What we eat is not just about hunger. Meals carry culture, habits, and values. They shape how we see ourselves and how others see us. 



Our diets also shape the world we live in. Animal agriculture drives climate change, damages ecosystems, and raises questions about health and ethics.



Scientists agree that cutting down on meat and dairy is one of the fastest ways to reduce harm. Yet progress is uneven. 



Men, in particular, resist plant-based eating more than women. Why? A new study offers an answer, pointing to masculinity as a hidden driver of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/low-carb-or-low-fat-food-quality-is-more-important-for-heart-health/">food choices</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-men-resist-dietary-change">Why men resist dietary change</h2>



The research was conducted by teams at the University of Bath, Bryant Research, and the <a href="https://www.uzh.ch/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Zurich</a>. 



The team examined links between gender norms and food. The researchers asked a tough question: how can plant-based diets be marketed to men without clashing with their sense of identity?



“Animal agriculture is key culprit of environmental degradation, public health risks, and animal suffering. Reducing meat and animal product <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-identify-two-key-habits-for-losing-weight-without-dieting-meal-timing/">consumption</a> is widely recognized as an effective way to mitigate these harms," said Dr Annayah Prosser of the <a href="https://www.bath.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bath</a> School of Management.



"However, men continue to consume more meat than women, are less likely to be vegetarian or vegan, and are more resistant to initiatives that promote reductions in meat consumption.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-masculinity-at-the-table">Masculinity at the table</h2>



The study surveyed over 1,000 men in the UK. The results showed a clear trend: the more men embraced traditional masculine traits, the more meat they ate.



This wasn’t only about taste. Men attached meaning to meat. For many, meat stood for strength, self-reliance, and even cultural pride. Vegetarianism, on the other hand, looked like a threat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-traits-shaping-men-s-diet">Traits shaping men’s diet</h2>



The researchers measured six traits: avoidance of femininity, emotional restraint, aggression, achievement status, self-reliance, and attitudes toward sex. Not all carried the same weight. Two stood out as the biggest predictors of high meat <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/popular-diet-restricting-calories-can-lead-to-mood-emotional-slumps-especially-in-men/">consumption</a>.



“Beyond the well-known link between masculinity and meat, our study identified two masculine norms that may drive this connection: ‘avoidance of femininity’ and ‘achievement status,'" said study lead author Elise Hankins of <a href="https://bryantresearch.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bryant Research</a>.



"Men endorsing these specific norms tended to eat more meat, were more attached to meat and dairy, viewed vegetarianism as a threat to British culture and found meat more masculine."



Hsnkins said that in order to shift men’s diets, the challenge is to address these norms and find ways to work with - not against - men’s identities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-men-s-contradictory-diet-views">Men’s contradictory diet views</h2>



Surveys showed numbers, but conversations told a more complicated story. In online focus groups, men often contradicted themselves.



 Many men insisted gender had nothing to do with their food choices. Minutes later, they described how friends, families, or peers influenced what ended up on their plates.



“Men in our focus groups were conflicted over the role masculinity played in their meat consumption. At first, many men wholly dismissed the role their gender had over their diet, but minutes later they would speak about the vast influences their social network and male peer group had on their menu choices,” said Dr Prosser.



“Researchers understand that eating is a fundamentally social activity, and our research shows that while men may not wish to recognise it overtly, masculinity has a major covert influence on dietary choices.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-problem-of-taste">The problem of taste</h2>



One issue kept coming up: flavor. Men doubted whether plant-based foods could match meat for taste. Many assumed alternatives were bland or unsatisfying.



The researchers argue that changing this perception is vital. If plant-based meals feel indulgent and rich, resistance will fade. Campaigns that spotlight flavor, cooking methods, and satisfaction could make a difference.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthier-diet-could-boost-memory-delay-dementia/">Nutrition</a> also matters. The study showed that men respond strongly to arguments about health, protein, and physical performance.



Marketing that shows plant-based eating as fuel for strength and longevity may resonate more than environmental appeals alone. Fitness-focused stories could make men view plant-based diets as tools for improvement, not sacrifices.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-messaging-that-works">Messaging that works</h2>



The researchers warn against directly labeling plant-based foods as “manly.” This tactic risks rejection. Subtler connections to performance, adventure, or resilience could work better.



Packaging and labeling also need care. Familiar words like “meaty” can reassure consumers while helping them see these foods as genuine replacements, not poor imitations.



Food choices don’t happen in isolation. Friends, partners, and families play huge roles. Campaigns that work within these networks might succeed where individual-focused messages fail. 



Price is another barrier. Many men feel plant-based products cost too much. Policies that reduce prices or offer incentives could make plant-based meals more competitive with meat and dairy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture-shaping-men-s-diet">Culture shaping men’s diet</h2>



The findings show that resistance to plant-based diets isn’t just about food. It’s about identity, culture, and belonging. 



Men’s connection to meat often hides beneath layers of social influence and masculine ideals. To change diets, campaigns must work with these realities, not ignore them.



This study reminds us that the road to sustainability is cultural as much as scientific. Changing habits requires more than statistics on climate or health. It requires understanding the values people attach to what they eat. Only then can a shift toward greener diets gain real momentum.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272494425001768?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Environmental Psychology</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Men face a masculinity barrier to greener diets

What we eat is not just about hunger. Meals carry culture, habits, and values. They shape how we see ourselves and how others see us. Our diets also shape the world we live in. Animal agriculture drives climate change, damages ecosystems, and raises questions about health and ethics. Scientists agree that cutting down on meat and dairy is one of the fastest ways to reduce harm. Yet progress is uneven. Men, in particular, resist plant-based eating more than women. Why? A new study offers an answer, pointing...

The smell of toast drifts from the kitchen. Across the room, you notice a hand reach for a butter knife. Without thinking, you already sense the next move. 



Your brain predicts that a slice of bread will meet a dab of butter, and it usually gets the call right. That quiet, automatic guesswork keeps everyday scenes feeling smooth rather than jumbled.



Behind this split-second foresight is a set of brain regions known to researchers as the "<a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/human-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2021.627983/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">action observation network (AON)</a>," a collection that fires up whenever we watch another person reach, grasp, or tinker with an object. 



Decades of lab tests - often showing only one- to two-second video snippets - mapped out the basics of that network. 



Yet real life rarely serves actions in single bites. It offers full recipes, packed with intention and order. That difference set the stage for a revealing new study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-action-observation-network-in-the-brain">Action observation network in the brain</h2>



The project came from a team at the <a href="https://nin.nl/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience</a> led by Christian Keysers and Valeria Gazzola. 



Keysers puts it simply: “What we would do next becomes what our brain sees,” a reminder that prediction lies at the heart of perception. 



Earlier work suggested that information flows in one direction - visual regions pass details to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sitting-for-hours-daily-shrinks-your-brain-even-if-you-exercise/">parietal and premotor hubs</a>, which then plan a matching response. The new study asked whether that pipeline flips when a viewer can forecast the next step.



To probe the question, researchers created two versions of everyday scenes - say, building a sandwich or folding a shirt. 



In the natural cut, actions played out in their expected order; in the scrambled cut, the same clips were shuffled. Volunteers watched both while their brain activity was recorded. 



Because some participants were epilepsy patients already implanted with intracranial electrodes for medical monitoring, the team captured electrical signals deep <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-brain-pathways-identified-as-being-unique-to-humans/">inside the cortex</a> with millisecond precision.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-you-and-your-brain-see">What you and your brain see</h2>



When the action order made sense, the brain worked differently than textbook diagrams predicted. Feedback signals ran from higher-level motor regions down to the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/sensory-cortex" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sensory cortex</a>. 



That top-down push quieted visual areas, as if the brain decided it could lighten the workload because the next move was practically a foregone conclusion. 



In contrast, the jumbled cut forced the cortex to lean on incoming sight alone, reviving the classic feed-forward path from eye to hand.



The switch was clearest in the premotor cortex. This area, best known for preparing our own movements, pulsed first when scenes unfolded logically. Electrical rhythms then traveled backward toward regions that handle <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blinking-plays-crucial-role-vision-human-perception/">touch and vision</a>. 



The result hints that motor memories - habits such as slicing a roll - prime the brain to handle what our eyes are about to see.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-uses-memory-to-see">Brain uses memory to 'see'</h2>



Valeria Gazzola puts the reversal in plain terms: “Now, information was actually flowing from the premotor regions, that know how we prepare breakfast ourselves, down to the parietal cortex, and suppressed activity in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/visual-cortex" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">visual cortex</a>.” 



She adds, “It is as if they stopped to see with their eyes, and started to see what they would have done themselves.” 



The quotes capture a striking idea: in familiar settings, action perception may depend more on stored know-how than raw sight.



That idea slots neatly into the larger framework of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-nose-is-a-clever-smell-prediction-system/">predictive coding</a>, a theory proposing that the brain constantly compares expectations to incoming data, then sends error signals when reality misses the mark. 



By showing the mechanism in natural sequences, the study strengthens the view that prediction is not a special feature reserved for high-stakes moments. It is a default mode woven into everyday social life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-efficiency-through-feedback-loops">Efficiency through feedback loops</h2>



Suppressing the visual cortex during a well-known routine might sound risky, yet it saves energy and speeds comprehension. 



If the brain trusts its guess, it trims redundant sensory checks, freeing resources for surprises - such as an unexpected ingredient swap. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/caffeine-at-night-disrupts-sleep-and-brain-activity-especially-in-young-adults/">Electroencephalography</a> and functional MRI data from the same study revealed lower metabolic demand when actions were predictable, backing the idea that foreknowledge cuts neural overhead.



These feedback loops also clarify how we keep track of other people in noisy or visually cluttered places. 



By leaning on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-the-human-brain-create-retrieve-memories-engram-cells-connections/">motor memories</a>, the brain can stitch together patchy views into a coherent scene, a skill vital for teamwork on a crowded street or communication across a dinner table.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-this-is-weird-why-does-it-matter">This is weird, why does it matter?</h2>



Understanding how the motor system shapes perception could help fine-tune rehabilitation after stroke. Therapies that train patients to anticipate movement sequences - rather than simply imitate single motions - might better rewire damaged circuits. 



The findings also inspire engineers working on assistive robots and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/augmented-reality-ar-glasses-bring-3d-holograms-closer-to-reality/">augmented-reality glasses</a>. Systems that predict human intent a fraction of a second early can choose safer paths, hand over tools at the right moment, or flag anomalies before accidents unfold.



Beyond medicine and machines, the work nudges us to appreciate the hidden labor our brains perform. Every time we pass the salt or catch a tossed set of keys, layers of neural forecasting keep the exchange seamless. 



By mapping that choreography with intracranial precision, the researchers have shown that much of what we ‘see’ comes from inside, projected forward by experience rather than painted on solely by the eye.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-studies-on-how-the-brain-sees">Future studies on how the brain sees</h2>



Future studies will test whether the same feedback pattern appears in more complex social exchanges - playing music together, learning a new sport, or reading facial expressions in fast-moving conversations. 



If motor-based prediction proves central across those domains, training programs that expand a person’s movement repertoire could sharpen perceptual skills as well.



For now, the take-home message is clear. When an action unfolds in a familiar rhythm, the brain lets memory call many of the shots. That shortcut keeps life running smoothly, one well-timed guess at a time.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(23)01444-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell Reports</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



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



-----

Human minds see what we "expect" to see, not what we actually see

The smell of toast drifts from the kitchen. Across the...

For years, thin plastic bags have been one of the most visible symbols of pollution - blowing through streets, choking marine wildlife, and breaking down into microplastics that contaminate ecosystems.



Now, a new study led by researchers at the <a href="https://www.udel.edu/">University of Delaware</a> and <a href="https://www.columbia.edu/">Columbia University</a> offers the clearest evidence yet that bag bans and fees do make a difference.



By analyzing data from tens of thousands of beach cleanups across the United States, the researchers found that jurisdictions with plastic bag laws saw a significant drop - between 25% and 47% - in plastic bags as a share of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-bag-bans-have-drastically-reduced-ocean-pollution/">shoreline litter</a>.



The study is the first large-scale analysis to connect local policy with direct environmental outcomes, rather than relying on consumer checkout data alone.



“A lot of the previous economics literature on plastic bag policies has used checkout data at the store level,” said lead author Anna Papp, an environmental economist at Columbia. “We were excited to add to that a direct measurement of plastic litter on these shorelines.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-plastic-bag-problem">Understanding the plastic bag problem</h2>



Americans use billions of plastic bags each year - often for just minutes - yet these bags can take hundreds of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/environmental-policies-like-plastic-bag-bans-can-often-backfire/">years to break down</a>. 



Most end up in landfills, where they occupy space without decomposing, or escape into the environment, littering streets, waterways, and natural areas. 



Because they’re lightweight, they easily blow out of trash bins and landfills, creating widespread pollution that’s difficult and costly to clean up.



Once in the environment, plastic bags wreak havoc on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/filter-feeders-transform-microplastics-into-a-bigger-threat/">wildlife and ecosystems</a>. Animals, particularly marine life, often mistake them for food or become entangled in them, leading to injury or death. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/simple-way-to-remove-microplastics-from-tap-water-home-faucet/">Microplastics</a> from degrading bags enter the food chain, raising concerns about long-term health effects in both wildlife and humans.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-volunteers-help-map-plastic-waste">Volunteers help map plastic waste</h2>



The idea for the study began when co-author Kimberly Oremus, a marine policy expert at the University of Delaware, noticed that volunteers at Delaware beach cleanups were using an app called Clean Swell to track the litter they picked up.



The app feeds into the <a href="https://www.coastalcleanupdata.org/about">Ocean Conservancy’s TIDES database</a>, which collects crowdsourced data from thousands of cleanups around the world.



“When we found the database that had information on different shoreline cleanups, we realized we could look at the composition of litter before and after a policy to see what effect it had,” Oremus said. “And then we could compare that to places that never got a plastic bag policy.”



With no federal ban on plastic bags in the United States, the researchers had a rich dataset of hundreds of local and state-level laws to compare. 



Between 2007 and 2023, they compiled over 600 distinct policies, allowing them to assess a wide range of regulations and their impacts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bans-and-fees-differ-greatly">Bans and fees differ greatly</h2>



While it might seem obvious that banning or taxing plastic bags would reduce litter, the magnitude of the effect surprised the team.



“There are so many pathways a bag can take from the checkout line at the store,” Oremus said. “It’s great to see a policy that works in such a clearly measurable way.”



Interestingly, the research also showed that some types of policies work better than others. 



State-level laws tended to have a stronger impact than city or county ordinances, and fees - perhaps counterintuitively - were more effective at reducing litter than outright bans.



Papp noted that this could be because fees encourage people to bring <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-retailers-are-replacing-plastic-bags-with-eco-friendly-paper-bags/">reusable bags</a>, while bans may be more easily circumvented with loopholes or substitutions.



The researchers also observed that the policies had the biggest impact in areas that started with higher levels of plastic bag pollution, suggesting that public buy-in and visible local problems may help drive compliance and effectiveness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastic-decline-slows-not-stops">Plastic decline slows, not stops</h2>



Despite the success of bag policies in reducing local litter, the overall share of plastic bags among shoreline trash is still increasing - just not as quickly in areas with bans or fees.



“We’re still getting more plastic bags on shorelines as a percentage of all the cleanup items over time,” noted Oremus. “It’s not eliminating the problem, it’s just making it grow more slowly.”



This sobering trend highlights the limitations of local policies when facing a global problem. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-production-increases-create-identical-plastic-pollution-increase/">Plastic production</a> and consumption continue to rise, and single-use items remain deeply embedded in supply chains and consumer habits.



“Ours is the first large-scale study to use hundreds of policies and tens of thousands of cleanups to look at their effects,” Papp said. “But it is important to keep in mind that this is a relative decrease in affected areas compared to areas without policies.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bags-are-just-the-start">Bags are just the start</h2>



With the <a href="https://www.unep.org/">United Nations Environment Program</a> preparing for its next round of negotiations on an international <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-treaty-is-a-historic-opportunity-to-stop-a-human-health-crisis/">plastic treaty</a> in August 2025, the study offers timely evidence that policy can make a tangible difference.



“Overall, our findings do show that plastic bag policies are broadly effective in limiting litter along shorelines,” Papp said. Yet, plastic bags remain just one piece of the puzzle.



The researchers hope their work will help policymakers think beyond local or single-product solutions and push for more comprehensive strategies. 



Plastic bag <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/environmental-policies-like-plastic-bag-bans-can-often-backfire/">bans</a> aren’t a silver bullet, but they’re one of the tools that clearly work - and that gives scientists something to build on.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Plastic bag bans help, but they aren't enough to stop pollution

For years, thin plastic bags have been one of the...

Preschool can change more than just how kids learn to read. A long-term study shows that a focused preschool program can help students better handle emotional and behavioral challenges even in high school.



The REDI program, short for Research-based, Developmentally Informed, was designed to improve social-emotional skills and language abilities in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/todays-children-will-face-more-climate-extremes-than-ever-before/">children</a> from low-income families. This intervention has now shown benefits that span over a decade.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preschool-program-taught-emotions">Preschool program taught emotions</h2>



REDI was integrated into 22 Head Start classrooms across three counties in Pennsylvania. Teachers received weekly support and training.



The curriculum was based on Preschool PATHS, which targeted emotion understanding, impulse control, and social interaction.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-have-the-brainpower-to-navigate-maps-at-a-very-young-age/">Lessons</a> were reinforced through interactive reading, sound games, and print activities. Parents also got handouts and DVDs to continue the learning at home.



“We wanted to work with Head Start and look at whether there were ways to strengthen the programming by incorporating more up-to-date research on what we knew about social-emotional development,” said Karen Bierman, the lead researcher from <a href="https://www.psu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Pennsylvania State University</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preschool-kids-behaved-better">Preschool kids behaved better</h2>



In preschool, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mobile-addiction-harms-kids-mental-health-more-than-screen-time/">children</a> who received REDI showed higher emotion knowledge and social competence. These early gains prepared them to navigate relationships and school challenges more effectively in later years.



Teachers noted better cooperation and emotional regulation by the time students reached elementary school.



REDI students showed fewer behavior problems in high school with an effect size of 0.27 and fewer emotional symptoms with an effect size of 0.41, based on teacher, parent, and self-reports. These effects appeared more than ten years after the intervention ended.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-lasting-emotional-skills">Building lasting emotional skills</h2>



Academic skills acquired in preschool often fade if not supported. But social-emotional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-heat-is-now-the-reality-for-nearly-half-a-billion-children/">skills</a> can persist. They help children form strong relationships, manage feelings, and stay focused. This improves school experiences year after year.



“The preschool intervention had built a protective capacity for kids to better manage the social pressures and emotional demands of adolescence,” Bierman said.



The REDI study followed participants from age 4 to 18. It showed how early emotional learning helped children stay steady through the transitions of school and adolescence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emotional-gains-linked-to-school-success">Emotional gains linked to school success</h2>



The preschool program did not directly raise grades or on-time graduation rates. But it helped in indirect ways. Students with better emotional control did well in school and graduated on time. These gains began with behavior and adjustment in grade school.



The study revealed six clear paths that linked REDI to better GPA and another six to graduation on time. These involved improvements in emotion knowledge, social competence, parent involvement, and behavior management.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-parents-and-teachers">Role of parents and teachers</h2>



Parent involvement played a central role. One major path to fewer emotional symptoms in teens began with parents engaging more with school. REDI supported this through weekly take-home tools and DVDs for families.



Teachers observed that REDI children adjusted better and built stronger classroom relationships. These qualities helped them avoid negative peer influence and handle stress throughout school.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preschool-programs-after-the-pandemic">Preschool programs after the pandemic</h2>



After the pandemic, many children face wider gaps in education and emotional well-being. Programs like REDI offer a model for support that starts early and continues to matter later. The program cost only $191 per child, making it a cost-effective approach.



These results suggest that early efforts in emotional development have lasting impact. They shape school behavior and support success in life.



“Our findings suggest that when you boost early social-emotional skills, the big payoff is going to be sustained improvements in social-emotional and behavioral adjustment,” said Bierman.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-follows-kids-into-adulthood">Study follows kids into adulthood</h2>



Researchers continue to follow students from the preschool program into their twenties. They are studying how early learning affects college, work, and personal life. 



The goal is to see how the preschool program shapes success in adulthood. Many families have remained in the study for over 14 years. 



"They’ve been really willing to hang in there with us,” said Bierman. The commitment of these families could help build stronger programs for future generations.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://srcd.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cdev.14235" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Child Development</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Early preschool program helps teens behave better in high school

Preschool can change more than just how kids learn to...

Cancer doesn’t just attack the body - it can erode joy, purpose, and the will to keep going. But a new study offers a powerful glimmer of hope.



Researchers have found that a one-time 25‑milligram capsule of psilocybin, when paired with <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/types-of-talking-therapies/">talk therapy</a>, can significantly ease the emotional burden that often accompanies cancer.



This finding comes from a <a href="https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.35889">phase 2</a> study led by Dr. Manish Agrawal of <a href="https://www.sunstonetherapies.com/">Sunstone Therapies</a>, which indicates the benefits may last for years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cancer-depression-needs-better-treatment">Cancer depression needs better treatment</h2>



Roughly one in four U.S. adults with cancer meets the criteria for clinical depression. That rate is several times higher than what's seen in the general public, according to a 2024 <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11000226/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meta‑analysis</a> of 24 studies.



Depression amplifies pain, erodes treatment adherence, and shortens survival; tackling it is therefore as critical as shrinking tumors.



<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559078/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Major depressive disorder</a>, or MDD, is diagnosed when low mood, loss of pleasure, sleep disruption, and other symptoms persist most days for at least two weeks and cause clear <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/walking-each-day-at-any-speed-lowers-the-risk-of-cancer/">distress</a>. 



Standard antidepressants can take six weeks to work, interact with chemotherapy, and help only about one‑third of patients.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psilocybin-eased-cancer-depression">Psilocybin eased cancer depression </h2>



The new trial enrolled 28 adults who had both cancer and major depressive disorder (MDD). Each participant completed several preparatory therapy sessions before receiving a single 25-milligram psilocybin capsule in a closely monitored room.



Interviewers who were blind to baseline scores found that 15 participants - 53.6 percent - still showed a clinically meaningful reduction in depression two years later. Half of all participants had achieved full remission by that time.



“One dose of psilocybin with psychological support to treat depression has a long‑term positive impact on relieving depression for as much as 2 years for a substantial portion of patients,” said Agrawal at the end of the follow‑up visit. 



Anxiety also eased for 12 people, or 42.9 percent, suggesting overlapping benefits for cancer‑related worry.



Animal imaging <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7830000/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">work</a> hints that the psychedelic increases synaptic‑vesicle protein 2A, a proxy for new neural connections, within hours. 



The drug activates the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1853/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">serotonin 5‑HT2A receptor</a>, temporarily loosening rigid thought loops and allowing therapy to reshape outlook.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-giving-cancer-patients-peace-and-clarity">Giving cancer patients peace and clarity</h2>



Participants often described their psilocybin sessions as emotionally intense, but many said it helped them reframe their diagnosis and feel more connected to loved ones and life itself. 



Some reported a sense of peace or release that persisted long after the psychedelic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-the-next-frontier-in-cancer-treatment/">effects</a> wore off.



These effects weren’t just passive. Guided therapy helped patients process their experience and integrate insights into daily life. 



Researchers emphasize that the medicine and the therapeutic environment work together to produce change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-path-for-emotional-care">A new path for emotional care</h2>



Many clinicians are cautiously optimistic. Some oncologists say it could transform end-of-life mental health care without adding a new daily medication.



Therapists report that the emotional clarity some patients experience can accelerate grief processing, spiritual reflection, and personal growth. These areas are often underserved in traditional cancer treatment plans.



A 2024 systematic <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00048674241289024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">review</a> of 25 trials found that serious adverse events were rare when psilocybin was given with trained guides and preparatory counseling. 



Participants lay on a couch with eyeshades and music, supported by two therapists - an approach now considered best practice.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-bigger-research-picture">The bigger research picture</h2>



“The most interesting finding is that a single dose of psilocybin, which lasts four to six hours, produced enduring decreases in depression and anxiety symptoms,” said Dr. Roland Griffiths, professor of behavioral biology at Johns Hopkins.



Back in 2016 Johns Hopkins scientists <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0269881116675513" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a> that about 80 percent of 51 cancer patients kept mood gains six months after a single dose.&nbsp;



A 2023 umbrella <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10811389/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">review</a> covering 23 clinical studies concluded that psilocybin consistently outperformed placebo for depressive symptoms with few side effects. 



Together these data sets are shifting expert opinion on how aggressively psychedelic‑assisted therapy should be pursued for hard‑to‑treat mood disorders.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-makes-psilocybin-different">What makes psilocybin different</h2>



Unlike daily antidepressants, psilocybin works in a single session and doesn’t require long-term use or ongoing dose adjustments. 



That appeals to many patients already managing complex cancer regimens with multiple medications.



Its effects also seem to emerge quickly. In earlier studies, mood improvement began within one day of dosing, far faster than typical selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (<a href="https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/medicines-and-psychiatry/ssri-antidepressants/overview/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SSRIs</a>), which can take weeks to build up in the body.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ongoing-psilocybin-and-cancer-trials">Ongoing psilocybin and cancer trials </h2>



Agrawal’s team is now running a double-blind study testing up to two active doses versus placebo to improve remission rates.



Separately, the <a href="https://med.uth.edu/psychiatry/2024/06/03/fda-grants-breakthrough-therapy-designation-to-cyb003-a-deuterated-psilocybin-analog-being-investigated-as-an-adjunctive-treatment-for-major-depressive-disorder-mdd/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food and Drug Administration</a> granted Breakthrough Therapy status in 2024 to CYB003, a deuterated psilocybin analogue, accelerating regulatory review for major depression.



If positive findings continue, cancer centers may eventually offer a brief psilocybin session instead of months of pills, saving both time and side‑effect burden. 



Insurance coverage and legal scheduling remain major hurdles. Still, advocates argue that with proper screening, skilled guides, and careful follow-up, the treatment may usher in a new era of mental health care for people facing life-threatening illness.



The study is <a href="https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.35889">published</a> in the journal Cancer.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Single psilocybin dose helps cancer patients beat depression

Cancer doesn’t just attack the body - it can erode...

The summer solstice isn't just a date on the calendar - it's an event that marks a turning point in our planet's journey around the sun.&nbsp;



For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere,&nbsp;it signifies the official start of summer,&nbsp;the longest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-inner-core-rotation-is-slowing-down-making/">day</a> of the year,&nbsp;and a time steeped in tradition and celebration.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-the-summer-solstice">What is the summer solstice?</h2>



During the summer solstice, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted towards the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sun-blasts-biggest-x-class-solar-flare-nineteen-years/">sun</a> at its maximum angle. This direct sunlight leads to the longest day and the shortest night of the year. 



"The Northern Hemisphere's tilt toward the Sun is greatest on this day. This means the Sun travels its longest, highest arc across the sky all year for those north of the equator," noted <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/skywatching/whats-up-june-2025-skywatching-tips-from-nasa/">NASA</a>.



The exact date of the solstice can vary between June 20th,&nbsp;21st,&nbsp;or 22nd,&nbsp;depending on the year and your time zone.&nbsp;



The solstice marks the astronomical start of summer - not to be confused with the meteorological start - which is always June 1st for convenience in weather tracking.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-moment-frozen-in-time">A moment frozen in time</h2>



During the summer solstice,&nbsp;the sun reaches its highest point in the sky in the Northern Hemisphere.&nbsp;



For a brief period,&nbsp;the sun seems to pause at this peak before it gradually begins its descent, signifying the days will start to get shorter.&nbsp;



This apparent pause is where the term "solstice" comes from,&nbsp;derived from the Latin words "sol" (sun) and "sistere" (to stand still).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-celebrating-the-summer-solstice">Celebrating the summer solstice </h2>



For thousands of years, cultures around the world have celebrated the summer solstice as a time of joy, abundance, and new beginnings. 



Ancient civilizations recognized the significance of this celestial event, incorporating it into their spiritual practices and even their architecture.



The Egyptians,&nbsp;for instance, constructed their pyramids so that the sun would align perfectly with specific chambers and passages during the solstices.&nbsp;



The Mayans,&nbsp;known for their advanced astronomical knowledge,&nbsp;built observatories to track the sun's movements,&nbsp;and their temples were often aligned to the rising or setting sun on the solstices.



Stonehenge,&nbsp;the prehistoric monument in England,&nbsp;stands as a testament to humanity's enduring fascination with the solstice.&nbsp;On the morning of the summer solstice,&nbsp;the sun rises precisely over the Heel Stone,&nbsp;a marker outside the main circle of standing stones.&nbsp;



This alignment is thought to have held profound meaning for the people who built Stonehenge, possibly connected to fertility rites or agricultural cycles.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-festivities-to-mark-the-solstice">Festivities to mark the solstice</h2>



Different cultures have their own ways of celebrating the summer solstice. In Scandinavian countries, Midsummer is one of the most important holidays, marked by joyful festivities, time-honored traditions, and community gatherings that honor the height of summer.



Bonfires are a central element of Midsummer celebrations. They symbolize the sun and its life-giving energy. Communities gather around these fires, enjoying their warmth and light. 



Wearing flower crowns is a beloved Midsummer tradition. Children and young adults make crowns from fresh flowers and greenery. These crowns represent the beauty and abundance of nature at its peak. 



Dancing is a key part of Midsummer festivities. Traditional dances, often performed around a decorated maypole, bring people together in joyous movement. 



Feasting is another important aspect, with families and friends sharing meals that include seasonal foods like new potatoes, pickled herring, and strawberries. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sunrise-at-stonehenge">Sunrise at Stonehenge </h2>



Each year, thousands of people gather at <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-lunar-standstill-will-illuminate-stonehenge-this-week/">Stonehenge</a> to witness the sun rising on the summer solstice. This ancient stone circle in England is aligned with the solstice sunrise, making it a significant site for this event.



For many, the gathering at Stonehenge is a spiritual experience. The solstice sunrise, framed by the ancient stones, creates a profound sense of connection to the past and the rhythms of the earth. 



Stonehenge’s connection to the solstice has captivated people for generations. Built thousands of years ago, the monument reflects its creators’ remarkable grasp of astronomy. 



Today’s solstice gatherings offer a powerful link to that ancient wisdom and the people who once gathered there under the same sky.



The gathering at Stonehenge is more than a chance to watch the sunrise - it’s a powerful communal experience. People of all backgrounds and beliefs come together to honor the occasion. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-science-behind-the-summer-solstice">Science behind the summer solstice</h2>



While the summer solstice is a time of celebration,&nbsp;it's also a captivating display of our planet's celestial mechanics.&nbsp;



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-gravity-pulls-earth-closer-to-the-sun-warming-our-climate-scientists-say/">Earth</a> doesn't spin upright like a top; it's tilted on its axis at approximately 23.5 degrees.&nbsp;This tilt,&nbsp;combined with Earth's year-long journey around the sun,&nbsp;is the driving force behind our changing seasons.



During the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere,&nbsp;this tilt positions us to receive the most direct sunlight,&nbsp;leading to longer days and warmer temperatures.&nbsp;



However,&nbsp;Earth's orbit is a continuous cycle.&nbsp;As we move past the solstice,&nbsp;our planet's tilt gradually starts to shift the Northern Hemisphere away from the sun's direct rays.



This shift causes the days to gradually shorten and the nights to lengthen.&nbsp;The sun's path across the sky appears lower,&nbsp;and its energy becomes less intense,&nbsp;ushering in the cooler temperatures of autumn.&nbsp;



This progression eventually leads us to the autumn equinox,&nbsp;where day and night are of equal length,&nbsp;and ultimately to the winter solstice,&nbsp;the shortest day of the year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-starting-point-for-new-beginnings">A starting point for new beginnings </h2>



Witnessing the sun at its highest point in the sky can be a truly awe-inspiring experience. Find a comfortable spot with a clear view of the horizon to watch the sunrise or sunset. 



The solstice can be a symbolic starting point for new beginnings. Use this time to start a new project or set personal goals. 



Whether it's a creative endeavor, a fitness routine, or a professional objective, the solstice can mark the beginning of your journey. Embracing new challenges and aspirations can bring a sense of purpose and direction.



The summer solstice is more than just a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysteries-of-the-summer-solstice-the-longest-day-of-the-year/">scientific event</a>; it's a reminder of our connection to the natural world and the cycles of the Earth. It's a time to celebrate light, life, and the endless possibilities that each new day brings.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Summer solstice 2025: A celebration of light and life

The summer solstice isn't just a date on the calendar...

Diseño sin título - 1

Mitochondria are tiny, membrane‑bound organelles that act as the power stations of brain cells. The energy they produce is critical in the brain as this organ consumes roughly <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8364152/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">20 percent</a> of the body’s resting energy budget.



Until now, no one had measured how these organelles are arranged across the brain in three dimensions, which left a gap between the knowledge of cellular biology and the understanding of mental feats that rise or fall with age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-energy-from-brain-mitochondria-matters">Why energy from brain mitochondria matters</h2>



“The biology of the brain, we know now, is deeply intertwined with the energetics of the brain,” said <a href="https://www.columbia.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Columbia University</a> psychobiologist <a href="https://www.neurology.columbia.edu/profile/martin-picard-phd" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Martin Picard</a>, a co‑author of the new work.



Picard and an international team built the <a href="http://humanmitobrainmap.bcblab.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MitoBrainMap</a> from 703 match‑head‑sized samples taken from the donated brain of a 54‑year‑old man who died of a heart attack. 



The scientists profiled <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553192/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oxidative phosphorylation</a> capacity, mitochondrial DNA copies, and organelle volume in every cube, then trained a model that predicts energy traits for the rest of the brain with MRI‑level resolution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cutting-the-brain-into-cubes">Cutting the brain into cubes</h2>



Each 0.12‑inch (3 millimeter) cube matched the smallest unit a hospital scanner can currently resolve, thereby bridging lab assays with clinical images. 



Handling nearly seven hundred samples demanded robotic slicing, automated biochemistry, and hefty computing power, yet the approach preserved regional context that test‑tube studies lose.



Once trained, the model reconstructed a whole‑<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-brains-use-storage-trick-to-keep-your-memories-in-sequential-order/">brain</a> atlas that can overlay standard neuroimages, letting clinicians see where energy shortfalls align with symptoms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-old-brain-regions-had-fewest-mitochondria">Old brain regions had fewest mitochondria </h2>



Evolutionarily ancient areas such as the brainstem and basal ganglia showed the sparsest mitochondrial coverage, indicating the lowest production of energy for brain cells. More recently evolved cortical folds, in comparison, brimmed with high‑output organelles. 



German neuroscientist <a href="https://valentinriedl.de/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Valentin Riedl</a>, who was not involved in the project, called the feat “technically impressive and conceptually groundbreaking.”



The gradient matches behavioral observations: functions like balance and breathing endure late into life, whereas problem‑solving and working memory (tasks seated in newer cortical regions) fade first when energy falters.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-changes-in-brain-mitochondria-functions">Evolutionary changes in brain mitochondria functions </h2>



The study’s findings align with evolutionary <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7617105/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">theories</a> suggesting that more recently developed brain regions evolved to support complex tasks like language, planning, and abstract thinking. 



These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-brain-is-constantly-making-predictions-about-the-world-and-your-place-in-reality/">functions </a>require more energy, which explains why newer cortical areas are packed with higher-density and more efficient mitochondria.



In contrast, older brain structures responsible for survival functions like breathing or heart rate regulation operate on lower energy demands. This evolutionary layering may help explain why certain cognitive abilities are more vulnerable to aging and disease.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-from-gray-and-white-matter">Lessons from gray and white matter</h2>



<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553239/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gray matter</a> in the brain packed about fifty percent more mitochondria than <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abf3736" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">white matter</a>, and those mitochondria also generated energy with greater efficiency. That finding echoes earlier <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11024075/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">work</a> showing that the density of mitochondrial complex I correlates with IQ and processing speed.



Because gray matter handles local computation while white matter relays long‑range signals, the split hints that thinking depends not just on how many mitochondria exist but also on how well they convert fuel into <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31985968/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ATP</a>, the cell's energy currency.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-linking-energy-to-mental-performance">Linking energy to mental performance</h2>



Past <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10526226/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> have shown that mitochondrial health strongly influences learning, attention, and emotional regulation. These traits rely on fast, flexible neural circuits that are especially sensitive to energy shortfalls.



Regions like the prefrontal cortex, essential for decision-making and working memory, demand high levels of ATP to function properly. When mitochondria falter in these areas, even minor deficits can ripple outward into daily thinking and behavior.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-signals-for-aging-brains">Signals for aging brains</h2>



The dysfunction of brain mitochondria is increasingly viewed as a driver of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39877373/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neurodegenerative disorders</a>; recent reviews tie impaired organelle dynamics to amyloid and tau build‑up in Alzheimer’s disease.



Other <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2317673121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">work</a> from Picard’s lab links psychosocial stress to shifts in the biology of brain mitochondria, suggesting lifestyle and environment may tweak the energetic landscape long before plaques appear.



By pinpointing where energy production runs thin, the new map could steer drug and behavioral trials toward the regions most likely to benefit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-toward-personalized-energy-profiles">Toward personalized energy profiles</h2>



Early data hint that individual lifestyles (diet, sleep patterns, exercise) may leave distinct marks on each person’s brain energy map. Tracking those differences could guide tailored interventions long before clinical symptoms appear.



Combining the MitoBrainMap with wearable health trackers may reveal how daily habits shift brain mitochondrial performance in real time. That fusion of lab-grade <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-mapping-research-mouse-neurons-revolutionary-advance/">precision</a> and personal monitoring opens the door to truly preventive brain care.



The team has already begun cataloging nine key regions in 500 additional brains to gauge variation across sex, ancestry, and disease history. If the patterns hold, future MRI scans may include an energy overlay that predicts who is at risk for memory lapses, years before they first arise.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08740-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



-----



Like what you read?<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/"> Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

First map of the brain's mitochondria may explain cognitive decline

Mitochondria are tiny, membrane‑bound organelles that act as the power...

Even before a baby's birth, a lot has already happened. Organs are built, immune cells settle in, and tiny instructions shape the body for life outside.



But in babies born to higher-weight mothers, those early instructions can affect the liver - and sometimes, they carry a cost.



Children born to higher-weight mothers often face metabolic challenges later in life. Even when they eat healthy, their livers may tell a different story. Scientists at the <a href="https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bonn</a> asked a big question: why? What’s going on in the womb that leaves such a lasting mark?



Turns out, it’s not just fat or food. It’s communication. A certain type of immune cell in the liver, the Kupffer cell, starts singing a different tune when the mother is considered to be <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-childhood-obesity-rate-is-expected-to-soar-by-2050/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">obese</a>. And the rest of the liver listens.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-obese-pregnancy-rewires-liver-cells">Obese pregnancy rewires liver cells</h2>



Kupffer cells aren’t just janitors cleaning up dying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-find-link-between-obesity-anxiety-and-gut-microbiome-changes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cells</a>, they lead. During development, they enter the liver early and stay for life. They send signals, guide metabolism, and help keep balance.



“But these Kupffer cells also act as conductors,” said Professor Dr. Elvira Mass from the LIMES Institute at the University of Bonn. “They instruct the surrounding liver cells on what to do. In this way, they help ensure that the liver, as a central metabolic organ, performs its many tasks correctly.”



But in the offspring of heavier-weight mothers, these instructions change. Something tweaks the conductor’s baton. The Kupffer cells tell liver cells to soak up fat. Fat they don’t need. Fat that eventually causes disease.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-liver-gets-fatty-even-without-bad-diet">Liver gets fatty even without bad diet</h2>



In experiments with mice, the team saw a strange thing. Even pups fed a normal diet developed fatty livers if their mothers were classified as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-is-obesity-difficult-to-reverse-it-starts-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">obese</a>. That raised a red flag.



“We were able to show that the offspring of obese mothers frequently developed a fatty liver shortly after birth,” said study co-author Dr. Hao Huang from the University of Bonn. “And this happened even when the young animals were fed a completely normal diet.”



How? The Kupffer cells got reprogrammed. They remembered the womb. They carried forward a message: hold onto fat. Even when there was no need.



“Figuratively speaking, they no longer conduct one of Beethoven's symphonies but rather a piece by Vivaldi,” said Huang.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pregnancy-triggers-lasting-liver-change">Pregnancy triggers lasting liver change</h2>



What changes these cells? Metabolic signals from the mother. They flip a molecular switch in the Kupffer cells, a switch called HIF1α. Once flipped, this switch changes how the cells behave long term.



These Kupffer cells no longer burn fuel like before. They shift from efficient energy use to a fast and dirty mode: glycolysis. That shift activates genes that push the liver toward storing fat.



When the researchers removed this switch during pregnancy, something amazing happened. No fatty liver. The offspring grew up healthy. Their livers stayed lean.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cells-ignite-disease-after-birth">Cells ignite disease after birth</h2>



There’s more. These reprogrammed Kupffer cells start churning out proteins like APOE and APOA1. These are usually part of lipid transport, but here they act like little fat magnets.



In the lab, when scientists exposed liver cells to these proteins, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/childhood-obesity-rates-are-surging-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fat</a> started to pile up fast.



Within four hours, fat droplets formed. That’s how strong these signals are. And they don’t just cause fat buildup. They stir inflammation too.



Fat plus inflammation equals trouble. Over time, inflamed livers develop scars. Fibrosis. That damage limits function and can lead to cancer. All from a signal passed on before birth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-liver-carries-lifelong-memory-of-obesity">Liver carries lifelong memory of obesity</h2>



The team went deeper. They studied the epigenetics, how genes are packaged and read. Kupffer cells from heavier-weight pregnancies looked different at that level too.



Their chromatin, the wrapping around DNA, had changed. That meant different genes stayed active, even long after birth. The cells remembered. They carried a permanent record of their developmental environment.



Clusters of these programmed Kupffer cells appeared. They glowed with active genes for lipid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-metabolism-has-evolved-to-become-energetically-unique/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">metabolism</a>, inflammation, and immune regulation. None of this happened in control mice.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cell-reset-soon-after-birth">Cell reset soon after birth</h2>



Maybe. The researchers tried two things. First, they wiped out Kupffer cells right after birth and let new ones grow in. The new cells didn’t carry the memory. The mice didn’t develop fatty liver.



Second, they turned off the HIF1α switch during pregnancy. Again, the liver stayed healthy. That gives hope.



The idea that we could reset or avoid these developmental instructions opens a new path. Instead of treating liver disease years later, we could prevent it before birth or shortly after.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-obesity-likely-impacts-human-babies">Obesity likely impacts human babies</h2>



While the study used mice, the implications don’t stop there. Maternal obesity in humans is rising. So is childhood fatty liver disease. The patterns match. It’s likely that a similar mechanism operates in people too.



“It is becoming ever more evident that many diseases in humans already begin at a very early developmental stage,” says Mass. “Our study is one of the few to explain in detail how this early programming can happen.”



This isn’t just a mouse story. It’s a message about how deeply early life matters. About how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-increases-the-number-of-immune-cells-in-cancer-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">immune cells</a>, once programmed, can carry out instructions that last for decades.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-resetting-early-disease-signals">Resetting early disease signals</h2>



This project brought together teams from Bonn, Vienna, Ghent, and Shanghai. Funding came from major European and German research groups.



Together, they mapped a hidden pathway from maternal obesity to liver disease in the next generation.



For now, it’s a warning. But it could become an opportunity. If researchers can find ways to reprogram or reset Kupffer cells, they might cut off fatty liver at its source.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09190-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Obese mothers may trigger lifelong liver damage in babies

Even before a baby's birth, a lot has already happened....

Not all screen time is created equal - especially when it comes to preteens’ mental health. A new study has found that it’s not the total number of hours kids spend in front of screens that poses the biggest threat, but whether their use has become addictive.



The research, led by scientists from <a href="https://www.columbia.edu/">Columbia University</a> and <a href="https://www.cornell.edu/">Cornell University</a>, followed nearly 4,300 children starting at age 8 and tracked their use of mobile phones, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-media-pressure-is-straining-teen-friendships/">social media</a>, and video games for four years.



The findings are stark: children who showed addictive patterns in their screen use were significantly more likely to suffer from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/too-much-screen-time-is-making-teens-anxious/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anxiety</a>, depression, aggression, and even suicidal thoughts or behaviors. 



In contrast, the amount of time spent on screens had no consistent link to mental health outcomes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-kids-screen-addiction-starts">How kids' screen addiction starts</h2>



The study defined addictive use as screen behaviors that interfere with kid's school, home life, or other daily activities. Researchers identified different trajectories of screen use depending on the device.



For mobile phones, about half of the children began the study with high levels of addictive use and stayed that way through early adolescence. Another quarter started with low use but developed addictive patterns as they aged.



When it came to social media, around 40% of children either maintained high addictive use or showed increasing dependence over time.



Video games, however, followed a different pattern: most children fell into one of two groups - either consistently low or consistently high use - without a group that shifted gradually into addiction.



“These kids experience a craving for such use that they find it hard to curtail,” said senior author John Mann, a professor of psychiatry at Columbia University.



“Parents who notice these problems should have their kids evaluated for this addictive use and then seek professional help for kids with an addiction.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addictive-patterns-of-screen-time">Addictive patterns of screen time</h2>



To assess the psychological toll of screen habits, the researchers examined mental health data alongside kids’s screen use patterns.



At the end of the four-year period, about 5% of the children had exhibited suicidal behaviors, from ideation to attempts.



Those with high or escalating addictive use of mobile phones or social media had two to three times greater risk of these outcomes compared to peers who showed consistently low levels of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/internet-addiction-impairs-brain-function-in-teenagers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">addiction</a>.



Surprisingly, the total amount of time children spent on screens wasn’t a strong predictor of mental health risks. The researchers emphasized that the pattern and quality of screen engagement mattered far more than the quantity.



“While national surveys and previous studies have documented rising screen use, our study is the first to map longitudinal trajectories of addictive use specifically, offering new insights into when and for whom risks emerge,” said lead author Yunyu Xiao, an assistant professor at <a href="https://weill.cornell.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Weill Cornell Medicine</a>.



“Policy efforts should move away from generic limits on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/screen-time-and-mental-health-a-vicious-cycle-for-kids/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">screen time</a> and instead focus on identifying and addressing addictive patterns of screen use.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-for-early-warning-signs"><a></a>Looking for early warning signs</h2>



One of the study’s key takeaways is the importance of monitoring screen habits over time. 



Some children may show no signs of trouble at first but can develop addictive behaviors as they grow older. Catching those changes early is essential for intervention.



“If you do not follow kids over time, you would miss this substantial group that shifts from low risk to higher risk,” Mann said.



Unlike past research that lumped all screen time together, this study examined screen use in context. 



Teams asked children to reflect on their behaviors with statements like “I feel the need to use social media apps more and more” or “I play <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-violent-video-games-impact-the-human-mind/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">video games</a> so I can forget about my problems.” Their responses helped researchers map how addictive behaviors emerge and evolve.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-screen-time-rules">Rethinking screen time rules</h2>



The findings suggest that efforts to protect kid’s mental health should move away from blanket rules about screen hours and instead focus on how and why screens are used.



Interventions that address compulsive use - rather than simply cutting back on time - may be far more effective.



“Now that we know that an addictive use pattern is so important, we need to develop intervention strategies and test them in controlled clinical trials,” Mann said.



He added that researchers still don’t know whether the key is eliminating access entirely or simply placing limits. “We know from studies of addiction management that partial access can quickly reinforce the addiction,” he said.



As screen use becomes a defining feature of childhood and adolescence, understanding the difference between casual use and harmful addiction will be crucial. 



This study makes clear that the real danger lies not in how long preteens spend on their devices, but in how deeply they depend on them.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2835481">JAMA</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Mobile addiction harms kids' mental health more than screen time

Not all screen time is created equal - especially when...

3d,Rendering,X,And,Y,Chromosome,With,Telomeres

Flip open a high-school biology textbook, and the rule seems tidy: two X chromosomes mean girl, and an X paired with a Y means boy. That much smaller Y chromosome carries the SRY gene, which is the switch for testis development. 



For the last 300 million years or so, this system has been working very well. Now, however, chatter in genetics circles hints that something is amiss. 



Over time, the Y chromosome has been losing pieces of itself, and computer models suggest the last scraps could vanish in roughly 11 million years. 



Y chromosome loss (<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6996334/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LOY</a>) no trivial matter, because what it holds - or drops - can sway everything from cancer risk to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mouse-with-two-dads-survives-to-adulthood-major-implications-for-same-sex-human-couples/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">how future humans reproduce</a>.



Would that erase men from the planet, or would life simply shrug and invent a new plan? Rodents on remote islands and subtle changes inside aging human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blood-stem-cells-grown-in-the-lab-for-first-time-ever-leukemia-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bone marrow</a> are now providing clues. 



One story shows how a mammal kept producing males after its LOY disappeared entirely. The other warns how men already pay a price when some of their cells drift away from the chromosome during middle age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-y-chromosome-fade-away">Y chromosome fade away</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mothers-pass-down-x-chromosomes-that-accelerate-brain-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The X chromosome</a> carries about 900 genes that do everything from wiring nerves to repairing DNA. Its partner, the Y, keeps only about 55. 



Comparative work across mammals shows that, once our lineage split from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-animals-balance-their-sex-chromosomes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">platypus</a> some 166 million years ago, the Y began dropping about five genes every million years. Run that line forward, and the ledger hits zero in 11 million years - a geological heartbeat.



Most biologists once chalked that outcome up to hype. After all, many species never shed their sex chromosomes. 



But the idea gained traction when researchers found the Japanese spiny rat and a few mole vole species thriving today without any Y chromosome at all. Somehow, they had rewired the traditional circuit for making testes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rodents-changed-the-rules">Rodents changed the rules</h2>



In 2022, scientists found a duplicated piece of DNA near a gene called <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/gene/sox9/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SOX9</a> in the spiny rat. Usually, another gene (SRY) turns SOX9 on to make male traits develop. 



But in this rat, the new DNA copy does that job on its own - even without a Y chromosome - so a genetically female animal (XX) can still develop as male.



Drop the fragment into lab mice and testes still form. Evolution, it seems, can lay a new cable when the old one burns out.



That discovery hints that, should the human Y fizzle out one distant day, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lifes-rules-natural-selection-change-significantly-often-daphnia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural selection</a> could promote an alternative trigger. 



Different populations might even settle on different triggers, eventually splitting into separate species that cannot interbreed. The idea sounds like science fiction, but the rodent reality shows it is genetically feasible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-y-chromosomes-and-men-s-health">Y chromosomes and men's health</h2>



Long before any species-wide overhaul, countless men are already losing the Y chromosome cell by cell. Starting in their fifties, bone-marrow <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/living-mouse-created-with-stem-cells-that-predate-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stem cells</a> sometimes mis-segregate it during division. 



The resulting white-blood-cell lineages, missing their Y, multiply quietly. By 80 years old, more than 40 percent of men carry sizable pockets of this “mosaic loss of Y” in their blood.



Tracking 1,153 Swedish men in their seventies and eighties, researchers found that those with the loss died 5.5 years earlier, suffered more solid tumors and heart disease, and faced a seven-fold rise in Alzheimer’s. 



Kenneth Walsh of the <a href="https://www.virginia.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Virginia</a> then bred mouse blood stem cells without the Y chromosome and transplanted them. The recipients developed fibrosis, failing hearts, and early death, showing the loss is the culprit, not a bystander.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enhanced-cancer-risk">Enhanced cancer risk</h2>



<a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09071-2#Sec8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">In another study</a> released in June 2025, researchers mapped LOY across thousands of individual cells from human cancers and matched mouse models. 



They found that Y-negative cells were not limited to the tumors themselves; they also dominated the surrounding immune landscape. 



CD4⁺ helper T cells shifted toward a regulatory identity that dampens attack signals, while CD8⁺ killer T cells lost much of their punch.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/y-chromosome-disappearance-study-finds-direct-link-to-much-greater-cancer-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The degree of LOY in the bloodstream</a> mirrored what the team saw inside the tumor. Patients whose blood showed a high percentage of Y-negative white cells tended to harbor tumors rich in LOY and faced poorer outcomes. 



Those correlations held across lung, bladder, and head-and-neck cancers, hinting at a common mechanism rather than a disease-specific quirk.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-direct-link-to-the-immune-system">Direct link to the immune system</h2>



A gene on the Y chromosome called <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/7404" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UTY</a> helps control the immune system. Without it, some immune cells stop working properly - one kind makes more scar tissue, and another becomes weaker, which helps cancer grow and spread. 



In mice, tumors grow twice as fast without the Y. In men, bladder cancers missing the Y chromosome are more dangerous - except they respond better to a certain kind of cancer treatment called checkpoint inhibitors.



The picture is complicated: a chromosome that underpins male development also tames inflammation and restrains tumors, yet its selective absence can make some drugs shine. 



Medicine and evolution rarely share the same bottom line. Natural selection prizes reproductive success over a lifetime, while clinicians care about the here and now.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-offsetting-y-chromosome-loss">Offsetting Y chromosome loss</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/does-vaping-help-people-quit-smoking-cigarettes-new-study-breaks-it-down/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cigarette smoke</a>, air pollution, and certain industrial chemicals add extra DNA damage and accelerate the Y chromosome loss. Kicking tobacco, breathing cleaner air, and limiting exposure to mutagens therefore rank as simple defenses - all it takes is willpower.



General habits that slow genomic wear - regular exercise, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mediterranean-diet-may-be-a-fountain-of-youth-for-women/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mediterranean-style</a> meals, and solid sleep - may also keep the Y chromosome in more cells for longer.



Antifibrotic drugs cleared for lung disease are being tested to blunt heart damage from the loss. Oncologists already use chromosome status in bladder tumors to steer checkpoint therapy. 



As single-cell sequencing gets cheaper, your physical exam might soon include a “Y-loss score” beside cholesterol.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-do-we-go-from-here">Where do we go from here?</h2>



The Japanese spiny rat proves that mammals can reinvent the rulebook after the ‘puny little chromosome’ disappears. That prospect keeps evolutionary biologists buzzing. 



Yet the rodent’s triumph offers little comfort to a 60-year-old man whose marrow has already shed Y in a third of his white-blood-cell army. 



Species-level salvation and individual-level hazard can coexist. That dichotomy - long-term adaptability versus immediate personal cost - will likely guide both medical practice and evolutionary debate in the years ahead.



The Y chromosome is quirky but crucial. It shapes male development, steadies immunity, and may also be plotting its own disappearance. 



However, the good news is that the practical advice is simple: dodge mutagens, stub out cigarettes, consider a mid-life test for loss, and keep an eye on new research as this chromosome writes its final chapters.



Let's go, men, you got this!



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(23)00646-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



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



-----

The Y chromosome is disappearing, a fact that is already causing problems for men

Flip open a high-school biology textbook, and the rule seems...

Anthropomorphism, or seeing animals as human-like, has long helped shape conservation efforts. From cartoons to fundraising campaigns, giving animals human emotions and faces makes them more relatable. But this seemingly harmless trick has deeper consequences. 



A new study in the journal iScience&nbsp;explores how cultural, personal, and social factors shape our willingness to see animals like ourselves. This impacts which <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-and-possibly-even-insects-have-emotions/">species</a> we choose to protect.



“Unfortunately, anthropomorphism significantly influences conservation efforts... Species that appear more human-like or exhibit human-like behaviors usually tend to receive more attention, funding, and public support,” said Federica Amici of <a href="https://www.uni-leipzig.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leipzig University</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emotional-responses-to-animals">Emotional responses to animals</h2>



The research team surveyed 741 adults from Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, and Spain. Each participant rated how much they agreed with statements about animals’ emotions, minds, intentions, and even their ability to distinguish good from evil. 



Respondents also reported their religious beliefs, education level, social networks, and personal experiences with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-emotions-can-be-decoded-through-voice-recognition/">animals</a>.



Participants with less education tended to assign more human-like free will to animals. In contrast, those with more structured scientific learning were more cautious. 



Interestingly, urban experiences like owning pets or seeing animals in media predicted more emotional connections. These people were more likely to believe <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chick-emotions-shed-new-light-on-animal-welfare/">animals</a> had minds, emotions, and intent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lonely-humans-humanize-animals">Lonely humans humanize animals</h2>



Social isolation played a powerful role. People with weaker social ties were more likely to see animals as emotionally complex and similar to humans. 



This tendency was even more pronounced in allocentric individuals, who see themselves as part of a group rather than independent. 



These individuals often attributed more free will and emotions to animals, perhaps to meet their own need for companionship



“People who feel lonely or aren’t well connected to others often try to meet their need for social <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-emotions-evoke-different-responses-in-dogs-and-pigs/">connection</a> by seeing human-like qualities in animals or other non-human things,” noted Amici. 



This helps explain why pet owners or animal lovers may assign deeper personalities to their pets.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-anthropomorphism">Understanding anthropomorphism</h2>



The attribution of human characteristics, emotions, or behaviors to non-human entities, including animals, objects, deities, or abstract concepts, is known as anthropomorphism. 



This tendency is deeply ingrained in human cognition and language, often used to make the unfamiliar more relatable or comprehensible. 



From ancient myths where gods possess <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/facial-expressions-arent-enough-to-understand-human-emotions/">human emotions</a> to modern cartoons where animals talk and act like people, anthropomorphism plays a key role in storytelling, religious belief, and even scientific interpretation. 



It serves as a cognitive shortcut, allowing individuals to empathize with and interpret the actions of non-human entities through a human lens.



In scientific and philosophical contexts, anthropomorphism can be both a useful heuristic and a source of bias. For instance, in animal behavior studies, attributing intentions or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lost-in-translation-how-we-misread-our-dogs-emotions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emotions to animals</a> can aid observational insight, but it also risks oversimplifying or misrepresenting their true nature. 



Similarly, in technology and artificial intelligence, people often perceive machines as having intentions or feelings, a phenomenon that shapes user experience and ethical concerns.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-religion-shapes-human-view-of-animals">Religion shapes human view of animals</h2>



Religious belief had a noticeable effect. Participants from monotheistic traditions like Islam and Christianity were less likely to attribute free will, emotions, and pain to animals. 



In contrast, those from non-monotheistic faiths such as Hinduism and Buddhism were more open to the idea that animals could feel, think, and even deceive.



“Non-monotheistic religions appear to contribute more strongly to envisioning a space of coexistence between humans and other species,” said Amici. This supports the idea that religions emphasizing interconnection nurture deeper empathy toward non-human life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seeing-monkeys-as-moral-agents">Seeing monkeys as moral agents</h2>



The study included special focus on monkeys. People with greater exposure to monkeys were more likely to believe monkeys could deceive, plan, or act with intent but paradoxically, less likely to think monkeys felt pain.



Why the contradiction? The researchers suggest a possible reason. When animals are seen as threats, such as crop raiding monkeys, humans may still judge their behavior but downplay their suffering. 



This type of moral distancing may help humans justify their actions when conflicts arise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feeling-and-understanding-emotions">Feeling and understanding emotions</h2>



The survey measured traits like the ability to feel primary emotions such as anger or fear, secondary emotions like guilt or shame, and understand others’ intentions. 



Most people saw monkeys as capable of feeling basic emotions and having minds of their own.



However, beliefs about more complex traits like distinguishing good from evil were more variable. These attributions often reflected a blend of religion, social closeness, and urban experience.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-assigning-human-traits-to-animals">Assigning human traits to animals</h2>



Assigning human traits to animals can help conservation efforts. It can boost empathy, raise funds, and build support. 



But it can also skew public concern toward cute or familiar species. That may leave less attractive yet ecologically vital creatures out of focus.



“I think anthropomorphizing species can be an effective approach, but it should be used with caution,” said Amici.



This study shows that conservationists must consider social context. Campaigns that resonate in one culture may fall flat in another. 



Customizing messaging based on local beliefs, education, and exposure to animals can make programs more effective.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-sympathy-to-strategy">From sympathy to strategy</h2>



This research uncovers how deeply our personal lives shape what we see in animals. By recognizing those patterns, conservation can become more inclusive and impactful. 



Instead of relying only on emotion or charisma, strategies can balance human connection with ecological urgency. When we see animals clearly, through both empathy and science, we might finally protect them wisely.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(25)00954-X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iScience</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Why we see some animals as more human than others

Anthropomorphism, or seeing animals as human-like, has long helped shape...

Most of us know our birthday, but our brains may not follow the same calendar. Scientists now compare a scan-based brain age with our actual age to find what’s called a “brain age gap.” A larger gap can hint at slower thinking and weaker memory.



The study included 1,437 Southeast Asian adults, all without dementia, with an average age of 66. Of this group, 60 percent showed no signs of cognitive impairment.



Each participant provided medical history through interviews, questionnaires, and medication reviews. They also underwent physical exams, lab tests, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-imaging-method-will-unravel-mysteries-of-neural-processes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain imaging</a>.



“As we get older, our brains change," said study co-author Dr. Saima Hilal of the <a href="https://nus.edu.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National University of Singapore</a>. 



"With less brain volume and fewer blood vessels that support brain tissue, diseases can worsen these changes, profoundly affecting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-health-may-literally-be-a-state-of-mind/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain health</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-brain-age-is-calculated">How brain age is calculated</h2>



Using modern MRI scans, scientists fed data into a machine-learning model trained to estimate the biological age of a person’s brain. 



The experts then subtracted the individual’s real age from this predicted age to find the brain age gap. A positive number meant the brain appeared older than the person’s actual age. 



The research team also looked at each person’s brain scans for tiny signs of cerebrovascular disease - such as microbleeds or areas of dead tissue - caused by reduced blood supply.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-risk-factors-and-cognitive-performance">Risk factors and cognitive performance</h2>



To understand the likelihood of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/even-mild-covid-can-cause-prolonged-cognitive-impairment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive impairment</a>, the researchers assigned each participant a risk score.



This score factored in age, ethnicity, education level, past and current smoking, body mass index, depressive symptoms, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and any history of stroke. A higher score indicated a greater risk of impaired thinking and memory.



The participants then completed a series of cognitive tests. These measured various mental skills including executive function, attention, language, and memory. 



The experts also assessed <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10265306/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">visuoconstruction</a> (such as the ability to copy a drawing) and visuomotor speed, which involves processing visual information and responding with movement.



The researchers found that higher risk scores consistently aligned with lower scores on these tests -especially in tasks involving visuoconstruction and visuomotor speed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-links-brain-age-and-risk">AI links brain age and risk</h2>



Once the researchers had each participant’s brain age, they explored whether the brain age gap played a role in how health risks affected thinking and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/memory-clutter-speeds-up-aging-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memory</a>. In many cases, it did.



Among participants with more signs of cerebrovascular disease, the brain age gap had a stronger influence. It appeared to magnify how much health risks affected areas like executive function and language. 



Researchers calculated how much of the connection between risk factors and cognition could be explained by the brain age gap. They found that it accounted for 20 percent of the overall link.



It explained 34 percent of the link to executive function and 27 percent of the link to language skills.



“The brain age gap may be a helpful biomarker in determining a person’s risk of cognitive decline,” said Hilal. 



“Our findings suggest that accelerated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-can-detect-if-your-brain-is-aging-too-quickly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain aging</a> may serve as an important factor linking cognitive impairment risk factors to thinking and memory skills in adults with cerebrovascular conditions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-brain-age-to-guide-treatment">Using brain age to guide treatment</h2>



This research could help doctors spot early warning signs of cognitive decline, especially in people with known health risks. 



A simple scan that shows the brain is aging faster than it should could encourage earlier treatment or lifestyle changes. It may also help identify individuals who are more vulnerable to rapid cognitive decline, even if they currently show no outward symptoms. 



Over time, brain age analysis could become a useful tool alongside traditional checkups, offering a more complete picture of neurological health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-few-limits-to-consider">A few limits to consider</h2>



It’s worth noting that the study focused only on Southeast Asian participants, so the results may not apply to all populations. 



Also, data on diet, exercise, and certain genes tied to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-benefits-alzheimers/">Alzheimer’s disease</a> were not available for all individuals, limiting some of the analysis.



Longer studies will be needed to see how brain age gaps change over time and whether they can help predict future memory decline.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000213815" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neurology</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Your brain’s age might be older than your body, creating a "brain age gap"

Most of us know our birthday, but our brains may...

Everyone’s tried a diet at some point - counting calories, skipping dessert, cutting carbs. But here’s the catch: most of it doesn’t last. That’s where intermittent fasting comes in. Instead of limiting what you eat, it focuses on when you eat.



Now, scientists have tested whether it really works. A huge review published in&nbsp;The BMJ&nbsp;looked at 99 trials. Over 6,500 adults took part. Most had health issues. Most were women. Their average body mass index was 31, which falls under <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-a-popular-weight-loss-drug-are-finally-revealed/">obesity</a>.



This wasn’t a small review. It compared different types of fasting with standard calorie-cutting diets and unrestricted eating. And the results? Pretty interesting.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-these-diets-work">How these diets work</h2>



Let’s break down the main strategies. Time-restricted eating (TRE) means eating during a set time window each day, like 8 hours on, 16 off.



Alternate-day fasting (ADF) is exactly what it sounds like: you fast one day, eat the next. Whole-day fasting (WDF) usually follows a 5:2 plan - five days of regular eating, two days of fasting.



These were compared with daily calorie restriction and completely unrestricted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/weight-loss-drugs-unexpectedly-help-people-drink-less-alcohol/">diets</a> (called ad-libitum). 



Participants followed these plans for anywhere from three weeks to a year. Most trials lasted about three months. Some were high quality. Others, less so. But together, they gave us a clearer picture.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alternate-day-fasting-works-best">Alternate-day fasting works best</h2>



Among all the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/weight-loss-drugs-could-save-an-enormous-number-of-lives/">diets</a>, alternate-day fasting came out on top. People following ADF lost around 3.4 kg more than those who ate freely. Compared to daily calorie restriction, ADF showed an extra 1.29 kg drop in weight. That’s not a huge difference, but it’s something.



ADF also did better than the other fasting types. It beat TRE by 1.69 kg and WDF by 1.05 kg. But here’s the twist: none of these differences reached 2 kg. That’s the threshold researchers say matters for people that are above weight.



Still, ADF had some extra perks. It helped lower triglycerides and “bad” cholesterol more than the other diets. Blood sugar? No changes there. Same for “good” cholesterol. But weight and lipids did shift a bit.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-result-fades-over-time">Result fades over time</h2>



For the first few months, all fasting plans helped people lose <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-foods-promote-weight-loss-regardless-of-processing/">weight</a>. But after six months, those differences faded. Only people eating without restrictions kept showing a clear gap.



Longer trials also showed another pattern: people dropped out. ADF had the highest dropout rate. In one year-long trial, only 22% stuck with it. The rest gave up.



Were there side effects? Yes. Mild ones. Hunger, constipation, maybe some dizziness. Nothing dangerous, but not exactly fun either.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-quality-matters">Food quality matters</h2>



Here’s what the team from Colombia pointed out. A diet isn’t just a plan. It’s also the support, the structure, the advice, and what you eat on non-fasting days.



“The current evidence provides some indication that intermittent fasting diets have similar benefits to continuous energy restriction for weight loss and cardiometabolic risk factors. Longer-duration trials are needed to further substantiate these findings,” noted the study authors.



“Intermittent fasting does not aim to replace other dietary strategies but to integrate and complement them within a comprehensive, patient centered nutritional care model.”



In other words, it’s not about picking sides. Intermittent fasting isn’t better or worse by itself. It can work - if it fits the person.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-reality-of-alternate-day-fasting">The reality of alternate-day fasting</h2>



Intermittent fasting works. So does <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spicy-foods-can-slow-down-eating-and-cut-calorie-intake/">calorie</a> restriction. ADF may give you a slight edge. But none of these are magic. And none of them guarantee long-term success without real change and support.



The numbers aren’t mind-blowing, but they tell us something. If you can stick with fasting, especially ADF, you may lose a little more weight and lower some risk markers. If you can’t, you’re not alone.



In the end, the most effective diet isn’t the trendiest or the one that shows the biggest weight drop in studies. It’s the one you can keep doing without burning out. 



If you can follow a plan for a week, then a month, then maybe a year - without feeling miserable or deprived - then that’s a good sign.



The meals you eat should feel normal, not like a punishment. Your routine should fit around your life, not take it over. When your eating habits make sense, and you don’t dread sticking to them, that’s when real, lasting change has a chance to happen.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/389/bmj-2024-082007" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The BMJ</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Alternate day fasting might be worth trying for weight loss

Everyone’s tried a diet at some point - counting calories,...

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



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



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



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



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



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



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



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



-----

Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



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



-----

Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



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



-----

The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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







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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



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



-----

What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



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



-----

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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"]</div>



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...

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



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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"]</div>



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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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

[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"] Astronomers at Johns Hopkins University have created...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="uV9Lh2fQbV-1760058-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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"

[sendtonews key="uV9Lh2fQbV-1760058-12187" type="single"] Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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

[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="QIoVYJqRBi-2434608-12187" type="single"]</div>



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)



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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...

News coming your way