Food allergies have become increasingly common, affecting roughly one in 13 children, as reported by Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE). With such a rise, scientists continue to explore how maternal diets might influence allergy risk in infants. 



Recent research in Finland sheds light on a surprising connection between avocado consumption during pregnancy and reduced food allergy risk in infants.



A study involving 2,272 mother-child pairs, conducted over nearly a decade, uncovered a striking finding. Infants whose mothers consumed avocados during pregnancy had a 43.6% lower chance of developing food allergies by 12 months. 



The study accounted for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-omega-3-deficiency-is-rising-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">variables</a> such as maternal age, smoking status, and education - yet the link remained consistent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-avocados-lower-allergy-risk">Avocados lower allergy risk</h2>



For years, researchers have explored how specific dietary patterns during pregnancy might influence infant allergy risk. However, individual foods like avocados have not received the same level of scrutiny. 



The Finnish study aimed to fill that gap. The team utilized an online food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess maternal avocado intake during the first and third trimesters. 



Participants who reported any avocado <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-production-more-difficult-climate-change-plant-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consumption</a> were classified as consumers, while those who did not became non-consumers.



The analysis revealed a significant contrast. Among non-consumers, 4.2% of infants developed food allergies. In comparison, only 2.4% of infants whose mothers consumed avocados experienced the same outcome.



The reduction in allergy risk remained significant even after adjusting for various maternal health factors .



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-avocado-research-offers-hope">Avocado research offers hope</h2>



“As a caregiver, the growing prevalence of food allergy feels very scary and out of my control,” said Sari Hantunen, senior lecturer at the <a href="https://www.uef.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Eastern Finland</a>.



“There is no cure for food allergy, but promising prevention and therapeutic strategies are in development as well as emerging research such as this."



”Based on these findings, it’s encouraging to know that eating avocados may provide even more value to maternal and children’s health, beyond the benefits that have already been established through scientific research.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-avocado-and-allergy">Tracking avocado and allergy</h2>



The Kuopio Birth Cohort (KuBiCo) provided a rich dataset for analysis. Researchers recruited pregnant women during routine first-trimester appointments at <a href="https://pshyvinvointialue.fi/web/en/kuopio-university-hospital" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kuopio University Hospital</a>. Data collection continued until November 2022, capturing dietary intake throughout the first and third trimesters.



Mothers completed FFQs that detailed food consumption over the past three months. The FFQ specifically assessed avocado intake, classifying participants as consumers or non-consumers.



After birth, researchers tracked infants to assess allergic outcomes, including <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-therapy-may-help-reduce-peanut-allergies-in-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food</a> allergies, eczema, rhinitis, and wheezing. Even after adjusting for variables like maternal age, smoking, and breastfeeding duration, the data maintained its significance. 



Infants of non-consumers showed a 4.2% allergy rate, while those of avocado consumers showed a 2.4% rate .



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-choose-avocados">Who choose avocados?</h2>



Avocado consumers shared common traits that distinguished them from non-consumers. They tended to be older and more educated. They also reported longer breastfeeding durations and higher diet quality scores.



These women generally had lower BMI levels in the first trimester and were less likely to undergo caesarean deliveries. Researchers noted that these trends might reflect broader health-conscious behaviors rather than avocado <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-transforming-pollen-science-and-health-planning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consumption</a> alone .



Avocados pack essential nutrients that may benefit both maternal and infant health. Each serving provides 9.25 grams of dietary fiber, supporting gut health and potentially influencing immune responses.



Additionally, avocados contain 2.6 mg of vitamin E, an antioxidant linked to immune function, and 0.93 mg of zinc, which plays a role in immune development. Lutein, a carotenoid crucial for eye health, also features prominently in avocados.



The nutrient profile aligns well with dietary patterns like the Mediterranean diet, previously associated with lower allergy risks in offspring. While the study focused solely on avocados, researchers suggest that other nutrient-dense foods may offer similar protective effects .



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consuming-avocados-for-allergy-prevention">Consuming avocados for allergy prevention</h2>



The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that pregnant women consume 2 ½ to 3 ½ cups of vegetables daily. Avocados, with their nutrient density, count as a full cup per serving.



For toddlers aged 12-23 months, the guidelines suggest 2/3 to 1 cup of vegetables each day. With its rich nutrient profile, a single avocado serves as a practical choice to meet these recommendations without the need for supplements.



Despite the promising findings, the study did not identify any significant links between avocado consumption and other allergic conditions like rhinitis, eczema, or wheezing. 



The focus on food allergies yielded notable results, but the other conditions showed no significant differences between consumers and non-consumers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-the-research">Expanding the research</h2>



The researchers caution against overgeneralizing the findings. While avocados may contribute to reduced food allergy risk, the mechanisms remain unclear. 



Further studies could clarify whether specific nutrients within avocados influence immune development and whether similar effects extend to other foods .



The study opens doors for future research that could extend beyond infancy. Tracking infants beyond the first year of life may provide insights into how early dietary exposures shape allergy risk throughout childhood.



Additionally, examining other nutrient-dense foods with similar profiles, such as nuts, seeds, or leafy greens, could help determine whether the observed effects result from specific nutrients or broader dietary patterns. 



Understanding these connections could refine dietary recommendations for pregnant women, offering clearer guidance on foods that may reduce allergy risk in infants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-nutritional-choice-with-potential">A nutritional choice with potential</h2>



As food allergies continue to rise, identifying preventive strategies during pregnancy remains a critical focus. This Finnish study suggests that avocados, with their nutrient-rich profile, may play a role in reducing food allergy risk in infants.



While the study does not establish causality, it highlights the potential impact of nutrient-dense foods during pregnancy - a time when maternal diet can leave lasting imprints on infant health. 



Further research will clarify whether these findings hold across diverse populations and whether other foods offer similar benefits.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41390-025-03968-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pediatric Research</a>.



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Eating avocados during pregnancy reduces baby's allergy risk

Food allergies have become increasingly common, affecting roughly one in 13 children, as reported by Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE). With such a rise, scientists continue to explore how maternal diets might influence allergy risk in infants. Recent research in Finland sheds light on a surprising connection between avocado consumption during pregnancy and reduced food allergy risk in infants. A study involving 2,272 mother-child pairs, conducted over nearly a decade, uncovered a striking finding. Infants whose mothers consumed avocados during pregnancy had a 43.6% lower chance...

A new survey has found that the majority of Americans agree with gene editing when it has a goal of improving the health of babies. The majority of adult respondents also believed that the use of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/public-opinion-gene-editing/">gene editing</a> to increase a baby's intelligence is taking the technology too far.

Out of 2,537 survey respondents, 72 percent agreed that modifying the genetic characteristics of an unborn baby to treat a serious disease is an appropriate application of gene editing. In addition, 60 percent said that the use of this technology would be acceptable to reduce the risk of the development of a serious condition over the course of a baby's lifetime.

However, when asked about using the same technology to make a baby more intelligent, only 19 percent of American adults agreed that it would be appropriate.


When respondents were asked if testing on human embryos would be justifiable for the development of gene editing, two-thirds of the participants did not agree.

Among study participants with strong religious affiliations, beliefs over whether it is appropriate to use gene editing to reduce a baby's risk of disease later in life were nearly divided down the middle. On the other hand, 73 percent of those without strong religious commitment said that it is acceptable to edit genetic characteristics to prevent disease over a baby's lifetime.

Furthermore, 58 percent of respondents agreed that gene editing will most likely lead to increased inequality because it will only be available to the wealthy. Only around 18 percent of adults surveyed said that it is very likely that development of gene editing techniques will pave the way for new medical advances that benefit society as a whole.

The study was funded by the <a href="http://www.pewresearch.org/">Pew Research Center</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

The public is open to gene editing… depending on its use

A new survey has found that the majority of Americans...

The internet has transformed our everyday lives in ways we are still beginning to understand. Gone are the days of navigating a map for directions and mailing letters to far away friends to keep in contact. The internet has made our lives easier, faster and more convenient. Unfortunately, the internet has also helped fuel the illicit wildlife market.

A recent<a href="http://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/157301/27922673/1528275723837/SEAsia-Otter-report.pdf?token=p2R0%2F28DPnHigqT%2FyiDH6Wbg%2BTg%3D"> study</a> by the wildlife monitoring group <a href="http://www.traffic.org/">TRAFFIC</a> and the <a href="http://www.otterspecialistgroup.org/iucn.html">International Union for Conservation of Nature Otter Specialist Group</a> found that the online pet trade for otters is creating a pressing threat to otter populations.

The study monitored online advertisements for otters one hour a week in Indonesia between January and April 2018. The researchers found 560 advertisements selling up to 1,189 animals in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia. The main species affected by online sales in this study was the small-clawed otter which is currently listed as “vulnerable” and protected on Appendix II of <a href="https://www.cites.org/">CITES</a>.

The study concludes, “Overall, the pet trade emerged as the most pressing threat to the survival of otters, particularly in Indonesia and Thailand.”

Otters are far from the only species affected by the online wildlife market. Studies have found live animals such as tortoises sold for the pet trade and wildlife parts such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pangolins-smuggled-ivory-trade/">ivory</a> for sale.

Although it is difficult to assess the exact size of the secretive market, the<a href="https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2014/May/wildlife-crime-worth-8-10-billion-annually.html"> United Nation Office on Drugs and Crime</a> estimated that the wildlife market brings in $8-$10 billion a year, ranking it as one of the most lucrative markets along with guns, drugs and human trafficking.

As the internet becomes more commonplace, wildlife traffickers are increasingly utilizing it as a tool. The internet streamlines sales and allows traffickers to sell animals throughout the world while remaining anonymous. Traffickers can post advertisements for animals, contact potential buyers and accept payments all through their computers which has opened the market up to smaller-scale traffickers.

Traffickers generally consider the internet a low-risk platform for selling wildlife. Buyers and sellers use a variety of methods to keep their market hidden such as using sites that cannot be found through search engines, closed social media groups, direct messaging apps and code words for wild animals.

The elusive nature of online sales makes enforcement efforts difficult, especially in areas where enforcement of the wildlife market is already low.<a href="https://www.cites.org/"> The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora</a> has taken actions to address the growing online market but some countries’ laws against wildlife trafficking predate the internet and need to be updated.

<a href="https://www.ifaw.org/united-states">The International Fund for Animal Welfare</a> (IFAW) has investigated the online wildlife trade since 2004 and works with governments and law enforcement agencies to provide them with information and training to combat the online trade.

IFAW recently joined forces with the <a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org/">World Wildlife Fund</a>, TRAFFIC and 21 technology, e-commerce and social media companies (including Google, eBay, Facebook and Instagram) to shut down the online trade. The group, the Global Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online, has a goal of reducing wildlife trafficking across platforms by 80% by 2020.

These powerful tech giants can have a huge impact on the wildlife market as they are often the hosts of the wildlife trade. According to<a href="https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/03/wildlife-watch-tech-companies-online-wildlife-crime-coalition/"> National Geographic</a>, the tech companies will create algorithms to detect keywords and flag the posts before they are even posted. Since wildlife traffickers often use code words to avoid detection, companies will need to manually review posts as well.

This coalition is a big move for tech companies who have previously received criticisms for not doing enough to prevent online wildlife trafficking. Wide-scale efforts from both governments and the tech industry are needed to quash the online market before it is too late for the many species affected by the online wildlife trade.

--

By <a href="mailto:brianna.grant134@gmail.com">Brianna Lynne</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Contributing Writer

The internet is helping fuel global wildlife trafficking

The internet has transformed our everyday lives in ways we...

We store information about time and space in the same region of our brain that processes odors, which is potentially why certain smells can result in a vivid memory recall. Smelling freshly cut grass can transport you back to playing in the front yard as a child, or a passing whiff of perfume may remind you of your high school girlfriend. 

“When these elements combine, a what-when-where memory is formed,” says Dr. Afif Aqrabawi of the <a href="https://www.utoronto.ca/">University of Toronto</a>.

Aqrabawi and a team of researchers from the University of Toronto studied mice in an effort to shed light on why some smells trigger this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stimulation-memory-improved-overnight/">memory</a> recall. Mice are known to have a preference for seeking out new smells. 

“When they lose this preference, it’s implied they no longer remember the smell even though they have sniffed it before, so they continue to smell something as if for the first time,” explains Aqrabawi.

The researchers disconnected the nerve endings between the rodents’ brain regions associated with memory and odor processing. This resulted in the mice returning to odors they had already smelled, and sniffing them for a longer period of time. 

“We now understand which circuits in the brain govern the memory for smell,” says Aqrabawi. “The circuit can now be used as a model to study aspects of human memory and the odor memory deficits seen in neurodegenerative conditions.”

These findings may help early diagnosis in Alzheimer’s patients, whose sense of smell usually fades before their cognitive health starts to decline. Tests that assess potential Alzheimer’s sufferers’ sense of smell could be quicker, easier, and cheaper than current diagnosis methods. If better preventative treatments are discovered in the future, quick and simple diagnosis will become even more important for those that suffer from neurodegenerative conditions.

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Why certain smells can trigger vivid memories

We store information about time and space in the same...

In surveys about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marijuana-users-sex/">sex</a>, there often seems to be a large gap between the number of sexual partners reported by men and women. 

Men tend to overestimate their number of sexual partners and report much higher numbers than women, and a new study conducted by researchers from the <a href="https://www.gla.ac.uk/">University of Glasgow</a> found answers to why this “gender gap” exists. 

The results, published in The Journal of Sex Research, shows that men are more likely to estimate than actually count their lifetime total, and when they do so, they often report extreme numbers. In addition, the gender differences in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/women-less-regret-sex/">attitudes towards casual sex</a> contribute to the gender gap in reported sexual partners.

More importantly, factoring in these tendencies and attitudes closes two-thirds of the gender gap found in sex surveys. 

The researchers collected and analyzed data from the third National Survey Of Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3) conducted in Scotland. Survey responses from over 15,000 men and women ages 16 to 74 were reviewed for the research. 

On average, men reported fourteen sexual partners over their lifetime while women reported seven in the Natsal-3. 

The researchers noticed that the men and women who reported more partners skewed the average, and men had a much higher tendency to estimate rather than count their past sexual partners compared to women. 

24 percent of men who reported five to nine partners estimated those numbers while only 15 percent of women did the same. 

Personal attitudes towards sex also played a role in the number of partners reported and the researchers noticed that women were more conservative in their attitudes on casual sex or affairs compared to men. 

Accounting for all these factors drastically reduced the gender gap and the number of sexual partners of men versus women was more closely matched. 

The results show how unreliable sex surveys of previous partners can be and the difference in attitudes towards sex for men and women which can have important implications in both sex education and reproductive health. 

“Accurate reporting of sexual partners is crucial for many reasons, including assessing individual risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and estimating the rate of STI/HIV transmission,” said Kirstin Mitchell, the leader of the study. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Why men are more likely to claim a higher number of sex partners

In surveys about sex, there often seems to be a...

If you were a child growing up in the 90s or early 2000s, you likely had your parents constantly nagging you to put down the video game and go outside. While that may have been commonplace years ago, it appears that it is happening less and less recently. 

A new poll from the market research firm <a href="http://www.onepoll.com/">OnePoll</a> surveyed 2,000 British parents and children in order to assess the recreational habits of kids ages six to 16. They found that the average child spends just seven hours a week outside, and over twice that amount of time playing video games inside.

The survey also found that 40 percent of parents have to force their children to leave the house and spend time outside. This isn’t surprising, given that kids said they preferred a number of activities to playing outside, including playing video games, watching TV, surfing the internet, and listening to music. Shockingly, one in ten children surveyed went as far as to say they would rather do their homework than spend time outdoors. 

Researchers postulate that the rise of popular video games like “Fortnite” has children choosing to spend more time indoors and in front of the screen. “With games such as “Fortnite” taking over the lives of many young children, they would prefer to stay indoors than kick a football around with friends or wander through the woods,” says Chris Allen, a department manager at Decathalon – a retailer who had OnePoll conduct this study.

Over two-thirds of parents surveyed expressed concern that their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kids-abuse-animals-abused/">kids</a> don’t spend enough time outdoors, with 60 percent of parents blaming video games for their child’s aversion to outdoor activities.

Experts have said that active play is necessary for the development and long-term health of children, and lessens the chance of a child developing diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease when they get older. According to the NHS, children age five to 18 should be getting at least one hour of physical activity per day. But a NHS health survey published in 2016 found that only 22 percent of children in England hit this target. 

Beyond physical health effects, many studies have found that British children are amongst the least happy children in the world. A recent international paper had the United Kingdom ranked 38th out of 48 countries for overall happiness of 15 year olds. Clearly, it’s important that we as a society encourage children to play outside more frequently, and parents shouldn’t be afraid to turn off the TV and force their kids to go into the great outdoors – after all, their health is counting on it.

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Kids now spend twice as much time playing indoors than outdoors

If you were a child growing up in the 90s...

The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctic_National_Wildlife_Refuge">Arctic National Wildlife Refuge</a> (ANWR) may be soon be invaded by companies surveying the area to drill for oil and gas, if the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trump-administration-endangered-species-act/">Trump administration</a> succeeds in its mission. The ANWR, which has been protected for more than four decades, is currently the largest national wildlife refuge in the country.

The northeastern region of Alaska first became a federally protected region in 1960, which was later expanded in 1980. After Congress voted last year to open up the wilderness area to oil drilling, it has become vulnerable to major disruptions and changes. 

Both large corporations and small businesses are applying to execute seismic work this winter, in the first moves toward developing the region. 

According to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us">The Guardian</a>, the Trump administration is considering a proposal to conduct seismic testing for oil and gas. If approved, this work will be carried out by diesel-powered equipment that will send tremors across Alaska's northern coastal plain.

Vehicles will be equipped with “shakers,” which are described as being capable of sending tremors through the Earth in an attempt to detect and map underground hydrocarbon deposits.

Despite the way that the public feels about the move, Alaska’s senators and the state's single representative in the House are all in favor of it. A news report in The Guardian states that the development of the Arctic Refuge is expected to bring in more than $1bn in federal revenue over the next 10 years.


One major firm that is bidding for the work, SAExploration, has pledged to minimize its impact on wildlife in the region by using large sleds and non-industrial vehicles along ice roads. Environmentalists, however, say that the harsh new activities will cause irreparable damage to the area.

Heather Bauscher is a wildlife biologist who has done extensive research in the Arctic.

“Things are happening more quickly than we can react,” Bauscher said to The Guardian. “We’re making policy decisions without a lot of information on the ground. In the current political climate, there’s not a lot of funding being put to the research, and that makes it even harder.”

--

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>

Trump admin looks to drill for oil in largest wildlife refuge

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) may be soon be...

The secret health benefits of flowers. Flowers are often reserved for special occasions and the part of our spending budget that we label frivolous. But what if you were told that flowers can actually bring health benefits? Would you purchase them more often? As more and more people move into cities away from nature, it could be important to invite more plants indoors and enjoy those fresh cut flowers. 

Humans have always depended on plants for our wellbeing, survival even. We breathe out <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-dioxide-record-broken/">carbon dioxide</a> which they convert with the help of some sunlight and water into oxygen. But beyond some elementary school science, they can also bring some real benefits when in our homes. Research has been done by <a href="https://www.k-state.edu/">Kansas State University</a> to prove that patients in hospitals who have fresh flower bouquets in their rooms require less pain medication and experience lower levels of anxiety during their recovery. 

Flowers can also help humidify the air which can physically help us breathe easier and boost immunity.  

"Lack of humidity creates an environment in your body that breeds infections," Dr. Dasgupta, MD, a pulmonary sleep doctor and professor at the Keck School of Medicine at <a href="https://www.usc.edu/">University of Southern California</a>, told <a href="https://www.elle.com/">Elle Magazine</a>. "That's why in the dry wintertime you see so many people getting the cold and flu. Water released naturally by plants will help with sore throats, dry skin, and heavy dry cough."

<a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/flowers-3.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1216707" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/flowers-3-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="996" height="664" /></a>

Fresh flowers in our homes can also offer many psychological benefits. <a href="https://www.rutgers.edu/">Rutgers University</a> conducted a 10-month study on the emotional impact of flowers and found that they are a natural moderator of moods. Participants even reported that they felt less stressed and agitated when they consistently had fresh flowers. 

Another study by <a href="https://www.harvard.edu/">Harvard University</a> found links between waking up with a happier mood and seeing flowers first thing in the morning. 

“The morning blahs, it turns out, is a real phenomenon, with positive moods – happiness, friendliness and warmth, for example – manifesting much later in the day,” says lead researcher Nancy Etcoff, Ph.D. “Interestingly, when we placed a small bouquet of flowers into their morning routines, people perked up.”

Flowers can even help increase productivity. Modern schedules no longer revolve around seasons or even the sun, flowers at home can help increase mindfulness on the passing of time and even encourage the accomplishment of goals in a timely manner.

<a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/flowers-2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1216705" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/flowers-2-1024x684.jpg" alt="" width="996" height="665" /></a>

"Flowers help people measure time and track goals, whether they be fitness goals or career goals, because different flowers are in season at different times and act as a positive symbol of the passage of time" Dak Kopec, PhD, a design and environmental psychologist, told <a href="https://www.elle.com/">Elle</a>. 

It’s commonly known that the color green can help reduce stress levels, a big positive of indoor potted plants, but adding a boost of natural color with flowers can also  promote stronger emotions of well being and happiness since we associate them with positive life events. 

Next time you’re at your local farmer’s market or checking out at the grocery store, it may be just as important to bring flowers home as it is to stick to a wholesome healthy diet. Health is a good enough reason to make everyday an occasion for flowers.

--

By <a href="mailto:bianca@earth.com">Bianca Vierra</a>, <a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Contributing Writer

The secret health benefits of flowers

The secret health benefits of flowers. Flowers are often reserved...

Experts have found that the impact of jet lag goes far beyond making us feel tired, and that flying across different time zones can actually affect our internal organs. Caroline Wellbery, a professor in the Department of Family Medicine at <a href="https://www.georgetown.edu/">Georgetown University</a>, has revealed the extent of these effects and how to avoid them.

In an article for the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/">Washington Post</a>, Professor Wellberry writes: 

“Given what is known about the importance of intestinal bacteria (called the microbiome) and their connection to immune function and well-being, it’s clear that any discussion of jet lag, and how to deal with it, needs to consider ‘gut lag’ as well.”

This so-called gut lag comes along with stomach issues such as diarrhea, constipation, or appetite fluctuations. Professor Wellberry explains that the shock to the body from international travel begins with the disruption of the circadian clock, which coincides with the Earth’s natural cycles of light and darkness. 

To some extent, our internal organs rely on this rhythm to stay on schedule, which explains why <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-support-antioxidant-processes/">sleep</a> deprivation can affect our mood, mental alertness, hunger, and even our heart function.

The body's core temperature, which drops during sleep, is usually at its lowest between two to three hours before waking. According to Professor Wellberry, the point in this cycle when we wake up influences how sleepy or well-rested we feel.

“When you fly into a new time zone, your core body temperature doesn’t recognize that change and instead continues to dip according to the schedule of the place you have left,” writes Professor Wellberry. 

“If you are awake or wake up before the dip, you are much more likely to feel groggy or out of sorts, especially if you are exposed to light while your body temperature drops.” 

“That’s because light and temperature signals come into conflict with each other: The light tells you that you’re wide-awake; the temperature signal tells you that you’re about to enter the deepest point in your sleep. This is when you will mostly strongly feel the unpleasant symptoms of jet lag.”


When traveling across time zones, adjusting our exposure to light and darkness can help to offset the effects of jet lag. “The basic idea is to stay in darkness before core temperature dips in reaction to your regular sleep schedule, and to get light exposure after the dip,” says Professor Wellberry.

To help prevent jet lag, it is recommended to nap before an international flight to help get ahead on rest. It is also advised to avoid coffee and alcohol, which can worsen the effects of jet lag. Sleeping on the plane is only recommended if will be night time when you arrive at your destination. In addition, a melatonin supplement may help to improve the quality of sleep you get during your time abroad.

To combat “gut lag,” staying hydrated and adjusting to meal times in the new time zone right away will help to keep bowel movements regulated.

Professor Wellberry's <a href="https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/national/health-science/why-crossing-time-zones-makes-you-feel-bad-and-what-you-can-do-about-it/2018/07/20/39417254-6a88-11e8-9e38-24e693b38637_story.html">article</a> in the Washington Post, “Why crossing time zones makes you feel bad, and what you can do about it,” was published on July 21st.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Traveling across time zones causes more than just jet lag

Experts have found that the impact of jet lag goes...

Experts at the <a href="https://www.footprintnetwork.org/">Global Footprint Network</a> are monitoring the world's ecological footprint each year and pinpointing the day that we have officially demanded more from nature than what the Earth can regenerate. This day, which is referred to as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-already-burned-earths-resources-2017/">Earth Overshoot Day</a>, is coming earlier and earlier every decade.

For 2018, Earth Overshoot Day falls on August 1st, which means it takes just 212 days for humans to use up our yearly supply of global resources. Scientists at the Global Footprint Network have created a chart that measures this day since the 1970s, when the globe did not use an excess of the year's resources until November or December.

According to the experts, humanity is now using the equivalent of 1. 7 planets. This is due primarily to the overharvesting of forests, overfishing, and carbon emissions that are too high to be captured and stored naturally by Earth's ecosystems.

Mathis Wackernagel is the chief executive and co-founder of the Global Footprint Network.


“Our current economies are running a Ponzi scheme with our planet,” Wackernagel told <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us">The Guardian</a>. “We are borrowing the Earth’s future resources to operate our economies in the present.”

“Like any Ponzi scheme, this works for some time. But as nations, companies, or households dig themselves deeper and deeper into debt, they eventually fall apart.”

As desperate as the situation is becoming, the scientists at the Global Footprint Network says that is not too late to lower the world's ecological footprint, and that reducing carbon emissions would make the biggest difference.

*Reducing the carbon component of humanity’s Ecological Footprint by 50% would get us from consuming the resources of 1.7 Earths down to 1.2 Earths,” the experts explain. “This corresponds to moving the date of Overshoot Day by 93 days, or about three months.”

The international research organization also emphasizes the role that individuals could make in moving the Overshoot date by taking small steps in our daily lives to reduce the impact we have on our planet.

According to the Global Footprint Network: “If everyone committed to #MoveTheDate  5 days each year, we could get out of global overshoot by 2050.”

Learn more about Earth Overshoot Day and how you can take your first step to help #MoveTheDate at <a href="https://www.overshootday.org">https://www.overshootday.org</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Humans are now using 1.7 times the amount of Earth’s resources

Experts at the Global Footprint Network are monitoring the world's...

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, according to the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/statistics/index.htm">Centers for Disease Control</a>, and exposure to harmful UV rays (UVR) from the sun can increase your risk.

Even though a wide range of sunscreens are available that can help guard against sunburn and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/skin-cancer-cases-outdoor-workers/">skin cancer</a>, most people apply layers of sunscreen that are too thin to fully achieve their sun protection factor (SPF) rating. 

Researchers from <a href="https://www.kcl.ac.uk/">King's College London</a> conducted a novel study to assess how coverage thickness protects against sun damage to the skin in an effort to show how maximum coverage is necessary to fully guard against UV rays. 

The results were published in the journal Acta Dermato-Venereology.

For the study, 16 participants with fair-skin were split into two groups. One group received a single dose of UVR exposure on areas treated with high SPF sunscreen of varying thickness ranging from .075 milligrams to two milligrams per centimeter squared. 

Two milligrams per centimeter squared is the required amount recommended by manufacturers to get maximum protection. 

The participants in the second group were exposed to UVR for five consecutive days. The amount of exposure varied to replicate conditions one might experience while on vacation in Florida or Brazil. 

After the exposure tests were completed, the researchers took biopsies of the UVR exposed skin.  

The results of the biopsies showed that skin damage was worse on the areas with no skin protection even with a low UVR dose. 

On the patches with a thickness of .75 milligrams, there was less damage but two milligrams produced the least amount of skin damage even with higher UVR exposure. Participants in the second group saw similar results. 

The researchers found that applied normally (thinner than recommended), a sunscreen of SPF 50 will provide 40 percent of its expected protection. 

“There is no dispute that sunscreen provides important protection against the cancer-causing impact of the sun's ultraviolet rays,” said Antony Young, an author of the study. “However, what this research shows is that the way sunscreen is applied plays an important role in determining how effective it is. Given that most people don't use sunscreens as tested as tested by manufacturers, it's better for people to use a much higher SPF than they think is necessary.” 

Wearing protective clothing and staying out of direct sun at the hottest times of the day are two recommended ways to protect against the sun damage, and now this study shows that it's best to reach for the higher SPF as well. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Why sunscreen may not provide the protection you might expect

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

[sendtonews key="qas3EhyI0Y-2220951-12187" 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.stowers.org/">Stowers Institute for Medical Research</a> describes how cavefish adapted to a sedentary lifestyle over tens of thousands of years. 



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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