Healthy,Vegetarian,Dinner.,Woman,In,Jeans,And,Warm,Sweater,Holding

Aging can mean many things. It can mean slowing down, feeling less sharp, or facing more health issues. But it doesn’t have to. A new study suggests that what women eat in midlife could set the stage for how well they age. 



Published in JAMA Network Open, the study from <a href="https://www.tufts.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tufts University</a> and <a href="https://hsph.harvard.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health</a> dives into the power of carbohydrates and fiber in shaping <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organ-aging-can-predict-diseases-decades-in-advance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health</a> decades later.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-carbs-affect-aging">How carbs affect aging</h2>



Not all carbs are equal. Some lift you up, while others drag you down.



“We’ve all heard that different carbohydrates can affect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-old-are-you-really-new-tool-measures-aging-from-the-inside-out/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health</a> differently, whether for weight, energy, or blood sugar levels. But rather than just look at the immediate effects of these macronutrients, we wanted to understand what they might mean for good health 30 years later,” said lead author Andres Ardisson Korat.



The study zeroed in on 47,000 women, ages 70 to 93. The researchers looked at what these women ate over a span of three decades, starting in 1984. They tracked their intake of refined carbs, high-quality carbs, and fiber. They wanted to see who aged well - and who didn’t.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-healthy-aging-looks-like">What healthy aging looks like</h2>



Living past 70 doesn’t mean you’re aging well. The researchers defined <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/curiosity-might-help-you-stay-sharp-as-you-age/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthy</a> aging as reaching 70 without major chronic diseases, keeping a sharp mind, staying physically capable, and feeling good mentally. Out of 47,000 women, only 3,706 fit that bill.



What did those women have in common? A diet rich in high-quality carbs and fiber. The more they ate from whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, the better they aged.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-high-quality-carbs-boost-aging">High-quality carbs boost aging</h2>



Eating more high-quality carbs wasn’t just good. It was transformative. Women who upped their intake of high-quality carbs by 10% had a 31% better chance of aging well. 



The same couldn’t be said for refined carbs. Sugary snacks and white bread were linked to a 13% drop in the odds of healthy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-discover-a-protein-that-reverses-cellular-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging</a>. 



“Our results are consistent with other evidence linking consumption of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and legumes with lower risks of chronic diseases, and now we see the association with physical and cognitive function outcomes,” said study senior author Qi Sun.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fiber-s-role-in-protecting-health">Fiber’s role in protecting health</h2>



Fiber doesn’t just keep things moving. It protects your mind. It shields your body. For every one-standard-deviation bump in fiber intake, the odds of healthy aging shot up by 17 percent.



Fruit fiber boosted odds by 14 percent. Vegetable fiber added 11 percent. Even cereal fiber, often overlooked, contributed a 7% increase.



The benefits of fiber went beyond disease prevention. Women with higher fiber intake had stronger memories, better physical function, and fewer mental health problems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-all-carbs-affect-aging-differently">All carbs affect aging differently</h2>



Glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) may sound like fancy terms, but they matter. Foods with a high GI hit blood sugar hard and fast. Not great for aging well.



High GL foods, on the other hand, had a surprising link to better mental health. But once the researchers factored in fiber intake, that connection weakened. The takeaway? Fiber might buffer some of the negative effects of high-GI foods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-replacing-refined-carbs">Replacing refined carbs</h2>



Imagine swapping out refined carbs for high-quality ones. What happens? Women who did had 8% to 16% better odds of aging well. That’s a big jump.



“Studies are starting to find an association between food choices in midlife and quality of life in later years. The more we can understand about healthy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-bodies-begin-breaking-down-two-very-precise-ages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging</a>, the more science can help people live healthier for longer,” Korat said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-women-s-diets">Tracking women's diets</h2>



This study tracked women’s diets for over 30 years. It connected their midlife eating habits to their health in their 70s and 80s. The findings suggest that small, consistent changes matter more than drastic diets.



The researchers saw that women who ate more whole grains, fruits, and veggies over time aged better than those who filled up on white bread and sweets.



The study mostly included white, educated health professionals. Participants reported their own dietary habits, which might not be completely accurate. And after three decades, memories can get hazy.



Still, the findings were clear. Eating more high-quality carbs and fiber in midlife made a noticeable difference. It wasn’t just beneficial - it was transformative.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-this-means-for-women">What this means for women</h2>



Aging well isn’t just about avoiding illness. It’s about staying mentally sharp, physically active, and feeling good. The study suggests that what women eat in their 40s and 50s can impact their health decades later.



But it’s not just about eating fewer carbs. It’s about eating the right ones. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes gave women a better shot at aging well.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbs-and-fiber-shape-aging">Carbs and fiber shape aging</h2>



The food choices women make in midlife are more than just meals. They’re investments. 



High-quality carbs and dietary fiber aren’t just good for digestion. They’re linked to lower risks of chronic diseases, sharper minds, and better physical health in old age.



Aging doesn’t have to mean decline, and it doesn’t have to mean slowing down. For the women in this study, eating well decades earlier paid off in a big way. The lesson? It’s never too early to think about the future. And it’s never too late to make better choices.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2834202" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA Network Open</a>.



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High-quality carbs in midlife linked to healthier aging

Aging can mean many things. It can mean slowing down, feeling less sharp, or facing more health issues. But it doesn’t have to. A new study suggests that what women eat in midlife could set the stage for how well they age. Published in JAMA Network Open, the study from Tufts University and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health dives into the power of carbohydrates and fiber in shaping health decades later. How carbs affect aging Not all carbs are equal. Some lift you up, while...

Ghosting is the act of ending a relationship by cutting off all communication and simply “disappearing” without explanation. This behavior is associated particularly with the relationships we foster using social media, and can pertain to the end of a romantic relationship or to a friendship. Messages sent, or calls made, are simply not answered and this leaves the sender confused, insecure and hurt.&nbsp;



A new study by researchers from the <a href="https://www.uga.edu/">University of Georgia</a>, Athens, and the University of Mississippi, has found that nearly two-thirds of participants interviewed have ghosted and been ghosted as part of a relationship breakup. The researchers were particularly interested in whether people with a stronger need for closure are more affected by being ghosted, and whether they are more or less likely to use ghosting as a means to get out of their own personal relationships.&nbsp;



“Ghosting is becoming a common strategy, and it creates an ambiguous situation where one party doesn’t really know what’s going on,” said Leckfor, a doctoral student in the UGA Department of Psychology. “We were interested in what individual differences or personal characteristics might influence a person’s intentions to use ghosting. We also wanted to know if people with a high need for closure were less likely to use ghosting, or if they would hurt more after being ghosted.”



Studies have shown that social rejection of any kind activates the same pain pathways in the brain as physical pain, meaning there’s a biological link between rejection and pain. This implies that rejection without an understanding of what went wrong, can leave people feeling very hurt and insecure about themselves and what actually happened. Humans have evolved to stay connected to others and this makes ghosting all the more cruel on the recipient.&nbsp;



In the current study, participants were asked to reflect on a past relationship, either a time they were ghosted or a time they were directly rejected. They then answered questions about their psychological needs satisfaction – feelings of belonging, self-esteem, control and meaningful existence – after their relationship ended. Ghosted participants had some of the lowest needs satisfaction, meaning they were hit hardest by the rejection, and those who wanted closure reported even lower needs satisfaction.



“For recipients, desire for closure has this magnifying effect. When someone with a high need for closure recalled a time where they were ghosted or directly rejected, it hurt more than if they had a low need for closure,” Leckfor said. “But they also felt more positive after recalling times when they were acknowledged by their partner.”



In contrast, when someone considered initiating a breakup, the connection between closure and ghosting was less clear-cut.



“We actually found that people who had a higher need for closure were slightly more likely to intend to use ghosting to end a relationship,” Leckfor said. “Even though things may be ambiguous on the recipient side, the person who is ghosting sees it as a distinct end to the relationship. Those results weren’t definitive in our study, but they pose an interesting avenue for future research.”



So why do people ghost others as a way of ending a relationship? Disappearing off the face of the social media world may well present a way to avoid awkward confrontations and taking responsibility for the hurt caused. It also spares the ghoster from the hard work of empathizing with the rejected individual and dealing with their own uncomfortable emotions. And, in our fast-paced and busy world, cutting off all contact is often simply more convenient.&nbsp;



Technology may also contribute to the tendency to ghost as the many dating apps give us the idea that there are lots more “fish in the sea” and each individual is disposable. Just keep scrolling through the photos. Furthermore, if people believe that there is one true love for them out there, a soulmate as such, then they will be more keen to move on from a relationship that is proving to be different from their expectations.&nbsp;



Despite these potential explanations for why ghosting appears to be gaining in popularity as a neat and no-hassle way of moving on to other options, it remains that leaving a relationship in this way causes a type of ostracism that threatens a person’s basic psychological needs for belonging, self-esteem, meaningful existence and control.&nbsp;



The researchers report, in their publication in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/02654075221149955">Journal of Social and Personal Relationships</a>, that their results indicate participants with a higher need for closure are sometimes more likely to use ghosting to end their relationships because they feel this brings an abrupt end and a distinct close. However, these same participants reported lower needs satisfaction when ghosted by their partners than when directly rejected. The researchers report that “… the need for closure is less influential when deciding how to end a relationship, but it appears to play an important role in amplifying both positive and negative experiences within a relationship.”



“The individuals who were ghosted by a friend reported feeling just as bad about the relationship as those who wrote about a time when they were ghosted by a romantic partner,” Leckfor said. “In psychology in general, a lot of literature regarding adult relationships focuses on romantic relationships. This [research] shows that friendships are really important to study as well.”



It also relates back to the role of technology in our relationships. There have been several studies on how people initiate, maintain and end relationships without technology, but as more human connectivity moves to social media, dating apps, texting or Zoom, those relationships can change. And individual traits, such as a need for closure, will factor into how we use those technologies.



“Now, almost everybody uses these technologies to communicate and maintain these different types of relationships,” Leckfor said. “Knowing when these technologies can be helpful to build social connections or maintain your personal well-being, versus knowing when they might be harmful, is the end goal of what I hope my work in this area conveys to the public.”



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By <a href="mailto:bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Ghosting is harder on people with a high need for closure

Ghosting is the act of ending a relationship by cutting...

The most common type of hearing loss is sensorineural loss, which is caused by damage to cochlear hair cells. This condition is progressive because in humans and other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/solitary-mammals-live-shorter-lives-than-social-species/">mammals</a>, the cochlear hair cells cannot regenerate once they are lost or damaged.



People who are frequently exposed to loud noises, such as musicians and construction workers, have the greatest risk of sensorineural hearing loss, but it can affect anyone over time. 



In a new study from the <a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/del-monte-neuroscience.aspx">University of Rochester Medical Center</a>, researchers are working to identify the mechanisms which may promote cochlear hair cell regeneration.



“We know from our previous work that expression of an active growth gene, called ERBB2, was able to activate the growth of new hair cells (in mammals), but we didn’t fully understand why,” said Dr. Patricia White. That particular <a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/story/study-points-to-possible-new-therapy-for-hearing-loss">study</a>, led by Dr. Jingyuan Zhang, revealed that activating the growth gene ERBB2 pathway triggered a cascading series of cellular events through which cochlear support cells began to multiply and activate the creation of new sensory hair cells.&nbsp;



“This new study tells us how that activation is happening - a significant advance toward the ultimate goal of generating new cochlear hair cells in mammals,” said Dr. White.



The team used single-cell RNA sequencing in mice to analyze cells with an overactive growth gene (ERBB2 signaling). The results showed that ERBB2 promoted cell development by triggering the expression of multiple proteins and promoted "mitosis" - the process by which one cell divides into two cells. 



“When we checked this process in adult mice, we were able to show that ERBB2 expression drove the protein expression of SPP1 that is necessary to activate CD44 and grow new hair cells,” said study first author Dr. Dorota Piekna-Przybylska. “This discovery has made it clear that regeneration is not only restricted to the early stages of development. We believe we can use these findings to drive regeneration in adults.”



“We plan to further investigation of this phenomenon from a mechanistic perspective to determine whether it can improve auditory function after damage in mammals. That is the ultimate goal,” said Dr. White.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fncel.2022.1096872">Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience</a>.



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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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Can hearing loss be reversed in humans?

The most common type of hearing loss is sensorineural loss,...

Healthy,Food.,Balanced,Food,Cooking,Ingredients.,Clean,Diet,Eating.,Top

A team of researchers led by <a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/">Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health</a> has identified four healthy eating patterns that are associated with a lower risk of premature death. The eating patterns share key components including whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes.



According to the experts, study participants who scored high on adherence to at least one of the four healthy eating patterns were less likely to die during the study period from any cause, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, or respiratory disease.&nbsp;



The findings are consistent with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which provides advice on what to eat and drink to meet nutritional needs and prevent disease.



“The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are intended to provide science-based dietary advice that promotes good health and reduces major chronic diseases. Thus, it is critical to examine the associations between DGAs-recommended dietary patterns and long-term health outcomes, especially mortality,” explained study co-author Frank Hu.



The researchers analyzed data from more than 75,000 women who participated in the Nurses’ Health Study and 44,085 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. At the beginning of the research, all of the participants were free of cardiovascular disease or cancer. The individuals submitted dietary questionnaires every four years.&nbsp;



For the current investigation, the information was scored based on each of the four dietary pattern indexes: Healthy Eating Index 2015, Alternate Mediterranean Diet, Healthful Plant-based Diet Index, and the Alternate Healthy Eating Index. Participants with a high score on at least one of the indexes were found to have a lower risk of premature death from all causes.&nbsp;



“It is important to evaluate adherence to DGAs-recommended eating patterns and health outcomes, including mortality, so that timely updates can be made,” said Hu. “Our findings will be valuable for the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, which is being formed to evaluate current evidence surrounding different eating patterns and health outcomes.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2022.6117">JAMA Internal Medicine</a>.



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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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Healthy eating patterns reduce the risk of premature death

A team of researchers led by Harvard T.H. Chan School...

As Valentine’s Day approaches, the use of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tinder-dating-apps-sex-partners/">dating apps</a> by people aiming to make new romantic connections ramps up. Unfortunately, according to a new study led by <a href="https://www.gsu.edu/">Georgia State University</a>, as many people are looking for love, increasingly more scammers are looking for ways to steal their money – a process known as “online romance fraud.”



“We have this explosion of crime taking place online. In the physical world, maybe you can scam one or two people at a time. But thanks to social media and technology, a scammer can send an email or chat message to hundreds of people at once, just trawling for victims,” said study senior author Volkan Topalli, a professor of Criminal Justice at Georgia State. “The scammers are effective because they are experts in extracting funds from people, and they’re also experts in identifying a vulnerable target.”&nbsp;



According to a cybercrime&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2021_IC3Report.pdf">report</a>&nbsp;published by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in 2021, online romance fraud losses have spiked recently, reaching almost $956 million, and thus making romance fraud the third-ranked cybercrime overall in terms of losses.



By gathering data from over 10,000 online testimonials on websites where victims share their experiences (such as stop-scammers.com or male-scammers.com), the researchers aimed to identify risk and protective factors for those targeted by romance scammers in order to develop a model for victim vulnerability and resilience.



“We really wanted to take advantage of open intelligence data sources to find out what these fraudsters were doing that was so effective. The purpose is to identify patterns and uncover strategies that users can adopt to protect themselves,” said study lead author Fangzhou Wang, a doctoral student in Criminal Science at Georgia State.



The analysis revealed a set of common and frequently successful techniques of deception, including the use of visceral, emotional triggers or influences, the manufacturing of apparent crises, the exploitation of similarity and likeability, or the eliciting of the victims’ sense of guilt. Other red flags that dating app users should pay attention to are scammers quickly asking their victims to migrate the relationship away from the app to a private email or messaging service, or pushing their victims into making quick decisions.



According to the scientists, common risk factors for potential victims include a lack of familiarity with new technologies (particularly in older people) and overconfidence or inexperience with initiating relationships online (especially in younger people).



Since scammers tend to use very similar linguistic cues to deceive their victims, online service providers should develop algorithm-based predictive tools to detect fraudulent attempts. “Potentially, dating and social networking sites can draw from the information from our study to launch educational or awareness programs for those who were previously victims, and those who may be potential victims,” Wang said.



“There’s nothing wrong with starting a relationship online. But you’re basically putting yourself out in the Wild West. You always want to keep in mind what we call ‘cyber hygiene,’ which means really looking at your interactions online and the apps that you use and being very cognizant of protecting yourself,” Topalli concluded.



The study is published in the<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12103-022-09706-4"> American Journal of Criminal Justice</a>.&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Online romance fraud: how scammers target their victims

As Valentine’s Day approaches, the use of dating apps by...

It has long been known that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/feeling-lonely-and-unhappy-can-age-you-faster-than-smoking/">smoking</a> tobacco causes a wide variety of health problems, although there is not yet data on the long-term effects of vaping electronic cigarettes. A new study from <a href="https://www.ucla.edu/">UCLA</a> suggests that using electronic cigarettes, as well as smoking tobacco, can greatly increase the risk of developing a serious case of COVID.



Study lead author Dr. Theodoros Kelesidis explained that smoking and vaping may result in a predisposition to increased inflammation. This, in turn, increases the potential severity of developing cardiovascular complications from COVID infection.



The discovery has strengthened the opinions of researchers opposing the prolonged use of e-cigarettes, which are considered by many to be harmless.&nbsp;



“E-cigarette vapers may be at higher risk than non-smokers of developing infections and inflammatory disorders of the lungs,” said Dr. Kelesidis. “Electronic cigarettes are not harmless and should be used for only the shortest time possible in smoking cessation, and not at all by nonsmokers.”



For the investigation, the researchers collected plasma from 30 vapers, 29 cigarette smokers, and 45 non-smokers. This dataset was unique in that it was collected before the pandemic, helping them gain insight into how participants' bodies reacted upon catching COVID. The plasma was tested for furin, ACE2, Ang II, Ang1-7, and ADAM17, since-identified proteins required for SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) to replicate.



ADAM17 was of particular interest. This is a protein created by COVID-19 that consists of the proteins IL-6R, sCD163, and L-selectin. The tests found that the plasma from young vapers and smokers had increased levels of L-selectin, furin, and sCD163 when compared to those who did not smoke or vape.&nbsp;



The results suggest that furin and ADAM17 are more prominent in the immune cells of vapers and smokers, as well as in surface cells such as those found in the lung lining.



Whilst the study was limited in size and limited to blood plasma instead of also using tissue samples, the researchers still found a clear correlation between smokers, vapers, and COVID severity.&nbsp;



“The key message is that smoking is the worst, but vaping is not innocent,” said Dr. Kelesidis. “This has been shown for many lung diseases but not for COVID. It was quite an interesting and novel finding that vaping changed the levels of key proteins that the virus uses to replicate.”



The research findings have been published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00109-023-02286-8">Journal of Molecular Medicine</a>.&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:calumvaughan05@gmail.com">Calum Vaughan</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Young people who smoke or vape have a higher risk of severe COVID

It has long been known that smoking tobacco causes a...

People all over the world are living for longer and there is a focus on finding interventions to combat the chronic diseases that so often plague people as they age. It is known that people age at different rates and this is apparent even by mid-life. Therefore measures to slow down the rate of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aging-turns-lymph-nodes-into-fat-impairing-immunity/">aging</a>, when applied early enough, may have the effect of extending healthy life span and improving the quality of life.&nbsp;



One factor that may have the potential to slow down aging is the amount of water we drink. Previous research has shown that mice with restricted access to water die six months earlier than mice with unrestricted access. This shortened lifespan was associated with degenerative changes within multiple organ systems in the dehydrated mice. Hypohydration (not drinking enough water) in mice and humans causes the body to engage multiple mechanisms to conserve water, such as producing concentrated urine and secreting hormones to prevent water loss. It is also associated with an increase in the concentration of sodium in the blood.&nbsp;



Sodium is an essential mineral that we take in with our food. It is needed in the body for regulating blood pressure and fluid balance, and for maintaining healthy nerves and muscles. A normal blood sodium level is between 135 and 146&nbsp;mmoles per liter, but levels that are too high or too low are not healthy. The concentration of sodium in our blood increases when we do not drink enough water, and decreases when we do. Therefore, hypohydration in humans goes hand-in-hand with high serum levels of sodium.



Scientists under the auspices of the National Institutes of Health have now investigated the links between the levels of sodium in the blood and a variety of markers of biological aging in a cohort of 11,255 adults. The participants gave information on variables such as their systolic blood pressure, and their cholesterol and blood sugar levels, at five medical visits. The first two visits took place when the participants were in their 50s, and the last took place when participants were between 70 and 90 years of age, more than 20 years.&nbsp;



To allow for a fair comparison between how hydration correlated with health outcomes, researchers excluded adults who had high levels of serum sodium at the start of the study, as well as those with underlying conditions, like obesity, that could affect serum sodium levels.&nbsp;They also adjusted for factors, like age, race, biological sex, smoking status, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/high-blood-pressure">hypertension</a>. The 15 biomarkers gave information on how each person’s cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic, renal, and immune system was functioning.&nbsp;



The results of the analysis, published in the online journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104404">eBioMedicine</a>, showed that adults with serum sodium levels at the higher end of a normal range were more likely to develop chronic conditions and show signs of advanced biological aging than those with serum sodium levels in the medium or lower ranges. Adults with higher levels were also more likely to die at a younger age. This highlights the importance of remaining hydrated so that sodium concentrations in the blood remain at the lower end of the normal range.



“The results suggest that proper hydration may slow down aging and prolong a disease-free life,” said Natalia Dmitrieva, Ph.D., a study author and researcher in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/science/cardiovascular-regenerative-medicine">Laboratory of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine</a>&nbsp;at the <a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/">National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute</a> (NHLBI), part of NIH.  &nbsp;



The study expands on previous research by the scientists, published in March 2022, which found links between higher ranges of normal serum sodium levels and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/news/2022/good-hydration-may-reduce-long-term-risks-heart-failure">increased risks for heart failure.</a>&nbsp;These findings, along with the current ones, came from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/science/atherosclerosis-risk-communities-aric-study">Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (</a>ARIC) study, which includes sub-studies involving thousands of Black and white adults from throughout the United States.&nbsp;



Adults with sodium levels above 142 mmol/l had a 10–15 percent higher risk of being biologically older than their chronological age, as assessed by their metabolic and cardiovascular health, lung function and inflammation. Those with levels of above 144 mmol/l showed a 50 percent increase in risk. Furthermore, participants with sodium levels of 144.5–146 mmol/l were associated with a 21 percent increased risk of premature death, when compared to those with concentrations of between 137 and 142 mmol/l.



Similarly, adults with serum sodium levels above 142 mmol/l had up to a 64 percent increased associated risk for developing chronic diseases like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/heart-failure">heart failure, stroke, </a><a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/atrial-fibrillation">atrial fibrillation</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/peripheral-artery-disease">peripheral artery disease</a>, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/BreatheBetter">chronic lung disease</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/resources/what-diabetes">diabetes</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-is-dementia">dementia</a>. Conversely, adults with serum sodium levels between 138–140 mmol/l had the lowest risk of developing chronic disease.   &nbsp; &nbsp; There is considerable variation in the amount of fluid people consume daily, but previous research has found that a large proportion of people worldwide do not take in the recommended amounts and are hypohydrated. According to the results of the current study, optimal hydration can potentially slow down the aging process and reduce the risk of developing serious health complications during aging. This will result in a longer, disease-free lifespan.&nbsp;



“People whose serum sodium is 142 mmol/l or higher would benefit from evaluation of their fluid intake,” Dmitrieva said. She noted that most people can safely increase their fluid intake to meet recommended levels, which can be done with water as well as other fluids, like juices, or vegetables and fruits with a high water content. The&nbsp;<a href="https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/10925/chapter/6">National Academies of Medicine</a>, for example, suggest that most women should consume around 6–9 cups (1.5–2.2 liters) of fluids daily and men 8–12 cups (2–3 liters). 



Some people may need medical guidance about water intake if they have underlying health conditions. “The goal is to ensure patients are taking in enough fluids, while assessing factors like medications, that may lead to fluid loss,” said Manfred Boehm, M.D., a study author and director of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/science/cardiovascular-regenerative-medicine#Meet-the-Team">Laboratory of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine</a>. “Doctors may also need to defer to a patient’s current treatment plan, such as limiting fluid intake for heart failure.”



“On the global level, this can have a big impact,” Dmitrieva added. “Decreased body water content is the most common factor that increases serum sodium, which is why the results suggest that staying well hydrated may slow down the aging process and prevent or delay chronic disease.” &nbsp;



Because this was a correlational study, the findings don’t prove a causal effect, the researchers noted. Randomized, controlled trials are necessary to determine if optimal hydration can promote healthy aging, prevent disease, and lead to a longer life. However, the associations can still inform clinical practice and guide personal health behavior.  &nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:bosman@truewan.co.za">Alison Bosman</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Drinking water is the key to a long and healthy life

People all over the world are living for longer and...

Strawberries are one of the most accessible and popular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fruits-and-vegetables-can-reduce-adhd-symptoms/">fruits</a> in the United States. They are rich in vitamin C and a variety of other nutrients and beneficial bioactive compounds. Recently, two studies presented at the <a href="https://berryhealth.org/9th-biennial-berry-health-benefits-symposium/">9th Biennial Berry Health Benefits Symposium</a> (BHBS) in Tampa, Florida have shown that these fruits may also promote heart health and generally improve cardiometabolic health.



“The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study showed that a diet low in fruit is among the top three risk factors for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. To address the “fruit gap” we need to increase the amount of total fruit consumed as well as the diversity of fruit in the diet.&nbsp;Accumulating evidence in cardiometabolic health suggests that&nbsp;as little as one cup of strawberries per day may show beneficial effects,” said Britt Burton-Freeman, an expert in Healthy Aging at the <a href="https://www.iit.edu/">Illinois Institute of Technology</a>.



According to the scientists, there are many cardiometabolic benefits of strawberries, including decreased total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the so-called “bad cholesterol”), decreased oxidative stress and inflammation, decreased insulin resistance, decreased blood sugar, and increased vascular relaxation and tone.



For instance, one randomized controlled crossover <a href="about:blank">trial</a> of 33 obese adults has found that daily consumption of two-and-a-half cups of strawberries significantly improved insulin resistance and moderately improved high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles. “Our study supports the hypothesis that strawberry consumption can improve cardiometabolic risks,” explained lead investigator Arpita Basu, an associate professor of Nutrition Sciences at the <a href="https://www.unlv.edu/">University of Nevada, Las Vegas</a>.&nbsp;“Furthermore, we believe&nbsp;this evidence supports the role of strawberries in a ‘food as medicine’ approach for the prevention of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in adults.”&nbsp;&nbsp;



In another <a href="about:blank">study</a>, 34 adult men and women with moderate hypercholesterolemia were found to have improved vascular function one hour after strawberry intake, as indicated by flow-mediated dilation.



These findings highlight the multiple benefits of strawberries and open new paths for the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic disorders.&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Strawberries promote cardiometabolic health

Strawberries are one of the most accessible and popular fruits...

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects nearly 30 percent of the global population and, over time, can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. While there are no approved drug treatments or effective cures for this condition yet, previous research has shown that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/its-not-how-much-but-how-often-we-exercise-that-counts/">exercise</a> can improve liver fat, physical fitness, body composition, and quality of life for patients diagnosed with this disease. However, the precise “dose” of exercise to help NAFLD patients achieve clinically meaningful improvements (defined as at least a 30 percent reduction of liver fat) has remained a mystery for decades.



Now, by reviewing 14 studies with a total of 551 subjects with NAFLD who participated in randomized, controlled trials involving exercise interventions, a team of researchers from <a href="https://www.psu.edu/">Pennsylvania State University</a> has found that 150 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic activity per week can significantly reduce liver fat.



“Our findings can give physicians the confidence to prescribe exercise as a treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,” said study lead author Jonathan Stine, an associate professor of Medicine and Public Health at Penn State. “Having a target amount of physical activity to aim for will be useful for health care and exercise professionals to develop personalized approaches as they help patients modify their lifestyles and become more physically active.”



The analysis revealed that, independent of weight loss, exercise training was 3½ times more likely to reduce liver fat compared to standard clinical care. Moreover, the experts found that 39 percent of patients prescribed greater than or equal to 750 metabolic equivalents of task per week (such as 150 minute of brisk walking) achieved significant responses compared to only 26 percent of those prescribed lesser amounts of exercise.



“Exercise is a lifestyle modification, so the fact that it might match the ability of in-development therapeutics to achieve the same outcome is significant. Clinicians counseling patients with NAFLD should recommend this amount of activity to their patients. Brisk walking or light cycling for half an hour a day five times a week is just one example of a program that would meet these criteria,” Stine concluded.



The study is published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.14309/ajg.0000000000002098">The American Journal of Gastroenterology</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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150 minutes of exercise per week reduces liver fat

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects nearly 30 percent of...

A team of scientists led by the <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/">University of Sydney</a> has recently discovered a protein in the human lungs that blocks <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-19-remains-a-global-health-emergency/">Covid-19</a> infection and thus acts as a natural protective barrier in the organism. The leucine-rich repeat-containing protein 15 (LRRC15) is an inbuilt receptor which binds to the coronavirus without passing the infection. This discovery could open new pathways for developing drugs to prevent infection or even help curing fibrosis in the lungs.



“Alongside two other groups, one at Oxford, the other at Brown and Yale in the USA, we found a new receptor in the LRRC15 protein that can stop SARS-CoV-2. We found that this new receptor acts by binding to the virus and sequestering it which reduces infection,” said study senior author Gregory Neely, a professor of Functional Genomics at Sydney.



“For me, as an immunologist, the fact that there’s this natural immune receptor that we didn’t know about, that’s lining our lungs and blocks and controls virus, that’s crazy interesting. We can now use this new receptor to design broad acting drugs that can block viral infection or even suppress lung fibrosis.”



SARS-CoV-2 infects humans by using a spike protein that binds to a specific receptor in our cells called the&nbsp;angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Since human lungs have high levels of ACE2 receptor, the virus often causes severe problems in this organ. Although, like ACE2, LRRC15 is also a receptor for the coronavirus, it does not help propagating infection, but rather sticks to the virus and immobilizes it, while preventing other vulnerable cells from becoming infected.



“We think it acts a bit like Velcro, molecular Velcro, in that it sticks to the spike of the virus and then pulls it away from the target cell types,” explained study lead author Lipin Loo, a postdoctoral fellow in RNA Therapies at Sydney.



“Basically, the virus is coated in the other part of the Velcro, and while it’s trying to get to the main receptor, it can get caught up in this mesh of LRRC15,” added co-author Matthew Waller, a PhD student at the same university.



While LRRC15 is present in many areas of the body, including lungs, skin, placenta, fibroblasts, and lymph nodes, the experts found that, after infection with SARS-CoV-2, the lungs light up with such receptors.



“When we stain the lungs of healthy tissue, we don’t see much of LRRC15, but then in Covid-19 lungs, we see much more of the protein,” Loo&nbsp;said. “We think this newly identified protein could be part of our body’s natural response to combating the infection by creating a barrier that physically separates the virus from our lung cells most sensitive to Covid-19.”



“Since this receptor can block Covid-19 infection, and at the same time activate our body’s anti-virus response, and suppress our body’s fibrosis response, this is a really important new gene. This finding can help us develop new antiviral and antifibrotic medicines to help treat pathogenic coronaviruses, and possibly other viruses or other situations where lung fibrosis occurs,” Neely concluded.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.3001967">PLoS Biology</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Scientists find a receptor that blocks Covid-19 infection

A team of scientists led by the University of Sydney...

Why do some people care about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-earths-thermostat-control-the-climate/">climate</a> change while others may not?&nbsp; A new study analyzes the factors that drive environmental concern to understand how we can bolster support for combating climate change.



The effects of climate change are already visible and impacting our daily lives. Yet among the European population, climate change and the environment are not a top priority. Policy decision making is key to addressing these issues, but this requires strong, public support. To encourage climate action, understanding determinants of environmental concern is key.&nbsp;



Jonas Peisker, a researcher in the <a href="https://iiasa.ac.at/">IIASA</a> Population and Just Societies Program, has investigated how environmental preferences in 206 European regions are shaped by socioeconomic, geographical, and meteorological circumstances. The goal was to collect data on various socioeconomic and environmental perspectives. 



“While previous research has only considered a few contextual influences at a time, this study allows for a comparison of their relative importance, including also factors that differ mostly between regions, such as inequality, income level, or geographical features.” said Peisker.



The study analyzed surveys conducted between 2009 and 2019 combined with measures of the regional economy, population, geography, environmental quality, and meteorological events.



Favorable economic conditions, such as a relatively high income level and low inflation, was a key factor driving environmental concern. This is likely related to the idea of a “finite pool of worry” where more immediate issues like economic security override less immediate issues like climate change.&nbsp;



Interestingly, rising energy prices lowered environmental concerns up to a certain point at which environmental concerns started to rise as well, according to the study. 



Regions with greenhouse gas-intensive industries had lower environmental concern. This is likely due to the potential effects on economic competitiveness in the transition from fossil to clean technology. Environmental factors, such as having a low-elevation coastline, also influenced environmental concern. Overall, socioeconomic context proved to be more important.&nbsp;



These results demonstrate how a more equal distribution of income and wealth can positively&nbsp; impact on the prioritization of environmental issues. Social cohesion and a just transition to carbon neutrality are key to gaining public support for environmental policy.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“Climate policy and environmental protection are likely to be unpopular if they are increasing income and wealth inequality, inflation, and unemployment. Therefore, a way to support climate action could be to emphasize the co-benefits of environmental policy, for instance, positive employment effects of the transition to renewable energy sources," said Peisker.



The research is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2023.102636">Global Environmental Change</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:katherinebucko@gmail.com">Katherine Bucko</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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What motivates people to protect the environment?

Why do some people care about climate change while others...

Citizen science projects include <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-create-a-landscape-of-fear-for-wildlife/">wildlife</a> recording activities that provide crucial data for assessing environmental change. A new study published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10432">People and Nature</a> has found that science itself is not the only beneficiary of citizen science projects. According to the experts, engagement in such projects promotes well-being and a stronger connection to nature.&nbsp;



The experts enrolled 500 volunteers from across the United Kingdom and randomly assigned them to carry out a ten-minute nature-based activity at least five times during a period of eight days. The activities included a pollinating insects survey, a butterfly survey, simply spending time in nature and writing down three “good things” they noticed, or a combination of survey and observation activities. Then, the researchers developed a questionnaire to assess the differences in participants’ connection to nature, well-being, and pro-nature behavior.



The analysis revealed that all volunteers showed increased feelings of well-being and connectedness to nature after completing their assigned activities. Some of their comments included: “it gave me permission to slow down,” “it made me more aware of nature in all aspects of the environment,” and “it reminded me that small things can make a big difference to my mood.”



Moreover, those who were asked to write down three good things about their natural surroundings reported they were more likely to engage in pro-nature behaviors after the experiments, such as planting more pollinator-friendly plants in their garden or creating shelters for wildlife.



“Being in and around nature is good for our well-being, and we’ve shown that focused, active engagement with nature is just as important – whether that is ‘mindful moments’ in nature or taking part in citizen science,” said study lead author Michael Pocock, an ecologist and academic lead for public engagement with research at the <a href="https://www.ceh.ac.uk/">UK Center for Ecology &amp; Hydrology</a> (UKCEH).



“This has been a valuable exercise for us in exploring how we can make citizen science even better. We now know that if we design future projects with additional nature-noticing activities, for example, we can enhance people’s own connection to nature, while still collecting valuable data.”



“People connect with nature in different ways, so it’s great to see nature-based citizen science can provide another form of active engagement that can strengthen the human-nature relationship,” added co-author Miles Richardson, an expert in Nature Connectedness at the <a href="https://www.derby.ac.uk/">University of Derby</a>. “When combined with noticing the positive emotions nature can bring, citizen science and help unite both human and nature’s well-being.”



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By <a href="mailto:andrei.ionescu5891@gmail.com">Andrei Ionescu</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Citizen scientists gain a stronger connection with nature

Citizen science projects include wildlife recording activities that provide crucial...

Calorie restriction, which has been proven to slow <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/managing-negative-emotions-may-prevent-dementia/">aging</a> in animals, has now produced evidence of slowing the pace of biological aging in humans.&nbsp;



An international team of researchers led by the Butler Columbia Aging Center at the <a href="https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/">Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health</a> conducted a randomized controlled trial of healthy adults that is the first of its kind.&nbsp;



“In worms, flies, and mice, calorie restriction can slow biological processes of aging and extend healthy lifespan," explained study senior author Daniel Belsky, “Our study aimed to test if calorie restriction also slows biological aging in humans.”



The CALERIE™ trial measured participants’ blood DNA using the algorithm DunedinPACE (Pace of Aging, Computed from the Epigenome). The calorie intervention resulted in a two top three percent slowing in the pace of aging. In other studies, this translates to a 10 to 15 percent reduction in mortality risk, an effect similar to a smoking cessation intervention.&nbsp;



The trial randomized 220 healthy men and women to a 25 percent calorie-restriction or normal diet for two years.&nbsp; To measure biological aging, blood samples were collected from the participants at pre-intervention baseline and after 12- and 24-month follow-ups.&nbsp;



The team analyzed methylation marks on DNA extracted from white blood cells. DNA methylation marks are chemical tags on the DNA sequence that regulate the expression of genes and are known to change with aging.



In the primary analysis, three measurements of the DNA methylation data were used. These measurements are sometimes known as “epigenetic clocks.”&nbsp;



The first two clocks, the PhenoAge and GrimAge clocks, estimate biological age, or the age at which a person’s biology would appear “normal." These provide a static measure of how much aging a person has experienced. The third measure studied was DunedinPACE, which estimates the pace of aging, or the rate of biological deterioration over time, much like a “speedometer”.



“In contrast to the results for DunedinPace, there were no effects of intervention on other epigenetic clocks,” said study co-lead author Calen Ryan. “The difference in results suggests that dynamic ‘pace of aging’ measures like DunedinPACE may be more sensitive to the effects of intervention than measures of static biological age.”



While calorie restriction may not be possible for everyone, the study provides evidence that slowing human aging may be possible. A follow-up trial is now ongoing to determine if the intervention had long-term effects on healthy aging.&nbsp;



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/nataging/">Nature Aging</a>.



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By <a href="mailto:katherinebucko@gmail.com">Katherine Bucko</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer



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Calorie restriction makes it possible to slow down aging

Calorie restriction, which has been proven to slow aging in...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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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?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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Santiago, Chile in South America

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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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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.

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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 history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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 capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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