Nicotine pouches - small, flavored packets placed between the gum and lip - have become a fast-growing trend among teenagers. A new study shows that the use of these pouches by high school students in the U.S. nearly doubled between 2023 and 2024.



The research was conducted by scientists at the <a href="https://keck.usc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California</a>. The team surveyed more than 10,000 high school students across the country to understand their use of nicotine pouches and other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tobacco-bans-could-help-prevent-1-2-million-lung-cancer-deaths/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tobacco</a> products.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-teen-nicotine-pouch-use-soars">Teen nicotine pouch use soars</h2>



The data highlights a worrying trend. In 2023, just 3% of 10th and 12th graders reported using nicotine pouches. By 2024, that number had jumped to 5.4 percent. More teens said they had used the pouches in the past month and past year, and the number who used both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-and-nicotine-use-during-pregnancy-linked-to-infant-mortality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nicotine</a> pouches and e-cigarettes also increased during that period.



Interestingly, while pouch use went up, the number of teens who reported vaping declined slightly - from 20% in 2023 to 17.6% in 2024. 



But dual use rose, with 3.6% of teens saying they had used both products in the past year, up from 2.1% the previous year.



“This growing public health issue needs more attention," said Dae-Hee Han, PhD, the study's lead author. "Like flavored <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/e-cigarettes-linked-to-increased-risk-of-heart-failure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">e-cigarettes</a> when they first emerged, use of this new oral nicotine product is becoming more widespread, particularly among adolescents.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-teens-most-at-risk">Teens most at risk</h2>



Some teens are more likely to use nicotine pouches than others. Boys, non-Hispanic white teens, and students in rural areas showed higher rates of use. These groups mirror the typical profile of smokeless tobacco users, like those who chew tobacco, according to the researchers.



“We’re finding that the risk profile differs quite a bit between nicotine pouches and e-cigarettes, which means we need prevention approaches that are targeted for each,” Han said.



The health risks of nicotine pouches are still unclear, but there are known concerns. Some users have reported mouth sores and gum irritation. And nicotine addiction itself is a real issue, especially for teens. 



Studies suggest that nicotine exposure during adolescence can hurt brain development and affect memory, attention, and learning.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-influencers-and-fda-approval">Influencers and FDA approval</h2>



Part of the pouch popularity seems to be driven by social media. A wave of “Zynfluencers” - influencers promoting the Zyn brand - has helped tie pouch use to ideas of confidence, masculinity, and mental focus.



In January, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave Zyn permission to market flavored pouches to adults aged 21 and older. The decision was based on the idea that these products might be less harmful than <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/does-vaping-help-people-quit-smoking-cigarettes-new-study-breaks-it-down/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cigarettes</a> for adults trying to quit. But unlike nicotine gum or patches, pouches are not approved as tools to stop <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/smoking-cigarettes-accelerates-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">smoking</a>.



The same university behind the teen survey also found in a separate study that fewer than 1% of adults were actually using nicotine pouches. That raises a big question: Who is really buying them? 



“Parents, teachers, and pediatricians should be aware that teen nicotine pouch use is increasing across the nation,” said senior author Adam Leventhal, PhD.



“To reverse this trend, we need to heighten public awareness about pouches and educate youth about them. Policymakers might also consider ramping up regulation of the booming pouch market - including cinnamon, fruit, and other attractive flavors - to protect youth.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monitoring-nicotine-pouch-use-among-teens">Monitoring nicotine pouch use among teens</h2>



The FDA’s decision relied partly on results from a different national survey, the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS). That survey did not find a statistically significant rise in monthly teen use of pouches. However, like the USC-led study, the NYTS did find a big increase in lifetime use among teens.



The FDA didn’t mention that rise in its decision, but researchers say it matters. Tracking lifetime and yearly use helps identify when teens are experimenting with substances, even if they aren’t using them often.



Monitoring pouch use again in 2025 will be key to understanding how the FDA’s authorization is affecting behavior. Future research should also track long-term use, when teens first start using pouches, how strong the nicotine is, and what health problems may follow.



Researchers say more attention is needed to see whether new policies and prevention programs are working - especially for groups at higher risk, like teens in rural areas or those using both pouches and e-cigarettes.



“Nicotine pouches are relatively new, so we need time to collect data on prevalence, policy, and prevention,” Han said.



The full study was published in the journal JAMA Network Open.



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Nicotine pouches are a dangerous new trend among teens

Nicotine pouches - small, flavored packets placed between the gum and lip - have become a fast-growing trend among teenagers. A new study shows that the use of these pouches by high school students in the U.S. nearly doubled between 2023 and 2024. The research was conducted by scientists at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. The team surveyed more than 10,000 high school students across the country to understand their use of nicotine pouches and other tobacco products. Teen nicotine pouch...

Farmers in North Dakota say the state’s drought is the worst they've seen in many years and mere survival has become their focus.

"We've never been in this sort of boat, honestly," Dawn Martin told the <a href="http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/APFN_US_NORTH_DAKOTA_DROUGHT_NDOL-?SITE=AP&amp;SECTION=HOME&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&amp;CTIME=2017-07-15-10-37-27">AP</a>. Martin raises beef cattle with her family in the southwestern part of the state, which is currently experiencing what the U.S. Drought Monitor calls “extreme drought.”

The Martins sold about one-third of their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cow-drama-herd-behavior/">cattle</a> because the grass in their pastures is brown and dying.

The impact will also affect consumers, state Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said.  Agriculture is a huge part of the North Dakota economy as the state leads the country in the production of many crops.

"Dry beans - navies, pintos - are going to be affected to a degree,” Goehring told the <a href="https://www.ap.org/en-us/">AP</a>. “Canola, that production is going to be cut, and that's going to have an effect on vegetable oil."

Most of North Dakota is now in severe or extreme drought, which has also affected northern South Dakota and northeastern Montana.

John Weinand’s farm northwest of Bismarck has gotten less than 2.5 inches of rain since the beginning of May.

Weinand expects his wheat crop will be half its normal yield. His field pea crop will be 100 pounds per acre instead of the typical 3,000 pounds.

"If we get some rain we'll have some corn and soybeans, but at this point it doesn't look very promising," he said.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, over one-third of North Dakota's spring wheat crop and almost three-fourths of the state's pasture and rangelands are in poor or very poor condition.

--

By: <a href="mailto:dbeasley@earth.com">David Beasley, </a><a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Source: <a href="http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/ stories/A/APFN_US_NORTH_ DAKOTA_DROUGHT_NDOL-?SITE=AP&amp; SECTION=HOME&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&amp; CTIME=2017-07-15-10-37-27">AP</a>

Severe drought plagues North Dakota farmers

Farmers in North Dakota say the state’s drought is the...

According to a study published by <a href="http://jamanetwork.com/">JAMA</a>, a high daily dose of vitamin D does not lower the risk of wintertime upper respiratory tract infections in young children. The research showed almost no difference in the amount of infections suffered by children who received a higher dose of vitamin D and those who received a standard dose.

Viral upper respiratory tract infections such as the common cold and flu are the most prevalent infectious illnesses of childhood. Previous research indicated a link between low levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and increased rates of respiratory tract infections. Dr. Jonathan L. Maguire of the University of Toronto led a team of colleagues in testing this theory.

Young children between the ages of 1 and 5 were randomly assigned to receive a high dose of 2,000 IU/d of vitamin D or a standard dose of 400 IU/d of vitamin D. The supplements were given for a minimum of four months between September and May. 

Nasal swabs of the children were tested for infection and revealed little difference in the outcomes of the two groups. For example, the average number of upper respiratory tract infections were 1.05 for the group that received high doses of vitamin D and 1.03 for the group that received standard doses of vitamin D. 

The results of the study also showed no significant difference in the average amount of time until the first lab-confirmed infection, with 3.95 months for the high-dose group and 3.29 months for the standard-dose group. The number of parent-reported infections for both groups was very similar as well.

The authors pointed out that one limitation of the study is that some of the children may have experienced upper respiratory infections that were not documented. Nonetheless, the authors wrote that the “findings do not support the routine use of high-dose vitamin D supplementation in children for the prevention of viral upper respiratory tract infections.”

--

By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Source: <a href="http://jamanetwork.com/">JAMA</a>

A higher dose of Vitamin D does not help prevent cold and flu

According to a study published by JAMA, a high daily...

Although we’re often told that getting up and getting moving is one of the keys to a healthy lifestyle, for some people it can be hard to simply do the “getting up” part. This is especially true for older adults, who are responsible for more sedentary time than any other age group – which can often result in a number of negative health problems.

A new study published by <a href="http://jamanetwork.com/">JAMA</a> finds that among older adults with mobility impairments, long-term, moderate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-physical-task-brain-structure/">physical activity</a> is associated with a slight reduction in total sedentary time.

Researchers Todd Manini and Amal Wanigatunga of the <a href="http://www.ufl.edu/">University of Florida</a> and their colleagues looked at data from the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) study. This study contained two groups of 70 to 89-year-olds with mobility impairments: the PA group (which was given a goal of 150 minutes per week of walking) and the health education program (HE) group.

Participants in the study wore an accelerometer on their hip during waking hours for one week at baseline and 6, 12, and 24 months after. Over those two years, almost 1,300 participants had at least one follow-up assessment and almost 1,200 participants had data collected at the 24-month visit.

At six months, the data showed that the PA group had slightly less sedentary time than the HE group for sedentary times of 10 minutes or more and 30 minutes or more. For sedentary periods of 60 minutes or more, there were no significant differences.

“Overall, traditional approaches to increasing moderate-intensity physical activity have little transfer to reductions in total sedentary time and no transfer to prolonged bouts lasting an hour or longer,” the authors write. “Additional behavioral approaches are needed to target and reduce sedentary behaviors.”

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Source: <a href="http://jamanetwork.com/">The Jama Network Journals</a>

Why older adults have to work extra hard to stay active

Although we’re often told that getting up and getting moving...

Which is better for the environment: sewers or septic systems?

The subject might not be eagerly embraced by many, but it’s a legit question to ask: which offers the greenest solution for disposing of human waste? Let’s take a step back.

Similar solutions

Septic systems and sewer systems both do the same thing, and in much the same way. Both act as wastewater treatment plants in collecting, processing and disposing of human waste. Sewer systems, however, are community-wide operations while septic systems are individually owned and maintained.

The centerpiece, so to speak, of a residential septic system is the too-yucky-to-think-about septic tank. That’s the big (typically 1,000- or 2,000-gallon) contained box buried as far underground as possible in the yard of the property. It’s usually constructed of steel or concrete, but could also be fiberglass, PVC or even plastic. 

Pipes in your home run your graywater (from showers, dishwasher, washing machines and sinks) and blackwater (the, um, other stuff) into the septic tank. From here, natural chemicals work on the waste to break it down in a process spurred by the lack of oxygen. Neither of the following terms sound pretty, but what you end up with is the heavier stuff at the bottom called sludge, and the more chemically digested layer rising to the top and known as the scum layer. In between these two layers is the relatively cleanest waster.

The organically cleaned-up scum is piped out of the septic tank and into what’s called the drainfield, far underground on the residential property. The idea is that the soil and gravel in the drainfield naturally filters this wastewater and purifies it. 

The heavier content, the sludge, stays in the tank. At some point, the septic tank fills and the homeowner hires a vacuum truck to drain the tank. 

A community’s sewer system does pretty much the same thing except that every home, business and other structure is connected by pipes to the community treatment plant. The plant sends the waste through miles of filters and treatment processes before it’s disinfected and eventually released. 

When things go wrong

So, the easy answer is that both systems are as hygienic and sanitary as we can expect when the subject is the constant release of countless tons of stuff you don’t even want to think about from billions of people. But in both systems, things can go wrong, and we all -- humans and planet alike -- can suffer.

First, neither system can flawlessly handle the things that go in that aren’t supposed to be processed with wastewater. That can include grease, hair, cigarette butts, condoms and female hygiene products, and even hazardous chemicals and pharmaceuticals. These items can clog both systems or damage water tables.

Also, storms and flooding can overrun both types of treatment systems. As for the commercial systems, the pumps which move waste when gravity can’t might break down. 

On the other hand, community sewer systems have the advantage of armies of technicians to swiftly unclog or replace pipes and otherwise professionally maintain the system as soon as -- or before -- problems occur. 

Not all homeowners, on the other hand, have the know-how, finances or sense of responsibility to properly maintain their septic systems. When they fail to do so, the foul odors overpowering the neighbors are only the tip of the smelly iceberg. The damage can also draw flies, poison wells and even lead to outbreaks of hepatitis, dysentery and other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-diets-heart-disease/">diseases</a>.

Bottom line

The bottom line is that both sanitation systems are configured to do the job and do it well -- as long as the systems are properly maintained. If you have a septic system on your property, don’t worry about it. Have the sludge removed every couple years or as recommended based on the size of your tank and number of users, and watch what you put down your drains. 

Do that and you, your family and your favorite planet should do just fine.

--

<a href="http://earth.com">Earth.com</a> Original Feature 

By <a href="mailto:dsearls@earth.com">David Searls</a>, Staff Writer

Sewer vs septic system: which is better for the environment?

Which is better for the environment: sewers or septic systems?...

A recent study investigated people’s ability to distinguish between real and reproduced images. The research revealed that people detect manipulated images only 60 percent of the time. Furthermore, less than half of those who identify an image as fake can accurately locate the alterations.

The study, published in the open access journal <a href="https://cognitiveresearchjournal.springeropen.com/">Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications</a>, was led by Sophie Nightingale of the <a href="http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/">University of Warwick</a>.

"Our study found that although people performed better than chance at detecting and locating image manipulations, they are far from perfect,” said Nightingale. “This has serious implications because of the high-level of images, and possibly fake images, that people are exposed to on a daily basis through social networking sites, the internet and the media."

The researchers set up a test with 10 original images and 30 images that had been exposed to five types of manipulation, including physically implausible and physically plausible manipulations. 707 participants were shown 10 random images, half of which were real and half of which were fake. After viewing each picture, the individuals were asked, “Do you think this photo has been digitally altered?” 

An average of 60 percent of the manipulated images were correctly identified. The people that detected the fake pictures were prompted to select the regions of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/images-aliens-look-like/">images</a> that had been altered, and only 45 percent of the alterations were properly located.

Dr. Derrick Watson is a co-author of the study from the University of Warwick. 

"We found that people were better at detecting physically implausible manipulations but not any better at locating these manipulations, compared to physically plausible manipulations, explained Dr. Watson. “So even though people are able to detect something is wrong they can't reliably identify what exactly is wrong with the image.”

Dr. Watson added that “images have a powerful influence on our memories so if people can't differentiate between real and fake details in photos, manipulations could frequently alter what we believe and remember."

Co-author Dr. Kimberley Wade said this research will continue in an effort to find better ways to detect fake images. She expressed an urgent need to protect people from the negative effects of photo manipulation.

"People's poor ability to identify manipulated photos raises problems in the context of legal proceedings where photos may be used as evidence,” said Dr. Wade. “Jurors and members of the court assume these images to be real, though a manipulated image could go undetected with devastating consequences.”

--

By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Source:<a href="http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/">University of Warwick</a>

People only catch fake image manipulation 60 percent of the time

A recent study investigated people’s ability to distinguish between real...

A new study has found a surprising link between brain development and psychological problems later in life. Underdevelopment of inhibition, the ability to concentrate on a particular stimulus and tune out other stimuli, after the age of 30 is related to psychological problems such as anxiety and depression.

Raluca Petrican and Cheryl Grady of the <a href="http://www.baycrest.org/research/rotman-research-institute/">The Rotman Research Institute</a> studied functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from 359 adults ages 22 to 36 participating in the Human Connectome Project. The team set out to discover if the patterns of connectivity associated with inhibition stay stable over time.

The resulted showed that inhibition differs between early and middle adulthood and found patterns between a working <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-slow-memory-loss/">memory</a> task and one that required participants to process social or financial rewards. The finding suggests that the neural basis of inhibition varies as a result of age and context.

The study also found that people over age 30 who did not show inhibition were more likely to report psychological problems, including depression, anxiety, and aggression.

Inhibition is a late-developing ability that is important for healthy psychological functioning in mid-adulthood, the study concludes.

The research was published in <a href="http://www.jneurosci.org/">The Journal of Neuroscience</a>.

--

By: <a href="mailto:dbeasley@earth.com">David Beasley, </a><a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Source: <a href="https://www.sfn.org/">Society for Neuroscience</a>

Inhibition found to be the key to good psychological health

A new study has found a surprising link between brain...

Plant-based diets that include lots of sweets and refined grains could increase the risk of heart disease, a new <a href="http://www.harvard.edu/">Harvard University</a> study found.

Previous research on the impact of plant-based diets treated plant foods equally, even though some such as refined grains and sugar-sweetened beverages are associated with a higher risk of heart disease.

In the new study, the researchers created three versions of a plant-based diet: an overall plant-based diet consisting of of all plant food and reduced animal food intake; a diet that consisted of healthy plant foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables; and a plant-based diet consisting of less healthy plant foods such as refined grains.

Researchers used a baseline sample of 73,710 women from the Nurses' Health Study, 92,320 women from the Nurses' Health Study 2, and 43,259 men from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. Participants with coronary heart disease at baseline were excluded along with those with cancer, stroke, and coronary artery surgery.

The research showed that 8,631 participants developed coronary heart disease. A higher intake of a more healthy plant-based diet rich in whole grains, fruits, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/labeling-make-vegetables-appealing/">vegetables</a>, was associated with a substantially lower risk of heart disease. But a plant-based diet that emphasized less healthy plant foods like sweetened beverages, refined grains, potatoes and sweets had the opposite effect, the study found.

"It's apparent that there is a wide variation in the nutritional quality of plant foods, making it crucial to take into consideration the quality of foods in a plant-based diet,"said Ambika Satija, a postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard University School of Public Health and the study's lead author.

The study was published in the <a href="http://www.onlinejacc.org/">Journal of the American College of Cardiology</a>.

--

By: <a href="mailto:dbeasley@earth.com">David Beasley, </a><a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Source: <a href="https://www.acc.org/">American College of Cardiology</a>

Some plant-based diets can increase risk of heart disease

Plant-based diets that include lots of sweets and refined grains...

Exposure to ozone can contribute to heart attacks, high blood pressure and stroke, according to a new study.

Ozone is formed when sunlight interacts with nitrogen oxides and other organic compounds generated by coal emissions, vehicle exhaust and some natural sources.

"We know that ozone can damage the respiratory system, reduce lung function and cause asthma attacks," said study author Junfeng Zhang of <a href="https://www.duke.edu/">Duke University</a> and <a href="https://dukekunshan.edu.cn/">Duke Kunshan University</a>. "Here, we wanted to learn whether ozone affects other aspects of human health, specifically the cardiovascular system."

The study monitored 89 healthy adults living in Changsha City, China for one year. Four times, researchers took blood and urine samples from participants and used a breathing test called spirometry to examine factors that could contribute to cardiovascular and respiratory disease.

The team examined inflammation and oxidative stress, arterial stiffness, blood pressure, clotting factors and lung function. Blood platelet activation (a risk factor for clotting) and an increase in blood pressure were noted, suggesting a possible ozone effect on cardiovascular health. The effects were found with ozone exposure lower than that which affects respiratory health, and lower than current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) air quality standards.

"This study shows that standards for safe ozone exposure should take into account its effect on cardiovascular disease risk,"  Zhang said.

In 2015, a third of the U.S. population lived in counties with ozone levels that exceeded EP standards, Zhang said. "In contrast, only 31 million Americans live in counties where other pollutants exceed EPA standards," he said.

A warming climate will increase production of ozone Zhang said. Ozone is a difficult pollutant to control because its creation in the atmosphere is complex, he added.

--

By: <a href="mailto:dbeasley@earth.com">David Beasley, </a><a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Source: <a href="https://www.duke.edu/">Duke University </a>

Study: Ozone pollution bad for cardiovascular health

Exposure to ozone can contribute to heart attacks, high blood...

An online study has revealed that people who consistently solve crossword puzzles have improved brain function later in life. People who regularly engage in crossword puzzles and other word challenges performed better on tasks that evaluated memory, attention, and reasoning.

Researchers at the <a href="http://medicine.exeter.ac.uk/">University of Exeter Medical School</a> and Kings College collected data from more than 17,000 healthy people aged 50 and over. The team asked participants how frequently they completed word puzzles such as crosswords. The individuals were given tests to assess their grammatical reasoning speed and the accuracy of their short term <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-slow-memory-loss/">memory</a>.

The results of the study indicate that people who frequently solve word puzzles have brain function equivalent to ten years younger than their age.

Keith Wesnes is a professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Exeter Medical School. 

"We found direct relationships between the frequency of word puzzle use and the speed and accuracy of performance on nine cognitive tasks assessing a range of aspects of function including attention, reasoning and memory,” explained Wesnes. “Performance was consistently better in those who reported engaging in puzzles, and generally improved incrementally with the frequency of puzzle use.” 

The researchers used the PROTECT online platform for the study. This platform makes it possible for researchers to conduct large-scale evaluations without the need for lab work. There are currently more than 22,000 healthy people aged between 50 and 96 registered as participants. PROTECT is a 10-year study that follows up with individuals annually in an effort to achieve a better understanding of cognitive function in this age range. 

The research was presented this year at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference. The study is one of the largest of its kind to examine core features of brain function. Clive Ballard is a professor of Age-Related Diseases at the University of Exeter Medical School. 

"We know that many of the factors involved in dementia are preventable,” said Ballard. “It is essential that we find out what lifestyle factors really make a difference to helping people maintain healthy brains to stop the soaring rise of the disease. We can't yet say that crosswords give you a sharper brain - the next step is to assess whether encouraging people to start playing word games regularly could actually improve their brain function."

--

By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Source: <a href="http://medicine.exeter.ac.uk/">University of Exeter Medical School</a>

Daily crossword puzzles improve brain function later in life

An online study has revealed that people who consistently solve...

Consuming artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose and stevia may be linked to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, according to a new study.

Researchers from the <a href="http://umanitoba.ca/">University of Manitoba</a> reviewed 37 studies that followed more than 400,000 people for an average of 10 years. Seven of the studies were randomized controlled trials, involving 1,003 people followed for an average of six months.

Artificial sweeteners had no consistent effect on weight loss, the trials showed. The longer observational studies did however show a link between artificial sweeteners and higher risks of weight gain, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/regeneration-human-heart/">heart disease</a> and an array of other health issues.

"Despite the fact that millions of individuals routinely consume artificial sweeteners, relatively few patients have been included in clinical trials of these products," said study author Dr. Ryan Zarychanski, assistant professor at the University of Manitoba. "We found that data from clinical trials do not clearly support the intended benefits of artificial sweeteners for weight management." 

Until the long-term effects of artificial sweeteners are documented, “caution is warranted,” said Dr. Meghan Azad, assistant professor at the University of Manitoba and lead author of the study.

Her team is now launching a new study focused on how artificial sweetener consumption by pregnant women may influence weight gain, metabolism, and gut bacteria in their infants.

The new study was published in the <a href="http://www.cmaj.ca/">Canadian Medical Association Journal</a>.

--

By: <a href="mailto:dbeasley@earth.com">David Beasley, </a><a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Source: <a href="http://www.cmaj.ca/">Canadian Medical Association Journal</a>

Artificial sweeteners linked to a variety of health issues

Consuming artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose and stevia may...

The United Kingdom’s looming Brexit will become official in less than two years. With it, a wide array of sweeping changes will need to be made for everything from immigration to healthcare. But one of the larger issues that has been less talked about so far is the Brexit’s impact on food.

British consumers spend over £200 billion on food per year, with roughly one-third of that food coming from the European Union. A new report led by three of the UK’s leading food and agriculture policy analysts shows how severely this impact may affect this industry.

The report – published by the Science Policy and Research Unit at the <a href="http://www.sussex.ac.uk/">University of Sussex</a> – finds that this Brexit will create serious risks to consumer interests, public health, businesses, and workers in the food sector. Furthermore, they report that this is no current government vision for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/diesel-fuel-pollution-heart-damage/">UK</a> food or agriculture.

“In the EU, UK consumers and public health have benefited from EU-wide safety standards, without which there will be a risk of the UK having less safe and nutritious products,” explains Erik Millstone, a professor at the <a href="http://www.sussex.ac.uk/">University of Sussex</a>.

The researchers looked at available industry and government data, as well as policies and literature on a number of issues including production, farming, employment, quality, safety standards, and the environment. 

“The UK’s food system already faces unprecedented challenges on environment and jobs - we see real dangers that these are already being dislocated by Brexit uncertainties,” says Terry Marsden of <a href="https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/">Cardiff University</a>.

With the government keeping quiet over these possible problems, the study found that the public has almost no idea that their next meal could be at risk. 

“At least the UK entered World War Two with emergency plans. No-one has warned the public that a Food Brexit carries real risks of disruption to sources, prices and quality,” says Tim Lang of the <a href="http://www.london.ac.uk/">University of London</a>. “There is solid evidence about vulnerabilities ranging from diet-related ill-health to ecosystems stress.”

Moving forward, it will take a massive effort by the government and industry in the UK to make sure that all of these issues are accounted for once the Brexit becomes official. If not, the entire country might find itself in a perilous position.

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Source: <a href="http://www.sussex.ac.uk/">University of Sussex</a>

Brexit could severely impact UK’s food and agriculture

The United Kingdom’s looming Brexit will become official in less...

For people with dementia living in care homes, life can deteriorate quickly. Caregivers often do everything they can to improve the lives and health of the people in their care, relying on current knowledge of how to best handle this destructive condition.

Recent findings from a large-scale trial led by the <a href="http://www.exeter.ac.uk/">University of Exeter</a>, <a href="https://www.kcl.ac.uk/index.aspx">King’s College London</a>, and <a href="http://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/">Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust</a>, now shows that providing person-centered activities and simply one hour a week of social interaction for dementia patients can improve their quality of life and reduce agitation.

The Improving Wellbeing and Health for People with Dementia (WHELD) trial was the largest ever non-pharmacological randomized control trial in people with dementia living in care homes. It assessed over 800 people with dementia in almost 70 care homes in the UK. At each home, two “care staff champions” were trained to take simple actions such as talking to residents about their interests and decisions involving their own care. When these measures were combined with one hour per week of social interaction, it significantly improved quality of life.

“Taking a person-centered approach is about really getting to know the resident as an individual – knowing their interests and talking with them while you provide all aspects of care. It can make a massive difference to the person themselves and their carers,” says Dr. Jane Fossey of the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Beyond the health improvements it provided, this approach also ended up decreasing costs compared to standard care. The next steps involve an effort to bring the program to 28,000 care homes in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/toxin-taxes-diesel-drivers/">UK</a> – which could benefit the lives of the 300,000 people living with dementia in these homes.

--

By <a href="mailto:certz@earth.com">Connor Ertz</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Source: <a href="http://www.exeter.ac.uk/">University of Exeter</a>

One hour of social activity drastically helps those with dementia

For people with dementia living in care homes, life can...

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...

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

[sendtonews key="qas3EhyI0Y-2220951-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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

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