Food allergies have become increasingly common, affecting roughly one in 13 children, as reported by Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE). With such a rise, scientists continue to explore how maternal diets might influence allergy risk in infants. 



Recent research in Finland sheds light on a surprising connection between avocado consumption during pregnancy and reduced food allergy risk in infants.



A study involving 2,272 mother-child pairs, conducted over nearly a decade, uncovered a striking finding. Infants whose mothers consumed avocados during pregnancy had a 43.6% lower chance of developing food allergies by 12 months. 



The study accounted for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-omega-3-deficiency-is-rising-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">variables</a> such as maternal age, smoking status, and education - yet the link remained consistent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-avocados-lower-allergy-risk">Avocados lower allergy risk</h2>



For years, researchers have explored how specific dietary patterns during pregnancy might influence infant allergy risk. However, individual foods like avocados have not received the same level of scrutiny. 



The Finnish study aimed to fill that gap. The team utilized an online food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess maternal avocado intake during the first and third trimesters. 



Participants who reported any avocado <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-production-more-difficult-climate-change-plant-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consumption</a> were classified as consumers, while those who did not became non-consumers.



The analysis revealed a significant contrast. Among non-consumers, 4.2% of infants developed food allergies. In comparison, only 2.4% of infants whose mothers consumed avocados experienced the same outcome.



The reduction in allergy risk remained significant even after adjusting for various maternal health factors .



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-avocado-research-offers-hope">Avocado research offers hope</h2>



“As a caregiver, the growing prevalence of food allergy feels very scary and out of my control,” said Sari Hantunen, senior lecturer at the <a href="https://www.uef.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Eastern Finland</a>.



“There is no cure for food allergy, but promising prevention and therapeutic strategies are in development as well as emerging research such as this."



”Based on these findings, it’s encouraging to know that eating avocados may provide even more value to maternal and children’s health, beyond the benefits that have already been established through scientific research.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-avocado-and-allergy">Tracking avocado and allergy</h2>



The Kuopio Birth Cohort (KuBiCo) provided a rich dataset for analysis. Researchers recruited pregnant women during routine first-trimester appointments at <a href="https://pshyvinvointialue.fi/web/en/kuopio-university-hospital" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kuopio University Hospital</a>. Data collection continued until November 2022, capturing dietary intake throughout the first and third trimesters.



Mothers completed FFQs that detailed food consumption over the past three months. The FFQ specifically assessed avocado intake, classifying participants as consumers or non-consumers.



After birth, researchers tracked infants to assess allergic outcomes, including <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-therapy-may-help-reduce-peanut-allergies-in-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food</a> allergies, eczema, rhinitis, and wheezing. Even after adjusting for variables like maternal age, smoking, and breastfeeding duration, the data maintained its significance. 



Infants of non-consumers showed a 4.2% allergy rate, while those of avocado consumers showed a 2.4% rate .



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-choose-avocados">Who choose avocados?</h2>



Avocado consumers shared common traits that distinguished them from non-consumers. They tended to be older and more educated. They also reported longer breastfeeding durations and higher diet quality scores.



These women generally had lower BMI levels in the first trimester and were less likely to undergo caesarean deliveries. Researchers noted that these trends might reflect broader health-conscious behaviors rather than avocado <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-transforming-pollen-science-and-health-planning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consumption</a> alone .



Avocados pack essential nutrients that may benefit both maternal and infant health. Each serving provides 9.25 grams of dietary fiber, supporting gut health and potentially influencing immune responses.



Additionally, avocados contain 2.6 mg of vitamin E, an antioxidant linked to immune function, and 0.93 mg of zinc, which plays a role in immune development. Lutein, a carotenoid crucial for eye health, also features prominently in avocados.



The nutrient profile aligns well with dietary patterns like the Mediterranean diet, previously associated with lower allergy risks in offspring. While the study focused solely on avocados, researchers suggest that other nutrient-dense foods may offer similar protective effects .



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consuming-avocados-for-allergy-prevention">Consuming avocados for allergy prevention</h2>



The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that pregnant women consume 2 ½ to 3 ½ cups of vegetables daily. Avocados, with their nutrient density, count as a full cup per serving.



For toddlers aged 12-23 months, the guidelines suggest 2/3 to 1 cup of vegetables each day. With its rich nutrient profile, a single avocado serves as a practical choice to meet these recommendations without the need for supplements.



Despite the promising findings, the study did not identify any significant links between avocado consumption and other allergic conditions like rhinitis, eczema, or wheezing. 



The focus on food allergies yielded notable results, but the other conditions showed no significant differences between consumers and non-consumers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-the-research">Expanding the research</h2>



The researchers caution against overgeneralizing the findings. While avocados may contribute to reduced food allergy risk, the mechanisms remain unclear. 



Further studies could clarify whether specific nutrients within avocados influence immune development and whether similar effects extend to other foods .



The study opens doors for future research that could extend beyond infancy. Tracking infants beyond the first year of life may provide insights into how early dietary exposures shape allergy risk throughout childhood.



Additionally, examining other nutrient-dense foods with similar profiles, such as nuts, seeds, or leafy greens, could help determine whether the observed effects result from specific nutrients or broader dietary patterns. 



Understanding these connections could refine dietary recommendations for pregnant women, offering clearer guidance on foods that may reduce allergy risk in infants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-nutritional-choice-with-potential">A nutritional choice with potential</h2>



As food allergies continue to rise, identifying preventive strategies during pregnancy remains a critical focus. This Finnish study suggests that avocados, with their nutrient-rich profile, may play a role in reducing food allergy risk in infants.



While the study does not establish causality, it highlights the potential impact of nutrient-dense foods during pregnancy - a time when maternal diet can leave lasting imprints on infant health. 



Further research will clarify whether these findings hold across diverse populations and whether other foods offer similar benefits.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41390-025-03968-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pediatric Research</a>.



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Eating avocados during pregnancy reduces baby's allergy risk

Food allergies have become increasingly common, affecting roughly one in 13 children, as reported by Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE). With such a rise, scientists continue to explore how maternal diets might influence allergy risk in infants. Recent research in Finland sheds light on a surprising connection between avocado consumption during pregnancy and reduced food allergy risk in infants. A study involving 2,272 mother-child pairs, conducted over nearly a decade, uncovered a striking finding. Infants whose mothers consumed avocados during pregnancy had a 43.6% lower chance...

With a click of a button, we are transported from one side of the planet to the other, thanks to the world of online videos. However, have you ever wondered about the paradox of feeling more bored after making a "digital switch," that is, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/doomscrolling-threatens-our-mental-well-being/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">moving from one video to another</a> as a way to relieve your boredom?



Recent research has extensively investigated this phenomenon. And the results? Well, they might make you re-think your video watching habits.



Released by the <a href="https://www.apa.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Psychological Association</a>, the research picked the brains of more than 1,200 participants - both from the populace of the United States as well as college scholars at the <a href="https://www.utoronto.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Toronto</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-digital-switching-and-boredom">Digital switching and boredom</h2>



The mastermind behind this enlightening study is Dr. Katy Tam. She is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Toronto and has earned her stripes in exploring the nuances of the human psyche. 



"If people want a more enjoyable experience when watching videos, they can try to stay focused on the content and minimize digital switching. Just like paying for a more immersive experience in a movie theater, more enjoyment comes from immersing oneself in online videos rather than swiping through them," noted Dr. Tam.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-watching-online-videos-to-cure-boredom">Watching online videos to cure boredom</h2>



Spread across seven experiments, the participants were asked to engage with various video-viewing activities. The baseline experiments had the participants <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gen-ai-and-social-media-divert-peoples-attention-from-climate-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">switch from one online video</a> to another when they felt bored.



By contrast, other experiments had the participants watch a single 10-minute YouTube video without the option to fast forward. Alternately, they could switch through several five-minute videos within the same 10-minute timeframe. You'd think switching would be less boring, right? Quite the opposite, according to Dr. Tam's findings.



The participants reported that they felt less bored when they watched a single video. They found the viewing experience to be more satisfying, engaging, and meaningful than when they were jumping from video to video.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-of-digital-switching">Implications of digital switching</h2>



The findings from Dr. Tam's research raise important questions about the consequences of our increasingly fragmented online viewing habits. 



In our fast-paced, digital environment, it can be easy to underestimate the impact of constant switching on our capacity for engagement and satisfaction. 



The sheer availability of content often leads users to chase novelty rather than depth, potentially diminishing the overall enjoyment and meaning derived from video consumption. 



As we navigate this landscape filled with competing stimuli, it becomes crucial to consider how our choices shape not only our immediate experiences but also our longer-term relationship with digital media.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-suggestions-for-mindful-viewing">Suggestions for mindful viewing</h2>



For a more fulfilling digital experience, viewers may benefit from adopting mindful video-watching practices. 



These can include setting aside dedicated time for viewing without distractions, prioritizing longer formats that encourage deeper engagement, and consciously selecting content that resonates with one’s interests and values.



By embracing this approach, individuals could cultivate a more appreciative relationship with audiovisual media - transforming passive consumption into a more enriching and enjoyable experience.



Ultimately, by redefining our engagement with online videos, we not only enhance our entertainment but also contribute to our overall well-being in the digital age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-online-videos-don-t-always-increase-boredom">Online videos don't always increase boredom </h2>



The results of this study might make us re-evaluate our boredom coping mechanisms. Perhaps sticking to one video and absorbing its content is more beneficial than being digital butterflies, fluttering from one video to the next.



Note that this study hasn't examined whether short attention spans contribute to any increase in boredom or switching online videos. Since the participants in several experiments were primarily Canadian college students, there might be differences based on age or experience with digital media.



While we may love to whip out our smartphones while standing in a queue, prior research has shown that smartphone use can increase boredom. Adding to that, digital switching might be<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/boredom-can-make-children-more-creative-and-teach-new-skills/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> another source</a> of boredom, perhaps leading to negative mental health consequences.



So the next time you find yourself mindlessly thumbing through an endless stream of videos, remember Dr. Tam's words. Press pause on your digital switching, and who knows, you might just find yourself less bored. After all, aren't we all in pursuit of enjoying online content more and being bored less?



The study is published in the <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fxge0001639" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Experimental Psychology</a>.



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Scrolling online videos is not a good cure for boredom

With a click of a button, we are transported from...

Once upon a time, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/personality-type-can-accurately-predict-your-relationship-status/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">standing out</a> and embracing uniqueness was desirable. However, recent studies suggest a major change over the past two decades. It seems we've become fond of the idea of blending in, of being just another face in the crowd.



Enter William Chopik, associate professor in the Department of Psychology at <a href="https://msu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michigan State University</a>. Chopik is the lead author of a study that uncovers a dramatic decline in the desire to be different. That's right, we're less keen on standing out these days, and it's all backed by some pretty formidable evidence.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quest-for-uniqueness">Quest for uniqueness</h2>



The study spans a period of 20 years, from 2000 to 2020. Its findings track the desire for individualism in a whopping million people.



Uniqueness, for the purpose of this study, is broken down into three facets: worry over others' perceptions, the urge to break the established norms, and the readiness to publicly uphold personal beliefs. But, all three of these elements saw a decline during the study period.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-are-we-afraid-to-stand-out">Why are we afraid to stand out?</h2>



The most staggering drops were seen in the public defense of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/personality-is-more-important-than-finances-when-it-comes-to-dating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">personal beliefs</a> (6.52% decline), and an increasing concern about public opinion (4.28% decline). These numbers might sound small, but as Chopik points out, "a 6.52% decline is a dramatic population change in as short as 20 years."



And why these drops? The data points to a possible explanation. Perhaps individuals see expressing their uniqueness as a threat to social acceptance. Yes, standing out might make them vulnerable to exclusion. Or worse, cancellation.



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



Chopik's study warns us of the possible implications of this trend. Suppressing our true selves to fit into societal molds can sometimes have an adverse effect, triggering feelings of guilt and anxiety. And let's not forget, this often leads to increased hostility.



"It's really important to have people willing to go against the grain - say the occasional unpopular thing, challenge groupthink, highlight the need to compromise with people different than us, and not cover up the diversity of opinions and people because they're too scared to stand out," says Chopik.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-perceptions-of-uniqueness-on-social-media">Perceptions of uniqueness on social media </h2>



In today's interconnected world, social media platforms wield immense power over individual perceptions and behaviors. While these platforms can facilitate the expression of diverse opinions and lifestyles, they also contribute to a culture of comparison and conformity. 



As users curate their online personas, the pressure to fit in intensifies, often leading to a hedonic treadmill of dissatisfaction where uniqueness is celebrated only if it conforms to prevailing trends. 



Chopik’s study provides critical context here: as the desire for uniqueness declines, it begs the question: are we shaping our identities based on genuine self-expression or merely mirroring the expectations set by our digital environments?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reclaiming-individuality">Reclaiming individuality</h2>



Despite the unsettling trend of conformity, there lies an opportunity for revitalizing the celebration of uniqueness. To counteract societal pressures, individuals can begin cultivating a mindset that embraces <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/personality-traits-are-not-strongly-inherited-from-parents/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">self-acceptance</a> and authenticity.



Engaging in open dialogues about differences, fostering environments that encourage dissenting opinions, and understanding the value of diverse perspectives are vital steps. 



We must not cover up the diversity of opinions, but rather embrace them. Ultimately, reclaiming our individuality not only enriches our lives but also contributes to a more nuanced and empathetic society.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-appeal-for-authenticity">An appeal for authenticity</h2>



In an age where everyone seems connected through various platforms, we find ourselves paradoxically isolated in our personal lives. This raises an important question: is it truly worth sacrificing our individuality to fit into a crowd? 



While the notion of standing out may feel intimidating, especially in a world that often celebrates conformity, we should consider the value of being authentic. Embracing our true selves allows us to form deeper connections with others and to live more fulfilling lives. 



It's essential to recognize that the cost of blending in can be higher than the fear of being different. After all, authenticity fosters genuine relationships and enriches our experiences. The pursuit of fitting in may not be worth the price we pay.



Embracing our uniqueness can be a powerful way to inspire others and create a more diverse and vibrant community. Isn't it time we embraced our individuality, in all its vibrant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cryptocurrency-investors-linked-to-dark-personality-traits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diversity</a>?



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://online.ucpress.edu/collabra/article/10/1/121937/202992/Changes-in-Need-for-Uniqueness-From-2000-Until" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Collabra: Psychology.</a>



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Humans are losing 'uniqueness' as people no longer desire to stand out

Once upon a time, standing out and embracing uniqueness was...

Picture a world where summer afternoons commonly register 95 degrees Fahrenheit, where the once coveted sunny weather now carries a grim undertone of extreme heat, and where the robust laughter of children at play has given way to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-records-shatter-2024-set-to-be-hottest-year-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lethargy and discomfort</a>. That's where we've unfortunately wound up - thanks to climate change. Brought to light by a recent United Nations (<a href="https://www.un.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UN</a>) report, this escalating threat has put nearly half a billion children worldwide against double, sometimes triple, the number of extreme heat days their grandparents once endured.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unwelcome-guest-extreme-heat">Unwelcome guest: Extreme heat</h2>



UNICEF, the child welfare wing of the UN, reports that one in every five children - totaling an alarming 466 million kids worldwide - live in areas that register "at least double the number of extremely hot days every year" compared to statistics from six decades ago.



This is pinning our little ones under a scorching spotlight, over twice as often as their predecessors.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vulnerability-of-children-to-extreme-heat">Vulnerability of children to extreme heat</h2>



The news, as shared by UNICEF advocacy chief Lily Caprani, gets more heart-wrenching. Children, unlike adults, are much more prone to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/billions-of-people-endured-an-extra-month-of-extreme-heat-in-the-past-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">perils</a> of extreme heat, and this leaves pregnant women and the future generations they carry equally at risk. "The bodies of young children are not like little adults," said Caprani.



Did you know, extreme temperatures can lead to schools shutting down, depriving kids of their right to education? In 2024 alone, at least 80 million children faced this setback.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-heatmap">Global heatmap</h2>



To quantify this phenomenon, UNICEF compared the number of days with temperatures reaching or exceeding 95 degrees Fahrenheit in the 2020-2024 period with data from the 1960s. The results are nothing short of alarming.



Children in West and Central Africa bear the brunt of the blistering heat, with 123 million children or 39 percent of the kids in the region experiencing a third of the year under 95-degree or higher temperature.



And then there's Mali, where, with limited access to air conditioning and recurring blackouts affecting the use of fans, over 200 days per year are recorded with temperatures of 95 degrees or higher.



Latin American children are not far behind, with 48 million children facing double the number of extreme heat days as compared to 60 years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consequences-of-extreme-heat-for-children">Consequences of extreme heat for children</h2>



The rising temperature carries more than mere discomfort. "Children are fragile and they breathe very quickly. They can't even sweat like an adult does. They are much more vulnerable to heat stress and it can be literally deadly," said Caprani. 



High temperatures can lead to child malnutrition, making kids more susceptible to diseases like malaria and dengue that thrive in warm climates. There are also adverse effects on neurodevelopment and mental health to consider.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intersecting-challenges">Intersecting challenges</h2>



The ramifications of rising temperatures extend beyond immediate health concerns, intertwining with existing societal issues such as poverty, education, and access to healthcare. 



In regions where <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-people-attribute-extreme-heat-and-wildfires-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> exacerbates the heat, families face increased economic difficulties as agricultural yields decline and food prices soar. 



Children from disadvantaged backgrounds bear the brunt, finding themselves trapped in a cycle of poverty where education becomes a luxury rather than a right. 



Schools, often lacking adequate heat mitigation solutions, may face interruptions, further derailing a child's educational journey and perpetuating a grim cycle that can take generations to unravel.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-activism-and-adaptation-strategies">Activism and adaptation strategies</h2>



Despite the daunting outlook, grassroots activism and community-led initiatives are emerging to combat the impacts of heatwaves on children. 



Innovative approaches such as constructing heat-reflective roofs, improving access to shaded areas in schools, and educating families about heat safety can make a critical difference. 



Furthermore, integrating climate education into school curriculums helps empower children and communities with the knowledge to advocate for change. 



Organizations around the globe are uniting to not only raise awareness but to push for systemic changes that prioritise the well-being of our youth in the face of climate-induced challenges. In this battle, each small step taken can contribute to a larger wave of change, emphasising the vital role children can play as stewards of a more sustainable future.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turn-down-the-heat">Turn down the heat</h2>



While UNICEF calls for increased parental education on recognizing heat stroke symptoms, enhanced training of medical personnel, and investment in air conditioning in schools, the real solution lies in controlling climate change caused by humanity's use of fossil fuels.



"As governments are currently drafting their national climate action plans, they can do so with the ambition and knowledge that today's children and future generations will have to live in the world they leave behind," stated Catherine Russell, UNICEF's chief.



In a chilling world of rising temperatures, the responsibility falls on all of us to ensure that our children can live, learn, and prosper. The time to turn down the heat is now.



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Extreme heat is now the reality for nearly half a billion children

Picture a world where summer afternoons commonly register 95 degrees...

Opioid addiction, driven by powerful drugs like oxycodone, presents a harrowing paradox in modern medicine. 



While these drugs are indispensable for managing severe pain, their potential for addiction has led to a devastating crisis with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/opioid-related-deaths-are-on-the-rise-among-young-people/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">countless deaths</a>.



In 2022 alone, opioid addiction claimed approximately 85,000 lives via overdose in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control. 



Despite these sobering statistics, healthcare practitioners often find themselves with limited alternatives, particularly in Southern states where opioid prescriptions are alarmingly prevalent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-frontier-in-opioid-research">A new frontier in opioid research</h2>



It is into this bleak scenario that a group of dedicated researchers from the <a href="https://web.musc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Medical University of South Carolina</a> (MUSC) stepped, aiming to illuminate the murky depths of opioid addiction. 



The experts embarked on a quest to understand the intricacies of how these drugs exert their tantalizing hold on the brain, hoping to pave the path for non-addictive pain relief medicaments.



What they discovered was nothing short of groundbreaking - they identified a hitherto underexplored brain region, the dorsal peduncular nucleus, with an unprecedented response to opioids.



In stark contradiction to the prevalent belief that opioids primarily act via <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dopamine-helps-us-understand-ourselves-and-others/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dopamine</a>, they showed that this region of the brain responded uniquely to opioids, opening an exciting and unexpected new avenue for further research.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-demystifying-opioid-addiction">Demystifying opioid addiction</h2>



Unraveling the complex interplay between these drugs and dopamine, the team uncovered a remarkable insight. Dopamine-releasing cells, typically "on," are regulated by inhibitory neurons equipped with mu receptors.



When these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/illegal-drugs-can-now-be-detected-in-the-air/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drugs</a> bind to the receptors, they block the inhibitory action. This allows dopamine, the mood-enhancing neurotransmitter, to flood the brain in a process known as disinhibition.



The next discovery pointed to a revolutionary dimension in addiction research. The team identified a significant presence of mu receptors in the dorsal peduncular nucleus. However, contrary to expectations, binding to these receptors did not trigger disinhibition.



Instead, these receptors were linked directly to cells that project to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-cocaine-tricks-and-hijacks-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain</a> region responsible for aversive feelings.



When binding occurred, these cells were inhibited, effectively nullifying negative sensations and creating a reward - a process known as negative reinforcement. This breakthrough offered a profound explanation for the addictive allure of these substances.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uncharted-regions-of-the-brain">Uncharted regions of the brain</h2>



"The presence of the mu opioid receptor in a part of the brain where no one expected it to be defies all the dogma," noted the researchers.



This discovery was especially surprising, considering the primary focus of addiction research in recent decades on studying the extended amygdala, the ventral tegmental area, the nucleus accumbens, and the prefrontal cortex.



The team's innovative approach and willingness to explore uncharted regions of the brain have paid off in their unique understanding of the dorsal peduncular nucleus. 



They found that when they deleted the opioid receptor from this brain region, opioids lost their rewarding charm and instead became aversive. 



This astonishing flip was so profound that opioid-dependent mice without opioid receptors in the dorsal peduncular nucleus exhibited intensified withdrawal symptoms.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-future-free-of-opioid-addiction">A future free of opioid addiction?</h2>



The researchers believe this revelation holds immense potential in the fight against the opioid crisis.



The team hopes their research will pave the way for future scientists to target this specific brain region, potentially helping substance abuse patients by preventing relapse and reducing craving and withdrawal symptoms. 



Ultimately, the dream is to develop non-addictive alternatives to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-identify-a-route-to-safer-painkillers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">painkillers</a>, a discovery that could revolutionize modern pain management practices.



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



The escalating opioid crisis demands urgent, multifaceted solutions. Research at MUSC provides crucial insights into the neurobiology of opioid addiction, but tackling this crisis requires a collective effort involving public health initiatives, education, and accessible treatment options.



Community awareness programs are essential for educating the public about the risks of opioid use and recognizing signs of addiction, promoting early intervention and reducing stigma. Healthcare providers must enhance their knowledge of alternative pain management strategies and adopt vigilant prescribing practices.



Investing in mental health resources is also crucial, as many turn to opioids to cope with underlying issues. Integrating physical and mental health care can foster a holistic treatment model that reduces opioid dependency.



Collaboration among researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and communities is vital to developing effective interventions. 



By working together, we can advance innovative pain management, preventive measures, and recovery support, striving for a future where opioid addiction is significantly reduced and pain relief is free from the risk of dependency.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adn0886" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a>.



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Brain discovery offers hope for tackling opioid addiction

Opioid addiction, driven by powerful drugs like oxycodone, presents a...

Ever thought about how clean your sink is when you're scrubbing those hands of yours? After all, it's where we often dash to for that all-important sanitation routine. But, alas, your hand basin might be holding onto some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scavengers-clean-up-wetlands-and-boost-their-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nasty secrets</a> you're not aware of.



A new study at <a href="https://www.flinders.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flinders University</a> might make you think twice before turning the tap. The research shows those shiny sinks and hand basins could be hotbeds for unfriendly microbes, the kind that could land you a nasty illness.



Claire Hayward, an expert in the Department of Environmental Health at Flinders, is the researcher behind this fascinating delve into the hidden world of hand basins.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unseen-dangers-in-the-hand-basin">Unseen dangers in the hand basin</h2>



At the heart of this research are biofilms, slimy layers that seem to adore the faucets and drains of basins. A whole community of microbes, some more harmful than others, call these biofilms home.



The study unearthed a motley crew of pathogens making a home in these biofilms. Some of these tenants are in their expected water-dwelling environment, while others are rather unexpected gatecrashers. Curiously, it seems that sinks in our homes might host a more diverse bacterial community than those in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/harmful-microbes-persist-on-hospital-surfaces-after-disinfection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hospitals</a>.



But here's the kicker: the research picked up on a higher presence of Legionella bacteria in residential samples compared to hospital ones. 



That's the pesky bacterium responsible for Legionnaires' disease, which can lead to severe pneumonia. A recent outbreak in Melbourne linked to a water cooling system affected almost 90 people and caused two fatalities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-pathogens-end-up-in-the-hand-basin">How pathogens end up in the hand basin</h2>



It seems these harmful germs might be hitchhiking a ride from us (when we wash our hands), from the water supply, or from biological waste. 



This discovery comes from a meticulous comparison of biofilms found in hospital and residential hand basins. The goal was to assess the risk levels of infection and the most likely routes of contamination.



So why does a hand basin seem to be the United Nations of bacteria? Claire Hayward suggests that the difference could be down to more regular cleaning, usage, and the design of basins in hospitals through the implementation of healthcare infection control practices.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-home-healthcare-a-hidden-risk">Home healthcare: A hidden risk?</h2>



Another bombshell from the research is the risk this could pose to people receiving healthcare at home. This growing trend, aimed at reducing the load on our healthcare system, might come with its own set of challenges. 



The study suggests that patients need to learn about infection control practices, like regularly cleaning the drains and outlets of hand basins with effective disinfectants. The study also raises a red flag over the issue of antimicrobial resistance.



"Biofilms formed in the faucet and drains of hand basins can potentially harbor pathogenic microbes and increase the rise of antimicrobial resistance," noted Hayward. 



It seems that a high presence of harmful and corrosive germs, even those not typically found in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-is-actually-protected-by-the-clean-water-act/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water</a>, was discovered in various settings, including hospitals and homes.



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



In light of these findings, it's clear that more research into cleaning protocols and the design of hand basins is necessary.



The Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare recommend cleaning handwashing basins up to twice daily with detergent, and the same goes for other frequently touched surfaces.



This study isn't just a reminder of the importance of maintaining personal hygiene. It highlights the importance of ensuring our surroundings – even those we assume to be clean – are indeed sanitary. So the next time you wash your hands, remember to show some love to your hand basin too.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969724053440?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science of the Total Environment</a>.



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Washing your hands? You may want to consider cleaning your sink

Ever thought about how clean your sink is when you're...

Seafood is more than just a culinary treasure found on our dinner plates; it's a fundamental component of America's economy, diet, and culture.



As one of the global powerhouses for marine and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/90-percent-of-the-worlds-aquaculture-faces-substantial-risk-from-human-induced-environmental-changes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aquatic foods</a> production, it's surprising to learn that the United States is also ranked second in worldwide seafood imports.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-greater-seafood-independence-in-america">Greater seafood independence in America</h2>



Researchers at the <a href="https://umaine.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Maine</a> have undertaken an extensive study that suggests the U.S. could attain seafood independence - meeting its entire seafood needs through domestic production.



According to the study, seafood independence in America would require significant changes in consumer habits, investments in infrastructure, and continual adaptation to the impacts of climate change.



Joshua Stoll, UMaine associate professor of marine policy and co-author of the study, emphasized the broader implications of the research.



“There is a tendency to forget that seafood is an integral part of the nation’s food system, but achieving greater seafood independence can improve equity, health, and buffers from climate change," said Stoll.



Seafood independence promises more than just self-sufficiency. It offers opportunities for improving dietary outcomes and ensuring national <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seed-systems-will-play-a-key-role-in-future-food-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food security</a>, especially amidst disruptions in global supply chains. 



Despite its capacity to rely solely on the seafood it produces, the nation exports the majority, and imports 80 to 90 percent of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nutritious-seafood-is-too-expensive-for-most-americans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seafood consumed by Americans</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decades-of-seafood-data-across-america">Decades of seafood data across America</h2>



The study was based on 50 years of U.S. consumption and production data. The researchers examined the nation and its seven regions as classified by the U.S. Regional Fishery Management Council.



This data allowed the experts to measure the potential for each region, and the nation as a whole, to meet its own seafood demand.



Despite rising national <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seafood-will-help-feed-earths-future-population-of-10-billion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">seafood consumption</a> trends, they have not managed to outpace the increase in production.



Although per capita consumption has almost doubled over the years, reaching 20.3 pounds, the U.S. has responded with an impressive annual production volume of 7.5 billion pounds. This could yield 21.4 pounds of food per capita.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-discrepancy">Understanding the discrepancy</h2>



The analysis revealed an intriguing statistic: between 2012 and 2021, the U.S. could only meet around 76 percent of its seafood demand through its own supply.



This figure, indicative of seafood self-reliance, has fluctuated over the past 50 years from a low of 59 percent to a high of 110 percent.



The team explains this discrepancy largely corresponds to the export of much of the country's harvest or its use as bait fish for more profitable species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seafood-consumption-patterns-in-america">Seafood consumption patterns in America</h2>



Study co-author Tolulope Oyikeke, a PhD student at UMaine, highlighted the potential benefits of reassessing seafood consumption patterns: 



“As we strive to enhance our seafood self-reliance, we have the potential to reassess our consumption of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aquaculture-now-produces-more-food-than-wild-fishing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">harvested species</a>. By focusing on species like herring, anchovy, and other less widely consumed species over those that we export or use for bait, we can tap into their exceptional nutritional value," said Oyikeke.



"This shift would not only strengthen our domestic seafood supply but also contribute to a more sustainable, affordable, and health-conscious food system.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-charting-the-course-for-seafood-self-reliance">Charting the course for seafood self-reliance</h2>



The potential for U.S. self-reliance in this sector is primarily driven by Alaska, which has been responsible for two-thirds of the nation’s annual harvest for the past three decades.



It's by far the most self-sufficient region, capable of meeting 27,000% of its regional demand at its production peak of 6 billion pounds in 2015.



In stark contrast, the Mid-Atlantic region, capable of meeting only 7% of its demand over the last half-century, is the least self-sufficient.



New England, with a fluctuating capacity for self-reliance, has emerged as the third most self-sufficient region from 1971-2021. However, since 1979, its self-sufficiency fell from being able to meet 179% of its demand to just 36% in 2021, owing to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overfishing-and-habitat-degradation-have-devastated-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">overfishing</a>, regulation, and increased per capita consumption.



“It is hard to predict what will happen in the future, but ongoing efforts to restore fisheries in the Gulf of Maine and the nascent, but burgeoning aquaculture sector may help to increase the potential for self-reliance in the future,” Oyikeke noted



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fishing-for-solutions">Fishing for solutions</h2>



While the potential for seafood independence exists, the U.S. per capita consumption of seafood falls short of the recommended 26.07 pounds by the U.S. Department of Health. 



To improve self-reliance and dietary outcomes, researchers suggest various industry strategies including changes in consumer preferences, increased shellfish production, infrastructure development, and addressing access barriers for marginalized populations. 



Notably, the potential impacts of climate change should be factored into any actions taken.



Stoll emphasized the urgency of this initiative: “As more attention is being given to the relationship between socioeconomic well-being, human health, and food, now is the time to invest in increasing seafood self-reliance. Given current seafood production levels, doing this is not beyond reach.”



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44183-024-00069-3">npj Ocean Sustainability</a>.



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Can America achieve seafood self-sufficiency?

Seafood is more than just a culinary treasure found on...

Millions of American lives have been disrupted by the ongoing COVID-19 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-death-toll-of-covid-19-pandemic-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pandemic</a>, but what's even more striking are the repercussions of long COVID, a condition that continues to drain individuals even after they recover from the initial virus.



A recent study from <a href="https://www.yale.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yale University</a> reveals a startling insight into the plight of those grappling with long COVID. Overall, 14 percent of study participants reported that they did not return to work in the months following their infection.



In the wake of the global pandemic, a long-term survey called the Innovative Support for Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infections Registry (INSPIRE) was initiated in the fall of 2020, extending through the summer of 2022.



The extensive study had over 6,000 participants from various locations in the United States, including Illinois, Connecticut, Washington, Pennsylvania, Texas, and California.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-delving-into-the-data">Delving into the data</h2>



Within the INSPIRE study, Yale researchers primarily focused on workplace responses from participants who had contracted the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-virus-can-remain-in-sperm-months-after-infection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">virus</a>. Their return to work after infection and the frequency of workdays missed due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/paxlovid-helps-fight-covid-but-it-does-not-prevent-long-covid-symptoms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COVID-related symptoms</a> were key areas of interest.



The researchers also assessed how many symptoms participants experienced after COVID-19 infection.



Among the nearly 3,000 participants who were employed prior to the pandemic, almost 10% reported experiencing five or more symptoms three months post-infection. 



Arjun Venkatesh is the lead author of the study and chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Yale School of Medicine.



"This number was important because we’ve shown in previous studies that the number of symptoms someone has after being infected with SARS-CoV-2 may be more indicative of how severe their long COVID is," said Venkatesh.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economic-implications-of-long-covid">Economic implications of long COVID</h2>



The study unearthed a startling statistic: more than 7% of participants were absent from work for over 10 days in the three months succeeding their SARS-CoV-2 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-19-virus-lingers-body-two-years-after-infection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">infection</a> due to COVID-19 symptoms. 



Strikingly, nearly 14% of participants did not resume work within three months after COVID-19 infection. Those with five or more symptoms were more than twice as likely not to return to work compared to individuals with no symptoms.



“We found that having five or more symptoms three months after infection was strongly associated with not returning to work,” noted Venkatesh. “And when we compare the rates observed in this study to the national population, it could mean as many as 2 million people may be out of work because of post-COVID conditions.”



This finding is particularly alarming considering the average age of participants in this study was only around 40. 



“This has big economic impacts,” said Venkatesh. “It also has impacts on those people individually in terms of their own income security and their ability to care for themselves and their families.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-need-for-supportive-measures">Addressing the need for supportive measures</h2>



While economic relief measures were rapidly put in place at the beginning of the pandemic, the economic and personal costs of long COVID remain largely overlooked. 



As public health officials and lawmakers weigh the long-term health and economic effects of COVID-19 and long COVID, Venkatesh emphasized the pressing need to reassess disability policy to support work transitions for people whose long COVID symptoms prevent them from getting back to their previous jobs.



“Given the millions of people who have had COVID-19 in the United States and the millions of people that report prolonged symptoms, this is not a small problem,” said Venkatesh. “So it does require big interventions.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-importance-of-awareness-about-long-covid">The importance of awareness about long COVID</h2>



As we continue to navigate the aftermath of the COVID-19 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-global-failures-to-control-the-covid-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pandemic</a>, raising awareness about long COVID is crucial. 



Many individuals remain unaware of the potential long-term effects after recovery from the virus, which can include fatigue, brain fog, and respiratory issues. 



Education campaigns aimed at both the public and healthcare providers can help ensure that the signs and symptoms of long COVID are recognized early. 



This awareness can lead to timely interventions, support, and resources for those affected, ultimately fostering a better understanding of this condition and its impact on the workforce and society as a whole.



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Millions struggle to return to work amid long COVID crisis

Millions of American lives have been disrupted by the ongoing...

Despite the presence of numerous deadly creatures, Australia reigns supreme in terms of life expectancy among the anglophone nations for the past 30 years.



Other elite English-speaking nations saw significant improvements in their respective life expectancies, with Ireland leading the pack. 



However, America, unfortunately, brings up the rear in this vital health parameter since the early nineties.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-achievable-gains-in-life-expectancy">Achievable gains in life expectancy </h2>



A group of social researchers from <a href="https://www.psu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State University</a> recently published their findings on this issue. The report, which delves into the comparative study of life expectancy among various countries, becomes an eye opener for America.



"One lesson we Americans can learn about life expectancy from looking at comparable countries is where the frontier of best performance lies,” said Jessica Ho, associate professor of sociology and demography at Penn State and senior author on the paper. 



"Yes, we’re doing badly, but this study shows what can we aim for. We know these gains in life expectancy are actually achievable because other large countries have already done it.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-the-life-expectancy-data">Unraveling the life expectancy data</h2>



Using data from the Human Mortality Database and the World Health Organization Mortality Database spanning from 1990 to 2019, the researchers compared life expectancy across six countries - the United States, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.



The team meticulously analyzed data based on gender, age, and cause of death, including a variety of areas such as cancers, drug and alcohol related deaths, and fatalities from firearms and motor vehicle accidents.



Their effort also included examining the life expectancy within each country, revealing the geographical inequalities associated with it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-australia-leads-and-america-trails">Australia leads and America trails</h2>



The analysis showed Australians leading with the highest life expectancy at birth over the study period. Compared to Americans, Australian women were found to live nearly 4 more years, while Australian men averaged 5 more years.



Americans, however, had the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/life-expectancy-drop-men-in-the-u-s-die-six-years-before-women/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lowest life expectancy</a>, with women living an average of almost 81.5 years and men an average of nearly 76.5 years in 2019.



Geographical inequalities in life expectancy also seemed to be the worst in the United States. 



The study reported the highest life expectancy rates for women and men in California and Hawaii, while the southeastern states reflected the lowest life expectancy for both genders.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-driving-shorter-american-lifespans">What is driving shorter American lifespans?</h2>



"One of the main drivers of why American longevity is so much shorter than in other high-income countries is our younger people die at higher rates from largely preventable causes of death, like drug overdose, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/are-small-electric-vehicles-safe-rising-accident-rates-say-no/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">car accidents</a>, and homicide,” stated Ho, who is also affiliated to the Social Science Research Institute at Penn State. 



Furthermore, in the age range of 45-64, high mortality rates were noted due to substance abuse and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/steep-rise-in-cardiovascular-disease-expected-in-the-u-s/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular diseases</a>.



Australia serves as a model for the United States, with the country's policies helping them climb to the top of the life expectancy rankings.



By controlling young adult mortality, reducing levels of gun deaths, drug and alcohol use, and improving chronic disease management, Australia significantly outperformed the U.S. in life expectancy.



The researchers suggest that adopting policies such as investing in public transit infrastructure, higher support for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/smoking-fentanyl-has-become-disturbing-trend-united-states/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">substance abuse</a> treatment programs, and robust public health efforts can help the U.S. not only increase its life expectancy but also decrease geographical disparities related to it.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-path-to-a-healthier-america">A path to a healthier America</h2>



To bridge the gap in life expectancy, America must prioritize a cultural shift towards <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mediterranean-diet-can-lead-to-longer-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health and wellness</a>. This involves not only addressing immediate health concerns but also fostering a long-term mindset that values preventive care and healthy living.



Communities can play a crucial role by promoting physical activity, nutritious diets, and mental health awareness.



Engaging in local initiatives, like community fitness programs and health education workshops, can empower individuals to take charge of their health. Additionally, creating policies that ensure equitable access to healthcare resources is vital in reducing disparities.



By learning from Australia’s success and implementing these changes, the U.S. can pave the way for a healthier future and ultimately boost its life expectancy.



The study was part of a larger project supported by the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health and had contributions from other researchers, including a doctoral student from the University of Southern California.



The findings are published in the journal <a href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/7/e079365" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMJ Open</a>.



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How Australia outpaces America in life expectancy

Despite the presence of numerous deadly creatures, Australia reigns supreme...

A new study has provided evidence that engaging in arts and crafts could significantly improve our well-being. Since such artistic activities are relatively affordable and accessible to many people, promoting the general public’s access to them could offer a major boost to public <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mental-health-crisis-half-of-the-worlds-population-will-be-affected-by-age-75/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health</a>.



“Crafting and other artistic activities showed a meaningful effect in predicting people’s sense that their life is worthwhile,” explained lead author Helen Keyes, a scientist at <a href="https://www.aru.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anglia Ruskin University</a>. 



“Indeed, the impact of crafting was bigger than the impact of being in employment. Not only does crafting give us a sense of achievement, it is also a meaningful route to self-expression. This is not always the case with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mindfulness-protects-against-work-stress-burnout/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">employment</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-arts-and-public-well-being">The arts and public well-being </h2>



The experts initiated this study inspired by the urgent need to increase public mental health after the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nature-helps-reduce-mental-health-impacts-of-the-covid-19-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Covid-19</a> pandemic. In the wake of the pandemic, any measures which could improve well-being and lower loneliness in the general population would have significant benefits. 



Since previous studies have already shown that specific crafts may be therapeutic for individuals with mental health issues, promoting general accessibility to artistic activities could contribute significantly to public mental health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-research-nbsp">Focus of the research&nbsp;</h2>



The researchers used a sample of 7,182 participants from the annual Taking Part survey conducted by the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-culture-media-and-sport" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UK’s Department for Culture, Media, and Sport</a>. This survey evaluates public engagement with cultural, digital and sporting activities. 



Such a broad sample allowed the investigators to assess the impact of creative arts in general rather than specific crafts, a method allowing them to evaluate how effective arts-based interventions could be beyond a controlled clinical setting.



The research team controlled for several sociodemographic variables that could affect well-being, including gender, age, health, employment status, and level of deprivation. For example, poor health, unemployment, and increased levels of deprivation have previously been associated with lower levels of well-being.



Participants were asked to rate their feelings of happiness, life satisfaction, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/anxiety-logical-decisions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anxiety</a>, and to provide their option of whether life is worthwhile. Moreover, they were also questioned on how often they felt lonely. 



Finally, when asked about their involvement in creative activities, 37.4% of the respondents confirmed that they had taken part in at least one arts or crafts activity over the last year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-creative-arts-on-well-being">Impact of creative arts on well-being </h2>



The analysis revealed that participants who engaged in arts and crafts had increased levels of happiness and life satisfaction, along with a stronger sense that their lives were worthwhile. This boost to their sense that life is worthwhile was as significant as that resulting from being in employment.&nbsp;



Nevertheless, taking part in arts and crafts activities failed to predict levels of loneliness, most likely because some crafts can be solitary. Further research is needed to analyze the social aspects of arts and crafts.



“Engaging in these activities is linked with a greater sense that life is worthwhile, increased life satisfaction and happiness,” said Keyes.&nbsp;



“The well-being effects were present even after we accounted for things like employment status and level of deprivation. It seems that crafting can contribute positively to your well-being above and beyond these other aspects of your life.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-arts-and-crafts-to-improve-well-being">Using arts and crafts to improve well-being </h2>



Although such effects are rather small, their magnitude remains similar to that of various sociodemographic variables, which are much harder to change. Thus, leveraging the positive effects of artistic activities could provide a major opportunity to improve public well-being.



“Governments and national health services might consider funding and promoting crafting, or even socially prescribing these activities for at-risk populations, as part of a promotion and prevention approach to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-wellbeing-is-a-more-effective-focus-area-when-discussing-energy-solutions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">well-being</a> and mental health,” Keyes explained.



“There is certainly something immensely satisfying about seeing the results of your work appear before your eyes. It feels great to focus on one task and engage your mind creatively.”



However, since this has been a correlational study, further research is necessary to confirm causation.



“We can’t know for certain whether crafting is directly causing this increase in well-being,” said Keyes. “The next step would be to carry out an experimental study where we measure people’s well-being before and after significant periods of crafting.”



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Arts and crafts can greatly improve public well-being

A new study has provided evidence that engaging in arts...

A recent study has shed some light on the alarming connection between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-plenty-of-tea-reduces-the-risk-of-type-2-diabetes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">type 2 diabetes</a> and an increased risk of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/diet-plays-a-major-role-in-preventing-alzheimers-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alzheimer's disease</a> and other cognitive problems. 



This connection not only heightens Alzheimer’s risk but also raises new concerns about how metabolic disorders can influence brain health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diabetes-and-alzheimer-s-the-protein-connection">Diabetes and Alzheimer's: The protein connection</h2>



The study reveals a potential cause: individuals with type 2 diabetes seem to struggle more to get rid of a particular protein linked with the devastating brain disease.



The research team, led by Olov Rolandsson, a senior professor at the Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine at <a href="https://www.umu.se/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Umeå University</a>, focused on beta-amyloids. These are key components of the plaques commonly found in the brains of individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease.



"The results may be important for further research into possible treatments to counteract the risk of people with type 2 diabetes being affected by Alzheimer's," said Rolandsson, emphasizing the significance of the findings.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-markers-in-alzheimer-s-development">Critical markers in Alzheimer's development</h2>



The study measured the concentrations of two specific beta-amyloids, Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42, in the blood of individuals with type 2 diabetes and a healthy control group. 



These beta-amyloids are known to be critical markers in the development of Alzheimer's disease, as they are the primary components of the plaques that accumulate in the brains of affected individuals.



In addition to measuring specific beta-amyloids, the researchers closely monitored the levels of an enzyme responsible for breaking down these proteins.



The enzyme plays a crucial role in preventing the buildup of beta-amyloids, thereby potentially reducing the risk of plaque formation in the brain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-research">Focus of the research </h2>



To simulate a hyperglycemic condition, both groups underwent a controlled four-hour glucose infusion, which elevated their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-tea-extract-lowers-blood-sugar-and-improves-gut-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blood sugar</a> levels to induce acute hyperglycemia. 



This method was used to mimic the high blood sugar episodes that people with type 2 diabetes frequently experience. 



Following this procedure, the researchers took repeated blood samples to observe how the body responds to the sudden increase in blood sugar and to assess the subsequent changes in beta-amyloid levels and the activity of the amyloid-degrading enzyme.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-diabetes-increases-alzheimer-s-risk">How diabetes increases Alzheimer’s risk</h2>



Immediately after the glucose infusion, both the diabetic and control groups showed similar beta-amyloid levels. 



However, in the control group, beta-amyloid concentrations fell significantly, while the levels of the amyloid-degrading enzyme increased. 



In contrast, the diabetic group showed no significant changes, indicating a potential inability to manage beta-amyloid proteins effectively.



These results suggest that people with type 2 diabetes may not be able to clear beta-amyloid as efficiently as healthy individuals, potentially increasing the risk of cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer's.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-and-future-research">Implications and future research</h2>



While the study involved a small sample size 10 participants with type 2 diabetes and 11 without - the findings are noteworthy.



"More research is needed to confirm the results of this limited study. Hopefully, in the long term, it can also lead to new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pomegranates-may-be-key-in-preventing-and-treating-alzheimers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">treatments</a>. But the findings underline the importance of preventing type 2 diabetes as far as possible and ensuring that those who do have it avoid episodes of high blood sugar," said Rolandsson.



The study highlights the crucial need for further exploration into the relationship between type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease, offering potential pathways for developing new treatments and preventive measures.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-managing-diabetes-and-alzheimer-s-risk">Managing diabetes and Alzheimer's risk</h2>



Given the study's findings, effective diabetes management emerges as a crucial strategy in mitigating the risk of Alzheimer's disease. 



Maintaining stable blood sugar levels can play a key role in preventing the accumulation of beta-amyloids in the brain, which are strongly linked to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predicting-the-rate-of-cognitive-decline-in-alzheimers-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive decline</a>.



For individuals with type 2 diabetes, this research underscores the importance of regular monitoring of blood sugar levels and adherence to prescribed treatments to avoid hyperglycemia. 



Lifestyle interventions, such as a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and weight management, can further reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications, including those that may lead to Alzheimer's disease.



Healthcare providers are encouraged to integrate cognitive health into diabetes management plans, particularly for older adults, to help reduce the long-term risks associated with both conditions.



The study is published in <a href="https://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-alzheimers-disease/jad230628" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astronomical Journal</a>.



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Type 2 diabetes heightens Alzheimer's risk

A recent study has shed some light on the alarming...

Here's to all those secret shower singers out there, your unheralded solos are sounding pretty good, according to new research. Chances are you are singing in perfect musical pitch more often than you think.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-replicating-earworms">Replicating earworms</h2>



The study revolves around the concept of "earworms," those nagging bits of songs that get stuck in your head and loop incessantly. 



To unravel this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/classical-music-orchestrates-a-mood-lifting-dance-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">musical mystery</a>, psychologists from the <a href="https://www.ucsc.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Santa Cruz</a> asked people to sing out any earworms they had at random points during the day, record them on their phones, and send the recordings for analysis.



The results were striking. Researchers found that a significant number of participants could replicate the pitch of the original song almost flawlessly. 



Specifically, 44.7% of the recordings matched the original pitch perfectly, and 68.9% were within one semitone of the original song.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-musical-and-pitch-memory">Musical and pitch memory</h2>



“This demonstrates that a surprising slice of the population has a kind of automatic, covert 'perfect pitch' capability," says Cognitive Psychology Ph.D. candidate Matt Evans from UC Santa Cruz, who spearheaded the study with support from Professor Nicolas Davidenko and undergraduate research assistant Pablo Gaeta.



However, Evans finds it intriguing that many of those with this accurate pitch memory doubted their own ability. 



"They would be much less certain that they were singing in the right key, even though they had the melody right," Evans says. 



This uncertainty could be because they lack the labeling ability that comes with the 'perfect pitch.'



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-perfect-pitch-in-music">'Perfect pitch' in music</h2>



True 'perfect pitch' refers to the ability to produce or identify a given <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-can-prevent-brain-aging-and-cognitive-decline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">musical note</a> on the first try, without any reference pitch. 



It's a rare skill, with less than 1 in 10,000 people possessing this ability. Renowned musicians like Ludwig van Beethoven, Ella Fitzgerald, and Mariah Carey are among those few.



However, recent trends in scientific research show that pitch memory is much more widespread than previously believed. 



One interesting observation is that participants can <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-triggers-unique-prediction-zones-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sing a familiar song</a> from memory in the correct key at least 15% of the time, in laboratory conditions. This occurs much more frequently than what randomness would suggest.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recalling-pitch-in-music">Recalling pitch in music</h2>



The researchers chose earworms for their study due to their involuntary nature. The team wanted to test whether pitch memory still holds when one is not consciously recalling the music, and their observations indicated a resounding yes.



"The brain usually captures the essence of long-term memories and takes shortcuts to represent information. One such shortcut could be forgetting the original key of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/live-music-can-synchronize-the-heartbeats-of-the-audience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">music</a>. But our study shows that the brain does not discard this information," Professor Nicolas Davidenko explains. 



"It suggests that musical memories are highly accurate representations, defying the typical gist formation common in other areas of long-term memory."



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



The findings from this study offer valuable insights into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-as-a-pain-reliever-the-power-of-your-playlist/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">music education</a> and how we might cultivate a better understanding of musical abilities among learners.



Given that a substantial portion of individuals possess an inherent capacity to recall pitch accurately, educators can harness this potential by implementing more engaging and supportive teaching methods. 



Rather than discrediting their musical instincts, instructors should encourage students to embrace their auditory memories. 



This approach could foster an environment where learners feel confident <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/similar-patterns-music-language-found-across-all-cultures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exploring their musicality</a>, ultimately leading to richer musical experiences and growth.



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



As research continues to unravel the intricacies of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-causes-similar-emotional-experiences-and-sensations-in-all-cultures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">musical cognition</a>, further exploration is needed to understand the various factors that contribute to pitch memory and earworms.



Future studies could delve into the potential links between earworms and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-gives-rise-to-unique-physical-sensations-in-the-body/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emotional states</a>, examining how feelings might enhance or inhibit one's ability to recall melodies accurately.



Additionally, investigating the neural mechanisms at play within the brain during these processes could provide invaluable information that aids in the development of techniques for both music therapy and skill acquisition. 



Ultimately, a more profound comprehension of musical memory and its impact on daily life can illuminate just how deeply music is woven into the human experience.



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



As we continue to delve into the mechanisms of musical memory, Evans hopes that these findings will encourage more people to engage in music. 



He points out that none of the study participants were musicians or claimed to have a perfect pitch, and yet they had this hidden musical talent.



“Music and singing are uniquely human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/song-melodies-have-become-much-simpler-since-1950/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">experiences</a> that many refrain from because they believe they can't, or they've been told they can't,” Evans says. 



“But you don’t have to be Beyonce to engage with music. Your brain is doing some of it automatically and accurately, despite that part of you that believes you can't.”



So, next time you get an earworm, don't shy away from singing it out loud. You never know, you might just surprise yourself!



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.3758/s13414-024-02936-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Attention, Perception, &amp; Psychophysics</a>.



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Most people have a hidden musical talent for singing on pitch

Here's to all those secret shower singers out there, your...

New research reveals that work-related <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mindfulness-protects-against-work-stress-burnout/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress</a> caused by job strain and an imbalance between efforts applied and rewards received can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation. This condition is characterized by an irregular (often rapid) heartbeat that commonly causes poor blood flow. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/yoga-improves-mental-and-physical-health-among-patients-with-atrial-fibrillation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Atrial fibrillation</a> (also known as AFib or AF) is the most frequent form of arrhythmia and can lead to stroke, heart failure and other cardiovascular problems. Over 12 million people are projected to have atrial fibrillation in the United States by 2030.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-work-related-stress-and-atrial-fibrillation-nbsp">Work-related stress and atrial fibrillation&nbsp;</h2>



Previous studies connected high job strain and effort-reward imbalance at work with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. However, this research is the first to investigate the adverse effect of these psychosocial stressors at work on atrial fibrillation.&nbsp;



Study senior author Dr. Xavier Trudel is an occupational and cardiovascular epidemiologist and associate professor at Laval University in Canada.



“Our study suggests that work-related stressors may be relevant factors to include in preventive strategies,” said Dr. Trudel.&nbsp;



“Recognizing and addressing psychosocial stressors at work are required to foster healthy work environments that benefit both individuals and the organizations where they work.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-job-strain-and-effort-reward-imbalance-nbsp">Job strain and effort-reward imbalance&nbsp;</h2>



The experts examined the impact of job strain, which refers to a work environment in which employees struggle with high job demands, such as a heavy workload and tight deadlines, along with low control over their work and lack of decision-making in how they execute their work-related tasks.



Another factor assessed was the effort-reward imbalance. This phenomenon occurs when employees invest major efforts into their work but perceive the rewards they get for this work&nbsp; (such as salary, recognition, or job security) as or unequal to their performance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heart-impacts-of-work-related-stress-nbsp">Heart impacts of work-related stress&nbsp;</h2>



By examining medical database records for almost 6,000 adults in white-collar jobs in Canada, with 18 years of follow-up data, the researchers found that employees experiencing high job strain had an 83% higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation than workers unaffected by such stressors.



The experts also found that those who experienced an effort-reward imbalance had a 44% greater risk than workers who did not report this imbalance.



Furthermore, the study showed that combined experiences of high job strain and effort-reward imbalance were linked to a 97% increased risk of AFib.



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



According to Dr. Trudel, the effectiveness of workplace interventions to reduce psychosocial stressors that may also reduce the risk of AFib should be investigated in future research.&nbsp;



“Our research team previously conducted an organizational intervention designed to reduce psychosocial stressors at work, which was shown to effectively reduce blood pressure levels,” said Dr. Trudel.&nbsp;



“Examples of organizational changes implemented during the intervention included slowing down the implementation of a large project to prevent increased workload; implementing flexible work hours; and holding meetings between managers and employees to discuss day-to-day challenges.”



Some of the limitations of this study include that all participants were white-collar workers in Canada, which means that the results may not apply to other types of workers or to workers in other countries.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-details-and-background-nbsp">Study details and background&nbsp;</h2>



The scientists collected data through the PROspective Quebec (PROQ) Study on Work and Health, which was initiated in the Quebec region in 1991-1993 and recruited white-collar workers from 19 public and semi-public organizations.



The analysis was focused on 5,926 workers (49% men, 51% women), with an average age of 45 at the beginning of the study (1999-2001) and 65 at the end of the follow-up (Dec. 2018), were included. Levels of work stress were assessed through self-reported questionnaires.&nbsp;



The experts controlled for a broad number of socioeconomic characteristics (sex, education), health risks (diabetes, high blood pressure) and lifestyle factors (<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cigarette-smoking-among-teens-has-declined-dramatically/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">smoking</a>, drinking alcohol).



Overall, the researchers identified 186 AFib cases. Among that group, 19% reported high job strain, 25% reported effort-reward imbalance, and 10% reported experiencing both of&nbsp; these stressors at the same time.



The study showed that over one third of all participants had been diagnosed with coronary heart disease or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hydration-reduces-the-risk-of-heart-failure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart failure</a> before developing AFib.



The research is published in the <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.123.032414" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of the American Heart Association</a>. 



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Work-related stress linked to serious heart condition

New research reveals that work-related stress caused by job strain...

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



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



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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

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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...

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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> 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 



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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



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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



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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



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The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



Video Credit: ESA



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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



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



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



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



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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



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



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



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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