Artificial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/are-artificial-sweeteners-safe-the-debate-is-heating-up/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sweeteners</a> are appealing to those who want a sweet taste without the calories or health concerns associated with sugar. Yet, emerging research continues to uncover potential gut harm caused by sugar substitutes, such as neotame. 



A new study from Anglia Ruskin University (<a href="https://www.aru.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ARU</a>) sheds light on neotame, a relatively newer artificial sweetener, and its shocking effects on the gut.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-neotame-wrecks-havoc-on-the-gut-microbiome">How neotame wrecks havoc on the gut microbiome</h2>



According to the research, neotame directly harms the gut's protective lining and changes the behavior of good gut bacteria. This can weaken the gut barrier and disrupt the gut microbiome. These changes affect digestion, immune health, and can lead to various health problems.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neotame-s-impact-on-epithelial-cells-in-the-gut">Neotame's impact on epithelial cells in the gut</h3>



Research indicates that neotame has the capacity to directly induce cell death in the epithelial cells that line your intestinal walls. The exact mechanism by which this occurs is still being investigated but might involve the disruption of essential cellular functions.



The epithelial lining of the gut plays a crucial role in maintaining a physical barrier between the contents of your digestive tract and your internal systems. 



This barrier is essential for both nutrient absorption and for protecting your body from harmful toxins, pathogens, and other substances found within the gut. Neotame's ability to kill these cells directly undermines the integrity of this barrier.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neotame-s-disruption-of-gut-microbes">Neotame's disruption of gut microbes</h3>



Your gut is home to trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria like E.coli and E. faecalis. In a healthy state, many of these bacteria contribute to digestive processes and play a role in immune system support. However, exposure to neotame appears to induce negative changes in these bacteria.



Neotame can cause normally beneficial gut bacteria to become harmful. This includes increased adherence (sticking) to the gut wall, the ability to invade the gut lining, and the potential to break through the gut barrier and enter the bloodstream.



If harmful bacteria escape the confines of the gut and reach the bloodstream, this can cause sepsis - a life-threatening condition where the body has an extreme inflammatory response to infection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consequences-of-a-neotame-compromised-gut">Consequences of a Neotame compromised gut</h2>



Your gut is often called the "second brain." It's home to trillions of microorganisms, collectively known as your gut microbiome, that have a profound influence on your overall well-being. Here's what might happen when neotame disrupts your delicate gut ecosystem:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-irritable-bowel-syndrome-ibs">Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)</h3>



As discussed, damage to the gut barrier can lead to increased intestinal permeability (often called "leaky gut"). This allows unwanted substances to pass through the gut lining and into the body, potentially triggering inflammation and immune responses that exacerbate IBS symptoms.



Research suggests that people with IBS often have altered gut microbiota compared to healthy individuals. An imbalance between beneficial and harmful gut bacteria can contribute to digestive distress, including abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sepsis">Sepsis</h3>



A compromised gut barrier allows harmful bacteria to potentially escape from the digestive tract and enter the bloodstream. This translocation of bacteria can trigger a severe systemic inflammatory response known as sepsis.



Sepsis is a medical emergency. When not promptly treated, it can progress to septic shock, leading to multiple organ failure and death.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-metabolic-and-inflammatory-disorders">Metabolic and inflammatory disorders</h3>



The gut microbiome plays a significant role in regulating various metabolic processes, including energy harvesting from food and blood sugar control. An altered gut microbiome can contribute to metabolic dysregulation, leading to issues such as insulin resistance (a precursor to type 2 diabetes).



Disruptions in the gut microbiome from neotame can promote low-grade, chronic inflammation throughout the body. This sustained inflammation is a key contributor to the development of numerous chronic health conditions, including metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, and possibly even some forms of cancer.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neotame-s-place-among-other-artificial-sweeteners">Neotame's place among other artificial sweeteners</h2>



This isn't the first time artificial sweeteners have been under scrutiny. “There is now growing awareness of the health impacts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-sweeteners-obesity-diabetes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sweeteners</a> such as saccharin, sucralose and aspartame, with our own previous work demonstrating the problems they can cause to the wall of the intestine and the damage to the ‘good bacteria’ which form in our gut," said study senior author Dr. Havovi Chichger.



For people struggling with weight control, diabetes, or glucose intolerance, artificial sweeteners can be a tool. But the research on neotame and other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-sweetener-has-been-linked-to-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sweeteners</a> paints a complex picture. While they reduce sugar intake, the long-term consequences of their effect on the gut remain a significant health concern.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-things-to-consider">Things to consider </h2>



Before using any artificial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-sweeteners-linked-to-increased-risk-of-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sweetener</a>, consider the following:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moderation-is-key">Moderation is key</h3>



<ul>
<li>Small amounts if needed:&nbsp;If you decide to incorporate artificial sweeteners into your diet, it's crucial to do so with extreme caution. Using them sparingly minimizes potential exposure and reduces the risk of negative effects on gut health.</li>



<li>Retraining your palate:&nbsp;Our taste preferences are adaptable. Gradually reducing your intake of artificial sweeteners and highly sweetened foods allows your taste buds to adjust. Over time, you'll appreciate and enjoy the subtle sweetness of naturally occurring sugars found in fruits, vegetables, and some dairy products.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-read-food-labels">Read food labels</h3>



<ul>
<li>Ingredient awareness:&nbsp;Scrutinize ingredient lists carefully. Artificial sweeteners like neotame, sucralose, aspartame, and others can appear in a surprising variety of products, including diet drinks, processed snacks, chewing gum, and even seemingly "healthy" bars or beverages.</li>



<li>Hidden names:&nbsp;Artificial sweeteners can go by many names. Be vigilant in spotting them on food labels to make more informed choices about what you consume.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-natural-alternatives">Natural alternatives</h3>



<ul>
<li>Stevia and monk fruit:&nbsp;These plant-derived sweeteners have little to no impact on blood sugar levels, making them potentially safer options. However, some individuals may find they have an aftertaste or digestive sensitivities to them.</li>



<li>Use with caution:&nbsp;Even natural <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-sweeteners-health-issues/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sweeteners</a> shouldn't be consumed in excess. The goal is to reduce your overall reliance on overly sweet flavors and to appreciate the inherent sweetness of whole foods.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-talk-to-your-doctor">Talk to your doctor</h3>



<ul>
<li>Personalized advice:&nbsp;Seeking guidance from your doctor or a registered dietitian is essential, especially if you have underlying health conditions like diabetes or any digestive issues.</li>



<li>Individualized approach:&nbsp;They can help you develop a dietary plan that addresses your specific needs and concerns while taking into account potential risks associated with artificial sweeteners.</li>
</ul>



The evolving understanding of the complex relationship between artificial sweeteners like neotame and gut health underscores the value of a whole-foods based diet. This recent research on neotame is another reminder that what we put into our bodies has far-reaching effects beyond simple taste and metabolism. 



Prioritizing healthy, unprocessed foods is the best way to support your gut microbiome and your overall well-being for the long term.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1366409/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Nutrition</a>.



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Artificial sweetener neotame has shocking effects on gut health

Artificial sweeteners are appealing to those who want a sweet taste without the calories or health concerns associated with sugar. Yet, emerging research continues to uncover potential gut harm caused by sugar substitutes, such as neotame. A new study from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) sheds light on neotame, a relatively newer artificial sweetener, and its shocking effects on the gut. How neotame wrecks havoc on the gut microbiome According to the research, neotame directly harms the gut's protective lining and changes the behavior of good gut bacteria....

No need to feel guilty when you snack on "junk food" like fish sticks – at least, not on the environmental front. They’re surprisingly sustainable, according to a new study by the <a href="https://www.mcsuk.org/">Marine Conservation Society</a>.

The society has released a “Good Fish Finger Guide” on its website to help people choose snacks with the lowest negative impact on marine life.

“Consumers may not be aware that the majority of fish in retail own brand and branded fish fingers actually comes from sustainable sources,” said Rajina Gurung, a sustainable seafood advocate with MCS. “Some saver brands even turned out to be the most sustainable, showing that you do not have to pay a fortune for sustainability.”

Gurung and colleagues analyzed 48 different brands of fish sticks – called fish fingers in the UK – to determine what kinds of fish they use and where they get their supplies. 

They found that the fish sticks contained one or more of just four species: Atlantic cod, Pacific cod, haddock and Alaska pollock. The majority got their fish ingredients from sustainable sources, the study found.

So why don’t more customers know that? The problem is one of labeling, Gurung said.

Forty percent of the fish sticks brands didn’t have a credible eco-label, and only 19 percent included enough details for buyers to know where and how their fish ingredients were caught. But with a little digging, it wasn’t hard for Gurung and her team to find out more about their fish supplies.

“By and large most of the supermarkets and brands we were in contact with were forthcoming with providing the information regarding the origins of the fish within their fish fingers. We’re now considering focusing on other processed products that are available through retail or food service outlets,” she said. 

To find out more, visit the <a href="https://www.mcsuk.org/responsible-seafood/fish-finger-guide">Good Fish Finger Guide</a>.

--

By <a href="mailto:kcathey@earth.com">Kyla Cathey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Contributing Writer

Save the oceans – eat more fish sticks

No need to feel guilty when you snack on "junk...

Instant soups and noodle cups may seem like a convenient, easy and quick meal option. However, a new study shows that <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/limited-screen-cognitive-ability-kids/">children</a> are highly susceptible to painful scald burns while preparing or eating instant microwaveable soup products. 

Researchers from <a href="http://www.emory.edu/home/index.html">Emory University</a> conducted a study examining severe scald burns in children and found that instant soups and noodle products cause at least 2 out of every 10 scald burns that require emergency treatment. 

The researchers will present their work at the <a href="https://www.aap.org/">American Academy of Pediatrics</a> 2019 national Conference and Exhibition. 

“Scald burns are a major cause of preventable injury among children, and our research found that instant soup spills are responsible for a large number of these painful burns,” said Courtney Allen, the lead author of the study. 

Previous studies have found that 100,000 children sustain scald burns from spilled food and beverages in the US every year, and the researchers wanted to find out exactly how many of those scald burns were the result of microwavable soups. 

Allen and colleagues reviewed scald burn cases in patients ages four to twelve between 2006 and 2016 using data from the <a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Research--Statistics/NEISS-Injury-Data">National Electronic Injury Surveillance System Database</a>. 

The researchers filtered out scalding burns caused by spills from instant soup which was defined as any instant soup product such as instant noodles, a cup of soup, or water for making soups. 

The researches also grouped together burn locations based on regions like the face, trunk, or lower extremity. 

Over 9,500 children every year sustain scald burns from instant soup products. 

The torso was the most common area of the body for burns, and the average age for soup spill injuries was seven during the years included in the study. 

These results call for better packaging from instant soup manufacturers to help decrease the risk of spills and products tipping over. 

“Instant soups and noodles in prepackaged cups and bowls may seem simple to prepare just by adding water and microwaving them,” said Allen. “But once they're heated up they become a dangerous burn risk. Caregivers need to closely supervise younger children who might otherwise get hurt if cooking for themselves.”

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

A concerning number of kids get scald burns from microwavable soups

Instant soups and noodle cups may seem like a convenient,...

According to new research, children who are exposed to emotional or physical violence early in life age faster compared to their peers. On the other hand, <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/children-breathe-toxic-air/">children</a> exposed to adversity involving deprivation such as neglect and food insecurity age more slowly.

Study senior author Dr. Katie McLaughlin completed the study while at the <a href="https://www.washington.edu/">University of Washington</a>.

“The findings demonstrate that different types of early-life adversity can have different consequences for children's development,” said Dr. McLaughlin.

Prior studies have linked poor physical and mental health outcomes from early life adversity to accelerated development. The current study, however, demonstrates that violence and deprivation have different effects on childhood development.

Among children who experienced violence in early life, accelerated epigenetic aging was associated with increased symptoms of depression. This indicates that faster biological aging may be one way that early life adversity “gets under the skin” to contribute to later health problems, according to the study authors.

The investigation was focused on 247 children and adolescents between 8 and 16 years old. Dr. McLaughlin explained that accelerated aging following exposure to violence was already detectable in children as young as 8 years old.

“With each new study, it seems that our appreciation grows of the enormous and persisting impact of early life exposure to violence,” said Dr. John Krystal. “This new knowledge calls for increased societal investment in reducing the exposure of children to violence and for biomedical and psychological research to reduce the impact of these experiences throughout the lives of these vulnerable individuals.”

While it is not yet known if accelerated epigenetic aging can be reversed, the association between aging and symptoms of depression may offer a way for doctors to identify children who need help. 

“Accelerated epigenetic age and pubertal stage could be used to identify youth who are developing faster than expected given their chronological age and who might benefit from intervention,” said Dr. McLaughlin. “Pubertal stage is an especially useful marker because it is easy and inexpensive to assess by healthcare providers, and could be used to identify youth who may need more intensive health services.”

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.biologicalpsychiatryjournal.com/">Biological Psychiatry</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Kids exposed to violence literally grow up faster, study shows

According to new research, children who are exposed to emotional...

It’s that time of year again when we “fall backward” and set the clocks back one hour in observance of Daylight Saving Time. But it once again prompts the ongoing debate of whether Daylight Saving Time is still necessary or if it is a dated, archaic experiment.

In the spring of 2014, a friend and I ambitiously packed up her Hyundai Elantra to the gills and headed out on the road trip of a lifetime to Skagway, Alaska. 

We had been hired to work in Skagway for the summer, and it seemed like a good idea to drive through Canada via the Alaska Canada highway. The drive was a harrowing one, as I can tell you that little Hyundais are no match for the wild, winding, snow-covered mountain roads of the Yukon. 

And yet, that’s the not the only ordeal that comes to mind when I think about that long trek through the Canadian provinces. The trip also reminded me what a nuisance daylight saving time truly is. 

Crossing multiple time zones in a day is hard enough, but the final straw was constantly trying to remember if the area we were in adhered to daylight saving time or not.  Both the United States and Canada have regions without daylight saving, and it begs the question, is it time to do away with the practice altogether? 

As much as my trip across Canada may have been rife with time checking confusion, this was nothing compared to the utter madness before the Uniform Time Act of 1966 when states had more freedom in deciding their own rules when it came to daylight saving. 

The Uniform Time Act quickly put a stop to the chaos and implemented the time zones as we know them today, Atlantic, Eastern, Central, mountain, Pacific, Hawaii–Aleutian, Samoa, and Chamorro, according to the <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/regulations/time-act">US Department of Transportation.</a>

Time zones themselves have a fascinating history, but this article is about daylight saving which was first introduced as a concept by Benjamin Franklin in 1784. 

His comments on the idea that people could save time and money by getting up earlier are thought to be largely a jest, but Franklin was a frugal mann and there was more than a kernel of truth to his words. 

Franklin holds the honor of first introducing the notion of daylight saving time, but it was <a href="https://www.livescience.com/11069-started-daylight-saving-time.html">William Willett</a> who is credited with first inventing the idea of moving the clocks forward and back to “save” daylight. 

Willet published a brochure in 1907 called the “The Waste of Daylight,” but it still wasn’t practiced by any country until Germany first implemented daylight saving time to save electricity during World War I.

It was World War I that spurred many countries, the US included, to make daylight saving time a reality. 

Today, daylight saving time has few friends, while many are vehemently opposed and some who suggest we do away with it altogether. 

It may be worthwhile to take a minute to consider the pros and cons of daylight saving time and see how a practice first introduced as an energy saving war effort actually impacts health and <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/green-energy-create-jobs-coal/">energy</a> consumption today. 

From a public health standpoint, daylight saving has been shown to have many adverse effects during the first few days that the clocks change. 

Research has shown that workplace productivity decreases on the days following daylight saving time. Studies have also reported an increase in traffic accidents, heart attacks, and workplace injuries. 

Daylight saving time, particularly when people have to “spring forward” and lose an hour of sleep, can leave people feeling groggy and even jet-lagged. 

<a href="https://www.sleep-journal.com/article/S1389-9457%2808%2900318-3/abstract">One study</a> found that daylight saving time is particularly hard for adolescents who are more active in the evenings and the schedule change impacts school performance. In fact, the researchers of the study suggest that teachers avoid giving tests during the first week after the time change. 

Researchers from the <a href="http://www.uab.edu/news/health/item/2141-heart-attacks-rise-following-daylight-saving-time">University of Alabama at Birmingham</a> discovered that turning the clocks ahead in March correlated with a ten percent increase in heart attacks. 

A <a href="https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/PressRelease/1440">2016 study</a> found that that there was an eight percent increase in the rate of ischemic strokes during the first two days following daylight saving time. 

“Previous studies have shown that disruptions in a person’s circadian rhythm, also called an internal body clock, increase the risk of ischemic stroke, so we wanted to find out if daylight saving time was putting people at risk,” said Jori Ruuskanen, an author of the 2016 study. 

The stress that daylight saving time puts on our internal clock can also leave people feeling jet-lagged and out of sorts because circadian rhythms so finely tune our sleep and wake schedules. 

If you physically shift time, that’s going to disrupt a person’s internal clock which is what causes many of the adverse health effects associated with daylight saving time. 

<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0001457503000150">One study</a> found that traffic fatalities and pedestrian traffic accidents would decrease by three percent if daylight saving time was all year long and some advocates that argue that daylight saving time should be continuous or done away with altogether. 

It’s important to remember when looking at these studies that the negative effects of daylight saving time are not permanent and only last while people adjust to the change. There also may be underlying factors not considered by the researchers. 

So let’s set the health effects aside for a minute and talk about the main event, the driving force behind daylight saving time: saving energy. 

In theory, daylight saving has a lot of merits. By adjusting the clocks to maximize natural sunlight and allow people to take advantage of as much natural light in the evenings as possible, not only could it be beneficial to well being, but also save energy. 

More natural light in the early evenings equals less demand for electricity, or at least that was the general gist of why daylight saving was even suggested in the first place. 

But do we actually save energy today?

<a href="https://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1162/REST_a_00131">One study</a> saw a unique opportunity in examining energy consumption in Indiana. Many counties in Indiana didn’t observe daylight saving before 2006, and so researchers from Yale and the University of California, Santa Barbara were able to compare energy consumption before and after daylight saving was implemented in Indiana. 

The study shows that electricity demand actually increased after 2006 for much of Indiana, translating to an estimated nine million per year in increased electricity bills as well as an increase in pollution. 

Even if there is little proof that daylight saving helps conserve energy there, are still people who are adamantly for the practice. 

Fans of daylight saving time will quickly point out that what we lose in a few days is nothing compared to the gains that daylight saving time provides over an eight-month period. 

Dan Falk wrote <a href="http://mentalfloss.com/article/77000/defense-daylight-saving-time">an article</a> for Mental Floss discussing the merits of daylight saving time and why it deserves more credit than we give it. 

One of the points Falk makes is that if we do away with daylight saving time, we must either switch to a Universal Standard Time or have daylight saving all year round. 

“If we stay on Standard Time year round, much of that extra summer daylight, divided equally between morning and evening, goes to waste,” Falk writes. “Do we really need four and a half hours of daylight before most of us start the work day, in June? Surely that light is more valuable to us in the evenings, when we’re finished work or school and (in theory, at least) can do as we please.”

However, daylight saving all year round would make winter mornings miserable Falk also argues. 

I belong to the “get rid of it altogether” camp when it comes to daylight saving time, as much as I enjoy getting an extra hour of sleep in November. 

While myself and many others would love to see daylight saving abolished, I admit that I don’t have a good solution for what to do instead. 

Our time zones are so intricately woven into everyday life from international travel to determining online bank transactions that “doing away with it” can’t be an option without fully considering how either Universal Standard Time or constant daylight saving time would affect our biological clocks, the world’s time zones, and the economy. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Is daylight saving time really still necessary?

It’s that time of year again when we “fall backward”...

Most kids can’t tell the difference between real guns and toy guns. A recent survey of parents and caregivers, some of whom were firearm owners, found that most were confident their children could distinguish between a real gun and a toy gun. The majority of children surveyed were certain they could recognize the difference as well. However, when shown side-by-side photographs, only 41 percent of children between the ages of 7 and 17 correctly identified real and fake <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/gun-owners-store-guns/">firearms</a>.


Dr. Kiesha Fraser Doh is an assistant professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine at <a href="http://med.emory.edu/">Emory University School of Medicine</a>.

“One of the most dramatic findings was how easily caregivers and children can confuse real guns with today's realistic-looking toy guns,” said Dr. Doh. “Especially considering gun owners surveyed were nearly twice as likely as non-gun owners to let their children play with toy guns, safe storage of firearms in homes where children play is critical.”

The investigation was focused on 297 caregiver-child pairs visiting one of three pediatric emergency departments in the southeastern United States. 

Overall, 25 percent of respondents were gun owners. These participants were more likely to be white, have an annual income of greater than $50,000, and to have some college education compared with non-gun owners. Furthermore, gun owners were more likely to let their children play with toy guns.

The caregivers were also asked how easily they thought their child could access a real gun, and only five percent believed their child could obtain a gun within 24 hours. By contrast, 14 percent of the children whose caregivers owned guns and four percent of the children whose caregivers did not own guns said they could access a gun within one day.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that guns should be locked up, unloaded, and stored separately from ammunition, yet less than 34 percent of firearms owners were found to comply with these recommendations. In addition, among children who reported having a gun in the home, 53 percent knew where the firearm was stored and 45 percent knew where ammunition was stored.

Dr. Doh will present the research on Monday, November 5, at the <a href="https://aapexperience.org/">American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2018 National Conference &amp; Exhibition</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Most kids can’t tell the difference between real guns and toy guns

Most kids can’t tell the difference between real guns and...

When we think of important resources, especially natural resources, we usually think of things like oil and natural gas. Less likely to garner as much attention are plants like sugar beets or the rubber tree but these indeed are resources, agricultural and natural.  

These resources are important ones too.  Imagine a world without rubber. No tires, no rubber bands.  What would we use to make gaskets or hair bands? Imagine likewise a diet without <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/that-sugar-film-sugar-consumption/">sugar</a>.  No soda, no desert. No sweet and sour pork. Both rubber trees and sugar whether from cane or beets make up important parts of modern life.  Latex rubber especially ties us to the tropical regions of the world. 

In his book One River, Wade Davis discusses the importance of latex, especially around the time of World War II.  Rubber was absolutely essential to the Allies’ war effort. Rubber made up tires on trucks and planes.  

Rubber is more important than commonly thought to everyday life as well as war.  Consider that the US created <a href="https://www.explainthatstuff.com/rubber.html">270 million tons</a> of rubber waste from tires in 2011.  Rain gear, insulation for wires and the soles of boots all use rubber.  One River explores the omnipresence in rubber on vehicles used during World War II:

“Each one of the battleships sunk at Pearl had more than twenty thousand rubber parts, more than one hundred sixty thousand pounds all told.  Every hose on every ship, every valve and seal, every tire on every truck and plane we ship to the Russians…”

The rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) has a unique natural history, making it difficult to grow in plantations.  The Olmec used rubber to make things like balls as long as 3,600 years ago, but it was the discovery of vulcanization, a process which makes rubber more durable, that kicked off a rubber boom in South America.  

The rubber tree is native only to the tropics of the Americas and succumbs to blight if too many trees are grown in close proximity of each other in Latin America.  This quirk dictated the realities of much of the early rubber industry. Rubber tappers took to the rainforest, hiking trails to each tree in succession to tap several in turn.  Because the trees were spaced far apart in the forest, long hours were required to obtain raw latex. 

Labor costs cut into the profit margins of rubber businesses and many of the so called ‘rubber barons’ turned to the natives for slave labor, creating a hell that left scars to this day on the cultural landscape of South America.  Places like Manaus Brazil and Iquitos Peru became extravagantly wealthy with many luxuries contrasting their place as remote jungle towns. Soon, agents of the British empire illegally smuggled rubber tree seeds out of South America and plantations were started in British India, breaking South America’s rubber monopoly.  

For a time rubber plantations in Asia out-competed wild rubber tapping in South America and the rubber businesses died, leaving behind the ghosts of their horrible practice.  With the start of World War II, Japan made rubber supplies from Asia increasingly unreliable to the Allies. Rubber was once again taken from South America for a short time. The US started experimental rubber plantations in Costa Rica with blight resistant tree stock.  Eventually the plantations were shut down largely due to political bickering. 

Today, the vast majority of the world’s rubber still comes from southeast Asia.  The top four rubber producing countries in the world are Thailand, Indonesia, China and India.  Rubber is not the only plant to play an important role in international relationships and war, though.  Sugar is more important than it first seems as well. 

Until relatively recently, Cuba dominated the international sugar industry.  According to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Cuba/Sugarcane-and-the-growth-of-slavery">Britannica</a>, by 1850, sugar made up four-fifths of Cuba’s global exports, and in 1860 the island produced almost one third of the world’s sugar.  As with the rubber trade in South America and the cotton plantations of the US south, sugar in Cuba fueled the slave trade and huge amounts of inequality among Cubans.  Cuba’s economy also became increasingly dependent upon sugar and tied to its global market. 

In his book, <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=XPFzV9VRFuEC&amp;q=sugar#v=snippet&amp;q=Cuba%20sugar&amp;f=false">Open Veins of Latin America</a>, Eduardo Galeano tells how the US utilized the weakness of Cuba and its dependence on one crop for wealth.  In 1921, the price of sugar dropped radically from $.22 per pound to $.04 a pound. The drop in prices was a tragedy for Cuba but the US came to their aid with credit of $50 million, though the economy of Cuba has never quite recovered.  

The place of the US in Cuba was cemented for a time with this loan but interference stretched back to the US involvement in Cuba’s fight for independence and the following US military occupation of the newly independent Cuba.  In essence, the sugar industry of Cuba was created to fuel Spain and by being allied with the US, Cuba became entrapped in a sort of dependence on the US, a nation addicted to sugar. Galeano goes on to note that by 1948, Cuba supplied one third of the US’ sugar but received much lower prices than US sugar growers.  Sugar grown outside the tropics was only possible through new technology.

The development of another type of sugar has allowed the United States (and other countries) to dictate the terms of trade with Cuba, leaving the island nation mired in poverty.  Traditionally sugar comes from sugar cane, a large grass in the genus Saccharum; a treat that many who’ve visited the tropics may have bought on the street to munch raw and sticky making the eater look like a panda with bamboo.  In 2009, sugar from beets accounted for 20% of the world’s sugar, with United States, Europe and Turkey being the top global producers of sugar, according to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_beet">Wikipedia</a>.  In 1747, Andreas Marggraf, a German chemist demonstrated that sugar could be extracted from beets, a discovery coming after sugar cane plantations were already established in Cuba.

<a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/191975/sugarcane-production-in-the-us-by-state/">Statista</a> reports that between 2016 and 2017, the US produced 8.5 million metric tons of sugar.  The USDA reports that sugar cane accounts for 40 to 45% of US sugar production and sugar beets supply 55 to 60% of US sugar production.  Clearly beets are important. 

Beets and US sugar cane allowed the US to treat Cuba as their plantation colony and then cast them off when they became politically hard to deal with.  The wealth produced by sugar growers in Cuba also ended up in US pockets often enough. Open Veins of Latin America reports that at one point, 13 US sugar producers owned as much as 47% of the land planted with Cuban sugar cane.  Plantations of rubber in Asia allowed Europe and North America to accumulate their own wealth at the cost of rubber barons in South America.  

The story is the same as with any resource, controlling the resource means gathering the wealth.  The chemistry of sugar from beets, the clandestine planting of rubber trees in Asia and the eventual invention of synthetic rubber are all tied to the wealth of nations.  There’s talk about wealth from oil and the empires built on it but plants can be the basis of wealth just as easily. 

--

By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Contributing Writer

Plants and power: The importance of rubber and sugar

When we think of important resources, especially natural resources, we...

According to a new study from researchers at <a href="https://scottishritehospital.org/">Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children</a>, young athletes who have poor sleep quality after sustaining a <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/youth-football-head-impacts/">concussion</a> may need more than 30 days to heal their brain injury, whereas athletes with good sleep quality may only need two weeks to make a full recovery.

To obtain their findings, researchers analyzed 356 young athlete concussions cases from four different outpatient concussion treatment clinics in the north Texas area between October 2015 and June 2017. In all 356 cases, concussed patients were under the age of 19 and involved in sports.

Researchers asked each concussed young athlete to fill out a questionnaire pertaining to their sleep habits and quality. The questionnaire results clearly showed that those who had better sleep quality often healed much quicker than their counterparts.

Jane S. Chung, MD, FAAP, the primary author of the abstract and a sports medicine physician at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, said, "The importance of good sleep quality is often underestimated in young athletes. Sleep is not only important for physical, mental, and cognitive well-being, but also seems to play a pivotal role in the recovery of the brain following a sport-related concussion."

Furthermore, Chung and her team found that 73% of the athletes surveyed had good sleep quality whereas 27% had poor sleep quality. They also found that girls exhibited worse sleep quality post-concussion more often than boys.

Overall, those with poor sleep quality reported two times greater symptom severity at their first clinic appointment and three times greater symptom severity at their 3-month-follow up appointment.

“Pediatricians and health care providers involved in the care of young athletes should educate and emphasize the importance of good sleep quality and sleep hygiene for optimal overall health, performance, and recovery," Dr. Chung continued. "Parents can take small steps to help improve their child's sleep quality by establishing a regular sleep schedule, avoiding electronics at least one hour prior to bedtime, and encouraging them to get at least 8-10 hours of sleep each night."

The hope is that these findings will encourage clinicians to emphasize the importance of a good night’s sleep to their concussion patients. Better sleep means faster recovery.

The study abstract, “Association Between Sleep Quality and Recovery Following a Sport-Related Concussion in the Pediatric Population," will be presented on November 3rd at Orlando, Florida’s <a href="https://aapexperience.org/">American Academy of Pediatrics 2018 National Conference &amp; Exhibition</a>.

--

By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Poor sleep can prolong recovery after sports-related concussions

According to a new study from researchers at Texas Scottish...

We love seeing good prevail over evil in our favorite superhero flicks. But the good vs. evil plot may be distracting us from the violent behavior displayed by the “good guys”. New research being presented at the <a href="https://aapexperience.org/">American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2018 National Conference &amp; Exhibition</a> has proven that the heroes in superhero films often engage in more violent acts, on average, than their villainous counterpart.

The study, entitled "Violence Depicted in Superhero-Based Films Stratified by Protagonist/Antagonist and Gender," looked at 10 superhero films released between 2015 and 2016. Researchers classified characters as either “good guys” or “bad guys” and used a standardized system to track acts of <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/school-violence-detrimental-bullied/">violence</a> from each group of characters throughout the 10 films.

On average, protagonists (the “good guys”) racked up 23 acts of violence per hour, whereas antagonists (the “bad guys”) only displayed 18 acts of violence per hour. Furthermore, researchers saw male characters engage in about fives times as many violent acts as female characters, 34 to 7 acts per hour.

The abstract’s lead author, Robert Olympia, MD, a Professor in the Departments of Emergency Medicine &amp; Pediatrics at <a href="https://med.psu.edu/">Penn State College of Medicine</a> and an Attending Physician at the <a href="https://hmc.pennstatehealth.org/">Milton S. Hershey Medical Center</a>/ <a href="https://childrens.pennstatehealth.org/">Penn State Children's Hospital</a>, stated that these numbers may influence young audiences and lead them to believe acts of violence and “risk-taking behaviors” are okay if they’re done by their heroes.

“Pediatric health care providers should educate families about the violence depicted in this genre of film and the potential dangers that may occur when children attempt to emulate these perceived heroes,” Olympia said.

The team found that fighting was the top violent act protagonists engaged in throughout all 10 films, having occurred over 1,000 times. Use of lethal weapons, destruction of property, murder, and torture/bullying were also prevalent protagonist acts. Antagonists displayed similar behaviors, however, they did so less frequently.

The study's principal investigator, John N. Muller, MS, a medical student at the Penn State University College of Medicine, suggested parents and children watch these movies together and constructively talk about the violence they see on screen.

“Co-viewing these movies as a family can be an effective antidote to increased violence in superhero-based films,” Muller said. He added that discussion is necessary in co-viewing, otherwise children may take parents’ passivity as acceptance of the protagonist’s behavior. “By taking an active role in their children's media consumption by co-viewing and actively mediating,” he continued, “parents help their children develop critical thinking and internally regulated values.”

After being presented at the Conference on November 5th, this study may be made ready for publication.

--

By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Study: The “good guys” in movies are just as violent as the villains

We love seeing good prevail over evil in our favorite...

New evidence from researchers at <a href="https://childrenshospital.northwell.edu/">Cohen Children’s Medical</a> in Lake Success, New York suggests children’s programming has a huge impact on the way kids think about school. Because <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/limited-screen-cognitive-ability-kids/">kids</a> spend almost twice the amount of time watching television as they do at school, it’s important for parents and educators to know how school is being portrayed within children’s media.

Researchers used television ratings to identify the 30 most-popular children’s programs. They then picked two 30-minute episodes from each program at random and watched each episode, paying special attention to how school was referenced and portrayed — were teachers portrayed as mean or kind? Did the characters in the show have a positive attitude toward school? And did the program employ student stereotypes (bullies, nerds, rebels, etc.)?

Only 46% of the programs studied depicted school in a positive light, and 33% of on-screen teachers were negatively portrayed. 59% of on-screen students could easily be characterized by classic stereotypes. 

Furthermore, researchers found that shows for younger viewers generally had a positive attitude about schooling and learning, whereas shows targeted at older viewers painted school in a negative light.

Prithwijit Das, lead researcher at Cohen Children's Medical, said, “Television content can have a profound impact on the psychosocial well-being and development of students. We do not want our kids to approach school with fear or be less enthusiastic about their future academic experiences.”

“Our hope is that parents, educators, and clinicians can get the conversation going about media awareness and support high-quality television programs that get children excited about learning,” he concluded.

Television has a large impact on how kids view the world around them, and therefore negative portrayals of school can taint their opinions of the academic world. Das’ team notes that their study, which will be presented at the <a href="https://aapexperience.org/">American Academy of Pediatrics 2018 National Conference and Exhibition</a> in Orlando, Florida on November 3rd, points out the necessity for positive depiction of school in children’s media, especially as they grow older.

--

By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

TV shows for kids greatly impact how they think about school

New evidence from researchers at Cohen Children’s Medical in Lake...

As <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/men-fathers-older-ages/">we reported</a> last year, a study was published reporting that the number of older men fathering children was rising. Just four decades ago, only 4 percent of infants were born to fathers over the age of 40. Nowadays, that number has crept up to 10 percent. This shift was seen across the United States amongst different races, education levels, and locations. And while it may be an indication of shifting cultural dynamics resulting in men waiting to begin having children, it does carry some more concerning implications.

The same researcher was part of that 2017 study – Dr. Michael Eisenberg, an associate professor of urology at <a href="http://med.stanford.edu/">Stanford University School of Medicine</a> – has now published a new study detailing the health consequences for infants who have older fathers.

The study is published in the <a href="https://www.bmj.com/">British Medical Journal</a>, and reports that babies with older fathers have average lower birth weights and increased risk of seizures. Furthermore, over a decade of data from more than 40 million births also suggests that the age of the father can influence the health of the mother during pregnancy – specifically her risk of developing diabetes. 

“We tend to look at maternal factors in evaluating associated birth risks, but this study shows that having a healthy baby is a team sport, and the father’s age contributes to the baby's health, too,” explains Eisenberg.

Analysis showed that men who were 45 or older were 14 percent more likely to have a child born prematurely, and men 50 or older were 28 percent more likely to have a child that required admission to a neonatal intensive care unit. Further assessment showed that once a dad hits age 35, there’s a slight increase in birth risks overall. With every year a man ages, he accumulates two new mutations in the DNA of his sperm on average. 

“What was really surprising was that there seemed to be an association between advanced paternal age and the chance that the mother would develop diabetes during pregnancy,” says Eisenberg. Women who had a partner age 45 and older were 28 percent more likely to develop gestational diabetes, compared to women with partners between 25 and 34. The exact causes behind this phenomenon are unknown.

Still, these findings aren’t a significant enough reason to change any life plans you may have as you age. Eisenberg compares the increased risks to buying lottery tickets. 

“If you buy two lottery tickets instead of one, your chances of winning double, so it’s increased by 100 percent,” he explains. “But that’s a relative increase. Because your chance of winning the lottery started very small, it’s still unlikely that you’re going to win the lottery. This is a very extreme example, but the same concept can be applied to how you think about these birth risks.”

In the future, Eisenberg hopes these findings are used as information to help educate people who are in the process of planning a family, as well as educate public and health officials.

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Having an older dad linked to higher health risks for infants

As we reported last year, a study was published reporting...

Earlier this week, China announced its decision to weaken a ban on the trade of rhino and tiger parts. Parts from the captive animals will now be legalized for specific scientific or medical uses. 

According to the <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/">BBC</a>, tiger bones and rhino horns are used in China to treat a variety of medical conditions - such as fever, gout, insomnia, and meningitis - despite the fact that there is no scientific evidence to prove that they are effective for these ailments. 

Critics say that China's new legislation will not be easy to enforce and that it will lead to an increase in <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/asian-lion-bone-market-poaching/">illegal poaching.</a>

Also this week, a major study by the <a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org/">World Wildlife Fund</a> (WWF) has revealed that 60 percent of the world’s mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles have been wiped out since the 1970s as a result of human activities.

The WWF said in a statement that the move by China is an “enormous setback” to efforts to protect the animals. 

“Even if restricted to antiques and use in hospitals, this trade would increase confusion by consumers and law enforcers as to which products are and are not legal, and would likely expand the markets for other tiger and rhino products,” the WWF said.

Kate Brooks is the director of a new documentary film, The Last Animals, which will be released in the United States next spring. The film is focused on the efforts of activists who are fighting to end poaching and protect the world's remaining rhinos and elephants.

“Governments are increasingly acknowledging that there is a convergence between the criminal networks involved in wildlife trafficking, human trafficking, and drugs and weapons smuggling,” Brooks told <a href="http://time.com/5438770/illegal-wildlife-trade-last-animals/?utm_source=emailshare&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=email-share-article&amp;utm_content=20181031">Time</a>.

“The poachers themselves are disposable foot soldiers. It’s hard not to feel compassion for them too, knowing they are being exploited. But they are going armed into protected spaces and killing people, as well as animals.”

Brooks said that poaching is primarily an issue of organized crime. According to Time, the illegal wildlife trade is worth $23 billion a year, and is responsible for the deaths of 7,000 rhinos and 200,000 elephants in the last decade.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

China to weaken its ban on the trade of rhino and tiger parts

Earlier this week, China announced its decision to weaken a...

With the environmental threat of global warming more apparent than ever, turning to greener energy production is necessary to thwart rising temperatures. However, many are concerned about the loss of jobs at coal-fired power plants if and when governments decide to go green. 

A new study proves that turning to bioenergy coupled with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) while phasing out <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/new-coal-rules-poorer-air-quality/">coal plants</a> would not only retain the 40,000 jobs within the coal industry, but this shift would add 22,000 jobs within the forestry and transportation sectors within the next thirty years.

The research was published in the journal Joule.

BECCS is a technology with an aim to reduce the release of greenhouse gasses. The system combines carbon capture and storage — the process of collecting carbon dioxide (CO2) from emission sources like power plants and injecting it into “underground geologic formations” — and the increased use of biomass, such as plant-based matter, as fuel. BECCS solves the problem of the massive volume of CO2 currently in the atmosphere, too much to be absorbed by trees, soil, and other natural “sinks.” And it’s a long-term solution. Experts predict that 99% of the CO2 stored underground will likely stay there for over 1,000 years.

The study’s first author Piera Patrizio, a research scholar in Ecosystems Services and Management at Laxenburg’s <a href="http://www.iiasa.ac.at/">International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis</a>, notes that BECCS is the “dominant technology” that could limit future global warming effects. But many are on the fence about transitioning over to BECCS due to the unknown consequences it may have on the environment and society.

However, Patrizio claims, "Our analysis shows that acting now and investing in this emission-mitigating strategy can be beneficial for employment in the U.S. coal sector."

Their evidence comes from an investigation into the steps necessary to put the BECCS system into place, taking into consideration the cost of transporting and injecting the carbon dioxide underground and the process needed for the sustainable production of biomass. Researchers used several different methods to analyze existing data, although they note that each method can only produce a limited view on the future economy and societal impacts due to the unknowns of swapping out coal energy with renewables.

Researchers agree that mitigating global warming effects by employing BECCS technology is necessary and can be made more appealing to those on the fence if policy makers make citizens aware of the tens of thousands of job opportunities the BECCS system can provide.

--

By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Paid for by <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a>

Studies show green energy would create more jobs than coal

With the environmental threat of global warming more apparent than...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes why satellite images and measurements of our planet have become "essential to our survival, offering a new outlook of our world."&nbsp;



Rising sea levels pose one of the biggest societal threats associated with climate change. According to ESA, satellite altimeter missions such as Copernicus Sentinel-6 are essential in monitoring global and regional changes in sea level.



"Unbeknown to many, the island of Crete, Greece, plays an important role in the Copernicus satellite altimetry constellation and on an international stage," reports ESA.



"Satellite altimetry data have to be continuously monitored at the ESA’s Permanent Facility for Altimetry Calibration where different techniques have pioneered the use of transponders to provide the best measurements to validate satellite altimeters in space soon after launch."



Dr. Craig Donlon explains that, by understanding planet Earth through satellite measurements, we are able to find evidence of change.&nbsp;



Video Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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

Satellites have become essential to our survival

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