We all know sleep is important, but what if simply flipping on a light at the wrong time could do more than just make you tired? What if artificial light could change the way your body fights illness, how your brain processes emotion, or how you recover from surgery?



A team of researchers at <a href="https://www.wvu.edu/">West Virginia University</a> has explored this question. The research suggests that artificial light at night may silently alter how our bodies function.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-night-shifts-to-neuroscience">From night shifts to neuroscience</h2>



The story behind this research starts in an unlikely place. Before becoming a scientist, Dr. Randy J. Nelson, the lead researcher, worked night shifts in a turkey processing plant. Later, he performed autopsies at two hospitals in Cleveland. 



Eventually, a job opening at the San Diego Zoo led Dr. Nelson to pursue a scientific career that took him to UC San Diego and later UC Berkeley, where he became the first person in the U.S. to earn two PhDs at once - one in psychology and one in endocrinology.



"My path to academia is typical in the sense that it is not 'typical,'" said Dr. Nelson. Today, he leads the Department of Neuroscience at West Virginia University. 



In Dr. Nelson's lab, researchers have spent years studying how the modern world, especially its bright nights, can throw off the rhythms our bodies evolved to follow.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-artificial-light-and-human-health">Artificial light and human health</h2>



Most people associate circadian rhythms with sleep, but the WVU researchers show that these rhythms are integrated into almost every system in the body.



The experts report that light at night can disrupt the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight infection or triggering unnecessary inflammation. It can also throw off metabolism, which may contribute to rising rates of obesity. 



When it comes to mental health, artificial light interferes with mood regulation, helping explain why <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-with-chronic-pain-have-high-rates-of-depression-and-anxiety/">depression and anxiety</a> are more common among people with irregular schedules.



The effects are wide-ranging and serious. According to the lab's findings, our biology expects natural cycles of light and dark. When those cycles are broken, things can start to go wrong - quietly but powerfully.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-type-of-artificial-light-is-most-harmful">What type of artificial light is most harmful?</h2>



The team’s research is now focused on pinpointing the specific wavelengths of light that cause the most damage. 



The experts are also studying how long it takes for the body to recover from regular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-light-pollution-disrupts-entire-ecological-networks/">exposure</a> to artificial light, and whether the time of day makes a difference in how the body responds to light.



"What is the contribution of time-of-day as a biological variable?" That’s one of the questions driving Dr. Nelson's current work.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turning-research-into-better-care">Turning research into better care</h2>



Beyond the lab, the scientists are running clinical trials to see if reducing exposure to artificial light in hospitals could help patients recover faster.



One trial is focused on people recovering from strokes. Another trial is tracking outcomes after cardiac surgery. Both patient groups often spend time in ICUs, where harsh fluorescent lighting is the norm throughout the day and night.



“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/colors-of-sunset-and-sunrise-reset-our-circadian-rhythms/">Circadian rhythms</a> are a fundamental aspect of biology, and much is known from foundational science about them,” noted Dr. Nelson. “However, little of this foundational science has been translated to clinical medicine.”



The WVU team is also testing whether night-shift nurses can benefit from wearing bright blue light visors at specific times to help reset their internal clocks. The results could open the door to better health for millions of workers with irregular hours - from factory employees to first responders.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-health-insights-about-artificial-light">New health insights about artificial light</h2>



Artificial light has changed how we live - and it’s also changed how our bodies function in ways we are only just beginning to understand.



Other studies have linked nighttime light exposure to increased risks of certain cancers, metabolic disorders, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-light-exposure-is-extremely-harmful-to-our-mental-health/">mental health</a> issues. Blue light from screens, in particular, has been shown to suppress melatonin production, making it harder to fall and stay asleep. 



There’s growing evidence that long-term exposure to light at the wrong times may contribute to chronic inflammation and disrupt key hormonal cycles.



What the research from West Virginia University adds is a clearer picture of how these disruptions affect multiple systems at once - and why timing matters just as much as intensity.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://genomicpress.kglmeridian.com/view/journals/brainmed/aop/article-10.61373-bm025k.0083/article-10.61373-bm025k.0083.xml">Brain Medicine</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.



-----

Hidden health crisis: How artificial light disrupts our bodies

We all know sleep is important, but what if simply flipping on a light at the wrong time could do more than just make you tired? What if artificial light could change the way your body fights illness, how your brain processes emotion, or how you recover from surgery? A team of researchers at West Virginia University has explored this question. The research suggests that artificial light at night may silently alter how our bodies function. From night shifts to neuroscience The story behind this research starts...

As the movement towards organic products grows, more and more people are becoming aware of the ingredients in favorite household products. Yet most people likely have no clue that <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/documentary-sharks-bad-reputation/">sharks</a> may have been used to make these products. 

Shark populations have plummeted due to the insatiable demand for shark products. An estimated<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X13000055"> 100 million</a> sharks are fished every year from our oceans. 

Sharks are especially vulnerable to overexploitation due to their late maturation and low reproduction rates. The IUCN Shark Specialist Group<a href="https://www.iucn.org/content/quarter-sharks-and-rays-threatened-extinction"> found</a> that sharks, rays and chimaeras have the lowest percentage of species considered safe when compared to other animal groups. A quarter of shark and ray species are currently threatened with extinction.

While shark finning for shark fin soup appears to be the major driver of population declines, the use of sharks for household products is an often-overlooked factor.

Sharks are used for a wide range of products, from cosmetics to pet food to garden fertilizer, according<a href="https://www.sharkwater.com/help-save-sharks/warning-contains-shark/"> Shark Water</a>.

Multiple parts of the shark are utilized for household products, such as shark skin for leather and shark cartilage for dietary supplements and alternative medicine. Sharks are even exploited for an oil they produce in their liver which is used in<a href="http://www.fao.org/3/x3690e/x3690e0r.htm"> cosmetic and health products</a>. 

Sharks use the oil in their livers to control their buoyancy. Therefore, sharks that live in deeper waters often have more oil, resulting in them being disproportionately targeted by fishermen. Squalane, which is derived from shark liver oil, is used as a lubricant and moisturizer in skin care products.

Products containing shark liver oil may list the ingredient as “squalane” or “squalene” making it difficult for the consumer to know if sharks were used in the product. Squalane can also be<a href="https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ija/2018/1829160/"> made from</a> plant-based sources such as olive oil, soybean oil, rice and wheat germ.

Bloom Association, a non-profit focused on preserving the marine environment, conducted a<a href="http://www.bloomassociation.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ENG_Squalene_4-pager.pdf"> study</a> on the market for shark liver oil and found that an estimated three million deep-sea sharks are caught each year for the oil market. Cosmetics dominate the use of shark liver oil with 90% of shark liver oil being used in the cosmetics industry.

While some fishermen may extract shark liver oil as an afterthought when hunting sharks for their fins, some conservationists<a href="http://www.bloomassociation.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ENG_Squalene_4-pager.pdf"> warn</a> that fishermen specifically target sharks for their oil due to its high commercial value. In the process of “livering”, fishermen remove the liver from the shark and discard the carcass back into the ocean, similar to shark “finning”.

<a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Merry_Camhi/publication/242542346_The_Conservation_Status_of_Pelagic_Sharks_and_Rays/links/004635346cb40ca28d000000.pdf">Multiple species</a> of sharks are traded internationally for their liver oil including species currently listed as “endangered”. 

Although many consumers are unaware of this issue, the cosmetic industry is moving away from shark liver oil and towards plant-based sources. Back in 2008, household goods giant Unilever<a href="https://oceana.org/press-center/press-releases/unilever-end-use-shark-products-cosmetics"> ended their use</a> of shark liver oil.

In medical products, shark liver oil was<a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Merry_Camhi/publication/242542346_The_Conservation_Status_of_Pelagic_Sharks_and_Rays/links/004635346cb40ca28d000000.pdf"> traditionally</a> used for lubricants and vitamin A supplements in the 1930s. The market shifted away from shark liver oil when synthetic vitamin A became available.

The <a href="http://www.fao.org/">Food and Agriculture Organization</a><a href="http://www.fao.org/3/x3690e/x3690e0r.htm"> statistics</a> show that the world production of shark liver oil decreased from almost 500 tonnes in 1976 to 4 tonnes in 1997. Bloom Association estimates that 2,200 tons of shark liver oil were produced in 2012.

Although the production of shark liver oil seems to be waning, consumers should still be aware that their household products might be a little more fishy than they thought.

--

By <a href="mailto:brianna.grant134@gmail.com">Brianna Lynne</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Contributing Writer

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Fiona Ayerst

Sharks might have been used to make your household products

As the movement towards organic products grows, more and more...

As we age, our <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/mental-ability-predict-cognitive-decline/">cognitive abilities</a> age with us. Older adults find it harder to remember certain things or complete more difficult mental tasks as they age, but is there a way to reverse these natural effects of aging?

A new study published in <a href="https://academic.oup.com/biomedgerontology">The Journals of Gerontology</a> has found that learning several new things at once can increase cognitive abilities in older adults. Previous studies have demonstrated the cognitive gains of older people learning new skills, but in these studies the skills were learned one at a time or sequentially.

In this study led by <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/">UC Riverside</a> psychologist Rachel Wu, researchers had adults 58 to 86 years of age take 3 to 5 classes simultaneously for three months. 

“The natural learning experience from infancy to emerging adulthood mandates learning many real-world skills simultaneously,” the researchers say. The classes included Spanish, photography, drawing/painting, music composition, and learning how to use an iPad.

The participants took cognitive assessments before, during, and after the studies to measure working memory, cognitive control, and episodic memory. Results showed that after only 1.5 months, participants increased their cognitive abilities to levels similar to those of middle-aged adults. The control group who did not take any classes showed no change in their performance.

“The participants in the intervention bridged a 30-year difference in cognitive abilities after just 6 weeks and maintained these abilities while learning multiple new skills,” says Wu. “The take-home message is that older adults can learn multiple new skills at the same time, and doing so may improve their cognitive functioning. The studies provide evidence that intense learning experiences akin to those faced by younger populations are possible in older populations, and may facilitate gains in cognitive abilities.”

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Natalie Board

Learning multiple skills at once boosts cognitive abilities in older adults

As we age, our cognitive abilities age with us. Older...

According to a new survey from the <a href="https://umich.edu/">University of Michigan</a>, parents are often the main obstacle that prevents <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/social-media-television-depression/">teenagers</a> from becoming more self-sufficient. Still yet, among the parents who responded to the poll, 97 percent said they are using various strategies to help their teens gain some independence.

Allowing adolescents to make more of their own choices was found to be the most common strategy used to encourage independence. Many parents also reported that they are pushing their teenager by no longer doing certain things for them.

Regardless of their effort, one quarter of parents surveyed still believe they are the main barrier to their teen's independence because they are failing to hand over more responsibility.

"As children become teenagers, the role of parents shifts to helping them gain the knowledge and experience they will need for being independent adults," explained poll co-director Sarah Clark.

"This process of transitioning from childhood to adulthood includes everything from preparing for work and financial responsibility, to taking care of one's health and well-being. Our poll suggests that parents aren't letting go of the reins as often as they could be to help teens successfully make that transition."

[caption id="attachment_1875449" align="aligncenter" width="650"]<a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/independence.png"><img class="wp-image-1875449" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/independence.png" alt="" width="650" height="545" /></a> Image Credit: Michigan Medicine[/caption]

The survey involved nearly 900 parents with at least one teenager between the ages of 14 and 18. Overall, 60 percent of the respondents attributed their child's lack of independence to characteristics such as not being mature or knowledgeable enough to take on more responsibility.

By contrast, 25 percent of parents admitted that it is faster and less of a hassle to do things themselves, and that they are standing in the way of their adolescent becoming more self-sufficient as a result. 

Nearly all of the participants agreed that it is important to allow teens to make mistakes while helping to prevent mistakes that are too serious.

"It is clear that parents recognize tension in helping teens move toward independence, and they agree that valuable learning experiences often result from a poor decision," said Clark.

"Some parents justify taking control over certain responsibilities because they don't believe their teen is 'mature enough.' But this type of logic inhibits their teen from actually becoming more mature. Parents need to carve out more time for supporting teens in their transition to adulthood."

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Shutterstock/LightField Studios

Parents often stand in the way of their teen becoming more independent

According to a new survey from the University of Michigan,...

Experts have discovered the oldest human footprints ever found in Europe on the British coast of Norfolk. The tracks date back almost a million years, making them the oldest <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/ancient-human-ancestor-footprints/">footprints</a> left behind by humans outside of Africa.

Paul Macro spotted the prints on a beach in Happisburgh when he was photographing the region as part of an assignment for London-based studio ScanLAB Projects.

The tracks are believed to have been made by Homo Antecessor, also known as "Pioneer Man," between 850,000 and 950,000 years ago. Homo Antecessor was about 5.5 feet tall and likely descended from Homo Erectus. Due to a lack of fossil evidence, much about this archaic human species still remains a mystery. 

The markings were located close to where footprints from the same time period were discovered in 2013. Not far from the first site, researchers had also uncovered tools.

"Happisburgh tells us about the earliest humans in Britain," said Professor Simon Lewis from <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk/">Queen Mary University of London</a>. "They had simple stone tools. They used flint and raw materials to flake tools. We're dealing with the earliest types of stone tool technology."

Experts hope to find fossil bones to confirm whether the footprints were left by Homo Antecessor. 

[caption id="attachment_1875422" align="aligncenter" width="633"]<a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/footprints.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1875422" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/footprints.jpg" alt="" width="633" height="456" /></a> Image Credit: Triangle News[/caption]

"The search is now on to find some fossil bones to prove if Homo Antecessor, or indeed another type of Hominin was busy was here in Norfolk almost a million years ago," said Jason Gibbons of Norfolk Museum. 

"This is a very exciting and important site, we will see what this, and future discoveries will tell us about the most remote period of ancient habitation in north west Europe."

Macro said that two days after he made 3D scans of the footprints they were already covered in sand. "It was phenomenally exciting when I sent the photos over to the Norfolk Museum Service, and they said the footprints could be 850,000 years old."

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Main Image Credit: Triangle News

Human footprints in England are the oldest ever discovered outside of Africa

Experts have discovered the oldest human footprints ever found in...

Americans are eating the same amount of lunch meats, hot dogs, and other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ultraprocessed-foods-early-death/">processed meats</a> now as they were 18 years ago. 

High consumption of processed meats has been linked to a number of health problems including obesity and an increased risk of some cancers. 

Despite more and more studies highlighting and confirming these health risks, researchers from <a href="https://www.tufts.edu/">Tufts University</a> discovered that on average, Americans are still eating too much processed meat. 

A study, published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, found that along with processed meats, Americans are eating the same amount of fish and shellfish as they were in 1999.

However, the researchers did find that overall red meat consumption has decreased in recent years due to people eating more chicken. For the first time, poultry consumption in the US has surpassed unprocessed red meat. 

For the study, the researchers reviewed data from around 44,000 US adults who were part of the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/index.htm">National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey</a> from 1999 through 2016. 

The researchers were able to identify diet trends in the US over the past 18 years and found that seafood consumption has remained unchanged and is still lower than recommended. 

Less than 15 percent of the study participants met the recommended guidelines for fish and seafood consumption in their diets. 

In 2016 processed meat consumption was around 187 grams per week with lunch meat, sausage, and hot dogs reported as the top consumed meats. 

“Despite strong evidence linking processed meat with cancer risk, consumption of processed meat among US adults didn’t change over the study period (1999-2016),” said Fang Fang Zhang, the lead investigator for the study. “While factors other than health (e.g., social, cultural, and economic) can influence Americans’ food choices, the lack of widespread awareness of health risks associated with processed meat may have contributed to the lack of consumption change in the past 18 years.” 

Previous research by Dr. Zhang found that 14,524 cancer cases in 2015 could be linked to high processed meat consumption. 

Researchers will need to work to find out why people’s consumption of processed meats remains so high despite the risk and how to raise public awareness. 

“Findings of this study can inform public health policy priorities for improving diet and reducing chronic disease burden in the US. Because stores and fast-food restaurants are main purchase locations for processed meat, future policies may prioritize these as primary sites of intervention for reducing processed meat consumption among US adults,” said Zhang.

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Blue Pig

Americans are still eating too much processed meat despite health risks

Americans are eating the same amount of lunch meats, hot...

For most people, coming into work tired is a pain and can hamper productivity, but for the average 9-to-5er, it’s not life or death. 

When it comes to first responders and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/firefighters-brave-danger-leaps-faith/">firefighters</a>, it’s a different story. 

Due to the hectic nature of work for a first responder or firefighter, sleep deprivation is not uncommon, and a new study has shown that half of America’s firefighters are at risk of burnout due to both physical and mental exhaustion. 

Burnout isn’t just about having a bad day on the job. According to the <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/burnout/art-20046642">Mayo Clinic,</a> it’s a unique type of work-related stress and the <a href="https://www.who.int/">World Health Organization</a> has announced that it will be included as an occupational phenomenon in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). 

Researchers from <a href="https://www.monash.edu/">Monash University</a> in Australia and the <a href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org/">Brigham Women’s Hospital</a> surveyed firefighters across the United States to see how sleep loss impacts mental, emotional, and physical health for firefighters and if sleeping at work hinders the ability to respond to fires. 

“Firefighters are frequently exposed to sleep restriction due to their work schedules, which typically involve 24-hour shifts,” said Dr. Alexander Wolkow, the leader of the research. “Inadequate sleep during and after work, and into rest periods, may impair firefighters’ ability to recover from occupational demands, potentially explaining the heightened burnout risk.”

6,307 firefighters from 66 departments participated in the study, and nearly half (49 percent) of those surveyed had high levels of exhaustion and burnout. 

Many of the firefighters said they got less than six hours of sleep during a 24-hour shift, and 31 percent of the participants reported having a difficult time recovering healthy sleep patterns after an overnight or 24-hour shift. 

Participants who suffered insomnia or other sleep disorders were three times more likely to report emotional exhaustion, and firefighters with PTSD, depression, or anxiety were four times more likely to suffer burnout. 

A significant risk factor identified by the researchers was poor sleep during long 24 hour shifts. 

“Given that 84.4% of our sample worked extended duration shifts of 24 or more hours, our findings highlight the need to maximize sleep opportunities during overnight shifts to reduce burnout,” said Wolkow.

Encouraging sleep and napping during long shifts could help firefighters recover and reduce the risk of physical and emotional burnout. 

The researchers published their findings in the Journal of Sleep Research. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>,<a href="https://www.earth.com/"> Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Gorodenkoff

Rough sleep schedules put firefighters at risk

For most people, coming into work tired is a pain...

As exciting as it is for astronauts to brave the final frontier, spending a prolonged amount of time suspended in microgravity comes at a cost. 

In space, the lack of gravity <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-extract-mars-astronauts/">shrinks muscle mass</a> and bone density, and those are just some of the impacts of being in space. Returning to Earth can also be a health hazard with many astronauts fainting due to changes in blood pressure. 

A new study has found that exercising in microgravity can help astronauts decrease the risk of fainting during and after the return journey. 

Researchers from the <a href="https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/">University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center</a> examined how exercise impacted the risk of Orthostatic hypotension for astronauts.

Orthostatic hypotension is characterized by a sharp temporary drop in blood pressure after sitting or laying down for a long time. As the blood flow rushes to the feet, it can cause dizziness and fainting. 

“One of the biggest problems since the inception of the manned space program has been that astronauts have fainted when they came down to Earth. The longer the time in a gravity-free environment space, the greater the risk appeared,” said Benjamin Levine, M.D., the senior author of the study. “This problem has bedeviled the space program for a long time, but this condition is something ordinary people often experience as well.”

Twelve astronauts, eight men and four women ages 43 to 56, participated in the study, so it was a relatively small sample size. The astronauts spent six months in space and completed up to two hours of endurance and resistance training per day. 

Each exercise regime was individualized for each participant, and the goal of the daily physical training was to protect muscle mass, strength, and heart health. 

Blood pressure was recorded before, during, and after the six months in space. When the astronauts returned to Earth, they were also given a saline infusion.

None of the astronauts got dizzy or fainted when they landed, and the research is the first to prove that routine exercises while in flight can reduce the risk of Orthostatic hypotension.

“What surprised me the most was how well the astronauts did after spending six months in space. I thought there would be frequent episodes of fainting when they returned to Earth, but they didn’t have any. It’s compelling evidence of the effectiveness of the countermeasures--the exercise regimen and fluid replenishment,” said Levine. 

The researchers plan to test if the results can be replicated with larger sample sizes and for astronauts who spend more time in space. 

The study findings were published in the journal Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Andrey Armyagov

Exercising in space helps astronauts avoid fainting back on Earth

As exciting as it is for astronauts to brave the...

Many universities have initiated "Pet Your Stress Away" programs to give college students the opportunity to interact with cats and <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/puppy-dog-eyes-evolved-humans/">dogs</a> to help alleviate stress. Scientists at <a href="https://wsu.edu/">Washington State University</a> demonstrated that these programs have substantial stress-relieving physiological benefits.

"Just 10 minutes can have a significant impact," said Professor Patricia Pendry. "Students in our study that interacted with cats and dogs had a significant reduction in cortisol, a major stress hormone."

The research is the first of its kind to provide evidence of reduced cortisol levels among students during a real-life intervention. The study was focused on 249 college students who were randomly divided into four groups. 

The first group interacted with cats and dogs for ten minutes and were allowed to pet and play with the animals. The second group observed others petting the animals while waiting in line for their turn. 

The third group watched a slideshow of the same animals, while the fourth group was "waitlisted" for ten minutes and were told they would see and interact with the animals soon. 

The team collected several saliva cortisol samples from each participant, beginning in the morning when they woke up. Analysis of the samples revealed that the students who interacted directly with the pets showed significantly less cortisol in their saliva afterward. 

The calming effect was found to be consistent regardless of whether the students started out the day with very high or low levels of the stress hormone.

"We already knew that students enjoy interacting with animals, and that it helps them experience more positive emotions," said Professor Pendry. "What we wanted to learn was whether this exposure would help students reduce their stress in a less subjective way. And it did, which is exciting because the reduction of stress hormones may, over time, have significant benefits for physical and mental health."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/home/ero">AERA Open</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Shutterstock/archimede

Interacting with animals can significantly reduce stress

Many universities have initiated "Pet Your Stress Away" programs to...

In a new study led by <a href="https://www.rutgers.edu/">Rutgers University</a>, scientists have discovered how brown fat may help protect against obesity and type 2 diabetes. 

The research is shedding new light on the role of <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/kids-cold-climates-fat-content/">brown fat</a> in human health and may ultimately lead to the development of improved treatments for controlling weight and blood sugar.

Also known as brown adipose tissue, brown fat is considered a heat organ. It is found in small amounts in specific regions of the body, including the neck, collarbone, kidneys, and spinal cord. When brown fat is activated by cool temperatures, it uses sugar and fat from the blood to generate heat in the body.

The researchers determined that brown fat can also help the body filter and remove branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) from the blood. BCAAs are found in foods like meat, fish, eggs, and milk, and are also found in supplements used by athletes to build muscle mass.

At normal levels, these amino acids are essential for good health. However, an excess of BCAAs in the blood is associated with diabetes and obesity. 

According to the study, people with little or no brown fat have a more difficult time clearing BCAAs from their blood, which may lead to the development of weight and blood sugar problems. 

The study has also unraveled a longstanding mystery about how BCAAs enter the mitochondria that generate energy and heat in cells. The scientists discovered a protein, SLC25A44, which controls the rate that brown fat eliminates the amino acids and uses them for energy and heat.

Study co-author Professor Labros S. Sidossis chairs the Department of Kinesiology and Health in the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. 

"Our study explains the paradox that BCAA supplements can potentially benefit those with active brown fat, such as healthy people, but can be detrimental to others, including the elderly, obese and people with diabetes," said Professor Sidossis.

Next, the researchers will investigate whether uptake of BCAAs by brown fat can be controlled by environmental factors, such as exposure to mildly cold temperatures, the consumption of spicy foods, or by drug treatments. Sidossis said this could improve blood sugar levels that are linked to diabetes and obesity.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/content/nature_subs/cpmlp_2a/index.html?productId=nature&amp;coupon=nat50q219&amp;end_date=09/30/2019&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjw1_PqBRBIEiwA71rmtXUpNKb_hANkzMepOeX6LZOS9vHYFggmo857eKSLMLpQRjACkyds3hoCshsQAvD_BwE">Nature</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Sebastian Kaulitzki

Brown fat is important to good health and helps protect against obesity

In a new study led by Rutgers University, scientists have...

<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-games-cognitive-decline/">Brain games</a> may be a helpful tool for older adults to improve multitasking ability and keep the brain healthy.

That’s according to a new study led by the<a href="https://uci.edu/"> University of California-Irvine</a> which found that online brain exercises helped older adults cognitively multitask.

As we age, the brain processes information more slowly and having to shift focus and divide our attention in today’s digital age can be draining, especially for older adults. 

Brain game exercises could help guard against “brain drain” brought on by information overflow and the aging process. 

The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 

“We discovered that people in the upper age ranges who completed specific training tasks were able to beef up their brain’s ability to switch between tasks in the game at a level similar to untrained 20- and 30-year-olds,” said Mark Steyvers, the lead author of the study. 

Steyvers and a team of researchers collaborated with Lumosity, an online platform that offers brain training games for users. 

The researchers randomly selected a sample from 1,000 Lumosity members ages 21 to 80 who played a game called “Ebb and Flow,” a task-switching game that challenged players to switch between identifying shapes and movement. 

The researchers grouped the users into two categories, users aged 21 to 80 who completed fewer than 60 sessions and users aged 71 to 80 who had completed at least 1,000 sessions. 

The users in the second group who had completed many different sessions were able to match the scores and performance of younger users in the first group who hadn’t played much. 

This lead was only temporary, and performance declined in comparison to younger users that completed more than ten sessions. 

Even though performance declined, the study still found that playing online brain games could be a useful tool in helping improve mental performance and cognitive multitasking. 

“Medical advances and improved lifestyles are allowing us to live longer,” said Steyvers. “It’s important to factor brain health into that equation. We show that with consistent upkeep, cognitive youth can be retained well into our golden years.”

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Brain games can help older adults stay sharp and multitask

Brain games may be a helpful tool for older adults...

Smartphones are becoming more and more integrated into our daily lives all the time, and new research has found a link between <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/technoference-smartphones-sleep-productivity/">smartphone</a> usage and obesity. A study focused on college students revealed that using a smartphone in excess of five hours each day was associated with a 43-percent higher risk of obesity.

The same students were found to be more likely to have additional lifestyle habits that increased the risk of other serious health complications as well, such as heart disease. 

Study lead author Mirary Mantilla-Morrón is a cardiac pulmonary and vascular rehabilitation specialist at the Health Sciences Faculty at the <a href="http://www.usb.ve/">Simón Bolívar University</a> in Colombia.

"It is important that the general population know and be aware that, although mobile technology is undoubtedly attractive for its multiple purposes, portability, comfort, access to countless services, information and entertainment sources, it should also be used to improve habits and healthy behaviors," said Mantilla-Morrón.

"Spending too much time in front of the Smartphone facilitates sedentary behaviors, reduces the time of physical activity, which increases the risk of premature death, diabetes, heart disease, different types of cancer, osteoarticular discomfort and musculoskeletal symptoms."

The investigation was focused on over 1,000 students attending Simón Bolívar University from June to December 2018. The study group consisted of 700 women and 360 men with an average age of 19 years and 20 years, respectively. 

The researchers found that the risk of obesity increased by 43 percent if a smartphone was used five or more hours a day. These participants were also twice as likely to drink sugary drinks, eat fast food or sweets, and to have decreased physical activity. Overall, 26 percent of the subjects who were overweight reported spending more than five hours using their device.

"The results of this study allow us to highlight one of the main causes of physical obesity, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease," said Mantilla-Morrón. "We have also determined that the amount of time in which a person is exposed to the use of technologies - specifically prolonged cell phone use - is associated with the development of obesity."

The research was presented at the <a href="https://www.acc.org/latinamerica2019">ACC Latin America Conference 2019</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Anna Hoychuk / Shutterstock

Excessive smartphone use linked to a higher risk of obesity in young adults

Smartphones are becoming more and more integrated into our daily...

Carbon offsetting may seem like a great solution to reduce your carbon footprint, but a new report published in <a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg24332394-500-planning-to-carbon-offset-your-flight-you-should-read-this-first/?utm_medium=NLC&amp;utm_source=NSNS&amp;utm_campaign=2019-0718-GLOBAL-NSDAY&amp;utm_content=NSDAY">New Scientist</a> cautions against falling for poorly regulated schemes to assuage climate guilt. 

There are steps we can all take to reduce emissions and our carbon footprint. Choosing to walk or take public transportation, eat less meat, take advantage of renewable energy when possible, and reduce plastic waste are all great actions to help reduce emissions.

There are some activities, like flying, that can be impossible to avoid despite the massive amounts of greenhouse gas emitted by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electric-planes-zero-emissions/">airlines today</a>. 

This is where carbon offsetting comes in. If you’re going to spend money on emissions, then why not spend money to do some good for the planet as well and voluntarily offset your carbon emissions.

Some airlines offer carbon offsetting options, like <a href="https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/company/global-citizenship/environment/carbon-offset-program.html">United Airlines</a>, which allows passengers to calculate the carbon footprint of their trip and donate to help forest conservation in Peru. 

You can take a vacation and still neutralize your carbon emissions for that trip. But, do these schemes help combat climate change, and are they a viable option for the average consumer on the go? 

New Scientist reporter Adam Vaughan tackles this question head-on. According to Vaughan, carbon offsetting schemes are few and far between, and it can be challenging to find ones that are effectively regulated. Even when carbon offset programs are available, even fewer flyers take advantage of them. 

According to the<a href="https://www.iata.org/Pages/default.aspx"> International Air Transport Association (IATA)</a>, only one percent of passengers offset carbon emissions through voluntary programs. 

Since 2005, the amount of carbon voluntarily offset by people worldwide has added up to just 430 million tons. 

The aviation industry doesn’t view offsetting as a real alternative to their high emissions, more as a temporary stopgap, according to Vaughan. 

Carbon offsetting could also lead to unintentional negative consequences and even more emissions, according to Benjamin Sovacool at the <a href="https://www.sussex.ac.uk/">University of Sussex</a>. 

There are risks, and the voluntarily offsetting does little to mitigate climate change or reduce current and past emissions. However, there are still ways to ensure your money is put to good use.

Look for programs certified by a third party like <a href="https://www.goldstandard.org/">Gold Standard</a> in Switzerland. Find airlines that have newer fleets, and try and find ways to filter out the scheme from the scam as there many ineffective programs on the market.

“I think that there are some really brilliant carbon offset schemes that do amazing things, many of which go well beyond carbon,” Mike Mason, founder of UK offsetting company ClimateCare told New Scientist. “The problem is there is an awful lot of crap out there [too]. They can be misused by people who want to misuse them, and therein lies the danger.”

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Paid for by <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a>

Image Credit: Shutterstock/motive56

Carbon offsetting schemes are often poorly regulated and ineffective

Carbon offsetting may seem like a great solution to reduce...

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...

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



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



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



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



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



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



---



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qARzJPSabQ-2270617-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



---



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qas3EhyI0Y-2220951-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



---



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

[sendtonews key="qas3EhyI0Y-2220951-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="vpljfR2VBX-2560867-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



---



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

[sendtonews key="vpljfR2VBX-2560867-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

News coming your way