A recent study comparing how mothers in the U.K. and Uganda soothe their crying babies found something surprising: Ugandan babies calm down faster, even though their moms take longer to respond.



On the surface, this flips the script on common Western parenting advice. We often hear that faster is better when it comes to calming a crying infant. But this research suggests that the manner in which a mother comforts her baby matters more than how quickly she does it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-touch-versus-talk-to-calm-babies">Touch versus talk to calm babies</h2>



Researchers observed 147 real-life moments of distress in 82 infants across both countries. They focused on what mothers did in those moments, not just how quickly they reacted.



In both places, faster responses did help babies settle down. But here’s the twist: even though U.K. mothers typically responded more quickly, Ugandan babies calmed faster overall. That wasn’t random. The difference came down to the way mothers soothed their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/conscious-awareness-when-does-our-sense-of-purpose-emerge/">infants</a>.



In Uganda, moms often used touch - holding, carrying, or <a href="https://www.afro.who.int/countries/uganda/news/safe-space-nourish-who-uganda-champions-breastfeeding-workplace" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">breastfeeding</a> - as their main method of comfort, even with older babies. In the U.K., mothers started with physical comfort when babies were young, but switched to using more words and less touch as their infants grew.



That shift in strategy seems to make a difference.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture-shapes-our-parenting">Culture shapes our parenting</h2>



The study was led by researchers from the <a href="https://www.dipf.de/en/frontpage" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DIPF Leibniz Institute</a> in Germany, and Durham University in the U.K.. They wanted to understand how caregiving works in real life - outside of labs or parenting books - and across very different environments.



“Our findings show that maternal responsiveness is universally important. But how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mothers-can-use-singing-to-engage-with-infants/">mothers</a> respond, and the effectiveness of their strategies, varies in meaningful ways between cultures,” said Dr. Carlo Vreden of the DIPF Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education.



“Importantly, we are not making value judgments about which approach is better. Rather, we are highlighting that caregiving strategies are shaped by culture. It is not just about how quickly the mothers respond to their babies, but also the type of maternal soothing response which plays a crucial role in infant emotion regulation.”



In the U.K., many parenting norms are based on studies done in Western countries, often under very controlled conditions. But this doesn’t reflect the full picture of how most babies are raised around the world.



Professor Zanna Clay explained, “Most of what we know about babies’ early emotional development is based on studies conducted in Europe and North America. But of course, these Western settings don’t reflect the caregiving environments experienced by the majority of infants around the world, nor how they may have been historically.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-babies-stay-calm-despite-slower-responses">Babies stay calm despite slower responses</h2>



One principal reason why Ugandan mothers would take longer to reply is plain: they’re frequently engaged in manual labor, such as working in the fields or taking care of household chores outside. In contrast to high-income environments, mothers in rural Uganda typically cannot abandon everything the instant their baby begins crying.



“Uganda is an interesting place to study <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/child-care-quality-has-direct-impact-on-later-success-in-science-and-math/">caregiving</a>,” Clay said, “as infants are typically cared for by multiple different caregivers and their styles of caregiving culturally differ, such as prioritising more physical contact with their babies.”



Even with slower response times, Ugandan mothers’ reliance on touch - especially breastfeeding - seemed to have a calming effect. The babies got comforted in a way that worked well for them, even if it wasn’t immediate.



Professor Clay added, “Our study also highlights the balance between responding to your baby while also having to manage daily tasks, which can be more challenging in rural low-resource settings.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-parenting-advice">Rethinking parenting advice</h2>



This research challenges the idea that there’s only one right way to raise emotionally healthy kids. It shows that parenting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parenting-may-help-keep-the-brain-younger/">strategies</a> can look different in different places - and still be effective.



“We’ve shown that Western ideas about optimal parenting don’t always apply in other settings,” said Dr. Vreden. “Even though the U.K. mums do seem to follow this sort of gold standard of responding as soon as possible, it's the Ugandan children, who don't get that quicker response, who actually recovered faster.”



“This emphasises the complexity of different strategies working in different ways and in different settings.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-calm-babies-in-real-life">Calm babies in real life</h2>



By watching what happens in real-life settings - not just in labs - researchers can get a clearer picture of what helps babies <a href="https://www.eccpct.com/Resources/Child/Tips-for-Tots/Help-Young-Children-Regulate-Their-Emotions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">regulate</a> their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/facial-expressions-arent-enough-to-understand-human-emotions/">emotions</a>. This matters for building parenting support programs that fit the realities of people’s lives, no matter where they live.



Future research may explore how these early caregiving approaches affect children as they grow and how parenting differs across even more cultures.



In the end, it’s not just about being fast - it’s about being effective. And effectiveness can look very different, depending on where you are.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2026-56898-001.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Developmental Psychology</a>.



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How, or how fast? Study examines fascinating cultural differences in how babies are calmed

A recent study comparing how mothers in the U.K. and Uganda soothe their crying babies found something surprising: Ugandan babies calm down faster, even though their moms take longer to respond. On the surface, this flips the script on common Western parenting advice. We often hear that faster is better when it comes to calming a crying infant. But this research suggests that the manner in which a mother comforts her baby matters more than how quickly she does it. Touch versus talk to calm babies Researchers...

The,Human,Eye,With,The,Image,Of,The,Brain,In

You walk into a room and see a long, slender object lying on a table. Is it a pen you need for a meeting? Or a thermometer you left out after checking your fever? The object hasn’t changed. But depending on why you walked in, your&nbsp;vision - guided by your brain - may classify it entirely differently.



This subtle shift in meaning, which is tied to context and intention, has long intrigued scientists. Traditionally, the belief was simple: your eyes gather data and your brain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-wandering-might-be-more-productive-than-you-think/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">processes</a> it like a computer. 



The early visual areas were thought to pass along raw details - shape, color, motion - to higher brain centers, which then made decisions.



But a new study, published on in Nature Communications, offers a striking update to that view. 



Led by Professor Nuttida Rungratsameetaweemana of Columbia Engineering, the research shows that the visual cortex itself helps decide what something is. And it does so by reinterpreting the very same image, depending on what you’re trying to do.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-visual-system-that-thinks-ahead">A visual system that thinks ahead</h2>



This work challenges the idea of the visual cortex as a passive recording device. Instead, it appears to function more like an active participant in interpretation. Before you’re even aware of what you’re seeing, your visual <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-mapping-research-mouse-neurons-revolutionary-advance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">system</a> starts shaping that image based on your current goal.



“Our findings challenge the traditional view that early sensory areas in the brain are simply ‘looking’ or ‘recording’ visual input. In fact, the human brain’s visual system actively reshapes how it represents the exact same object depending on what you’re trying to do,” noted Professor Rungratsameetaweemana.



This means that vision isn't only about light hitting the retina. It’s about purpose. The brain’s early sensory regions are tuned to your tasks, and adjusts their processing in real-time. You don't just see a shape - you see a meaning attached to it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-shapes-vision-to-match-the-task">Brain shapes vision to match the task</h2>



To test this, the research team designed a clever experiment. They created abstract shapes that varied along two dimensions. During fMRI scanning, participants had to sort these shapes into categories. But here’s the twist: the rules kept changing.



Sometimes the category boundary was linear and straightforward. Other times, it curved in complex ways across the visual space. The same shape might belong to one group in one task, and a completely different group in another. Participants had to adapt fast.



This shifting rule environment allowed the researchers to track how the brain responded when the same visual input had to be interpreted differently. 



The experts found that early visual areas in the brain - like V1 and V2 - adjusted their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fueling-the-mind-new-map-reveals-where-the-brain-gets-its-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">activity</a> depending on which rule was active, even though the shapes themselves didn’t change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-sharpens-vision-for-difficult-choices">Brain sharpens vision for difficult choices </h2>



The most dramatic shifts in visual cortex activity occurred when shapes fell near a category boundary. 



These were the toughest decisions - when shapes looked ambiguous and could easily belong to more than one group. In those moments, the brain sharpened its distinctions.



Classifier accuracy, a machine learning measure used in the study, was highest in early visual areas for shapes near decision boundaries. 



This accuracy aligned with task performance. When the brain’s patterns were clearer, participants were more likely to choose correctly.



In short, the visual system wasn’t just observing. It was helping to solve the problem.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-not-all-tasks-are-created-equal">Not all tasks are created equal</h2>



The study used three task types: Linear-1, Linear-2, and Nonlinear. Participants found the Nonlinear task most difficult, both in speed and accuracy. That difference played out in the brain as well.



For Linear-2 tasks, representations in the visual cortex were more distinctive and aligned with the active category boundary. This was especially evident in trials where shapes were hard to classify. It suggests that the brain prioritizes clarity where it’s most needed.



“We saw that the brain responds differently depending on what categories our participants were sorting the shapes into,” noted Professor Rungratsameetaweemana.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-adapts-based-on-the-task">Brain adapts based on the task </h2>



The team believes that feature-based attention may explain these effects. That’s the brain’s ability to enhance the processing of specific features - like edges, curvature, or symmetry - based on what's currently relevant.



In this study, attention may have been dynamically allocated to combinations of features needed for each specific rule. This allowed early visual areas to tweak how they represented each shape, making decision-making more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-diet-may-protect-cognitive-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">efficient</a> and responsive.



This type of attention wasn’t cued explicitly. Participants weren’t told what features to look at. Instead, they learned to shift their mental focus based on the task at hand. Their brains adapted quietly but powerfully.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-ai-and-mental-health">Implications for AI and mental health</h2>



The ability to adapt to new goals is a cornerstone of human intelligence. Yet even advanced AI systems struggle with this kind of flexible reclassification. Most treat perception and decision-making as separate stages.



This study shows that perception itself is fluid. It bends to the task, allowing seamless transitions between rules, even when the input stays constant. That insight could inspire new designs in AI systems that need to operate in unpredictable environments.



It may also help us understand cognitive disorders where flexibility breaks down. Conditions like ADHD or autism often involve difficulty shifting mental sets. If brain sensory areas involved in&nbsp;vision&nbsp;contribute to these shifts, future treatments might target them to improve adaptability.



“Flexible cognition is a hallmark of human cognition, and even state-of-the-art AI systems currently still struggle with flexible task performance. It’s also a reminder of how remarkable and efficient our brains are, even at the earliest stages of processing,” said Professor Rungratsameetaweemana.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-single-neurons-handle-changing-goals">Single neurons handle changing goals</h2>



What happens beneath the surface of these visual adjustments? The team’s next phase will record from neurons inside the skull to understand how individual cells respond to changing goals. They want to uncover the wiring that supports these fast switches in meaning.



They also hope to apply what they find to artificial systems. Today’s models often fail when task goals shift mid-stream. But the human brain handles such transitions smoothly. By mimicking this biological flexibility, AI could become more adaptive and useful.



“We’re hoping that what we’re learning from the human brain can help us design models that adapt more fluidly, not just to new inputs, but to new contexts,” said Professor Rungratsameetaweemana.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-redefining-the-role-of-sight">Redefining the role of sight</h2>



It may no longer be true to say that seeing is believing. This research transforms how we understand the brain and its relation to our vision. The eye may be the entry point, but interpretation begins almost immediately, long before conscious thought. 



It turns out that seeing is not just about gathering information. It’s about aligning perception with purpose.



When you walk into a room and glance at that object on the table, your brain is already deciding what it means based on why you’re there. The pen and the thermometer are the same shape - but they are not the same thing.



Thanks to this study, we now know that your brain’s visual system is helping you choose, adapt, and act -even before you realize what you’re looking at.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-58707-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications.</a>



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Weird science: Your brain decides what it "wants" you to see, not always what is actually there

You walk into a room and see a long, slender...

On Earth Day and every day, a powerful shift is unfolding around the world. There is a rising movement where people are rethinking their relationship with the planet. It’s no longer just about sustainability - it’s about regeneration, justice, and resilience.



The planet has endured for billions of years - through fire, ice, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extinction-crisis-entire-branches-of-earths-tree-of-life-are-vanishing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mass extinctions</a>. It will continue to turn with or without us. But what’s at stake now is the world as we know it: the fragile balance of nature that we depend on for clean air, fresh water, food, and health.



When we speak of “saving the planet,” what we’re truly saying is that we need to save the conditions that allow life to survive.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lifelines-for-our-children">Lifelines for our children</h2>



Recycling, rewilding, reducing emissions - these aren’t just noble acts -they are lifelines. They are how we secure a future for our children.



Each plastic bottle we keep out of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-plastic-pollution-has-become-a-global-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a>, each acre of land we return to nature, each ton of carbon we prevent from entering the sky makes a substantial difference.



These choices may seem small on their own, but they are part of a much greater promise. They are the thoughtful threads we weave into a safety net for future generations.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-love-in-action">Love in action</h2>



Recycling means less waste choking our seas and less energy drained from a tired planet. Rewilding breathes life back into barren landscapes, inviting back the birds, the bees, and the balance.&nbsp;



Reducing emissions can slow the heating of our planet and helps restore the rhythm of seasons, rains, and harvests.



When we take these steps, we are saying to our children: “You matter. Your future matters. This Earth will still bloom for you.”



This is even bigger than sustainability - it’s love in action.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cost-of-climate-inaction-nbsp">The cost of climate inaction&nbsp;</h2>



The cost of climate inaction is already unfolding around us - not as some distant warning, but as a present reality.&nbsp;



Intense wildfires, storms that flatten entire communities, and droughts that empty reservoirs and wither crops are no longer anomalies. They are the echoes of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/limiting-global-warming-to-1-5-degrees-celsius-would-save-billions-of-lives/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warming world</a>, growing louder each year.



The most devastating toll is not measured in dollars or degrees. It’s measured in the futures we are putting at risk. For every year we delay action, the window narrows for our children to inherit a livable world.&nbsp;



Rising seas threaten to swallow the coastlines where memories are made. Polluted air burdens young lungs before they ever have a chance to grow strong. Food security, once taken for granted, is strained under the pressure of extreme weather.&nbsp;



Diseases spread where they once couldn’t. Homes become uninhabitable. The safety net we imagined was there begins to fray.



And yet, perhaps the heaviest cost is the legacy we are leaving behind - not just a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-experts-predict-global-warming-will-far-exceed-paris-goals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet under stress</a>, but a message that convenience mattered more than courage, that short-term gain outranked long-term care.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultural-wisdom-and-indigenous-knowledge">Cultural wisdom and Indigenous knowledge</h2>



Long before the language of carbon footprints and climate models, there were people who understood the rhythms of Earth through a deep connection with nature.&nbsp;



Indigenous communities around the world have spent generations learning from the land. They read the skies and listened to the forests. 



They learned when to plant, when to harvest, and when to let the earth rest. Indigenous knowledge is not a relic of the past; it is a living library.



In many cases, Indigenous knowledge has helped protect biodiversity and preserve ecosystems where modern conservation efforts have struggled. And yet, for too long, it has been ignored, dismissed, or suppressed.&nbsp;



Now, as the planet suffers from industrial excess, there is a growing recognition that the wisdom we need may not be new - it may be ancient.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-living-lighter-with-more-meaning">Living lighter, with more meaning</h2>



When we look to ancient wisdom for guidance, we can see our everyday choices through new eyes.



Living lighter is a way of moving through the world that leaves a gentler footprint and a stronger legacy. This approach to life is not about giving things up - it’s about gaining a deeper sense of what truly matters.&nbsp;



Living lighter can take many simple, meaningful forms. It could be choosing local foods or growing herbs on a windowsill. It might be carrying a reusable bag or coffee cup - not out of habit, but out of care.&nbsp;



Every time we choose to walk instead of drive, we are helping to heal the damage we have caused.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-power-of-collective-action">The power of collective action</h2>



No single person can carry the weight of the world - but many people together can lift it.&nbsp;



Communities are turning rooftops into thriving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/urban-gardens-promote-biodiversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gardens</a>. Towns are breathing life back into long-lost rivers, restoring the flow of nature through their streets.



This is the spirit of Earth Day - a reminder that we are not separate stories, but one rising chorus. The future isn’t something we inherit; it’s something we build together - for our children and for all future generations.



To join the movement, check out <a href="https://www.earthday.org/action/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A Billion Acts of Green</a> taking place across the planet.&nbsp;



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Earth Day 2025: What we’re really fighting for

On Earth Day and every day, a powerful shift is...

In June 2023, smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed cities like New York and Washington, D.C. The air turned orange. Headlines called it the worst air quality in the world. People wore masks again, not for COVID-19, but to avoid inhaling toxic particles. But what if you lived in a place with no way to measure that danger?



A study from <a href="https://www.psu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State University</a> reveals a chilling reality. More than 50 million people in the U.S. live in what researchers call “air quality monitoring deserts.”



These are counties with no official monitoring stations to assess air pollution. Without these stations, we don’t know what people are breathing.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-air-quality-monitoring-deserts">Air quality monitoring deserts</h2>



Monitoring deserts are places with zero air-quality stations. That means no sensors, no alerts, and no data on the pollutants people are exposed to each day. 



According to the study, 1,848 counties in the U.S. qualify as monitoring deserts. That’s nearly 59% of all counties and covers about 40% of the land area in the country.



“Exposure to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/millions-of-people-die-from-air-pollution-each-year-yet-theres-still-a-lack-of-monitoring/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">air</a> pollution has been directly and indirectly to cancers, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, immune disorders and more,” said Alexis Santos, co-author of the study and associate professor at Penn State. 



“If we are not measuring air quality in large regions of the country, then we do not know how significant air pollution problems are.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-danger-of-data-gaps">The danger of data gaps</h2>



Air quality data helps determine public health responses. If a wildfire breaks out and there’s no monitoring, people cannot know whether it's safe to go outside. 



There is a growing need to assess whether children should stay indoors or whether vulnerable people should wear masks. And yet, millions live in this uncertainty every day.



These gaps don’t just delay emergency responses. They affect how we understand long-term health risks. 



Studies link air <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/understanding-how-air-pollution-forms-may-help-us-prevent-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollution</a> to asthma, heart attacks, dementia, and premature death. But in unmonitored counties, those links remain invisible and unquantified.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-minority-areas-lack-air-quality-monitoring">Minority areas lack air quality monitoring</h2>



The study linked demographic and economic factors to the presence - or absence - of monitoring.



Counties with high poverty, low high school completion, or larger Black and Hispanic populations are more likely to be unmonitored. These patterns held even after accounting for population size.



“Air pollution affects everyone’s health, so it is important for everyone in the nation to have access to accurate information about the quality of the air they breathe,” said Nelson Roque, assistant professor at Penn State and the study’s lead author.



The Southern region was especially affected. In states like Mississippi, Georgia, and Arkansas, more than 75% of counties are monitoring deserts. These regions include parts of the “Southern Black Belt,” a historically marginalized area with persistent social and economic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-air-pollution-affects-consumer-spending/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">disadvantages</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-air-monitoring-is-old-and-unreliable">Air monitoring is old and unreliable</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-weakens-brain-function-and-focus-in-daily-tasks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Air</a> monitoring in the U.S. began in 1957. Since then, more than 20,000 stations have been installed at some point. But by 2024, only 4,821 remained active. Many stations were decades old, with a median age of 26.1 years. Some stopped reporting due to technical issues or lack of funding.



“We ran this same analysis just a couple months apart, and we found that the number of air-quality monitoring sites had changed over that short period of time,” Roque said. 



“These stations are in flux all the time, and data-reporting intervals also vary, which points to the need for investment in and modernization of this infrastructure.”



This lack of consistency adds uncertainty. Researchers and communities rely on these stations for accurate trends. If the equipment goes offline, so does our ability to respond in real time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smartphones-can-t-replace-sensors">Smartphones can’t replace sensors</h2>



Apps may show air quality ratings, but they don't gather air directly. These apps use data from nearby stations. If you live far from a monitoring site, your app could show safe air when, in fact, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/millions-of-deaths-in-india-linked-to-air-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollution</a> levels are high. That’s misleading and dangerous.



Monitoring deserts, by definition, depend on estimates from surrounding regions. In rural areas, that might mean using data from stations dozens or even hundreds of miles away. Local factors - like nearby industry, agriculture, or wildfires - can vary dramatically from region to region.



This means people in these counties might make poor health decisions based on faulty information. And public health officials lack the tools to guide them differently.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-air-quality-monitoring-gaps-reflect-injustice">Air quality monitoring gaps reflect injustice</h2>



Environmental monitoring follows patterns of social inequality. The researchers found that counties with more agricultural or mining jobs and fewer educated adults were more likely to be unmonitored. Higher poverty levels also increased the odds of being a monitoring desert.



Initially, areas with more Hispanic residents appeared less likely to be deserts. But when population size was factored in, this trend reversed. Counties with more Black residents consistently had higher odds of lacking monitoring, regardless of other factors.



These patterns are not accidental. “Generally speaking, infrastructure for health care, transportation, education and other areas are underdeveloped in rural counties,” Santos said. “This study demonstrated the pattern holds true for air-quality monitoring, as well.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-call-for-broader-monitoring">A call for broader monitoring</h2>



In 2021, Executive Order 14008 urged environmental equity. The Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool now includes air quality as a measure of community disadvantage. Despite these efforts, monitoring deserts persist.



Monitoring infrastructure is concentrated in urban areas, where populations are dense. This makes sense for national averages, but fails millions in sparsely populated or economically struggling areas.



The EPA and local partners must rethink this model. Where there is no data, there is no protection.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-local-efforts-and-global-parallels">Local efforts and global parallels</h2>



Some states and cities try to fill the gap. For example, the New York City Community Air Survey collects seasonal data at multiple points across the city. These local programs give better insights into neighborhood conditions, yet not all regions have the resources or expertise to launch their own systems.



Globally, many countries face similar problems. Citizen science, wearable sensors, and community-led efforts are helping close gaps. But in the U.S., a wealthier country with strong scientific institutions, the scale of unmonitored areas is concerning.



The researchers warn that areas without monitoring may actually experience worse air quality than we realize. Without data, these communities are invisible in national health research and policy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-needs-to-happen-next">What needs to happen next</h2>



Fixing the system requires more than adding a few monitors. The technology must be modern, reliable, and consistent. It must cover both cities and rural areas. Most importantly, it must reflect a commitment to environmental justice.



The study’s authors argue for equitable expansion of monitoring sites. Only then can we understand exposure, assess disparities, and design better public health responses. Until that happens, millions will keep breathing air they cannot see, cannot measure, and cannot trust.



Monitoring deserts expose more than air pollution. They reveal the cracks in how we protect public health. When a wildfire erupts or pollutants rise, people in these places won’t know. They’ll just keep breathing - and hoping it’s safe.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/epub/10.1073/pnas.2425310122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Millions of Americans live in areas without air quality monitoring

In June 2023, smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed cities like...

Nature lovers worldwide are turning to EarthSnap, the AI-powered identification app that can instantly recognize over 2 million plants, animals, bugs, birds, and more. 



Built by the team behind Earth.com with over 15M monthly visitors, EarthSnap has quickly gained traction among outdoor enthusiasts looking for a smarter, more interactive way to explore and understand the natural world.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-celebrate-earth-month-with-earthsnap">Celebrate Earth Month with EarthSnap</h2>



With the official rollout timed for April in celebration of Earth Month, EarthSnap invites users across the globe to reconnect with nature and explore biodiversity like never before. 



As environmental awareness reaches a peak during this globally recognized month, EarthSnap offers a powerful, tech-driven way to engage with the planet and share discoveries with others.



With its advanced AI, EarthSnap allows users to identify species in seconds simply by snapping a photo. 



The app goes beyond just identification - offering an extensive database filled with detailed insights, a search function for learning more about specific species, and an interactive SnapMap where users can explore identified species from around the world. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-deeper-connection-with-nature">A deeper connection with nature</h2>



As more people seek deeper connections with nature, EarthSnap has emerged as a must-have tool for hikers, travelers, gardening enthusiasts and anyone curious about nature.



"EarthSnap is redefining how people interact with the world around them," said Eric Ralls, CEO of EarthSnap and Earth.com. 



"With over 15 million visitors to Earth.com each month, we've seen firsthand the growing demand for accessible, AI-driven tools that make nature exploration easier and more engaging. EarthSnap brings that vision to life.”



EarthSnap is more than just an identification app - it’s a global hub for nature lovers. 



The EarthSnappers Community allows users to share their discoveries, engage with fellow outdoor enthusiasts, and contribute to a growing database of species observations. 



Whether it’s a rare orchid spotted on a mountain trail or a never-before-seen bird in a backyard, EarthSnap makes it easy to document and discuss nature with a like-minded community.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized"><a href="https://www.earthsnap.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/EarthSnap_feature-graphic_press-release_V3s.webp" alt="EarthSnap is FREE, download today. Click here." class="wp-image-1966695" style="width:300px;height:auto"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">EarthSnap is FREE, download today. Click here.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-features-driving-earthsnap-s-popularity">Key features driving EarthSnap’s popularity</h2>



● AI-Powered Identification: Instantly recognize over 2 million plants and animals by snapping a photo.



● Search &amp; Learn: Look up species by name to access detailed facts and insights.



● Global SnapMap: Explore photos of identified species from users worldwide.



● Personalized Snap Collections: Save and organize nature discoveries in a digital library.



● Cross-Platform Accessibility: Access all saved photos and data on both mobile and desktop.



As Earth Month continues to inspire a global appreciation for the natural world, EarthSnap is providing a timely solution for those eager to deepen their understanding of biodiversity and participate in meaningful environmental engagement.



With AI-powered tools, a vast species database, and an engaged global community, EarthSnap is setting a new standard for how people interact with nature.



EarthSnap is now available for download on <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/plant-animal-id-earthsnap/id1590178460" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iOS</a> and <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earthsnap" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Android</a>. To learn more, visit <a href="https://earthsnap.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap’s website</a>.

Nature enthusiasts are flocking to EarthSnap for plant and animal ID

Nature lovers worldwide are turning to EarthSnap, the AI-powered identification...

Each year, hundreds of millions of tons of food never make it from the kitchen - or grocery shelf - to the table. Instead, they end up in landfills, where rotting lettuce leaves and stale bread emit methane, a greenhouse gas roughly 28 times more powerful than carbon dioxide at trapping heat.



According to the <a href="https://www.un.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United Nations</a>, food waste now accounts for up to 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions - more than the entire aviation sector. If wasted food were its own nation, it would trail only China and the United States in annual climate pollution.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-waste-and-climate-repercussions">Food waste and climate repercussions </h2>



Robert Sanders, an assistant professor of marketing and analytics at the <a href="https://rady.ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California San Diego’s Rady School of Management</a>, has spent the last decade examining why so much edible food goes to waste and how policy interventions can bend the curve.



In a recent interview, Professor Sanders argued that trimming food waste may be the single fastest, most cost‑effective way to curb climate repercussions. 



“It is nearly impossible for the globe to meet emissions targets set forth by the Paris Accords without reducing waste from the food system,” he warned.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-waste-hiding-in-plain-sight">Food waste: Hiding in plain sight</h2>



Although lawmakers and the public often focus on tailpipes and smokestacks, Sanders points out that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-waste-crisis-why-u-s-goals-remain-out-of-reach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">leftovers</a> scraped off dinner plates or the strawberries that spoil in grocery back rooms punch far above their weight.



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rising-methane-emissions-threaten-earths-habitability/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">methane</a> produced as they decompose lingers in the atmosphere for about a decade but delivers an intense burst of warming during that period, making short‑term action on food waste a potent lever for averting near‑term climate tipping points.



“Reducing food waste is pretty much the most actionable measure humanity can take to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in the short and medium term,” he noted. Yet when Professor Sanders first surveyed academic literature, he found a puzzling gap.



Policymakers were proposing rules to standardize expiration‑date labels, nonprofits were urging composting mandates, and states were drafting landfill bans - all based on assumptions that lacked rigorous field evidence.



That knowledge vacuum, he said, motivated him to run controlled experiments in real grocery aisles and back‑of‑house storerooms, tracking how shoppers and retailers actually behave when incentives change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-good-intentions-limited-results">Good intentions, limited results</h2>



One headline solution embraced by several U.S. states is the food‑waste landfill <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-waste-bans-are-ineffective-in-reducing-landfill-waste/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ban</a>. In theory, prohibiting retailers from tossing unsold produce or expired milk forces businesses either to donate surplus food, send it to anaerobic digesters, or pay composting facilities instead of dumping it. 



In practice, Sanders’ research, conducted with colleagues at multiple universities, shows uneven results.



“My co-authors and I investigated the efficacy of the first five food-waste bans in the United States, and we found that only one state, Massachusetts, has been successful at diverting food waste away from landfills,” said Professor Sanders.



The reason appears twofold: enforcement and infrastructure. Massachusetts imposes clearer, better‑publicized penalties.



Additionally, the state offers businesses a robust network of composting centers willing to accept spoiled goods. Elsewhere, minimal fines and scarce processing facilities make compliance optional.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dynamic-pricing-matching-supply-and-demand">Dynamic pricing: Matching supply and demand</h2>



If strict bans are a blunt instrument, Sanders argues that pricing algorithms offer a finer scalpel. Roughly a tenth of all wasted food is chucked by retailers because perishables pass their sell‑by date still sitting on the shelf. 



Shoppers routinely pay the same sticker price for milk expiring tomorrow as for jugs good for another two weeks, so predictable spoilage is baked into store margins. Sanders’ field studies suggest a market‑based alternative: dynamic markdowns. 



By feeding inventory data, expiration horizons, and historical demand into a computer model, a grocery chain can automatically lower prices on soon‑to‑expire yogurt or ground beef several times a day. This nudges bargain‑hunters to snap up aging stock before it goes bad. 



The benefits compound: less landfill methane, lower operating costs for stores, and cheaper staples - often fresher and less processed - for budget‑conscious customers.



“To an economist, it's actually really weird that grocery stores don't dynamically price their perishables,” Sanders observed. “Why should you, the consumer, be paying the same price for milk that will expire one week from now as you would for milk expiring three weeks from now? Not only is it unfair, it's inefficient.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-label-confusion-an-unproven-culprit"><a></a>Label confusion: An unproven culprit</h2>



Industry groups and some legislators have long asserted that ambiguous date stamps - “best by,” “sell by,” and “use by” - drive shoppers to bin perfectly edible food. California recently passed AB 660, mandating standardized phrasing meant to reassure consumers.



Yet Sanders cautions that no large‑scale, real‑world experiment has demonstrated the strategy’s effectiveness. “There's still no scientific evidence of how these date-label formats actually affect purchases and waste in the field - that is, when real choices are made,” he said.



Until randomized trials produce hard numbers on consumer behavior, he ranks uniform <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dont-say-vegan-food-labeling-should-focus-on-health-and-sustainability/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">labeling</a> lower on the priority list than measures that directly raise disposal costs or reward timely purchasing decisions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-household-food-waste-habits-matter">Household food waste habits matter</h2>



While systemic fixes target upstream inefficiencies, Sanders said everyday eaters remain the final link in the waste chain. Composting food scraps is helpful, but prevention trumps recycling. 



He advocates meal planning, accurate head counts for events, and reminding yourself to eat leftovers long before they become science projects. In California, where municipalities now provide curbside green bins, he urges residents to keep those organic carts in regular rotation.



“Composting is better than sending food to landfills, but it's best not to create food waste to begin with,” he said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-funding-the-science"><a></a>Funding the science</h2>



Sanders’ investigations into how consumers make expiry‑date decisions recently hit a roadblock when cuts to federal climate‑research budgets stalled a <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Science Foundation</a> grant. 



The project would have generated large data sets on purchasing patterns in response to markdowns tied to shelf life - information the <a href="https://www.usda.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USDA</a> and <a href="https://www.fda.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FDA</a> have explicitly requested.



In the meantime, he and his collaborators are scouting alternative funding to improve food waste, underscoring the broader challenge of studying pragmatic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-log-discovery-inspires-a-simple-yet-effective-climate-solution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate solutions</a> in an era of tightened purse strings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chipping-away-at-a-massive-issue">Chipping away at a massive issue</h2>



Momentum is building: grocery giants in Europe have rolled out dynamic‑discount apps, while startups in the United States pilot real‑time pricing software for deli counters and bakery racks. 



Policymakers, however, still debate whether to expand landfill bans or subsidize compost facilities without proof of impact.



Professor Sanders believes the fastest progress will come from connecting rigorous field experiments with scalable technology. Only then, he contends, will the world chip away at a problem large enough to rival the emissions of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aviations-contribution-to-climate-change-is-expected-to-intensify/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aviation</a> industry.



Until that happens, methane will keep seeping from landfills - one wilted lettuce leaf and one expired gallon of milk at a time.



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Food waste has a surprising impact on climate change

Each year, hundreds of millions of tons of food never...

We often think our first impressions come from sight as we notice how someone looks, speaks, and moves. We focus on what we see and hear, but there’s another sense, always present, usually unnoticed, that might shape friendship more than we realize: smell.



Every day, we pass strangers, meet new colleagues, and shake hands at events. Some of those people feel immediately familiar, others strangely distant. 



Sometimes we like someone without knowing why. Sometimes we’re put off without a clear reason. Could it be the scent they carry - not necessarily a strong perfume or cologne, but the subtle mixture of personal habits that lingers in the air?



That’s the question a group of researchers set out to answer. Their study, recently published in Scientific Reports, reveals how scent - specifically what they call “diplomatic odor” - can guide <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pets-increase-life-satisfaction-as-much-as-marriage-or-close-friendships/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social preferences</a> from the very first encounter.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-our-scent-signals-future-friends">Our scent signals future friends</h2>



Unlike natural body odor studied in past research, diplomatic odor reflects daily life. It includes perfumes, shampoos, laundry detergent, pets, food, and everything else that shapes how someone smells during a typical day.



Study lead author Jessica Gaby is an assistant professor of psychology at Middle Tennessee State University (<a href="https://www.mtsu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MTSU</a>).



"It's not just perfume," said Professor Gaby. "It's your dietary choices. Are you a cat person or dog person? What laundry detergent do you use?"



The study focused on how diplomatic odor influences friendship potential - how likely we are to want to connect with someone. Unlike studies of romantic attraction, this work explored platonic connections, the ones that make up most of our daily <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-theory-enemy-of-my-enemy-is-my-friend-proven-by-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social landscape</a>.



Friendship shapes mental and physical health. It helps people navigate life. Knowing what influences our initial decisions about friends matters. And as the study found, scent plays a surprisingly strong role.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-odor-influences-first-impressions">Odor influences first impressions </h2>



The researchers designed a multi-part speed-friending event involving 40 women. First, they photographed the participants and gave them clean cotton T-shirts to wear during daily activities for around 12 hours.



Participants were asked to keep their habits unchanged, other than avoiding smoking and alcohol. They were told to wear the same products to the event that they used while wearing the shirts.



Then came the real test. In a controlled but realistic environment - a busy room full of chatter - participants smelled the worn shirts before any in-person meetings.



They rated how likely they would be to want to hang out with the wearer, be friends, or avoid them. This pre-interaction sniff test set the baseline. 



The results already showed personal preferences. What smelled friendly to one person didn’t appeal to another. And that individual taste held meaning throughout the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scent-helps-predict-new-friends">Scent helps predict new friends</h2>



Next came the live speed-friending part. Each participant had about ten four-minute conversations with different people. 



They sat across small tables, introduced themselves, and chatted. After each brief conversation, they filled out forms judging their chat partner’s friendship potential - just as they had done earlier, based only on scent.



"People take a lot in when they're meeting face to face. But scent, which people are registering at some level, though probably not consciously, forecasts whether you end up liking this person," said Vivian Zayas, professor of psychology at <a href="https://www.cornell.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cornell University</a>.



The findings were striking. The friendship ratings based on smell alone closely matched the in-person ratings after the short chats.



"If you think you might be friends with someone you haven't met based on a tenth-of-a-second exposure to their photograph, you are also more likely to judge them as a potential friend based on the scent of their T-shirt," Zayas said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sight-smell-and-first-impressions">Sight, smell, and first impressions</h2>



The study also included a test based on quick glances at portraits - 100 milliseconds per image. Even these brief flashes gave participants enough information to form an impression.



Yet when the researchers compared smell-based ratings with those based on photos, smell turned out to be the better predictor of how people felt after meeting someone. Multilevel statistical models confirmed that diplomatic odor had a stronger and more consistent effect than visuals.



Portrait-based judgments did matter - but not as much. The live interaction scores were more closely tied to what people had sniffed than what they had seen.



Importantly, this connection held even after accounting for other variables like time worn or intensity of the scent. The results were clear: scent quietly shapes social judgments, and does so powerfully.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interactions-can-change-perception">Interactions can change perception</h2>



What’s more fascinating is that smell didn’t only influence how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-media-pressure-is-straining-teen-friendships/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">people</a> felt going into a conversation - it changed based on what happened in that conversation. 



Participants repeated the sniff test after the live chats. This time, they judged the same T-shirts again. And their opinions had shifted.



"It makes sense to me that the way you smell impacts the way I judge you," Gaby said. "But I was most surprised by the learning, by the shift in the second set of readings - one interaction and you're like, hmmm, maybe not."



If someone had a good chat, their shirt smelled better afterward. If the interaction was disappointing, the scent seemed worse. This pattern suggests our brains update scent-based associations rapidly, using emotional memory to reframe what we’ve already experienced.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scents-and-social-chemistry">Scents and social chemistry</h2>



One of the strongest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-power-of-diversity-in-friendships/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">themes</a> in the study was individual preference. There wasn’t one universally liked or disliked smell. What appealed to one person might not appeal to another.



"Everybody showed they had a consistent signature of what they liked," Zayas said. "And the consistency was not that in the group one person smelled really bad and one person smelled really good. No, it was idiosyncratic."



This finding adds depth to how we think about social chemistry. It’s not just about shared interests or mutual friends - it might also be about shared scent spaces, shaped by laundry, pets, and food.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-scent-of-friends">The scent of friends</h2>



This study stands out because it took place in a natural setting. Participants weren’t isolated in scentless rooms. The researchers wanted to test scent in the kind of environment where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-friendships-improve-your-health-as-you-age/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">friendships</a> really form - noisy, busy, filled with competing sensory input.



In this real-world context, diplomatic odor still played a major role. It was perceptible and meaningful, even surrounded by other cues like voice, appearance, and body language.



The researchers also emphasized that diplomatic odor carries social information of its own. Unlike pure body odor, diplomatic scent reflects lifestyle and culture. It’s shaped by choice. This means scent may serve as a kind of soft signal about who we are - and who we might connect with.



Friendships help people thrive. They affect mood, resilience, and long-term health. And yet, we rarely stop to think about what drives those first moments of liking or disliking someone.



This research shows that our sense of smell plays a role in those judgments. Not consciously, not obviously - but powerfully.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-94350-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.&nbsp;



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Scent plays a powerful role in choosing friends

We often think our first impressions come from sight as...

In November 2018, a deadly wildfire devastated parts of Northern California. Lives were uprooted, communities were reshaped, and mental health challenges lingered long after the embers cooled. 



Many survivors faced not only physical loss but also struggles tied to anxiety and mood changes. Early discussions hinted that post-fire stress could alter ways people think and behave.



Dr. Jyoti Mishra from <a href="https://ucsd.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC San Diego</a>, an associate professor at the School of Medicine and co-director of the University of California Climate Resilience Initiative, helped confirm that such major disasters may produce a kind of climate-related <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/intense-forest-fires-leave-scorched-earth-heating-the-planet-faster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trauma</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-disasters-damage-mental-health">Climate disasters damage mental health</h2>



Climate disasters can lead to long-lasting mental health consequences, which researchers sometimes call <a href="https://www.pbs.org/wnet/peril-and-promise/2022/02/when-climate-change-becomes-climate-trauma/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate trauma</a>. 



Large fires, intense storms, and prolonged droughts can overwhelm communities, both physically and psychologically.



Various studies have shown that these events can trigger <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/410326" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">post-traumatic stress disorder</a>, also known as PTSD. Worry and tension become constant companions, and routine decisions might feel more challenging.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fire-survivors-struggle-with-decisions">Fire survivors struggle with decisions</h2>



One newly published study examined how survivors of the 2018 Camp Fire approached choices that could pay off with bigger rewards over time. 



Participants performed a computer-based task that tracked how often they stuck to an option that offered higher gains in the long run. The team discovered that those who directly experienced the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-fire-risk-has-grown-exponentially-in-a-hotter-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fire</a> were more likely to abandon the choice that yielded better long-term outcomes.



“It was clear that brains of study participants directly exposed to wildfires - as opposed to those not exposed - became significantly hyper-aroused when trying to make proper decision choices but they were still unable to execute the task well,” said Jason Nan, a UC San Diego bioengineering graduate student and study first author.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-influence-of-stress-on-the-brain">Influence of stress on the brain</h2>



Elevated vigilance may help individuals react swiftly to real threats. Yet continuous hyperarousal can derail the planning needed for long-range benefits. Heightened focus on short-term safety often leaves little energy for calm reasoning.



<a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1607171113" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Research</a> indicates that trauma-related responses can disrupt areas of the brain responsible for reward processing. People under extreme stress might switch away from strategies that require sustained effort and stick to choices with smaller, more frequent payoffs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fire-s-effect-on-focus-and-memory">Fire’s effect on focus and memory</h2>



In the study, specialists used <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/electroencephalogram-eeg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electroencephalogram</a> recordings to watch the brain’s electrical signals during the decision task. The results showed that those who lived through the Camp Fire had unusual activity in the parietal region. That area often handles memory, attention, and rumination.



“Our previous research has shown that survivors of <a href="https://rems.ed.gov/docs/2021ToolBox/CA_Case_Study_1_Wildfire.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">California’s 2018 Camp Fire</a> experience prolonged symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression alongside hyper-distractibility,” said Dr. Mishra.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-mental-health-and-recovery-paths">Early mental health and recovery paths</h2>



Left unchecked, altered decision-making patterns might create more complications for those trying to rebuild their lives. 



Day-to-day tasks like budgeting or health management could become overwhelming. <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8083197/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mindfulness-based tools</a> have shown some promise for managing rumination by gently redirecting attention.



Community-based programs that support mental health soon after a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fast-wildfires-are-gaining-even-more-speed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildfire</a> can be a lifeline. They have the potential to reduce anxiety symptoms and encourage a proactive mind-set. These programs also help people regain the confidence to make choices that benefit their long-term well-being.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-linking-trauma-to-future-challenges">Linking trauma to future challenges</h2>



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-weather-is-pushing-nature-toward-a-breaking-point/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wildfire</a> survivors who feel anxious may struggle with planning that hinges on delayed rewards. 



That might include saving money or setting aside time for personal growth. Over time, small setbacks can stack up when immediate needs overshadow bigger-picture goals.



Some participants in the study reported PTSD-like traits on screening tools such as the <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/410326">GAD-7</a>&nbsp; and <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016009606.x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PHQ-9</a>. These measures assess anxiety and depression levels, respectively, and can identify those at risk for prolonged distress.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifts-in-thinking-among-fire-survivors">Shifts in thinking among fire survivors</h2>



Efforts to monitor mood, memory, and decision styles across fire-prone areas could inform public health strategies. 



Screening for shifts in thinking might lead to early interventions. That might curb severe issues like substance misuse or difficulties with job performance.



Mental health experts also suggest that it is wise to train responders to watch for subtle cognitive changes among survivors. In future climate disasters, frontline volunteers and counselors may spot signs of immediate decision-making changes and direct those affected to additional support.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-human-side-of-climate-uncertainty">The human side of climate uncertainty</h2>



Local communities often come together when wildfires strike. That unity remains vital in the months or years following a large blaze. Temporary housing, donated supplies, and relocation assistance all play a part.



Emotional support is equally important. Friends, family, counselors, and neighbors can make a difference by listening without judgment. Even simple check-ins let survivors know they are not alone.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fire-survivors-can-regain-control">Fire survivors can regain control </h2>



In a world facing hotter summers and drier landscapes, the emotional toll of climate emergencies may only grow. 



Studies highlight a need for greater resilience not just in physical infrastructure but also in mental health resources. Many communities are already stepping up efforts to safeguard both body and mind.



Continuous research helps identify those at higher risk of cognitive strain. With that knowledge, specialists can tailor therapies that combine evidence-based treatments and practical coping skills.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-94672-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Climate trauma can rewire the brain, causing chronic fear and anxiety

In November 2018, a deadly wildfire devastated parts of Northern...

The noises of everyday life might be stirring more than just your eardrums. Recent findings suggest that certain vibrations affect living cells in unexpected ways. 



In an effort to see if cells truly respond to sound, researchers developed specialized setups that send mild pressure waves into cell cultures.



After extensive tests, Masahiro Kumeta from <a href="https://www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyoto University</a> emerged as a leading voice in this field.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cells-detect-and-respond-to-sound">Cells detect and respond to sound</h2>



Cells typically rely on chemical signals and mechanical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-people-are-born-to-enjoy-music-more-than-others/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cues</a> to regulate their growth. The notion that <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4659753/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">audible frequencies</a> might play a role in shaping cell functions has intrigued scientists for years.



“To investigate the effect of sound on cellular activities, we designed a system to bathe cultured cells in acoustic waves,” said Kumeta. 



The researchers noted that subtle compressions could alter how cells communicate and function.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-cells-sense-pressure">When cells sense pressure</h2>



One pivotal outcome was the identification of over 100 genes that seemed sensitive to specific sound conditions. 



Different frequencies and intensities triggered varied <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-has-the-power-to-change-the-mood-of-our-memories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">responses</a>, hinting at a surprisingly sophisticated cellular awareness.



“Since sound is non-material, acoustic stimulation is a tool that is non-invasive, safe, and immediate, and will likely benefit medicine and healthcare,” said Kumeta. 



Observations <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11089525/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">suggested</a> that mechanical receptors on cell surfaces might be picking up sound-related pressure changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sound-affects-fat-development">Sound affects fat development</h2>



The research also uncovered a link between vibrations and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/adipocyte" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adipocyte</a> development. Cells destined to become fat cells showed reduced differentiation when exposed to tailored sound signals.



This effect was partly explained by increased levels of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/prostaglandin-e2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PGE2</a>, a molecule known to influence fat cell growth. The findings add weight to ongoing discussions about non-invasive ways to manage tissue health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-everyday-noise-impacts-cell-health">Everyday noise impacts cell health</h2>



These discoveries raise questions about the relationship between environmental <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/live-music-connects-people-emotionally-and-physically/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">noise</a> and cellular health. Future investigations might shed light on whether day-to-day soundscapes carry hidden effects for humans.



Such possibilities could open new therapeutic avenues to address metabolic issues or support tissue regeneration. 



Learning more about how cells detect acoustic cues might guide clinicians toward safer treatment strategies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sound-can-control-cell-activity">Sound can control cell activity</h2>



Researchers are keen to explore how mechanical waves can be tuned to different cell types. This tuning could help maintain specific cell behaviors without using invasive procedures.



Understanding these mechanisms might also improve regenerative medicine by providing a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/upright-walking-may-have-sparked-human-creativity-and-music/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tool</a> that supports healing tissues. 



Though the science is still expanding, the conversation around everyday sound’s potential influence on cellular well-being is gaining traction.



The idea that your cells respond to invisible shifts in pressure challenges traditional views of sensory biology. Investigations promise to reveal more about how we can harness acoustic signals in gentle yet meaningful ways.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vibrations-shift-gene-activity">Vibrations shift gene activity</h2>



Mechanobiology extends to how tissues interpret various physical forces. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/5763187/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Studies</a> suggest that subtle vibrations might shift gene expression in skeletal and smooth muscle.



Research into <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234245/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neurotoxins</a> and other complex biological processes also shows that cells often respond to unexpected sound cues in their environment. 



Low-intensity pulses can trigger molecular changes that were once thought impossible through conventional means.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-noise-pollution-may-harm-cells">Noise pollution may harm cells</h2>



Efforts are underway to design experiments that separate normal mechanical stress from sound-induced signals. If those tests confirm unique responses, the results could open new doors in cell therapy.



Scientists are also curious about whether long-term exposure to mild acoustic environments might steer cells toward different fates.



Communities around the globe deal with noise pollution daily, so these results could change how we think about public health. It raises the possibility certain sound frequencies might either help or hinder basic cellular functions.



Finding a balance between beneficial and disruptive sound levels could become an unexpected health frontier. Communities might one day explore acoustic monitoring alongside typical environmental checks.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-025-07969-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications Biology</a>.



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Our cells react to sounds we can't even hear

The noises of everyday life might be stirring more than...

High blood pressure touches the lives of millions and remains a top trigger for heart problems. It’s often labeled the number one contributor to coronary heart disease and stroke, causing many to search for practical ways to keep it under control.



Experts frequently warn us to curb sodium consumption. Yet a recent <a href="https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajprenal.00222.2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">investigation</a> highlights that a better ratio of potassium to sodium may have a greater effect on blood <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/relaxation-techniques-can-lower-high-blood-pressure-at-least-temporarily/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pressure</a> than dropping salt alone. 



Anita Layton from the <a href="https://uwaterloo.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Waterloo</a> emphasizes the need to think beyond the usual advice.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potassium-helps-control-blood-pressure">Potassium helps control blood pressure</h2>



Potassium is a vital electrolyte that helps the body maintain balance. It cooperates with sodium to regulate fluid volume and supports normal nerve function.



When people consume more processed meals, they often ignore this important nutrient. This disrupts the potassium-sodium balance, which can add to rising blood <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-from-plastic-bottles-linked-to-high-blood-pressure-and-heart-problems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pressure</a> levels.



A new mathematical tool demonstrates how shifting the focus toward potassium intake offers clear advantages. The model points to higher potassium intake as a method that may help steady blood <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-gold-the-vitamin-packed-fruit-that-regulates-blood-sugar-and-blood-pressure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pressure</a> when sodium is also in the mix.



“Usually, when we have high blood pressure, we are advised to eat less salt. Our research suggests that adding more potassium-rich foods to your diet, such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/banana-apocalypse-can-science-save-our-favorite-fruit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bananas</a> or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/broccoli-sprouts-have-more-nutritional-value-than-mature-broccoli/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">broccoli</a>, might have a greater positive impact on your blood pressure than just cutting sodium,” said Layton. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-diets-lack-potassium">Modern diets lack potassium</h2>



Populations in past generations took in a high level of fruits and vegetables. These foods naturally supplied more potassium relative to sodium.



Modern eating patterns favor salt-packed items and sugary snacks. That change in routine can lead to constant high sodium intake, low potassium consumption, and heightened chances of developing elevated blood <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleeping-less-than-seven-hours-high-blood-pressure-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pressure</a>.



The study reveals that pre-menopausal women have a naturally lower tendency toward high blood pressure. It suggests that men usually face a higher risk, although men may also respond well to a potassium boost in their meals.



Variation in hormone levels and kidney function might account for these differences. The research links these findings to biological processes in which women excrete sodium more effectively before menopause.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-blood-pressure">Balancing blood pressure</h2>



Health advice often focuses on slashing salt, and that approach helps in many cases. Still, data from the University of Waterloo suggests that potassium is a key ally for balancing sodium.



Melissa Stadt is a PhD candidate in Waterloo's Department of Applied Mathematics and the study's lead author.



“Early humans ate lots of fruits and vegetables, and as a result, our body's regulatory systems may have evolved to work best with a high potassium, low sodium diet,” said Stadt. 



She noted that modern societies, by prioritizing convenience foods, might have steered away from this natural ratio.



Bananas are an accessible source of potassium and can be incorporated into snacks or breakfasts. Legumes, leafy greens, avocados, and certain fish varieties deliver a helpful potassium lift too.



Broccoli is another candidate that can fit into balanced meals. Adding these items in place of heavily processed foods takes you closer to a healthier ratio of potassium to sodium.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potassium-linked-to-fewer-heart-problems">Potassium linked to fewer heart problems</h2>



Scientific <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1311889" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reviews</a> show that a balanced dietary pattern with ample potassium is associated with improved cardiovascular health. 



One large <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK109565/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> found that a shift toward higher potassium intake lowered the odds of strokes and cardiac events in many participants.



Public health campaigns keep pushing for sodium reduction. Researchers hope the new focus on the potassium-sodium relationship gains the same amount of attention.



Sticking to a better potassium-to-sodium proportion may do more than protect the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-smell-control-your-blood-pressure-new-research-says-yes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart</a>. Kidneys also rely on healthy sodium and potassium levels for normal function.



Individuals with persistently high blood pressure risk complications like chronic kidney disease or irregular heartbeat. Increasing potassium-rich produce could ease that threat while providing vitamins and fiber.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-awareness-may-prevent-high-blood-pressure">Awareness may prevent high blood pressure</h2>



Many strategies exist for controlling high blood pressure, but the potassium conversation is less common. Greater awareness might encourage those with mild hypertension to shift their meal plans in a simple, budget-friendly way.



Researchers remain optimistic that this knowledge can spark interest in broader nutritional guidelines. They also anticipate deeper investigation into how body systems manage electrolytes across genders and various life stages.



This modeling work clarifies how biological factors respond to dietary changes. Clinicians may lean on such findings to create guidelines that highlight both cutting sodium and adding potassium.



While more in-depth clinical studies could confirm best practices, the message seems consistent. More bananas and vegetables on the plate could help make high blood pressure less of a threat for many.



The study is published in the <a href="https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/ajprenal.00222.2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Journal of Physiology-Renal Physiology</a>.



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Trying to lower your blood pressure? This common nutrient can help

High blood pressure touches the lives of millions and remains...

Back,View,Of,African,Male,Guest,Of,Art,Gallery,Standing

Art is often linked with creativity and expression. Many people consider it purely decorative, but new findings suggest that looking at paintings, sculptures, or photographs may hold genuine benefits for personal growth and meaning in life.



Researchers have examined how passive engagement with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brain-can-instantly-recognize-trees-even-in-abstract-art/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">visual artworks</a> helps individuals feel a stronger sense of purpose. 



The team conducted a systematic review focusing on the effects of art observation on eudemonic well-being, which includes a person’s sense of meaning and fulfillment in daily life.&nbsp;



The study was led by MacKenzie Trupp from the <a href="https://www.univie.ac.at/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vienna</a> and the <a href="https://www.ru.nl/en/donders-institute" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donders Institute</a>, along with collaborators from Trinity College Dublin and Humboldt University of Berlin.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-viewing-art-supports-well-being">Viewing art supports well-being </h2>



“People often think of art as a luxury, but our research suggests that viewing art - whether as a hobby or as a targeted health intervention - can meaningfully support <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arts-and-crafts-can-greatly-improve-public-well-being/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">well-being</a>,” remarked Trupp.



These positive effects arise when people actively notice color, detail, and imagery, rather than breezing by an artwork without pausing to interpret it.



Early <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29440307/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">investigations</a> show how painting viewings spark emotional responses that can add depth to everyday experiences. 



Some participants report feeling encouraged to reflect on personal memories, suggesting that the right piece of art can nudge us toward greater self-awareness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-at-art-builds-stronger-connections">Looking at art builds stronger connections</h2>



Social aspects appear to play a meaningful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-reveals-new-details-about-centuries-old-painting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">role</a>. Observing art with others, whether in a gallery or an online group setting, provides a chance to chat about impressions and spark deeper conversations.



Sharing interpretations can lead to subtle bonding moments. People find themselves opening up more when they encounter powerful images <a href="https://new.censusatschool.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/restorative-benefits-of-nature.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">together</a>, which strengthens ties and sometimes reduces feelings of isolation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-need-for-better-study-designs">Need for better study designs</h2>



The researchers also discovered inconsistencies in how these studies were structured. Some projects used short viewing intervals in controlled labs, while others involved hospital programs or digital platforms.



To tackle these differences, the team developed Receptive Art Activity Research Reporting Guidelines, often called <a href="https://osf.io/qjg72/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RAARR</a>, aiming to standardize future trials.



This guideline set encourages a detailed record of how people <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/acoustic-echoes-may-have-inspired-prehistoric-rock-art/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interact</a> with artwork, so future results can be measured and compared more reliably.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-visual-art-and-emotional-relief">Visual art and emotional relief</h2>



“While the mental health benefits of creating art have been widely explored, the impact of viewing art has been under-researched and undervalued. Yet visual art is present and accessible in everyday spaces - museums, galleries, hospitals, and at home,” said Claire Howlin, professor at <a href="https://www.tcd.ie" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trinity College Dublin</a>.



Leading organizations now recommend incorporating the arts into health plans as a worthwhile, low-cost strategy to promote well-being. Recognizing art as a public health resource gives people an easy outlet for emotional relief and a handy way to find hope in challenging times.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-simple-art-programs-improve-well-being">Simple art programs improve well-being </h2>



This growing evidence may inspire hospitals, senior centers, and community groups to install or rotate art collections. By adopting user-friendly approaches, such as interactive discussions or online displays, more people can unlock art’s potential to reduce tension.



Setting aside a few minutes to study the brushstrokes of a painting or the structure of a sculpture might sound simple. 



Even so, it gives individuals a chance to pause and reassess how they see the world around them, which can enrich their sense of life’s purpose.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-passive-enjoyment-of-artwork">Passive enjoyment of artwork </h2>



The research points to clear opportunities for integrating these resources. Because passive enjoyment of artwork is easy for most people, the path to better well-being might be just a painting away.



Researchers hope that consistent methods, larger-scale studies, and robust control conditions will clarify how and why these art-viewing programs work. 



The end goal is to ensure that people across many communities can benefit from accessible experiences in clinics, care homes, or local cultural sites.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-art-as-a-powerful-force">Art as a powerful force</h2>



Expanding knowledge in this area may also change how mental health professionals structure interventions. If simply absorbing a piece of art encourages meaningful reflection, then therapy plans could add curated viewings as an extra tool for developing resilience.



By fine-tuning how and where art is displayed, specialists may zero in on strategies that meet personal or group needs. This includes everything from digital sessions for homebound individuals to tranquil waiting-room exhibits.



These ideas reinforce the notion that art is more than a decorative choice. It can become part of everyday life, shaping emotional balance and reinforcing one’s sense of identity.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17439760.2025.2481041" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Journal of Positive Psychology</a>.



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Simply looking at art can improve your well-being

Art is often linked with creativity and expression. Many people...

Science is transforming how we see our DNA information and what they can tell us about our bodies. Many researchers now worry that hackers might find holes in these advanced tools and aim for our most personal details.



Experts warn that next-generation DNA sequencing (<a href="https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/sequencing/sequencing-learning-center/next-generation-sequencing-information/ngs-basics/what-is-next-generation-sequencing.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NGS</a>) might be a new target for cybercriminals who wish to break into or manipulate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/everyday-dna-damage-requires-constant-repair-by-cells-to-prevent-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic</a> data.



After carefully looking at every step involved, Dr. Nasreen Anjum from the <a href="https://www.port.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Portsmouth</a>’s School of Computing and her collaborators have offered ways to strengthen data security.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-dna-information-powers-medicine">How DNA information powers medicine</h2>



NGS allows scientists to decode huge chunks of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dna-changes-supercharged-the-human-brain-but-at-a-cost/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA</a> very quickly. It has helped in cancer analyses, specialized treatments, and identifying microbiologist findings. Many labs benefit from high-tech tools that read DNA to discover gene variants and spot disease markers.



Patients rely on these instruments in clinical settings to decide what treatments they need. Companies and universities also lean on these methods to design new medicines. If this data gets <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nrg3723" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stolen</a> or tampered with, real harm can happen.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-hackers-misuse-genetic-data">How hackers misuse genetic data</h2>



“Genomic data is one of the most personal forms of data we have,” stated Dr. Mahreen-Ul-Hassan from the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, who co-authored the study.



DNA information is extremely private. Attackers can use it to infer family ties or even link data to specific people.&nbsp;



Open-access databases often share large volumes of sequences online. Hackers can slip in <a href="https://www.usenix.org/conference/usenixsecurity17/technical-sessions/presentation/ney" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cyber-biosecurity</a> exploits by uploading corrupted files or by intercepting data on unsecured <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/subtle-dna-changes-shaped-human-brain-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">networks</a>. 



Subtle changes in the data might mislead researchers or hide real patient risks, and that can have serious consequences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dna-samples-can-carry-malware">DNA samples can carry malware</h2>



Some specialists have experimented with <a href="https://incsnow.com/cyberbiosecurity-computers-make-malicious-modification-of-dna-as-easy-as-editing-text/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA-encoded malware</a> that lurks in the code attached to genetic samples. 



If a lab’s system reads the code without proper checks, it can give criminals control. Once inside the network, they might alter or steal sensitive files, or break critical machines.



Industry watchers have also pointed out that many labs use older devices or software. These systems can get infected by trojans hiding in routine updates or from incorrectly set up firewalls. 



Even a small data breach in such labs can expose personal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-chapter-in-human-evolution-revealed-through-genetics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">information</a> or cripple ongoing studies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dna-information-at-risk">DNA information at risk</h2>



Though labs are filled with brilliant minds, not everyone knows how to recognize or stop a cyber infiltration. 



Attackers may spot a random “plugged-in” device, an unsecured network share, or a weak password. Sometimes, staff are tricked with phishing emails that appear official, so they click a malicious link.



Insider threats are also a concern. Employees with access to genetic data may decide to profit from it, or they might make a mistake that leaves doors open for attackers. A single slip can let outsiders capture reams of important data.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ideas-for-stronger-security">Ideas for stronger security</h2>



“Our work is a wake-up call,” stated Dr. Anjum. She encourages labs and governments to think carefully about the entire NGS process. This means shielding hardware, software, and any data streams between labs.



Encryption can block prying eyes, but some hackers access computers with DNA information and edit it directly.



Better staff training, better oversight, and thorough testing of each system step should be mandatory. This stops threats before they strike.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-dna-information">Protecting DNA information</h2>



The researchers noted that <a href="https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/Genomic-Data-Science" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genomic data</a> is too big for a single fix. Engineers, biologists, and IT specialists must join forces to create updated rules and new ways to handle data securely. This teamwork helps labs share vulnerabilities and solutions without fear.



Funding bodies also have a role. If they prioritize cyber-biosecurity efforts, labs can upgrade defenses, run safety drills, and share lessons learned. An international network of experts can reduce confusion and missteps in fast-paced research centers.



As we learn more about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/luca-last-universal-common-ancestor-progenitor-all-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetics</a>, criminals also sharpen their tools. The researchers believe that we must stay ahead by constantly reviewing our technology and testing for weaknesses. This could guard personal and clinical details, especially for those seeking precision medicine.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10930454" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IEEE Access</a>.



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Is your DNA information safe? Scientists warn of cyber threats

Science is transforming how we see our DNA information and...

Hotel,Relaxation,On,Lazy,Day,With,Asian,Woman,Waking,Up

It can be hard to feel energized when alarm clocks jolt us awake from deep sleep each day. Many people struggle with morning grogginess, sometimes turning to naps or extra caffeine to push through the early hours. 



New research has revealed that simply letting in a bit of natural light before <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overall-people-feel-better-about-life-in-the-morning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">getting out of bed</a> can make a big difference. The research was led by Professor Matsushita from <a href="https://www.omu.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Osaka Metropolitan University</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preventing-groggy-mornings-with-light">Preventing groggy mornings with light</h2>



Poor sleep has become a modern problem that affects workers, students, and practically anyone with a packed schedule. A 2023 poll by the <a href="https://aasm.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/sleep-prioritization-survey-2023-sleep-aids.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Academy of Sleep Medicine</a> found that a majority of adults are not hitting the recommended rest hours.



Several experts <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17936041/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a> that bright light early in the day can help the body reset its internal clock. This reduces a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pets-increase-life-satisfaction-as-much-as-marriage-or-close-friendships/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phenomenon</a> called sleep inertia, which is a heavy feeling some people experience right after they open their eyes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-natural-light-works-better-than-lamps">Natural light works better than lamps</h2>



Some past <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/13/6/1482" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> used artificial lamps, but this new approach focused on sunlight as a more realistic option. Researchers pointed out that busy homeowners and apartment dwellers need something simple, like window adjustments, to welcome early-morning rays.



A group of volunteers tried different ways of letting sunlight filter into their bedrooms. Some had the bedroom remain dark until they <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-increases-feelings-of-hope-happiness-and-gratitude/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">woke up</a>, while others allowed the curtains to open at varying times.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-power-of-sunlight">The power of sunlight</h2>



One subset of the volunteers let in moderate light shortly before the alarm went off. They reported feeling more rested and alert right after rising.



Those exposed to brighter natural light for a longer duration sometimes reported feeling disrupted if it began too early. This suggests more light is not always better if it cuts into the final stretch of sleep.



Motorized curtains and smart home devices can automate morning light exposure. This minimizes the need to fumble with blinds or lamps upon waking.



Advanced gadgets can still help, but this study emphasizes the power of sunlight itself. It highlights how careful timing, rather than the strongest possible brightness, can support a smoother start to the day.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eliminating-groggy-mornings">Eliminating groggy mornings</h2>



Researchers note that people’s sleep cycles shift through the year. Different seasons bring unique sunrise times, so future setups may use sensors that adjust exposure based on day length or weather changes.



“In the future, we hope to control natural light in the sleep environment as it changes with the seasons and time of day, and to clarify how to introduce natural light that is suitable for a more comfortable awakening,” stated Professor Matsushita.



Simple bedroom changes may help folks who dread mornings. Drawing curtains back at just the right time can reduce that initial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/happiness-influences-online-shopping-habits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fog</a>.



<a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6751071/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Studies</a> also show that early light can gently nudge the body’s internal rhythm. This could be especially useful for shift workers or anyone who wants to improve their morning energy and general mood.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-steps-to-fight-grogginess">Practical steps to fight grogginess</h2>



Experts recommend noticing how different wakeup styles affect your mental clarity. That could involve trying a short trial of partial morning light, then gauging whether you still feel drained.



People who share a bedroom might have different preferences. One person may like a quick burst of brightness, while another prefers a gradual approach. A little experimentation can help reach a middle ground.



One option is a slow-opening curtain system that begins letting light in about 20 minutes before your set alarm. That interval appeared beneficial for easing away from deep rest in this recent <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S036013232500215X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a>.



Some may prefer a slightly different schedule. If earlier rays interrupt you, setting the motorized curtains to remain shut for a bit longer could work better.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-the-morning-count">Making the morning count</h2>



Small changes can be surprisingly helpful. Opening a window shade or adjusting a timer requires little money or effort, but could pay off for less groggy mornings.



Those interested in testing more advanced solutions might look into combined light and temperature regulation systems. There’s always room to refine how we greet the day, but the principle stays the same: the right balance of natural light is key.



Shifting away from pitch-dark bedrooms at dawn can feel strange at first. But once you wake with a hint of sunrise in the background, that mental cloud often lifts more smoothly.



This approach does not replace consistent bedtime habits. Maintaining a steady schedule and avoiding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/caffeine-has-a-protective-effect-on-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">caffeine</a> or screens near bedtime can further support better sleep quality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sunlight-can-improve-mornings-naturally">Sunlight can improve mornings naturally</h2>



This study highlights the importance of placing sunlight front and center in the conversation about better rest and less daytime grogginess. Moderation turns out to be the sweet spot for a more peaceful start to the day.



Over time, such insights may prompt architects and homeowners to design spaces that let in just enough light in the early hours. The prospect of simple, natural solutions is a promising step toward feeling less groggy and more productive in the mornings.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S036013232500215X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Building and Environment</a>.



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Feeling groggy? A simple trick can transform your mornings

It can be hard to feel energized when alarm clocks...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



-----



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Fi2OeEwuzRM?si=vTyd2m9FMmtyWkex
</div></figure>







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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



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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

[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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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

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" 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> reveals the evolution of the Columbia Glacier in southeastern Alaska. Columbia is among the fastest shrinking glaciers in the world, and the video documents its rapid retreat over the years.&nbsp;



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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