A walk in the forest often brings peace, calm, and a deep sense of renewal. From ancient times to modern therapy practices, forests have stood as symbols of balance and healing. But not all forests heal equally. 



As cities grow and public health concerns rise, scientists are uncovering how the design and structure of forests matter. The health benefits we get from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cities-in-the-global-south-have-far-less-green-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">green spaces</a>, especially forests, depend not just on their presence, but on what they are made of.



A new study from the University of Surrey and the <a href="https://www.ugent.be/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Ghent</a> sheds light on this. Working with partners across Europe, the research team explored how specific features of forests influence human health. 



The findings mark a major step in understanding the complex links between ecological structure and wellbeing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forest-traits-and-human-health-benefits">Forest traits and human health benefits </h2>



The study, which is part of the larger Dr. Forest research project, included 164 forests across five European countries. The researchers focused on seven ecological characteristics and their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-green-spaces-are-urgently-needed-across-the-global-south/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">influence</a> on various health outcomes.



The forests were not selected at random. They varied in structure, species mix, and density, allowing researchers to draw comparisons. This wide range of forest types provided a rare opportunity to explore how real-world differences affect human experiences and health.



The goal was not to judge forests as good or bad, but to understand how their differences shaped people’s health responses. What emerged was a nuanced view. Forests benefit health, but their structure can amplify or limit those effects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-power-of-tree-diversity">The power of tree diversity</h2>



One of the key traits studied was tree species diversity. The findings showed that more diverse forests offered modest but positive health <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-tree-layout-influences-human-health-and-mortality-rates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">outcomes</a>. These effects were not dramatic, but they were consistent enough to support the idea that diversity is beneficial.



Tree diversity does not just matter for human health. It also supports broader biodiversity, helping insects, birds, and mammals thrive. This makes it a safe, low-risk strategy for forest managers aiming to enhance public health while improving ecosystem resilience.



More tree species create different textures, shapes, and colors, making forests more visually stimulating and ecologically stable. These aspects can subtly influence how people feel and behave when they visit such areas. 



While the direct health impacts may be limited, the indirect ones, through enhanced engagement and ecosystem strength, are valuable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-canopy-structure-a-major-influence">Canopy structure: A major influence</h2>



Among the ecological features studied, canopy structure had the strongest impact. Dense canopies reduce heat by offering shade and help regulate the forest's internal climate. They also provide larger leaf surfaces, which trap fine particulate matter and improve air quality.



These benefits are especially important in urban settings, where heatwaves and pollution are on the rise. In such contexts, a well-structured canopy becomes more than a luxury. It is a necessity. The cooling effect alone can reduce heat stress and the risk of heat-related illnesses.



Yet, there are trade-offs. Denser canopies create more humid conditions. While that is good for moisture-loving plants, it also creates ideal habitats for ticks, which carry Lyme disease. 



In addition, less sunlight reaches the forest floor. This limits the growth of medicinal plants, reducing some of the forest's potential healing properties.



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



Perhaps the most consistent finding across the study was the benefit of simply being in a forest. Regardless of structure or biodiversity, spending time in a forest improved mental wellbeing. People reported lower anxiety and stress, along with more positive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/surprising-mental-health-benefits-of-living-near-green-spaces/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emotions</a>.



What enhanced these effects was how natural and biodiverse the forest felt to the visitor. Forests that looked wild, vibrant, and untamed tended to offer more psychological relief. This suggests that human perception plays a key role in shaping forest-based experiences.



“Our study shows that forests generally provide a mental health benefit, reducing anxiety and stress, regardless of their biodiversity or structure. As one in six people in England experience anxiety and depression each week, this research suggests that simply being in a forest can improve mental health,” noted Dr. Melissa Marselle, a lecturer in environmental psychology at the <a href="https://www.surrey.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Surrey</a>.



“For the UK, this means preserving urban forests so people can easily access forests where they live, work and play for their mental wellbeing. Contact with forests could be prescribed by the NHS, as research shows that NHS nature prescriptions are effective at improving mental health.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-designing-healthier-cities-with-forests">Designing healthier cities with forests </h2>



The study points to a pressing need in urban planning. It is not enough to plant trees and call it a forest. The structure, layout, and biodiversity of these spaces must be considered. Urban forests should reduce heat, absorb pollution, and offer mental rest.



This involves difficult trade-offs. Canopy density must balance between cooling the environment and letting in enough light. Species choices should consider both ecological function and visual appeal. Forests must feel natural to the human eye while also being safe and accessible.



Planners and health professionals can now use this evidence to shape better public spaces. Health services could integrate forest access into mental health treatments. Parks could be designed not just for recreation but also for healing. In a time when stress-related disorders are rising, these changes could make a meaningful difference.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forests-are-essential-tools-for-public-health">Forests are essential tools for public health</h2>



This research redefines the role of forests. No longer just natural assets or scenic spots, they emerge as powerful contributors to public health. But their power lies in their details. Forests must be built, preserved, and managed with intention.



Tree diversity adds depth and life. Canopy structure shapes the microclimate and air. Visitor perceptions tie it all together. Forests that feel alive and balanced bring calm and strength to those who enter them.



Nature has always played a quiet role in healing. Now, with evidence in hand, we have the chance to shape that role more deliberately. Managed well, forests can support both ecosystems and the people who rely on them for peace and mental clarity.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-025-01547-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Sustainability</a>.



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Forests provide different health benefits based on their structure

A walk in the forest often brings peace, calm, and a deep sense of renewal. From ancient times to modern therapy practices, forests have stood as symbols of balance and healing. But not all forests heal equally. As cities grow and public health concerns rise, scientists are uncovering how the design and structure of forests matter. The health benefits we get from green spaces, especially forests, depend not just on their presence, but on what they are made of. A new study from the University of Surrey...

A new study funded by <a href="https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/">Cancer Research UK</a> has revealed that consumers are now smoking around 1.4 billion fewer cigarettes every year. Average monthly <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/cigarette-butts-killing-plants/">cigarette</a> use dropped by nearly 25 percent between 2011 and 2018, which is the equivalent of 118 million less cigarettes per month. 

The findings suggest that initiatives to discourage smoking, such as stricter tobacco regulations, are working. 

A team of researchers led by the <a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/">University College London</a> analyzed data on cigarette sales in England compared to the monthly self-reported cigarette use of over 135,000 participants from the Smoking Toolkit Study. 

The experts found that two different investigative approaches produced very similar estimates. During the seven-year study period, the average number of cigarettes declined by 24.4 percent each month based on survey data, while sales data showed that this number fell by 24.1 percent from 3.4 billion to 2.57 billion.

"It's brilliant that over a billion fewer cigarettes are being sold and smoked in England every year," said study lead author Dr. Sarah Jackson. "The decline in national cigarette consumption has been dramatic and exceeded the decline in smoking prevalence, which, over the same time period, was around 15%. This means that not only are fewer people smoking, but those who continue to smoke are smoking less."

"Studies like this help to give us an accurate picture of cigarette consumption so we know where we're at and what more needs to be done."

Around 16 percent of adults in England and 14 percent of American adults currently use tobacco. George Butterworth is the senior policy manager at Cancer Research UK.

"It's great news that fewer cigarettes are being sold and smoked. Big tobacco said that introducing stricter regulation wouldn't work and campaigned against it, but this is proof that smoking trends are heading in the right direction. But smoking is still the biggest preventable cause of cancer, and certain groups have much higher rates of smoking, such as routine and manual workers, so we can't stop here and think job done," said Butterworth. 

"Last month the government committed to making the UK smoke-free by 2030. But stop smoking services, which give smokers the best chance of quitting, have been subject to repeated cuts in recent years. We need the government to fix the funding crisis in local stop smoking services. The tobacco industry could be made to pay for these services to clean up the mess their products have created."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2656148">JAMA Network Open</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Kenishirotie

People are now smoking 1.4 billion fewer cigarettes each year

A new study funded by Cancer Research UK has revealed...

The updated <a href="https://www.escardio.org/">European Society of Cardiology</a> (ESC) Guidelines advise the reduction of pollution and noise to benefit those with <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/preventable-heart-disease-deaths/">chronic coronary syndromes</a>.

"Air pollution and environmental noise increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, so policies and regulations are needed to minimise both,” said Professor Juhani Knuuti, Chairperson of the guidelines Task Force and director of the <a href="http://turkupetcentre.fi/">Turku PET Centre, Finland.</a> “Patients with chronic coronary syndromes should avoid areas with heavy traffic congestion and may consider wearing a respirator face mask. Air purifiers with high efficiency particulate air filters can be used to reduce indoor pollution."

These new guidelines are an update to previously published stable coronary artery disease (CAD) ESC guidelines.

"This reflects the fact that CAD can be acute (covered in separate guidelines) or chronic and both are dynamic conditions," said Professor William Wijns, Chairperson of the guidelines Task Force and professor in interventional cardiology at the <a href="https://www.nuigalway.ie/clinicaltranslationalresearch/">Lambe Institute for Translational Medicine</a>. "Therapy is lifelong and aimed at preventing progression of the disease and cardiac events such as heart attacks."

Furthermore, this new set of guidelines, published in <a href="https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj">European Heart Journal</a>, put more emphasis on lifestyle changes necessary to make in order to thwart and/or prevent the development of a chronic coronary syndrome. 

Examples of these lifestyle changes include refraining from smoking and drinking alcohol, eating a diet rich in vegetables, fruit, and whole grains, and engaging in 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity per day.

Counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy is also advised for CAD patients who experience anxiety, depression or stress, and may also benefit those who are having a hard time transitioning into a healthier lifestyle or maintaining a healthy weight, as is taking appropriate medications.

The updated guidelines also outline the six most frequently encountered clinical scenarios that result in the diagnosis of chronic coronary syndromes. These scenarios involve patients with suspected CAD and stable chest pain (angina) or shortness of breath, patients without symptoms or with stable symptoms less than one year after an acute coronary syndrome or with recent revascularisation, patients with and without symptoms more than one year after initial diagnosis or revascularisation, patients with new onset of heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction and suspected CAD, patients with angina and suspected vasospastic or microvascular disease, and asymptomatic patients in whom CAD is detected at screening.

"Each of these scenarios requires different diagnostic and therapeutic approaches,” Prof Wijns said. “But in general, treatment of a chronic coronary syndrome demands long-lasting healthy habits, medication adherence, and interventions in selected patients."

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By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Shutterstock/pixelheadphoto digitalskillet

Pollution and noise put those with chronic coronary syndromes at risk

The updated European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines advise the...

Ancient civilizations across the globe had an impact on the environment dating back as far as 10,000 years ago, a new study has found. 

As climate change continues to rev its engines, fueled by human activities and greenhouse gas emissions, we tend to limit our scope of how humans have impacted the planet to recent centuries.

A team of 250 researchers, led by Lucas Stephens from the <a href="https://home.www.upenn.edu/">University of Pennsylvania</a>, studied <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-land-use-tropical-mountain/">land use</a> long before the Industrial Revolution to understand how humans have been changing and affecting the environment through the years. 

The study, published in the journal Science, is part of the <a href="https://dataverse.harvard.edu/dataverse/ArchaeoGLOBE">ArchaeoGLOBE</a> project which uses surveys to collect data on regional land use worldwide. 

By looking at land use in ancient civilizations, we may be able to gain a better hold on our current climate crisis the authors say. 

“Through this crowdsourced data, we can see that there was global environmental impact by land use at least 3,000 years ago,” said Gary Feinman, an author of the study. “And that means that the idea of seeing human impact on the environment as a newer phenomenon is too focused on the recent past.”

As hunting and gathering societies transitioned into farming, people started to clear out forests for grazing pastures and to plant food. 

“About 12,000 years ago, humans were mainly foraging, meaning they didn’t interact with their environments as intensively as farmers generally do,” says Feinman. “And now we see that 3,000 years ago, we have people doing really invasive farming in many parts of the globe.”

The researchers note that the rate of environmental changes due to human activities is much more drastic now compared to past societies, but ancient civilizations still had an impact. 

An essential aspect of the study is having a timeline of when humans started significantly reshaping and impacting the environment. The ability to pinpoint the beginnings of environmental impact can help with creating new solutions to land degradation and overuse today. 

“There’s such a focus on how the present is different from the past in contemporary science,’ said Feinman. “I think this study provides a check, a counter-weight to that, by showing that yes, there have been more accelerated changes in land use recently, but humans have been doing this for a long time. And the patterns start 3,000 years ago. It shows that the problems we face today are very deep-rooted, and they are going to take more than simple solutions to solve.” 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>,<a href="https://www.earth.com/"> Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Paid for by <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a>

Image Credit: Ryan Williams, Field Museum

Even ancient civilizations were already altering the environment

Ancient civilizations across the globe had an impact on the...

A team of researchers from the <a href="https://www.bangor.ac.uk/">Bangor University</a> School of Natural Sciences has investigated the potential for fermenting alcohol with starch from peas instead of wheat. The study revealed that producing gin with pea starch could have a substantially positive impact on the environment.

"Allocation of system burdens across gin and animal feed co-products indicated that gin produced from peas had a smaller environmental footprint than gin produced from wheat across 12 of 14 environmental impact categories considered, including 12%, 48% and 68% smaller global warming, acidification and eutrophication burdens, respectively," wrote the study authors. 

Growing wheat requires the use of nitrogen fertilizers, but legumes such as peas can take nitrogen directly from the atmosphere. The widespread use of legumes in alcoholic beverages has the potential to reduce global <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/meat-dairy-production-emissions/">greenhouse gas emissions</a> by 439 million metric tons.

The environmental impact of gin production could be even further reduced through the use of byproducts as animal feed. This would lower the demand for imported soybeans, which largely contributes to deforestation in Latin America.

"Boundary expansion in life cycle assessment to account for animal feed substitution by co-products further increased the environmental advantage of pea gin overall, owing to larger amounts of protein contained in co-products from pea fermentation," explained the researchers.  

"The potential for enhanced soybean meal substitution from use of peas in alcohol production could reduce Europe's protein deficit whilst potentially avoiding deforestation in Latin America."

The research team collaborated with Scotland’s Arbikie Distillery, where experimentation has already begun to make gin from pea starch and to collect byproducts for animal feed. According to study co-author David Styles, the gin is expected to taste exactly the same as the more familiar type made with wheat. 

The researchers also pointed out that if the new gin production is successful, pea starch may ultimately be used to make other alcoholic beverages such as vodka and beer.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.journals.elsevier.com/environment-international">Environmental International</a>.

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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

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Javier Somoza

Making gin from pea starch could have some major environmental benefits

A team of researchers from the Bangor University School of...

Harvesting energy from coastal saltwater where ocean and freshwater mingle, also known as blue energy, could be the next big thing in renewables, according to a new study.  

Researchers from <a href="https://www.stanford.edu/">Stanford University</a> have developed a new technology in the form of a battery that could be used to harness blue energy and provide another source of renewable energy. 

“Blue energy is an immense and untapped source of renewable energy,” said Kristian Dubrawski, a co-author of the study. “Our battery is a major step toward practically capturing that energy without membranes, moving parts or energy input.”

The new technology builds on an earlier concept for a battery that uses salt gradients, and the researchers applied the concepts to coastal wastewater treatment plants.  

It’s the first blue energy battery that uses electrochemistry instead of pressure or membranes to work. 

The technology works by releasing sodium and chloride ions from electrodes in the battery into a special solution. The ions create a flow of current from one electrode to the other, and wastewater and saltwater are then flushed through the system which forces the ions to reverse the flow of the current. 

A prototype battery was developed, and the researchers tested potential energy production with the battery by flushing it with wastewater and seawater, alternating between the two every hour.

The prototype was extremely successful and was able to effectively capture energy from saltwater over 180 cycles.  

Freshwater and saltwater in coastal wastewater treatment plants could generate enough energy to power more than 1,7000 homes for a year. 

Using the battery in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/converting-wastewater-renewable-energy/">wastewater treatment plans</a> could make plants energy independent and reduce electricity use and emissions. 

The battery could provide an affordable, sustainable, and durable alternative for harnessing blue energy. 

“It is a scientifically elegant solution to a complex problem,” said Dubrawski. “It needs to be tested at scale, and it doesn’t address the challenge of tapping blue energy at the global scale - rivers running into the ocean - but it is a good starting point that could spur these advances.”

The researchers next plan to test the battery to scale in wastewater treatment plants. 

A paper detailing the battery and new technology was published in the American Chemical Society’s journal ACS Omega.

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Doc Searls / Flickr

Saltwater could provide another source of renewable energy

Harvesting energy from coastal saltwater where ocean and freshwater mingle,...

Low in calories and high in nutrients, blueberries are tied to a number of powerful effects including protection against aging and cancer prevention. A collection of research published by the <a href="https://www.geron.org/">Gerontological Society of America</a> is now placing new emphasis on the health benefits that can be achieved simply by adding <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/blueberries-grown-grass/">blueberries</a> to your diet. 

In an opening editorial, Dr. Donald K. Ingram explained that studies focused on the health effects of blueberries have grown "exponentially" since the 1990s.

"Studies have documented that this fruit ranks highest in antioxidant activity compared to many other popular fruits. Moreover, other mechanisms for the health benefits of blueberries, such as their anti-inflammatory properties, have been identified," noted Dr. Ingram.

Among the four articles collected, one study found that consuming about a cup of blueberries a day can improve blood vessel function and decrease systolic blood pressure. The researchers found that these remarkable results can be attributed to anthocyanins, which are phytochemicals that give blueberries their dark color.

Other studies highlighted the cognitive benefits of eating blueberries. For example, the fruit's high polyphenol count has been linked to improved performance on memory tests among older adults. 

For one investigation, researchers used a rodent model to demonstrate the cognitive influence of blueberry consumption among aging rats. The trial revealed that the animals who regularly ate blueberries had significantly improved memory performance compared to rats who were fed a diet that was not supplemented. 

In another article, the researchers reviewed several clinical tests that focused on the potential advantages of blueberry supplementation. The team identified specific memory gains in children as well as older adults with mild cognitive impairment.

The studies are published in <a href="https://academic.oup.com/biomedgerontology">The Journals of Gerontology, Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences</a>.

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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

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Subbotina Anna

Blueberries offer a wide variety of remarkable health benefits

Low in calories and high in nutrients, blueberries are tied...

The <a href="https://www.who.int/">World Health Organization</a> (WHO) is reporting that microplastics in drinking water do not appear to pose a threat to human health at the current levels. However, the organization is also emphasizing that this finding is based on limited data, and further research is needed.

"We urgently need to know more about the health impact of microplastics because they are everywhere - including in our drinking water," said Dr. Maria Neira.

Recent studies have raised concerns about the abundance of <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/microplastic-contamination-groundwater-sources/">plastic particles</a> in drinking water, and the potential health risks associated with ingestion have been largely unknown. 

According to the WHO, microplastics infiltrate drinking water sources primarily through run-off and wastewater. Bottled water may be contaminated during the bottling process or from the plastic packaging itself.

On Thursday, the WHO delivered the results of its first investigation into the potential health hazards linked to microplastic contamination in drinking water. The researchers analyzed the physical particles, chemicals, and microorganisms that may attach themselves to microplastics.

Based on the available evidence, the experts determined that these chemicals and microbial pathogens pose a low threat to human health.

Microplastics that are larger than 150 micrometers cannot likely be absorbed by the body. Health concerns have centered around the uptake of smaller particles, explained Jennifer De France. 

"For these smallest size particles, where there is really limited evidence, we need to know more about what is being absorbed, the distribution and their impacts."

"To date there are no data available to show that microplastics pose a hazard to human health, however this does not necessarily mean that they are harmless," said Alice Horton of the National Oceanography Centre.

“It is important to put concerns about exposure to microplastics from drinking water into context: we are widely exposed to microplastics in our daily lives via a wide number of sources, of which drinking water is just one."

The WHO report said the biggest overall health threat in water is from microbial pathogens that cause deadly diarrheal disease, especially in poor countries lacking water treatment systems.

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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

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Antonio Guillem

Microplastics in water do not appear to pose a threat to human health… for now

The World Health Organization (WHO) is reporting that microplastics in...

People who always see the glass half full and expect the best in life may live longer than their pessimistic counterparts, a new study has found. 

Optimists are known for being hopeful and positive about the future, and studies have shown that having a positive outlook can benefit <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/optimistic-outlook-heart-health/">heart health</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/optimism-battle-money-anxiety/">reduce anxiety,</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/optimistic-patients-recover/">aid in recovery</a>. 

Researchers from the <a href="https://www.bumc.bu.edu/busm/">Boston University School of Medicine</a>, the <a href="https://www.boston.va.gov/services/PTSD.asp">National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System</a>, and the<a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/"> Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health</a> set out to examine the impacts of positive psychological factors like optimism on healthy aging. 

“Research on the reason why optimism matters so much remains to be done, but the link between optimism and health is becoming more evident,” said Fran Grodstein, a senior author of the study. 

For the study, the researchers reviewed and analyzed survey data from 69,744 women, and 1,429 men who had answered questions about level of optimism, diet, lifestyle, and overall health.  

The women were followed for ten years while the men were followed for 30 years, and the researchers found a clear link between an optimistic outlook and a longer lifespan. 

Those who reported having a high level of optimism were 50 to 70 percent more likely to reach 85 compared to less optimistic individuals. 

Optimism helped increase longevity even after the researchers factored in diet, alcohol use, smoking history, history of depression, and level of education. 

“This study has strong public health relevance because it suggests that optimism is one such psychosocial asset that has the potential to extend the human lifespan,” said Lewina Lee, a corresponding author of the study. “Interestingly, optimism may be modifiable using relatively simple techniques or therapies.”

It is unclear exactly how optimism impacts lifespan, but it’s possible that a positive outlook helps people cope better with stressful situations or that optimistic people have healthier habits, according to the researchers. 

“Our study contributes to scientific knowledge on health assets that may protect against mortality risk and promote resilient aging,” said Lee. “We hope that our findings will inspire further research on interventions to enhance positive health assets that may improve the public’s health with aging.” 

The researchers published their findings in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Robert Kneschke

Optimistic people live longer, study shows

People who always see the glass half full and expect...

Amid doubt over China’s air pollution solutions, Mongolia tries another tactic. When it comes to sources of <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-early-death/">air pollution</a>, we often tend to think in terms of big factories or power plants. It’s true that industry creates a large amount of air pollution, but so do individuals and families. In most of the US, besides consumption of electricity that may be produced by coal, the most common individual contribution to air pollution is by driving a car.

The <a href="https://www.lung.org/local-content/_content-items/about-us/media/press-releases/sota-2019-alaska.html">American Lung Association</a> reports that in the northern reaches of the US, this changes. According to air quality reports from earlier this year, Alaska has some of the worst air quality in the US. Much of the particulate matter found in the air in some parts of Alaska come mainly from wood burning stoves. With this detail from the US in mind, we can reframe how we think about air pollution in the rest of the world, especially air pollution that harms lungs. 

Alaska is an odd example of a place with high air pollution, due to it’s small human population density. According to an Air Visual <a href="https://www.airvisual.com/world-most-polluted-cities">report</a>, 22 of the 30 cities with the most air pollution are located in India. India is a subcontinent nation with a population of over <a href="http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/india-population/">1.3 billion</a>, meaning that one of every six people on Earth lives in India. 

Similarly to the air pollution of Alaska, much of India’s poor air quality comes from cooking, heating, and even kerosene lamps for lighting. <a href="http://www.businessworld.in/article/1-3-Million-Deaths-Every-Year-In-India-Due-To-Indoor-Air-Pollution/09-09-2017-125739/">Business World</a> reported that on average, over 1 million people die annually in India from indoor air pollution alone. But India is part of a much broader growth in poor air quality due to pollution in Asia as a whole.

According to the <a href="https://www.ccacoalition.org/en/content/air-pollution-measures-asia-and-pacific">Climate and Clean Air Coalition</a>, 92% of people living in Asia and the Pacific region are exposed to levels of air pollution levels that represent a significant risk to health. This equates to 4 billion people, more than half of the global population living with unsafe levels of air pollution. China is one of the Asian countries long known for its air pollution, especially in large urban areas. 

China has made moves to improve air quality in their cities, but as <a href="https://grist.org/article/chinas-plan-to-reduce-smog-basically-just-moved-it-to-other-areas/">Grist</a> reports, efforts have highlighted the complicated nature of quickly reducing air pollution. Particulate air pollution in Beijing was reduced by 25%, but research showed that reducing air pollution in China’s large cities meant outsourcing coal power plants to more poor, rural areas. The end result was a reduction of air pollution in some areas but overall pollution for China as a whole. 

But China and India aren’t the only countries with air pollution problems. Mongolia’s air pollution problem is on the rise and it’s worth hoping that the country can learn from China, India and others before it reaches the pollution levels of these more populated nations.

<a href="https://tradingeconomics.com/mongolia/population-density-people-per-sq-km-wb-data.html">Trading Economics</a> reports that Mongolia’s population density in 2016 was only 1.9487 people per square kilometer. Mongolia is a large country of wide plateaus that have traditionally been the home of primarily nomadic people. Due to a shift in lifestyle and economic realities, 46% of Mongolia’s population is centered in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital city. 

Along with the move to the capital, Mongolia’s human population is on the rise, yet realities for those in the city are very different from those in rural areas. 95.81% of urban Mongolians have access to electricity but only 44.17% of rural populations have that same access. Along with the realities of heating and cooking with flame as well as industrial pollution, the air quality of Mongolia continues to decline creating an environmental as well as health travesty. 

The <a href="https://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/97/2/19-020219.pdf">World Health Organization</a> (WHO) reported that in 2016, of an estimated population of 3 million people, 1,800 Mongolians died of diseases from household air pollution and 1,500 died of diseases from outdoor air pollution. The main cause of this disease causing pollution is similar to the air pollution in Alaska and India: cooking and heating stoves using coal as fuel. Amid doubt over China’s air pollution solutions, Mongolia tries another tactic

Coal seems like an obvious solution to an immediate problem, as Mongolia is a cold place. Temperatures at night in Ulaanbaatar can drop to 20 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. With not a lot of infrastructure to provide for clean ways to stay warm, the reality is that many people burn raw coal just to survive. Those living in the Ger (a ger is a traditional nomadic tent many Mongolians live in) district of Ulaanbaatar, where 80% of air pollution comes from are especially dependent on coal. Unsurprisingly, air quality is at its worst in winter months. Ulaanbaatar is also situated in a valley, where cold weather inversions trap not just household coal emissions but those of cars and power plants as well. But <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/07/30/727688757/mongolias-capital-banned-coal-to-fix-its-pollution-problem-will-it-work">NPR</a> reports that now, the government of Mongolia has come up with a solution.      

The government of Mongolia announced a <a href="https://montsame.mn/en/read/133813">ban on raw coal</a> in Ulaanbaatar, issuing fines to households and businesses that continue to burn the substance. In the place of coal, the government is offering a more expensive but more efficient briquette made from semicoke, a coal byproduct. Besides being more efficient, the briquettes burn cleaner as well. The government plans to distribute 600,000 tons of briquettes at selling points throughout the city. Some doubt whether many will actually purchase this alternative fuel source with its added financial cost. It takes a certain leap of faith that in the long run burning the briquettes will lead to better air. Another solution the government is working on is extending infrastructure to the Ger district of Ulaanbaatar which has little access to electricity. 

&nbsp;

Mongolia has traditionally been known as the ‘land of the blue sky’ and home of <a href="https://sites.psu.edu/ktrabblog/2014/09/10/tengriism-the-eternal-blue-sky/">Tengriism</a>, an ancient religion promoting harmony between humans and nature. Tengri, the main god of the religion, is personified by the blue sky. It remains to be seen whether the government of Ulaanbaatar can maintain enough of a balance to offer their people not only clean air to breathe but a place to live beneath a sacred blue sky.         

--

By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Contributing Writer

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Ganzorig Miimaa

Amid doubt over China’s air pollution solutions, Mongolia tries another tactic

Amid doubt over China’s air pollution solutions, Mongolia tries another...

People may have inhabited <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/plant-fossils-cretaceous-period/">North America</a> over a thousand years earlier than previously thought. 

An archeological site called Cooper’s Ferry in Idaho contains artifacts that indicate people were living in the area as far back as 16,000 years ago. 

Researchers from <a href="https://oregonstate.edu/">Oregon State University</a> and the <a href="http://www.ox.ac.uk/">University of Oxford</a> uncovered and analyzed the artifacts while excavating two dig sites. 

In one of the areas, called area A, digging down to lower layers of the site unearthed hundreds of artifacts considered to be some of the oldest evidence of people in North American discovered to date. 

The researchers found charcoal, animal bone fragments, stone tools and even traces of a fire hearth. 

Radiocarbon dating of the bone fragments showed that the artifacts in the lower layers are 15,000 to 16,000 years old. 

“Prior to getting these radiocarbon ages, the oldest things we’d found dated mostly in the 13,000-year range, and the earliest evidence of people in the Americas had been dated to just before 14,000 years old in a handful of other sites,” said Loren Davis, the lead author of the study. 

It’s a discovery that strengthens the hypothesis that humans first migrated into the Americas following a Pacific coastal route rather than the popular “Clovis First” theory, which suggests that people migrated into North America from Siberia through an ice-free corridor around 14,800 years ago. 

The artifacts at the Cooper’s Ferry site date back much earlier than 14,000 years ago. 

“Now we have good evidence that people were in Idaho before that corridor opened,” said Davis. “This evidence leads us to conclude that early peoples moved south of continental ice sheets along the Pacific coast.”

Davis and his colleagues published the study findings in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.aax9830">Science</a>. 

Further analysis of the artifacts could yield even more interesting discoveries from one of the oldest radiocarbon-dated sites in North America. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette,</a> <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Jayjune69

People may have migrated into North America much earlier than thought

People may have inhabited North America over a thousand years...

<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/population-plant-based-diets/">Plant-based diets</a> have gained a great deal of traction recently due to the harmful environmental impacts of the meat and dairy industry. 

However, a new editorial published in the journal <a href="https://nutrition.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/-2019-000037">BMJ Nutrition, Prevention, and Health</a> warns against jumping on new dietary recommendations that limit meat and dairy products as it could also limit your intake of an essential nutrient.

Choline is considered a vital nutrient because while we need it to function. The body does not produce enough of it on its own and we have to get nutrients like choline and omega-3 fatty acids from food. 

Beef, eggs, dairy products, fish, and chicken are all foods high in choline, and you can get choline from peanuts, beans or broccoli but at much lower levels. 

Dr. Emma Derbyshire, a nutritionist and author of the editorial, discussed the importance of choline and the problem with limiting choline-rich foods from regular diets.

Derbyshire worries that because people already don’t get enough choline on a day-to-day basis, switching to a recommended plant-based diet could make a problem much worse. 

Choline helps brain health and liver function. In 1998, the US Institute of Medicine established recommended daily intakes of choline ranging from 425 milligrams per day for women and 550 milligrams per day for men. 

The <a href="https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en">European Food Safety Authority </a>also proposed daily choline requirements in 2016, but in North America, Europe, and Australia, average daily choline intake is typically lower than the recommended guidelines. 

Derbyshire recommends that the<a href="https://eatforum.org/eat-lancet-commission/"> 2019 EAT-Lancet report,</a> which is the first food plan of its kind that promotes environmental sustainability, factor in foods high in choline.

The editorial also calls for further study, educating healthcare professions and the public about choline intake, and that choline is included in UK diet monitoring efforts. 

“The mounting evidence of choline’s importance makes it essential that it does not continue to be overlooked in the UK,” Derbyshire wrote. “This is now more important than ever given that accelerated food trends towards plant-based diets/ veganism could have further ramifications on choline intake/status.” 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com </a>Staff Writer

Plant-based diets often lack a nutrient essential to brain health

Plant-based diets have gained a great deal of traction recently...

Experts at <a href="https://hms.harvard.edu/">Harvard Medical School</a> are reporting that certain playing positions, as well as longer careers, can increase the long-term risk for serious cognitive problems among football players. The study may be the first of its kind to investigate the relationships between career length, position, and cognitive and mental health outcomes in professional <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/routine-hits-football-brain-damage/">football players</a>.

The research was focused on nearly 3,500 former NFL players as part of the ongoing Football Players Health Study at Harvard University. The analysis showed that players who experienced concussions had a higher risk for serious cognitive problems, depression, and anxiety, which persisted for as long as 20 years following injury. 

While previous studies have found a link between starting football at a young age and cognitive problems in adulthood, the current study did not produce any evidence to support such a link. 

The experts found that players who reported the most concussion symptoms were 22 times as likely to develop serious long-term cognitive problems and were six times more likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety compared to former players who reported the fewest symptoms.

"Our findings confirm what some have suspected - a consistently and persistently elevated risk for men who play longer and who play in certain positions," said study lead author Andrea Roberts. "Our results underscore the importance of preventing concussions, vigilant monitoring of those who suffer them and finding new ways to mitigate the damage from head injury."

The study revealed that for every five additional seasons a player was active, there was almost a 20-percent increase in the risk of cognitive issues such as confusion and memory deficits. Career length also influenced the threat of depression, with every five seasons boosting the risk by nine percent. 

Running backs, linebackers, and special teams players reported the most concussion symptoms. The researchers found that this group had twice the risk for serious cognitive problems and a nearly 50-percent greater risk for depression and anxiety compared to players in other positions.

"The overarching goal of the Football Players Health Study is to unravel risk factors and disease mechanisms and to inform interventions that preserve and optimize player health and wellness," said study senior author Professor Marc Weisskopf. "These latest findings confirm much of what we know but they add much needed granularity and specificity to risk magnitude by career length and position."

"Clearly, not everyone who sustains a concussion is destined for cognitive trouble, but the results of the research highlight just how critical it is to continue to find ways to prevent head injuries from occurring in the first place because of the many downstream and long-lasting effects on physical, cognitive and mental health," concluded Professor Ross Zafonte.

The study is published in the <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/home/ajs">American Journal of Sports Medicine</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Eugene Onischenko

Certain football positions, longer careers increase risk of cognitive problems

Experts at Harvard Medical School are reporting that certain playing...

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



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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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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?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

[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



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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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



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.

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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