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



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



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



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



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



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



That shift in strategy seems to make a difference.



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

The world of wearable technology continues to evolve, bringing new possibilities for health monitoring. What started with step counting and heart rate tracking has now expanded to life-saving features. One of the most significant advancements is the ability of smartwatches to detect cardiac arrest. 



A recent study led by Google Research has demonstrated that a machine learning algorithm can identify sudden pulse loss with remarkable accuracy.



The system, designed to recognize cardiac arrest events, can automatically call emergency services when it detects pulselessness. This feature could be life-changing, especially for individuals who experience cardiac arrest without anyone around to help. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-can-detect-if-your-brain-is-aging-too-quickly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Early detection</a> and quick medical intervention are key to survival, making this innovation a potential game-changer in emergency response.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenge-of-unwitnessed-cardiac-arrest">Challenge of unwitnessed cardiac arrest</h2>



"Wearable technology has the potential to revolutionize emergency response," noted <a href="https://www.google.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Google</a> Research Team.



Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major cause of sudden death worldwide. In many cases, survival depends on immediate recognition and rapid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-system-spots-dangerous-disease-variants-before-they-spread/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">medical response</a>. 



Unfortunately, a significant number of these incidents occur without witnesses, making timely intervention nearly impossible. Studies show that 50–75% of OHCA cases happen with no one around to call for help.



This delay in emergency response greatly reduces the chances of survival. Without CPR or defibrillation within minutes, brain damage can occur, and the likelihood of recovery diminishes rapidly. 



Researchers aimed to solve this problem by creating a system that allows smartwatches to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-future-of-ai-enhancing-patient-safety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">detect</a> pulselessness automatically. By doing so, they hope to improve survival rates for those who suffer cardiac arrest when no one is there to assist.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smartwatches-detect-cardiac-arrest">Smartwatches detect cardiac arrest</h2>



To develop a reliable system, researchers trained an algorithm using photoplethysmography (PPG) and motion data. The study involved extensive testing across six distinct groups, ensuring the algorithm worked in both controlled and real-world environments.



The first phase of testing took place in a clinical setting. In an electrophysiology lab, 100 patients undergoing defibrillator testing experienced induced ventricular fibrillation. 



This allowed researchers to gather data on pulseless states. Another 99 participants experienced pulselessness through a tourniquet-induced arterial occlusion model, further refining the algorithm’s ability to detect a loss of pulse.



In addition to clinical trials, the researchers needed to evaluate how the system would perform in everyday life. 



To accomplish this, they collected data from 948 users who wore the smartwatch under normal conditions without experiencing cardiac arrest. This helped the team measure false alarms and refine the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-reveals-the-secret-to-keeping-your-brain-young/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">algorithm’s accuracy</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-in-real-world-conditions">Testing in real-world conditions</h2>



Once the initial data was collected, further testing was needed to assess the system’s reliability in different scenarios. To determine how often false positives occurred, 220 participants wore the smartwatch in their daily routines. 



This group helped establish how frequently the algorithm might mistakenly detect a loss of pulse when no real emergency was happening.



To further validate the system, 135 participants underwent testing in both free-living conditions and controlled settings. These individuals experienced real-world activity while also being exposed to controlled pulseless events through the tourniquet-induced arterial occlusion method. This allowed researchers to compare results across different environments.



A unique part of the study involved professional stunt performers. Twenty-one trained stunt persons simulated out-of-hospital cardiac arrest collapses, helping researchers understand how well the algorithm could detect pulse loss during sudden, high-motion events. 



Since real-world collapses involve unpredictable movements, this test was essential to ensuring the smartwatch could still detect cardiac arrest in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-ai-artificial-intelligence-changing-health-diet-fitness-exercise-approach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dynamic situations</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detecting-cardiac-arrest-with-99-99-accuracy">Detecting cardiac arrest with 99.99% accuracy</h2>



The study produced promising results, showing that the smartwatch algorithm could accurately detect pulselessness while keeping false alarms to a minimum. 



The researchers found no significant differences between PPG signals from ventricular fibrillation and those from arterial occlusion-induced pulselessness.



The system achieved a 72% sensitivity rate for motionless pulseless events, meaning it correctly identified cardiac arrest in nearly three out of four cases. Sensitivity for simulated collapses was slightly lower at 53%, reflecting the challenge of detecting pulselessness during high-motion scenarios. 



However, the algorithm’s specificity reached an impressive 99.99%, meaning it generated very few false alarms. The study estimated one false emergency call per 21.67 user-years, a promising figure for real-world application.



When detecting a loss of pulse, the system identified pulselessness within 57 seconds. It then waited an additional 20 seconds to check for user response before initiating an emergency call. 



This short response time could make a critical difference in survival rates, ensuring help arrives as quickly as possible.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-wearable-emergency-detection">Future of wearable emergency detection</h2>



Smartwatches equipped with cardiac arrest detection have the potential to save countless lives. 



For individuals who suffer cardiac arrest alone, this technology could be the difference between life and death. By ensuring immediate medical response, smartwatches may soon become essential tools in emergency healthcare.



Despite its high specificity, reducing false positive rates remains a crucial next step. While the algorithm performed well in controlled settings, real-world scenarios can be unpredictable. The researchers acknowledge that more refinements are necessary to enhance accuracy in everyday conditions.



One challenge lies in distinguishing between true pulseless events and temporary pulse irregularities caused by movement, stress, or sensor issues. Continuous data collection from smartwatch users may help improve the algorithm, allowing it to adapt to different conditions more effectively.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smartwatch-based-health-monitoring">Smartwatch-based health monitoring</h2>



As wearable technology advances, the line between fitness tracking and life-saving medical devices continues to blur. Smartwatches are no longer just tools for step counting and heart rate monitoring - they are evolving into critical health companions.



The ability to detect cardiac arrest autonomously represents a major leap forward in healthcare innovation.



By combining machine learning with real-time health data, researchers are pushing the boundaries of what wearable devices can achieve. The goal is not just to monitor health but to actively respond to life-threatening emergencies. 



With further refinements and broader adoption, smartwatch-based emergency detection could become a standard feature, offering peace of mind to millions.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08810-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Smartwatches can now detect cardiac arrest

The world of wearable technology continues to evolve, bringing new...

Alzheimer’s disease is among the many health threats linked to air pollution - an ever-present and often invisible killer that claims up to seven million lives prematurely each year.



These lethal particles don’t just harm the lungs and heart; their effects extend far beyond, infiltrating the brain and contributing to neurological disorders.



A new study from <a href="https://www.scripps.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scripps Research</a> has confirmed a strong correlation between air pollution and various brain diseases, including Alzheimer’s and autism.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unmasking-the-effects-of-air-pollution">Unmasking the effects of air pollution</h2>



The researchers unraveled the intricate link between brain cell activity and a chemical modification that might be triggered by a range of factors.



These factors include inflammation, aging, and environmental pollutants linked to air pollution, pesticides, processed food, and smoke from wildfires.



The experts found that this chemical modification, S-nitrosylation, interferes with normal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-cell-origins-traced-to-creatures-that-lived-800-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain cell</a> function. In particular, it prevents brain cells from forming new connections, eventually causing cell death.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-hope-for-alzheimer-s-treatment">New hope for Alzheimer's treatment</h2>



The research, published in February 2025, presents a breakthrough revelation.



Interfering with S-nitrosylation in a pivotal brain protein showed visible signs of reversing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flavanols-a-key-to-slowing-age-related-memory-loss-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memory loss</a> symptoms in Alzheimer's mouse models and human-derived nerve cells.



“We’ve revealed the molecular details of how pollutants can contribute to memory loss and neurodegenerative disease. This could ultimately lead to new drugs that block these effects to better treat <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/traffic-related-air-pollution-might-increase-alzheimers-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alzheimer's disease</a>,” noted Stuart Lipton, the senior author of the study.



Lipton, who serves as a clinical neurologist and holds the Step Family Foundation Endowed Chair at Scripps Research, first discovered S-nitrosylation more than two decades ago. 



He explained that this chemical process happens when a molecule bound to nitric oxide (NO) combines with sulfur atoms within proteins to create "SNO," changing their functionality. This leads to what Lipton described as a "SNO-STORM" in the brain. 



The buildup of NO occurs naturally in the body and is produced in response to inflammation or electrical stimulation. 



However, NO can also be formed excessively due to small particulate materials and nitrate-related compounds that are found in or triggered by air pollution, wildfire smoke, pesticides, or processed meats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-proteins-in-the-brain">The role of proteins in the brain</h2>



In their latest study, the researchers probed deeper into the impact of S-nitrosylation on a protein known as CRTC1.



This protein plays a significant role in controlling genes responsible for establishing and sustaining connections between brain cells - crucial for the learning process and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-our-brain-form-long-term-memories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">long-term memory</a> retention.



The research confirmed that excess NO leads to S-nitrosylation of CRTC1, which then prevents the protein from binding with another vital brain protein, CREB. 



This disruption hinders the stimulation of other necessary genes for forming neuronal connections.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-target-to-prevent-alzheimer-s">A new target to prevent Alzheimer’s </h2>



Following these discoveries, the team went a step further and genetically engineered a version of CRTC1 that was resistant to S-nitrosylation. 



When introduced into human nerve cells derived from Alzheimer’s patient stem cells, this modified version demonstrated promising potential.



Signs of Alzheimer's disease, including nerve cell connection deterioration and reduced nerve cell survival, were prevented. 



In Alzheimer’s mouse models, this re-engineered version of CRTC1 revived the activation of genes vital for memory formation and synaptic plasticity - enhancing the brain's ability to reinforce neuronal connections.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reversing-the-impacts-of-air-pollution">Reversing the impacts of air pollution</h2>



These findings offer crucial insights into how the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/indoor-plants-can-quickly-remove-dangerous-toxins-from-air/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">toxins</a> we breathe in from our environment, particularly vehicular pollution and wildfire smoke, accelerate brain aging and Alzheimer's through S-nitrosylation.



“We could nearly completely rescue molecular pathways involved in making new memories. It suggests that this is a druggable target that could make a real difference in treating Alzheimer’s and potentially other neurological diseases,” said Lipton.



The study further highlights why Alzheimer's risk heightens with age. As age progresses, the body's antioxidant defenses weaken, leading to increased inflammation and higher NO levels; this makes proteins more susceptible to harmful S-nitrosylation reactions.



The research has unmasked the silent havoc that S-nitrosylation inflicts on countless proteins throughout our bodies.



“We’re learning that S-nitrosylation affects numerous proteins throughout the body, but reversing just some of these changes - like those on CRTC1 - could have a significant impact on memory function,” concluded Lipton.



The full study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.



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How air pollution fuels Alzheimer’s and brain disease

Alzheimer’s disease is among the many health threats linked to...

Many people strive to maintain smooth, youthful-looking skin and vibrant, naturally colored hair as they age. Scientists have long explored the biological mechanisms behind aging, and new research now highlights the role of specific hormones that may help preserve a youthful appearance.



A study led by Dr. Markus Böhm from the University of Münster suggests that certain hormonal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-discover-a-protein-that-reverses-cellular-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">therapies</a> could provide promising new solutions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intrinsic-and-extrinsic-shifts">Intrinsic and extrinsic shifts</h2>



"Skin is the largest organ of the human body and undergoes both intrinsic (chronological) and extrinsic aging," wrote the researchers.



"While intrinsic skin aging is driven by genetic and epigenetic factors, extrinsic aging is mediated by external threats such as UV irradiation or fine particular matters, the sum of which is referred to as exposome."



The experts noted that intrinsic and extrinsic aging can overlap, leading to the breakdown of connective tissues, reduced stem cell function, and pigment loss.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hormones-that-may-slow-skin-aging">Hormones that may slow skin aging</h2>



<a href="https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/retinoid-retinol" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Retinoids</a> are a group of vitamin A derivatives that can help reduce wrinkles. Dermatologists have long prescribed them for skin <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-aging-have-been-found-in-the-skin-microbiome/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rejuvenation</a>.



Some <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3772914/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">researchers</a> are also exploring estrogen and its ability to maintain skin elasticity. They believe that this type of hormone therapy may influence collagen levels.



Dr. Böhm explained that some of the hormones examined in the study show potential for slowing signs of aging. For example, the initial findings suggest that certain hormones could be used to slow hair graying and the development of wrinkles.



“Our paper highlights key hormone players that orchestrate pathways of skin aging such as degradation of connective tissue (leading to wrinkling), stem cell survival and loss of pigment (leading to hair graying),” said Dr. Böhm. 



According to the researchers, hormones such as insulin-like growth factor 1 and growth hormone play important roles in how skin cells function.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anti-aging-effects-of-hormones">Anti-aging effects of hormones </h2>



<a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/melatonin-what-you-need-to-know" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Melatonin</a> is sometimes called the sleep hormone. Experts note that it has antioxidant qualities, which could shield skin cells from harm.



Melatonin also helps regulate mitochondria, the tiny powerhouses in cells. This might lower stress from environmental factors like UV rays.



Scientists are looking at α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone to see if it influences skin pigmentation. They are also investigating the <a href="https://sc.edu/uofsc/posts/2023/02/conversation_marijuana.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">endocannabinoids</a> found in CBD-based products for their effect on skin stress responses.



In certain studies, these molecules appeared to provide protection against UV-induced changes. They may also be linked to how hair loses its natural pigment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-a-path-forward">Finding a path forward</h2>



Research teams are now piecing together how different hormonal systems affect wrinkles and color changes. They hope that future treatments might combine topical and internal methods to keep <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/beyond-genetics-the-biggest-factors-that-influence-health-and-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">skin</a> more resilient.



For example, experts see the opportunity for using hormones to address issues like collagen breakdown and pigment loss more precisely.



Some hormones are easy to produce and come with few side effects, making them good candidates for new approaches. Long-term studies are still needed to clarify safe dosage and best application methods.



"Until now, only a limited number of these hormones, mainly topical retinoids and estrogens, have found their way into clinical practice as anti-skin aging compounds," noted the study authors. 



"Further research into the biological properties of endocrine players or its derivatives may offer the development of novel senotherapeutics for the treatment and prevention of skin aging."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-hormone-based-skin-treatments-safe">Are hormone-based skin treatments safe?</h2>



Hormone therapies have been used for years in various medical fields, including endocrinology, reproductive health, and oncology. Physicians carefully evaluate the risks and benefits before prescribing them, as these treatments can influence a wide range of physiological processes. 



Potential side effects may include changes in mood, metabolic function, cardiovascular health, and even skin physiology.



Clinical trials are currently underway to assess the safety and efficacy of hormone-based treatments for skincare. The goal is to investigate factors like hormone absorption through the skin, systemic effects, and potential long-term risks.



Experts emphasize the importance of medical supervision when using hormone-based therapies, warning that self-prescribing or using unregulated products could lead to unintended consequences. 



Misuse may disrupt the body’s natural hormonal balance, potentially causing adverse effects that outweigh any perceived benefits for the skin.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://academic.oup.com/edrv/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1210/endrev/bnae034/8029650?redirectedFrom=fulltext&amp;login=false" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Endocrine Reviews</a>.



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Hormones may slow skin aging and reduce wrinkles

Many people strive to maintain smooth, youthful-looking skin and vibrant,...

Studies have explored the paradox of chasing happiness for more than a decade, showing that focusing too hard on being happy can leave people feeling deflated.



Researchers are now offering an explanation that is rooted in mental fatigue. A study led by Professor Sam Maglio from the <a href="https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Toronto Scarborough</a> sheds new light on why our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overall-people-feel-better-about-life-in-the-morning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">attempts at happiness</a> can zap our willpower.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forcing-happiness-drains-your-energy">Forcing happiness drains your energy</h2>



The paradox highlights how actively striving for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/who-is-happier-being-single-men-or-women/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">joy</a> can bring about the opposite result. People imagine that more happiness means fewer problems, yet forcing a cheerful outlook can become mentally draining.



This mental drain saps the self-control needed to stick with good habits. It also increases the chances of giving in to temptations that chip away at well-being.



Constantly watching emotional ups and downs puts the spotlight on every dip in mood. This extra attention can turn small challenges into major concerns.



The additional layer of willpower required for staying upbeat can feel like juggling too many tasks at once. When these resources run low, it’s easy to slip into choices that feel good in the moment but hurt overall happiness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chasing-happiness-weakens-self-control">Chasing happiness weakens self-control</h2>



<a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39887923/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Evidence</a> from hundreds of participants suggests that trying to boost happiness demands serious mental energy. One test used a subtle “happiness” prompt and then measured how often people indulged in a tasty treat.



The group exposed to that cue ate more of the snack than those who weren’t prompted. This pattern suggested their self-regulation took a hit when happiness became the priority.



Chasing a pleasant emotional state can mean ignoring other tasks that require discipline. Instead of focusing on daily responsibilities, some individuals get stuck in a cycle of searching for a constant high.



This tug-of-war of chasing happiness drains mental resources needed for balanced decisions. Over time, it leads to more frustration when things don’t go as expected.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-happiness-as-a-resource-hog">Happiness as a resource hog</h2>



Describing happiness like an unlimited commodity puts pressure on people to acquire it at any cost. When that pursuit gets tangled with personal identity, it can feel like failure if every day isn’t brimming with delight.



Emotional energy isn’t bottomless. Prioritizing joy at all times means less brainpower for resisting impulses, solving problems, or managing stress.



“Just chill. Don't try to be super happy all the time,” said Maglio, who co-authored the research with Aekyoung Kim of the University of Sydney. 



Professor Maglio emphasized the need to accept the good moments that come naturally without forcing them.



The research, supported by the <a href="https://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/home-accueil-eng.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada</a>, adds another layer to the growing evidence that happiness is tricky to micromanage. Instead of viewing it as something to stockpile, the experts suggest a more balanced outlook.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-daily-life-implications">Daily life implications </h2>



Tuning in to what sparks genuine contentment often works better than hyper-focusing on each wave of emotion. Small pleasures, meaningful relationships, and mindful relaxation can boost mental health without draining your coping skills.



Allowing yourself to have ups and downs can make those bright moments feel more authentic. Avoiding a relentless hunt for positive feelings keeps self-control stronger when temptations pop up.



A little acceptance can go a long way. <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3160511/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Studies</a> show that being kind to yourself increases resilience, even if the day doesn’t look perfect.



People who let happiness unfold naturally often conserve enough mental power to pursue long-term goals. This steady approach pays off when unexpected challenges arise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-stop-chasing-happiness">How to stop chasing happiness </h2>



Everyday <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/judging-your-happiness-makes-you-less-happy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">contentment</a> can involve enjoying simple routines, embracing supportive friends, and celebrating small wins. Searching for a blissful state at every turn might only wear you down.



Choosing meaningful activities over chasing happiness with a forced grin can strengthen self-regulation. Feeling relaxed about happiness helps you avoid falling into a mental trap.



Taking breaks from the push to be happier may free up vital energy. Stepping back lowers the emotional workload and supports a clearer perspective.



Learning to recognize that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-a-four-day-work-week-boost-happiness-and-productivity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">happiness</a> can’t always be willed into existence may reduce stress. Accepting occasional low moods might improve your capacity to handle daily tasks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accepting-ups-and-downs">Accepting ups and downs </h2>



Letting go of the idea that chasing happiness means constant joy allows room for natural mood shifts. When self-control remains intact, it’s easier to resist quick fixes that undermine well-being.



People who avoid linking their worth to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/happiness-influences-online-shopping-habits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">constant cheer</a> might find simpler ways to stay balanced. They may enjoy everyday experiences more when they stop policing every moment for perfection.



Ultimately, the research suggests that striving too hard for happiness can deplete the energy needed for maintaining healthy habits, leading to greater dissatisfaction over time.



Letting go of rigid expectations may help preserve emotional resources and promote a deeper sense of contentment.



The study is published in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/aphw.70000" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being</a>.



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Why chasing happiness makes you feel worse

Studies have explored the paradox of chasing happiness for more...

Smiling,Young,Couple,Embracing,While,Looking,At,Smartphone.,Multiethnic,Couple

Love is often seen as a driving force in human relationships, but could it also shape intelligence in the animal kingdom? Scientists have uncovered a surprising connection between cognitive abilities and mating success.



These tiny fish, originally from Central America, are now found in waters worldwide. The new research suggests that intelligence in males plays a crucial role in reproductive success, much like in human relationships where wit and charm often make a difference.



The study reveals that male mosquitofish with better problem-solving skills are more successful in finding mates. This challenges traditional ideas that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-study-intelligent-life-is-likely-very-common-throughout-the-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">intelligence</a> in animals primarily evolves for survival. 



Instead, it suggests that brainpower can be just as valuable in securing a mate as it is in avoiding predators or finding food.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-male-intelligence-in-reproduction">Role of male intelligence in reproduction</h2>



Male mosquitofish are not just competing for food and shelter; they are also competing for partners. 



<a href="https://www.anu.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Australian National University (ANU)</a> researchers found that males capable of solving complex tasks had a higher chance of mating than their less-intelligent counterparts. This suggests that intelligence provides a direct reproductive advantage.



Lead author Dr. Ivan Vinogradov explained that cognitive abilities likely evolved because they helped males locate and attract females, increasing their chances of producing offspring. 



This process, known as sexual selection, plays a crucial role in shaping intelligence in certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-flightless-birds-are-more-intelligent-than-we-realized/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intelligence-beyond-survival">Intelligence beyond survival</h2>



For many years, scientists believed that intelligence in animals evolved primarily through natural selection. Smarter animals had better chances of survival because they could find food, escape predators, and adapt to new environments.



“Evolution of intelligence in animals has long been thought to have been driven by natural selection. Animals that were better at problem solving were more adept at gathering food, finding shelter, and avoiding predators and hence lived longer,” Dr. Vinogradov explained.



“They then passed on these genes to their offspring, helping future generations become smarter over time."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bottom-line-intelligence-is-attractive">Bottom line - Intelligence is attractive</h2>



But there is another possible explanation for the evolution of intelligence: the quality of braininess is attractive to the opposite sex. 



A better brain might help an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/if-aliens-could-detect-earth-what-would-they-see/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal</a> find more mates, have more sex, and eventually produce more offspring.



Dr. Vinogradov and his collaborators suggest that intelligence in mosquitofish may partly have evolved through sexual selection as well. 



Usually, the pressure of sexual selection is stronger on males than females because, at any given time, there are more males seeking mates than there are females ready to breed.



During this form of selection, traits that boost mating and fertilization success become more common over generations, as the genes for the traits are passed on to offspring. 



“Our study suggests that intelligence in mosquitofish isn’t only driven by their need to find food or avoid predators, but also by the complex challenges of finding love. This shows that, much like humans, love conquers all,” remarked Dr. Vinogradov.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cognitive-abilities-of-mosquitofish">Cognitive abilities of mosquitofish</h2>



To understand how male intelligence affects mating success, researchers designed a series of underwater tests. These tests assessed the problem-solving abilities of male mosquitofish. 



The fish had to navigate mazes, figure out how to move around transparent barriers, and remember different colored spots. Those that completed the challenges were rewarded.



The study tracked the reproductive success of each male over two months. The researchers recorded how many offspring each fish produced when competing for mates. 



The results were striking - mosquitofish that excelled at problem-solving tasks had significantly higher reproductive success than those that struggled with the challenges.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smarter-males-more-offspring">Smarter males, more offspring</h2>



After performing over 2,000 paternity tests, the scientists confirmed their hypothesis. Intelligence scores were positively correlated with reproductive success in male mosquitofish. 



The males that performed well in cognitive tests mated with more females and produced more offspring than those that failed the tests.



“Our findings imply that the evolution of cognitive abilities may have been driven by sexual selection for males who gained more mating opportunities,” study co-author Professor Michael Jennions said.



“Something about these males seemingly gave them an edge in securing mating opportunities. Perhaps females recognized and preferred smarter males, or maybe smarter males were better at chasing the females and forcing them to mate, a common, if unpleasant, practice in mosquitofish."



More observations and analyses are needed in order to establish differences in the mating behavior of the smarter males. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-evolutionary-biology">Implications for evolutionary biology</h2>



These findings challenge traditional views on how intelligence evolves. While many scientists have focused on its survival advantages, this study highlights the potential role of mate selection in shaping <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-animal-will-replace-humans-as-earths-dominant-species-this-scientist-has-an-idea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive traits</a>.



Intelligence may not only be about problem-solving for survival but also about improving an individual’s chances of reproduction.



The study also raises questions about how females perceive intelligence in potential mates. If smarter males are more successful in mating, it suggests that females may have preferences that go beyond physical traits. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-on-male-intelligence">Future research on male intelligence</h2>



The study, published in Nature Ecology and Evolution, was conducted by researchers from Australia, Germany, and South Africa. 



The next step is to investigate how, exactly, intelligence influences mating success. Do females recognize intelligence in a mate, or do smarter males use their cognitive skills to outmaneuver their rivals?



Future research could explore whether this pattern holds in other species. If intelligence plays a role in mate selection beyond mosquitofish, it could reshape our understanding of how cognitive abilities evolve in the animal kingdom.



This research suggests that intelligence is not just about survival - it is also about attraction. 



Much like in human relationships, wit and problem-solving skills may help individuals find love and pass on their genes. In mosquitofish, as in life, intelligence may be one of the most valuable traits a male can have.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02645-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Ecology and Evolution</a>.&nbsp;



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Animal intelligence did not evolve due to natural selection

Love is often seen as a driving force in human...

Belly fat - most people want less of it. It is linked to heart disease, diabetes, and other health risks. But what if losing too much of it could also have unexpected downsides for the brain?



New research from <a href="https://global.toho-u.ac.jp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Toho University</a> in Japan suggests that visceral fat - the deep fat stored around organs - does more than just pad the waistline. It may actually help keep the brain functioning as we age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-not-all-belly-fat-is-bad">Not all belly fat is bad</h2>



The study, published in&nbsp;GeroScience, challenges the idea that all fat is bad. While excess visceral fat remains dangerous, a moderate amount might be critical for brain health.



Forgetfulness, slower thinking, and difficulty focusing are some of the frustrating aspects of cognitive decline that often come with aging. 



Particularly interesting is the role that belly fat plays in this process. The researchers found that belly fat communicates with the brain via chemical signals. 



One of these influential messengers is a protein called CX3CL1, tasked with preserving memory and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-term-exercise-can-make-belly-fat-healthy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive function</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-belly-fat-in-brain-function">Role of belly fat in brain function</h2>



An essential molecule in brain science is the BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). It aids neurons in growing, surviving, and building new connections - all of which are critical for learning and memory.



However, with aging, BDNF levels naturally decrease, leading to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/subtle-dna-changes-shaped-human-brain-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive slowing</a>, memory loss, and a higher risk of neurodegenerative diseases. 



CX3CL1 production in belly fat was found to help keep BDNF levels stable, but with age, both CX3CL1 and BDNF levels decline.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-belly-fat-and-brain-health-are-linked">Belly fat and brain health are linked</h2>



To validate the fat-brain link, the Toho University scientists manipulated CX3CL1 levels in mice through experiments. 



When they artificially lowered CX3CL1 in younger mice, signs of premature brain aging were noted, as BDNF levels dropped considerably. On the other hand, when older mice were injected with extra CX3CL1, BDNF levels rose again, restoring some of the brain's youthful resilience. 



This indicates that CX3CL1 and BDNF play crucial roles in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-time-and-space-interact-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain</a> aging.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-stress-hormones">The role of stress hormones</h2>



The reasons behind a decline in CX3CL1 production are linked to stress hormones - cortisol in humans and corticosterone in mice. These hormones regulate various bodily functions, including CX3CL1 production.



"Glucocorticoids boost CX3CL1 production. An enzyme in belly fat called 11β-HSD1 reactivates inactive forms of glucocorticoids and keeps them active in cells, promoting glucocorticoid-dependent expression of CX3CL1," noted Dr. Yoshinori Takei, one of the study's authors. 



However, with aging, 11β-HSD1 levels decline, leading to a slowdown in CX3CL1 production, a drop in BDNF levels, and consequent cognitive decline.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changing-perception-of-belly-fat">Changing perception of belly fat</h2>



This discovery shifts our traditional views on belly fat. While it is linked to serious conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, this research suggests that visceral fat is not just a storage unit. It plays an active role in brain function. 



The researchers stress the importance of balance. Maintaining a healthy range of visceral fat is key. Too little can diminish brain-protecting signals, while too much increases the risk of severe metabolic diseases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-belly-fat-and-brain-boosting-treatments">Belly fat and brain-boosting treatments</h2>



The findings raise many intriguing questions about future treatments for cognitive decline. 



Could doctors develop therapies to preserve or enhance CX3CL1 production in order to maintain BDNF levels? Is it possible to slow cognitive decline by focusing on the fat-brain link?



While the research is in its early stages, it reminds us that the body works as an interconnected system. What happens in one part can influence the whole, including the brain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-implications-for-health">Practical implications for health</h2>



While scientists explore these potential treatments, individuals can undertake certain lifestyle practices to support <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/male-and-female-brains-are-wired-completely-differently/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain health</a>. Regular exercise, a nourishing diet, and effective stress management are all vital.



Since chronic stress disrupts hormone balance, impacting both CX3CL1 and BDNF levels, these proactive measures can play a significant role in maintaining cognitive health.



This research questions the simple narratives about belly fat and its role in brain health. While excess visceral fat remains harmful, a certain amount is crucial for maintaining cognitive sharpness. 



The relationship between belly fat and brain health turns out to be more complex than previously thought. The body has its own way of maintaining balance - and sometimes, the solutions are hidden in unexpected places.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11357-025-01546-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GeroScience</a>.



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Moderate belly fat may actually boost brain health

Belly fat - most people want less of it. It...

Aging affects every part of the body, but the brain holds the key to how well we navigate our later years. Some people maintain sharp cognition well into their 80s and 90s, while others experience rapid mental decline much earlier. Understanding why this happens has long been a challenge for scientists.



A remarkable study has now introduced a revolutionary way to measure how fast the brain is aging with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). Unlike previous methods that provided a single estimate of brain age, this approach calculates the rate of decline over time.



By tracking how quickly the brain changes between two MRI scans, researchers can determine an individual’s "pace of aging."



“This is a novel measurement that could change the way we track <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parenting-may-help-keep-the-brain-younger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain health</a> both in the research lab and in the clinic. Knowing how fast one’s brain is aging can be powerful," said Andrei Irimia, an associate professor at the <a href="https://gero.usc.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology</a>. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biological-age-vs-chronological-age">Biological age vs. chronological age</h2>



Chronological age measures time since birth, but biological age reflects how fast an individual’s body and brain are aging. 



Some people experience aging at a slower or faster rate than their peers. Earlier methods only provided a static snapshot of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mothers-pass-down-x-chromosomes-that-accelerate-brain-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain</a> age, missing important information about ongoing changes.



The new technique addresses this gap by analyzing two MRI scans from the same person at different times. By comparing these scans, researchers can calculate the rate of change and determine whether someone’s brain is aging faster or slower than expected.



“The pace of brain aging conveys the rate of aging-related alteration in neurobiological system integrity,” wrote the researchers. “For example, faster pace reflects faster adverse cognitive changes contributing to morbidity and mortality.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limits-of-blood-based-aging-tests">Limits of blood-based aging tests</h2>



Some studies have attempted to measure biological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-25-years-of-research-revealed-about-brain-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging</a> through blood samples. However, this method does not provide an accurate picture of brain aging.



“The barrier between the brain and the bloodstream prevents blood cells from crossing into the brain, such that a blood sample from one’s arm does not directly reflect methylation and other aging-related processes in the brain,” explained Professor Irimia.



To overcome this challenge, researchers at the University of Southern California trained their AI model using MRI scans from thousands of cognitively normal adults. The model was then tested on independent groups, including patients with Alzheimer’s disease.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-the-pace-of-brain-aging">Measuring the pace of brain aging</h2>



This new approach examines changes between two MRI scans over time. Instead of estimating brain age at a single point, the AI system determines how much aging has occurred between scans and calculates the rate of decline.



The AI model achieved a mean absolute error of just 0.16 years when predicting brain aging in cognitively normal adults. In comparison, the best traditional model had an error of 1.85 years - more than ten times worse.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-reveals-differences-in-brain-aging">AI reveals differences in brain aging</h2>



Beyond tracking the pace of aging, the researchers identified key differences between sexes, age groups, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-reveals-the-secret-to-keeping-your-brain-young/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive conditions</a>.



“The 3D-CNN also generates interpretable ‘saliency maps,’ which indicate the specific brain regions that are most important for determining the pace of aging,” said Paul Bogdan, associate professor at the USC <a href="https://viterbischool.usc.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Viterbi School of Engineering</a>.



For women, brain aging was most prominent in regions such as the right precentral gyrus, superior parietal lobules, and precunei. Men, however, exhibited more aging-related changes in the left transverse frontopolar gyrus and right supramarginal gyrus.



People in their 50s showed aging in different regions compared to those in their 70s. Younger individuals had more decline in the left lateral temporal lobe and right medial occipital lobe. Meanwhile, those in their 70s experienced faster aging in the right central and postcentral gyri.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-linking-brain-aging-to-cognitive-decline">Linking brain aging to cognitive decline</h2>



The study also found that individuals with faster brain aging had greater declines in cognitive function over time.



“Rates of brain aging are correlated significantly with changes in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aging-hotspot-found-in-the-brain-may-hold-the-key-to-longevity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive function</a>,” Irimia said. “So, if you have a high rate of brain aging, you’re more likely to have a high rate of degradation in cognitive function, including memory, executive speed, executive function, and processing speed.”



This was particularly evident in scores from the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS13). People whose brains were aging more quickly showed greater errors in cognitive tests, indicating a strong link between brain structure and cognitive function.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-identifying-at-risk-individuals">Identifying at-risk individuals</h2>



Perhaps the most significant finding was that the pace of brain aging could predict future cognitive impairment. Among the study participants, those who later developed cognitive decline had a significantly higher rate of brain aging than those who remained cognitively normal.



“The alignment of these measures with cognitive test results indicates that the framework may serve as an early biomarker of neurocognitive decline,” Bogdan said. “Moreover, it demonstrates its applicability in both cognitively normal individuals and those with cognitive impairment.”



Early identification of at-risk individuals could allow for preventive measures, such as lifestyle changes or medical interventions, before symptoms appear.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-brain-health-monitoring">Future of brain health monitoring</h2>



Irimia believes this model could help detect brain aging before cognitive symptoms emerge. With new Alzheimer’s treatments available, early intervention may be crucial in improving outcomes.



“One thing that my lab is very interested in is estimating risk for Alzheimer’s; we’d like to one day be able to say, ‘Right now, it looks like this person has a 30% risk for Alzheimer’s.’ We’re not there yet, but we’re working on it,” Irimia said. 



“I think this kind of measure will be very helpful to produce variables that are prognostic and can help to forecast Alzheimer’s risk. That would be really powerful, especially as we start developing potential drugs for prevention.”



Since men and women showed different patterns of brain aging, this model could also help researchers understand why they face different risks for neurodegenerative diseases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-directions">Future research directions</h2>



The study had some limitations. Because it calculates an average pace of aging over a set period, it may not capture recent changes in brain health. 



Additionally, the model performed better for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/poor-sleep-habits-may-age-the-brain-faster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitively</a> normal individuals than for those with Alzheimer’s, likely because it was trained on healthy adults.



Future studies with larger and more diverse populations could improve the model’s accuracy. However, even with its limitations, this research represents a major step forward in understanding how brain aging progresses over time.



By focusing on how fast the brain is changing rather than just its current state, this research could lead to more personalized medical interventions. Maintaining brain health isn’t just about age - it’s about how quickly aging is taking place.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2413442122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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AI can detect if your brain is aging too quickly

Aging affects every part of the body, but the brain...

Finding time to rest often takes a back seat with our fast-paced lifestyles. Yet, a recent study shows how quickly sleep deprivation can lead to hidden health problems.



The research suggests that even a single day of poor sleep can affect the immune system in ways that raise inflammation. 



The findings come from Dr. Fatema Al-Rashed, lead researcher at the <a href="http://dasmaninstitute.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dasman Diabetes Institute</a> in Kuwait City, who worked with a team to uncover connections between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-helps-prevent-unwanted-memories-from-popping-up/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">disrupted rest</a> and physical health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-sleep-matters">Why sleep matters</h2>



Many people focus on dieting or exercise without realizing sleep is just as important. A full night of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-sleep-patterns-affect-your-health-over-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rest</a> gives the body time to restore its cells.



A lack of quality sleep can leave the brain and body under pressure. This stress can spill over into metabolic pathways that help regulate appetite and energy.



Researchers have observed that loss of sleep may push the body to release more cortisol, a hormone tied to stress responses. Elevated cortisol levels can drive up inflammation if this continues for prolonged periods.



Another issue is that poor rest can weaken the body’s defenses against infections. When energy is in short supply, the immune response may not be as efficient.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-sleepless-night-alters-immune-cells">One sleepless night alters immune cells</h2>



The scientists noted that missing one 24-hour period of sleep could shift the makeup of certain monocytes, which regulate inflammation. This shift matched what was seen in individuals with obesity.



Monocytes are known as the body’s first responders when a threat appears. One type, known as non-classical monocytes, became more common in those who did not sleep.



These cells can ramp up pro-inflammatory signals, raising concerns about ongoing health effects. If this pattern becomes routine, it might open the door to lingering problems.



Experts emphasize that rest is a key factor in balancing immune cell populations. Small tweaks in a person’s daily routine might keep these changes in check.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-poor-sleep-and-long-term-health-issues">Poor sleep and long-term health issues</h2>



Prolonged poor sleep might make the body more vulnerable to metabolic disorders. Those who consistently lose rest may struggle with weight management, insulin regulation, and stable blood pressure.



Certain daily habits, like screen time before bed, can steal hours that could be spent recharging. Many devices also emit light that signals the brain to stay awake.



Work schedules and social commitments sometimes disrupt natural <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleeping-less-than-seven-hours-high-blood-pressure-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep rhythms</a>. Over time, these disturbances add up and may contribute to chronic issues.



"This disruption in sleep has profound implications for immune health and overall well-being," said Dr. Al-Rashed. She noted that modern lifestyles often clash with the body’s need for consistent rest.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-sleep-changes-improve-overall-health">Small sleep changes improve overall health</h2>



The research team hopes to pinpoint how modest changes in rest might help curb disease risk. "We aim for this research to drive policies and strategies that recognize the critical role of sleep in public health," said Dr. Al-Rashed.



Community interventions could nudge people toward better sleep habits. Even simple actions like placing a limit on nighttime device use might spark improvements.



More comprehensive guidelines might come from health authorities who see a link between quality sleep and national well-being. Some public health campaigns are already highlighting the importance of regular sleep.



Employers may consider flexible shifts or designated rest areas to accommodate workers with hectic schedules. Such steps could ease the strain on employees juggling multiple responsibilities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-lifestyle-factors">Exploring lifestyle factors</h2>



Foods high in sugar or caffeine can disturb restful nights. Eating a balanced dinner earlier in the evening is often easier on the digestive system.



Bright screens from phones, TVs, or computers can trick the brain into thinking it is still daytime. This effect can reduce melatonin secretion, which helps maintain the body’s natural clock.



Regular physical activity often helps individuals nod off more easily. However, high-intensity workouts late at night might boost alertness instead of promoting calm.



Managing stress through simple relaxation exercises, such as mindful breathing, can prepare the body for sleep. A calmer state often leads to fewer midnight awakenings.



A comfortable bedroom environment with minimal noise supports deeper rest. Slightly lowering the thermostat might make it easier to settle down.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solutions-for-better-sleep-and-health">Solutions for better sleep and health</h2>



Younger groups are particularly vulnerable to late-night schedules. Some schools have considered adjusting start times to align with <a href="https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">circadian rhythms</a> in teens.



Travelers who regularly cross time zones also experience disruptions that can harm their overall wellness. Quick fixes like short naps sometimes help, but consistent strategies are better for lasting relief.



Future studies may explore how small disruptions in rest, such as pulling an all-nighter once a week, stack up over longer stretches. Researchers want to see if targeted interventions can offset these irregularities.



Some scientists envision collaborations with technology developers to reduce nighttime screen impact. By supporting balanced habits, society might ward off the hidden risks linked to missed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-timing-has-a-powerful-effect-on-our-mood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a>.



The study is published in <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jimmunol/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jimmun/vkae016/8037869" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Journal of Immunology</a>.



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One night of lost sleep can trigger hidden health issues

Finding time to rest often takes a back seat with...

Acetaminophen is a common pain reliever that is also known as paracetamol. It is used for treating headaches, fevers, backaches, and other mild to moderate pains. 



Many people take Tylenol without even realizing that its active ingredient is acetaminophen.



However, recent findings have raised concerns about the safety of acetaminophen, particularly its potential link to childhood ADHD - prompting questions about its use during pregnancy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-acetaminophen-and-adhd-risk">Acetaminophen and ADHD risk</h2>



A new study from the Seattle Children’s Research Institute has produced evidence that suggests acetaminophen usage <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/acetaminophen-use-during-pregnancy-linked-to-language-delays/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">during pregnancy</a> could potentially increase the likelihood of offspring developing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).



Acetaminophen is among the most frequently prescribed drugs during pregnancy, with an estimated 41–70% usage reported in pregnant individuals in the United States, Europe, and Asia.



Despite being identified as low risk by regulatory agencies such as the FDA, research has indicated a potential link between exposure to acetaminophen during pregnancy and neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ADHD and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/autism-diagnoses-have-almost-tripled-in-the-us-over-the-past-ten-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">autism</a> spectrum disorder, noted the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-acetaminophen-needs-to-be-reevaluated">Acetaminophen needs to be reevaluated</h2>



Study lead author Brennan Baker works in the lab of Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana at <a href="https://www.uwmedicine.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UW Medicine</a>. 



Baker pointed out that past studies had depended on the self-reported data from women and thus may not have reflected acetaminophen use accurately. He also noted that the drug's widespread use has long gone unquestioned.



“This medication was also approved decades ago and may need reevaluation by the FDA,” said Dr. Sathyanarayana. “Acetaminophen was never evaluated for fetal exposures in relation to long-term neurodevelopmental impacts.”



To get a clearer picture, the recent study involved tracking a group of 307 women between 2006 and 2011. Each of these expectant mothers agreed to provide blood samples, which allowed researchers to monitor acetaminophen biomarkers in their plasma.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-likelihood-of-adhd-diagnosis">Likelihood of ADHD diagnosis </h2>



The results of the analysis showed that children born to mothers who used no acetaminophen throughout their pregnancy had a 9% prevalence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/autism-and-adhd-disorders-directly-linked-amount-of-time-kids-spend-on-screens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ADHD</a>. This rate increased to 18%, however, in the children of mothers who had used the drug.



Furthermore, the likelihood of an ADHD diagnosis was more than three times greater in children whose mothers carried acetaminophen biomarkers in their plasma.



Interestingly, the researchers identified a gender difference in these findings. They determined that a daughter's risk of developing ADHD was more than six times greater if the mother had taken acetaminophen during pregnancy. The correlation was less pronounced and insignificant among sons.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-research-is-needed">Further research is needed</h2>



While this study does provide some insight, Baker warned against jumping to conclusions. Previous studies have provided inconsistent results.



For example, a Swedish study identified no correlation between mothers who took acetaminophen and the occurrence of ADHD in children, while a counter study in Norway did identify a correlation.



A key factor here is the data gathering process. The Swedish study was based on self-reported data, which showed that only 7% of pregnant women reported taking acetaminophen.



Baker noted that this factor may have resulted in underestimation of exposure. He emphasized the need for more detailed research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-acetaminophen-use-during-pregnancy">Acetaminophen use during pregnancy</h2>



What should a concerned expectant mother do? The best approach is open communication with a healthcare provider. Pregnant women should consult their doctor to determine a safe and appropriate dosage of any type of medication.



Furthermore, other classes of drugs, such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-drug-may-stop-migraines-in-their-tracks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">triptans</a>, are known to be effective and safe to treat the pain and migraines of expectant mothers during pregnancy.



While acetaminophen remains a crucial pain reliever, it is important to use it with caution and consider individual tolerance levels. As the medical community awaits further confirmation from global studies, regulatory authorities should update their guidelines accordingly.



"Medical societies and the FDA should update guidance on the use of acetaminophen as safety data emerges," said Dr. Sathyanarayana.



The discussion around acetaminophen use during <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pregnancy-may-speed-up-aging-in-women/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pregnancy</a> continues to evolve. Now more than ever, it's essential for expectant mothers to have open conversations with their doctors to make well-informed decisions for their baby's health.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44220-025-00387-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Mental Health</a>.



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Acetaminophen use during pregnancy linked to ADHD risk

Acetaminophen is a common pain reliever that is also known...

Human interactions shape daily life, from simple conversations to deep emotional exchanges. Understanding what happens in the brain during these moments is a growing area of research. 



Scientists have long studied individual brain activity, but only recently have they begun examining how two brains become "in sync" during communication.



A new study brings this research closer to real life, moving beyond controlled laboratory settings. It explores how people’s emotions and language structures influence neural activity when they interact. 



Conducted by researchers from the <a href="https://www.unitn.it/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Trento</a> and <a href="https://www.ntu.edu.sg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nanyang Technological University</a> in Singapore, the study provides fresh insights into human connection at the neural level. 



The findings reveal that brain synchronization plays a crucial role in shaping social bonds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brains-sync-up-during-conversations">Brains "sync up" during conversations </h2>



Traditional neuroscience studies often rely on artificial settings, where participants follow strict instructions. This research takes a different approach. By allowing natural conversations and spontaneous interactions, the scientists aimed to capture real-life social dynamics.



"For the first time, we have combined AI techniques to neuroimaging measurements obtained on two people at the same time," noted Alessandro Carollo, first author of the study.



"We have worked in a laboratory setting, but we tried to create less controlled situations than usual, so that each participating couple was free to invent a dialogue as well as to imagine giving each other a gift and being surprised to receive it."



The study involved 42 pairs of participants, totaling 84 individuals between the ages of 18 and 35. Each pair engaged in different interactive tasks, allowing researchers to analyze <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/subtle-dna-changes-shaped-human-brain-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain activity</a> under various conditions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brains-sync-in-the-prefrontal-cortex">Brains sync in the prefrontal cortex</h2>



Communication is more than just words. It involves emotions, gestures, and an intricate exchange of signals between people. The researchers found that brain activity becomes synchronized when two individuals interact, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, which is associated with higher cognitive functions.



"We combined artificial intelligence techniques with the most advanced brain imaging technology to study how emotions and the structure of language influence brain activity in interactions," noted Gianluca Esposito, one of the corresponding authors.



"This study reveals that, when two people interact, their brain activity is synchronized, especially in the prefrontal cortex. Emotional content and the structure of language are connected to this neural synchrony."



By linking emotional tone and language structure to neural synchronization, the researchers provided strong evidence that the way people communicate directly affects their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-time-and-space-interact-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain activity</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-artificial-intelligence-and-neuroimaging">Artificial intelligence and neuroimaging</h2>



To analyze interactions, the researchers used artificial intelligence to process dialogue transcripts. 



Every conversation was first transcribed by hand, then AI techniques helped extract emotional and linguistic patterns. This allowed the team to quantify the impact of different communication styles on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-brain-literally-changes-based-on-daily-activities-and-lifestyle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain function</a>.



For neuroimaging, they relied on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a technique that measures changes in blood oxygen levels in the brain. fNIRS is non-invasive, portable, and ideal for studying real-time interactions between two individuals. 



Unlike traditional brain imaging techniques, it allows participants to move and speak naturally.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-social-interactions">Studying social interactions</h2>



Studying real-world conversations requires methods that do not interfere with natural behavior. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy provides an effective solution by allowing researchers to measure <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/male-and-female-brains-are-wired-completely-differently/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain activity</a> without restricting movement.



"It is an easy-to-carry and lightweight technique: it only takes a small box with a pair of caps and their cables. Then you plug it into a laptop computer and that is all you need to study human interactions," noted Carollo.



By making neuroimaging more accessible, this technique paves the way for further research outside laboratory settings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-the-lab-to-everyday-life">From the lab to everyday life</h2>



One of the study’s main goals was to take brain research beyond the controlled environment of a lab. Real-life interactions are complex, and understanding them requires studying people in natural settings. 



The findings suggest that brain synchronization is a fundamental part of human connection, influencing how people respond to each other in various social situations.



"The best approach seems to be the transdisciplinary one, which integrates emotional content and semantic/syntactic information. The results obtained on neuronal synchronization have a number of interesting implications," said Esposito.



"The study shows that emotions and language structure influence our conversations and the neural processes that then guide how we interact with each other. This opens up new avenues for research into human interactions."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-human-relationships">Understanding human relationships</h2>



This study lays the foundation for further exploration of how brains sync up in different social contexts. 



Future research could examine interactions between family members, romantic partners, or colleagues. It could also help improve communication-based interventions for individuals with social difficulties.



By combining artificial intelligence with neuroimaging, scientists can now gain deeper insights into the brain’s role in everyday <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-reveals-the-secret-to-keeping-your-brain-young/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">communication</a>. 



As this field advances, it has the potential to transform how we understand human relationships, making it possible to study real-life connections in ways never before imagined.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053811925000898?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NeuroImage</a>.



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What happens in the brain when two people are ‘in sync’?

Human interactions shape daily life, from simple conversations to deep...

Parenting is a demanding journey filled with emotional highs and lows, along with sleepless nights. Some believe that the stress of parenting can take a toll on the brain, leading to mental exhaustion over time.



However, recent research offers a new perspective, revealing that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-paternity-leave-changes-parenting-dynamics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parenting</a> might actually have a bright side – it may help guard our brains against certain aging effects.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-parenting-and-brain-health">Parenting and brain health</h2>



Research conducted by scientists from Rutgers Health and <a href="https://www.yale.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yale University</a> has uncovered that parents exhibit unique changes in brain connectivity, which seem to amplify with each additional child.



Interestingly, these changes are not just the results of pregnancy. Both mothers and fathers experience these benefits, thereby implying that parenting itself could influence these alterations.



“The regions that decrease in functional connectivity as individuals age are the regions associated with increased connectivity when individuals have had children,” noted Avram Holmes, associate professor of psychiatry at <a href="https://rwjms.rutgers.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Wood Johnson Medical School</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stronger-brain-connectivity">Stronger brain connectivity </h2>



This enlightening study, which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, relied on brain scans and family histories collected from the UK Biobank. 



This large biomedical databank offered valuable insights into the communication channels between different brain regions. 



Focusing on areas responsible for movement, sensation, and social connection, the researchers found that parents, especially those with more children, had stronger connectivity in these crucial brain networks.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-parenting-and-brain-communication">Parenting and brain communication</h2>



A common consequence of aging is the reduced communication between different brain regions. This decline can negatively impact movement, sensory perception, and cognitive abilities. 



However, this study indicates that parenting can counter these effects. The more children, the stronger the connectivity appeared to be in parents’ brains.



“We're seeing a widespread pattern of functional alterations, where a higher number of children parented is associated with increased functional connectivity across somatosensory and motor networks,” explained Professor Holmes.



This suggests that the constant physical and mental engagement required by parenting could fortify brain connections over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-children-greater-brain-benefits">More children, greater brain benefits?</h2>



Findings from this study challenge the notion that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parents-who-use-humor-have-better-relationships-with-their-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parenting</a> primarily leads to exhaustion and cognitive strain. 



Instead, it suggests that the experience of parenting might gradually build up brain health benefits. With each additional child, parents seem to experience greater changes in brain connectivity.



“The caregiving environment, rather than pregnancy alone, appears important since we see these effects in both mothers and fathers,” noted Professor Holmes. This indicates that the mental and physical demands of parenting are likely driving these changes in brain connectivity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-interaction-influences-brain-health">Social interaction influences brain health</h2>



Participants in the study who were <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parent-children-relationships-are-key-to-lifelong-well-being/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parents</a> also exhibited higher levels of social connection. 



They were observed to have more expansive social networks compared to non-parents, and greater frequency of family visits. Social engagement is known to positively impact brain health, as it promotes mental stimulation and emotional wellness.



However, it is important to consider the study's limitations, as the participants were primarily residents of the United Kingdom, suggesting the results may not be universally applicable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-health-and-social-support">Brain health and social support</h2>



Emerging from this study is the implication that such brain health benefits are not exclusive to those who have children. The importance of social support and interpersonal connections comes to the fore. 



“If what we're picking up is a relationship between enhanced social interactions and social support that comes about through having increased numbers of children in your life, then that means that we could tap into those same processes even if individuals don't have a social support network currently,” said Professor Holmes.



This provides an encouraging message for people who do not have children. They could potentially experience similar benefits by participating in activities that involve caregiving, mentorship, or fostering close social bonds.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-parenting-may-be-mentally-enriching">Parenting may be mentally enriching</h2>



This remarkable study dispels the belief that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parents-treat-their-children-differently-but-do-they-have-a-favorite/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parenting</a> is a primary source of stress. Instead, it highlights parenting as a dynamic experience that engages individuals mentally, physically, and emotionally. 



Despite the undeniable challenges linked to parenting, it appears that the long-term benefits could include a more active and connected brain.



This research opens the door to new dialogues about how social engagement, caregiving, and mental stimulation can influence brain health as we age. 



As further research uncovers more about the ways parenting affects brain health, it's clear that the journey of raising children offers a pathway towards maintaining a resilient brain.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2411245122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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Parenting may help keep the brain younger

Parenting is a demanding journey filled with emotional highs and...

Autophagy is the body’s cellular recycling system. It is a natural process where cells destroy themselves in order to recycle old, damaged or abnormal parts. Autophagy plays a crucial role in protecting our cells from environmental damage. 



Every day, our cells are bombarded with DNA-damaging agents, such as ultraviolet rays, radiation, toxins, and chemicals. These factors can cause harm to our cells to the extent that they cease to function effectively.



In females, this unrelenting attack can be catastrophic as it disrupts the quality of egg cells and may lead to infertility, miscarriage, birth defects, and genetic diseases.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-autophagy-and-reproductive-health">Autophagy and reproductive health</h2>



Identifying the significance of this protective mechanism, researchers at the <a href="https://missouri.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Missouri</a> investigated how autophagy influences reproductive health.



Ahmed Balboula is an assistant professor in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR).



Professor Balboula and his team sought to establish how autophagy - often referred to as the unsung hero of cellular biology - impacts <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-may-be-linked-to-female-fertility-issues/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">female fertility</a> and the battle against DNA damage.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-autophagy-the-cell-s-superhero">Autophagy: The cell's superhero</h2>



Autophagy is a lesser-known but important process that assists in the maintenance of cellular health. The process involves the elimination of damaged cell parts, and the recycling of useful components, which helps maintaining cellular balance and function.



Autophagy is essential for stress response, energy balance, and the prevention of cell damage - including the maintenance of reproductive cells.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-natural-defense-system">A natural defense system</h2>



One of the body's natural defense mechanisms, autophagy helps keep biological systems operational. However, its role in female egg health is what piqued Professor Balboula's interest.



The researchers found that, under circumstances of moderate to severe <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dna-damage-can-persist-for-years-increasing-cancer-risks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA damage</a> (more common in older women), autophagy activity decreases in female eggs.



"When autophagy activity decreases in DNA-damaged eggs or in maternally aged eggs, which have moderate DNA damage, there is an increased risk for aneuploidy," noted Balboula.



Aneuploidy refers to an abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell. This disorder leads to genetic causes of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/horse-miscarriages-offer-insights-into-human-pregnancy-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">miscarriage</a> and congenital birth defects, including Down syndrome.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-autophagy-to-the-rescue">Autophagy to the rescue</h2>



The researchers didn't just identify a problem; they also uncovered a potential solution.



They discovered that stimulating the process of autophagy in female eggs might improve not only the quality of these eggs but also reduce DNA damage and abnormal chromosome numbers. 



Professor Balboula hopes that the findings could spark new research directions for enhancing female egg quality and, consequently improving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reproductive-health-is-impacted-by-geographic-location/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reproductive health</a> for both humans and animals.



"The deactivation of autophagy that we found is likely just one of many underlying mechanisms contributing to aneuploidy," said Balboula. "Going forward, I will continue to explore other underlying mechanisms contributing to poor egg quality to ultimately further efforts to improve the quality of female eggs."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reproductive-biology-research">Reproductive biology research </h2>



Professor Balboula, who moved from the University of Cambridge to Mizzou in 2019, was drawn by the university's reputation as a powerhouse in reproductive biology research.



“I knew this was the place to enhance my career,” he said. “The collaborators, resources, and research infrastructure here at Mizzou, especially within CAFNR, the Division of Animal Sciences, and the NextGen Precision Health building, help us take our research to the next level, and we are just getting started.”



The research demonstrates how scientists are pushing the boundaries to improve our health, and offers a glimpse into what might be in store for the future of women's reproductive health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-fertility-treatment">The future of fertility treatment </h2>



While Balboula and his colleagues have revealed a vital connection between autophagy and egg quality, this research is only the tip of the iceberg. 



Understanding how cellular maintenance functions affect fertility might unlock new possibilities for novel treatments.



Can autophagy be used to boost reproductive health? Could this knowledge lead to age-related fertility loss-prevention breakthroughs?



With advancing technology, non-invasive treatments or dietary and lifestyle interventions to stimulate autophagy may soon become a reality.



In the meantime, Professor Balboula’s research is a promising leap toward enhancing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-fertility-rates-are-quickly-declining-and-little-is-being-done-about-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fertility</a> success, as well as our understanding of cellular resilience.



The full study was published in the journal Nature Communications.



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Cellular ‘cleanup' helps preserve eggs and female fertility

Autophagy is the body’s cellular recycling system. It is a...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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

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</div></figure>







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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What to plant in your garden in mid-July

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

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

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https://youtu.be/XYgiPzmNBTU?si=eFYY7gPHU1JznLvU
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Wildlife tunnels save millions of amphibians

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

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



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



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



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

[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> (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

[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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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

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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How does salt makes things taste better?

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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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



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



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



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



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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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

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