Music often does more than entertain. It paints images in our minds, builds worlds, and stirs emotions we can’t always explain. A new study shows how even the tiniest human touches in sound can influence this inner world.



The findings from the <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/music/our-research/cross-disciplinary-research/sydney-music-mind-and-body-lab.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sydney Music, Mind and Body Lab</a>, reveal how subtle shifts in rhythm and tone may fuel imagination in ways technology alone cannot replicate. 



These delicate imperfections - tiny fluctuations in timing or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-and-the-mind-new-clues-about-how-we-experience-pleasure/">volume</a> - can transform repetitive beats into living experiences, sparking imagery that feels real and immersive.



Rather than simply hearing structured sounds, listeners create journeys filled with color, movement, and narrative. The study suggests that the human quality of music holds unique power to trigger creativity and emotional depth. 



The research also shows why live performances, with all their small variations, can feel more moving than flawless recordings, and why imagination often thrives when music carries traces of human touch.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-musical-shifts-big-mental-impact">Small musical shifts, big mental impact</h2>



Researchers asked 100 participants to imagine a journey while listening to repetitive drumming. Some heard <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chimpanzees-use-rhythmic-drumming-to-communicate-in-forests/">drumming</a> with random micro-variations in loudness and timing, while others heard perfectly uniform beats or silence.



Those who listened to music with micro-variations reported richer imagery, longer imagined journeys, and more lifelike scenes. 



They often described environments filled with movement, color, or emotion that felt authentic and dynamic, which suggests these subtle rhythmic details significantly influence how the brain constructs vivid inner experiences.



"What excites me is that these little details in music are something we can all feel, even if we don't always notice them consciously," said lead researcher Ceren Ayyildiz.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-touch-makes-rhythm-alive">Human touch makes rhythm alive</h2>



The study, published in Scientific Reports, relied on computer simulations of drum <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-music-tunes-the-emotions-in-our-memories/">sounds</a>. Researchers created two versions: one with flawless uniformity and another with tiny, natural shifts mimicking human performance.



They then analyzed participants’ mental imagery responses with Bayesian multilevel modeling. The results showed that small fluctuations, often unconsciously introduced by performers, significantly enhance imagination.



These subtle imperfections did not distract listeners; instead, they added depth and texture to the soundscape, making the music feel more organic. Participants reported that the variations encouraged richer narratives, longer journeys, and greater immersion in imagined experiences.



This demonstrates that even the smallest rhythmic nuances can transform sound from a mechanical sequence into something that resonates with the human mind, shaping how people visualize and emotionally respond to music.



"It's not just technical perfection but the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-touch-molecular-basis-elkin1-discovery/">human touch</a> that makes music feel more alive and sparks the imagination," Ayyildiz said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-musical-skills-amplify-imagination">Musical skills amplify imagination</h2>



Listeners with musical training or strong immersion ability experienced even more vivid mental imagery. For them, micro-variations brought authenticity and richness missing from machine-perfect sounds.



"One possible explanation for this finding is that listeners may perceive drumming with tiny random changes - a core component of human music performance - as more natural and organic," said Ayyildiz.



The study highlights how human imperfections in rhythm bring authenticity and create a sense of connection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-and-sound-variations-aid-therapy">Music and sound variations aid therapy</h2>



The insights also suggest therapeutic and practical applications. "Mental imagery already plays an important role in many cognitive therapies," said senior author Dr. Steffen Herff.



"Deliberately tailoring background music - for example through subtle changes in timing and loudness - could be used to either stimulate or dampen imagination depending on the specific therapeutic target," 



For audio engineers and producers, the study provides a new perspective. Micro-variations are already used in studio production as key aesthetic drivers in many forms of music including electronic dance music and hip-hop.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-expression-drives-connection">Human expression drives connection</h2>



For musicians, especially drummers, the findings emphasize the creative weight of subtle timing shifts. 



"This study demonstrates how the tiny details in rhythmic timing and expression can greatly alter our perceptions of music," said researcher Dr. Simon Barker.



"The relationship between micro-rhythmic variations and imagination, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/physicists-make-bold-claims-that-time-is-an-illusion-question-its-existence/">illusion</a>, and connection are at the core of the art of drumming, and this study is a lovely example of this central aspect of rhythmic expression and communication."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music-s-power-comes-from-touch">Music’s power comes from touch</h2>



The study adds to a growing body of work exploring music’s role in imagination, connection, and even loneliness. 



Its message is clear: even in a world of machine-perfect precision, the smallest human variations breathe life into sound, reminding us of music’s timeless power to shape emotion, enrich creativity, strengthen bonds, and nurture a uniquely human sense of presence and belonging.



"Even tiny fluctuations can make music more meaningful," said Ayyildiz. "It's a reminder that the human feel still matters."



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/FEh_WfGeCTo?si=4ftg3JG20m5vyTxE
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Here, tiny fluctuations in timing and loudness introduce a human touch that breathes life into the rhythm - the kind of nuance shown to spark richer mental imagery. Credit: University of Sydney </figcaption></figure>



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-12604-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.&nbsp;



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Tiny human touches can make music sound more powerful

Music often does more than entertain. It paints images in our minds, builds worlds, and stirs emotions we can’t always explain. A new study shows how even the tiniest human touches in sound can influence this inner world. The findings from the Sydney Music, Mind and Body Lab, reveal how subtle shifts in rhythm and tone may fuel imagination in ways technology alone cannot replicate. These delicate imperfections - tiny fluctuations in timing or volume - can transform repetitive beats into living experiences, sparking imagery that feels...

By the end of this century, storms with heavy flooding are expected to triple in frequency in North America and Europe, according to a new study. 

Projecting the future impacts of climate change is no easy task, and modeling current climate trends to predict future weather extremes involves working around a lot of uncertainty and unknowns. 

However, climate models are a key part of understanding how increases in greenhouse gas emissions will impact future climate extremes. 

Researchers from the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/">University of Exeter</a> analyzed Northern Hemisphere storms in (extratropical cyclones) to project future changes in storms and precipitation for Europe and North America. 

The results, published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, show that it is possible to create consistent climate projections by studying specific storm behaviors. 

“Due to the complexity of the circulation response to warming, there is much uncertainty in regional patterns of climate change,” Matt Hawcroft, the lead author of the study told <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6430803/Devastating-storms-TRIPLE-frequency-thanks-climate-change-study-warns.html">the Daily Mail</a>. “Given this uncertainty, it is important to be able to distill clear information where that is available. Here we show that in spite of these complexities, we are still able to provide large and consistent projections of change in these highly impactful events.”

The researchers used advanced storm tracking and modeling technology to study storm patterns and precipitation. 

<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-activity-deadly-flooding/">Heavy flooding</a> and storm frequency are both predicted to increase by the end of the 21st century which could cause widespread devastation and severe economic losses unless greenhouse gas emissions are reduced. 

“It is expected that precipitation extremes will increase in intensity and frequency in a warmer climate,” said Hawcroft. “In this work, we have attributed those changes to the events which bring much of our large-scale rainfall and flooding.”

Reliable storm data and projection could help with informing climate change mitigation strategies according to the researchers.

“This additional information, on the dynamical nature of changes, is important since it provides clear information on the nature and impact of the changes in precipitation that can be used, for example, in policymaking and adaptation planning.”

--

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>

Major storm flooding to triple in frequency in North America, Europe

By the end of this century, storms with heavy flooding...

A new study has revealed that priming people with images of <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/good-guys-movies-violent/">superheroes</a> can inspire prosocial behaviors. The research suggests that we may be more likely to donate to charity or help out a stranger after watching the latest Marvel comics movie. 

“Given that superheroes are an increasingly large and accessible part of our cultures, even if merely symbolically, we were interested in exploring their role in inspiring virtuous and meaningful lives,” said study lead author Dr. Jeffrey D. Green of <a href="https://www.vcu.edu/">Virginia Commonwealth University</a>.

“Heroes come in many shapes and forms. Some are fictional and others are real-life role models. We decided to study the effect of well-known fictional heroes, such as Superman or Spiderman, as people may tend to be more motivated to emulate behaviors where there is little realism.”

The first experiment was focused on 245 participants who were exposed to either household pictures with subtle superhero images, such as Spiderman and Superman, or to neutral images. The individuals primed with superhero images were much more likely to report that they intended to be helpful to others.

According to the experts, while the perception of meaning in life was not directly influenced by the superhero prime, the exposure to superheroes increased helping intentions which subsequently increased a feeling of meaning in life.

A second experiment was designed to examine if the individuals would follow through with helping behavior. An additional 123 individuals were primed with a subtle image of Superman versus a neutral image of a bicycle. The participants were then invited to help with a tedious experimental task for no extra credit. 

Those primed with the Superman poster were much more likely to help than those primed with a bicycle. The perception of meaning in life, which was measured through a questionnaire, was not significantly different between the two groups.

“These experiments highlight how even the subtle activation of heroic constructs through visual images of superheroes may influence intentions to help as well as actual helping behavior,” said Dr. Green.

“Heroes loom large as exemplars of morality. They often embody virtues that we wish to express in our lives. If subtle images of heroes trigger such positive behaviors, their inspirational role may well have the potential to extend beyond the prosocial behaviors explored in this study.”

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology">Frontiers in Psychology</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Images of superheroes can inspire helpful behavior, study finds

A new study has revealed that priming people with images...

Researchers at the <a href="https://www.usc.edu/">University of Southern California</a> have developed a polio vaccine that does not require refrigeration. This means that the vaccine may ultimately be used all over the world to completely wipe out <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/polio-eradication-environmental-monitoring/">polio</a>.

After the injectable vaccine was freeze-dried into a powder, it was kept at room temperature for four weeks and then rehydrated. Testing in mice confirmed that the vaccine was still effective, offering full protection against the polio virus among the animals injected.

Study first author Woo-Jin Shin is a researcher in the lab of Jae Jung, chair of the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at USC's Keck School of Medicine.


“Stabilization is not rocket science, so most academics don't pay much attention to this field,” said Shin. “However, no matter how wonderful a drug or vaccine is, if it isn't stable enough to be transported, it doesn't do anyone much good.”

The complete eradication of polio is close, with just 22 known cases worldwide in 2017. The highly infectious disease can cause lifelong paralysis and disability, particularly in young children, who are still at risk in countries with low vaccination rates.

The biggest obstacle has been the lack of a temperature-stable vaccine for use in developing countries where refrigeration may be unavailable.

Previously, experts successfully used freeze-drying to create temperature-stable vaccines for measles, typhoid, and meningococcal disease. Prior to this study, however, scientists have not been able to develop a polio vaccine that retained its potency throughout the process of freeze-drying and rehydration.

Using liquid chromatography and high-throughput screening, Shin and his team managed to analyze a high volume of formulations until they found one that worked. Jung hopes that a company will now take over the project and cover the expense of clinical trials in humans so that the injectable vaccine can be put on the market.

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://mbio.asm.org/">mBio</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

New polio vaccine could finally wipe out the disease worldwide

Researchers at the University of Southern California have developed a...

Between the coast of <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/india-decriminalized-homosexuality/">India</a> and Thailand in the Bay of Bengal lies tiny North Sentinel Island.  Technically governed by India, the tribe on this island, called the Sentinelese, have no knowledge of India’s governance.  Many people call the Sentinelese an uncontacted tribe but this term is slightly deceptive, as many have historically tried to contact the Sentinelese.

Last week, an American made his own attempt to contact the Sentinelese people.  <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/family-u-s-missionary-john-chau-we-forgive-tribe-killing-n939276">NBC News</a> reports that missionary John Chau hired fishermen to tow his kayak towards North Sentinel Island.  As the fishermen watched, Chau offered gifts to the islanders including a football and fish. The Sentinelese became angry with an apparent encroachment on their isolation and shot arrows at Chau, one of them hitting a book he carried.  Chau swam back to the fisherman’s boat but returned the next day to contact the tribe again and was killed. 

On November 17, the fishermen watched the Sentinelese dragging Chau’s body.  Now, the government of India has charged the fishermen with endangering John Chau’s life and is left in the tricky position of trying to recover the body without further disrupting the Sentinelese.  John Chau’s family has called for the government of India to drop charges on the fishermen and said they forgive the Sentinelese for their actions. The question that lingers coming from Americans, living in a nation where people are allowed to defend their homes with violence, did the Sentinelese do anything requiring forgiveness?  This is far from the first historic encounter between the Sentinelese and outsiders.

[caption id="attachment_1863052" align="aligncenter" width="692"]<a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/John-Chau-Reuters.png"><img class="wp-image-1863052 size-full" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/John-Chau-Reuters.png" alt="" width="692" height="547" /></a> John Chau, Image Credit: Reuters[/caption]

<a href="https://www.survivalinternational.org/tribes/sentinelese">Survival International</a> reports that in the late 1800s, when India was under colonial rule of Britain, some small contact between the British and Sentinelese was made.  M.V. Portman, a British ‘Officer in charge of the Andamanese,’ set out on an expedition to contact the Sentinelese. The military group included trackers taken from already contacted Andamanese tribes.  As the group searched the island, they encountered recently vacated villages and well used trails but almost no people. The British eventually found an elderly couple and a handful of children. These people were kidnapped in the name of science and taken to Port Blair on South Andaman Island, the regional capital.  Quickly the elderly couple died of British disease and the children grew sick, as could be expected. The children were returned to their island eventually with unknown repercussions from disease or psychological trauma. India took over where the British left off, attempting peaceful contact with the Sentinelese for a time.  

During the 1970s, Indian officials occasionally visited North Sentinel Island with a thirst for adventure but officially to attempt friendly contact.  Sometimes gifts were left on the beach with mixed results. Two pigs and a doll were left on one occasion, the pigs were speared and buried on the beach along with the doll.  On other occasions, the Sentinelese gestured in what appeared to be a friendly manner or at other times shot arrows at the intruders. 

Contact trips continued with mixed results until 1996, when the Indian government discontinued the practice, considering the possible consequences of contact.  The Great Andamanese tribe of the close by Andaman and Nicobar Islands has suffered horribly from contact with outsiders. The Great Andamanese were a hunter gatherer group that probably originated from Africa and possibly the closest living relatives to the Sentinelese People.  <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Andamanese">Britannica</a> reports that there are now approximately 50 speakers of the Andamanese language and perhaps only 550 ethnic Andamanese people all together.

According to a <a href="https://www.survivalinternational.org/news/175">Survival International</a> report from 2005, 99% of the Great Andamanese people have been destroyed since British colonization of the islands.  Disease is a large part of this devastation, a history repeated the world over from the Americas to Australia, Africa and anywhere a group of people has maintained relative isolation.  It’s inevitable that disease and cultural destruction of the Sentinelese would follow contact from the outsiders, just as it has for the Great Andamanese. The Sentinelese have a history of violently opposing any contact from the outside, perhaps fearing destruction.  

In 2004, the Sentinelese gained a small amount of notoriety.  After a tsunami devastated the region, an Indian Coastguard helicopter flew over the island to check on the people.  <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/id/6786476/ns/world_news-tsunami_a_year_later/t/stone-age-cultures-survive-tsunami-waves/#.W_b25dVKj3g">NBC News</a> reported in January 2005 that a Sentinelese man shot an arrow at the helicopter, a clear indication that the tribe wanted no contact or help from the outside.  

[caption id="attachment_1863051" align="aligncenter" width="700"]<a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Sentinelese-AFP.png"><img class="wp-image-1863051" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Sentinelese-AFP-1024x636.png" alt="" width="700" height="435" /></a> Sentinelese man aims his bow and arrow at an Indian Coast Guard helicopter, Credit: AFP[/caption]

NBC News also reported that the tribe remains ‘frozen in the Paleolithic past’ but this is clearly not true.  People in boats and aircraft have periodically checked on the Sentinelese and most assuredly the Sentinelese themselves have learned from these encounters.  Arrows that were once tipped in stone are now tipped with scraps of metal the Sentinelese have salvaged. The truth is, we know very little about the social and technical aspects of these people we’ve only observed from far away.  One thing observers have noticed is that the people seem to be in good health, with lots of children and pregnant women, something that can’t be said for many tribespeople of the region who suffer diseases they have no inherited immunity for.  

Other once fierce and highly independent people have been brought to their knees by European diseases, greed and the hubris of monotheistic religion.  In South America, the Huaorani were known to violently oppose missionaries. One missionary was found in the jungle spread eagle and made into a pin cushion by spears; a clear warning.  Eventually these people made peaceable contact and are in the slow process of cultural genocide. Outside contact has brought conflicts over oil and persistent contact with missionaries; taking a terrible toll on the Huaorani much like the Great Andamanese.  The beneficiaries of the destruction of the Huaorani is Shell oil company which first encountered them in the 1940s while exploring their land. 

The same destructive process has occurred to some degree or other across North America, a continent now dominated by Europeans and European ideas.  John Chau is part of this long legacy of missionaries, scientists, and colonists that have spread their culture across the globe by violence and doggedness.  It is on us as a globally connected people to restrain ourselves, whether we act in religious fervor or greed for riches or scientific curiosity. The last right anyone has is to defend their life, with violence if necessary.     

--

By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Contributing Writer

Sentinelese defend their homeland with deadly force

Between the coast of India and Thailand in the Bay...

As humans, we’re constantly shifting between different rules and actions to help us along our day-to-day routines.

For example, while driving, we know which speed to maintain on a busy highway. But if we turn or exit, our brain tells us which rules to use for the new scenario, whether it's going slow, or stopping at an intersection. 

The brain’s ability to switch between rules depending on the context is called cognitive flexibility, and a new study has found that the brain is able to to do this by keeping multiple sets of rules stored in the prefrontal cortex. 

The study was conducted by researchers from the<a href="http://www.mit.edu/"> Massachusetts Institute of Technology </a>and published in the journal Nature Neuroscience.

The researchers found that cognitive flexibility is possible specifically because rules that aren’t immediately needed are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-decide-information-retain/">safely stored as short-term memory</a> in a region called the mediodorsal thalamus. 

In short, the mediodorsal thalamus can suppress different rules and actions until they are needed. 

“It seems like a way to toggle between irrelevant and relevant contexts, and one advantage is that it protects the currently irrelevant representations from being overwritten,” said Michael Halassa, a senior author of the paper.

Previously, Halassa and his colleagues had discovered the role the mediodorsal thalamus plays in keeping our minds focused on a particular thought by strengthening connections in the prefrontal cortex. 

For this study, the researchers wanted to focus on the mediodorsal thalamus and cognitive flexibility. 

Halassa trained mice to switch between two different cues, an auditory or visual cue. This allowed the researchers to better understand how the brain switches rules based on context. 

If the mice were given a visual cue, they knew to turn right to get a reward. If the mice were given an auditory signal, the mice would go left to get a reward. The mice had to wait for the right cues and remember the rules to know where to go. 

“The only way for the animal to solve the task is to keep the cue in mind over the entire delay, until the targets are given,” said Halassa. 

Input from the thalamus was key for switching between contexts in the mice, and when the researchers suppressed the mediodorsal thalamus, it took longer for the mice to remember the rules and switch contexts. 

The act of switching is also what helps protect and store the rules and actions that aren’t needed, according to the results. 

The study could help improve artificial intelligence, and the researchers plan to apply their findings to a neural network in order to test how well the system can save a learned task while still learning a new one.

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>,<a href="https://www.earth.com/"> Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

How the brain can seamlessly switch gears based on context

As humans, we’re constantly shifting between different rules and actions...

Women who work at border crossings and in toll booths are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer, according to a new study. 

The research focused on two groups of women working near a busy US-Canadian border crossing who all developed breast cancer within the same short amount of time. 

According to the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-6422423/Six-women-working-busiest-border-port-developed-cancer-30-months.html">Daily Mail</a> which reported on the study, six women who worked at the same bridge near the Ontario-Detroit border were all diagnosed with breast cancer within three years of each other. 

Four miles away, another group of seven women also developed breast cancer, receiving similarly close diagnoses in relation to one another. 

The study was conducted by researchers from the <a href="https://www.stir.ac.uk/">University of Stirling</a> in Scotland and published in the journal New Solutions. The results show that exposure to traffic pollution sharply increases the risk of breast cancer. 

“These outbreaks of breast cancer represent a new occupational disease,”  Michael Gilbertson, a lead researcher for the study, told the Daily Mail. 

There is only a 1 in 10,000 chance that the timing of the cases of breast cancer between the two groups of women was a coincidence, according to the study. 

The researchers calculated that the location of the jobs increased the risk of breast cancer by 16. 

One of the women had worked on the Ambassador Bridge, a major hub between Michigan and Ontario for 20 years, and the researchers calculated that throughout that time she was exposed to traffic fumes from 46.8 million vehicles. 

A little under 30,000 cars and trucks cross the Ambassador Bridge every day, and previous studies have found that pollution and traffic fumes can increase the risk of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-asthma-attacks/">cardiovascular and respiratory disease</a> as well as some cancers. 

This study provides a strong correlation between breast cancer and traffic fumes which the researchers say inhibits the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which are known for preventing breast cancer, from stopping tumor growth. 

“We now have plausible mechanisms for inferring how the BRCA1/2 tumour suppressors in this highly-exposed border guard became dysfunctional and likely contributed to the ongoing epidemic of sporadic, early onset, premenopausal breast cancer among her colleagues,” Gilbertson 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

Traffic fumes linked to breast cancer, new study shows

Women who work at border crossings and in toll booths...

Collaborators from <a href="https://www.duke.edu/">Duke University</a> and the <a href="https://pedsnet.org/">National Pediatric Learning Health System (PEDSnet)</a> have found that <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/genetic-risk-childhood-obesity/">obesity</a> may be the cause of about a quarter (23 to 27%) of asthma cases in children who struggle to maintain healthy weight. In a study that looked at over 500,000 health records of children in the U.S., researchers conclude that about 10% of all kids aged 2 to 17 could have avoided an asthma diagnosis if they had kept their weight down.

For their study, published in the journal <a href="http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/142/5?current-issue=y">Pediatrics</a> on November 26th, researchers looked at a total of 507,496 data sets from more than 19 million doctor’s visits at six major children’s health centers between the years of 2009 and 2015. 

Researchers classified children as having asthma if they had been diagnosed at two or more doctor’s appointments, undergone lung function testing, and received a prescription, such as an inhaler. Kids within the data set were classified as obese if their body-mass index (BMI) was in the 95th percentile or above for their age range and sex.

They found that children who were obese were 30% more likely to develop asthma than their peers who maintained a healthy weight. And kids who were merely overweight had a 17% greater risk for developing asthma.

Jason E. Lang, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics at Duke and the study's lead author, said, “Asthma is the No. 1 chronic disease in children and some of the causes such as genetics and viral infections during childhood are things we can't prevent. Obesity may be the only risk factor for childhood asthma that could be preventable. This is another piece of evidence that keeping kids active and at a healthy weight is important."

However, Lang noted that more experimentation must be done before any certain conclusion is made. This is because the study was not conducted within a controlled research environment, but rather collected data from doctor’s visits.

But, as it stands, obesity and asthma seem to be linked. As weight goes down, asthma often improves, and experts believe childrens’ respiratory system may develop differently when a child is obese.

“I think it's reasonable to be concerned that it's a causal relationship," Lang continued. "It appears becoming overweight or obese as a child significantly increases your risk of developing asthma, and it's a significant increase, directing attention again to the importance of preventing obesity at an early age." 

--

By <a href="mailto:oliviagharvey24@gmail.com">Olivia Harvey</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Research finds obesity causes one-fourth of childhood asthma cases

Collaborators from Duke University and the National Pediatric Learning Health...

A report published by the <a href="https://osteopathic.org/">American Osteopathic Association</a> is calling for laws that allow for the removal of firearms from patients suffering from dementia. According to the authors, the current lack of laws to address the issue of elderly <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/gun-owners-store-guns/">gun owners</a> with dementia could lead to an increase in suicide and accidental shootings.

There are high rates of gun ownership among baby boomers and older adults, along with an increasing risk for age-related dementia. While physicians can alert local authorities if a patient should no longer drive, no such warning system is in place for firearm owners with cognitive impairment.

Katherine Galluzzi is the chair of the Department of Geriatrics at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

“Nothing about this is easy. People's identities are formed in large part by the ways and degree to which they can feel self-sufficient. That doesn't end with the onset of dementia,” said Galluzzi. “However, as physicians and family members, we need to be able to do the hard thing in the interest of public safety.”

According to previous studies, 27 percent of people 65 and older own one or more firearms and 37 percent live in a home with a firearm present. The results of one study showed that 18 percent of individuals with dementia or related mental health issues live in a home with one or more firearms. Among those individuals, 37 percent had delusions and 17 percent had documented hallucinations.

In one case, an 80-year-old-man living alone with Alzheimer's shot and killed his regular health aid during a period of heightened confusion. In another case, a 72-year-old male patient with cancer rejected treatment options and took his life with a gun.

“Red flag laws” emerged in several states over the last year that allow families to petition a judge for temporary removal of firearms from someone who may be a danger to themselves or to others. Dr. Galluzzi explained that similar policies should be extended to patients with dementia.

Dr. Galluzzi also recommends that patients and their families make a plan for transferring ownership of the gun before dementia sets in.

“Whether it's a question of taking away a person's car or gun, these difficult discussions don't get easier as the patient's mental state deteriorates,” said Dr. Galluzzi. “It's critical for families to talk about this early and decide on power of attorney so someone can act in the best interest of the patient when they are no longer able to do it for themselves.”

The study is published in the <a href="http://jaoa.org/">Journal of the American Osteopathic Association</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>

How to address the growing issue of elderly gun owners with dementia?

A report published by the American Osteopathic Association is calling...

A new study published by the <a href="http://www.apa.org/">American Psychological Association</a> has revealed that sexist men often underestimate how much power they have in their <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/reason-unhappy-relationships/">romantic relationships</a>, which may cause them to become aggressive toward their female partners.

“Aggressive behavior can have disastrous consequences on a relationship because the female partner is more likely to withdraw, openly share her dissatisfaction and become less committed,” said study lead author Emily J. Cross of the <a href="https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en.html">University of Auckland</a>. “This can reinforce a commonly held stereotype among men with sexist beliefs that women are not trustworthy. It's a vicious cycle.”

The researchers set out to analyze what is known as hostile sexism, or the idea that women want to control men in relationships because the power dynamic is different from other aspects of life such as the workplace.

“Power dynamics are not as simple in intimate relationships because even in well-functioning relationships, both partners are inescapably dependent on each other,” said Cross. “This mutual dependence constrains an individual's power. This can be very difficult for men who have sexist views because they are already concerned about losing power to women and they may lash out at their significant other in harmful ways.”


The investigation was focused on how hostile sexism affects the power dynamics among romantic partners. The researchers designed four experiments involving 1,096 heterosexual men and women who were all in committed relationships.

In each experiment, the men and women answered questions that were related to sexist attitudes, perceptions of autonomy, aggression, the influence of their partner's behavior or opinions, relationship satisfaction, and security. 

In one experiment, couples discussed their most serious conflict, while another was exclusively focused on newlyweds. Even though each experiment was different, the experts found that the results were the same.

“Men who showed more hostile sexist views felt they had less power in their relationships, while their significant others thought otherwise, and those men were more aggressive toward their partners by being critical or unpleasant,” said Cross.

She believes that the reason for this behavior is likely that the men were attempting to restore the perceived power imbalance, and not because they wanted to be dominant over their partners.


“A great place to start reducing sexist attitudes is in intimate relationships because that is when we are at our most vulnerable and we are motivated to help and nurture our partners,”said study co-author Dr. Nickola C. Overall. “If we can lessen the fear some men have about losing power to their partners, then we can reduce aggressive behaviors, and ultimately diminish the power struggles that uphold gender inequality.”

The study is published in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journal_of_Personality_and_Social_Psychology">Journal of Personality and Social Psychology</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Sexist men often underestimate the control they have in relationships

A new study published by the American Psychological Association has revealed...

According to a new study from <a href="https://wsu.edu/">Washington State University</a>, sheltering kids from conflict and negative emotions is not good for them. The researchers have discovered that it is much better to express <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/magic-mushrooms-depression-emotions/">emotions</a> in a healthy way.

Study lead author Sara Waters is an assistant professor in the Department of Human Development on the WSU Vancouver campus.

“We wanted to look at how we suppress emotions and how that changes the way parents and kids interact,” said Professor Waters. “Kids pick up on suppression, but it's something a lot of parents think is a good thing to do.”

The investigation was focused on 109 mothers or fathers with their children in San Francisco. The parents were given an activity to complete with their children, during which some were instructed to suppress their emotions while others were told to act naturally. 

The activity involved the assembly of a Lego project. The children, who were between the ages of 7 and 11, were given the instructions and were asked to guide the parents through the assembly. The children were not allowed to touch the Legos and the parents could not look at the instructions. 

“We were interested in behaviors,” said Professor Waters. “We looked at the responsiveness, warmth, quality of the interactions, how the parent provided guidance for the child.”

The researchers watched 109 video recordings and noted every warm interaction as well as other emotions. In addition, the parents and children were hooked up to sensors that measured heart rate and stress levels. 

“The act of trying to suppress their stress made parents less positive partners during the Lego task,” said Professor Waters. “They offered less guidance, but it wasn't just the parents who responded. Those kids were less responsive and positive to their parents. It's almost like the parents were transmitting those emotions.”

The study also revealed that emotional suppression made kids more sensitive to their mothers. However, the children showed less change in their responses when a father was suppressing his emotions.

According to Professor Waters, there are dozens of studies that show kids are good at picking up “emotional residue” from their parents.

“Kids are good at picking up subtle cues from emotions. If they feel something negative has happened, and the parents are acting normal and not addressing it, that's confusing for them. Those are two conflicting messages being sent.”


Professor Waters explained that it is best for children to see healthy conflict,  from start to resolution, rather than suppressed emotions. 

“Let them see the whole trajectory,” she said. “That helps kids learn to regulate their own emotions and solve problems. They see that problems can get resolved.”

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/emo/">Emotion</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Study: Sheltering kids from negative emotions isn’t good for them

According to a new study from Washington State University, sheltering...

Patagonia has long involved itself in a certain level of political activism.  This time last year, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/patagonia-fighting-trump/">I reported</a> on the outdoor clothing company’s fight to protect Bear’s Ears despite Trump’s executive order to downsize the National Monument.  I also reported on the company’s support of Planned Parenthood, against protests by the Christian Action Coalition:

“When Patagonia and other companies came under fire from the Christian Action Coalition for their support of Planned Parenthood, they didn’t back down.  CAC planned a boycott and a protest. Patagonia coordinated a response, for every protestor to show up, they pledged to donate $10.00. The protest fell apart.”

Now Patagonia has become even more obviously involved in politics, directly endorsing two Democratic candidates in states where Democrats don’t always do well.  Patagonia’s owner and founder Yvonne Chouinard has called Trump’s government ‘evil’ saying in an interview with <a href="https://www.cnn.com/">CNN</a>:

“We have an evil government.…I'm not going to stand back and just let evil win.”

In response to Patagonia’s pushback on Trump’s shrinking of Bear’s Ears, <a href="https://www.gq.com/story/patagonia-versus-donald-trump">GQ</a> reports that the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources essentially called for a boycott of the outdoor clothing company sending an email out with the headline, “Patagonia: Don’t buy it.”

Now, Patagonia is perhaps throwing an even bigger political punch.  Since the 2010 Supreme Court decision of Citizens United, it seems that corporations have been free to support candidates as if they were individual human supporters.  No company has taken the step to support candidates in the same way Patagonia did in the last election, reports the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/the-energy-202/2018/10/19/the-energy-202-in-what-may-be-a-first-patagonia-endorses-two-senate-candidates/5bc8b2fb1b326b7c8a8d1a67/?utm_term=.cd63b5656f28">Washington Post</a>.  CEOs of companies have supported candidates as individuals and funds may have been donated to candidates but in this last election, Patagonia as a company actually endorsed two Democratic candidates.  

Candidates Jon Tester of Montana and Jacky Rosen of Nevada both won their election, Tester maintaining his seat in the senate and Rosen beating the Republican incumbent in the recent midterms.

Jon Tester has faced off against Trump, and the president blames him for ruining his nomination of Dr. Ronny Jackson as his Secretary of Veterans Affairs.  <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/07/politics/jon-tester-montana/index.html">CNN</a> reports that Tester said Dr. Jackson handed out prescriptions “like candy”, ruining his confirmation.  Importantly, <a href="https://www.gq.com/story/patagonia-senate-endorsements-2018">GQ</a> quoted Chouinard on why the outdoor brand supported Jon Tester, 

“We are supporting Jon Tester because he gives a damn about protecting public lands—and, like us, he’s committed to fight back against anyone who doesn’t.”

Trump continuously attacked Tester in speeches in Montana, supporting his rival, Republican Matt Rosendale, a former Maryland developer, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/22/us/politics/jon-tester-montana-senate-trump.html">The New York Times</a> reports.  This was a big deal in Montana where Trump won the state by 20 points.  CNN reports that despite Trump’s attacks, Jon Tester won his race in Montana, playing up his Montana roots as opposed to Rosendale’s connection to Maryland.  Running on his long ties to local agriculture, in a state with a lot of public lands, <a href="http://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/jon-tester">The League of Conservation Voters</a> gave him an 84% approval rating for 2017 and an 86% lifetime score.  Jon Tester, a long time rancher, is said to bring his organic beef with him to Washington, though it’s worth asking how much of that beef was raised on public lands.  Nevada is another state with a large amount of public land in the contentious interior American west and another place where Patagonia supported a candidate. 

Jacky Rosen’s race for senate was also supported by the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and she received an impressive <a href="http://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/jacky-rosen">97% lifetime score</a> by the league as well.  A former Southern Nevada Synagogue president, Rosen beat out Republican Senator Dean Heller, who according to the <a href="https://www.rgj.com/story/news/politics/2018/10/22/nevada-democrat-jacky-rosen-dean-heller-us-senate/1697245002/">Reno Gazette Journal</a>, hadn’t lost an election in 30 years.  

<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/07/politics/nevada-senate-jacky-rosen-dean-heller/index.html">CNN</a> reported earlier this month that Rosen won despite her opponent’s long reign in Nevada.  During the election, Trump labeled Rosen as ‘Wacky Jacky’ despite the fact that Dean Heller initially said he was 99% against Trump before cuddling up with him during his failed reelection bid.  Rosen also seemed to tap into Latino voters in Nevada, partly by making a trip to the border herself in a state not far from Mexico.

It’s not clear how much difference Patagonia made in the midterm election, Rosen was predicted to lose but won, Tester was favored to win and did.  Patagonia seems to be profiting from its political advocacy though, gaining goodwill from social media users and consumers, seemingly only angering hard right wingers who probably wouldn’t buy Patagonia already.  

Patagonia itself seems more than happy to turn its webpage into a political ad, it did for Bear’s Ears and it did for the midterm election as well.  Other clothing companies seem to be emboldened by Patagonia’s success as well and we might wonder if we’re entering a new age. Will we soon see new branded political candidates?  Will it be candidate X brought to you by Pepsi, superior to candidate Y brought to you by Coca Cola? I personally support the initiative Patagonia’s taking in facing down what it considers wrong in favor for what is right.  I’m also a little nervous about the engagement of business in politics.

In a <a href="https://www.hcn.org/articles/politics-is-sporting-a-patagonia-fleece-a-political-statement">High Country News</a> perspective piece, a reporter recently asked, ‘Is wearing a Patagonia fleece a political statement?’  To many, it’s clear indeed that wearing Patagonia is a political statement. I’d argue at least the brand is honest about what it represents.  There are plenty of companies that profit from war, like Halliburton, or environmental destruction or sweatshop labor. Maybe in a time when Nike can give Colin Kaepernick an <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/26/sports/nike-colin-kaepernick.html">advertising deal</a> featuring slogans like, “Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything,” we can almost believe that corporations are willing to do the right thing, sometimes.  We should tread very carefully though if we want real dialogue, discussion and thought from our politicians and not just branding. 

--

By <a href="mailto:zachfitzner@yahoo.com">Zach Fitzner</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Contributing Writer

Patagonia gets more involved in partisan and conservation politics

Patagonia has long involved itself in a certain level of...

According to a new study presented today at the annual meeting of the <a href="https://www.rsna.org/">Radiological Society of North America</a> (RSNA), a single season of <a href="http://www.earth.com/news/football-injuries-car-parkinsons/">football</a> can interfere with cognitive development among young players. 

Study co-author Gowtham Krishnan Murugesan is a research assistant in the Department of Radiology at the <a href="https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/">UT Southwestern Medical Center</a> in Dallas, Texas.


“This research demonstrates that playing a season of contact sports may affect normal gray matter pruning in high school and youth football players,” said Murugesan.


During the process of pruning, new brain connections are formed and unused connections are lost. This highly dynamic process is needed for healthy brain development.

“Pruning is an essential part of brain development,” said Murugesan. “By getting rid of the synapses that are no longer used, the brain becomes more efficient with aging.”

The researchers set out to investigate whether repetitive head impacts may affect normal pruning of the brain in young football players. The study was focused on 60 youth players with no history of concussion and no history of developmental, neurological, or psychiatric abnormalities prior to the season. 

The subjects were fitted with the Head Impact Telemetry System (HITS), which are helmets lined with sensors that measure the magnitude, location, and direction of impacts to the head. The experts used the impact data from the helmets to estimate the risk of concussion exposure for each player, and then divided them into two groups: high-impact players and low-impact players.

Functional (fMRI) scans were performed on all players before and after the season. The experts analyzed changes within five components of the default mode network (DMN), a network of regions deep in the gray matter areas of the brain. The DMN includes structures that activate when a person is processing emotions, which is important for brain health.

Among players in the high-impact group, the post-season results showed significant increases in power and gray matter volume.

“Disruption in normal pruning has been shown to be related to weaker connections between different parts of the brain,” said Murugesan. “Our study has found a significant decrease in gray matter pruning in the frontal default mode network, which is involved in higher cognitive functions, such as the planning and controlling of social behaviors.”

Further analysis of the biomechanical data that was conducted at <a href="https://www.wfu.edu/">Wake Forest University </a> revealed that most of the head impacts occurred during practice.

“By replacing high-impact practice drills with low- or no-impact drills, the overall head-impact exposure for players can be reduced,” said Murugesan.

The researchers explained that minor modifications to the game could also be implemented to reduce the extent and the force behind full-speed contact.

The findings were presented at the 104th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Just a single football season can impact the brains of young players

According to a new study presented today at the annual...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that scientists never expected.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-waters-beneath-ancient-craters">Hidden waters beneath ancient craters</h2>



Scientists have made a startling discovery that challenges everything we thought we knew about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saturn-moon-mimas-has-remarkably-young-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saturn's moon Mimas</a>. Beneath the heavily cratered surface that earned it the nickname "Death Star" lies a global ocean that formed just 5 to 15 million years ago—a remarkably young age by cosmic standards.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cassini-data-reveals-orbital-secrets">Cassini data reveals orbital secrets</h2>



The discovery, led by Dr. Valéry Lainey of the <a href="https://observatoiredeparis.psl.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Observatoire de Paris</a>, emerged from careful analysis of <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>'s Cassini spacecraft data. By studying subtle irregularities in Mimas's orbit around Saturn, researchers detected the gravitational signature of liquid water hidden 20 to 30 kilometers beneath the moon's icy shell.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-unlikely-ocean-world">An unlikely ocean world</h2>



At only 400 kilometers in diameter, Mimas seemed like the least likely candidate to harbor a subsurface ocean. Unlike other ocean moons such as Europa and Enceladus, which show clear surface signs of internal activity, Mimas displays no obvious hints of the liquid water beneath its ancient, crater-scarred exterior.



"Mimas is a small moon, and its heavily cratered surface gave no hint of the hidden ocean beneath," explained Dr. Nick Cooper from <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen Mary University of London</a>, a study co-author.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-astrobiology">Implications for astrobiology</h2>



The ocean's recent formation makes Mimas a prime target for studying how oceans develop and potentially support life. This discovery adds another member to the exclusive club of ocean worlds in our solar system, each offering unique insights into the conditions necessary for habitability.



The research, published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a> journal, demonstrates how advanced orbital analysis can reveal hidden features of celestial bodies, opening new possibilities for understanding ocean formation throughout the cosmos.



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Scientists discover unexpected young ocean on Saturn's cratered moon Mimas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ 'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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</div></figure>







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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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

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https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU A new long-term study in Monkton, Vermont, reveals that...

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



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



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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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

[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" 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> (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...

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



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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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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

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" 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> 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...

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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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...

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

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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"

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