Parents often turn to screens to entertain their kids, but a new study uncovered how this might be affecting children's development in unexpected ways.



Dr. Karen Heffler, an associate professor of Psychiatry, has been exploring the impact of screen time on the youngest minds. 



Her recent findings suggest that babies and toddlers who spend time in front of televisions or videos may develop unusual sensory behaviors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kids-screens-and-sensory-behaviors">Kids, screens, and sensory behaviors</h2>



By the time children reach 33 months old, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-under-two-should-not-be-exposed-to-tv-or-screen-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">those exposed</a> to screens before age two show signs of "sensation seeking," "sensation avoiding," and "low registration," meaning they might be less responsive or slower to react to stimuli.



"This association could have important implications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism, as atypical sensory processing is much more prevalent in these populations," explained Dr. Heffler, hailing from <a href="https://drexel.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Drexel University</a>.



Conducted using data from the National Children's Study between 2011 and 2014, the research analyzed information from 1,471 children across the country. 



The team looked at how much time kids spent watching screens at 12, 18, and 24 months, based on what caregivers reported.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-atypical-sensory-behaviors">Understanding atypical sensory behaviors</h2>



Atypical sensory behavior happens when someone experiences their senses -- like sight, sound, touch, taste, or smell -- in ways that are a bit different. 



They might find certain noises way too loud or lights way too bright, even if others don’t seem to notice. 



Some folks can’t stand the feel of clothing tags or certain textures in food. On the flip side, they might crave strong sensations, like wanting to touch everything or enjoying tight hugs. 



These differences in how they process sensory info can impact daily life and social interactions, making some situations feel challenging or overwhelming.



These behaviors were assessed using the <a href="https://www.pearsonassessments.com/store/usassessments/en/Store/Professional-Assessments/Motor-Sensory/Infant-Toddler-Sensory-Profile/p/100000389.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile</a>, a tool that helps identify how children respond to sensory experiences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-worrisome-stats-on-kids-and-screens">Worrisome stats on kids and screens</h2>



The study's statistics are eye-opening:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>At 12 months, any screen exposure was linked to a 105% greater chance of high sensory behaviors related to low registration by 33 months.</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>At 18 months, each extra hour of daily screen time increased the odds of high sensory behaviors related to sensation avoiding and low registration by 23%.</li>
</ul>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>By 24 months, every additional hour of screen time was associated with a 20% increase in high sensation seeking, sensory sensitivity, and sensation avoiding behaviors at 33 months.</li>
</ul>



<a href="https://drexel.edu/medicine/faculty/profiles/karen-heffler/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Heffler</a> pointed out that repetitive behavior, such as that seen in autism spectrum disorder, is highly correlated with atypical sensory processing.



"Future work may determine whether early life screen time could fuel the sensory brain hyperconnectivity seen in autism spectrum disorders, such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-screen-time-changes-the-brain-based-on-23-years-of-research/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heightened brain responses</a> to sensory stimulation," Heffler explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-this-means-for-parents">What this means for parents</h2>



These findings add to growing concerns about screen time's role in developmental challenges like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kids-with-too-much-screen-time-struggle-to-gain-language-skills/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">language delays</a>, behavioral issues, sleep problems, attention difficulties, and delays in problem-solving skills.



"Considering this link between high screen time and a growing list of developmental and behavioral problems, it may be beneficial for toddlers exhibiting these symptoms to undergo a period of screen time reduction, along with sensory processing practices delivered by occupational therapists," advised Dr. Heffler.



<a href="https://drexel.edu/medicine/faculty/profiles/david-bennett/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">David Bennett, PhD</a>, a professor of Psychiatry, emphasized the importance of guidance for parents. "Parent training and education are key to minimizing, or hopefully even avoiding, screen time in children younger than two years," he said.



The <a href="https://www.aap.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Academy of Pediatrics</a> recommends that children under 18 to 24 months avoid screen time altogether. For kids aged 2 to 5 years, digital media use should be limited and carefully managed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-harsh-reality-of-kids-and-screens">Harsh reality of kids and screens</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/negative-effects-of-screen-time-offset-by-outdoor-play/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Despite these recommendations</a>, many young children are spending more time with screens than ever before. 



In 2014, children under two years old in the U.S. watched screens for an average of 3 hours and 3 minutes daily, up from 1 hour and 19 minutes per day in 1997.



Some parents <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-screen-time-affect-preteens-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resort to screen time</a> out of sheer exhaustion and a lack of affordable alternatives for keeping their kids occupied. It's a challenge that many families face in today's fast-paced world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supporting-children-with-sensory-differences">Supporting children with sensory differences</h2>



Atypical sensory behaviors can significantly impact a child's daily life, affecting everything from learning to social interactions. Recognizing and accommodating these needs is crucial.



Supporting kids with sensory differences means understanding their unique experiences and adjusting to meet their needs.



By paying attention to how they respond to sounds, textures, lights, and other stimuli, we can make small changes that help them feel more comfortable.



Simple adjustments like dimming bright lights or creating quiet spaces can really enhance their daily lives. 



Collaborating with professionals like occupational therapists gives us the tools and strategies to help these kids navigate their world with confidence and ease.



Occupational therapists often help by using techniques like sensory integration therapy. Strategies might include creating sensory-friendly environments or using tools like noise-canceling headphones.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kids-screentime-and-the-future">Kids, screentime, and the future</h2>



To sum it all up, the connection between early screen time and sensory processing issues is a complex one that we're just beginning to understand. 



As parents and caregivers, being <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/swedish-pediatricians-no-screen-time-for-children-under-two/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mindful of screen use</a> and staying informed can make a significant difference in our children's development.



Finding alternatives to screen time can be a fun and rewarding challenge. Simple activities like reading together, playing outside, or engaging in imaginative play can provide enriching experiences that support healthy development.



Have you noticed how screen time affects your little one? Share your thoughts and experiences -- your insights could help other parents navigate this important topic.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.5923" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA Pediatrics</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



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



-----

Autism and ADHD disorders directly linked amount of time kids spend on screens

Parents often turn to screens to entertain their kids, but a new study uncovered how this might be affecting children's development in unexpected ways. Dr. Karen Heffler, an associate professor of Psychiatry, has been exploring the impact of screen time on the youngest minds. Her recent findings suggest that babies and toddlers who spend time in front of televisions or videos may develop unusual sensory behaviors. Kids, screens, and sensory behaviors By the time children reach 33 months old, those exposed to screens before age two show...

Scientists at the <a href="http://www.caltech.edu/">California Institute of Technology</a> have identified a neural circuit in the brain that allows humans to fight off sleep.

The findings could have implications for treating sleep disorders such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/insomnia-cure-camping/">insomnia</a> and oversleeping, the researchers said.

The team studied DRNDA neurons in mice, measuring DRNDA activity while the animals encountered stimuli, such as the arrival of a potential mating partner, or a sudden unpleasant sensation, or food. The DRNDA neurons were highly active during these events, which led the researchers to theorize that the neurons send signals of salience and arousal, which can then modulate the state of sleep or wakefulness.

"We then measured DRNDA activity throughout the sleep/wake cycle and found that these neurons are least active when the animal is sleeping and increase in activity as the animal is waking up," says Ryan Cho, a Caltech graduate student and the first author on the paper. "We aimed to discover whether this was just a correlation or if the activity of the neurons was actually causing changes in sleep-wake states."

The researchers used a technique called optogenetics to engineer DRNDA cells to be stimulated by light. After stimulating these neurons with light during the time that the animal would normally sleep, the research team found that the mouse woke up from sleep and remained awake. 

The reverse was true when the activity of DRNDA was chemically silenced. The animal was likely to fall asleep, even in the face of motivationally important stimuli, such as the odor of a predator or a mating partner. This implied that activity of the DRNDA neurons truly governed sleep-wake behaviors.

Finally, the researchers examined the role of the neurons in awaking due to external stimuli. The neuron activity was silenced with optogenetics, and a loud noise was played while the animals were asleep. Mice with blocked DRNDA often ignored the sound and remained asleep.

"These experiments showed us that DRNDA cells are necessary for full wakefulness in the face of important stimuli in mice," said Viviana Gradinaru, Caltech, Assistant Professor of Biology and Biological engineering. "DRNDA neurons are found analogously in humans, and while they have not been studied in depth, their degeneration has been correlated with excessive daytime sleepiness in patients with neurodegenerative disorders such as multiple systems atrophy and Lewy body dementia.”

“Further work is necessary to establish causation in humans and to test the potential of the DRNDA as a therapeutic target for insomnia or oversleeping, and for sleep disturbances that accompany other psychiatric disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia,” Gradinaru said.

The study is published in the online journal <a href="http://www.cell.com/neuron/home?session=FF1DB9100E800073E6B568FF9F01E5A06862D8F1AC4FD00A4E64127CA65039A941B9E9A1D24EC84E0256169386E178292465FB097797FB3C07A2B665038DD3230013848FC3EAB7A3">Neuron</a>. 

--

By: <a href="mailto:dbeasley@earth.com">David Beasley, </a><a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Source: <a href="http://www.caltech.edu/">California Institute of Technology</a>

Photo Credit: Gradinaru lab/Caltech

How the brain overrides the urge to sleep in order to stay awake

Scientists at the California Institute of Technology have identified a...

Certain aspects of our memories are organized by our brains, including what took place and where. The discovery of “place cells” located in the hippocampus have helped scientists understand how the brain encodes locations. However, it has been somewhat of a mystery how neurons in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electrical-brain-stimulation-creative/">brain</a> represent the “what,” or events that we have personally experienced. 

But now, a study by researchers at Japan's <a href="http://www.brain.riken.go.jp/">RIKEN Brain Science Institute</a> provides evidence that the hippocampus is not only responsible for storing the location of events in our lives, but also has ability to put the events themselves into sequence. The team made this discovery by changing the neural code in the brains of rats

For the study, scientists observed neural signals in rats as they made decisions based upon certain sounds and smells. The use of nonspatial stimuli was key to the experiment. 

The research team recorded the activity of neurons located in the central area of the hippocampus while the animals chose different sound and scent combinations in exchange for a potential reward. 

The mice often displayed a strong preference to one sound or scent over the other. Many cells showed an elevated response to one or both stimuli, and those cells remained elevated until a decision was made. This prolonged elevation of the cells showed that the brain was perceiving the information and retaining it in a specific order until the animals made a choice.

In a phenomenon known as theta-cycle phase precession, the neurons in the hippocampus refresh, or update their activity. The researchers wanted to see how this cycle was altered by the sequence of the various inputs used in the study. For the smell-sensitive neurons, the theta phase occurred only for preferred scents, and then activity was locked into the theta cycle. 

The congregation of neurons in the hippocampus can form what is known as theta sequences. These are patterns of clear, organized sequences that occur during theta and represent the past, present, and future of the subjects. The researchers not only established that these data sequences were present during the experiment, but were also able to assign their development to different stimuli used in the tests.

For its conclusion, the conditions of the experiment were reversed. The sound and scent that earned the mice rewards in the past were no longer rewarded. It took only a few days for the rats to acclimate to the new system, and their brain cell activity also adapted.  

The study, published today in the journal Neuron, indicates that the hippocampus is responsible for sequencing networks of relational elements, including the what and the where in our memories. The “event cells” discovered during this study may be able to give scientists more insight into the brain's decision-making process. 

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Source: <a href="http://www.brain.riken.go.jp/">RIKEN Brain Science Institute</a>

How memories and experiences are organized in the brain

Certain aspects of our memories are organized by our brains,...

Think animal shelters and rescues are the same thing? Think again.

Isn’t it just common sense that if you adopted a dog or other pet from an animal shelter you participated in an animal rescue? That’s especially easy to believe if the pet in question was otherwise headed for a bad fate. Even more confusing, the two terms are used almost synonymously in a lot of communities. 

The fact is, there are several differences. Let’s take an up-close look at both terms and see what they could mean in your own pet adoption strategy.

&nbsp;

Animal Shelters

These have been around a long time, and they’re pretty much what you think they are. Sometimes called animal pounds, they’re facilities that are usually community-owned and operated by a mostly volunteer staff.

While no-kill animal shelters exist, these facilities are all too often associated with being the last mortal homes of lost, abandoned or mistreated animals that fail to find new owners. Therefore, one of the top advantages of looking for a dog or other pet at an animal shelter is that it might literally be a lifesaving move. 

Animal shelters are also a convenient way of finding a new loved one since all of the available animals are in one place that’s probably not far from your home. Often your pet will be neutered and given all shots before you take it home, though you’ll pay for the vet care through what might be a fairly steep adoption fee.

The downside to animal shelter adoption can be the fact that the animals are contained in small cages in an unfamiliar space full of barking, squawking animals, and that can affect their behavior. Upon meeting them, they might appear to be stressed, frightened or even aggressive in demeanor. Rather than reflecting their true personalities, this might be merely a side effect of the environment imposed on them. As a result, you might end up passing up on what could have been an ideal companion. In addition, the volunteer staff might know little about the animal’s health or suitability for adoption into a home with small children or other animals. 

&nbsp;

Animal Rescue

Animal rescue organizations are privately run non-profit groups that take in abused animals and care for them in a sort of “foster” arrangement until proper forever homes can be found. Different organizations might specialize in rescuing horses, ferrets, exotic birds or other species. Some refine their mission along even narrower lines, such as by taking in particular species or subspecies. Consider, for instance, <a href="http://www.esgao.org/">Erie Shore Greyhound Adoption of Ohio</a> and <a href="http://www.pbrc.net/">Pitbull Rescue Center</a>. Other sanctuaries offer temporary or permanent homes for a range of found or mistreated animals.

One aspect of an animal rescue is that no animals are ever put down because permanent homes can’t be found. 

Advantages to those hoping to adopt are that rescued animals aren’t caged, so they don’t feel stressed, and their caregivers often know them on more of a one-to-one basis. They’re always properly cared for and in as good of health as possible. 

On the other hand, the nearest rescue might be on a farm that could be a distance from you. There might only be a single animal at the location, in which case you wouldn’t have the convenience of multipe options, and your search might take longer. And finally, the rescue organization might require multiple visits before authorizing the adoption, and even insist on home visits months after the adoption is finalized. 

This just emphasizes the love the rescuers show their charges and the seriousness with which they take their responsibility for the animals’ welfare. 

&nbsp;

Which is Right for You?

The good news is that both types of organizations are doing their best to save the lives of the dogs and other animals in their care and to help you find the lifetime companion that’s right for you. 

Perhaps you’ll decide that finding the ideal pet is more important to you than the location where it’s found. Never feel rushed into making a selection and be sure that, regardless of where you conduct your search, you find out all you know about your prospective new family member and feel confident that you’re bringing the right loved one into your life. 

--

<a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Original Feature by <a href="mailto:DSearls@earth.com">David Searls</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

What’s the difference between animal shelters and animal rescues?

Think animal shelters and rescues are the same thing? Think...

Leaders who use a moral argument, rather than a pragmatic one, as the basis for a position may be judged harshly if they flipflop later, a new study found. 

The leaders are perceived as hypocrites, less effective, and less worthy of future support, according to the study published by the <a href="http://www.apa.org/">American Psychological Association</a>.

"Leaders may choose to take moral stances, believing that this will improve audiences' perceptions. And it does, initially,” said the study’s lead author, Tamar Kreps, of the <a href="https://www.utah.edu/">University of Utah</a>. “But all people, even leaders, have to change their minds sometimes.”

According to the research, "leaders who change their moral minds are seen as more hypocritical, and not as courageous or flexible, compared with those whose initial view was based on a pragmatic argument,” Kreps said. “Due to this perception of hypocrisy, they are also seen as less effective and less worthy of support.”

Researchers conducted a series of 15 experiments online involving more than 5,500 participants from the United States, ranging in age from 18 to 77. Participants learned about political or business leaders who had changed their opinion on an issue. Some participants were told that the leaders' initial positions were based on a moral stance. Others were told the position was based on a pragmatic argument, such as being good for the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/u-s-fuel-economy-reaches-record-high/">economy</a>.

Participants rated the leader who changed his or her mind on the moral stance as more hypocritical and, in most instances, less effective and worthy of their support, than leaders whose initial stance was pragmatic.

Researchers were surprised at how difficult it was to eliminate the effect, Kreps said.

The findings suggest that people think that breaking moral commitments is not only difficult, but also wrong, Kreps said. 

"All in all, these results paint a glum picture for initially moral leaders,” she said. “When leaders take a moral position, there appears to be little they can do to avoid being perceived as hypocritical should they find they later have to change their minds." 

The research was published in the <a href="http://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/psp/">Journal of Personality and Social Psychology</a>.

--

By: <a href="mailto:dbeasley@earth.com">David Beasley, </a><a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Source: <a href="http://www.apa.org/">American Psychological Association</a>

Study: Leaders pay high price for changing moral stands

Leaders who use a moral argument, rather than a pragmatic...

It turns out humans have been on this planet far longer than we had ever known. Today, researchers announced the discovery of the oldest human fossils ever found. The 300,000 year-old remains were found at an excavation site in Morocco, pushing back evidence of human existence by 100,000 years.

The bones were discovered at an archeological site near the city of Marrakech that has frequently yielded human remains. But up until now, they had only dated back about 40,000 years. 

The previous record holder for known fossils were from Ethiopia and were only 195,000 years old. 

The newly discovered bones reveal early humans that possessed a combination of modern and primitive traits. 

"They are not just like us," said researcher Jean-Jacques Hublin of the <a href="http://www.eva.mpg.de/">Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology</a>. But they did have "basically the face you could meet on the train in New York."

"In the last 300,000 years, the main story is the change of the brain," Hublin said.

Hublin added that the fossils indicate that Homo sapiens evolved into their modern day form at more than one location in Africa. 

“There was no Garden of Eden,” said Jean-Jacques Hublin, also from the <a href="http://www.eva.mpg.de/">Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology</a>.

This particular excavation site has been active since the 1960s, but it was only recently that researchers discovered a new layer. The site is believed to have been a hunting camp for early humans, where they killed and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossils-reveal-diet-early-humans/">ate</a> gazelles, zebras, and wildebeests. 

-

By <a href="mailto:rarnold@earth.com">Rory Arnold</a>, <a href="http://earth.com/staff">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Source: <a href="https://www.ap.org/en-us/">Associated Press</a>

Photo Credit: Philipp Gunz / MPI EVA LeipzigReuters

Oldest human bones ever discovered found in Morocco

It turns out humans have been on this planet far...

Climate change is often seen as posing the greatest risk to coastal areas, but the nation's inland cities face perils of their own, including more intense storms and more frequent flooding, the <a href="https://www.ap.org/en-us/">Associated Press</a> reported.

Inland areas will also have to confront the issue of bridges that were built too low for rising river water levels. A century-old train trestle in Des Moines, Iowa was restored a decade ago, but now has to be raised 4.5 feet with a crane after experts concluded that the river's flooding risk was nearly double earlier estimates. The most likely culprit? Climate change.

"It was like a bomb was dropped off in our lap," city engineer Pam Cooksey said of the revised flood forecasts from the <a href="http://www.usace.army.mil/">Army Corps of Engineers</a>. The findings suggested that the bridge could act as a dam during bad storms, sending waves of backed-up floodwater into the refurbished business district.

Bridges are also being raised even in states such as Texas, where many political leaders are still debating whether <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/calculating-cost-climate-change-2/">climate change</a> is even real.

In Milwaukee, bridges have been raised as part of $400 million in flood-management projects across a metro area with 28 communities. In Reno, Nevada, officials spent about $18 million to replace a bridge over the Truckee River last year and plan to replace three more after flood-danger projections were increased by up to 15 percent.

Because the cities are inland, many residents were not expecting to experience direct effects of climate change.

"A lot of these are not the kind of places that people are used to thinking of being in the forefront of climate change," said Jim Schwab, manager of the Hazards Planning Center at the American Planning Association, which is working with nearly a dozen cities on flood-mitigation options.

Many communities are "still feeling their way through this particular problem," he said.

The <a href="https://www.fema.gov/">Federal Emergency Management Agency</a> (FEMA) says it's now routinely providing money to help cities raise bridges, although no dollar total is available. Typically, more than 1,500 bridges are reconstructed each year for an assortment of reasons.

Hundreds and possibly thousands of bridge-raising projects have been completed recently or are planned, Schwab said. A cursory check by the AP in a handful of states found at least 20 locations where bridges have been raised or construction will begin soon.

In Texas, where politicians including Sen. Ted Cruz have questioned whether the climate is growing warmer and if humans have caused the change, Austin has raised two bridges in the past five years and plans to improve three more stream crossings, said Pam Kearfott, a supervising engineer in the city's watershed protection department.

Officials "try to stick to the technical basis for change" and ignore the politics, she said.

--

By: <a href="mailto:dbeasley@earth.com">David Beasley, </a><a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Source:<a href="https://www.ap.org/en-us/"> Associated Press</a>

Inland areas face climate change perils, too

Climate change is often seen as posing the greatest risk...

Fossils recovered from a site in Morocco reveal that the Middle Stone Age began just over 300,000 years ago. The findings provide evidence of a significant shift in human physiology and behavior across <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/groundwater-springs-early-humans-migrate/">Africa</a> in this time period. 

The fossils, dug up at the Jebel Irhoud archaeological site in Morocco, date the Homo sapiens species back approximately 100,000 years earlier than previous studies. This dig site has been world renowned since the 1960s, although the age of the fossils recovered here were largely undetermined. 

The artifacts also produce evidence of what ancient humans were eating. Teresa Steele is a paleoanthropologist at the <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/">University of California Davis</a> who analyzed the fossils. She discovered a diet of gazelle, wildebeests, zebras, and ostrich eggs. 

Steele was part of an international research team that began excavating at the site in 2004. She is the co-author of "Human origins: Moroccan remains push back date for the emergence of Homo sapiens,” which will be published tomorrow in the journal Nature. 

The excavation project was led by Jean-Jacques Hublin of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and Abdelouahed Ben-Ncer of the National Institute for Archaeology and Heritage. The team uncovered 16 new Homo sapiens fossils that included skulls, teeth, and bones. The dig also produced stone tools and animal bones.

Examination of the animal fossils indicated they were 337,000 to 374,000 years old. Steele was able to identify the species of 472 of the animal bones, and established which animals were food for humans through various marks. Steele determined that small game was not the preferred meal. 

"It really seemed like people were fond of hunting," said Steele.

Marks on the animal bones indicated that humans broke them open and ate the marrow. Large predators such as leopards and hyenas were also present at this time, but there was little evidence to suggest that they left the marks.

"In my view, what it does is to continue to make it more feasible that North Africa had a role to play in the evolution of modern humans,” concluded Steele.

&nbsp;

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Source: <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/">University of California Davis</a>

Fossils reveal new details about the diet of early humans

Fossils recovered from a site in Morocco reveal that the...

When we have flashes of insight, this is known as creativity. We may discover new solutions to old problems or simply improvise ways to deal with life. A new study explores whether or not brain stimulation can make a person more creative. 

Researchers from <a href="http://www.qmul.ac.uk/">Queen Mary University</a> and Goldsmiths University used a method called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to initiate creativity. This technique incorporates saline solution soaked into sponge electrodes that are placed on the scalp to regulate the response of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, or DLPFC. This is a region of the frontal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/even-light-drinking-damages-brain/">brain</a> that is involved in our ability to reason. 

"We solve problems by applying rules we learn from experience, and the DLPFC plays a key role in automating this process," explained Dr Caroline Di Bernardi Luft, first author of the study. "It works fine most of the time, but fails spectacularly when we encounter new problems which require a new style of thinking - our past experience can indeed block our creativity. To break this mental fixation, we need to loosen up our learned rules.”

60 individuals were evaluated on their ability to solve problems in a creative way before and after the experiments were conducted. The individuals were asked to solve “matchstick problems,” which required them to think beyond what they know about arithmetic and algebra. During this time, the DLPFC was either activated, suppressed, or not stimulated according to the flow of electrical currents.

The study, published in Scientific Reports, revealed that subjects who had their DLPFC suppressed were able to solve hard problems more easily than the participants who had their DLPFC activated or unstimulated. This indicates that suppressing this region of the brain eliminates learned or assumed notions, and gives individuals a chance to think more creatively.

The researchers also noted that the same participants actually got worse at solving problems that required them to use their memory. They had difficulty keeping track of the mental steps that were necessary in finding the solutions.  

"These results are important because they show the potential of improving mental functions relevant for creativity by non-invasive brain stimulation methods," said Dr Luft. "However, our results also suggest that potential applications of this technique will have to consider the target cognitive effects in more detail rather than just assuming tDCS can improve cognition as claimed by some companies which are starting to sell tDCS machines for home users.”

"I would say that we are not yet in a position to wear an electrical hat and start stimulating our brain hoping for a blanket cognitive gain,” concluded Dr. Luft.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Source: <a href="http://www.qmul.ac.uk/">Queen Mary University</a>

How electrical brain stimulation can make you more creative

When we have flashes of insight, this is known as...

Eating eggs significantly increases growth in young children, according to a new <a href="https://wustl.edu/">Washington University</a> study.

"Eggs can be affordable and easily accessible," said Lora Iannotti, lead author of the study.

"They are also a good source of nutrients for growth and development in young children. Eggs have the potential to contribute to reduced growth stunting around the world."

For the study, published online in the journal <a href="http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/">Pediatrics,</a> researchers conducted a randomized, controlled trial in Ecuador in 2015. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/engaging-children-reading-literacy/">Children</a> ages 6-9 months were randomly assigned to be given one egg per day for 6 months, compared to a control group, which did not receive eggs.

The results of eating eggs were much greater than found in previous studies, the university said.

Eating eggs reduced stunted growth by 47 percent and low weight by 74 percent, the study found. Children in the treatment group had higher dietary intakes of eggs and reduced intake of sugar-sweetened foods compared to the control group.

"We were surprised by just how effective this intervention proved to be," Iannotti said

Eggs are a complete food, safely packaged, and arguably more accessible in resource-poor populations than other complementary foods, specifically fortified foods, Iannotti said.

"Our study carefully monitored allergic reactions to eggs, yet no incidents were observed or reported by caregivers during the weekly home visits," she added. "Eggs seem to be a viable and recommended source of nutrition for children in developing countries."

--

By: <a href="mailto:dbeasley@earth.com">David Beasley, </a><a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Source: <a href="https://wustl.edu/">Washington University </a>

How eating eggs significantly increases growth in children

Eating eggs significantly increases growth in young children, according to...

Even moderate alcohol drinking can cause a decline in mental skills, according to a new study.

Heavy alcohol consumption is known to be associated with poor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-brain-processes-love/">brain</a> health, but few studies have examined the effects of moderate drinking on the brain.

A team of researchers based at the <a href="http://www.ox.ac.uk/">University of Oxford</a> and <a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/">University College London</a>  investigated whether moderate alcohol consumption has a beneficial or harmful association -- or no association at all -- with brain structure and function.

They used data on weekly alcohol intake and cognitive performance measured repeatedly over 30 years. From 1985 through 2015, 550 healthy men and women took part in an evaluation of the long term health of 10,000 British adults.

The researchers found that higher alcohol consumption over the 30 year study period was associated with increased risk of hippocampal atrophy - a form of brain damage that affects memory and spatial navigation.

While heavy drinkers, those who consume more than 30 units a week, were at higher risk of brain damage than abstainers, even those drinking moderately (14 to 21 units per week) were three times more likely to have hippocampal atrophy compared with abstainers.

Higher consumption was also associated with poorer white matter integrity (critical for efficient cognitive functioning) and faster decline in language fluency (how many words beginning with a specific letter can be generated in one minute).

But the study, published in the <a href="http://www.bmj.com/">British Medical Journal</a>, did not find a link between drinking and  semantic fluency (how many words in a specific category can be named in one minute) or word recall, the study said.

The findings have important potential public health implications for a large sector of the population, the authors said.

"Our findings support the recent reduction in UK safe limits and call into question the current US guidelines, which suggest that up to 24.5 units a week is safe for men, as we found increased odds of hippocampal atrophy at just 14-21 units a week, and we found no support for a protective effect of light consumption on brain structure," the authors wrote.

In an editorial linked to the study, Killian Welch, consultant neuropsychiatrist at the <a href="http://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/GoingToHospital/Locations/REH/Pages/default.aspx">Royal Edinburgh Hospital</a>, said the findings "strengthen the argument that drinking habits many regard as normal have adverse consequences for health."

With publication of the paper, “justification of ‘moderate’ drinking on the grounds of brain health becomes a little harder," Welch wrote.

--

By: <a href="mailto:dbeasley@earth.com">David Beasley, </a><a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Source: <a href="http://www.bmj.com/">British Medical Journal</a>

Study: Even light drinking damages the brain

Even moderate alcohol drinking can cause a decline in mental skills,...

When choosing between what actions to take, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-blame-lead-pollution/">humans</a> perform a risk analysis. The brain also has a technique to determine how much effort is put into any given action. Researchers from the <a href="http://www.dpz.eu/en/home.html">German Primate Center</a> set out to observe the various aspects of human movement and the amount of effort put into their execution.

A team of scientists led by Dr. Pierre Morel analyzed arm motions to establish what characteristics of the movements produced more effort. 

Participants in the study were asked to choose between arm movements which required varying amounts of amplitude, duration, and power. The individuals exerted more effort when the opposing force was stronger. In fact, effort was found to be directly proportionate to the strength needed to execute the motion. 

Effort was also affected by the limits and capabilities of the muscles utilized. Physical exertion increased when the movements demanded use of weaker muscles - even when little strength was required to complete the movement. 

In addition, the team established that the distance covered by the movements had no correlation with the amount of effort. However, there was a noticeable correspondence between duration and energy exertion, as actions that lasted longer felt more strenuous to the subjects than shorter actions. 

"Our results allow us to estimate action-related costs in decision-making, showing they cannot easily be predicted from energetic expense", explained Morel. "More than that, the results also give weight to the idea that action selection in decision-making and in movement execution have common properties and hence might be based on shared mechanisms." 

Despite the fact that there is more than one way to execute an arm movement, people tend to utilize the same motions when repeatedly pursuing the same target. Further research on this subject may help researchers gain a better understanding of the human decision-making process.

The study, published today in the journal <a href="http://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/">PLOS Biology</a>, was led by Alexander Gail.

"We conclude that previously described optimization principles during movement execution seem to also serve as guiding principles during economically motivated conscious choice before movement execution,” said Gail.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Source: <a href="http://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/">PLOS Biology</a>

Scientists explain why body movement feels strenuous

When choosing between what actions to take, humans perform a risk...

The human microbiome is a vast collection of microorganisms that reside inside the body. These microbes are responsible for everything from fighting germs to absorbing nutrients from digested food. An emerging study analyzes the health value of white bread versus wheat bread, and the effect these types of bread have on the microbiome. 

Researchers from <a href="https://www.weizmann.ac.il/">Weizmann Institute</a> enlisted the help of 20 healthy volunteers for the study. The experts initially saw little change in the participants after processing bread, so they developed a formula to see how different individuals reacted to different bread in their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/beak-shape-determined-diet/">diets</a>.

Many aspects of the participants’ health were monitored before and during the study, including fat and cholesterol levels and glucose levels. Kidney and liver enzymes were also measured, as well as the microbiomes of the individuals.

The researchers established that the average amount of bread consumed by the volunteers accounted for 10% of their calorie intake. The individuals were asked to incorporate 15% more bread into their daily diets. Half of the participants were instructed to eat white bread, and the others were to eat whole wheat bread. After one week, the volunteers took a two-week break from bread, and then their roles were reversed. 

Eran Segal is a computational biologist at the Weizmann Institute of Science and one of the study's senior authors.

"The initial finding, and this was very much contrary to our expectation, was that there were no clinically significant differences between the effects of these two types of bread on any of the parameters that we measured," explained Segal. 


However, a meticulous look into the study revealed that the individuals had different glycemic responses to the same bread. About half the people had a better response to the white bread, and the others had a better glycemic response to the whole wheat sourdough. 

Eran Elinav is a researcher in the Department of Immunology at the Weizmann Institute and a senior author of the study.


"The findings for this study are not only fascinating but potentially very important, because they point toward a new paradigm: different people react differently, even to the same foods," said Elinav. "To date, the nutritional values assigned to food have been based on minimal science, and one-size-fits-all diets have failed miserably. These findings could lead to a more rational approach for telling people which foods are a better fit for them, based on their microbiomes."

The study, published today in Cell Metabolism, will lead to further analysis by the research team on the effects of white and wheat bread on the human microbiome. 
--
By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 

Source: <a href="https://www.weizmann.ac.il/">Weizmann Institute</a>

Image Credit: Korem et al./Cell Metabolism 2017

Is white bread as healthy as wheat? It depends who’s eating it

The human microbiome is a vast collection of microorganisms that...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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;



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



---



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



---



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;



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="uV9Lh2fQbV-1760058-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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"

[sendtonews key="uV9Lh2fQbV-1760058-12187" type="single"] Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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

[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="QIoVYJqRBi-2434608-12187" type="single"]</div>



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)



---



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qARzJPSabQ-2270617-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qas3EhyI0Y-2220951-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="vpljfR2VBX-2560867-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="MHyhtebibJ-2200368-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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

[sendtonews key="MHyhtebibJ-2200368-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="761m2QQvR1-2035772-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



---



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

Satellites have become essential to our survival

[sendtonews key="761m2QQvR1-2035772-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...