We like to think our shopping decisions come down to personal preference. But then a friend gives a quick nod of approval to a pair of sneakers, and suddenly the choice just feels right - almost without a second thought.



A new project led by Jia Jin at <a href="http://en.sbm.shisu.edu.cn/main.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shanghai International Studies University</a> suggests that this social nudge reaches past surface influence and into coordinated brain activity. 



The researchers tracked more than 100 undergraduates for an entire semester and logged every change in their friendship network. 



In a separate experiment, the team scanned dozens of the student's brains while they watched a series of advertisements together.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-friends-shape-our-shopping-opinions">Friends shape our shopping opinions</h2>



The behavioral part of the study began with 175 students who rated everyday products on price, quality, and appeal. Agreement was strongest for practical gadgets but still showed up for status items such as branded shoes.



Over 16 weeks of campus life, the friendships ebbed and flowed, and the rating data shifted with them. Pairs who grew closer showed steadily shrinking opinion gaps, while pairs who drifted apart edged toward stranger‑level disagreement.



“Friends, compared to nonfriends, exhibit higher similarity in product evaluation,” explained Jin. By week 16, average distance within friend pairs had dropped by an extra eight percent - a subtle but reliable change that mirrored the strengthening ties.



In 2018, <a href="https://bri.ucla.edu/people/carolyn-parkinson/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Carolyn Parkinson</a> observed that <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5790806" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neural responses</a> when viewing audiovisual movies are exceptionally similar among friends. The new project extends that insight from entertainment to the daily act of spending money.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shopping-ads-and-syncing-brains">Shopping ads and syncing brains</h2>



The imaging portion of the study placed 47 volunteers into a 3‑tesla scanner and recorded oxygen‑related signals with fMRI while each watched sixty short commercials beside a friend. 



The pair's brain activity revealed cortical areas lighting up in near unison, almost like two stereos tuned to the same station.



The alignment, or <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/integrative-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/neuro.07.017.2009/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neural synchrony</a>, emerged most strongly in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the precuneus. These brain regions are known for weighing value, recalling personal associations, and judging social meaning. 



When a shiny logo flashed, friends’ reward circuits rose and fell together, suggesting that the brand carried comparable weight for both people.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-friendship-and-shopping-preferences">Friendship and shopping preferences </h2>



A follow‑up <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/human-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2014.00445/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meta‑analysis</a> linked the shared activity to object perception, visual attention, memory consolidation, and reward processing, weaving a tidy bridge from perception to choice. 



Strangers placed in the same room and shown the identical ads displayed weaker, noisier patterns with no consistent overlap across those networks.



Notably, shopping-related brain synchrony shifted with self-reported closeness. Friends who rated their bond a perfect ten showed almost twice the inter-brain correlation seen in weaker pairs, hinting that emotional intimacy tunes friends’ shopping responses.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicting-what-your-buddy-will-buy">Predicting what your buddy will buy</h2>



Jin’s group next trained a ridge regression model on each volunteer’s functional connectivity map, feeding the algorithm patterns from hundreds of brain regions rather than surface‑level behavior. 



The model learned to flag a yes‑or‑no intention to buy every product shown onscreen.



Accuracy reached 63 percent for predicting the participant’s own choice and 59 percent for forecasting a friend’s choice, both comfortably above the 50 percent chance line. 



Because the algorithm needed only the viewer’s brain data, the result serves as a proof of concept for inferring another person’s future action from a third‑party scan.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-taking-advantage-of-social-bonds">Taking advantage of social bonds</h2>



Marketers see a goldmine in this possibility - envisioning perfectly timed, personalized ads delivered in key social moments. 



Privacy advocates, on the other hand, see a Trojan horse, cautioning that neuromarketing could shift from tracking group behavior to probing individual minds.



For now, the researchers emphasize that the predictive edge applies only to close ties. The machine guessed the intentions of a randomly paired stranger no better than a coin toss, showing that the social bond is the secret sauce.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-neural-similarity-matters">Why neural similarity matters</h2>



Social scientists label this pull <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/homophily" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">homophily</a>, the tendency to gravitate toward people who see the world as we do. The current paper suggests the arrow points both ways, because new data show we also come to see the world more similarly after the friendship forms.



A hyperscanning <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-51990-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> last year found the opposite trend during open‑ended conversation, in which friends diverged and strangers converged as the chat unfolded. 



The result hints that context decides whether shared history promotes alignment or encourages partners to seek novelty.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shopping-and-friends-the-feedback-loop">Shopping and friends: The feedback loop</h2>



Dartmouth <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36519530/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">researchers</a> have shown that synchronized activity in the posterior cingulate during live storytelling predicts how accurately friends recall the plot the next day. Overlapping signals may mark moments the group deems important.



Taken together, the data portray shopping and friendship as a feedback loop: similar minds become friends, and friendship shapes those minds to stay in sync, especially in shopping choices. This shaping explains how social norms form quickly within tight circles.



Shared brain patterns help explain viral fashion crazes, speculative bubbles, and information cascades on social media. 



A flashy post that resonates with one member of a tight‑knit group can ripple outward through synchronized attention and reward circuits, turning a niche trend into a crowd movement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-the-study-0">Broader implications of the study</h2>



Educators designing group projects might harness the same principle. Placing students with strong positive ties together could amplify engagement and recall, while carefully mixing near‑strangers might spark creative friction and prevent echo chambers.



Clinicians are exploring whether disrupted synchrony signals social difficulties in autism and schizophrenia. If so, friendship‑driven alignment could serve as a healthy benchmark, guiding therapies that aim to restore interpersonal attunement.



The present work leaves one puzzle unsolved: Does deeper neural similarity in shopping spark the friendship, or do friends shape that similarity? Only longitudinal scans that begin before two people meet can settle the debate.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.jneurosci.org/content/early/2025/06/12/JNEUROSCI.0073-25.2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Neuroscience</a>.



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Friends affect how our brain responds to shopping

We like to think our shopping decisions come down to personal preference. But then a friend gives a quick nod of approval to a pair of sneakers, and suddenly the choice just feels right - almost without a second thought. A new project led by Jia Jin at Shanghai International Studies University suggests that this social nudge reaches past surface influence and into coordinated brain activity. The researchers tracked more than 100 undergraduates for an entire semester and logged every change in their friendship network. In a...

Researchers at <a href="https://wsu.edu/">Washington State University</a> have found scientific evidence that people who travel frequently are significantly happier than those who do not. The study also revealed that individuals who are constantly thinking about and discussing their travel plans are more likely to go on regular vacations. 

"This research shows the more people talk about and plan vacations the more likely they are to take them," said study lead author Chun-Chu Chen. "If you are like me and chomping at the bit to get out of dodge and see someplace new, this research will hopefully be some additional good motivation to start planning your next vacation."

The researchers set out to examine whether frequent travelers have higher levels of life satisfaction, and why these individuals travel more frequently than others. 

A survey of 500 respondents showed that individuals who personally value tourism are more likely to gather travel-relevant information, which leads to more frequent traveling. 

The team also found that frequent travelers are, in fact, more satisfied with their life. The findings indicate that travel and tourism can be an important life domain affecting how people evaluate their overall quality of life.

Survey participants who reported regularly traveling at least 75 miles away from home also reported being substantially happier when asked about their overall well-being.  

Previous studies that examined the health and wellness benefits of tourism experiences, including stress relief, were primarily focused on the effect of a single trip or vacation. The current investigation looked at the sustained benefits of travel over the course of a year.

"While things like work, family life and friends play a bigger role in overall reports of well-being, the accumulation of travel experiences does appear to have a small yet noticeable effect on self-reported life satisfaction," said Chen. "It really illustrates the importance of being able to get out of your routine and experience new things."

When travel restrictions due to COVID-19 begin to relax, the research could have important implications for both tourists and the tourism industry. Chen said that based on the results of the study, travel companies, resorts, and even airlines could launch social media campaigns to spark people's interest in discussing their opinions about travel.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://cognizantcommunication.com/publication/tourism-analysis-an-interdisciplinary-tourism-hospitality-journal/">Tourism Analysis</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

People who travel frequently are happier

Researchers at Washington State University have found scientific evidence that...

Both teens and adults who vape are more likely to report difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/focus-on-the-positive-to-make-better-decisions-during-turbulent-times/">decisions</a>, according to researchers at the <a href="https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/">University of Rochester Medical Center</a> (URMC). The results of two separate investigations confirmed the link between vaping and mental fog. 

The experts also found that kids were more likely to experience mental fog if they started vaping before the age of 14.

Previous studies have uncovered an association between vaping and mental impairment in animals, but the URMC team is the first to establish the same link in humans. 

"Our studies add to growing evidence that vaping should not be considered a safe alternative to tobacco smoking," said lead author Dr. Dongmei Li.

The studies, which were published in the journals Tobacco Induced Diseases and Plos One, were focused on the response of over 18,000 middle and high school students in the National Youth Tobacco Survey. Data was also analyzed from adults who participated in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System phone survey, including more than 886,000 responses.

The surveys asked similar questions about smoking and vaping habits, as well as about issues with memory, attention, and mental function.

The analysis revealed that people who smoke and vape are most likely to report struggling with mental function, regardless of their age. Following just behind that group, people who only vape or only smoke reported mental fog at similar rates that were significantly higher than those reported by people who do neither. 

Among teens, those who started vaping as early as eight to 13 years old were more likely to have difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.

"With the recent rise in teen vaping, this is very concerning and suggests that we need to intervene even earlier," said Dr. Li. "Prevention programs that start in middle or high school might actually be too late."

According to the researchers, adolescence is a critical period for brain development, especially for executive mental function, which means tweens and teens may be more susceptible to nicotine-induced brain changes. 

The experts noted that further studies are needed to follow kids and adults over time in order to gain a better understanding of the cause and effect of vaping and mental fog.

The study is published in the journal <a href="http://www.tobaccoinduceddiseases.org/">Tobacco Induced Diseases</a>. 

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Vaping interferes with memory, focus, and decision-making

Both teens and adults who vape are more likely to...

In the midst of one of the worst <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/people-value-nature-more-during-covid-19-pandemic/">pandemics</a> in modern history, many people are following CDC and WHO recommendations to wear face coverings in public to help slow the spread of COVID-19. A new study from <a href="https://www.wisc.edu/">UW Madison</a> has investigated how face masks may affect a child's ability to communicate and interpret the emotions of others. 

"Of particular concern for parents and teachers is how wearing masks might impact children’s social interactions," wrote the study authors.  

"While much research has documented how children infer emotions from facial configurations and how this ability predicts children’s social and academic competence, uncertain is how children make these inferences when part of the face is occluded by a mask. The current study explores how children draw emotional inferences from faces partially occluded by surgical masks and, as a comparison, sunglasses."

The researchers determined that the use of face coverings does not always prevent children from recognizing facial expressions, despite the fact that many nonverbal cues are no longer visible. 

"We now have this situation where adults and kids have to interact all the time with people whose faces are partly covered, and a lot of adults are wondering if that's going to be a problem for children's emotional development," said study lead author Ashley Ruba.

For the investigation, children between the ages 7 to 13 were shown photographs of faces displaying sadness, anger, or fear. The faces were either covered by a surgical mask or sunglasses. The children correctly identified sadness about 28 percent of the time, anger 27 percent of the time, and fear 18 percent of the time.

"Not surprisingly, it was tougher with parts of the faces covered. But even with a mask covering the nose and mouth, the kids were able to identify these emotions at a rate better than chance," explained Ruba.

The results reflect differences in the way emotional information is conveyed by the face. For example, sunglasses made it more difficult to recognize anger and fear, which indicates that the eyes and eyebrows are important to those facial expressions. Fear was also the trickiest emotion for children to identify behind a mask.

The findings suggest that if children perform better than chance at recognizing emotions with a mask in place, they are likely to do even better in real-life situations.

"Emotions aren't conveyed solely through your face," said Ruba. "Vocal inflections, the way that someone positions their body, and what's going on around them, all that other information helps us make better predictions about what someone is feeling."

The research shows that children can grow in their emotional capabilities, even if some of their social interactions are happening through face coverings.

"I hope this settles some nerves," said Ruba. "Kids are really resilient. They're able to adjust to the information they're given, and it doesn't look like wearing masks will slow down their development in this case."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/">PLOS ONE</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Face masks do not slow the emotional development of children

In the midst of one of the worst pandemics in...

The time has come for New Year's resolutions, when many of us will set ambitious goals to improve our lives in 2021. But a new study from the <a href="https://www.rochester.edu/">University of Rochester</a> suggests that this year, we must change our approach to making resolutions. According to Professor Richard Ryan, goals that involve giving to others are not only the most satisfying, but may also be the most necessary as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on.

"There are many goals that even when achieved will not bring people more happiness. A goal of making more money, for example, may get a person working harder, but may actually leave them less connected to others, or feeling less autonomy on a day-to-day basis. It could make the person less happy. Goals that work are ones where we can find real satisfaction in achieving them."

Professor Ryan is a clinical psychologist and an international expert on human motivation. His advice on resolutions is that most of the time people are simply not successful at following through with them. 

"The saddest part is that most people don't succeed at their January 1 resolutions. But that is because most of these midnight resolutions look more like pressure coming from the outside - an attempt to look better, relieve guilt, or meet the standards of others."

"Losing weight, for example, is one of the most common New Year's goals and one that people tend to do poorly at. Part of the reason for that is where it's coming from: it's often coming from internal or external pressure - as opposed to a goal that's something that you might intrinsically value such as having more health or vitality. If the goal is one that is not 'authentic' and not really coming from your own values or interests, the energy for it fades fast."

However, Professor Ryan notes that any occasion that gives us an opportunity to reflect on our lives is ultimately a good thing. "Whenever that happens, if it's really a reflective change - something that you put your heart behind - that can be good for people."

"For most of us, if we give ourselves occasional moments of reflection-taking the time to really think about what's going well in our lives and what really matters-we can usually identify some things we could change."

"Often that means listening to that little nagging feeling about the things that we know would improve our lives. It means allowing ourselves to tune into that inner signal in an open, non-defensive way and to consider the possibilities and the choices that you really have. In truth, there are always ways to make life better, but the road upward need not be a painful one - if you are going in the right direction."

In a decades-long collaboration with fellow Rochester Professor Edward Deci, Ryan developed the self-determination theory (SDT), one of the most widely accepted frameworks of human motivation in contemporary behavioral science. The theory, which is based on the idea that all humans have the natural tendency to behave in effective and healthy ways, may explain what truly motivates people to stick with certain goals.

Acts of kindness toward others satisfy all three of the basic psychological needs identified in Professor Ryan's theory - autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Competence gives us a sense of accomplishment, while autonomy helps us find personal value. Relatedness can be achieved by working with and feeling connected to others.

"If you want to make a New Year's resolution that really makes you happy, think about the ways in which you can contribute to the world. All three of these basic needs are fulfilled. The research shows it's not just good for the world but also really good for you."

"We found that when people are focused on giving to others they experience deeper satisfactions than when their goals are more self-oriented. For example, experiments show that doing something benevolent for others, even when you will never meet the beneficiary, increases your positive mood and energy." 

"Most recently, we published a study about what we call people's 'integrative span.' We discovered that your happiness increases as your focus of concern and care gets wider. If your main concerns and cares are narrow and selfish - just about 'me and the people very close to me' versus about "my family and my community' versus about 'the larger world and everything in it' - the less happy you are prone to be. A broader scope of caring and concern for others, in contrast, predicts a higher well-being."

So, now it is time to settle on our resolutions. How do we set goals that we are most likely to achieve? "Beyond the focus of your goals, there are some key elements to success at any resolution you might make," says Professor Ryan.

"First, make sure your goal is one you truly embrace - that you are fully behind and care about. An achievable goal is also one that is not abstract, like 'improve my health' but concrete - such as 'increase my daily step count' or 'drink sparkling water rather than sugared soda at lunch.' These latter goals are clear and achievable in a way that a vague global resolution can never be. Once having a clear aim, the next step is making a realistic plan on how and when it will be implemented."

"Just as important, research shows that the more you can make achieving your resolution fun and 'intrinsically motivated' the more you'll persist. For example, a plan to increase your step count might include a walk each day with a good friend - which will both achieve your step goal and satisfy relatedness needs. By finding an activity that both gets you to your goal and that you actually enjoy - or at least don't find aversive - you'll be more likely to carry on."

"Finally, successful resolutions are usually built upon optimal challenges. Setting the bar too high will feel discouraging and lead to disengagement. Keep in mind that with almost any long-term goal the best strategy is to set small incremental goals - not 'I'm going to climb Everest' but rather 'I'm going to take these first few steps toward base camp.'"

The study is published in the <a href="https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/psp">Journal of Personality and Social Psychology</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

&nbsp;

New Year's resolutions are more satisfying when they're focused on others

The time has come for New Year's resolutions, when many...

In an interview with Canadian novelist Margaret Atwood on <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/">BBC</a> radio, Prince Charles has urged society to draw on how indigenous communities treat the natural world with respect and seek to preserve it for future generations.

His Royal Highness said that humans should remember they are part of nature and stop exploiting it to avert environmental and <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-and-deadly-dolphin-disease-has-been-linked-to-climate-change/">climate</a> catastrophe.

"It is high time we paid more attention to the wisdom of indigenous communities and First Nations people all around the world," said Prince Charles. "We can learn so much from them as to how we can re-right the balance, and start to rediscover a sense of the sacred, because ... Mother Nature is our sustainer."

"But we have forgotten that, or somehow been brainwashed into thinking that we have nothing to do with nature and nature can just be exploited but if we go on exploiting the way we are, whatever we do to nature - however much we pollute her - we do to ourselves. It is insanity."

The Prince of Wales has been an environmental activist for more than five decades. In partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF), he recently launched the <a href="https://www.sustainable-markets.org/">Sustainable Markets Initiative</a> to address the increasing threats of climate change and biodiversity loss. The goal of the initiative is to make global markets more sustainable, which could help to both fight climate change and build resilience against it. 

During the interview with Atwood, Prince Charles highlighted problems caused by the excessive use of chemicals in agriculture and the pollution of the oceans with plastics. He suggested that as businesses have started to grasp the magnitude of the climate crisis, there has been movement toward a sustainable future.

"Suddenly I noticed in the last 18 months or so, there has been a complete change of approach," he said, emphasizing that the initiative would find opportunities for companies to back projects that value nature, people, and the planet.

At the World Economic Forum 2020 in Davos, the Prince of Wales said that bold and imaginative action was needed to tackle the greatest threats that have ever been faced by humanity - global warming, climate change, and biodiversity loss. "We need nothing short of a paradigm shift."

"I intend to do my utmost to ensure that the message of urgency, systemic change, collaboration and integration is heard. We simply cannot waste any more time - the only limit is our willingness to act, and the time to act is now."

The report was published by the <a href="https://www.trust.org/">Thomson Reuters Foundation</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Humans should remember they are part of nature, says Prince Charles

In an interview with Canadian novelist Margaret Atwood on BBC...

In a new report from <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics">JAMA Pediatrics</a>, experts describe how the coronavirus is affecting children. Study co-authors Dr. Lindsay A. Thompson and Dr. Sonja A. Rasmussen also explain what parents can do to help keep their children safe as the pandemic persists.

While most children with COVID-19 have only mild symptoms or even no symptoms at all, others are becoming severely ill. There is a collection of evidence which shows that certain underlying conditions increase the risk for severe COVID-19 among children. These conditions include obesity, asthma, neurologic disorders, heart disease, and being immunocompromised, among others.

"As children get older, their risk of getting sick enough to be hospitalized is higher, although newborns and young infants are also at increased risk," wrote the researchers.

"Risk of death in children is far lower than in adults, but some children have died of COVID-19. Children who are Hispanic, Black, or American Indian or Alaska native are at higher risk for severe disease and death."

"Children can get COVID-19 from family members and other close contacts such as friends and teachers at school and from sports activities." 

In some rare cases, kids who have been infected with COVID-19 have developed a condition called multisystem inflammatory syndrome. "Children may develop this syndrome about 2 to 4 weeks after infection, and some of these children had no symptoms of COVID-19," explained the study authors.

"These children require hospitalization and many need complex supportive therapies to help respond to what seems to be the body’s strong response to being infected with the virus. Some children with this condition have died."

According to the researchers, the most important way to prevent COVID-19 is to avoid getting infected. 

"All family members should follow important recommendations. First, practice the 3 W’s: (1) watch your distance, keeping at least 6-ft distance between you and others; (2) wear a cloth mask when out of your house; and (3) wash your hands often with soap and water for more than 20 seconds, avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands."

"Second, avoid the 3 C’s: (1) closed spaces with poor ventilation; (2) crowded places with many people nearby; and (3) close-contact settings, such as close-range conversations."

The experts emphasized that getting flu shots for children older than 6 months is more important than ever this year. In addition, they said parents must find ways to balance their children’s needs to stay safe with their needs to learn and socialize with peers. 

"Parents should consult their school system and health department for the best information on local spread of COVID-19, area rules and recommendations, and school procedures. We want to keep children safe and learning while minimizing risks to themselves, their friends, family members, including grandparents, and other vulnerable members of society."

The <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a> (CDC) recommends talking with children about the COVID-19 outbreak to help minimize their stress.

"Reassure your child that they are safe. Let them know it is okay if they feel upset. Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn from you how to cope with stress."

The CDC advises parents to limit their family's exposure to news coverage of the event, including social media. "Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something they do not understand."

The experts also recommend keeping up with regular routines, sleeping and eating well, and spending time with your child in meaningful activities like exercising, reading together, and playing board games.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics">JAMA Pediatrics</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

How is COVID-19 affecting children?

In a new report from JAMA Pediatrics, experts describe how...

In the midst of chaos, it becomes more difficult for people with clinical anxiety and depression to make sound decisions. But these patients can dramatically improve their judgement by focusing on previous successes, according to a new study from <a href="https://www.berkeley.edu/">UC Berkeley</a>.

The findings are particularly relevant during the ongoing <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/research-confirms-that-covid-19-enters-the-brain/">COVID-19</a> pandemic, when important decisions must be made on a daily basis to avoid illness. 

The researchers examined the probabilistic decision-making skills of more than 300 adults. Some of the participants had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. In probabilistic decision making, people tend to subconsciously rely on the positive or negative results of their previous actions. 

Participants with overlapping symptoms of both anxiety and depression - such as obsessive worrying or a lack of motivation - were found to have the most trouble executing a computerized task that simulated a rapidly changing environment.

By contrast, individuals without significant symptoms of anxiety and depression learned more quickly to adjust to volatile conditions based on the actions they had previously taken.

"When everything keeps changing rapidly, and you get a bad outcome from a decision you make, you might fixate on what you did wrong, which is often the case with clinically anxious or depressed people," explained study senior author Professor Sonia Bishop. "Conversely, emotionally resilient people tend to focus on what gave them a good outcome, and in many real-world situations that might be key to learning to make good decisions."

However, this does not mean that people with clinical anxiety and depression are doomed to a life of bad decisions, said Professor Bishop. For example, individualized treatments, such as cognitive behavior therapy, could improve both decision-making skills and confidence by focusing on past successes, instead of failures, she noted.

The research expands on Professor Bishop's 2015 study, which found that people with high levels of anxiety made more mistakes when making decisions in both stable and rapidly changing environments. For the current study, the team looked at whether people with depression would also struggle with their judgement in volatile environments.

"We wanted to see if this weakness was unique to people with anxiety, or if it also presented in people with depression, which often goes hand in hand with anxiety," said Professor Bishop. "We also sought to find out if the problem was a general one or specific to learning about potential reward or potential threat."

A series of experiments revealed that having symptoms common to both anxiety and depression predicted who would struggle most with making sound decisions in the face of changing circumstances.

"We found that people who are emotionally resilient are good at latching on to the best course of action when the world is changing fast," said Professor Bishop. "People with anxiety and depression, on the other hand, are less able to adapt to these changes. Our results suggest they might benefit from cognitive therapies that redirect their attention to positive, rather than negative, outcomes."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://elifesciences.org/">eLife</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Focus on the positive to make sound decisions during turbulent times

In the midst of chaos, it becomes more difficult for...

People make healthier food choices when they are wearing formal clothes, according to a new study published in the Journal of Business Research. The experts found that casual clothes were more associated with comfort <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/current-food-production-methods-threaten-thousands-of-species/">foods</a>, such as unhealthy snacks. 

The research was focused on students attending a university in southern China. The participants were divided into two groups and instructed to wear either T-shirts and jeans or suits and other formal attire.

A series of experiments revealed that diners who were dressed up made healthier food choices than those who were dressed casually. 

The researchers theorize that wearing formal clothes drives people to become more aware of the impression they are making while eating. This leads to healthier food selections, such as choosing a salad over a hamburger.

In one particular experiment, students were offered a choice between potato chips and cherry tomatoes as an afternoon snack.

Nearly half of those dressed formally did not eat anything at all, while only two percent snacked on the chips. On the other hand, about 40 percent of those wearing casual clothes ate both snacks, and 25 percent opted for just the potato chips. 

In a separate trial, 277 people were asked to choose between almonds or potato chips at a supermarket checkout. Two-thirds of the individuals who were dressed up chose the healthier snack. 

A survey with nearly 300 respondents revealed that formal wear enhanced self-esteem and led to healthier food choices. The analysis also indicated that wearing casual clothes led consumers to value comfort and relaxation, which steered them toward tastier, less healthy foods. The researchers said that students in a suit and tie felt greater restraint and self-control, resulting in healthier choices.

"Our findings have significant implications for policymakers," said study lead author Professor Xuehua Wang. "Obesity has long been a critical issue. Future research should examine conditions that may strengthen or weaken the effect of clothes style on food choice."

The study is published in the <a href="https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-business-research">Journal of Business Research</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Want to eat healthier? Just get dressed up

People make healthier food choices when they are wearing formal...

According to a new study from <a href="https://www.psu.edu/">Penn State</a>, most light smokers meet the criteria for nicotine addiction and should be considered for treatment. The researchers report that people who smoke as little as one to four cigarettes a day are likely addicted to nicotine.

"In the past, some considered that only patients who smoke around 10 cigarettes per day or more were addicted, and I still hear that sometimes," said study lead author Professor Jonathan Foulds. "But this study demonstrates that many lighter smokers, even those who do not smoke every day, can be addicted to cigarettes. It also suggests that we need to be more precise when we ask about cigarette smoking frequency."

Duke Professor Jason Oliver said that when assessing nicotine addiction, also known as tobacco use disorder, clinicians are encouraged to fully assess the 11 criteria listed in the 5th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5). As a shortcut, clinicians usually just ask smokers how many cigarettes they smoke per day, he explained. 

"Lighter smoking is correctly perceived as less harmful than heavy smoking, but it still carries significant health risks. Medical providers sometimes perceive lighter smokers as not addicted and, therefore, not in need of treatment, but this study suggests many of them may have significant difficulty quitting without assistance."

The researchers analyzed data from the National Institutes of Health, including the assessments of more than 6,700 smokers, to determine whether they met the DSM-5 criteria for tobacco use disorder. The study revealed that 85 percent of daily cigarette smokers were addicted to some extent, ranging from mild to moderate to severe addiction.

"Surprisingly, almost two thirds of those smoking only one to four cigarettes per day were addicted, and around a quarter of those smoking less than weekly were addicted," said Professor Foulds.

The researchers found that the severity of cigarette addiction increased with the frequency of smoking. For example, 35 percent of light smokers and 74 percent of heavy smokers were moderately or severely addicted. 

Professor Foulds said that this is the first time that the severity of cigarette addiction has been described across the full range of cigarette use frequency.

Professor Oliver noted that the study sheds light the high prevalence of tobacco use disorder even among those considered to be light smokers and provides a foundation for treating this population.

"Previous research has found that non-daily smokers are more likely than daily smokers to make a quit attempt," said Professor Oliver. "Clinicians should ask about all smoking behavior, including non-daily smoking, as such smokers may still require treatment to successfully quit smoking. Yet, it is unclear the extent to which existing interventions are effective for light smokers. Continued efforts to identify optimal cessation approaches for this population remain an important direction for future research."

The study is published in the <a href="https://www.ajpmonline.org/">American Journal of Preventive Medicine</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

People who smoke just one cigarette a day are likely addicted

According to a new study from Penn State, most light...

Parents worry that their children are getting too much screen time and not enough physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the latest C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health at <a href="https://www.uofmhealth.org/">Michigan Medicine</a>. Parents' top concerns also include unhealthy eating, <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/frequent-social-media-use-causes-depression-not-the-other-way-around/">depression</a>, social media use, and internet safety.

Many children are participating in classes online and are less physically connected to their friends. At the same time, they are deprived of activities like sports. Spending more time at home during quarantine has led to major lifestyle changes for kids. 

"This is an especially challenging time for families, with many children experiencing significant changes in routine that may negatively impact their health and well-being," said Mott pediatrician Dr. Gary Freed.

"Parents' biggest concerns for young people seem to be associated with changes in lifestyle as a result of the pandemic. COVID-19 has turned the world of our children and teens upside down in many ways and this is reflected in how parents rate health issues in 2020."

Dr. Freed said it's not surprising that the top three issues on parents' list of concerns are related to screen use. However, he explained that parents should worry less about the amount of screen time and more about how children are using the technology.

"It's important for children and teens to maintain social and family connections that we know are critical for their emotional well-being, especially during a time when they are feeling stressed or isolated. Technology may be an important vehicle for those connections."

Parents should still establish clear rules and boundaries about how and when electronic devices can be used to ensure that sleep is not disrupted, healthy habits are not replaced, and that the privacy of their children is protected. They should also watch for any signs of cyberbullying and other types of online abuse, which also made the top 10 list of concerns.

"Parents need to have ongoing conversations with their children and teens to guide them on safe internet practices," said Dr. Freed.

Some of the survey respondents reported great concern over negative emotions expressed more frequently by their kids, such as stress, anxiety, or depression. These emotions may be caused or exacerbated by lifestyle changes associated with the pandemic.

"Parents may notice changes, such as increased behavioral issues in younger kids or more moodiness or lethargy from older kids and teenagers," said Dr. Freed. He said that parents should encourage children and teens to talk about their feelings and find healthy outlets to help them cope.

Physical health may also be impacted by changes in routine and social isolation from COVID-19. For example, poor sleep habits increase the potential for unhealthy eating and less physical activity.

Families should try to maintain routines and regular sleep schedules and help teens resist the temptation to go to bed much later than usual and sleeping in later, said Dr. Freed.

The researchers also recommend scheduling "unplugged" times to spend together as a family and getting outside daily, even if it is just for a walk.

More details on the latest C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health can be found <a href="http://www.med.umich.edu/">here</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Screen time is a top concern among parents during pandemic

Parents worry that their children are getting too much screen...

In a phenomenon known as the "sunk cost" effect, people follow through with things they have already invested in - even when those efforts are futile. Time invested in a <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/positive-student-teacher-relationships-improve-long-term-health/">relationship</a> may cause us to stick with it longer than we should, while money dumped into a pointless project may encourage us to keep spending on it.

In a new study from <a href="https://www.gsu.edu/">Georgia State</a>, experts have demonstrated that humans are not the only ones to engage in such potentially self-defeating behavior, and that monkeys also have a tendency to persist at tasks they have invested in. 

The researchers have identified factors that could possibly play a role in the sunk costs effect. For example, humans and monkeys likely share an evolutionarily preserved mechanism that helps us balance the costs and benefits of our actions.

Both capuchin monkeys and rhesus macaques are housed at Georgia State's Language Research Center. The monkeys participate in entirely voluntary and non-invasive cognitive and behavioral research, explained study co-author Professor Sarah F. Brosnan, who has worked with some of the monkeys for over 20 years. "They're like my second set of kids."

For the investigation, 26 capuchin monkeys and 7 rhesus macaques were trained to play a simple video game. Using a joystick, the monkeys attempted to move a cursor onto a moving target and hold it there as the target kept moving. 

If the monkeys were successful, they heard a victory sound and were given a treat. Those who were unsuccessful did not get a reward before moving on to a new round, which lasted either 1, 3, or 7 seconds. 

"Monkeys have really quick reaction times on these games, so one second to them is actually a long time," explained Professor Brosnan.

Study lead author Julia Watzek noted that most of the rounds only lasted one second. "So if you didn't get a reward after that, it was actually better to quit and start a new round. That would likely get you a treat sooner than if you had kept going."

During the experiments, both species of monkeys showed sunk cost effects. "They persisted 5 to 7 times longer than was optimal, and the longer they had already tried, the more likely they were to complete the entire task," said Professor Brosnan.

The researchers found that uncertainty had a big influence on persistence. When the monkeys got a signal that additional work was required, they were less susceptible to sunk cost behavior, but they still demonstrated it.

According to Watzek, studying this phenomenon in animals teaches us something about how their minds work, as well as our own. 

Professor Brosnan said the findings suggest that this behavior is likely driven by evolution and deeply embedded across species. "The epitome of the sunk cost is I've invested so much in this, I'm just going to keep going." And this can really pay off when it comes to important tasks such as hunting prey, looking for a mate, or building a nest. "Sometimes, you just need to have patience."

The research also indicates that human concerns - like not giving up on something we have publicly committed to - are probably not the main drivers of sunk cost behavior. The study is also a good reminder that there are times when you have good reason to give up.

"We're predisposed to keep trying," said Professor Brosnan. "And when we find ourselves sticking with things, we should also be a little reflective. Do I have a good reason to keep trying? Or should I leave with no reward, because it will save me more in the long run? That's really hard to do. But hopefully we can use our cognitive abilities to help us overcome the emotional heartache of occasional sunk costs."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/srep">Scientific Reports</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Monkeys and humans keep trying, even when we should give up

In a phenomenon known as the "sunk cost" effect, people...

People value nature more during COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/the-covid-19-pandemic-has-caused-severe-sleep-disruptions/">pandemic</a> has changed the relationship that many Americans have with nature, according to a new study from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/">University of Vermont</a>. The researchers found that more than 25 percent of people who visited parks during the early months of the pandemic had rarely, and in some cases had never, gotten out and explored nature in the previous year.

"Like many people, we noticed a large increase in the number of visitors to urban forests and parks in the early days of the pandemic," said study senior author Brendan Fisher. "We wanted to understand how people are using local nature to cope with the physical and mental challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic." People value nature more during COVID-19 pandemic

For the investigation, the researchers surveyed visitors to 25 parks and natural areas around Burlington, Vermont. This region is home to 214,000 residents, which is about one third of the state's population. The UVM team surveyed over 400 people around the time that businesses and schools closed and travel restrictions were issued.  

More than 81 percent of the survey respondents reported that having access to parks and nature areas had become more important to them after COVID-19 health protocols were introduced. Many people said that these natural areas provided them with safe spaces to socialize during COVID-19.

The most common reasons for visiting parks were getting outside, exercising, connecting with nature, finding peace and quiet, birding, dog walking, and spending time with children. The survey revealed that 66 percent of park visitors used natural areas to find peace and quiet, while 32 percent reported using outdoor areas as spaces for contemplation.

"Access to urban natural areas may be delivering mental health benefits during a time when they are most needed," said Fisher. "People need more space for peace and contemplation and safe spaces to be social when so many other outlets are closed to them."

The researchers noted that demand for green space is increasing at a time when many urban communities are losing natural areas.

"Infectious disease experts predict that viruses, like those causing COVID-19, will increase in frequency in the future," said study lead author Nelson Grima. "Natural areas and their budgets should be safeguarded and, if possible, enhanced to maintain and improve human wellbeing especially in times of crises, even during a declining economy."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://plos.org/">PLOS ONE</a>.

---

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

People value nature more during COVID-19 pandemic

People value nature more during COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic...

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

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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.

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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;



---



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

[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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



---



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

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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 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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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

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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



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.

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

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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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