the seafloor

Deep beneath the waves off the coast of Alaska, an...

<p>In the age of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-technology-can-purify-water-as-it-is-collected-from-fog/">technology</a>, where convenience often trumps other considerations, smart home devices have surged in popularity. These devices, from speakers to washing machines, promise reliable connectivity and ease of use.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, recent investigations have unearthed unsettling information regarding data collection practices that could pose significant privacy risks for users.</p>



<h2 id="h-personal-data-collection">Personal data collection&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Consumer advocate group <a href="https://www.which.co.uk/">Which?</a> recently embarked on an in-depth investigation into the extent of personal data collection by these smart devices.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The findings reveal that companies frequently amass more data than necessary for the device's function, leading to mounting concerns over why such intensive data collection is even required.</p>



<h2 id="h-smart-speakers">Smart speakers&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The study revealed that smart speakers, notably from manufacturers like Bose, were actively sharing user data with Meta, Facebook's parent company.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Notably, the volume of data shared appears to differ based on the user's device - Android or iOS. For instance, Google Nest products were discovered to request contacts and location details from Android users, yet refrained from such requests for Apple iOS users.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-than-you-bargained-for">More than you bargained for</h2>



<p>Rocio Concha, the director of policy and advocacy at Which?, commented: "Firms should not collect more data than they need to provide the service that’s on offer, particularly if they are going to bury this important information in lengthy terms and conditions.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>This sentiment underscores the larger issue at play - consumers, after already shelling out significant amounts of money for smart products, are also unknowingly "paying" with their personal data.</p>



<h2 id="h-smart-cameras">Smart cameras&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The study also shed light on the practices of smart cameras and doorbells. Brands like Ezviz, available at major retailers including Argos, were found to have multiple tracking firms active, including TikTok's Pangle, Huawei, Google, and Meta.</p>



<h2 id="h-washing-machines">Washing machines&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Furthermore, the investigations revealed that even smart washing machines aren't immune to spying. They require personal details ranging from names to precise locations.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Although some brands, like LG and Hoover, have made data sharing mandatory, others offer an optional approach.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Notably, even smart TVs, from giants like LG, Samsung, and Sony, have been implicated in these questionable data collection practices.</p>



<h2 id="h-companies-respond-to-the-report">Companies respond to the report</h2>



<p>Many major corporations were highlighted in the Which? report for their excessive data collection:</p>



<ul>
<li>Amazon's response highlighted their commitment to customer privacy and security, asserting they never sell personal data.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Google emphasized their adherence to privacy laws and their transparency about data collection and use.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Miele's justification centered on optimizing appliance usage and offering additional features.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Samsung spotlighted their customer-first approach to product design, focusing on security and privacy.</li>
</ul>



<p>While some companies chose to comment on the report, several - including AEG/Electrolux, Hoover/Haier, and Bose - declined to comment. Others, such as Apple, Sony, and LG, did not respond before the publication deadline.</p>



<h2 id="h-data-sharing-concerns">Data sharing concerns</h2>



<p>A separate survey conducted in April 2023, encompassing 1,201 Which? members, divulged that users were mainly worried about sharing their contacts and location data.&nbsp;</p>



<p>And even with stringent regulations like the GDPR, companies often navigate around the mandates by citing "legitimate interests," leaving consumers perplexed about the depth of data sharing.</p>



<h2 id="h-revising-guidelines">Revising guidelines</h2>



<p>Which? has made an appeal to the Information Commissioner’s Office to contemplate revising guidelines to shield consumers better from inadvertently compromising their personal data.</p>



<h2 id="h-advice-to-consumers">Advice to consumers</h2>



<p>To counter these issues, Which? offered consumers several strategies to bolster data privacy:</p>



<h3 id="h-care-about-what-you-share">Care about what you share</h3>



<p>Some data collection is optional during setup, and that means you can opt out. Only share what you are comfortable with.</p>



<h3 id="h-check-permissions">Check permissions</h3>



<p>On iOS and Android, you can review permission requests before downloading an app, and check what each app has access to in your settings.</p>



<h3 id="h-deny-access">Deny access</h3>



<p>Also in your phone settings, you can potentially deny or limit access to data such as location, contacts, and so on. Although, that might stop or limit aspects of the app.</p>



<h3 id="h-delete-recordings">Delete recordings</h3>



<p>Using the Alexa and Google Assistant settings, you can set your voice recordings to be deleted automatically rather than stored.</p>



<h3 id="h-read-the-privacy-policy">Read the privacy policy</h3>



<p>Do at least browse the policy, particularly the data collection sections. You have the right to object to a company processing your data.</p>



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Are smart home devices spying on us? A new study says yes

In the age of technology, where convenience often trumps other...

<p>Italy's iconic mountain forests could soon undergo a historic transformation due to the ongoing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-solutions-for-the-climate-and-biodiversity-crisis/">climate crisis</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Trees that once stood tall, defining the European landscape, may become rare or vanish altogether, while others could start an uphill trek - potentially by several hundred meters.</p>



<h2 id="h-looking-into-the-future">Looking into the future</h2>



<p>In a study published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/ffgc.2023.1250651"><em>Frontiers in Forests and Global Change</em></a>, scientists mapped the forests of five mountain areas in Italy considered most susceptible to climate change, offering a glimpse into the future of these ecosystems.</p>



<p>“If I imagine my daughter walking with me as an old man, in our mountain forests, I can imagine that we can see the initial stage of a profound change of species," said Dr. Sergio Noce, of the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change Foundation (CMCC).</p>



<p>This transformation won't happen overnight. “Like any natural process, time is needed, and forests have times that are totally different from us," said Dr. Noce.</p>



<h2 id="h-deep-roots">Deep roots</h2>



<p>The significance of forests extends far beyond their aesthetic appeal. They support local economies through wood products and wild foods like truffles. Their broader ecological role influences water availability and quality, promotes biodiversity, conserves soil, and provides recreational outlets.</p>



<p>Today, Italy has forests across a third of its territory, and this green expanse is growing. Yet, the increasing frequency of droughts, storms, and fires has left scars on these forests, thrusting them into a period of rapid environmental change. The mountain forests, in particular, are on the frontline of this climate crisis.</p>



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



<p>Dr. Noce and his team ventured into these forests, creating detailed species distribution models for five regions stretching across the Apennines and the Alps.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers combined these models with climate change projections derived from two distinct scenarios: a future with moderated emissions and another with "business as usual."&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-informing-conservation-efforts">Informing conservation efforts&nbsp;</h2>



<p>As a result of the analysis, the experts visualized the potential habitats for trees leading up to 2050.</p>



<p>“Knowing which species will be advantaged or disadvantaged in future conditions can help us in planning, management, and conservation choices," said Dr. Noce.</p>



<p>“The forest provides humans with very important ecosystem services - the regulation of the water cycle, the biodiversity, the wood and non-wood products, the tourism, the capture and storage of CO2 and many others. Every choice made today impacts these services for years to come and must be made with as much knowledge as possible.”</p>



<h2 id="h-fate-of-the-forests">Fate of the forests&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The research revealed shrinking habitats for the majority of species. A few, notably the European larch and the Turkey oak, might find broader horizons, potentially expanding beyond their current bounds. This pattern persisted under both scenarios, though the magnitude of change varied.</p>



<p>The predictions indicate an upward migration of the tree line, making species with niche habitats particularly vulnerable. Alpine meadows might become limited as trees gradually dominate their territory.</p>



<p>The silver fir and European beech emerged as notably vulnerable. Of the surveyed regions, the northern and north-eastern Apennines appeared most threatened, with their tree species particularly susceptible to alteration. Yet, forests with diverse species appeared to be more resilient.</p>



<h2 id="h-study-implications">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



<p>During this unprecedented transformation, certain tree species may introduce unexpected challenges. The Maritime pine, proposed for reinforcing forests in the southern Apennines, is more flammable than other trees in this region.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, the authors cautioned that the relationship between environmental variables and species presence may not remain the same as in the past, and that change could still surprise us.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We can consider this work as an experiment to be extended,” said Dr. Noce. “We already plan to deepen our research in Italy thanks to the European funds of the Next Generation EU program, but we plan to do so also by expanding the geographical extent and the time horizon.”</p>



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Italy's mountain forests are on the frontline of the climate crisis

Italy's iconic mountain forests could soon undergo a historic transformation...

<p>In an extraordinary display of nature's power, Hurricane Idalia, which recently devastated parts of the United States, pushed flamingos out of eastern Mexico into states as far north as Ohio.</p>



<p>Scientists believe the flamingos were on their migratory path between Cuba and the Yucatan when they got swept up by the intense winds of Idalia. "We have never seen anything like this," said Jerry Lorenz, the state director of research for <a href="https://fl.audubon.org/">Audubon Florida</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-rare-flamingo-sightings">Rare flamingo sightings</h2>



<p>As Hurricane Idalia tore through the Caribbean sea and hit Florida, flamingos began appearing in its wake. They were first spotted in Florida, a state where their presence has become exceedingly rare due to hunting.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Flamingo sightings soon spread from Georgia to the Carolinas, Virginia, and even inland states like Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, and Ohio. Following the trajectory of the hurricane, the locations of these sightings almost mapped the storm's path.</p>



<p>"It's just really surprising that if you follow the path of Idalia, it really does kind of fall out to the north and south of that central track," said Lorenz.</p>



<h2 id="h-unprecedented-event">Unprecedented event</h2>



<p>Florida, despite being emblematic for these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/demand-for-lithium-comes-at-a-cost-to-flamingos/">birds</a>, is home to only one percent of the global flamingo population. The appearance of "flamboyances" (a term used to describe a group of flamingos) was an astonishing sight to locals.</p>



<p>Lorenz told the media: "We will get a flamingo or two following storms but this is really unprecedented."</p>



<p>A particularly noteworthy sighting occurred at the scenic Caesar Creek Park lake, near Waynesville in southwest Ohio. Here, an adult and a juvenile flamingo were observed "just hanging out and sleeping in about a foot of water near the shore," according to eyewitness Jacob Roalef.</p>



<h2 id="h-resilient-birds">Resilient birds</h2>



<p>With over 150 flamingos displaced by Idalia's powerful winds, their well-being and return have become a topic of discussion among experts and bird enthusiasts.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While Lorenz assures that the resilient flamingos are capable of flying thousands of miles and should have no issues returning before the onset of the winter season, he urges bird-watchers to exercise caution. "These birds are stressed right now. They just went through a terrible ordeal."</p>



<h2 id="h-unexpected-treat-for-bird-watchers">Unexpected treat for bird watchers&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Nate Swick from the <a href="https://www.aba.org/">American Birding Association</a> told ABC News that Hurricane Idalia was the kind of storm that bird watchers dream of "because you never know what kind of species it will bring with it."&nbsp;</p>



<p>While ocean-going birds like terns are commonly associated with such storms, flamingos were a surprise. "No one really expected that flamingos would be the bird that Idalia was known for," Swick told ABC News.</p>



<p>One particular flamingo was identified by a unique alphanumeric code, which traced back to Río Lagartos, a breeding colony in Mexico. This confirmed that the birds were from the Yucatan Peninsula.</p>



<h2 id="h-how-do-flamingos-navigate-storms">How do flamingos navigate storms?</h2>



<p>The experts do not know how birds travel within a storm. One theory is that flocks get caught up in the front edge of the storm, in the northwest quadrant, which meteorologists refer to as "the dirty side" of the storm due to the stronger winds, said Swick.</p>



<p>He told NPR that the birds were likely either in Yucatan or on their way to Cuba when the storm hit them. The flamingos went with the winds instead of fighting against them, as the eastern portion of the storm drove the birds up the western side of Florida.</p>



<h2 id="h-returning-home">Returning home</h2>



<p>Swick noted to NPR that flamingos are big, strong birds, more than capable of making their way back home - like they did in 2019 following Hurricane Barry. That particular storm pushed a handful of flamingos into western Tennessee and Missouri.</p>



<p>"They kind of hung around there for a little while, and then eventually started making their way back," Swick told NPR. "I think the flamingos are likely to start heading towards the coast, whether or not they know which direction to go, I don't know. Birds are capable of things that we cannot imagine."</p>



<h2 id="h-flamingos-in-florida">Flamingos in Florida</h2>



<p>Historically, flamingos were native to Florida but were hunted extensively in the 19th century for their feathers, which were coveted in women's fashion.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Lorenz spoke about the occasional flamingos that visit South Florida for breeding purposes, emphasizing the efforts to rejuvenate wetlands for their permanent return.</p>



<h2 id="h-phenomenal-event">Phenomenal event</h2>



<p>This is not the first instance of flamingos being rerouted by storm systems, but the sheer numbers observed post-Hurricane Idalia are unprecedented. As Greg Neise of the American Birding Association noted, "It's been pretty phenomenal."</p>



<p>Birders are reveling in the unexpected opportunity to observe the flamingos in the United States. While many of the birds may soon find their way back home, their brief visit will be remembered for years to come.</p>



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Flamingos were blown out of Mexico as far north as Ohio by Hurricane Idalia

In an extraordinary display of nature's power, Hurricane Idalia, which...

<p>An international team of researchers led by the <a href="https://www.weizmann.ac.il/pages/">Weizmann Institute of Science</a> in Israel has recently developed human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/embryo-developed-no-egg-sperm/">embryo</a> models using lab-cultured stem cells, providing an unprecedented view of the critical first week post-implantation into the uterine lining.</p>



<p>A deeper insight into the moments right after a fertilized egg embeds itself in the womb’s lining can enhance our understanding of fertility, early pregnancy loss, and congenital birth anomalies. However, ethical and logistical barriers have limited scientists’ grasp on these vital phases of human embryonic progression.</p>



<h2 id="h-an-ethical-approach">An ethical approach&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“The drama is in the first month, the remaining eight months of pregnancy are mainly lots of growth,” explained senior author Jacob Hanna, a molecular geneticist at Weizmann. “But that first month is still largely a black box. Our stem cell–derived human embryo model offers an ethical and accessible way of peering into this box.”</p>



<h2 id="h-amazing-structuring-capability">Amazing structuring capability&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The experts prompted genetically untouched, unspecialized stem cells from humans to form intricate configurations that simulate human embryonic growth.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This procedure uncovers the amazing innate structuring capability of human stem cells. It builds on a recent advancement in creating embryonic-like stem cells. The procedure also grants scientists a fresh avenue to explore aspects that were poorly understood until now due to logistical and moral dilemmas.</p>



<h2 id="h-highlighting-new-features">Highlighting new features</h2>



<p>This approach highlights features not found in earlier models, such as the three lineages that construct the placenta and embryonic support systems, as well as the cellular layer that shapes an embryo before its internal folding and differentiation into various tissues and organs.</p>



<h2 id="h-studying-human-embryos">Studying human embryos</h2>



<p>Earlier <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2022.07.028">studies</a> indicated that stem cells extracted from mouse embryos can still be externally directed to develop into tissues that sustain and constitute the embryo. They naturally assemble into a structural stem-cell based embryo model (SEM) post-<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastrulation">gastrulation</a>. In this stage, embryonic cells transform into three main types of body tissue.</p>



<p>“Here, we extend these findings to humans, while using only genetically unmodified human naïve embryonic stem cells,” the scientists explained. “We proceeded to test the capacity to form embryo-like structures […] that could mimic different stages of natural human&nbsp;<em>in utero</em>&nbsp;development.”</p>



<h2 id="h-ideal-conditions">Ideal conditions</h2>



<p>The experts further determined the ideal conditions – such as cell counts, relative proportions within cell blends, and culture compositions for different phases – starting from the implantation, which takes place roughly seven to eight days post-fertilization.</p>



<p>“These human complete SEMs demonstrated developmental growth dynamics that resemble key hallmarks of post-implantation stage embryogenesis up to 13-14 days post-fertilization,” the researchers wrote.</p>



<h2 id="h-valuable-pathways">Valuable pathways</h2>



<p>The models illustrate the construction of every recognized segment of early human embryos. These include the epiblast, hypoblast, extraembryonic mesoderm, trophoblast, and yolk sac.</p>



<p>Researchers observed that cell data from the human SEMs aligned with gene expression patterns and cell types in human embryos soon after implantation. This, when compared to a reference data set. While human SEMs don’t mirror embryos perfectly, they can open new, valuable pathways for future investigations.</p>



<h2 id="h-preventing-early-pregnancy-failures">Preventing early pregnancy failures</h2>



<p>“Many failures of pregnancy occur in the first few weeks, often before the woman even knows she’s pregnant. That’s also when many birth defects originate, even though they tend to be discovered much later,” Hanna explained.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Our models can be used to reveal the biochemical and mechanical signals that ensure proper development at this early stage, and the ways in which that development can go wrong.”</p>



<h2 id="h-study-implications">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The scientists hope that these findings will facilitate deeper investigations into early human development, as well as into issues related to infertility and the growth of tissues for transplants.</p>



<p>“This research and other recent reports on models of the early human embryo show that models are getting more sophisticated and closer to [...] normal development, highlighting that a robust regulatory framework is more needed than ever before,” concluded Darius Widera, a professor of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at the <a href="https://www.reading.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Reading</a>.</p>



<h2>More about stem cells</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/what-are-stem-cells-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stem cells</a> have often been hailed as the superheroes of the cellular world. They hold incredible potential for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. These unique cells serve as the foundation of our body's cellular machinery. They have the ability to both replicate themselves and transform into specialized cells.</p>



<h3>What are Stem Cells?</h3>



<p>At the heart of every organ and tissue in our body, stem cells play a pivotal role. They are undifferentiated cells that can both self-renew (make copies of themselves) and differentiate (become specialized cells, like heart, brain, or liver cells). This dual capability is what sets them apart and makes them so valuable in the realm of medical research.</p>



<h3>Types of Stem Cells</h3>



<p>Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs): Derived from the inner cell mass of a blastocyst (an early-stage embryo), these cells are pluripotent. This means they can become any cell type in the body.</p>



<p>Adult or Somatic Stem Cells: Present in various tissues throughout our lifetime, these cells usually differentiate into cell types of their tissue of origin. For example, hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow create different blood cells.</p>



<p>Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs): Scientists can now revert mature cells (like skin cells) back to a pluripotent state, essentially giving them similar capabilities as ESCs. This revolutionary discovery opened a world of potential, as it provides a way to get pluripotent cells without using embryos.</p>



<h3>The Potential of Stem Cells in Medicine</h3>



<p>Stem cells hold the promise of a host of treatments. Here are some of the ways researchers are harnessing their power.</p>



<p>Regenerative Medicine: We can use stem cells to replace damaged or diseased tissue. This ability will potentially revolutionize treatments for conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and spinal cord injuries.</p>



<p>Drug Testing: Before testing a new drug on humans, researchers can use stem cells to predict its safety and efficacy.</p>



<p>Disease Modeling: By creating stem cell models of genetic diseases, scientists gain a deeper understanding of these conditions and can search for potential treatments.</p>



<h3>Ethical Concerns and the Path Forward</h3>



<p>While the potential of stem cells is undeniable, their use, especially ESCs, comes with ethical concerns. Since ESCs come from embryos, this raises questions about the moral status of the embryo and the right to life.</p>



<p>However, the advent of iPSC technology offers a promising path that sidesteps many of these ethical issues. With ongoing research and collaboration, we can continue to unlock the mysteries and potentials of stem cells, aiming for a future where the marvel of regeneration is within our grasp.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06604-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Human embryos are grown in the lab using stem cells instead of an egg and sperm

An international team of researchers led by the Weizmann Institute...

<p>A new study from <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/">Oregon State University</a> suggests that tiny air bubbles may be ramping up the rate of glacier melt, ultimately contributing to sea level rise.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research suggests that the rapid retreat of tidewater glaciers – glaciers that terminate at the sea – may be influenced by the bursting of pressurized air bubbles trapped in the ice.</p>



<h2 id="h-melting-behavior-of-glacier-ice">Melting behavior of glacier ice&nbsp;</h2>



<p>In the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41561-023-01262-8"><em>Nature Geoscience</em></a>, the experts describe the melting behavior of glacier ice compared to other forms of ice. Unlike the bubble-free <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-sea-ice-algae-heavily-contaminated-with-microplastics/">sea ice</a> or manufactured ice typically used in research, glacier ice undergoes melting at a much faster rate.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This revelation carries significant implications, especially considering that tidewater glaciers around the world, from Greenland to the Antarctic Peninsula, are retreating at unprecedented speeds.</p>



<h2 id="h-tiny-air-bubbles">Tiny air bubbles&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“We have known for a while that glacier ice is full of bubbles," said study lead author Meagan Wengrove, assistant professor of Coastal Engineering at OSU. “It was only when we started talking about the physics of the process that we realized those bubbles may be doing a lot more than just making noise underwater as the ice melts.”</p>



<p>But what is the origin of these bubbles? As snow compacts to form glacier ice, the air pockets nestled between snowflakes find themselves trapped within the ice's pores.&nbsp;</p>



<p>With an estimated 200 bubbles per cubic centimeter, glacier ice consists of approximately 10% air.&nbsp;</p>



<h2>Pressurized air</h2>



<p>“These are the same bubbles that preserve ancient air studied in ice cores," said study co-author and glaciologist Erin Pettit. “The tiny bubbles can have very high pressures – sometimes up to 20 atmospheres, or 20 times normal atmospheric pressure at sea level.”</p>



<p>As the bubbly glacier ice reaches the sea, these pressurized bubbles rupture, creating distinct popping sounds. Despite the prior knowledge of these bubbles' existence, Wengrove noted the absence of studies investigating their impact on melting at the glacier-ocean interface.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The existence of pressurized bubbles in glacier ice has been known for a long time but no studies had looked at their effect on melting where a glacier meets the ocean, even though bubbles are known to affect fluid mixing in multiple processes ranging from industrial to medical," said Wengrove.</p>



<h2 id="h-explosive-bursts">Explosive bursts&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Lab experiments indicate that these bubbles might be a piece of the puzzle, bridging the gap between observed and anticipated melt rates of tidewater glaciers.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The explosive bursts of those bubbles, and their buoyancy, energize the ocean boundary layer during melting,” explained Wengrove.</p>



<h2 id="h-climate-models">Climate models</h2>



<p>This discovery could radically reshape climate models, particularly those focusing on the topmost 40 to 60 meters of the ocean. The team found that glacier ice laden with bubbles melts more than twice as rapidly as bubble-free ice.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Pettit emphasized the challenge posed by existing models. “The models currently used to predict ice melt at the ice-ocean interface of tidewater glaciers do not account for bubbles in glacier ice.”</p>



<h2 id="h-study-implications">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Such findings have profound implications for predicting global sea-level rise. At present, NASA data attributes roughly 60% of sea level rise to meltwater from glaciers and ice sheets.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Achieving a more precise understanding of ice melt mechanisms can enhance predictions of glacier retreat rates. Wengrove highlighted the practical implications of these findings, noting, “it’s a lot more difficult for a community to plan for a 10-foot increase in water level than it is for a 1-foot increase.”</p>



<p>Wengrove also emphasized the broader significance of these tiny bubbles. “Those little bubbles may play an outsized role in understanding critical future climate scenarios.”</p>



<p>The research was funded by the Keck Foundation, the National Science Foundation, and the National Geographic Society.</p>



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Tiny air bubbles trapped in glacier ice accelerate the rate of melting

A new study from Oregon State University suggests that tiny...

<p>Sleep is crucial for our well-being, and a sleepless night causes groggy, irritable feelings that make it difficult to function properly the next day. But recent scientific discoveries suggest that the repercussions of sleep deprivation extend far beyond temporary discomfort.&nbsp;</p>



<p>There is mounting evidence that persistent sleep loss can pave the way for devastating neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease.</p>



<p>A study published by the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> confirms that not only does a lack of sleep make you feel awful, but also impairs the brain.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"What’s more, sleep loss over long periods can even increase risk for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/medical-breakthrough-new-vaccine-may-prevent-alzheimers-disease/">Alzheimer’s</a> and other neurological diseases," noted the researchers.</p>



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



<p>Historically, scientists have observed a correlation between sleep deprivation and neuronal damage within the hippocampus – a crucial brain region that governs memory and learning.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Prior research has succeeded in pinpointing certain factors that bridge the gap between sleep deficiency and brain damage. Yet, the specific roles these factors play in cognitive functions across larger animal groups remain uncertain.</p>



<p>For the current study, a team of experts led by Fuyi Xu and Jia Mi set out to investigate the precise mechanisms through which sleep deprivation wreaks havoc on our gray matter.</p>



<h2 id="h-cognitive-dysfunction">Cognitive dysfunction</h2>



<p>"Sleep loss is associated with cognitive dysfunction. However, the detailed mechanisms remain unclear," wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>"In this study, we established a para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA)-induced insomniac mouse model with impaired cognitive function. Mass-spectrometry-based proteomics showed that the expression of 164 proteins was significantly altered in the hippocampus of the PCPA mice."</p>



<h2 id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted">How the research was conducted</h2>



<p>The team subjected mice to two days of sleep deprivation and assessed their ability to navigate a maze and recognize unfamiliar objects. Next, the researchers isolated proteins from the hippocampi of the sleep-deprived mice to pinpoint any variations in their abundance.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By comparing these findings with data from similar, but well-rested, mouse strains, they hoped to single out the most significant proteins.</p>



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-learned">What the researchers learned&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The experts made a significant discovery: a decline in the protein pleiotrophin (PTN) in the sleep-deprived mice.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Further RNA analysis revealed the molecular cascade instigated by a PTN deficit, resulting in hippocampal cell death. Amplifying the implications of this finding, the team identified that PTN also plays a pivotal role in human neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.</p>



<h2 id="h-study-implications">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



<p>This research has illuminated a previously unknown mechanism, highlighting the protective role of sleep in maintaining optimal brain function.&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to the researchers, their findings suggest that tracking PTN levels might offer valuable insights into cognitive deterioration stemming from chronic insomnia.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-sleep-deprivation">More about sleep deprivation</h2>



<p>Sleep deprivation is a common phenomenon in today's fast-paced world. Defined as the lack of sufficient sleep to function optimally, sleep deprivation can have serious short-term and long-term consequences.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 id="h-causes-of-sleep-deprivation">Causes of sleep deprivation</h3>



<p>Lifestyle choices such as binge-watching, late-night work, or studying often cut into sleep hours.</p>



<p>New parents, in particular, might experience sleep deprivation due to the demands of infant care.</p>



<p>Shift work, especially night shifts, can disrupt the body's natural circadian rhythm.</p>



<p>In addition, some medical conditions - such as Insomnia, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome - can make it hard for people to sleep.</p>



<p>Stress is another cause of sleep deprivation. Worries about work, school, health, or relationships can make it difficult to fall asleep.</p>



<h3 id="h-short-term-effects">Short-term effects</h3>



<ul>
<li>Cognitive impairment: Decreased attention span, slowed reaction time, and impaired decision-making.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Mood changes: Increased irritability, mood swings, and heightened emotional responses.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Physical effects: Fatigue, eye strain, and a weakened immune system.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Memory issues: Difficulty with memory consolidation, leading to forgetfulness.</li>
</ul>



<h3 id="h-long-term-effects">Long-term effects</h3>



<ul>
<li>Chronic health issues: Increased risk of conditions like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Mental health disorders: Prolonged sleep deprivation can contribute to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Decreased libido: A consistent lack of sleep can lead to reduced interest in sexual activity.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Aging: Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to premature aging signs, including fine lines, dark circles under the eyes, and lackluster skin.</li>
</ul>



<ul>
<li>Weight gain: Sleep deprivation can cause hormonal imbalances, leading to increased appetite and subsequent weight gain.</li>
</ul>



<p>The study is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00269"><em>Journal of Proteome Research</em></a>.</p>



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Sleep deprivation impairs the brain, potentially causing neurological disorders

Sleep is crucial for our well-being, and a sleepless night...

<p>Adults complaining about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/turn-stress-productive-energy/">stress</a> in their lives are frequently advised to exercise. Now, a team of researchers led by the <a href="https://www.unibas.ch/en.html">University of Basel</a> wanted to find out if this applies to children as well. Could physical exercise help kids manage the pressures to achieve in school?&nbsp;</p>



<p>A series of experiments devised to assess the effect of physical activity on children’s stress levels led to a positive answer, suggesting that school children cope better with stress if they get plenty of daily exercise.</p>



<h2 id="h-how-the-research-was-conducted">How the research was conducted&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The scientists enrolled 110 children aged 10 to 13 and asked them to wear a sensor tracking their daily movements during a week.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Afterwards, they brought the participants into the lab twice to complete both a stressful and a non-stressful control task (an experiment known as the <a href="https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-540-68706-1_53">Trier Social Stress Test for Children</a>).&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-stressful-task">Stressful task</h2>



<p>In the stressful task, children were asked to read a story with an ambiguous ending. After reading, they were given a brief five-minute window to prepare, after which they were asked to present a possible continuation of the story to a panel.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The participants were not aware that the preparation period was deliberately set to be insufficient. Within roughly a minute, most of them ran out of notes, forcing them to improvise for the remaining time.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-arithmetic-challenge">Arithmetic challenge&nbsp;</h2>



<p>This was followed by a seemingly straightforward arithmetic challenge, where they had to consistently subtract a specific value from a high three-digit number for five minutes. If they made mistakes, they had to begin the task anew, which added to the stress.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-control-task">Control task&nbsp;</h2>



<p>In a separate session, designed as a control task, the children read another story. However, this time, they engaged in a casual discussion about it with a researcher, devoid of any performance pressure. Throughout both sessions, researchers collected saliva samples at regular intervals to assess cortisol levels.</p>



<p>“We wanted to determine whether physical activity makes children more resilient under laboratory-controlled circumstances,” explained senior author Sebastian Ludyga, an expert in Sport, Exercise, and Health at Basel.</p>



<h2 id="h-what-the-researchers-discovered">What the researchers discovered&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The experiments revealed that participants who engaged in more than an hour of exercise per day – as the <a href="https://www.who.int/">World Health Organization</a> (WHO) recommends – produced less cortisol in the stressful task than the children who were less active.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Regularly active children seem to have a reduced physiological stress reaction in general,” said lead author Manuel Hanke, a postdoctoral fellow in Physiology, Neurology, and Sport Psychology at Basel.</p>



<p>The scientists were surprised to find that even in the control task, which involved an unfamiliar situation, thus making it still somewhat unsettling to the participants, there was a significant difference in cortisol levels between more and less active children (although overall cortisol levels were lower than in the stress task).</p>



<h2 id="h-possible-explanation">Possible explanation&nbsp;</h2>



<p>According to the researchers, a possible explanation of these findings is that cortisol levels also increase during exercise.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“When children regularly run, swim, climb, etc., the brain learns to associate a rise in cortisol with something positive. The body’s reaction always has a cognitive component as well: this positive association helps to prevent the concentration of cortisol from rising to too high a level in exam situations as well,” Ludyga explained.</p>



<h2 id="h-cognitive-effects-of-stress">Cognitive effects of stress&nbsp;</h2>



<p>In addition to analyzing saliva samples, the researchers monitored the participants’ cognitive responses to stress by capturing their brain activity using an electroencephalogram (EEG). The group is gearing up to delve into these findings next.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Stress can interfere with thinking. Some of us are familiar with this in its most extreme form – a blackout,” Hanke said. Thus, the researchers’ next objective is to determine whether physical activity might also have a significant influence on these cognitive effects of stress.</p>



<p>The study is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2023.07.010"><em>Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Physically active children cope better with stress

Adults complaining about stress in their lives are frequently advised...

<p>Human societies assign significant importance to names, and all languages have them. While forming an integral part of our identity, they also facilitate communication.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Although personal names have always been considered exclusive to humans, a recent study led by the <a href="https://www.colostate.edu/">Colorado State University</a> has now suggested that wild African <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-is-the-value-of-elephants/">elephants</a> might use distinct calls – the equivalent of elephant names - to identify each other, paving the way for novel insights into language evolution.</p>



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



<p>This amazing study, currently available only as a preprint and awaiting peer review, examined the calls of wild elephants from two Kenyan regions: the expansive Samburu ecosystem in the north and the southern Amboseli National Park.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In the dataset, we gathered 625 calls, and family groups exchanged 597 of them within the same group. The study identified 114 unique initiators and 119 unique recipients of these calls. The analysis was confined to calls aimed at a single individual elephant, thus ensuring the recipient’s identification -- the elephant's name.</p>



<h2 id="h-acoustic-characteristics">Acoustic characteristics&nbsp;</h2>



<p>To determine if the call could predict the receiving elephant’s identity, the researchers assessed the elephants’ acoustic characteristics and subjected the data to a series of statistical tests.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The findings were compelling. According to the study's lead author, “receivers of calls could be correctly identified from call structure statistically significantly better than chance.”</p>



<h2 id="h-vocal-labels-from-elephant-communication">Vocal labels from elephant communication</h2>



<p>Moreover, the researchers investigated if the calls mirrored the recipient’s own vocal patterns. Such phenomena, where creatures recognize and react to their vocal tag, are evident in species like dolphins.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, in the case of elephants, something unprecedented occurred: the callers did not seem to be replicating the recipient’s call. Thus, this study provides the first evidence for vocal addressing of conspecifics without imitation of the receiver’s calls in nonhuman animals.</p>



<h2 id="h-recorded-calls">Recorded calls</h2>



<p>The experts also selected 17 elephants and played recordings of calls addressed to them to observe their responses.</p>



<p>“Further supporting the existence of vocal labels, subjects approached the speaker more quickly and vocalized more quickly in response to test playbacks than control playbacks,” the authors reported.</p>



<p>The elephants’ social structures offer some insights into this amazing behavior, which could be the first evidence of a non-human species using a naming system akin to humans to refer to their conspecifics.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-social-dynamics-of-elephant-names">Social dynamics of elephant names</h2>



<p>“Due to their fission-fusion social dynamics, elephants are often out of sight of their closely bonded social partners and produce contact rumbles to communicate over long distances,”&nbsp;the authors explained, referring to elephants’ tendency to segregate themselves into smaller units, which occasionally come together to form massive assemblies, often larger than one hundred individuals.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-study-implications">Study implications&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Although vocal labels might enhance their coordination when they can't see each other, they only used them in a minority of vocalizations. This is most likely because in many contexts there is no need to employ them. Finally, calling each other by their names could also play a major role in fostering social connections, as it happens between humans.</p>



<p>The findings, published as a preprint on <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.08.25.554872v1.full.pdf">bioRxiv</a>, raise important questions about the complexity of elephant social cognition, offering new insights into the fascinating and unique behaviors of this species.</p>



<h2 id="h-more-about-elephant-communication">More about elephant communication&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Elephants are highly social animals and communicate in various ways. Understanding these communication methods provides valuable insights into elephant behavior and can aid in conservation efforts.</p>



<h3 id="h-vocal-sounds">Vocal sounds</h3>



<p>Elephants produce a wide range of sounds, the most famous being trumpeting. People use this to signal distress, anger, excitement, or call for attention for various reasons.</p>



<h3 id="h-infrasound">Infrasound</h3>



<p>Elephants produce infrasonic sounds, which are low-frequency sounds below the range of human hearing. These can travel long distances, allowing elephants to communicate with each other over several kilometers. Such communications can convey information about estrous cycles, potential threats, or coordinating movements among herds.</p>



<h3 id="h-tactile-communication">Tactile communication</h3>



<p>Touch is an essential form of communication among elephants. They use their trunks to greet, comfort, or play with each other. Physical contact helps in reinforcing bonds within the group.</p>



<h3 id="h-visual-signals">Visual signals</h3>



<p>Body posture, ear flapping, tail raising, and other physical displays can signal various emotions and intentions. For example, an elephant flapping its ears can be a sign of aggression or agitation.</p>



<h3 id="h-chemical-communication">Chemical communication</h3>



<p>Elephants have a keen sense of smell and use it for communication. They can detect pheromones released by other elephants and gather information about their reproductive status or emotional state.</p>



<h3 id="h-seismic-communication">Seismic communication</h3>



<p>Recent research suggests that elephants might detect vibrations in the ground produced by other elephants' vocalizations, potentially serving as another long-distance communication channel.</p>



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Elephants call each other by names and may be the first non-humans to do so

Human societies assign significant importance to names, and all languages...

Diet.,Portrait,Woman,Wants,To,Eat,A,Burger,But,Stuck

<p>Some recent advances in the world of aging have centered around intermittent fasting, a dietary strategy that alternates between periods of eating and fasting. Preliminary research has indicated that intermittent fasting not only promotes weight loss, but also has the potential to delay <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/harvard-scientists-fountain-of-youth-pill-sparks-controversy/">aging</a>.</p>



<h2 id="h-weight-loss">Weight loss</h2>



<p>While most people are probably familiar with intermittent fasting as a weight loss tool, exciting discoveries in animal studies have shown its potential in slowing down the aging process, thus enhancing longevity.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This is a welcome departure from traditional calorie restriction methods, which involve meticulously counting every calorie consumed to ensure weight loss.</p>



<h2 id="h-dial-health-study">DiAL-Health study</h2>



<p>In light of these revelations, the <a href="https://www.pbrc.edu/index.aspx">Pennington Biomedical Research Center</a>, in collaboration with the University of Alabama at Birmingham, has embarked on a groundbreaking study named <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05549362">DiAL-Health</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The primary focus of this research is to investigate the effects of an 8-hour eating window followed by a 16-hour fasting period and its possible benefits on human aging.</p>



<h2 id="h-extending-the-healthspan">Extending the healthspan&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The study's demographic is quite interesting – targeting healthy adults aged between 25 and 49, spanning both healthy weight and slightly heavier categories.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By investigating these two distinct eating plans, the researchers intend to gain insights into whether intermittent fasting or calorie restriction has the potential to prolong the "healthspan." This refers to the duration of life one remains free from chronic ailments such as diabetes or hypertension.</p>



<h2 id="h-growing-optimism">Growing optimism</h2>



<p>Three distinguished researchers are leading this study: Dr. Corby Martin at Pennington Biomedical; Dr. Leanne Redman, also from Pennington Biomedical; and Dr. Courtney Peterson from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.</p>



<p>“We have known for almost a hundred years that eating less extends an animal’s healthspan and lifespan," said Dr. Martin. "While this method can slow aging in humans, it's not always the most feasible. Given recent discoveries about intermittent fasting's effects on animals, there's growing optimism about its potential in humans.”</p>



<p>The study will incorporate technological innovation to help keep the participants on track. As Dr. Redman highlighted, the research will use "newly developed smartphone apps to aid participants in adhering to the program, all the while requiring minimal assistance from health coaches.”</p>



<h2 id="h-combating-the-obesity-crisis">Combating the obesity crisis</h2>



<p>Beyond the potential longevity benefits, both dietary strategies – intermittent fasting and calorie restriction – have shown promise in combating the obesity crisis, which has grown to epidemic proportions in many parts of the nation.</p>



<p>The unique inclusion of both healthy and heavier participants provides an invaluable opportunity for a wider demographic to partake in this significant biomedical research.</p>



<p>Dr. John Kirwan, the Executive Director of Pennington Biomedical Research Center, commented on the overarching implications of this research. He said, “Obesity is one of the most prevalent and deadly diseases nationally. This study is poised to contribute immensely to our comprehension of how intermittent fasting can be a beacon of hope in the battle against obesity.”</p>



<h2 id="h-how-to-participate-in-the-study">How to participate in the study</h2>



<p>Those in Baton Rouge or Birmingham, Alabama who meet the study's criteria, including a body mass index ranging from 22-30 and a non-smoking history for at least the past six months, are welcomed to participate.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers will generously compensate all participants for their efforts. They receive up to $2,500 upon the study's completion.</p>



<p>If you are interested, reach out to 225-763-3000 or via email at clinicaltrials@pbrc.edu. More details can be found at <a href="http://www.pbrc.edu/DialHealth">www.pbrc.edu/DialHealth</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 id="h-health-benefits-of-intermittent-fasting">Health benefits of intermittent fasting&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Intermittent fasting (IF) refers to dietary patterns where individuals cycle between periods of eating and fasting. It doesn't prescribe specific foods but simply focuses on when you should eat. Here are some health benefits of intermittent fasting:</p>



<h3 id="h-weight-loss-1">Weight loss&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Fasting reduces calorie intake, which can lead to weight loss. IF can also increase metabolic rate in the short term.</p>



<h3 id="h-insulin-sensitivity">Insulin sensitivity</h3>



<p>Intermittent fasting can help lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity, potentially reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.</p>



<h3 id="h-heart-health">Heart health</h3>



<p>Intermittent fasting may benefit heart health by improving various risk factors, including blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and inflammatory markers.</p>



<h3 id="h-brain-health">Brain health</h3>



<p>Fasting boosts the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which aids brain function and reduces the risk of neurological diseases.</p>



<h3 id="h-cellular-repair">Cellular repair&nbsp;</h3>



<p>During fasting, cells initiate autophagy, where they remove damaged components. This process is protective against several diseases, including cancer and Alzheimer's disease.</p>



<h3 id="h-cancer">Cancer</h3>



<p>Animal studies suggest that intermittent fasting might decrease the risk of cancer. However, human data is limited and further research is needed.</p>



<p>Inflammation reduction: Some studies have shown that IF can reduce markers of inflammation. This is a key driver of many chronic diseases.</p>



<h3 id="h-improved-digestion">Improved digestion&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Intermittent fasting may allow the gut to rest and can potentially aid in digestion for some individuals.</p>



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The secret to slowing down aging may be intermittent fasting

Some recent advances in the world of aging have centered...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE
</div></figure>



<p>On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop and sunlight barely penetrates through the polar winter. It was here, however, that an international team of scientists found <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predatory-worms-were-terror-beasts-half-a-billion-years-ago/#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence of sea monsters</a> that would change our understanding of ocean life in the past.</p>



<p>This video captures the discovery of Timorebestia fossils that had been hidden for more than 500 million years in the Sirius Passet formation. The "terror beasts," as they are called, are a hidden chapter in the evolutionary history of <a href="https://www.earth.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a>, showing that sophisticated predator-prey interactions occurred much earlier than previously envisioned.</p>



<p>Dr. Jakob Vinther and his research team at the <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bristol</a>, in collaboration with researchers at the <a href="https://eng.kopri.re.kr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Korean Polar Research Institute</a>, braved extreme weather conditions at 82.5 north latitude to locate these giant creatures. Using sophisticated electron microprobe analysis, they revealed the detailed anatomy of the animals, including their muscle and nerve tissues.</p>



<p>The find upsets the traditional timeline of sea predators.  Although we've long appreciated that Cambrian oceans were at one time ruled by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWI3-UgA3_o&amp;list=PL1QLQMW9MWDwpkFOnvgAmu7wT6rZmYqdJ&amp;index=19" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arthropods</a>, these discoveries indicate that relatives of arrow worms were first to dominate the seas.  These worms were building sophisticated food webs several million years before other predator groups arose.</p>



<p>Each fossil is a story of ancient hunger, with fossil stomach contents revealing these meter-long beasts dined on heavily armored arthropods regularly, cementing their place as the ocean's first apex predators.</p>



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y4eLFNYrKE On the unforgiving landscape of North Greenland, temperatures drop...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3JH03PqEQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">New York is the site of the world's oldest forest.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-385-million-year-old-trees-discovered">385-million-year-old trees discovered</h2>



<p>Scientists have uncovered something extraordinary just two hours north of New York City. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-oldest-forest-discovered-close-to-new-york-city/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">world's oldest forest</a>, dating back 385 million years, offers a window into how Earth's first complex forests shaped our planet's atmosphere.</p>



<p>Located near <a href="https://townofcairo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cairo, New York</a>, in Greene County, these weren't merely primitive plants struggling to survive. These were sophisticated trees with root systems remarkably similar to modern forests. This ancient woodland predates dinosaurs by 140 million years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cairo-forest-discovery">The Cairo forest discovery</h2>



<p>385 million years ago, upstate New York was a tropical paradise near the equator. Thanks to continental drift, this ancient forest has traveled thousands of miles to its current location.</p>



<p>The fossil forest sits in an abandoned quarry, roughly half the size of a football field. This represents just a slice of what was likely a massive forest system stretching from New York into Pennsylvania.</p>



<p>Charles Ver Straeten, curator of sedimentary rocks at the <a href="https://www.nysm.nysed.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York State Museum</a>, made the discovery in 2009. While scouting the former highway department property, his trained eye spotted wandering patterns in the stone that looked like marine features.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-age-and-preservation">Revolutionary age and preservation</h2>



<p>The site contains 385-million-year-old rocks with fossilized woody roots forming horizontal patterns up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) wide. As Christopher Berry, a paleobotanist at Cardiff University, explains: "You are walking through the roots of ancient trees."</p>



<p>This discovery pushes back advanced tree evolution by millions of years. The research, published in <em><a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a></em> in December 2019, fundamentally changes our understanding of when complex forests first emerged.</p>



<p>Researchers believe a massive flood buried the forest floor, creating perfect fossilization conditions. Over millions of years, sediment hardened into rock, preserving these root patterns like nature's time capsule.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meet-archaeopteris-the-first-modern-tree">Meet <em>Archaeopteris</em>: the first modern tree</h2>



<p>The star of this ancient forest is <em>Archaeopteris</em> – not to be confused with the feathered dinosaur <em>Archaeopteryx</em>. This tree was far older and more revolutionary.</p>



<p>William Stein from <a href="https://www.binghamton.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Binghamton University</a> describes the roots as "strikingly modern, essentially what you'd see outside in my yard right now." These weren't simple root systems you'd expect from ancient plants.</p>



<p>Some fossilized roots are six inches (15 centimeters) in diameter, forming 36-foot-wide (11-meter) patterns. These giants grew up to 65 feet (20 meters) tall with five-foot-diameter (1.5-meter) trunks.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-changing-impact">Climate-changing impact</h2>



<p>These trees fundamentally changed Earth's environment. Kevin Boyce, a Stanford University geoscientist, explains how their deep roots triggered "weathering," chemical reactions that pulled carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.</p>



<p>This process dropped atmospheric CO2 levels from 10-15 times higher than today to roughly modern concentrations. These ancient trees helped create atmospheric conditions that made complex life possible.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-forest-ecosystem">Ancient forest ecosystem</h2>



<p>The forest was remarkably diverse. Scientists identified <em>Eospermatopteris</em>, palm tree-like plants with short roots that reached 30 feet (9 meters) tall but lacked woody structure. The forest also housed cladoxylopsids and a mysterious third species still being studied.</p>



<p>All reproduced through spores rather than seeds – millions of years before seeds evolved. This tropical environment had no grass, flowers, or flying insects, just towering trees creating Earth's first complex forest canopy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientific-significance">Scientific significance</h2>



<p>Before this finding, the Gilboa forest, located 25 miles (40 kilometers) away, held the "oldest forest" title. Cairo's trees are 2-3 million years older, showing that complex forest ecosystems developed much faster than scientists believed possible.</p>



<p>Patricia Gensel, a <a href="https://www.unc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of North Carolina</a> paleobotanist, notes: "The size of those root systems is really changing the picture. Even 20 years ago, researchers assumed trees with such complex root systems didn't evolve so early."</p>



<p>The Cairo site presents three unique root systems, suggesting Devonian period forests were diverse ecosystems with different trees occupying different environmental niches, much like today's forests.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-preservation-efforts">Modern preservation efforts</h2>



<p>In 2022, New York State Senator Michelle Hinchey secured a $170,000 grant for the town of Cairo to construct specialized fencing around the fossil forest site. The town plans to conduct a feasibility study exploring the possibility of creating an educational center and working lab on-site.</p>



<p>Joe Hasenkopf, chair of the Cairo Planning Board, hopes to partner with educational institutions to create a research facility serving scientists, students, and the public.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-for-today-s-climate">Lessons for today's climate</h2>



<p>Why does a 385-million-year-old forest matter today? It shows how dramatically forests can change Earth's climate. These ancient woodlands created the atmospheric conditions supporting complex life.</p>



<p>Understanding how prehistoric forests transformed the planet helps us appreciate modern forests' critical role in addressing climate change. Forests remain Earth's most effective carbon capture systems.</p>



<p>These prehistoric trees changed Earth's atmosphere by pulling massive amounts of carbon dioxide from the air. As we face modern climate challenges, this ancient forest reminds us of trees' incredible power to transform our planet's environment.</p>



<p>The next time you walk through a forest, remember you're experiencing an ecosystem whose blueprint was established 385 million years ago in upstate New York. These ancient pioneers didn't just survive – they thrived and changed the world forever.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em>Current Biology</em>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow3JH03PqEQ New York is the site of the world's oldest...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-don-t-we-ever-hear-about-acid-rain-anymore-the-environmental-crisis-that-was-solved">Why don't we ever hear about "acid rain" anymore? The environmental crisis that was solved</h2>



<p>Remember the 1980s when acid rain dominated headlines? Dire warnings about rain eating buildings, killing fish, and destroying forests filled every news cycle. Then, almost like magic, acid rain vanished from public discourse. What happened? Did we actually solve one of the late 20th century's most pressing environmental challenges?</p>



<p>The answer might surprise you. Unlike many environmental issues that drag on indefinitely, acid rain represents one of modern history's most successful ecological recovery stories. It's a tale of science, politics, and technology working together to tackle what seemed impossible.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>What was acid rain?</strong></h2>



<p>Acid rain isn't regular rain having a bad day – it's precipitation that became significantly more acidic due to air pollution. When power plants, factories, and vehicles burn fossil fuels, they release sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) into the atmosphere.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The science behind it</strong></h2>



<p>Think of acid rain as nature's chemistry experiment gone wrong. These compounds react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form sulfuric and nitric acids. When mixed with water vapor in clouds, they create precipitation with dangerously low pH levels.</p>



<p>While clean rain has a pH of about 5.6, acid rain could drop as low as 4.2 to 4.4 – roughly as acidic as tomato juice or coffee. According to US Geological Survey documentation, Scottish chemist Angus Smith first coined "acid rain" in 1872, but it didn't become a household phrase until the 1960s and 1970s when Swedish scientist Svante Odén documented its devastating effects on Scandinavian lakes and European forests.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The crisis at its peak</strong></h2>



<p>During the height of public concern, environmental damage was both widespread and visible. This wasn't some abstract future threat – people could see destruction happening in real-time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Environmental devastation</strong></h2>



<p>The most dramatic impacts were impossible to ignore. Research documented by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation shows that in the Adirondack Mountains, more than 200 lakes became so acidic they couldn't support fish life. The Adirondack Council reports that 409 lakes once supported brook trout, but many lost their fish populations due to acid rain.</p>



<p>By 1976, when scientists cataloged all acidified lakes in the Adirondack Park, researchers found that half of the lakes over 2,000 feet above sea level had no fish, according to studies published in environmental journals. The acidification process worked like a slow-motion disaster. As acid rain fell into watersheds, it gradually lowered pH levels. Fish couldn't survive in acidic water, and their food sources died off too.</p>



<p>Trees at high elevations showed stress directly linked to acid rain. It weakened them by leaching nutrients and making them susceptible to disease. Historical records show Germany's Black Forest saw nearly half its trees damaged by the mid-1980s.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Economic impact</strong></h2>



<p>Acid rain wasn't just environmental – it was expensive. Acidic precipitation corroded infrastructure, buildings, and monuments. Historic stone structures deteriorated at accelerated rates. Tourism suffered as lakes became fishless and forests declined. EPA economic analyses from the period documented repair costs mounting into billions annually.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The solution: government action and technology</strong></h2>



<p>Transformation from crisis to success required unprecedented cooperation between governments, industries, and environmental groups.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Clean Air Act of 1990</strong></h2>



<p>The turning point came with the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, signed by President George H.W. Bush. This represented a fundamentally new approach to environmental regulation, as documented in EPA historical records.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Cap-and-trade success</strong></h2>



<p>Instead of mandating specific technologies, the 1990 amendments introduced something revolutionary: a cap-and-trade system for sulfur dioxide emissions. EPA program documentation shows this market-based approach set overall limits but allowed companies to trade emission allowances.</p>



<p>The genius was harnessing market forces to find cost-effective pollution reduction. Companies reducing emissions cheaply could sell excess allowances to those facing higher costs. Research published in environmental economics journals and EPA progress reports shows this resulted in dramatic SO2 reduction at a fraction of projected costs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Technology advances</strong></h2>



<p>Policy provided the framework, but technology made reductions possible. Studies in atmospheric science journals document the widespread adoption of flue gas desulfurization systems ("scrubbers") that removed sulfur dioxide before it reached the atmosphere. By the 2000s, new installations could remove over 95% of SO2 emissions, according to EPA technical reports.</p>



<p>The push coincided with cleaner energy development. Natural gas produces fewer sulfur compounds than coal. Wind and solar, emerging in the 1990s, captured growing market share, reducing reliance on high-sulfur coal.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-we-don-t-hear-about-it-today"><strong>Why we don't hear about it today</strong></h2>



<p>Why did acid rain disappear from headlines? Simple: the problem was largely solved.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Success doesn't make news</strong></h2>



<p>There's an old journalism saying: "If it bleeds, it leads." Environmental success stories don't generate urgency like crisis reporting. Media attention shifted to other challenges: climate change, plastic pollution, and biodiversity loss. There's only so much environmental anxiety the public can absorb, and newer concerns replaced acid rain.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Mission accomplished</strong></h2>



<p>The primary reason is beautifully simple: interventions worked. EPA monitoring data shows sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990. Academic research published in environmental science journals confirms pH levels in formerly affected areas returned closer to normal. This represents one of history's most dramatic environmental recoveries. Studies by the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation show fishless lakes now support healthy populations. Forests recovered, and building damage slowed dramatically.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-it-really-gone"><strong>Is it really gone?</strong></h2>



<p>The crisis is largely resolved, but monitoring data shows the problem isn't completely eliminated – it's managed to acceptable levels. Some areas still experience occasional events during high pollution periods. International environmental research indicates that rapidly industrializing Asian countries face similar problems to what we experienced decades ago, though they're implementing successful strategies.</p>



<p>EPA research shows nitrogen oxide emissions proved more challenging than sulfur dioxide, coming from vehicles and mobile sources. Climate science studies suggest changing weather patterns add complexity to how acid rain forms and falls.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>What this teaches us</strong></h2>



<p>The acid rain experience proves that seemingly intractable environmental problems can be solved with scientific understanding, political will, and technological innovation. Environmental monitoring data shows recovery speed was remarkable – within a decade, measurable improvements appeared in air quality and ecosystem health.</p>



<p>Success came from bipartisan support across party lines. Policy analysis studies show the market-based approach appealed to those preferring economic incentives while achieving environmental goals. This support created lasting policy surviving political changes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Conclusion</strong></h2>



<p>Acid rain's disappearance from public consciousness represents environmental science's greatest success stories. Through effective regulation, technological innovation, and international cooperation, we transformed an overwhelming crisis into a manageable challenge.</p>



<p>Today's silence isn't because we forgot – it's because we solved it. The 1990 Clean Air Act, combined with technology and energy market changes, reduced acid rain emissions over 90%, according to comprehensive EPA data analysis.</p>



<p>This success offers hope for current challenges. It proves complex problems can be solved when science, policy, and technology work together. As we face climate change and plastic pollution, acid rain reminds us that dramatic positive change is possible.</p>



<p>Next time someone asks whether environmental regulations work, remember acid rain. It's proof that sometimes, we get it right.</p>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



<p><strong>Sources:</strong> <em>This article draws from EPA official documentation and progress reports, peer-reviewed research published in environmental and atmospheric science journals, historical data from the Adirondack Lakes Survey Corporation, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation records, US Geological Survey publications, policy analysis studies, and environmental monitoring data collected over three decades.</em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions</strong></h2>



<p><strong>1. Is acid rain completely gone?</strong> No, but EPA monitoring shows it's reduced to manageable levels. US sulfur dioxide emissions dropped over 90% since 1990, making acid rain much less severe than the 1980s crisis.</p>



<p><strong>2. How long did solving take?</strong> Environmental monitoring data shows significant improvements began within 5-10 years of 1990s emission controls. Full ecosystem recovery took longer – some areas need 20-30 years for complete recovery.</p>



<p><strong>3. What made the solution successful?</strong> Clear scientific understanding, visible damage motivating action, bipartisan support, available technology, and innovative market-based policies like cap-and-trade.</p>



<p><strong>4. Do other countries have acid rain problems?</strong> Yes, particularly rapidly industrializing Asian countries. However, international environmental research shows many implement similar successful control strategies.</p>



<p><strong>5. Could acid rain return?</strong> Potentially, if regulations weaken or we return to high-sulfur coal without controls, though effects would take years to become severe according to environmental projections.</p>



<p><strong>6. Can you recommend any teaching tools on the subject of "acid rain"?</strong> The United States Environmental Protection Agency produced a wonderful teacher's guide for ages 14 and under that you can find on the EPA website here: <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-03/documents/teachersguide.pdf</a></p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

The environmental problem we actually solved

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk Acid rain and a crisis solved. Why don't we...

Fresh,Radish,Harvest,On,Soil,In,Garden.

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex
</div></figure>



<p></p>



<p>Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving fall garden, and this guide lays out the best vegetables and herbs to plant now for a fruitful autumn harvest. </p>



<p>Fast-growing leafy greens such as spinach, lettuce, kale, and arugula perform especially well in the waning summer heat, with harvests beginning as soon as 30 days. </p>



<p>These cool-season crops relish the transition into fall, offering repeated yields with cut-and-come-again methods.</p>



<p>Root vegetables like radishes, carrots, and beets also excel during this period. Radishes deliver satisfaction in under a month, while carrots and beets mature in about two months. Employing succession planting ensures a continuous stream of produce deep into the cooler months. </p>



<p>For a boost of fresh flavor, herbs like cilantro, basil, dill, and chervil are excellent picks. These heat-loving varieties flourish in July’s warmth and are harvest-ready in about 30 days, especially when sown continuously.</p>



<p>Gardeners in zones 6 through 9 can benefit from planting bush beans and snap peas, which don’t require trellising and are ideal for compact plots. </p>



<p>Maturing in 50–60 days, they’re a smart choice for quick, protein-rich harvests. For those in hotter regions, heat-tolerant crops such as okra and southern peas provide reliable yields and thrive in scorching conditions.</p>



<p>This guide emphasizes more than crop selection—it highlights the importance of timing, soil preparation, and ongoing sowing techniques. </p>



<p>With thoughtful planning and attention to regional climate needs, even late-summer gardeners can enjoy fresh salads, hearty stews, and the satisfaction of a robust, homegrown harvest well into fall.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>-----</p>

What to plant in your garden in mid-July

https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex Mid-July is an opportune time to kick-start a thriving...

Green,Ecoduct,Over,An,Empty,Highway,During,Sunset.

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
</div></figure>



<p>A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that wildlife tunnels significantly reduce amphibian road mortality during seasonal migrations. </p>



<p>Frogs and salamanders often cross roads to reach breeding ponds each spring, but many are killed by vehicles. </p>



<p>Researchers from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vermont</a>, in collaboration with local citizens and the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources, installed two underpass tunnels in 2015. </p>



<p>Over a 12-year monitoring period, they observed an 80.2% reduction in amphibian deaths, and up to 94% for non-climbing species like salamanders. </p>



<p>The study used a before-after-control-impact design and documented more than 5,200 amphibians, highlighting the tunnels’ effectiveness even in nearby buffer zones.</p>



<p>Funded at $342,397 - far cheaper than wildlife crossings for large mammals - the project showcased the power of community-led conservation.</p>



<p>Local groups initiated the effort after observing mass amphibian deaths. Wildlife cameras later captured over 2,200 amphibians using a tunnel in just one spring, along with other species like raccoons and bobcats, indicating wider ecosystem benefits.</p>



<p>This marks the first peer-reviewed, long-term data set in the northeastern U.S. confirming amphibian-specific underpasses work. </p>



<p>The study urges transportation departments to incorporate these designs into road planning and highlights how community action, thoughtful infrastructure, and persistence can make a real difference for biodiversity.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the <em><a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1617138125000780" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal for Nature Conservation</a></em>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that...

<p>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. </p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



<p>Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. </p>



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



<p>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. </p>



<p>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).</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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>.</p>

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: ESA</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

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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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p><em>Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

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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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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?</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: ACS Reactions</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

How does salt makes things taste better?

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>'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)."</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: ESA</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Santiago, Chile in South America

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<p>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.</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p>"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."</p>



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



<p><em>Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



<p>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."</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: ESA</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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. </p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



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



<p>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;</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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."</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>"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;</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: NASA Goddard</em></p>



<p><em>Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and Leah Hustak (STScI)</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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<p>Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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. </p>



<p><em>Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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