Heart disease, not suicide or overdose, is the leading killer of people living with serious mental health conditions. This is the conclusion of a sweeping review led by Viola Vaccarino of Emory University.



The experts report that adults with depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety die, on average, 10 to 20 years earlier than their peers - largely because of cardiovascular disease.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-health-and-life-expectancy">Mental health and life expectancy </h2>



The cardiovascular penalty attached to common psychiatric diagnoses is substantial. Depression raises the risk of heart disease by roughly 72 percent.&nbsp;



For <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psychedelic-use-linked-to-higher-risk-of-schizophrenia/">schizophrenia</a>, the risk nearly doubles - up to about 95 percent. Bipolar disorder increases cardiovascular risk by 57 percent, PTSD boosts coronary heart disease risk by 61 percent, and anxiety disorders are associated with a 41 percent higher risk of dying from cardiovascular causes. 



These numbers help explain why <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-life-expectancy-faces-a-triple-threat/">life expectancy</a> shrinks so dramatically for this population.



Despite the elevated risks, people with mental health conditions routinely receive worse heart care than the general public. Screenings are missed and risk factors go unmanaged. Evidence-based treatments are offered less often and followed up less reliably.&nbsp;



The result is a widening survival gap affecting a vast swath of society: roughly one in four people will experience a mental health disorder during their lifetime.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-illness-and-heart-disease">Mental illness and heart disease</h2>



Mood and thought disorders don’t just coincide with heart disease; they help cause it - and cardiovascular events can in turn trigger new psychiatric illness. That feedback loop runs through behavior and biology.&nbsp;



Higher rates of smoking, physical inactivity, and poor diet are part of the story. So are the physiological effects of chronic stress: systemic inflammation, elevated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blood-pressure-treatment-efficacy-calculator-revolutionize-measurement-and-treatment/">blood pressure</a>, arrhythmias, and insulin resistance all nudge the cardiovascular system toward failure.



The relationship is equally visible in reverse. About 18 percent of people with cardiovascular disease live with depression; after an acute event such as a heart attack, that figure climbs to roughly 28 percent. 



Nearly one in four stroke survivors develops depression in the aftermath, and around 12 percent of heart attack survivors go on to meet criteria for PTSD. Treating either condition in isolation misses the way each amplifies the other.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-existing-systems-miss-what-matters">Existing systems miss what matters</h2>



The review highlights a pattern of structural neglect. Mental health and cardiology are typically staffed, funded and measured as separate domains, with little coordination between them.&nbsp;



Many cardiology clinics don’t routinely screen for depression, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/witnessing-trauma-may-cause-ptsd-in-a-different-way/">PTSD</a>, or anxiety. Many psychiatric services don’t monitor blood pressure, lipids, or glucose as systematically as cardiovascular teams would.



Access gaps compound the problem. In a 2023 U.S. survey cited by the authors, 54 percent of people who met criteria for a mental health disorder received no treatment at all.



Even in countries with universal coverage, patients with serious mental illness are less likely to receive recommended medications, procedures and follow-up for heart disease. 



Poverty, unstable housing, and social isolation make adherence and clinic attendance harder, turning health inequities into entrenched mortality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-and-physical-health-gains">Mental and physical health gains</h2>



The good news is that several familiar tools carry cardiovascular benefits alongside mental health gains.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-in-a-pill-is-now-closer-to-reality/">Exercise</a> is one of the most effective treatments for depression and also directly improves blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, and endothelial function. The review argues it should sit alongside psychotherapy and antidepressants as core treatment - not an optional add-on.



Mind-body practices such as yoga, tai chi, and meditation can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve some risk factors (for example, heart rate variability and stress biomarkers). Evidence that they prevent heart attacks or strokes remains limited, but early signals are encouraging and warrant larger trials.



Integrated care models - where mental health and cardiovascular teams coordinate around the same patient - consistently improve psychiatric outcomes in clinical studies. The next step is proving that these collaborative approaches also cut hard cardiac endpoints like myocardial infarction and cardiovascular mortality.&nbsp;



To do that, researchers will need to stop excluding people with mental health disorders from cardiovascular trials, a longstanding practice that has left clinicians without robust, disorder-specific guidelines for high-risk patients.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improving-life-expectancy-outcomes">Improving life expectancy outcomes</h2>



The authors call for changes that are as practical as they are profound. Medical schools and residency programs should train clinicians to recognize and manage the bidirectional links between mental and physical illness.&nbsp;



Health systems and payers need to expand mental health coverage while embedding routine cardiovascular screening and risk management into psychiatric care - and, conversely, embedding mental health screening into cardiology.



Community-level solutions matter, too. Making exercise accessible and safe, addressing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/smoking-related-deaths-will-surge-by-2030/">tobacco</a> use with tailored support, improving food access and tackling social isolation are public-health interventions that serve both the heart and the mind.&nbsp;



And because the burden is unequally distributed, equity must be a design principle: culturally competent care, outreach in underserved neighborhoods and policies that reduce financial and logistical barriers will save the most lives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-treat-the-whole-person">Treat the whole person</h2>



Taken together, the evidence reframes a familiar crisis. Mental health disorders are common. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-century-of-progress-in-the-fight-against-cardiovascular-disease/">Cardiovascular disease</a> is common. When they collide, lives are cut short - not by inevitability, but by gaps we can close.&nbsp;



If roughly a quarter of us will face a mental health condition in our lifetime, preventing the downstream heart damage is not a niche priority; it’s a population-wide imperative.



The path forward is clear enough: measure risk where it’s highest, treat depression and anxiety as cardiac risk factors, deploy exercise and integrated care as first-line tools, and build research and reimbursement structures that reflect how tightly the mind and heart are tied. 



Stop treating mental and cardiovascular health separately, and that 10- to 20-year life-expectancy penalty starts to look less like fate - and more like a fixable failure.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanepe/article/PIIS2666-7762(25)00165-6/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lancet Regional Health - Europe</a>.



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Mental health disorders reduce life expectancy by up to 20 years

Heart disease, not suicide or overdose, is the leading killer of people living with serious mental health conditions. This is the conclusion of a sweeping review led by Viola Vaccarino of Emory University. The experts report that adults with depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety die, on average, 10 to 20 years earlier than their peers - largely because of cardiovascular disease.&nbsp; Mental health and life expectancy The cardiovascular penalty attached to common psychiatric diagnoses is substantial. Depression raises the risk of heart...

The American coastline has always pulled people toward its salt-tinged winds. Now, new work suggests the coastal attraction pays off in extra months of life.



Researchers at <a href="https://www.osu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ohio State University</a> analyzed data from over 66,000 U.S. census tracts to explore how geography affects lifespan. They found that living within 30 miles of an ocean or gulf adds about a year to the national average life expectancy of 78.4 years.



In contrast, people in large urban neighborhoods near rivers or lakes tend to have slightly shorter lifespans. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coastal-waters-boost-health">Coastal waters boost health</h2>



The term blue space describes ocean fronts, bays, rivers, and other visible surface waters. A 2020 review links routine contact with coastal settings to lower <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-hormones-rise-during-sleep-to-prepare-your-body-for-the-day/">stress hormones</a>, healthier blood pressure, and better heart rate profiles.



This latest study was led by Jianyong “Jamie” Wu of the College of Public Health at Ohio State. 



“Overall, the coastal residents were expected to live a year or more longer than the 79-year average," said Wu. "Those who lived in more urban areas near inland rivers and lakes were likely to die by about 78 or so.”



Wu's team confirmed that advantage. The gap persisted after the models adjusted for age, race, and income.



“On the other side, pollution, poverty, lack of safe opportunities to be physically active, and an increased risk of flooding are likely drivers of these differences,” noted Yanni Cao, a postdoctoral researcher on the project.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cooler-cleaner-coastal-air">Cooler, cleaner coastal air</h2>



Coastal counties recorded far fewer days above 95°F and lower annual peaks, sparing residents from lethal heatstrokes and heart strain. 



Epidemiologists show that each additional hot day raises cardiovascular mortality by 0.7 percent in older U.S. adults.



Sea breezes also dilute the fine soot that shortens global life expectancy by almost one year. Cleaner air means fewer asthma flares and strokes, two major killers in high-pollution zip codes.



Wildfire smoke compounds the inland burden. Western tracts beside reservoirs logged triple the number of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-is-an-escalating-public-health-emergency/">heavy smoke days</a> compared to similar seaside towns. This difference aligns closely with the study’s inland life expectancy dip.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-living-near-water-moves-you">Living near water moves you</h2>



Coastal living and living near water nudges people outdoors. A 2024 survey of 1,771 adults found that access to a neighborhood blue space boosted weekly physical activity frequency by 23 percent.



Regular movement trims <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-genetic-test-can-identify-children-who-are-at-risk-of-obesity-well-before-it-occurs/">obesity risk</a> and improves insulin sensitivity, both linked to longer lives.



Ocean edges multiply options, from beach runs to pier fishing. Inland rivers in dense downtowns often lack safe trails or clean swimming spots, blunting the activity bonus.



Coastal roads sit on flatter terrain, easing ambulance response times, while those living in the Rockies contend with steep grades and winter closures. Quick access to trauma centers can make the difference between recovery and early death after strokes or car crashes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lakes-aren-t-always-healthy">Lakes aren’t always healthy</h2>



Not every water view is equal. The Ohio State group saw a negative association between urban inland water and longevity even when lakes exceeded four square miles. 



Industrial runoff, barge traffic, and combined sewer overflows turn some rivers into pollutant sinks, undermining any mental health lift a view might give.



A 2017 review of 35 quantitative studies noted that benefits of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blue-spaces-in-childhood-improve-well-being-later-in-life/">blue space</a> fade when water quality is poor or access is restricted. The finding dovetails with Cao’s observation that inland “blue” often sits behind fences, roads, or rail yards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-city-rivers-hurt-health">City rivers hurt health</h2>



When the team split the map, rural communities near sizable lakes actually gained life months. Lower traffic density, fewer contaminant sources, and abundant fishing spots may explain the switch.



Cities tell another story. High-rise shadows block breezes, sewage outfalls spike bacteria counts after storms, and paved banks leave no room for walking paths. 



Flood risks add mortality pressure. Census tracts with repeated river inundation events showed sharper drops in life expectancy than any other inland water subgroup.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solutions-for-healthier-cities">Solutions for healthier cities</h2>



Public health experts see clear levers. Cleaning <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-impacts-on-waterways-contribute-to-the-climate-crisis/">urban waterways</a>, building continuous waterfront trails, and zoning mixed-income housing near safe beaches could spread coastal-style living gains inland.



A 2025 review across 120 studies concluded that blue-green infrastructure projects lower obesity, anxiety, and all-cause mortality in the surrounding mile.



Local governments can also map cooling corridors that funnel sea breezes deeper inland and reduce sealing of riverbanks so floods dissipate in parks rather than homes. They can also subsidize transit lines that bring lower-income families to swimmable coasts.



These steps echo Healthy People 2030, targets aimed at cutting geographic health gaps.



Life expectancy is climbing again after a pandemic slump, reaching 78.4 years in 2023 per the CDC. Wu’s data suggest that widening the nation’s access to clean, safe blue space could push that figure higher.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935125012320">Environmental Research</a>.



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Coastal living linked to longer lifespans

The American coastline has always pulled people toward its salt-tinged...

Most of us know the sinking feeling that comes when we no longer feel motivated - after a stalled diet, an abandoned New Year’s resolution, or a half‑assembled piece of flat‑pack furniture gathering dust in the corner.



When progress stalls, the temptation to quit can be powerful - especially if we have already spent good money on specialized meal plans, coaching videos, or fancy tools.



A new study led by scholars at <a href="https://www.binghamton.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Binghamton University</a> suggests a simple mindset shift can rescue <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/streaks-can-be-a-powerful-tool-for-motivation/">motivation</a>: focus on the hours you have invested rather than the dollars you have spent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-time-versus-money">Testing time versus money</h2>



The project builds on a long line of psychological work showing that people perform best when they feel autonomy, competence, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experiences-not-things-are-key-to-deeper-social-connection/">social connection</a>. Failure chips away at those feelings, reducing what psychologists call self‑determination.



Marketing researchers Subimal Chatterjee and Debjit Gupta wondered whether emphasizing the type of investment - time versus money - would change how people react to setbacks.



Their hunch: time‑focused thinkers would persevere longer because they perceive their efforts as self‑improvement, whereas money‑focused thinkers would feel the pinch of wasted cash and give up sooner.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consistent-effects-on-motivation">Consistent effects on motivation</h2>



The team first surveyed more than 600 working professionals about personal goals that had hit a roadblock. Some respondents were prompted to reflect on the money they had poured into their pursuit; others were nudged to think about the time they had spent.



A second study had the same group imagine failing twice and report how motivated they felt to try again. Finally, the researchers replicated the design with 75 Taiwanese undergraduates who had recently flunked an exam.



Across all studies, the pattern held. Framing effort as hours and learning kept persistence and self-determination high, even after two consecutive setbacks. In contrast, those who tallied their cash outlay reported sharp drops in motivation after failing twice. 



Interestingly, after participants had stumbled three or more times, the difference between the two mindsets narrowed. By that point, repeated defeat seemed to sap confidence no matter how the initial investment was framed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spending-time-not-money">Spending time, not money</h2>



Chatterjee explained why the distinction matters: “You can go to coaching classes, you can buy books, you can buy videos. But when you do that, you expect to accomplish your goal. And when you don’t, you get extremely demotivated.”



But on the other hand, noted Chatterjee, if you spend less money, but more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nature-experiences-alter-time-perception/">time</a>, and think about how you’re doing this to improve yourself, that gets you into a more persistent mindset.



“Think about how, with any sort of health rehabilitation program, after you get hurt and have to get help from a chiropractor or other healthcare professional. There’s a monetary cost that goes along with obtaining that help," said Gupta.



“But you could also think of it as spending time improving and taking better care of yourself. You might not get better in a week; you might not achieve your objectives right away."



The upshot, Chatterjee said, is that it’s all about intrinsic motivation, something that comes from within, and if you really decide to learn. "Then this notion of time versus money becomes especially important.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-money-feels-like-loss">Money feels like loss</h2>



The researchers argue that money triggers a feeling of external control: people expect a clear return on a financial outlay. Fail twice, and it feels as though the cash was wasted.



Time, by contrast, is more easily reframed as personal growth. Hours spent studying or practicing still yield intangible benefits - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/optimal-decision-making-is-a-balance-of-experience-and-knowledge/">knowledge</a>, skill, resilience - even if the immediate goal remains unmet. That internal payoff protects self‑determination and fuels another attempt.



For anyone embarking on a challenging project - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-are-much-better-at-learning-language-than-ai/">learning a language</a>, training for a marathon, or tackling a certification exam - the research offers a practical takeaway.



When setbacks hit, focus on time spent learning and growing - not the money lost on subscriptions or tools. By rewiring the narrative to emphasize time and growth, you prime your mind to stay the course.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-for-businesses-and-marketers"><a></a>Lessons for businesses and marketers</h2>



The findings also carry weight for companies selling do‑it‑yourself products, online courses, or fitness programs.



“By including subtle, positively‑framed messages along with whatever marketers are selling can allow people to experience a greater level of persistence,” Gupta said.



“Having to try again after it didn’t work the first time wouldn’t mean a wasted effort. It would just be that you’re more likely to have a better handle on things the second time around.” 



Campaigns that spotlight the hours of enjoyment, community support, or personal enrichment a product facilitates - rather than its price tag - could foster customer loyalty and higher completion rates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-time-motivates-in-the-workplace">Time motivates in the workplace</h2>



Inside organizations, the same principle may help employees bounce back from missing a promotion or failing to meet a quarterly target. 



If managers encourage staff to value the experience and skills gained during the process, morale may remain resilient.



For public health officials designing rehabilitation or weight-loss initiatives, framing participation as an investment of time in oneself could boost adherence. This approach may be especially effective for individuals with limited economic resources.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-mindset-that-motivates">A mindset that motivates</h2>



Goals falter for many reasons, but motivation often evaporates fastest when people feel they have squandered resources. 



This research shows that the most precious resource - time - can also be the most empowering when we choose to see it as self‑development rather than sacrifice.



The next time your resolution wobbles or your side project stalls, tally the minutes you have banked, not the dollars you have burned. That simple accounting switch might be the nudge that keeps you moving forward.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.emerald.com/jcm/article-abstract/doi/10.1108/JCM-05-2023-6026/1251798/Trying-but-failing-the-role-of-time-and-money-in?redirectedFrom=fulltext">Journal of Consumer Marketing</a>.



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Want to stay motivated? Focus on time, not money

Most of us know the sinking feeling that comes when...

Many people experience relationships that bring more stress than happiness. These strained relationships can influence aging and speed up the aging process. 



Psychologists have long known that strong social ties affect how long we live. One review even suggests that social isolation affects mortality as much as obesity or lack of exercise.



Quality of relationships matters as much as quantity. In 2012, researchers at the <a href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&amp;rls=en&amp;q=University+of+Utah&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;oe=UTF-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Utah</a> found that “frenemies” - ambivalent relationships - may shorten telomeres faster. 



These chromosome caps shorten naturally with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-aging-how-some-people-live-past-100-years/">age</a> and are linked to diseases such as heart disease.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-stress-changes-your-body">How stress changes your body</h2>



Byungkyu Lee at <a href="https://www.nyu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York University</a> and colleagues used DNA methylation marks to measure aging. These tiny chemical changes influence how genes work. “As we <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-are-experimenting-with-new-approach-to-fight-and-stop-human-aging-necrosis/">age</a>, the pattern of these marks shifts in predictable ways,” said Lee.



The study involved 2,232 people who provided saliva samples for epigenetic testing. Participants also described their relationships, answering questions like, “How often has X hassled you, caused problems, or made life difficult?” 



Anyone who answered “occasionally” or “often” was labeled a “hassler.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stressful-relationships-age-you-faster">Stressful relationships age you faster</h2>



Over half the participants had at least one hassler in their network. “Over half of adults report having at least one hassler among their closest contacts,” said Lee.



Each hassler was associated with 0.5 percent faster biological aging. This means affected individuals were, on average, 2.5 months biologically older than their chronological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organ-aging-can-predict-diseases-decades-in-advance/">age</a>.



The latest research shows that when hasslers make up more than 50 percent of a person’s network, the acceleration of aging is even greater. Ambivalent hasslers, those who both provide support and cause stress, have the strongest impact.



Purely negative ties, in contrast, seem less harmful because people can distance themselves from these relationships.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-harms-mind-and-body">Stress harms mind and body</h2>



Negative ties may increase chronic stress, which raises inflammation and disrupts immune function. This persistent stress can elevate cortisol and other hormones, damaging health over time. 



Lee’s team found higher levels of inflammation and epigenetic dysregulation in those with many hasslers, showing how relationships directly affect the body’s biological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/defying-time-three-ways-to-slow-biological-aging/">systems</a>.



The effects extend beyond aging markers. People with more hasslers report worse general, physical, and mental health. They also have higher anxiety and depression scores and more chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and sleep problems. 



Negative ties are linked with higher waist-to-hip ratios, increased BMI, and more multimorbidity. These strained relationships can weaken resilience, make illnesses harder to recover from, and even reduce overall life expectancy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-group-relationships-help">Group relationships help </h2>



Alex Haslam from the <a href="https://www.uq.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Queensland</a> believes group belonging can outweigh the impact of a few negative ties. 



“For example, if I am a member of a book club or a choir, it will be my identification with the group as a whole that affects my health, not how well I get on with its individual members."



The complexity of ambivalent relationships makes them particularly damaging. Unpredictable relationships cause ongoing mental and physiological strain. 



People may not be able to avoid these ties, especially when they involve family or long-term friends.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fixing-relationships-can-slow-age">Fixing relationships can slow age</h2>



Negative relationships, especially those that shift between support and criticism, act as powerful chronic stressors. These ties trigger the body’s stress systems repeatedly, raising cortisol and inflammation, which can speed up biological aging and damage overall health. 



Unlike purely negative relationships that people can often avoid, ambivalent ties are harder to escape because they also provide emotional support. This unpredictability makes them particularly harmful, causing continuous psychological strain and physiological wear.



To improve health and slow aging, it is not enough to address loneliness or cut off overtly harmful ties. Future interventions should help people identify and manage ambivalent relationships while strengthening positive, supportive connections. 



Programs that teach conflict resolution, set boundaries, and encourage healthier communication could reduce the toll these complex relationship ties take. 



By focusing on both reducing relationship strain and nurturing trust-based social networks, we can promote better mental and physical well-being and healthier aging across the lifespan.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.05.23.25328261v2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">medRxiv</a>.



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Negative relationships linked to faster aging at the cellular level

Many people experience relationships that bring more stress than happiness....

Our usual understanding of sleep starts with the brain and ends with the mattress, yet new evidence points to a far smaller arena. Two hundredths of a millimeter below the surface of a nerve cell, the mitochondria may be counting the minutes we stay awake, then ordering the lights out.



A team working with Drosophila melanogaster shows that the same organelles that churn out ATP, the cell’s energy coin, can also flip the neural switch that starts <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-quality-could-be-the-key-to-better-metabolic-health/">sleep</a>. The work was led by Gero Miesenböck of the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mitochondria-track-sleep-need">Mitochondria track sleep need</h2>



Sleep need, or sleep pressure, has long seemed mysterious because no clear molecule tells the brain when enough is enough. 



The new study finds that after prolonged wakefulness, sleep-inducing neurons turn up genes for mitochondrial respiration, hinting that an energy backlog is their signal.



Those neurons sit in the fly’s dorsal fan-shaped body, a known sleep center. As their mitochondria keep running while the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-prepares-the-brain-for-the-future-while-protecting-memories-of-the-past/">cells</a> are quiet, electrons spill from the respiratory chain, forming reactive oxygen species that damage nearby lipids.



When these unstable molecules pile up, the only fix is to shut the system down, explained Miesenböck. What this study has revealed is that the sleep homeostat is actually looking at its own mitochondria to estimate the need for sleep, he adds.



The group saw that letting the flies sleep again restored mitochondrial shape and function. That rapid bounce-back suggests repair, not exhaustion, is the goal of the pause.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fly-tests-show-sleep-signals">Fly tests show sleep signals</h2>



The Oxford team kept half their flies awake by gently shaking them or warming cells that promote arousal, actions that do not harm the insects. Both methods produced identical mitochondrial stress signatures, bolstering the link to wake time rather than injury.



Fragmented mitochondria were a red flag. Flies whose <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-night-of-lost-sleep-can-trigger-hidden-health-issues/">sleep</a> neurons carried these “shattered” organelles slept less and failed to catch up later.



When the researchers forced the organelles to fuse, essentially improving their self-repair toolkit, flies slept more and mounted a stronger rebound after deprivation.



A clever optogenetic twist turned the mitochondria themselves into a sleep lever. By engineering a light-activated proton pump into the organelles, one hour of green light lengthened sleep by roughly 25 percent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-in-cells-triggers-sleep">Stress in cells triggers sleep</h2>



Cell biologists have known for years that electron leak rises whenever the demand for ATP drops, yet the supply keeps flowing. The fly results echo earlier work showing that ROS build-up after forced wakefulness can kill rodents unless the stress is quenched.



The brain appears to treat that oxidative trickle as a countdown. Once a threshold is crossed, sleep neurons fire, the animal rests, and antioxidant defenses patch the membrane lipids.



Other research in mammals supports the idea. A 2023 review calls mitochondrial redox shifts the heart of a homeostatic sleep-regulatory mechanism.



Even the lipid <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5742555/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phosphatidic acid</a>, which helps merge mitochondrial membranes, affects sleep. Studies show that lowering this lipid hampers fusion and shortens sleep in flies, fitting earlier biochemical models that tie the molecule to healthy mitochondrial dynamics.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-similarities-between-flies-and-humans">Similarities between flies and humans</h2>



Fruit flies are simple, but their mitochondrial proteins look much like ours. Ryan Mailloux of McGill University, who was not involved in the study, noted that the findings provide novel opportunities to target these pathways and come up with new, effective ways to treat <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-particular-sleep-stage-slow-wave-deep-is-most-important-for-preventing-dementia/">sleep</a> problems.



Fatigue is already recognized as one of the most common complaints among patients with primary mitochondrial disease. That clinical link strengthens the case that mitochondrial distress can translate directly into a felt need for rest.



Work in mice adds another layer: when mitochondria in appetite-boosting AgRP neurons are forced to fuse, the animals eat more; when the organelles fragment, hunger subsides. The parallel between energy balance and sleep hints at a shared metabolic sensor.



“Keeping animals awake itself may add stress unrelated to natural wakefulness,” said Michele Bellesi of the <a href="https://international.unicam.it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Camerino</a>. 



Critics like Bellesi raise caveats, but the Oxford group counters that multiple, gentle methods produced the same mitochondrial signature, suggesting the effect is genuine sleep pressure, not generic stress.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mitochondria-may-help-sleep-issues">Mitochondria may help sleep issues</h2>



If mitochondrial redox state is the clock, then drugs that tweak electron flow might reset it. Uncouplers that let protons leak, for example, relieved sleep need in flies by draining excess electrons.



Any practical therapy must be precise. Broad uncoupling in humans would waste energy and overheat tissues. Targeting only the sleep-inducing neurons or modulating lipid repair enzymes could offer narrower control.



Wearable diagnostics may also emerge. If circulating markers of mitochondrial ROS rise with sleep pressure, a blood spot or breath test could tell shift workers when to nap before errors pile up.



Finally, the study argues against the idea that sleep is down time. Instead, it is an active rebuild phase commanded by microscopic monitors that count chemical sparks. 



This perspective aligns with aging studies showing that preserving mitochondrial fitness slows cognitive decline and lengthens healthy life.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09261-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Scientists may have just solved the mystery of sleep

Our usual understanding of sleep starts with the brain and...

Food lovers prize the creamy web of fat that streaks a Wagyu steak. Inside the human body, however, the same kind of “marbling” - known to scientists as intramuscular adipose tissue, or IMAT - signals trouble.



Physicians have long noticed that patients with high IMAT tend to fare poorly. The marbled fat is common in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/obesity-is-much-more-complicated-than-we-thought-manifesting-in-11-different-forms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">obesity</a>, type 2 diabetes, neuromuscular disorders such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and progressive neurodegenerative diseases like ALS.



In some clinics, doctors even watch intramuscular adipose tissue levels to track how fast an illness is advancing.



What remained unclear was whether the fat merely accompanied disease or actively made muscles weaker. Daniel Kopinke, an associate professor of pharmacology and therapeutics at the <a href="https://med.ufl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Florida College of Medicine</a>, set out to solve that puzzle.



“We wanted to understand the precise function IMAT might play on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/studies-learn-the-exact-amount-of-time-you-should-spend-training-to-build-muscle/">muscle</a> health,” he explained. The resulting study&nbsp;offers what Kopinke calls “functional evidence that it is an active driver of declining muscle function.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blocking-fat-from-muscle-injuries">Blocking fat from muscle injuries</h2>



Kopinke’s lab studies how muscles repair themselves. After a strain or tear, stem‑like satellite cells along the fibers awaken, divide, and fuse into new muscle tissue. In healthy people that process restores both size and strength.



But people with high IMAT often struggle to regain full power after injury. To test whether the fat is to blame, the team engineered a mouse line called mFATBLOCK. 



The animals’ muscles could be injured in the usual ways, using a chemical that mimics hard <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-in-a-pill-is-now-closer-to-reality/">exercise</a>. However, genetic tweaks prevented fat cells from infiltrating the wound site.



The contrast was stark. In ordinary mice fat droplets invaded the damaged region, parking between regenerating fibers. Under a microscope those fibers looked chaotic and undersized.



The marbling occupied about 12 percent of total muscle volume, and when the researchers measured force output, the muscles generated far less power than fat‑free controls.



“This directly translated to a loss of strength,” Kopinke said, noting that marbled muscles could not produce the same amount of force as the healthy, unobstructed muscle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fat-cells-hijack-healing-space">Fat cells hijack healing space</h2>



Kopinke likened the effect to fighting a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-seasons-are-now-overlapping-worldwide/">wildfire</a> in a forest. Imagine clearing the ashes so saplings can grow, only to leave giant boulders scattered across the soil. Wherever a boulder sits, a tree cannot take root.



Fat cells act like those boulders. Once they occupy space inside the muscle, muscle fibers cannot grow. Satellite cells still try to knit new tissue, but their scaffolding twists around lipid pockets and forms weak, disorganized fibers.



The study dispels the notion that IMAT is merely passive fuel storage. Instead, it behaves as a structural barrier that derails the entire regeneration script.



That discovery has wide implications for sports‑medicine clinics that manage severe tears. It also holds promise for researchers pursuing therapies for muscular dystrophy or sarcopenia - the age‑related loss of muscle mass.



If marbling is the obstacle, then simply flooding tissue with growth factors may not restore strength unless the fat blockade is removed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exercise-clears-hidden-fat">Exercise clears hidden fat</h2>



The good news is that IMAT appears to shrink the same way <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-term-exercise-can-make-belly-fat-healthy/">belly fat</a> does: by tipping the energy equation so the body burns more calories than it consumes.



“You can shrink your fat cells,” said Kopinke. “If you make the area that fat cells occupy in your muscles smaller, the muscle fibers would have more space to grow into.”



Exercise does double duty here, raising calorie burn while also stimulating satellite cells to fuse, though the study did not yet test specific workout regimens.



Because IMAT is tucked deep inside tissue, scales and mirrors cannot reveal progress. Imaging tools such as MRI and ultrasound can, and Kopinke hopes future clinical trials will pair those scans with diet‑and‑exercise programs designed to carve away the internal marbling.



If the rodent data hold true in people, reducing IMAT should give healing fibers room to align and thicken, restoring lost torque.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-muscle-disease-treatment">Rethinking muscle disease treatment</h2>



These findings shift the perspective on numerous debilitating conditions. Instead of focusing solely on amplifying growth signals or transplanting stem cells, physicians might first target the fatty blockade itself. 



They could do this through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-a-popular-weight-loss-drug-are-finally-revealed/">metabolic drugs</a>, hormone therapies, or novel biologics that prevent progenitor cells inside muscle from turning into fat in the first place. The mFATBLOCK mouse offers a ready test bed for such ideas.



“By clearing the path for muscle fibers to heal correctly, we may be able to restore function and improve strength in millions of people affected by these debilitating conditions,” Kopinke said.



His lab is now probing why certain diseases spark fat infiltration while others do not and whether specific nutritional cues accelerate IMAT shrinkage. 



For now, the takeaway is both sobering and empowering: marbled steak may melt in your mouth, but marbled muscle could rob you of strength - unless you burn off the fat and give your fibers room to thrive. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2211124725007922" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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How fat hidden in muscles weakens strength and healing

Food lovers prize the creamy web of fat that streaks...

In the summer of 2002, the smoke in the air caught Loretta Mickley’s attention. She was on vacation in Western Massachusetts when the sunlight turned strange.



“There was something kind of sparkly about the air,” she recalled. “I’d never seen anything like it, and I said to my husband, ‘What’s going on?’ I’m an atmospheric chemist - I should know, right?”



The shimmering particles turned out to be soot, carried by wind from a wildfire in Quebec. That was over two decades ago. Since then, smoke has gone from a curiosity to a central focus of Mickley’s work.



She’s now a senior research fellow at the <a href="https://seas.harvard.edu/">John A. Paulson</a> School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University. Her research is part of a growing wave of attention on wildfire smoke - where it comes from, what it carries, and what it’s doing to our health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildfire-smoke-wasn-t-always-on-the-radar">Wildfire smoke wasn't always on the radar</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-seasons-are-now-overlapping-worldwide/">Wildfires</a> have burned for as long as the planet has existed. But for many years, their consequences were overlooked.



“For a long time, smoke was not considered very important,” Mickley said. "People thought of climate change as temperature and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-heat-of-2024-triggered-a-surge-in-sea-level-rise/">sea level rise</a>, and that was it."



"They didn't realize there could be this other consequence of climate change that could be terribly scary, terribly bad for human health - not just close to the fire, but many miles downwind.”



That perception is changing fast. Today, scientists are working across disciplines to understand smoke in detail. 



Chemists break down its chemical components. Engineers build tools to sample the air in and around fire zones. Medical researchers track how it enters the human body. Environmental scientists model future fire risks as the planet heats up.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smoke-travels-far-and-so-does-the-risk">Smoke travels far - and so does the risk</h2>



Mickley has co-authored dozens of studies on wildfire smoke since 2015. Her work spans continents, even when she doesn’t travel to the fire sites herself.



“I look at agricultural fires in India, and their smoke, which affect millions of people,” she said. “I don't go to these places, but we've done work in the Amazon, work in Australia … working with local people as much as possible.”



What researchers are finding is that wildfire smoke is not just dirty air - it’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/almost-everyone-in-europe-breathes-toxic-air/">toxic</a>. When vegetation, buildings, or vehicles burn, they release not only <a href="https://energyeducation.ca/encyclopedia/Soot" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">soot</a>, but also heavy metals and organic compounds that can damage the body.



According to Mickley, many of these chemicals can “attach to and react with human cells.” 



In places like Southern California, where wildfires often spread into developed areas, the smoke can contain harmful synthetic compounds like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forever-chemicals-threaten-arctic-wildlife-and-human-health/">PFAS</a> - chemicals linked to cancer and hormonal disruption. These compounds don’t break down easily and can linger in the environment for decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiny-particles-big-health-risks">Tiny particles, big health risks</h2>



The real threat lies in the size of the particles. Most of the health damage comes from PM2.5 - particles that are 2.5 microns in diameter, or smaller. That’s about 20 times smaller than the width of a human hair.



Pollen grains are roughly four times larger than PM2.5 particles, and they get stuck in the nose. By contrast, PM2.5 specks are small enough to enter deep into the lungs and also into the bloodstream. 



"It causes a cascade of inflammation, and it can wreak havoc on <a href="https://www.epa.gov/wildfire-smoke-course/health-effects-attributed-wildfire-smoke">health</a>,” stated Nicholas Nassikas, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. He’s also a pulmonologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-cost-of-wildfire-smoke-exposure">Human cost of wildfire smoke exposure</h2>



In a study of wildfires in Australia, Mickley and her colleagues found that pregnant women exposed to prolonged smoke had higher risks of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-has-increased-premature-birth-risk-by-60/">premature birth</a>, miscarriage, or needing intensive care for their newborns.



And It’s not just lung or heart disease that are involved. Smoke may worsen COVID-19 symptoms. Early research hints at a link between smoke exposure and dementia. 



Furthermore, hospitals report a rise in emergency visits for multiple conditions after days of smoky air - especially among older adults.



At the Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, researchers are digging deeper into these effects. Kari Nadeau and her lab are part of the LA Fire HEALTH Study, which looks at how smoke affects people who live and work along the fire lines.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smoke-s-impact-on-human-cells">Smoke's impact on human cells</h2>



In a June study, researchers examined blood samples from 31 Californians - both firefighters and civilians - who had been exposed to wildfire smoke. 



The experts compared these samples to a control group with no exposure. The results were striking.



“Normally, immune cells are highly regulated, but after smoke exposure, some of those cells begin to behave abnormally - to be hyperactivated,” said study co-author Abhinav Kaushik. Some immune cells, burdened with cadmium and mercury, simply died.



Heavy-metal exposure was most severe among long-term firefighters. Kaushik noted that this may explain the chronic diseases that firefighters experience disproportionately, from cancer to asthma. "Smoke has surfaced as a public-health emergency - no doubt about that,” he added.



The team’s next step is to expand the study and look for a biomarker - something in the blood that would signal smoke exposure. That could help doctors catch issues early or measure the long-term impact.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-fires-bigger-numbers">Big fires, bigger numbers</h2>



Even now, the data tells a troubling story. Mickley and co-authors at Harvard and the University of British Columbia estimated that wildfire smoke caused nearly 37,000 excess deaths in 2020 alone.



The range is wide - between 25,000 and 47,000 - but the implication is clear. "In my mind, the exact number is not so important, just that we know it's a big number,” Mickley said. 



“Our goal in giving these numbers is to highlight the sense of urgency and the possible human hazards that follow wildfire smoke which, in turn, is caused by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-making-wildfire-smoke-more-deadly/">climate change</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-climate-regime">A new climate regime</h2>



Wildfires feed on dry air, lightning, and heat - all of which are becoming more common as the planet warms. In 2014, Mickley and then-postdoctoral researcher Xu Yue projected that California’s burn area would double by mid-century under one climate scenario. 



What used to be considered an “extreme fire year” in Southern California - about 25,000 acres burned - could become routine. That threshold has already been surpassed in 2025.



At public talks and alumni events, Mickley shares practical steps: wear N95 masks on smoky days, use HEPA filters indoors, and rethink how we manage fire. 



Rather than suppressing every blaze, she advocates for controlled burns to prevent massive, fuel-fed wildfires. However, Mickley stresses that individual actions and local policies can only do so much.



“Wildfire is natural. We're entering a new climate regime that is not - that is at least in large part, due to the greenhouse gases we're pumping into the atmosphere. And this is a recipe for disaster.”



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://phys.org/journals/environmental-science-technology/">Environmental Science &amp; Technology</a>.



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Wildfire smoke is an escalating public health emergency

In the summer of 2002, the smoke in the air...

Modern love stories are rarely built on feelings alone. They are shaped by logistics, timing, and increasingly, financial security.



With more people putting off relationships and marriage, researchers are digging into the reasons why. Career ambitions, shifting social norms, and lifestyle choices all contribute - but one factor stands out above the rest: income.



Psychologists Geoff MacDonald from the <a href="https://www.utoronto.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Toronto</a> and Johanna Peetz from <a href="https://carleton.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carleton University</a> analyzed data from over 4,800 singles in the U.S. and Germany. They found consistent patterns across cultures. 



Higher income did not boost satisfaction with being single but did spark stronger interest in romantic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/emojis-help-people-feel-closer-in-their-relationships/">partnership</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-income-boosts-relationship-desire">Income boosts relationship desire</h2>



Across both studies, income had no effect on how satisfied people felt while single. Many affluent singles still expressed discontent. This suggests financial comfort does not improve singlehood joy. Instead, it increases motivation to find a partner.



The researchers also tested whether gender played a role. While the German sample found a stronger effect of income on men’s relationship odds, the overall pattern showed few gender differences in romantic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mutual-relationships-with-nature-offer-hope-for-a-sustainable-future/">readiness</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-people-feel-emotionally-ready-to-date">People feel emotionally ready to date</h2>



According to Relationship Receptivity Theory, people consider both desire and readiness when entering relationships. Income influences both. 



Higher income individuals feel more prepared emotionally and practically. They can afford transportation, dates, and their own private space.



“I think people get that they are not going to be able to enjoy a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/men-might-say-i-love-you-first-to-show-they-care/">relationship</a> if they are working 80 hours a week, or if they're not sure where they're going to live next year,” noted MacDonald.



The study conducted in the U.S. included follow-up surveys six months later. Participants with higher income were more likely to start relationships during that time, even after accounting for age and gender.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-financial-stability-encourages-dating">Financial stability encourages dating</h2>



Financial peace of mind helps people focus on higher-level needs like companionship. According to Maslow’s hierarchy and related theories, people tackle basic needs first. When those are met, social and romantic needs become more salient.



A higher income may also increase one’s sense of personal power. This could encourage more dating efforts and confidence in romantic interactions. 



For example, some studies suggest that income boosts assertiveness in pursuing potential partners.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-income-drives-relationship-desire">Income drives relationship desire</h2>



Participants who wanted a relationship - particularly those with higher incomes - were more likely to start one later on. 



Interestingly, being happy while single didn’t make someone less likely to begin dating. Income was more strongly linked to a person’s sense of readiness and intention than to how content they felt emotionally.



The German data showed that current income, not income changes, mattered most. This reinforces the idea that stability in the moment is key - not temporary financial bumps.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-does-income-matter-more-for-men">Does income matter more for men? </h2>



Although most results showed gender parity, the German dataset revealed one twist. Income boosted relationship odds more strongly for men than women. Cultural expectations around men as financial providers may play a role.



Still, the broader takeaway is this: across cultures and genders, more money means greater motivation to partner.



“People may not want to take the step towards commitment until they have that economic foundation,” noted MacDonald.



This research links personal finances with bigger social issues. Rising singlehood rates, lower birth rates, and growing loneliness may all tie back to economic insecurity. Helping young adults reach financial stability could indirectly support relationship <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/partners-who-view-the-world-the-same-way-feel-more-secure/">formation</a>.



Policy tools like affordable housing, paid apprenticeships, and income support could make a difference.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-income-and-relationship-readiness">Income and relationship-readiness</h2>



The research invites us to reconsider the long-held belief that love operates solely within the emotional realm. 



While emotions like affection, attraction, and companionship remain central, the decision to pursue and maintain a romantic relationship often hinges on more practical foundations - particularly financial security.



The findings suggest that emotional desire alone may not be enough to motivate relationship pursuit. Instead, economic readiness acts as a gatekeeper, determining whether individuals feel prepared to commit their time, energy, and resources to someone else.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-search-for-love">The search for love </h2>



Wanting love might be nearly universal, a basic human impulse shared across cultures and societies. But the capacity to actively seek out and sustain that love often relies on whether someone feels financially stable. 



Without this foundation, people may choose to delay or avoid relationships altogether, not out of lack of interest, but out of rational concern for their ability to manage the responsibilities that come with partnership.



So, can money buy love? Not in a literal sense. But it can create the conditions in which love feels possible. It grants individuals the breathing room to prioritize connection and take steps toward emotional intimacy. 



In that way, while money may not purchase love itself, it certainly buys the readiness to search for it.



The study is published in the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jomf.70000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Marriage and Family</a>.



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Why singles with higher incomes feel more ready for love

Modern love stories are rarely built on feelings alone. They...

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have discovered that scent cues from women during ovulation may shape how men perceive them. This isn’t about myths or love potions. It’s about biology in action. The team found that certain compounds in female body odor increase during ovulation. 



When these were mixed with armpit odor samples, men rated the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scent-plays-a-powerful-role-in-choosing-friends/">scent</a> as more pleasant. They also viewed associated images of women as more attractive and more feminine. Additionally, these scents appeared to reduce stress, based on lower levels of the biomarker amylase in saliva.



The team emphasized this is not proof of pheromones in humans. But it suggests smell might quietly influence how people relate to each other.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-pheromones-still-uncertain">Human pheromones still uncertain</h2>



Pheromones - behavior-altering chemicals shared between organisms - are a popular staple in pop culture, especially romantic comedies. Despite the fun storylines, their existence in humans has not been definitively proven.



However, a new study from the <a href="https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Tokyo</a> does show something measurable and interesting is happening - something that parallels the idea of pheromones.



“We identified three body odor components that increased during women’s ovulatory periods. When men sniffed a mix of those <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-the-human-nose-perceives-the-scent-that-lingers-after-rain/">compounds</a> and a model armpit odor, they reported those samples as less unpleasant, and accompanying images of women as more attractive and more feminine,” said Professor Kazushige Touhara. 



“Furthermore, those compounds were found to relax the male subjects, compared to a control, and even suppressed the increase in the amount of amylase (a stress biomarker) in their saliva. These results suggest that body odor may in some way contribute to communication between men and women.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ovulation-changes-body-odor">Ovulation changes body odor</h2>



Previous studies by various research groups found that female body odor changes throughout the menstrual cycle. During the ovulatory phase, these changes can be detected by men and are often described as pleasant. However, the exact nature of these odors remained unknown.



To investigate, Touhara and his team used a technique for chemical analysis called gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and identified volatile compounds that fluctuate across menstrual cycle phases.



“The most difficult part of the study was to determine the axillary (armpit) odor profile within a woman's menstrual cycle. Of particular difficulty was scheduling more than 20 women to ensure that axillary odors were collected at key times during their menstrual cycles,” said first author Nozomi Ohgi, a graduate student in Touhara’s lab at the time of the study. 



“We also needed to interview each participant frequently regarding body temperature and other indicators of the menstrual cycle in order to understand and track their status."



According to Ohgi, this required a great deal of time, effort, and careful attention. "It took more than one month per participant to complete the collection within the menstrual cycle, so very time consuming.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-body-odor-tests-were-done-blindly">Body odor tests were done blindly</h2>



Another challenge the researchers faced was to ensure the tests were done “blind,” meaning the participants did not receive any hints about what they were smelling or why, with some participants being given nothing at all as a measure of control. 



This way, psychological factors and expectations can be reduced or eliminated. The team also used fMRI scans to examine how male brains responded to these ovulation-related body odor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-do-polyester-clothes-stink-more-than-cotton/">compounds</a>. 



The scans showed heightened activity in the orbitofrontal cortex and fusiform gyrus. These regions process reward and facial attractiveness. The effect happened without men consciously noticing the body odor.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-still-not-quite-pheromones">Still not quite pheromones</h2>



“We cannot conclusively say at this time that the compounds we found which increase during the ovulation period are human pheromones. The classical definition of pheromones is species-specific chemical substances that induce certain behavioral or physiological responses,” said Touhara. 



“But from this study, we can’t conclude whether the axillary odors are species-specific. We were primarily focused on their behavioral or physiological impacts, in this case, the reduction of stress and change in impression when seeing faces. So, at this moment, we can say they may be pheromonelike compounds.”



That distinction is key. The researchers found behavioral responses, but not enough to call the compounds true pheromones. Further studies will be needed to confirm whether the effects are species-specific or consistent across diverse populations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-directions">Future research directions </h2>



The team plans to expand their research by including a more diverse group of participants to rule out the influence of specific genetic traits. 



They also aim to conduct more detailed chemical analyses to investigate how ovulatory compounds may impact brain regions involved in emotion and perception.



With more testing, these body odor compounds may offer clues about subconscious human interactions. Body odor might not change behavior dramatically, but it could quietly shape how we feel and connect.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(25)01348-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iScience</a>.



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Body odor may subconsciously change how people interact

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have discovered that scent...

For decades scientists have combed the gut looking for bacteria in the microbiome that push the immune system toward multiple sclerosis (MS). New evidence from a rare twin study now points a clear finger at two species of bacteria that hide in the small intestine.



The study, which compared 81 pairs of genetically identical siblings, singled out Eisenbergiella tayi and Lachnoclostridium as the most likely triggers of the nerve‑damaging disorder. 



<a href="https://www.med.lmu.de/bmc/en/research/research-groups/peters-lab/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Anna Peters</a>, who runs the lab in the <a href="https://www.med.lmu.de/bmc/en/research/research-areas/clinical-neuroimmunology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology</a> of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (<a href="https://www.lmu.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LMU</a>) steered the international team that linked these bacteria to disease in both people and mice.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracing-clues-in-identical-twins">Tracing clues in identical twins</h2>



Identical twins share nearly every gene, so differences in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-study-shows-that-dairy-milk-cheese-consumption-improves-gut-biodiversity-health/">health</a> are often related to outside factors. By focusing on twins where only one sibling had MS, the researchers stripped away much genetic noise.



Detailed DNA tracking of gut samples revealed 51 microbial candidates whose numbers diverged between affected and unaffected siblings. 



Two species of bacteria kept resurfacing with the highest odds ratios, putting them at the top of the watch list.



Those samples came from the ileum, the last stretch of small intestine that hosts a busy immune garrison. The choice mattered because <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3651097/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pro‑inflammatory T cells</a> gather here before they head for the brain and spinal cord.



A later comparison with the 1,152‑person <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36113426" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International MS Microbiome Study</a> echoed the same two species of bacteria. The overlap gave the Munich team confidence that their twin cohort was not a statistical fluke.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gut-bacteria-linked-to-multiple-sclerosis">Gut bacteria linked to multiple sclerosis</h2>



To test cause rather than correlation, the investigators moved beyond sequencing. They transplanted ileal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-found-alive-sealed-inside-rock-after-2-billion-years/">microbes</a> from selected twins into germ‑free mice bred to develop MS‑like inflammation. 



In animals that received bacteria from the sibling with multiple sclerosis, paralysis appeared within twelve weeks. Mice given microbes from the healthy twin stayed mobile the entire study.



Three female mice in one experiment showed a dramatic bloom of E. tayi just before MS symptoms set in. Their stool lost other common bacterial genera, hinting that the bloom crowded out potential competitors.



A follow‑up transfer from another twin pair repeated the outcome, this time with Lachnoclostridium dominating late in the trial. The signal again skewed toward female animals, matching the <a href="https://www.nationalmssociety.org/news-and-magazine/momentum-magazine/the-ms-experience/ms-facts-vs-myths" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">higher risk</a> of MS seen in women.



Altogether, more than sixty percent of mice given “MS” bacteria developed spinal lesions, compared with fewer than ten percent in control groups. No other single species rose in step with disease across experiments.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fiber-digesting-bacteria-and-inflammation">Fiber-digesting bacteria and inflammation</h2>



E. tayi and Lachnoclostridium belong to the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/lachnospiraceae" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lachnospiraceae family</a>, a large clan of anaerobes that usually help digest fiber. Most relatives are considered harmless and even beneficial.



What sets these two apart is not yet clear, but the German group noted that both can thrive on mucus sugars when dietary fiber is scarce. That ability could thin the intestinal barrier and expose immune sensors to microbial products.



Earlier work on Akkermansia muciniphila showed a similar mucus‑eating habit that sometimes heightens inflammation. The new study hints the same mechanism may operate here but in a much smaller bacterial niche.



Another clue comes from metabolic profiling, which found that E. tayi produces ethanol and succinate, both known to stimulate <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29894669/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Th17 immune cells</a>. Excess Th17 activity drives attack on myelin, the insulating layer around nerves.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-lachnospiraceae-may-stir-trouble">Why Lachnospiraceae may stir trouble</h2>



In a controlled ulcerative colitis model, certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/is-depression-contagious-couples-may-share-it-through-kissing/">Lachnospiraceae</a> pushed macrophages toward an aggressive stance. Similar macrophage patterns emerged in the spinal cords of the colonized mice. 



Other studies, however, have reported anti‑inflammatory roles for different members of the family, underscoring that taxonomy alone is not destiny. Context, gene content, and surrounding microbes all shape outcomes.



The twin study design hints that environment tilts the balance, because both siblings inherit the same immune genes. Diet, antibiotics, or viral history may give the two microbes the foothold they need.



“Together with our functional studies, this supports our conclusion that these bacteria might play a crucial role as environmental triggering factors of human multiple sclerosis,” wrote the researchers. 



The statement marks one of the strongest causal claims yet made about the role of gut bacteria in the development of multiple sclerosis.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-multiple-sclerosis-bacteria-treatment">Multiple sclerosis bacteria treatment</h2>



Nearly <a href="https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000007044" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">one million Americans</a> live with MS, and existing drugs only slow its progress. Targeting a pair of bacteria offers a simpler aim than re‑engineering the whole gut microbiome. 



Researchers already use narrow antibiotics, phage cocktails, and engineered probiotics to chase single species in the gut. Similar tools could curb E. tayi or Lachnoclostridium before they spark immune trouble.



Another route involves adding fiber to keep mucus eaters occupied with safer food. Early trials of high‑propionate diets have shown modest symptom relief and could complement microbe‑directed therapies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limitations-and-next-steps">Limitations and next steps</h2>



Any multiple sclerosis therapy will also need to respect the wider community of gut bacteria that support vitamin synthesis and immune tolerance. 



Removing the wrong microbial strains could backfire, as seen when broad antibiotics sometimes worsen autoimmune flares.&nbsp;



That risk has pushed researchers toward <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36191844/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacteriophages</a>, viruses that hunt specific bacteria, which are already in early studies for inflammatory bowel disease. 



A similar designer phage could trim the Lachnospiraceae culprits while leaving friendly neighbors untouched.



Regulators will demand hard proof that tweaking the microbiome alters biomarkers such as neurofilament light, a blood protein that rises when neurons die. The twin‑mouse pipeline described by Peters now offers a way to collect that evidence quickly.



Continued collaboration between neurologists, immunologists, and microbial ecologists will decide how quickly these insights can be turned into medicines. 



For now, the results give patients a tangible target, and a fresh reason to care about what lives in their gut.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2419689122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PNAS</a>.



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Scientists think they found two key bacteria that cause multiple sclerosis

For decades scientists have combed the gut looking for bacteria...

Scientists may have discovered a way to reverse aging in human cells without making any gene edits. In a recent breakthrough study, researchers developed six chemical cocktails that restored aged cells to a youthful state in under a week.&nbsp;



Experts consider this a fast, safe, and cost-effective method for reversing the effects of aging. It could open doors to better treatments for age-related diseases and cellular decline.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-truth-about-aging">The truth about aging</h2>



To understand the latest discovery on reversing aging, it is essential to look at what causes aging at the cellular level.



In <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-microbes-may-have-given-rise-to-complex-life/">complex organisms</a>, the biological information is stored in two places, the genome and the epigenome. All cells in the body generally share the same genome. 



On the other hand, the epigenome may vary from cell to cell and may also change in response to environmental alterations.



According to the Information Theory of Aging <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38102202/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(ITOA)</a>, the loss of youthful epigenetic information is the primary factor contributing to aging, and age-related deterioration and dysfunction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cells-that-accumulate-during-aging">Cells that accumulate during aging</h2>



Additionally, studies support the notion that factors such as stress or <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2474726/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA damage</a> accelerate the aging process by causing a greater loss of epigenetic information. 



This progressive loss can cause the cells to enter a state of dysfunction known as senescence.



Cellular senescence is an irreversible state of cell cycle arrest. Senescent cells stop dividing. They also release signaling molecules that promote cell repair. 



So, to an extent, senescence is beneficial in wound healing and the prevention of cancer spread. 



As a result of <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging</a>, senescent cells accumulate in the body, contributing to the development of age-related diseases. The understanding of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-aging-how-some-people-live-past-100-years/">aging process</a> led scientists to seek ways to reverse these age-related changes in cells.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chemical-alternatives-to-reverse-aging">Chemical alternatives to reverse aging</h2>



Most current anti-aging approaches rely on gene therapy that alters genetic material. These methods aim to reverse the aging process, cure age-related disabilities or diseases, and <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470443/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heal injuries</a>. 



Scientists typically achieve this using techniques such as adeno-associated viral (AAV) delivery of DNA and lipid nanoparticle-mediated delivery of RNA. Due to the cost and safety concerns, these methods are not widely accepted.



Scientists searched for a chemical alternative that is safe, inexpensive, and yields results more quickly. The approach could perhaps lead to whole-body rejuvenation, not just to the reversal of aging in specific cells. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chemical-cocktails-were-highly-effective">Chemical cocktails were highly effective</h2>



In this study, researchers developed and utilized screening methods, including the NCC (nucleocytoplasmic compartmentalization) assay. NCC distinguishes young, old, and aging or senescent cells.



They then identified new chemical combinations that could reverse cellular aging and rejuvenate the cells. This method was highly effective, since the treated cells regained youthful function and gene expression patterns within days. 



The results confirm the possibility that aging can be reversed in human cells without altering cellular identity or the underlying genetic code.&nbsp;



The study identified six specific chemical cocktails that could help restore a youthful DNA methylation profile. 



A remarkable feature is that these compounds work at a fast rate and show results in under a week. Additionally, the cell's original type and function are retained. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-origin-of-the-age-reversal-idea">Origin of the age-reversal idea</h2>



In 2006, Takahashi and Yamanaka demonstrated that four specific genes could be used to reprogram adult cells. These genes were OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and c-MYC, collectively known as the OSKM genes.



The four specific genes, or Yamanaka factors, erase cellular identity. Scientists sought ways to reverse aging without inducing uncontrolled cell growth or tumor development. 



The Belmonte lab undertook multiple approaches and found that they could achieve this using short bursts of OSKM or just OSK.



Later studies showed that scientists could turn adult cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The iPSC is a type of <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/what-are-stem-cells-2/">stem cell</a> that can be derived from various sources. Scientists achieve this by erasing the cellular identity of the adult cells.



These discoveries paved the way for developing safer, faster, and non-genetic methods that were chemically based.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-towards-a-youthful-life">Towards a youthful life</h2>



The chemical method for reversing aging is a promising discovery. We can now restore cellular health and delay age-related disabilities and diseases without using genetic modifications.



Dr. David A. Sinclair is a professor in the Department of Genetics at&nbsp;Harvard Medical School,&nbsp;and lead scientist on the project.



“Until recently, the best we could do was&nbsp;slow&nbsp;aging. New discoveries suggest we can now reverse it,” said Dr. Sinclair. “This process has previously required gene therapy, limiting its widespread use.”



The discovery opens new doors for the field of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-brittle-star-tissue-could-transform-regenerative-medicine/">regenerative medicine</a>. Researchers can use the chemical cocktails to restore lost tissue function. 



The method could evolve as an excellent solution for treating degenerative diseases and extending the lifespan.



Unlike epigenetic reprogramming, the chemical method is convenient with fewer hurdles. With further trials, this could progress to a more practical age-reversal therapy.



The full study was published in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37437248/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PubMed</a>.



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Breakthrough method reverses aging in human cells without modifying DNA

Scientists may have discovered a way to reverse aging in...

Scuba diving does more than open a window onto coral gardens and kelp forests. According to the first comprehensive tally of its global economic footprint, the pastime injects between $8.5 billion and $20.4 billion into the world economy each year. It also supports up to 124,000 jobs across 170 countries.



The study gives ocean advocates a new set of hard numbers to argue that healthy seas are not just a moral imperative - they are a lucrative asset.



The new analysis builds on 2021 work that pegged Mexico’s dive tourism at roughly $725 million a year - nearly as much as the entire fishing industry.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dive-data-goes-global">Dive data goes global</h2>



Backed by the <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.org/society/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Geographic Society</a> and endorsed by the United Nations Ocean Decade, marine biologist Octavio Aburto-Oropeza of <a href="https://scripps.ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography</a> created the Atlas Aquatica project to discover whether similar economic clout exists at the global scale.



The team compiled a database of more than 11,500 dive operators using Google Maps listings and PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) records, then cross-checked entries with local experts. An online survey drew 425 responses from businesses in 81 countries.



Economist Andrés Cisneros-Montemayor from <a href="https://www.sfu.ca/">Simon Fraser University</a> translated those answers into spending estimates: direct outlays on courses, boat charters, and gear rentals, plus indirect spending on hotels, meals, and transportation by the world’s nine to fourteen million recreational divers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dive-tourism-drives-billions">Dive tourism drives billions</h2>



The numbers surprised even seasoned researchers. Direct expenditures came in between $900 million and $3.2 billion a year. 



Add in ancillary spending, and the total swells to a figure of $8.5 billion to $20.4 billion. Eighty percent of dive-shop employees are local residents, a ratio that few mass-tourism sectors match.



“Scuba diving is pretty unique because it makes you spend time underwater,” said Fabio Favoretto, the Atlas Aquatica coordinator and a Scripps postdoctoral fellow.



“You can sail or surf above a dead ocean, but scuba divers notice if there are no <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-are-quietly-battling-climate-change-on-the-seabed/">fish</a> - it’s really an activity that is dependent on the health of the system. That’s a positive for conservation because it makes divers allies.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-divers-flock-to-protected-waters">Divers flock to protected waters</h2>



Roughly 70 percent of all marine dives happen inside <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-protected-areas-fall-short-on-2030-biodiversity-targets/">marine protected areas</a> (MPAs), a finding that aligns with earlier research showing that operators and clients will pay a premium for richer wildlife encounters.



Prior studies suggest that expanding MPAs could further boost revenue by attracting more visitors willing to pay higher fees for healthier <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-reef-food-webs-are-more-fragile-than-we-thought/">reefs</a>, seagrass meadows, and pelagic drop-offs.



“We show that diving generates a lot of income, and it does this without degrading the environment like extractive industries such as fishing or mining,” Aburto-Oropeza said.



“We hope that showing the scale of the economic impact from this activity will encourage policies that invest in diving by increasing marine protections.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-workforce-watching-reefs-decline"><a></a>A workforce watching reefs decline</h2>



Still, money alone cannot shield ecosystems. Most surveyed operators reported noticeable environmental degradation at their sites over the past decade.



That frontline perspective makes the sector a potential early-warning system for policymakers, provided governments invite dive professionals to the table. 



The authors call for standardized ecological monitoring protocols across the industry and for formal seats for operators in marine management bodies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eco-friendly-tourism-works">Eco-friendly tourism works</h2>



Dive tourism exemplifies what scholars call the “blue economy,” a vision in which coastal communities prosper by stewarding, not exploiting, marine resources.



“Unlike mass tourism operations that can harm local communities and marine environments, dive tourism, when managed well, can be economically viable, socially equitable, and environmentally sustainable,” said Anna Schuhbauer, the study’s lead author and a fisheries scientist at the <a href="https://www.ubc.ca/">University of British Columbia</a>.



Because divers fly in small groups, stay longer, and spend heavily on local services, the money sticks close to home. Their physical footprint - anchored moorings, low-speed boats, tanks that are refilled rather than discarded - remains comparatively light.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-giving-divers-a-voice">Giving divers a voice</h2>



Despite their economic heft, dive operators are often fragmented into tiny businesses with little say in coastal zoning or fisheries regulation. Atlas Aquatica aims to change that by helping shops form cooperatives.



Pilot cooperatives in Mexico and Italy are already pooling funds for reef restoration, lobbying for stricter fishing limits inside MPAs, and negotiating better safety and sustainability standards. 



The study recommends that governments recognize such groups as official stakeholders, giving them standing in decision-making processes that shape the underwater landscapes on which their livelihoods depend.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-profits-support-protection">Profits support protection</h2>



For decades conservationists have argued that protecting biodiversity can pay for itself. By attaching dollar values to bubbles, buoyancy, and fin kicks, the new report turns that slogan into measurable evidence.



Moreover, scuba divers’ preference for MPAs is supported by data showing that about 70 percent of all marine dives currently occur within MPAs. 



Policymakers weighing the short-term gains of mining or unregulated fishing against the steady flow of dive tourism dollars now have a clearer ledger.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scuba-diving-s-future-outlook">Scuba diving’s future outlook</h2>



The researchers acknowledge gaps - their operator list, though vast, is not exhaustive; informal or unlicensed outfits are harder to track; and the pandemic temporarily suppressed travel numbers used in the analysis.



Even so, the conservative tone of their models suggests that the true economic contribution may be higher. Future studies will refine regional estimates, examine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reducing-carbon-footprint-urban-farms-and-agriculture/">carbon footprints</a>, and test whether higher protection leads directly to higher earnings over time.



For now, the takeaway is straightforward: oceans brimming with life are a magnet for recreational divers, and divers, in turn, pump billions into coastal economies without extracting a single fish.



Recognizing that virtuous cycle could help steer global recovery funds, tourism strategies, and climate-finance projects toward smarter policies. These would support colorful reefs and dense <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kelp-forests-in-crisis-how-toxic-turf-algae-are-taking-over/">kelp forests</a> - a win for local jobs, national coffers, and, above all, the sea itself..



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-sustainability/fulltext/S2949-7906(25)00131-4?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2949790625001314%3Fshowall%3Dtrue">Cell Reports Sustainability</a>.



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Scuba diving boosts conservation - and brings in billions

Scuba diving does more than open a window onto coral...

City life has always had a reputation for being fast. A new study shows just how much faster it's become. The researchers found that from 1980 to 2010, the average walking speed in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia rose by 15 percent. 



Meanwhile, the number of people lingering in public spaces dropped by 14 percent. Fewer people are slowing down to talk, relax, or meet others.



The research comes from scientists at the <a href="https://www.mit.edu/">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</a> (MIT), Yale University, the University of Hong Kong, Michigan State University, and Harvard University. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-decades-of-data-reveal">What decades of data reveal</h2>



The team used <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/machine-learning-used-to-locate-sources-of-heavy-pollution/">machine learning</a> to analyze how public spaces are used differently today than they were 40 years ago.



The researchers worked with old footage captured by William Whyte, a well-known urbanist who spent the late 1970s and early 1980s studying public spaces in major cities. 



Whyte filmed four key spots: Boston's Downtown Crossing, New York’s Bryant Park, the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Philadelphia’s Chestnut Street. 



In 2010, researchers went back to those same locations at the same times of day to shoot updated footage for comparison.



“Something has changed over the past 40 years,” said MIT professor of the practice Carlo Ratti. “How fast we walk, how people meet in public space - what we’re seeing here is that public spaces are working in somewhat different ways, more as a thoroughfare and less a space of encounter.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fewer-interactions-in-city-spaces">Fewer interactions in city spaces</h2>



The study used AI and computer vision to identify patterns in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/distracted-walking-texting-puts-pedestrians-at-risk/">pedestrian</a> behavior. One surprising constant: the number of people walking alone didn’t really change - from 67% in 1980 to 68% in 2010. 



At the same time, the percentage of individuals who entered a space and then joined a group dropped from 5.5% to just 2 percent. “Perhaps there’s a more transactional nature to public space today,” said Ratti.



That shift reflects how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-digital-technology-influence-our-sense-of-self/">technology</a> has changed the way we navigate social life. Plans are often made ahead of time, and people tend to move with more purpose through public spaces.



“When you look at the footage from William Whyte, the people in public spaces were looking at each other more,” said Ratti. 



“It was a place you could start a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brief-conversations-with-strangers-boost-life-satisfaction/">conversation</a> or run into a friend. You couldn’t do things online then. Today, behavior is more predicated on texting first, to meet in public space.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meeting-spaces-for-city-people">Meeting spaces for city people </h2>



Another possible reason for the shift? Starbucks - and places like it. Meeting up in an air-conditioned café is now the go-to move, far more appealing than hanging out on a hot or windy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-environments-and-sidewalks-improve-heart-health/">sidewalk</a>.



According to the study authors, the proliferation of coffee shops and other indoor venues may be pulling people away from lingering in outdoor public areas.



That’s a major change from 1980, when large coffee chains were rare or nonexistent. Now, those third spaces are everywhere - and they’re often designed specifically to draw people in and keep them there.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-designing-better-city-spaces">Designing better city spaces </h2>



The research doesn’t just document a shift - it could shape how cities are designed in the future. Planners might use these insights to rethink how public spaces are built and how people move through them.



“Public space is such an important element of civic life, and today partly because it counteracts the polarization of digital space,” said Arianna Salazar-Miranda of Yale University. “The more we can keep improving public space, the more we can make our cities suited for convening.”



The team hopes this is just the beginning. Building on this study, researchers aim to broaden their understanding of how people interact with public environments.



“We are collecting footage from 40 squares in Europe,” said Fabio Duarte of MIT. “The question is: How can we learn at a larger scale? This is in part what we’re doing.”



The future of public space may depend on learning from its past - and adjusting to how people use it today.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2424662122">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Fewer people are stopping to talk in city spaces

City life has always had a reputation for being fast....

<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>



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.



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.



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.



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.



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.



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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>



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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



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."



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



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.



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



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



The forest was remarkably diverse. Scientists identified Eospermatopteris, 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.



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.



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



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.



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."



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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.



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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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>



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?



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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



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.



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



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



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



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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



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



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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



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



Sources: 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.



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



1. Is acid rain completely gone? 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.



2. How long did solving take? 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.



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



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



5. Could acid rain return? 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.



6. Can you recommend any teaching tools on the subject of "acid rain"? 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>



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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>







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. 



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. 



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



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. 



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.



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. 



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.



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



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.



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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>



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



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



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. 



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. 



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



<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>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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.

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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.

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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.

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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