Our everyday food choices are often guided by taste, tradition, and convenience. However, beneath these choices lie hidden risks that many tend to ignore. There is growing evidence suggesting that even tiny amounts of processed meat, sugary drinks, and trans fats carry health risks. 



A team of researchers analyzed over 60 previous studies. They looked at how processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, and trans fats impact risks of type 2 diabetes, colorectal cancer, and ischemic heart disease.



“Habitual consumption of even small amounts of processed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunflower-protein-could-change-the-future-of-sustainable-meat/">meat</a>, sugary drinks, and trans fatty acids is linked to increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease and colorectal cancer,” said Dr. Demewoz Haile, the study’s lead author from the <a href="https://www.washington.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Washington</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-risks-behind-daily-choices">Risks behind daily choices</h2>



The analysis revealed alarming <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meat-consumption-drove-an-evolutionary-leap-in-early-humans/">trends</a>. Eating just one hot dog a day increased type 2 diabetes risk by 11 percent. It also raised the risk of colorectal cancer by 7 percent. 



Consuming a daily 12-ounce soda raised type 2 diabetes risk by 8 percent and ischemic heart disease by 2 percent.



“This current research has shown, yet again and consistent with prior research, that to achieve health gains it is best to avoid or minimize the habitual consumption of each of processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and industrially produced trans fatty acids (TFAs),” said Dr. Nita Forouhi of the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a>.



According to Dr. Forouhi, there is no such thing as a “safe amount” of processed meat consumption.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strong-and-consistent-health-risks">Strong and consistent health risks</h2>



The risks associated with eating processed meats may appear small. However, Dr. Mingyang Song from <a href="https://hsph.harvard.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health</a> explained why they are concerning.



“When we look at the actual data there, it’s really remarkably consistent and remarkably strong, and even in the lower dose of consumption, we can still see an increased risk of disease,” he said.



The study used a burden-of-proof method. This approach weighs evidence from several studies and considers their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meat-protein-boosts-survival-but-plants-boost-longevity/">quality</a>. Though conservative, the method strengthens the results.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-processed-meat-risk-remains">Processed meat risk remains</h2>



The study has limitations. For example, the research does not prove direct cause and effect. Dr. Gunter Kuhnle from the <a href="https://www.reading.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Reading</a> pointed out that participants had to recall their diets, which can lead to mistakes.



“Utilizing even ‘the most sophisticated techniques does not really solve the problem that the information about diet is rather limited - which is obviously a big problem in nutritional epidemiology in general,” said Dr. Kuhnle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-these-foods-are-harmful">Why these foods are harmful</h2>



Certain foods contribute to inflammation, which plays a role in chronic diseases. Processed meats often contain nitrites. These compounds convert into cancer-causing nitrosamines inside the stomach. 



Sugary drinks pose other dangers. They deliver large sugar doses rapidly, leading to weight gain and metabolic problems.



Trans fats worsen cholesterol levels. They lower good cholesterol and raise bad cholesterol, leading to heart disease risks.



Unhealthy diets often accompany other risky behaviors, such as smoking or low physical activity. Social issues like low income or limited healthcare access also raise disease risks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cutting-processed-meat-keeping-balance">Cutting processed meat, keeping balance</h2>



Though reducing these foods is strongly advisable, moderation is key. Song suggested that cutting back on such items makes sense. Kuhnle agreed and advised maintaining a balanced diet.



That includes reducing sugary drinks, processed meats, and hydrogenated fats, even if trans fats are now less common. “The goal shouldn’t be perfection but rather a healthy and sensible dietary pattern that allows room for enjoyment,” said Dr. Kuhnle.



Good nutrition means not only cutting out unhealthy foods but also eating foods that help your body. Adding fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other healthy options keeps you strong and well.



“Wider research has shown us that overall dietary patterns that include higher consumption of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and fermented dairy products like yogurt are good for health and longevity,” said Dr. Forouhi.



Dr. Kuhnle offered a final reminder. “My general advice: don’t panic,” he said. “Food is not just (a) source of nutrients - it plays a central role in culture, pleasure, family life, and social connection. Reducing it solely to a list of health risks misses the bigger picture.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-03775-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Processed meat can cause health issues, even in tiny amounts

Our everyday food choices are often guided by taste, tradition, and convenience. However, beneath these choices lie hidden risks that many tend to ignore. There is growing evidence suggesting that even tiny amounts of processed meat, sugary drinks, and trans fats carry health risks. A team of researchers analyzed over 60 previous studies. They looked at how processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages, and trans fats impact risks of type 2 diabetes, colorectal cancer, and ischemic heart disease. “Habitual consumption of even small amounts of processed meat, sugary drinks,...

One of the most amazing aspects of the internet is its ability to contain all of the useful and useless information we could ever hope to know. Along with storing all of the world’s knowledge, the internet also provides us with constant sources of entertainment that our ancestors would never be able to fathom. 

But despite all of these benefits, a new study has found numerous negative impacts that access to the internet has on our memories, <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/information-overflow-attention-spans/">attention span</a>, and social cognition.

The research was published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/20515545">World Psychiatry</a>, and assesses the effect of the online world on how our brains function. 

“The bombardment of stimuli via the internet, and the resultant divided attention commonly experienced, presents a range of concerns,” Professor Jerome Sarris, an author on the paper, told <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/">Medical News Today</a>. “I believe that this, along with the increasing #Instagramification of society, has the ability to alter both the structure and functioning of the brain, while potentially also altering our social fabric.”

In this study, researchers found that people have become less and less likely to memorize information. A review of one study found that people are more likely to know where information could be found online, rather than the content itself. However, this isn’t necessarily all bad. While people may be more reliant on the internet, it has been suggested that this could free up brain power to be used on other (hopefully) more important tasks.

The review also found that people who regularly multitask online have a hard time focusing on a single task. 

“The limitless stream of prompts and notifications from the internet encourages us towards constantly holding a divided attention ⁠— which then, in turn, may decrease our capacity for maintaining concentration on a single task,” explains Joseph Firth, an author on the study.

When examining the differences between online and offline social interaction for this study, the researchers separated relationships into five hierarchical layers: primary partners, intimate relationships, best friends, close friends, and all friends. These groups range from 1 to 150 people in size, but the study showed they appeared to be the same online as they are offline. 

“Given the evidence above, an appropriate metaphor for the relationship between online and real‐world sociality could be a ‘new playing field for the same game,” the authors explain.

Although they may be similar in some senses, offline and online relationships do have differences. In online relationships, acceptance and rejection can be quantified in “friends” or “followers”, rather than staying ambiguous. The internet also showcases the experiences of “hyper-successful individuals” which can lead to unrealistic expectations for younger people. And if you have ever looked at apps like Instagram, it’s not surprising that constantly viewing the highlight reels of other people’s lives may make some feel inadequate.

Ultimately, the internet has numerous benefits and has led to technological and societal potential that never before seemed possible. But while you’re scrolling and enjoying the content the internet has to offer, try to stay aware of the real world around you as well.

--

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/Studiostoks

The internet is changing our brains - but is it for better or worse?

One of the most amazing aspects of the internet is...

A new study has found that parents can take years to adjust to their child coming out as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB). 

The study, conducted by researchers from <a href="https://www.gwu.edu/">George Washington University</a>, is the first and largest of its kind to specifically examine how parents adjust after learning their child’s sexual orientation. 

Many parents still struggle years after, and surprisingly the researchers found little difference between the responses of parents whose child had just come out compared to parents who had years to come to terms with the new information. 

“Surprisingly, we found that parents who knew about a child’s sexual orientation for two years struggled as much as parents who had recently learned the news,” said David Huebner, a lead researcher for the study. “Two years is a very long time in the life of a child who is faced with the stress of a disapproving or rejecting parent.”

As LGB youth are more at risk for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lgbq-adolescents-risk-suicide/">depression, anxiety, and suicide</a>, having to deal with a disapproving parent at home for years only increases the risks of developing serious health problems.

Past research has shown that feeling rejected by a parent takes a major toll on both children and their parents, and having such a formative experience in a child’s early or teen years can have long-lasting impacts. 

That’s why studies like these are crucial, as health professionals with a better understanding of how parents respond can aid in the process and provide the best support possible for LGB youth and their families. 

For the study, the researchers surveyed 1,200 parents of LGB (lesbian, gay, or bisexual) youth ages 10 to 25. Parents were directed to a website and asked to answer a questionnaire. The researchers asked, “How hard is it for you, knowing that your son or daughter is gay, lesbian or bisexual?” 

Parents struggled just as much two years after the news as those parents who had recently been told. 

The parents of older children had a tougher time, but both mothers and fathers had similar struggles. 

Huebner feels strongly that parents who have a difficult time adjusting, even years after, still genuinely care about their children and eventually do come around. 

“Our results suggest interventions to speed up the adjustment process would help not only the parents but also their children,” said Huebner. “LGB youth with accepting families are more likely to thrive as they enter adulthood.”

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>,<a href="https://www.earth.com/"> Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Many parents still take years to adjust to their child coming out as LGB

A new study has found that parents can take years...

Just one day of work per week needed to yield mental health rewards. Researchers from the <a href="https://www.cbr.cam.ac.uk/research/research-projects/the-employment-dosage-how-much-work-is-needed-for-health-and-wellbeing/">University of Cambridge</a> and the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/">University of Salford</a> released a study showing that the most “effective dose” of paid work, meaning the amount of employment that contributes to positive mental health benefits, is about one eight-hour day per week. 

"We have effective dosage guides for everything from Vitamin C to hours of sleep in order to help us feel better, but this is the first time the question has been asked of paid work," said study co-author Dr. Brendan Burchell, a sociologist from Cambridge who lead the <a href="https://www.cbr.cam.ac.uk/research/research-projects/the-employment-dosage-how-much-work-is-needed-for-health-and-wellbeing/">Employment Dosage research project</a>.

The team first analyzed the link between changes in working hours and <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/gaming-addiction-mental-health-disorder/">mental health</a> in over 70,000 U.K. residents between 2009 and 2018. On average, when a resident shifted from unemployment into paid work (for about eight hours or less per week), their risk of negative mental health issues decreased by 30%.

What’s more is that researchers could not find any evidence to show that working more than eight hours per week — such as a standard, full-time, 40-hour workweek — further boosted positive mental health benefits.

"We know unemployment is often detrimental to people's wellbeing, negatively affecting identity, status, time use, and sense of collective purpose,” Dr. Burchell added. “We now have some idea of just how much paid work is needed to get the psychosocial benefits of employment — and it's not that much at all."

These findings, published in <a href="https://www.journals.elsevier.com/social-science-and-medicine">Social Science &amp; Medicine</a>, are pertinent to a society in which automation is becoming more popular in the workplace. Therefore, with not enough work to go around, we may have to rethink how humans can still participate in the workforce and reap the mental health benefits associated with working.

"If there is not enough for everybody who wants to work full-time, we will have to rethink current norms,” said first author Dr. Daiga Kamerāde, from Salford University. “This should include the redistribution of working hours, so everyone can get the mental health benefits of a job, even if that means we all work much shorter weeks. Our findings are an important step in thinking what the minimum amount of paid work people might need in a future with little work to go round.”

The researchers suggest transitioning into five-day weekends, or having employees working fewer hours per day. They also say that increasing annual holidays from weeks to months, or taking months off of work at a time could benefit both employee and employer.

"The traditional model, in which everyone works around 40 hours a week, was never based on how much work was good for people,” said coauthor and Cambridge sociologist Senhu Wang. “Our research suggests that micro-jobs provide the same psychological benefits as full-time jobs.”

"However, the quality of work will always be crucial,” Wang continued. “Jobs where employees are disrespected or subject to insecure or zero-hours contracts do not provide the same benefits to wellbeing, nor are they likely to in the future."

"If the UK were to plough annual productivity gains into reduced working hours rather than pay rises, the normal working week could be four days within a decade,” Dr. Burchell concluded.

--

By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Shutterstock/Jacob Lund

Just one day of work per week needed to yield mental health rewards

Just one day of work per week needed to yield...

Celery is often disregarded as nothing more than a disposable garnish served with buffalo chicken wings. However, the extraordinary health benefits associated with this crunchy vegetable make it one of the most underrated foods on the planet.

"Celery is loaded with polysaccharides and antioxidants," explained best-selling author Dr. Partha Nandi. "The antioxidants have the ability to cure free-radical damage that contributes to inflammation. Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer or arthritis are caused by inflammation."

Many other serious conditions, including diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and age-related vision loss, have also been linked to chronic inflammation. 

Dr. Tina Ardon is a family medicine physician at the <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/">Mayo Clinic</a>. She explained that some foods contribute to inflammation, while other foods can be helpful for reducing or preventing inflammation.

"Research indicates that there is a link between diet and inflammation," said Dr. Ardon. "Although this is a normal process in response to an injury or an infection, sometimes inflammation can turn into a chronic process and actually be widespread throughout the body."

Celery is also a good source of both types of dietary fiber, soluble and insoluble. A study funded by the <a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/">National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute</a> revealed that simply eating more fiber can be critical for <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/mindfulness-training-weight-loss/">weight loss</a>. Fiber absorbs water in the digestive tract and reduces food cravings by making you feel fuller longer.

"A simplified approach to weight reduction emphasizing only increased fiber intake may be a reasonable alternative for persons with difficulty adhering to more complicated diet regimens," wrote the study authors. 

Celery is 95 percent water, which means that incorporating it into a daily diet increases levels of hydration. Staying hydrated not only increases the body's energy levels, but also improves mood and brain function. 

"In theory, a liquid that boosts mood, helps the body function properly and gets rid of excess toxins should be the go-to strategy for better health. But despite the fact that it's essential to survive - and that the body's made up of 60 percent of it - water often becomes a forgotten nutrient," wrote experts at the Mayo Clinic.

A growing collection of research suggests that celery is also helpful in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. 

"Regular consumption of celery can help protect cardiovascular health," said Dr. Nandi. "Moreover, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of celery make it an ideal food for patients with high cholesterol levels and blood pressure, as well as heart disease. Celery also has numerous amazing benefits for skin, liver, eye and cognitive health."

As far back as the Middle Ages, wild celery was used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and arthritis. In fact, for thousands of years, celery was used more for medicinal purposes than for cooking.

Native to the Mediterranean region, the celery plant was considered an aphrodisiac by Greeks and Romans. It was believed to induce arousal by stimulating the pituitary gland, which is key in releasing sexual hormones. According to <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/">National Geographic</a>, the legendary Italian lover Giacomo Casanova ate celery to ensure sexual stamina.

In ancient Greece, celery was used to worship the dead and the underworld divinities. Dark celery leaves were used to make garlands for the deceased. Egyptians used celery in celebrations associated with the cult of the dead as well, and garlands of celery leaves were found in the tomb of Tutankhamun.

Today, the most straightforward benefit of adding celery to a daily diet is that it is practically calorie-free. Meanwhile, experts continue to identify the positive health effects of celery and its role in lowering the risk of death by the world's two leading causes, heart disease and cancer.

--

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/OlesyaSH

A celery stalk a day may help keep heart disease and cancer away

Celery is often disregarded as nothing more than a disposable...

Ancient humans were the first to discover the pitfalls of urban living. About 9,000 years ago, a group of ancient humans were some of the first to discover the trials and tribulations of <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/people-breathe-highly-polluted-air/">modern urban living</a> such as diseases, overcrowding, violence, and environmental issues. Scientists studying the ancient settlement of Çatalhöyük, located in modern Turkey, have discovered that the large farming community of about 3,500 to 8,000 people came face-to-face with issues that still plague urban communities today.

"Çatalhöyük was one of the first proto-urban communities in the world and the residents experienced what happens when you put many people together in a small area for an extended time,” said lead author Clark Spencer Larsen, a professor of anthropology at <a href="https://www.osu.edu/">The Ohio State University</a>. "It set the stage for where we are today and the challenges we face in urban living."

Çatalhöyük was first settled around 7100 to 5950 B.C. and was rediscovered by anthropologists in 1958. The settlement spans about 32 acres and boasts about 21 meters of deposits spanning 1,150 years of continuous occupation.

Larsen and his fellow researchers analyzed the stable carbon isotope ratios in the bones found at the settlement and found that the settlers’ diets were based mainly on wheat, barley and rye, as well as some non-domesticated plants and domesticated animals.

"They were farming and keeping animals as soon as they set up the community, but they were intensifying their efforts as the population expanded," Larsen said.

Their grain-heavy diet meant that tooth decay ran rampant. And Larsen’s team also discovered via analyzing the leg bones of both early and late settlers of Çatalhöyük that the later humans walked more than their predecessors. 

"We believe that environmental degradation and climate change forced community members to move further away from the settlement to farm and to find supplies like firewood," Larsen said. "That contributed to the ultimate demise of Çatalhöyük."

Poor hygiene and close quarters (residents lived in apartment-like housing during the settlement’s peak) meant that infectious disease spread like wildfire. As did violence, which resulted in skull fractures, as the scientists found at the site.

"They are living in very crowded conditions, with trash pits and animal pens right next to some of their homes. So there is a whole host of sanitation issues that could contribute to the spread of infectious diseases," Larsen said. He added, “We found an increase in cranial injuries during the Middle period, when the population was largest and most dense. An argument could be made that overcrowding led to elevated stress and conflict within the community."

The team also realized, via dental analysis, that people who were not biologically related resided in the same house. Why this is is still a mystery.

"We can learn about the immediate origins of our lives today, how we are organized into communities,” Larsen concluded in his study of the site, published in <a href="https://www.pnas.org/">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.</a> “Many of the challenges we have today are the same ones they had in Çatalhöyük — only magnified." 

--

By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Scott Haddow

Ancient humans were the first to discover the pitfalls of urban living

Ancient humans were the first to discover the pitfalls of...

Childhood brain energy expenditure could be linked to weight gain. During early childhood, the brain uses about half of the body’s energy, which could have huge consequences for children at risk for obesity. A new study from <a href="https://www.northwestern.edu/">Northwestern University</a> links brain energy demand to <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/processed-food-weight-gain/">weight gain</a> and proposes that variation in energy needs for brain development could influence energy expenditure and weight gain patterns.

"We all know that how much energy our bodies burn is an important influence on weight gain," said coauthor Christopher Kuzawa, professor of anthropology in <a href="https://www.weinberg.northwestern.edu/">Northwestern’s Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences</a>. "When kids are 5, their brains use almost half of their bodies' energy. And yet, we have no idea how much the brain's energy expenditure varies between kids. This is a huge hole in our understanding of energy expenditure."

"A major aim of our paper is to bring attention to this gap in understanding and to encourage researchers to measure the brain's energy use in future studies of child development, especially those focused on understanding weight gain and obesity risk,” Kuzawa said.

The researchers wondered if programs aimed at brain development through enrichment could also influence the brain’s energy use patterns.

"We believe it plausible that increased energy expenditure by the brain could be an unanticipated benefit to early child development programs, which, of course, have many other demonstrated benefits," Kuzawa said. "That would be a great win-win."

Prior to this study, Kuzawa and his colleagues discovered that, at five years old, the brain consumes a lifetime peak of two-thirds of the body's resting energy expenditure, as well as almost half of its total expenditure. This previous study also revealed that when the brain’s need for energy increases, the risk of weight gain decreases, and visa versa. 

"This finding helped confirm a long-standing hypothesis in anthropology that human children evolved a much slower rate of childhood growth compared to other mammals and primates in part because their brains required more energy to develop," Kuzawa conluded.

Kuzawa and his colleague’s most recent findings are published in <a href="https://www.pnas.org/">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS)</a>.

--

By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Image Credit: Shutterstock/ImageFlow

Childhood brain energy expenditure could be linked to weight gain

Childhood brain energy expenditure could be linked to weight gain....

The world’s population could increase from 7.7 billion to 10.9 billion by the end of the century, according to the <a href="https://population.un.org/wpp/">United Nations World Population Prospects 2019 report</a>. 

Growth rates are expected to vary from region to region, but as global populations increase, so will demand for natural resources.

Research has shown that population growth will correlate with widespread food shortages as climate change is projected to decrease crop yields, cause water shortages, increase sea levels, make drought and weather extremes more frequent and severe, and pave the way for widespread disease. 

Some key takeaways of the report show that despite slowing growth rates and lower fertility rates in some countries, the world’s population is on track to reach as high as 10.9 billion by 2100. 

A projected increase to 8.5 billion is expected by 2030, and the world’s population could reach 9.7 billion by 2050. 

Some countries will face sharper increases than others, with sub-Saharan Africa’s population predicted to double by 2050. 

India will become the world’s most populated country, surpassing China’s lead in 2027. 

Many countries where population growth is projected to be the highest are the poorest, which will only further strain resources and increase world poverty and malnutrition. 

“Many of the fastest growing populations are in the poorest countries, where population growth brings additional challenges in the effort to eradicate poverty, achieve greater equality, combat hunger and malnutrition and strengthen the coverage and quality of health and education systems to ensure that no one is left behind,” Liu Zhenmin, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, said in a <a href="https://population.un.org/wpp/Publications/Files/WPP2019_PressRelease_EN.pdf">press release.</a>

Populations in developing countries are also extremely vulnerable to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/developing-countries-global-warming/">impacts of climate change</a>.

“People in the least-developed countries already tend to be at higher risk of climate change, so depending on how population growth unfolds across the globe, there’s going to be more people in hazardous areas,” Amy Snover, director of the<a href="https://cig.uw.edu/"> University of Washington’s Climate Impacts Group</a>, told <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/world-s-population-could-swell-10-9-billion-2100-u-ncna1017791">NBC News</a>. 

Interestingly, fertility rates are expected to decline, and global rates have dropped consistently from 3.2 births per woman in 1990 to 2.5 births in 2019. 

Lifespans are getting longer, and people over 65 are the fastest growing age group worldwide, according to the report. 

In 2018, people over 65 surpassed the number of children 5 years or younger. Even so, people in developing countries live seven years less than the global average. 

If the United Nations is to meet its sustainable development goals, tracking and monitoring global populations and understanding how climate change and other factors will impact future populations is vital. 

“These data constitute a critical piece of the evidence base needed for monitoring global progress toward achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030”, said John Wilmoth, Director of the Population Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. “More than one third of the indicators approved for use as part of the global monitoring of the SDGs rely on data from World Population Prospects.”

--

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/Ints Vikmanis

Earth's population could reach 10.9 billion by 2100

The world’s population could increase from 7.7 billion to 10.9...

These days, we spend so much of our time looking down at <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/technoference-smartphones-sleep-productivity/">smartphones and tablets</a> that it may be causing spiky protuberances to grow from the back of our skulls. 

Researchers from the <a href="https://www.usc.edu.au/">University of the Sunshine Coast</a> in Australia studied the growths to see if the changes were in direct response to modern lifestyle adaptations.

These bony spikes are called “external occipital protuberance” (EOP) and they are located at the base of the skull. 

First reported in 1885, the bony growth was considered rare but more and more of them are popping up in X-rays. 

“I have been a clinician for 20 years, and only in the last decade, increasingly I have been discovering that my patients have this growth on the skull,” David Shahar, a health scientist at the University of The Sunshine Coast, Australia told the <a href="http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20190610-how-modern-life-is-transforming-the-human-skeleton">BBC</a>.

To examine this phenomenon further, Shahar and his team analyzed more than a thousand skull X-rays from patients ages 18 to 86 years old. The researchers took note of posture and measured the length and width of any spikes they saw. 

Now only did the researchers confirm that the spikes are becoming more common, particularly among younger generations, but they also found that one in four people had the growth in the X-rays they examined. 

On average, people check their phones every twelve minutes, and people spend hours on their devices every day. 

This has led to posture changes and strain on different parts of the body like the neck. The bony growth could be a response to this added pressure, the researchers say. 

The muscles around the base of the skull are getting stronger, and the skull and neck need to ensure that there’s enough skeletal framework to support any new muscle growth. 

“The development of EOP may be attributed to, and explained by, the extensive use of screen-based activities by individuals of all ages, including children, and the associated poor posture,” the researchers <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-21625-1">wrote</a>.

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Shutterstock/oneinchpunch

Looking down at your phone can cause bony spikes to grow on the skull

These days, we spend so much of our time looking...

Global warming could cause deadly heat waves that could kill thousands. Global temperatures are on track to rise 3 degrees above pre-industrial levels unless immediate action is taken to reduce emissions. 

As it stands, if the world’s nations keep their minimum Paris Agreement goals, research projects warming of 2.6 to 3.1 degrees Celsius by 2100, which would result in thousands of heat-related deaths each year.Global warming could cause deadly heat waves that could kill thousands 

A new study, led by researchers from the <a href="http://www.bristol.ac.uk/">University of Bristol</a> in collaboration with a team of scientists from the <a href="https://sph.washington.edu/">University of Washington’s School of Public Health</a>, examined how heat waves and rising temperatures would increase mortality rates in the United States.

The results of the study, published in the journal Science Advances, estimate the number of projected deaths during extreme heat waves that are expected to occur once every 30 years in 15 major US cities including Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and Dallas. 

Heat waves pose a significant threat to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-vulnerable-heat-stress/">vulnerable populations</a> like children and older adults, and there are thousands of heat-related deaths and non-fatal injuries due to heat waves reported each year worldwide. 

As emissions and temperatures increase, heat waves are only expected to become more frequent and severe. 

Large urban areas are especially dangerous during heat extremes because of the “urban heat island effect” where widespread concrete and blacktop absorb heat and increase city temperatures.

The researchers modeled three potential climate scenarios, one where the Paris Agreement minimums were met, one where warming was limited to two degrees Celsius, and the final scenario modeled heat wave mortality where warming only reached 1.5 degrees Celsius. 

“Climate change is not only affecting faraway places but also the United States,” said Eunice Lo, a co-author of the study. “As temperatures rise, exposure of major U.S. cities to extreme heat will increase and more heat-related deaths will occur. The United States has emitted the largest amount of carbon dioxide in the world since the 18th century.” 

If only the bare minimums are met, the models predicted that an increase of three degrees Celcius would result in 330 to 5,800 heat-related deaths per city for each major heat wave event. 

Cities like Miami, Los Angeles, and Detroit would likely face the highest number of fatalities. 

If temperatures are limited to two degrees Celcius, it could potentially prevent between 70 and 1,980 deaths per city per event and up to 2,720 heat-related deaths per city could be avoided if warming is limited to the optimal 1.5 degrees Celsius. 

“You might think, what’s the difference 1.5 degrees will make to human lives?” Lo told NBC News. “Actually, thousands of lives in one year can be saved in a city. Meeting the 1.5-degree target is essential and would be substantially beneficial to public health in the United States.”

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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/Tom Wang

Global warming could cause deadly heat waves that could kill thousands

Global warming could cause deadly heat waves that could kill...

Fishing communities along the eastern coast of the U.S. from North Carolina to Maine will be left with fewer <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/fishing-vessels-doubled-catch-dropped/">fishing</a> options under changing climate conditions. According to a new study, certain areas of Maine are facing the highest risk of losing some commercial fish species. 

Study senior author Malin Pinsky, an associate professor at <a href="https://www.rutgers.edu/">Rutgers University</a>, said that fishing has been the economic and cultural lifeblood for many coastal towns and cities along the Northeast coast for up to hundreds of years. However, climate change will continue to impact the distribution, abundance, and diversity of marine species worldwide.

The study was focused on how climate change could affect the fishing opportunities for 85 communities in New England and the Mid-Atlantic. Based on 13 global climate models, the researchers predicted how ocean temperatures will change to determine where important fish species will potentially move.

The habitat for 24 of the 33 fish species studied was projected to improve in some regions and deteriorate in others over the next two to three decades. For example, the monkfish habitat will expand in the Gulf of Maine while becoming less suitable throughout the Mid-Atlantic Bight.

The study also revealed that 64 out of 85 communities will face fewer fish resources due to changes in habitat by 2050. In Maine, for example, small trawlers are highly threatened due to their dependence on other species that will lose suitable habitats like Atlantic cod and witch flounder.

"Some communities like Portland, Maine, are on track to lose out, while others like Mattituck, New York, or Sandwich, Massachusetts, may do better as waters warm," explained Professor Pinsky. "Adapting to climate change for many communities will require fundamentally new approaches to fishing. Change has become the new normal."

The study is published in the journal <a href="http://www.nature.com/nclimate/">Nature Climate Change</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Paid for by <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a>

Image Credit: Malin Pinsky/Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Many fishing communities on the east coast face fewer fishing options

Fishing communities along the eastern coast of the U.S. from...

Growing global demand for commodities is pushing primates toward extinction. A new study is strongly emphasizing the fact that commodity export is limited for countries that are home to the world's primates. These limitations are relative to the extreme environmental costs of pollution, loss of biodiversity, habitat degradation, food insecurity, and the threat of emerging diseases.

Distributed throughout the Neotropics, Africa, and Asia, primates represent a critical component of the Earth's land-based biodiversity. Through various activities such as seed dispersal, primates provide vital resources to natural ecosystems and to local human populations. Growing global demand for commodities is pushing primates toward extinction

About 60 percent of all <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/wild-primates-human-activities/">primate species</a> are currently threatened with extinction, and up to 75 percent have declining populations as a direct result of human activities like deforestation and habitat degradation.

According to the researchers, the growing market demand for commodities by other nations is a significant driver of rapid and widespread primate habitat loss and degradation.

[caption id="attachment_1874054" align="aligncenter" width="650"]<a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/priamtes-impacted.jpg"><img class="wp-image-1874054" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/priamtes-impacted.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="309" /></a> Primate species impacted, Image Credit: 2019 Estrada et al.[/caption]

An increasingly globalized economy combined with the global consumption of food and natural resources has created a larger international market for agricultural products. The growth of this market is directly reflected in the growth of commodity-driven deforestation. 

The study revealed that between 2001 and 2015, 160 million hectares of forest were lost in the tropics due to human activities and half of these losses were commodity driven. For example, forests were converted to agricultural fields, cattle pastures, or mines.

The global commodity resource extraction is predicted to more than double by the year 2050. This means that a stronger resolve to reduce the world's demand for forest-risk food and commodities from primate habitats will be required to reverse the current trend of primate population decline and extinction.

[caption id="attachment_1874055" align="aligncenter" width="636"]<a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/primates-graphic.png"><img class="size-full wp-image-1874055" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/primates-graphic.png" alt="" width="636" height="634" /></a> Image Credit: 2019 Estrada et al.[/caption]

"Growing global consumer demands for food and non-food commodities from primate range regions are placing primate populations at risk of extinction. These increasing demands have resulted in an accelerated global expansion of agriculture and of extractive industries and in the growth of infrastructure to support these activities leading to widespread primate habitat loss and degradation," wrote the study authors. 

"Primates and their habitats are a vital component of the world's natural heritage and culture and as our closest living biological relatives, nonhuman primates deserve our full attention, concern, and support for their conservation and survivorship."

The study is published in the <a href="https://peerj.com/">Journal of Life and Environmental Sciences</a>.

--

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: Shutterstock/LMspencer

Growing global demand for commodities is pushing primates toward extinction

Growing global demand for commodities is pushing primates toward extinction....

Products that are commonly found in the bathroom or bedroom can become extremely dangerous when they end up in the hands of small <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/overweight-children-high-blood-pressure/">children</a>. According to a new study from <a href="https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/">Nationwide Children's Hospital</a>, a child lands in the emergency room every two hours from poisoning or chemical burns associated with personal care products.

The researchers found that 64,686 children under the age of five were treated in hospitals across the United States from 2002 to 2016 for injuries related to personal care products. Most of the injuries were the result of ingestion or skin and eye exposure.

"When you think about what young children see when they look at these products, you start to understand how these injuries can happen," said study co-author Rebecca McAdams. "Kids this age can't read, so they don't know what they are looking at." 

"They see a bottle with a colorful label that looks or smells like something they are allowed to eat or drink, so they try to open it and take a swallow. When the bottle turns out to be nail polish remover instead of juice, or lotion instead of yogurt, serious injuries can occur."

Nail care, hair care, and skin care products were the top three categories of items involved in the injuries, followed by fragrance products. Overall, nail polish remover was the single product that led to the most emergency room visits.

In addition, the more serious injuries that required hospitalization were primarily caused by hair care products, such as hair relaxers and permanent solutions.

"Children watch their parents use these items and may try to imitate their behavior. Since these products are often stored in easy-to-reach places and are not typically in child-resistant containers, it is can be easy for kids to get to and open the bottles," said McAdams. 

"Because these products are currently not required to have child-resistant packaging, it is important for parents to put them away immediately after use and store them safely - up, away, and out of sight - preferably in a cabinet or closet with a lock or a latch. These simple steps can prevent many injuries and trips to the emergency department." 

The researchers also recommend that pediatricians discuss safe storage guidelines with caregivers during well-child visits. Almost 60 percent of the injuries in this study involved children younger than two years of age.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/home/cpj">Clinical Pediatrics</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: Kunlanan Yarist

Personal care products injure a child every two hours in the US

Products that are commonly found in the bathroom or bedroom...

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing it with probiotics and prebiotics, aiming to create a treat that satisfies cravings while supporting gut health. 



The challenge lies in maintaining chocolate's beloved texture and flavor while adding health benefits.



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Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. 



Prebiotics act as food for these microbes, helping them thrive. Together, they form "synbiotics," a powerful health combination.



Researchers Smriti Gaur and Shubhi Singh from India's Jaypee Institute of Information Technology took an innovative approach, using natural prebiotics like corn and honey instead of complex processing methods. 



They created five chocolate varieties: a control and four synbiotic versions containing different combinations of prebiotics, probiotics (Lactobacillus strains), and flavor enhancers (cinnamon or orange).



Laboratory simulations of human digestion showed the probiotics remained viable for over five hours, suggesting they could survive long enough to benefit gut health.



Taste tests were positive, with researchers particularly enjoying the orange-flavored variety, describing it as having "vibrant citrus notes" complementing the "rich cocoa" with a "luxurious" texture.



This research represents just the beginning. With further refinement of strains, textures, and flavors, chocolate could evolve beyond mere indulgence to become a functional food that nourishes while it delights.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.4c00741" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Food Science &amp; Technology</a>.

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing...

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

[sendtonews key="QIoVYJqRBi-2434608-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"] Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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