It’s no secret that missing sleep can leave you feeling sluggish. But even just a few nights of poor rest may be silently working against your heart. 



A new study shows that limited sleep triggers changes at the molecular level, and that these are linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.



Scientists from <a href="https://www.uu.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Uppsala University</a> conducted the study in a carefully controlled laboratory environment. The goal was to uncover how sleep deprivation impacts specific proteins in the blood that are associated with inflammation and heart problems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-closer-look-at-sleep-and-heart-health">A closer look at sleep and heart health</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-twenties-can-make-or-break-your-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Heart health</a> depends on many things - diet, exercise, stress, and sleep. While large studies have linked chronic sleep loss to heart attacks and strokes, it’s been harder to pin down exactly what happens inside the body when sleep is lacking.



The research team worked with 16 healthy young men, all of whom had a normal body weight and no known <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-problems-linked-to-higher-risk-of-stroke/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep problems</a>.



Over two sessions in a lab, participants were monitored under tightly controlled conditions. They ate identical meals, followed the same activity levels, and completed 30 minutes of intense exercise each session. 



The only difference was that one session included three nights of full sleep. The other allowed just four hours of sleep per night.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-body-s-reaction-to-sleep-loss">The body's reaction to sleep loss</h2>



By analyzing morning and evening blood samples, the team examined the levels of around 90 different proteins. What they found was striking.



The levels of many inflammatory proteins increased after <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-deprivation-increases-the-risk-of-stroke-by-70-percent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep deprivation</a>. These same proteins have already been linked to heart conditions such as coronary artery disease and heart failure.



“Unfortunately, nearly half of all Swedes regularly experience disturbed sleep, and this is particularly common among shift workers," said Jonathan Cedernaes, a physician at Uppsala University who led the study.



"That is why we wanted to try to identify mechanisms that affect how lack of sleep can increase the risk of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-century-of-progress-in-the-fight-against-cardiovascular-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular disease</a>. Ultimately, the purpose was to identify opportunities to address these problems."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-deprivation-and-heart-health">Sleep deprivation and heart health</h2>



The fact that these changes were found in young, otherwise healthy men after just a few nights of short sleep makes the finding even more significant.



Much of the research previously conducted on sleep deprivation and its impact on cardiovascular health has focused on older individuals who already have an increased risk. 



According to Cedernaese, this is why it was important to study levels of these proteins in younger individuals.



"It was interesting that the levels of these proteins increased in the same way in younger and previously perfectly healthy individuals after only a few nights of sleep deprivation," said Cedernaes.



"This means that it’s important to emphasise the importance of sleep for cardiovascular health even early in life."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-about-exercise">What about exercise?</h2>



The study also examined how physical activity affects the body under different rest conditions. Several proteins tied to the benefits of exercise increased regardless of rest levels. Still, the body's overall response to exercise showed some variation when rest was limited.



The researchers had already observed that working out without proper rest may place extra stress on heart muscle cells.



“With this study, we have improved our understanding of what role the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seven-hours-is-the-ideal-amount-of-sleep-from-middle-age-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amount of sleep</a> we get plays in cardiovascular health," said Cedernaes. 



"It’s important to point out that studies have also shown that physical exercise can offset at least some of the negative effects that poor sleep can cause. But it's also important to note that exercise cannot replace the essential functions of sleep." 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-directions">Future research directions </h2>



While this study was focused on young men, many questions remain. Could the same changes happen in women, older adults, or people with existing health issues?



“Further research is needed to investigate how these effects might differ in women, older individuals, patients with heart disease, or those with different sleep patterns," said Cedernaes.



"Our ongoing research will hopefully help to develop better guidelines on how sleep, exercise and other lifestyle factors can be harnessed to better prevent cardiovascular diseases.” 



In the meantime, the message is clear: getting enough sleep is not just about feeling well-rested - it could be one of the simplest ways to take care of your heart.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://biomarkerres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40364-025-00776-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biomarker Research</a>.



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Sleep deprivation has a bigger impact on heart health than expected

It’s no secret that missing sleep can leave you feeling sluggish. But even just a few nights of poor rest may be silently working against your heart. A new study shows that limited sleep triggers changes at the molecular level, and that these are linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Scientists from Uppsala University conducted the study in a carefully controlled laboratory environment. The goal was to uncover how sleep deprivation impacts specific proteins in the blood that are associated with inflammation and heart problems....

It’s no surprise that a diet high in fat can cause a number of health issues, both short- and long-term. For years, scientists have stressed the importance of supplementing your diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Now, a new study has found that a hormone in plants may reverse the brain damage caused by a high-fat diet.

Researchers from <a href="https://www.uji.es/">Jaume I University</a> in Castelló de la Plana, Spain, fed mice a fatty diet, causing them to develop inflammation of the nervous system – similar to what happens in Alzheimer’s patients. However, after the mice had their diets supplemented with abscisic acid – a plant hormone – the damage was reversed. It is believed that abscisic acid reduces inflammation in the region of the <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/brain-scans-skill-level/">brain</a> that is responsible for storing memories.

The study – published in the journal <a href="https://link.springer.com/journal/12035">Molecular Neurobiology</a> – assessed how insulin levels and expression of genes associated with inflammation in the nervous system were affected in mice. They found that the rodents who consumed a fatty diet had reduced expression of an insulin receptor in the hippocampus. The hippocampus is a region of the brain associated with emotions and memory – in particular, long-term memories.

“We have been able to prove that the expression of proteins required for the proper functioning of insulin decreases in neuro-inflammatory situations induced by a high-fat diet,” says study author Alberto Ribes Navarro. But when the researchers supplemented the rodents’ diets with abscisic acid, the inflammation was reversed. “With the addition of abscisic acid to the high-fat diet it is possible to recover the expression of these genes, even reaching normal levels,” adds Ribes Navarro.

In plants, abscisic acid plays a role in seed development, flower growth, and improving plant tolerance to harsh conditions – such as drought and cold. 

Moving forward, the researchers plan to investigate the common causes of diseases like dementia and insulin resistance (type 2 diabetes), as inflammation of the nervous system is linked to both insulin resistance and dementia. 

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Brain damage from a fatty diet reversed using hormone from plants

It’s no surprise that a diet high in fat can...

A new study has found that male fertility is declining in the United States and Europe, and the results point to the endangerment of the human race if <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/nuts-improve-male-fertility/">fertility rates</a> continue to drop. 

The findings come after it was discovered last year that sperm counts in men from western countries have dropped by over <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/jul/25/sperm-counts-among-western-men-have-halved-in-last-40-years-study">50 percent</a> since 1973. 

Researchers from <a href="https://www.jefferson.edu/university/skmc.html">Sidney Kimmel Medical College</a> in Philadelphia in collaboration with the fertility clinic <a href="https://www.rmanj.com/about-us/ivi-rma-global/">IVIRMA</a> conducted the study. 

Sperm count data on 124,000 men who sought treatments for fertility problems in Spain and the United States between 2002 and 2017 were analyzed by the researchers. 

The men included in the study were split into three groups based on the number of “swimming sperm” or total mobile sperm count (TMSC) in their semen. 

According to the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-6250225/Fresh-fears-survival-humans-major-study-finds-quality-mens-sperm-plunging.html">Daily Mail</a>, which reported on the study, TMSC is a more accurate way to measure fertility rather than just total sperm count. 

The researchers found that sperm quality in men in the US and Europe has declined by around 2 percent every year since 2002. 

Men who were categorized as the “least fertile” also rose from nine percent to 11.6 percent by 2017. 

A second recent study examined male fertility in the United States and the results show similar declines in sperm quality over the years. 

Researchers from the <a href="https://icahn.mssm.edu/">Icahn School of Medicine</a> in New York reviewed sperm data from over 2,500 sperm donors from all over the country. The researchers found that in 11 years, fertility has declined in five out of six cities included in the study. 

What’s causing these downward trends in sperm counts is not well understood, but according to <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/human-race-faces-extinction-male-13380219">the Mirror</a>, experts point to chemicals used in plastics and furniture coatings as well as sedentary lifestyles, alcohol consumption, smoking, and too much caffeine as all potential culprits. 

“We did not expect to see the same fall in sperm quality in Spain and the US. If this trend continues, there is potential for more men to become infertile,” James Hotaling, a co-author of the study told the Daily Mail. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Male fertility declines stir fears for the future of the human race

A new study has found that male fertility is declining...

One hundred years have now passed since the worst flu outbreak in recorded history, the 1918 influenza pandemic. If a similar outbreak occurred today, scientists estimate that the death toll could reach as high as 147 million. 

A new investigation into the factors that drove the severity of the 1918 pandemic may help to save lives in the event of future outbreaks. 

While the world is better prepared for a flu pandemic today, the researchers have identified new challenges that will affect the impact of the next influenza <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/city-density-climate-flu-outbreaks/">virus</a> outbreak such as antibiotic resistance, climate change, and shifting population demographics.

“We've seen three additional influenza pandemics since 1918: the 1957 'Asian' flu, the 1968 'Hong Kong' flu and the 2009 'swine' flu. Although milder than the 1918 pandemic, these highlight the constant threat that influenza virus poses to human health,” explained Professor Katherine Kedzierska of the <a href="https://www.doherty.edu.au/">Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity</a>.


Dr. Carolien van de Sandt added: “Like the 1918 pandemic, the severity of any future outbreak will result from a complex interplay between viral, host, and societal factors. Understanding these factors is vital for influenza pandemic preparedness.”

During the 1918 influenza pandemic, one-third of the global population was infected and 50 million people were killed. There were many people who managed to overcome a severe infection while others experienced only mild symptoms.

“We always wondered why some people can effectively control viral infections while others succumb to the disease,” said Professor Kedzierska. To investigate this as well as why the event was so intense, the research team reviewed a large number of influenza studies. 

The experts found that one explanation for the severity of the outbreak was the viral strain itself. Studies showed that the 1918 virus could spread to other tissues beyond the respiratory tract, causing more widespread damage. The virus also had mutations that enabled it to spread more easily between humans.


Today, scientists have the resources to measure the pandemic potential of new viruses, both in animals and in humans. However, the study authors pointed out that these surveillance efforts are required across the world, and climate change will make the need for global inspection even more urgent.


Dr. van de Sandt explained: “Climate changes affect animal reservoirs of influenza viruses and bird migration patterns. This could spread viruses to new locations and across a wider range of bird species.”

According to the study, public health is another important factor that will influence the intensity of future pandemics. In 1918, people suffering from malnutrition and underlying diseases were more likely to die from the infection, and this is still relevant today. 

Climate change is threatening to cause crop losses and malnutrition, while increasing antibiotic resistance is threatening a higher occurrence of bacterial infections. Obesity also poses another challenge, because this condition increases the risk of dying from influenza.


“Until a broadly-protective vaccine is available, governments must inform the public on what to expect and how to act during a pandemic,” said Dr. van de Sandt. “An important lesson from the 1918 influenza pandemic is that a well-prepared public response can save many lives.”

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology">Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

An outbreak like the 1918 flu pandemic could kill 147 million today

One hundred years have now passed since the worst flu...

A growing number of <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/ingredient-beer-digestive-health/">beer</a> breweries are shifting their operations in an effort to use less energy, but the transition to sustainability comes along with an increase in expenses. A team of researchers set out to determine whether consumers are willing to pay more money for beer that is brewed using sustainable practices. 

The study revealed that the majority of beer drinkers in the United States would be willing to pay an average of about $1.30 more per six-pack.

Beer breweries are part of an energy-intensive industry that has exploded in recent years, particularly the craft-beer sector. Between 2005 and 2015, the number of craft beer breweries grew by more than 200 percent, while their production increased by over 12 percent each year.

The beer industry could make a significant contribution to reducing energy production and its effect on climate change. Some sustainable practices that have already been adopted by breweries include solar panels, onsite wastewater treatment plants, insulated brewing vessels, and recaptured steam from the brewing process. 

Such additions, however, can be very expensive up front, which is likely to result in higher beer prices. The research team developed a survey to evaluate how many consumers would be willing to pay these prices.

Out of over 1,000 self-reported beer drinkers, 59 percent said they would pay more for beer that was brewed using sustainable practices.

Consumers who already pay more for their beer were found to be the most likely to pay more for sustainability. These individuals were also found to have more socially responsible lifestyles, engaging in activities such as volunteering, recycling, composting, and buying food and products that are produced locally.

Study first author Sanya Carley is an associate professor in the <a href="https://www.indiana.edu/">Indiana University Bloomington</a> School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

“The takeaway for the brewing industry is that it is financially feasible to introduce energy-saving practices into the brewing process,” said Professor Carley. “Even if it ends up adding costs, more than half of all beer consumers are willing to absorb those extra costs.”

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/">PLOS ONE</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Most consumers will pay more for beer that is sustainably brewed

A growing number of beer breweries are shifting their operations...

A study published by the <a href="https://cancer.org/">American Cancer Society</a> has found that postmenopausal women who lose weight have a reduced risk of developing invasive breast cancer compared to those who maintain or gain weight.

A strong link has been well-established between obesity and breast cancer risk, but studies on a possible link between lower breast cancer risk and weight loss in postmenopausal women have had mixed results. 

To investigate, Dr. Rowan Chlebowski of the <a href="https://www.cityofhope.org/homepage">City of Hope National Medical Center</a> and his team analyzed data on 61,335 women participating in the World Health Initiative Observational Study. 

The participants had no history of breast cancer or abnormal mammogram results. At the beginning of the study, the women's body weight, height, and body mass index were measured, and these measurements were followed up on every three years.

During an average follow-up of 11.4 years, 3,061 new cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed. Women with weight loss had a 12 percent lower breast cancer risk compared to women with stable weight. Overall, weight gain was not associated with a higher risk of invasive breast cancer, but was associated with a 54 percent higher incidence of triple negative breast cancer.

“Our study indicates that moderate, relatively short-term weight reduction was associated with a statistically significant reduction in breast cancer risk for postmenopausal women,” said Dr. Chlebowski. 

“These are observational results, but they are also supported by randomized clinical trial evidence from the Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification trial where, in a randomized clinical trial setting, adopting a low-fat dietary pattern that was associated with a similar magnitude of weight loss resulted in a significant improvement in breast cancer overall survival.” 

“These findings, taken together, provide strong correlative evidence that a modest weight loss program can impact breast cancer.”

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10970142">CANCER</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Weight loss linked to lowered risk of breast cancer after menopause

A study published by the American Cancer Society has found...

<a href="http://www.earth.com/news/chocolate-red-wine-wrinkles/">Red wine</a> may play a role in lung cancer prevention – but not if all you do is drink it.

The chemical compound resveratrol, which is found in grapes, may help protect against lung cancer by reducing cancer-causing cells in the body. 

In a new study conducted by scientists at the <a href="https://www.unige.ch/en/university/">University of Geneva</a>, the compound reduced cancerous cells in mice and even aided in lung cancer prevention.

But the mice didn’t drink it. Instead, they inhaled it nasally.

The Swiss scientists exposed mice to a cancer-causing chemical in cigarette smoke, then split the mice who developed lung cancer into two groups. One group was given the red wine compound resveratrol for 26 weeks, while the other received no treatment. The scientists also treated mice who had not yet developed tumors with the compound.

Of the mice who had lung cancer at the start of the study, the ones treated with the resveratrol saw their cancerous cells reduced by 45 percent. They had fewer and smaller tumors than the untreated group.

The red wine compound also helped with cancer prevention. In the group of mice that had been exposed to the cigarette chemical and not received any treatment with resveratrol, 87.5 percent went on to develop lung cancer. Only 37 percent of the mice “pre-treated” with the compound went on to develop cancer.

But taken orally, the compound broke down before reaching the lungs.

“This is why our challenge was to find a formulation in which resveratrol could be solubilised in large quantities, even though it is poorly soluble in water, in order to allow nasal administration,” lead author Aymeric Monteillier told the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/">Daily Mail</a>. “This formulation, applicable to humans, allows the compound to reach the lungs.”

The scientists believe that the compound may trigger a process called apoptosis – a sort of “suicide” trigger in cancer cells.

Because resveratrol is already found in red wine and other foods, safety studies aren’t needed before it could be approved for cancer prevention, the scientists said.

The team is now working to develop a test that would help determine if patients are eligible for the preventative treatment. 

--

By <a href="http://mailto:kyla.cathey@gmail.com">Kyla Cathey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Contributing Writer

Red wine compound may play a role in lung cancer prevention

Red wine may play a role in lung cancer prevention...

Ambrosia, a Bay Area startup, is offering transfusions of young blood to patients seeking to stave off the effects of aging. But some scientists are warning that it may be modern snake oil – or even dangerous.

Could young blood have healing properties? Or is it just the modern version of snake oil?

With some older Americans shelling out thousands of dollars on transfusions, scientists are torn on whether they’re effective – or safe.

In 2006, a study at <a href="https://www.stanford.edu/">Stanford University</a> found that parabiosis – surgically connecting the circulatory systems of an older mouse with a younger one – appeared to have <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nature03260">health benefits for the older mouse</a>. The study was one of a handful that have inspired new research into whether young blood can help invigorate older people, too.

Another Stanford study using umbilical cord blood from baby mice found that a protein in the blood could ease signs of memory loss and improve muscle function in older mice, the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/">Daily Mail</a> reported.

A new startup has even begun making a name for itself based on the research. Ambrosia began its first human clinical trial to study the effects of young blood transfusions on older patients in 2017. 

The brainchild of Dr. Jesse Karmazin, for just $8,000 patients can receive a 2.5-liter transfusion of young blood from multiple teenage donors. The transfusions are given over the course of two days. So far, Karmazin’s patients are in their early 60s on average, and two-thirds are men.

“We're seeing people look better after just one treatment,” Karmazin told the Mail. “It's like plastic surgery from the inside out.”

Ambrosia researchers say they have seen decreases in the levels of proteins associated with age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer.

Some scientists are raising alarms, however. They say that more research is needed to determine if the treatments are effective or even safe.

"Not only is it incorrect, it's dangerous," Dr. Irina Conboy, the lead author of the 2006 study, told <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/researchers-say-ambrosia-young-blood-transfusion-startup-putting-lives-at-risk-2018-9">Business Insider</a> in September. Now a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, she and her husband Michael have continued their stem cell and parabiosis research into aging.

The older mice in their 2006 parabiosis didn’t see benefits just because of the infusion of young blood, she said. Parabiosis also allows them to make use of younger organs as well. 

"When old and young mice are sutured together they share organs too — including their kidneys and all the important filtering organs," Conboy said. "Imagine you had a new liver. You'd probably see benefits too."

But because blood transfusions involve putting foreign blood into a new body, they carry with them <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3356109/">some health risks</a>, she told the economic website. Older patients especially have a higher risk of developing graft-versus-host disease, causing their own blood cells to attack the young blood and potentially causing lung damage.

"They quite likely could inflict bodily harm," Conboy said.

Still, Ambrosia and other companies are continuing to research the potential benefits of young blood. 

Elevian, a Massachusetts-based company is working with researchers at <a href="https://www.harvard.edu/">Harvard University</a>, is investigating GDF11, a protein found in larger amounts in young mice, may have positive effects on organ and muscle tissues in older mice.

Biotech firm Alkahest conducted their own trial last year, treating people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s with young blood infusions twice a week. The firm reported that the patients say no negative effects from the donations, and they were better able to perform some basic daily life skills like shopping and cooking.

The research is promising, but more study is needed, scientists said.

"Is there really something in the young blood that would override all the negative effects from the old blood?" Conboy said. "Until someone repeats that I'm not sure that I believe it. Even scientists with the best of intentions can observe something that's a fluke."

--

By <a href="mailto:kyla.cathey@gmail.com">Kyla Cathey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Wealthy turn to young blood transfusions for health, but do they work?

Ambrosia, a Bay Area startup, is offering transfusions of young...

Neanderthal DNA inherited through interbreeding may have helped modern humans build up an immunity to diseases, according to a new study. 

Today, many Europeans and Asians carry around 2 percent of Neanderthal DNA in their genes, but the occurrence of Neanderthal DNA in our genes used to be a mystery to scientists. 

Researchers were unsure if the spread of Neanderthal DNA, inherited from ancient interbreeding with modern humans before <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/neanderthals-healthcare-system/">Neanderthals</a> went extinct 40,000 years ago, served a specific purpose or if it was merely a random occurrence. 

Now, a new study conducted by researchers from <a href="https://www.stanford.edu/">Stanford University</a> and published in the journal Cell has found that the existence of Neanderthal DNA may have protected modern humans against viruses that they were not immediately immune to. 

“Our research shows that a substantial number of frequently occurring Neanderthal DNA snippets were adaptive for a very cool reason,” said Dmitri Petrov, a member of the research team that conducted the study. “Neanderthal genes likely gave us some protection against viruses that our ancestors encountered when they left Africa.”

By the time our early modern human ancestors made their way out of Africa, Neanderthals had been living in Europe and Asia for thousands of years and as a result, had built up defenses against infectious viruses in the area. 

These were infections that modern humans would have been unable to guard against, and so the chance to mix with the already established populations of Neanderthals gave Modern humans the chance to “borrow” those much-needed defenses rather than wait to develop their own. 

The Stanford researchers discovered that this was the case by compiling a list of 4,500 genes in modern humans that are known to interact with viruses. 

This list of genes was then cross-referenced with a database of sequenced Neanderthal DNA, of which 152 gene fragments from modern humans were also present in Neanderthals. 

What’s more, these 152 inherited genes specifically interact with viruses like HIV, Influenza A, and Hepatitis C. 

The researchers concluded that it was these genes that helped modern humans defend against viruses and this why Neanderthal genes show in the varying ways they do in the modern human genome. 

Depending on what viruses were present in Europe or Asia, that would determine what genes were borrowed by modern humans from Neanderthals. 

The study sheds light on the evolution of modern humans and long since extinct diseases that afflicted our ancestors. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>,<a href="https://www.earth.com/"> Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Image Credit: Claire Scully

DNA we inherited from Neanderthals helps protect against viruses

Neanderthal DNA inherited through interbreeding may have helped modern humans...

A genetic mutation that was already known to be involved in nicotine sensitivity may also play a role in relapses among smokers, according to a new study led by the <a href="https://www.pasteur.fr/en">Institut Pasteur</a>.

Relapse is very common when people are trying to <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/quitting-smoking-improves-lungs/">quit smoking</a>, and nicotine dependence is the leading preventable cause of death in developed countries. Every year, seven million people die from tobacco use.

Tobacco addiction is caused by nicotine, which binds to the nicotinic receptors in the brain and activates the reward system.


Studies have demonstrated in recent years that a mutation in the CHRNA5 gene that codes for the α5 nicotinic receptor subunit is associated with a notable increase in the risk of nicotine dependence. The mutation is very common in the general population, and is carried by approximately 35 percent of Europeans and up to 50 percent of the Middle Eastern population. 

In the current study, the experts wanted to understand the mechanism underlying this mutation and to determine what stage of nicotine dependence is influenced by it.

Using an advanced molecular genetics technique, the scientists introduced the mutation to a rat. They examined its effect on various behaviors associated with nicotine dependence and found that the rat consumed nicotine more frequently and in higher doses.

“This study enabled us to assess the impact of this mutation on various stages of nicotine dependence with a greater degree of accuracy,” said study lead author Benoit Forget. “It provided us with an initial explanation for its mechanism of action, which promotes relapse to nicotine-seeking behavior after smoking cessation.”

Study co-author Uwe Maskos added: “The results suggest that a drug capable of increasing the activity of nicotinic receptors containing the α5 subunit could reduce tobacco consumption and lower the risk of relapse after cessation.”

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/home">Current Biology</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Genetic mutation may make it harder for some people to quit smoking

A genetic mutation that was already known to be involved...

Researchers from the <a href="https://twin-cities.umn.edu/">University of Minnesota</a> and <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/">Mayo Clinic </a>are in the process of testing the anti-aging potential of a common byproduct that that is found in many fruits. 

Fisetin is a coloring agent and research has shown that it can reduce the damage aging causes on cells. Now, a new study published in the journal EBioMedicine shows that fisetin could also reverse <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/halting-aging-rejuvenating-cells/">aging</a> and increase the lifespans of mice. 

Scientists have long been working to tackle the underlying mechanisms that drive the aging process. Part of aging involves the accumulation of damaged cells. Cellular senescence is when the cells themselves start to age and this can cause inflammation and tissue damage over time. 

Healthy, young immune systems can clear damages cells but as people age, this defense loses its efficiency. 

The researchers discovered that fisetin has the potential to reduce cellular senescence and clear out damaged cells that the immune system can’t. 

“We’re looking for drugs that can kill these damaged senescent cells that are very toxic to our bodies and accumulate as we get older,” Laura Niedernhofer, the senior author on the paper, <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/fisetin-natural-fruit-vegetable-slow-aging-1151304">told Newsweek. </a>“It turns out that fisetin is a natural product that actually we were able to show very selectively and effectively kills these senescent cells, or at least dials back their bad secretions or inflammatory proteins.”

To test fisetin’s anti-aging capabilities, the researchers gave aging mice who were at the end of their lifespan doses of fisetin. 

Not only did the fisetin reduce damaged cells, but the mice who were treated with the byproduct also lived longer, with lifespans extending over ten percent compared to the normal life expectancy of mice. 

“These results suggest that we can extend the period of health, termed healthspan, even towards the end of life,” Paul Robbins, another senior author on the paper said in a <a href="https://www.med.umn.edu/news-events/university-minnesota-medical-school-researchers-have-discovered-how-slow-aging">University of Minnesota</a> press release. “But there are still many questions to address, including the right dosage, for example.”

The researchers also used tested fisetin on human fat tissue in a lab setting to see if the results were similar with human cells and found that the drug also helped reduce damage in human tissue. 

The results of the study are promising and the Mayo Clinic currently in the process of conducting clinical trials to assess the ability of fisetin to combat aging. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>,<a href="https://www.earth.com/"> Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

A natural product found in fruit could help slow aging

Researchers from the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic are...

Stone age people fashioned tools out of animal bones 100,000 ago.  Researchers have discovered a 90,000-year-old knife in a Moroccan cave that was made from an animal rib. The bone dates back farther than any other known <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/sophisticated-tools-ancestors-found/">tool</a> from the Aterian people who lived during the Middle Stone Age. 

Aterian tools are distinctive from other tools of a similar age found in South Africa, suggesting that technology was advancing in North Africa at the time. Stone age people fashioned tools out of animal bones 100,000 ago

“Aterians made specialized bone tools earlier than originally believed and more than 40,000 years before the Neanderthals,” said study co-author Dr. Abdeljalil Bouzouggar.

The tool was found in 2012 in Dar es-Soltan 1 cave near Morocco’s Atlantic coast. An analysis by a team of scientists from the <a href="http://www.nhm.ac.uk/">Natural History Museum</a> has revealed that the bone was likely part of the rib of a large mammal. The bone appeared to have been modified using a knife that was just under five inches long.

[caption id="attachment_1802085" align="aligncenter" width="573"]<a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/stone-age-tools.png"><img class="size-full wp-image-1802085" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/stone-age-tools.png" alt="" width="573" height="445" /></a> Image Credit: Silvio Bello and Mohammed Kamal[/caption]

Study lead author Dr. Silvia Bello told <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/ushome/index.html">MailOnline</a>: “This find is significant because it shows how sophisticated bone tool technology was already around about 100, 000 years ago.”

“Modern humans seemed to have been capable of crafting sophisticated bone tools very early on. It also show the existence of a new type of bone tool, with no other example in the rest of Africa.”

There is evidence to suggest that the bone knife was used to cut soft material, although exactly what type of material is not clear. Experts believe that the Aterian stone tool industry disappeared around 20,000 years ago.

“Aterians were capable of a complex and controlled sequence of actions involved in the manufacture of specialized bone knives,” said Dr. Bello.

The specialized tools indicate that the Aterian people had complex perceptual skills. This tool will provide researchers with new insight into the evolution of human cognitive skills.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/">PLOS ONE</a>.

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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer
Image Credit: Silvio Bello and Mohammed Kamal

Stone age people fashioned tools out of animal bones 100,000 ago

Stone age people fashioned tools out of animal bones 100,000...

Evidence of the earliest use of nutmeg, the key ingredient in all things pumpkin spice, was recently discovered in Pulau Ay in the Banda Islands.


Nutmeg comes from the seeds of the Myristica frangans tree which is native to the Banda Islands and was once a prized spice thought to contain healing properties in the middle ages. 

However, long before that, it seems people were using nutmeg as an ingredient as early as 3,500 years ago, 2,000 years before the prior first known use of the <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/spicy-food-less-salt/">spice</a>. 

Researchers from the <a href="https://www.washington.edu/">University of Washington</a>, <a href="https://ugm.ac.id/">Universitas Gadjah Mada</a> in Indonesia, the <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/">University of New South Wales</a> in Australia conducted two archeological excavations in 2007 and 2009 on the island of Pulau Ay. 

A study detailing the excavations and the researchers’ findings was published in the journal Asian Perspectives. 

The Pulau Ay site was occupied from 2,300 to 3,500 years ago and the researchers uncovered a number of artifacts including pottery, animal bones, and stone tools. 

Remnants of nutmeg were discovered on potsherds unearthed in the area which points to the use of the spice, either foraged or cultivated, as an ingredient. 

The excavation findings also show how the people of Pulau Ay shifted from eating primarily fish to living in permanent settlements and relying on domesticated pigs. 

“This site shows us how people adapted to living on these small tropical islands in stages, from occasional use as fishing camps to permanent occupation,” Peter Lape, a member of the archeological team said in a University of Washington <a href="https://www.washington.edu/news/2018/10/03/3500-year-old-pumpkin-spice-archaeologists-find-earliest-use-of-nutmeg-as-a-food/">news release</a>. “It’s also fascinating to see such early use of nutmeg, a spice that changed the world a few thousand years later.”

The potsherds and pottery also contained residue from six other plants including purple yam and sago (a starch that can be eaten from palms) along with nutmeg.

Palau Ay represents a unique opportunity for archeologists to piece together not just the early history of how nutmeg became the hugely coveted spice it was during the 14th century and beyond, but also more information on early Neolithic human settlements.

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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

Humans have been crazy for pumpkin spice for thousands of years

Evidence of the earliest use of nutmeg, the key ingredient...

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

[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 



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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