A new investigation at a high‑Andean temple reveals that the distant ancestors of the Inca wielded psychoactive plants as a political tool. 



Archaeologists have uncovered bone tubes still coated with traces of mind‑altering snuff, showing that Chavín lords used controlled visions to cement their rule almost three millennia ago.



The discovery comes from a project led by researchers at the <a href="https://www.ufl.edu/">University of Florida</a>, <a href="https://www.stanford.edu/">Stanford University</a>, and partner institutions across South America. 



The experts analyzed artifacts from Chavín de Huántar, a vast ceremonial center that sits 10,000 feet above sea level in the Peruvian Andes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-use-of-psychoactive-plants">Ancient use of psychoactive plants</h2>



Inside narrow passageways and hidden rooms, the team found small hollow bones carved into elegant inhalation tubes. 



Chemical testing detected nicotine from wild tobacco relatives and residue from vilca beans, whose potent compounds are related to DMT.



Microscopic work confirmed plant particles embedded in the ancient surfaces. The date of the deposits makes this the oldest direct evidence for psychoactive plant use yet known in the high Andes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rituals-shaped-social-order">Rituals shaped social order</h2>



The placement of the tubes mattered. They were sealed within private chambers that could hold only a handful of people. That setting implies exclusive ceremonies, not widespread communal feasts.



The evidence matches a broader pattern of Chavín architecture, which funnels visitors through labyrinths toward dimly lit sanctuaries where sights, sounds, and fragrances overwhelm the senses.



“Taking psychoactives was not just about seeing visions. It was part of a tightly controlled ritual, likely reserved for a select few, reinforcing the social hierarchy,” said Daniel Contreras, an anthropological archaeologist at the University of Florida and a co‑author of the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chavin-rituals-meant-to-stun">Chavín rituals meant to stun</h2>



Stone corridors at Chavín already distort light and echo footsteps. Researchers have also recovered giant trumpets fashioned from imported conch shells. 



The deep blasts of those horns, amplified by the tunnels, would have rattled bone. Add intense <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/understanding-presence-hallucinations-impact-on-social-perception/">hallucinations</a>, and followers might have felt a raw presence of gods or spirits.



“The supernatural world isn’t necessarily friendly, but it’s powerful,” Contreras said. “These rituals, often enhanced by psychoactives, were compelling, transformative experiences that reinforced belief systems and social structures.”



By staging such events, leaders wrapped their authority in cosmic mystery. Participants emerged convinced that rank and building labor served a higher design. 



Craftspeople who carved the monumental granite slabs and farmers who fed the workforce likely saw themselves as part of a living myth, not as servants under duress.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-belief-used-for-power">Belief used for power</h2>



“One of the ways that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wealth-inequality-began-shaping-human-societies-10000-years-ago/">inequality</a> was justified or naturalized was through ideology - through the creation of impressive ceremonial experiences that made people believe this whole project was a good idea,” Contreras said.



The snuff tubes thus fit a larger strategy. Earlier Andean settlements show few signs of strict hierarchy. By Chavín times, around 800 BCE, society had acquired priests, skilled artisans, and regional trade routes. 



Control over sacred knowledge, including plant lore, helped elites turn soft power into hard architecture and coordinated labor.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychoactive-plant-mixture">Psychoactive plant mixture</h2>



Vilca beans grow in lowland forests far from Chavín’s icy heights. Their presence points to long‑distance exchange networks and to careful botanical skill.



When roasted, mixed with lime, and inhaled, the powder produces vivid visions, rapid heartbeat, and disorientation. 



Wild tobaccos add <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nicotine-pouches-are-a-new-dangerous-trend-among-teens/">nicotine</a>’s stimulant rush and sharp aroma. Combined, these plants could propel users into what seemed another realm.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bringing-invisible-details-to-light">Bringing invisible details to light</h2>



Contreras has worked at the site for nearly 30 years in a project directed by Stanford archaeologist John Rick.



Their excavations have mapped hidden galleries, sculpted stone icons, and water channels that once gurgled beneath temple floors. The new chemical analyses bring invisible details to light, showing not only what people did but also what they felt.



“It’s exciting that ongoing excavations can be combined with cutting‑edge archaeological science techniques to get us closer to understanding what it was like to live at this site,” Contreras said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-vision-to-empire">From vision to empire</h2>



The Chavín phenomenon spread a shared artistic style and worldview up and down the Peruvian coast and sierra. Later Andean states inherited its taste for grand plazas, stone imagery, and elite ritual.



By demonstrating the intentional use of psychoactive plants in tightly managed settings, the study bridges the gap between small egalitarian hamlets and the vast empires that eventually ruled the Cordillera.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-modern-glimpse-of-ancient-minds">A modern glimpse of ancient minds</h2>



Today, visitors to Chavín de Huántar walk through restored corridors where carved fangs and staring eyes still pierce the dim light. 



Knowing that select priests once knelt here, inhaled potent smoke, and proclaimed cosmic truths changes how we read those walls.



The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/archaeologists-find-hallucinogenic-seeds-in-ancient-bones-black-henbane/">bone</a> tubes, simple yet sophisticated, remind us that chemistry, belief, and social order have long been intertwined. In the high Andes, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meditation-reveals-common-altered-states-of-consciousness/">altered consciousness</a> was more than a personal journey - it was statecraft written in breath and stone.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2425125122">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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How psychoactive plants helped build an ancient empire

A new investigation at a high‑Andean temple reveals that the distant ancestors of the Inca wielded psychoactive plants as a political tool. Archaeologists have uncovered bone tubes still coated with traces of mind‑altering snuff, showing that Chavín lords used controlled visions to cement their rule almost three millennia ago. The discovery comes from a project led by researchers at the University of Florida, Stanford University, and partner institutions across South America. The experts analyzed artifacts from Chavín de Huántar, a vast ceremonial center that sits 10,000 feet above sea...

New research shows that the country of India has avoided roughly 1 million child deaths for children under the age of five since 2005. This is due to major reductions in mortality from diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhea, tetanus, and measles. In India, most deaths occur at home without medical attention.

However, Dr. Prabhat Jha, head of the Centre for Global Health Research of <a href="http://www.stmichaelshospital.com/">St. Michael’s Hospital</a> in Toronto, writes that almost three times that number could have been saved if national progress in child health matched that of some states. 

Jha is the lead investigator of the Million Death Study, which is one of the largest studies of premature deaths in the world. In this survey, hundreds of census staff knocked on doors at over one million homes in India in order to interview household members about deaths. Physicians independently examined these “verbal autopsies” in order to establish the most probable cause of death.

“You get the truth when you knock on doors and talk to parents,” says Dr. Jha. “We knocked on the doors of 100,000 homes where children died. If the health system failed these families, they will tell you all about it. These are far more reliable numbers than models or projections from small studies.”

Results of the study showed a 3.3 percent annual decline in mortality rates of neonates (infants less than one month old) and a 5.4 percent decline for children age on month to 59 months. Further analysis shows that the declines increased starting in 2005, and were fastest in urban areas and richer states. Mortality rates for tetanus, measles, infection, pneumonia, and diarrhea all decreased drastically.

<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-india-deadly-heat/">India</a> accounts for about a fifth of the child deaths that occur around the world, which number about 6 million in total each year. Between 2000 and 2015, roughly 29 million Indian children died. Although that is certainly terrible, if the mortality rates of 2000 had remained unchanged during that time period, about 10 million more children would have died. 

The authors of the study point towards increased government spending on public health in India and the launch of a program encouraging women to give birth in hospitals, as well as for children to have a second dose of measles vaccine, for the decrease in child deaths.

Scientists from Bangladesh and Tanzania write that the “Million Death Study can be a model for other countries where vital registration systems are still fragmented.”

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Public health strides helped India avoid 1 million child deaths

New research shows that the country of India has avoided...

Have you ever wondered how your hometown compares to the rest of the country when it comes to quality of life? As part of the Gallup Healthcare <a href="http://www.well-beingindex.com/">State of American Well-Being</a> series, experts ranked communities across the United States based on health and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/happy-music-stimulates-creativity/">happiness</a>. Gallup researchers conducted 354,473 telephone interviews with adults in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The interviews were analyzed by physical, emotional, financial, and social health.

“Where you live can impact your health and well-being. Innovative leaders are transforming their communities to create improvements in how people socialize, work, eat, play and move. These changes are empowering citizens to make healthier choices, be more productive and have better quality of life,” said project manager Michael Acker.

The following are the top ten communities ranked in the <a href="http://www.well-beingindex.com/2016-community-rankings">Community Well-Being Index</a>.

Naples, Florida

Known for its white sandy beaches, it is no big surprise that Naples tops this list for the second year in a row. The community has an abundance of outdoor activities and average temperatures of 77 degrees. With unobstructed views of the Gulf of Mexico, it is easy to imagine how residents here have the lowest stress levels in the country.

Barnstable Town, Massachusetts

The largest community on Cape Cod ranks number 2 on the list of the country's happiest and healthiest places to live. Featuring picture perfect oceanside villages, Barnstable Town is littered with breathtaking historical sites, charming cottages, and old taverns. Some of the most popular activities for tourists are sightseeing and whale-watching tours. 

Santa Cruz, California

The laid-back beach town of Santa Cruz ranks number 3 on the list. Santa Cruz is a popular family vacation destination with incredibly diverse attractions. From The Boardwalk amusement park to the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, there are seemingly unlimited things to do. Perhaps this is why residents here are happier and healthier than most of the country.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Known for Waikiki Beach and Mai Tais, this is undoubtedly one of the most unique areas in the country. Honolulu is the largest city in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. With breathtaking views of stunning landscapes, it is not hard to understand how close to a million Honolulu County residents are ranked high on the list for their general well-being.

North Port - Sarasota - Bradenton, Florida

This tri-city region is also one of the country's happiest communities, which may explain why it is the 10th fastest-growing metropolitan area in the United States. Located on the Gulf Coast of Southwest Florida, this region is known for its cultural attractions including museums, free outdoor concerts, and unique restaurants. The natural beauty of Manatee and Sarasota counties draws visitors in and they never want to leave.

Boulder, CO

Flagstaff Mountain, a foothill on the eastern flank of the Rocky Mountains in Boulder, is a major hiking destination. Eldorado Canyon State Park is lush with natural attractions and opportunities for outdoor activities. With an arboretum and plenty of museums, it’s no wonder Boulder boasts such a high quality of life.

San Luis Obispo, CA

Residents of this California coastal city enjoy wine tasting, surfing the Pacific Ocean, hiking a multitude of trails along the Coast Range, as well as zip lining and biking. Along with a fabulous night life, which includes fine dining and concerts in the plaza, the city also offers botanical gardens, farmers markets, and Hearst Castle to enjoy in the sunshine. 

Fort Collins, CO

Stand-up paddleboarding, river rafting, and tubing are popular activities in Fort Collins, but not for the faint at heart. The 126 mile long river Cache La Poudre is also frequented for fishing. Spring Canyon Community Park, Reservoir Ridge Natural Area, and City Park all offer tranquil and beautiful locales for walking and sightseeing.

Hilton Head Island, SC

Beaches, kayaking and fishing spots, tennis and golf courses, great schools, kid-friendly communities, and lots of bike paths and parks all make this city one of the highest ranked with regard to happy and healthy lifestyles.

Anchorage, AK

Beautiful lakes, hiking trails, and historical parks provide plenty of outdoor activities for folks in this city. Wildlife conservatories, bird sanctuaries, and sled dog races offer sightseeing opportunities for visitors and animal lovers. Anchorage may be too cold to be considered everybody’s cup of tea, but the residents certainly seem to enjoy healthy and happy lifestyles. 

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a> and <a href="rarnold@earth.com">Darryl Joseph,</a> <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writers

Top 10 U.S. cities with the highest quality of life

Have you ever wondered how your hometown compares to the...

New research shows that transgender youth face a significantly higher risk of developing suicidal thoughts and depression due to societal bias and school-based victimization.

The study was published by researchers from the <a href="https://www.utexas.edu/">University of Texas at Austin</a> in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Journal of Adolescent Health.

According to the report, transgender youths are more likely than other adolescents to have suicidal thoughts, face depression, and engage in substance abuse due to victimization in school.

Researchers used population-based data to examine these risks because this type of information can be translated to fit the general population as a whole, rather than just one group or community. 

Data was collected from the Biennial California Student Survey of middle and high school students from 2013 to 2015. Researchers used information on more than 25,000 students and included 335 students who identified as transgender. 

“Like all students, transgender youth deserve to be safe and supported at school. We have the first population-based, representative data to document the high risk for suicide and substance abuse among transgender youth,” said Stephen Russell, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin. 

Of the students surveyed, 34 percent of transgender adolescents reported having <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/suicide-attempts-young-adults/">suicidal thoughts</a> within a year, and this was nearly double the 19 percent reported by other students. 

The results also showed that transgender adolescents were four times as likely to try alcohol, cigarettes, or illegal drugs. 

Previous studies have shown that transgender youths are far more likely to experience victimization than other non-transgender students. To make matters worse, many policymakers diminish the validity of the transgender youth in schools by taking away safe spaces with bathroom rules.

These recent papers further emphasize the need for working on ways to reduce risks posed to transgender youths. 

"Many studies have shown that transgender youth are among the most vulnerable students in schools, If we can reduce depression and victimization among transgender youth, we could make a dent in suicide and other risks like high substance use among these children." said Russell. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette,</a> <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Transgender youth face significantly higher risk of suicide

New research shows that transgender youth face a significantly higher...

Sea lice have become a major problem for salmon farmers, as salmon all over the world have become overwrought with the parasite. Once sea lice attach themselves to the salmon, they can both kill the fish and also make them inedible.

You may have noticed a spike in salmon prices lately, and farmers have cited sea lice as the driving cause. In 2016, the global supply of salmon fell 10 percent, and if measures aren’t taken to hinder sea lice infestations, salmon farmers will continue to suffer major blows.

Sea lice are a kind of crustacean called copepods that have two long antennas that they use to hook into the salmon and feed. 

According to the <a href="http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wildlifenews.view_article&amp;articles_id=388">Alaska Department of Fish and Game,</a> salmon farms are a perfect breeding ground for sea lice, and it's the juvenile salmon that is most at risk of infection. 

Because of the high rate of infestation in salmon farms, there is a fear that some fish will escape into the wild and further spread the parasite to wild salmon populations. 

“Wild salmon close to fish farms are 73 times more likely to suffer lethal sea lice than juveniles not adjacent to fish farms. A fish farm can also elevate the rate of sea lice infestation in salmon up to 40 miles from their pens,” said Amy Carroll of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game website. 

There are several steps now being explored to control the growing sea lice issue. These management techniques range from using warm water to detach the lice from the fish to introducing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honeybee-hives-weakened-pesticides/">pesticides</a> that could kill the sea lice. Researchers are also working to find ways to make the salmon resistant to sea lice.

There are also risks involved, as these techniques, while effective in combating the sea lice, can also harm the fish. Sea lice can also become resistant to the pesticides over time.

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Salmon industry battling major sea lice problem

Sea lice have become a major problem for salmon farmers,...

A study by the <a href="https://www.bumc.bu.edu/busm/">Boston University School of Medicine</a> has revealed that children who play American football may suffer from negative health consequences later in life. The analysis of over 200 professional and amateur football players in America indicates that being exposed to the sport before age 12 can cause long-term mood and behavior issues.

The researchers discovered that football players who started playing before age 12 had more than double the risk of frontal lobe impairment compared to players who took up the sport at age 12 or later. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/decisions-two-regions-brain/">frontal lobe</a> plays a major role in executive function, which includes analyzing, organizing, regulating behavior, and apathy. The study also showed that players who had started the sport before age 12 developed more than three times the risk for depression. 


"Overall, our study provides further evidence that playing American football before age 12, and being hit in the head repeatedly through tackle football during a critical time of brain development, is associated with later-life problems with mood and behavior,” said co-author Dr. Robert Stern.

For their evaluation, the researchers accessed an online questionnaire from 214 former American football players who averaged 51 years of age at the time of the study. The individuals had reported information on executive function, behavioral regulation, apathy, and depression. Cognitive testing was performed through telephone interviews, and the players had also taken part in an investigation of the long-term and short-term consequences of exposure to repeated head impacts.

The current study, published in <a href="http://www.nature.com/tp/">Translational Psychiatry</a>, is unprecedented in evaluating relationship between the age of first exposure to football and clinical dysfunction in a sample that includes both professionals and amateurs who did not play past college.

"It is important to note that participation in youth sports can have many benefits, including the development of leadership skills, social skills, and work ethic, not to mention the tremendous health benefits,” said Dr. Stern. “The goal is to make sure that children can take advantage of all of the benefits of sports participation without the risk of long-term brain injury or disease. More research on this topic is needed before any recommendations on policy or rule changes can be made."

Dr. Stern added that repeated head impacts can undoubtedly lead to long-term consequences, “and we should be doing what we can at all levels in all sports to minimize these repeated hits."

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Playing football before age 12 linked to long term health risks

A study by the Boston University School of Medicine has...

The longstanding debate of whether kids are growing up faster or slower than they used to may be finally be put to rest. Researchers have found that teens today are less likely to engage in adult activities, and are growing up more slowly than teens of previous decades.

The research team investigated how often that teenagers of recent years participated in adult activities such as drinking alcohol, dating, working for pay, driving, and having sex. Jean M. Twenge is a professor of Psychology at <a href="https://www.sdsu.edu/">San Diego State University</a> and the lead author of the study.

"The developmental trajectory of adolescence has slowed, with teens growing up more slowly than they used to," explained Twenge. "In terms of adult activities, 18-year-olds now look like 15-year-olds once did."

The research team examined massive surveys that included 8.3 million <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/teenage-risk-taking-development/">teenagers</a> between 1976 and 2016. The teens reported how they used their time, including their engagement in one or more adult activities. This gave the researchers an opportunity to compare teens in the 2010s to teens in the previous four decades.

The study also analyzed how changes in family size, life expectancy, education, and the economy may have influenced adolescents to take on adult activities.

The study revealed that teenagers in the 2010s are less likely to work for pay, drive, date, drink alcohol, go out without their parents, and have sex than adolescents of years past. The authors pointed out that the decline may be linked to a drastic increase in the amount of time teens spend online. The trend appeared across all demographic groups, indicating a widespread cultural shift.

"Our study suggests that teens today are taking longer to embrace both adult responsibilities and adult pleasures," said co-author Heejung Park. "These trends are neither good nor bad, but reflect the current U.S. cultural climate."

The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/index.html">Child Development</a>.

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Study confirms that these days, teens take longer to grow up

The longstanding debate of whether kids are growing up faster...

Using genetic evidence as a defense in criminal testimony is becoming more common. However, new research shows that pleading on behalf of your genes doesn’t make you appear any less responsible to the judge and jury.

A defense strategy may employ behavioral genetic evidence that links gene variants or gene DNA to establish a root cause for a crime or any violent tendencies/behaviors that may have motivated a crime.

Research has found links to genetic makeup and criminal behavior, but these relationships are still largely unexplored. This is why the use of behavioral genetics in court in most cases doesn’t aid the defendant.

A new report by Dr. Paula Appelbaum from <a href="http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/">Columbia University Medical Center</a> and Nicholas Scurich from the <a href="https://uci.edu/">University of California, Irvine</a>, published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, discusses why juries are likely to be unsympathetic to arguments founded around genetics.

The authors noted that even if a jury is sympathetic to behavioral traits, there still won’t be a ruling in the defendant's favor because of the possibility of future offenses.

“A judge and jury may find defendants are less responsible because of a genetic factor, but also feel that they are more likely to re-offend because they can't control themselves due to the genetic effect,” said Appelbaum.

According to the law, inherited traits are not enough to deter blame for one's actions. In order to plead insanity, for example, or exhibit reduced behavioral control, there has to sufficient proof that the defendant was not in control of their actions.

In order for genetic data to continue to be used as a defense in the criminal courts, more studies will need to be conducted to show plausible links between criminal behavior and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/edit-genes-human-embryos/">genes</a>.

“Until that evidence is forthcoming, the use of behavioral genetic data in the criminal justice system is likely to diminish. For the time being, at least, not relying on genetic evidence in criminal courts may result in fairer outcomes at every level,” said Applebaum.

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandett@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Can genetics be used as a defense in criminal court?

Using genetic evidence as a defense in criminal testimony is...

Millions of tons of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-tap-water-contains-plastics/">plastic</a> particles are buried in the oceans every year as a result of human activities. Researchers have determined that the best strategy to eradicate some of this pollution may be to appeal to the public's love of the sea. 

Scientists are exploring ways to slow down the amount of plastic pollution that is accumulating in the ocean. They are searching for strategies to recover the health of our seas, and striving to protect all of the human benefits associated with healthy oceans.

Researchers from the <a href="https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/">University of Plymouth</a> and the <a href="https://www.surrey.ac.uk/">University of Surrey</a> looked at the history of how public pressure can lead to policy change. For example, public opposition led to bans on the use of microbeads in cosmetics and helped place restrictions on single-use plastic bags.

The researchers say that these types of public efforts are steps in the right direction, but they are not addressing the underlying issues. Their report, published in the journal <a href="http://www.nature.com/nathumbehav/">Nature Human Behaviour</a>, explains that there needs to be a more unified and interdisciplinary approach.

Dr. Sabine Pahl is an associate professor of Psychology and lead author of the report.

"The public's love of the coast is obvious, so it stands to reason that they would play a role in preserving its future,” said Dr. Pahl. “Plastic pollution is a problem for all in society and while there are solutions out there, they must be socially acceptable as well as economically and technically viable. We need to work together across disciplines and sectors to build on the strength of humans to facilitate change."

The authors of the report conducted previous studies which revealed the negative impact of marine litter on coastal environments. As a result of the current study, they compare ocean plastic pollution to other environmental threats like marine litter, where the symptoms occur some distance away from land-based causes.

"From previous research we know that people appreciate and value the importance of the ocean and see marine litter as a global problem,” said co-author Dr. Kayleigh Wyles. “Yet, the challenge is connecting the dots. So many of our behaviors and decisions contribute to this problem, but at those particular points of time, we often don't think of how they can impact the environment.” 

Dr. Wyles added, “Using behavioral sciences to understand drivers of human behavior will therefore help support ongoing initiatives that can look to clean up our environments."

--

By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

People’s love for the ocean could help reduce plastic pollution

Millions of tons of plastic particles are buried in the...

Do you trust your school to protect children with chronic health issues? More parents of children with physical or mental health conditions are answering “no,” according to a new report.

Only 38 percent of parents are “very confident” that schools can help a child with a mental disorder or illness, according to the new poll conducted by the <a href="https://umich.edu/">University of Michigan</a>. Parents also worry about schools’ ability to respond to chronic health issues like asthma attacks, the poll found.

"Parents feel schools can handle basic first aid, but are less sure about urgent health situations such as an asthma attack, epileptic seizure, or serious allergic reaction," Sarah Clark, co-director of the poll, said.

The university’s <a href="http://mottnpch.org/">C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health</a> conducts several surveys each year and collects the results in an annual report to measure public opinion on children’s health. 

Parents have the least amount of confidence in schools’ ability to identify and help students with mental health issues like depression, anxiety or learning disorders, the poll found. 

"One of the challenges of addressing mental health is that there are so many facets," Clark said. "At the elementary level, this might include prolonged sadness, anger management problems, or undiagnosed ADHD. For older students, it may be anxiety about college entrance tests, a problem with drug use, or suicidal thoughts."

In higher grades, school counselors are often seen as the best line of defense for students dealing with learning disorders or mental illness, Clark said. However, at many schools, counselors have varying degrees of training and overwhelming workloads, making it less likely they’ll spot problems.

More than 75 percent of respondents were confident in school nurses’ ability to deal with minor first aid issues like cuts and bruises – but even then, their confidence may be misplaced, the poll found.

Most parents who said schools could handle first aid crises believe school nurses are on-site five days a week. However, less than half of schools in the United States have a full-time, on-site nurse.

Parents who have children with chronic health issues – whether mental or physical – should work with their child’s teachers and school administration to make sure their child is being cared for while at school, the researchers said.

—

By <a href="mailto:kcathey@earth.com">Kyla Cathey</a>, <a href="http://www.earth.com">Earth.com</a> staff writer

Parents worry schools can't cope with chronic health issues

Do you trust your school to protect children with chronic...

Europe has twice as many diesel vehicles as the rest of the world combined, and it could be taking a bigger toll on public health than previously believed.

A team of researchers from the <a href="http://www.iiasa.ac.at/">International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis</a> in Austria, <a href="http://www.chalmers.se/en">Chalmers University of Technology</a> in Sweden and the <a href="https://www.met.no/en">Norwegian Meteorological Institute</a> have conducted a new study to find out how the air pollution produced by diesel vehicles in Europe may contribute to the annual pollution-related deaths on the continent. 

They found that emissions from diesel cars, trucks, buses and other vehicles may be linked to as many as 10,000 premature deaths per year. Half of those deaths may have been prevented if laboratory testing of diesel vehicle emissions had been accurate, the scientists said.

“Modern engine controls have been optimized by manufacturers for the specific laboratory testing but underperform in real-driving,” the scientists said, referring to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vehicle-emissions-worse-testing/">earlier research on diesel emissions</a>.

About 425,000 deaths in Europe are linked to air pollution each year, the researchers said in a press release. The vast majority of those deaths – about 90 percent – stem from cardiovascular or respiratory diseases linked to nitrogen dioxide and nitric oxide, abbreviated NOx, the scientists said.

The problem is exacerbated by Europe’s large number of diesel cars, trucks and other automobiles. Diesel vehicles have been found to produce up to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nitrogen-oxide-diesel-car/">10 times more NOx than buses</a> despite being substantially smaller.

"If diesel car emissions were as low as petrol car emissions, three quarters or about 7,500 premature deaths could have been avoided," said Dr. Jens Borken-Kleefeld, a transportation expert for the IIASA.

The vast majority of the premature deaths are in France, Germany and Italy, the researchers said. However, due to other types of air pollution and other environmental factors, the risk per capita is much higher in northern Italy, they said.

The study will be published in the journal <a href="http://iopscience.iop.org/erl">Environmental Research Letters</a>.

—

By <a href="mailto:kcathey@earth.com">Kyla Cathey</a>, <a href="http://www.earth.com">Earth.com</a> staff writer

Are diesel vehicles causing thousands of deaths in Europe?

Europe has twice as many diesel vehicles as the rest...

A new study has found that Islamophobia is about more than just the religion, and is rooted in racism and cultural intolerance.

According to the research, even though Muslims are not a race, American Muslims and non-Muslims in the United States face the same sorts of profiling and bias associated with racism. 

Authored by Craig Considine from <a href="http://www.rice.edu/">Rice University</a>, the paper cited examples of academic studies and more than 40 news articles that discussed the experiences of American Muslims and depictions of Muslims in the media. 

Considine’s paper concludes that Islamophobia is not just a form of religious bias, but in fact,  “race is endemic to Islamophobic incidents.”

The media and pop culture have been particularly apt at portraying Muslims in a negative light, thereby grouping all Muslims into one harmful racial stereotype that usually portrays Arab/Muslims as nefarious, bearded, dark-skinned and usually wearing a turban. 

U.S. President <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/donald-trump-vs-environment/">Donald Trump</a> has exacerbated this effect in his comments on the religion, telling <a href="http://www.cnn.com/">CNN</a>, “I think Islam hates us.”

Crimes by Muslims are given 449 percent more news coverage than crimes carried out by non-Muslims. 

Of more than 1,000 Hollywood films depicting Arabs, only twelve of the films had positive portrayals of Arabs/Muslims. 

“Despite the racial, ethnic and cultural diversity of the U.S. Muslim population, they continue to be cast as potentially threatening persons based on perceived racial and cultural characteristics,” said Considine. 

The racialization of Islam has created a rash of hate crimes against Muslims. For example, one of the hate crimes Considine cites in his paper is the shooting of a Sikh in Mesa, Arizona after September 11th. 

The man who shot him wanted to just “kill a Muslim” in retaliation for terrorist attacks. Even though Sikhism is not connected to Islam, the Sikh was targeted and profiled because of his appearance and turban. The man who shot him identified the Sikh by the media’s racial stereotypes. 

“This incident and other incidents referenced in the paper are examples of how Muslims have been racialized and thus subjected to a kind of racism,” Considine said. 

Between 2010 and 2014, more than fifty percent of Muslims reported experiencing some form of hostility, bias, or felt targeted because they were identified as Muslim. 

Simply classing Islamophobia as not a type of racism does a great disservice, and as Considine proves, is detrimental to the well-being and safety of Muslim Americans and Muslims in the United States. 

“We would be misguided to dismiss the role that race plays in incidents where Muslims and non-Muslims are targeted due to stereotypes of 'Muslim identity, this identity, insofar as the American context goes, appears to be weighted with racial meanings,” said Considine. 

The study was published in the journal Religions.

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Study: Islamophobia a dangerous blend of racism and intolerance

A new study has found that Islamophobia is about more...

A new study found that failure can help motivate you to do better in the future, but the key is how you process your missteps. 

Inherently, humans distance themselves from the uncomfortable feelings associated with failure. Growing up, we are told that dwelling on failure isn’t productive or healthy. But new research finds that allowing yourself to experience the full brunt of feelings after a failure can be a great source of encouragement to improve.

The research was conducted by Selin Malkoc from <a href="https://fisher.osu.edu/">Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business</a>, Noelle Nelson of the <a href="https://www.ku.edu/">University of Kansas</a> and Baba Shiv of <a href="https://www.stanford.edu/">Stanford University</a>. 

The authors found that emotion was the important determining factor in the learning process.

“When faced with a failure, it is better to focus on one's emotions—when people concentrate on how bad they feel and how they don't want to experience these feelings again, they are more likely to try harder the next time,” said Malkoc.

The researchers asked <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/college-binge-drinking-brain-activity/">college students</a> to participate in several studies that would weigh emotions and cognitive thinking in the face of failure. 

In one experiment, the students were asked to search online for the lowest prices blender, if they found the lowest price they could win a prize. But the experiment guaranteed all participants would fail. 

Before finding out if they won or not, the researchers asked half of the students to focus on their emotional response to losing, and the other half were instructed to think about how they thought they did. In other words, one group was asked to look at the emotional ramifications of losing, and the other had a more cognitive response to an unknown outcome. 

After several similar experiments, the researchers found that emotions were a better motivator than cognitive responses. 

“When the participants focused on how bad they felt about failing the first time, they tried harder than others when they had another similar opportunity,” said Malkoc. 

The study shows that dwelling on failure can have a positive effect, even though focusing on painful and embarrassing emotions correlated with failure can be difficult. 

--

By <a href="mailto:kayvandette@gmail.com">Kay Vandette</a>,<a href="https://www.earth.com/"> Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Processing your own failure can motivate you to improve

A new study found that failure can help motivate you...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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