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>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

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...

Doctors are increasingly recommending that fruits and vegetables become a central component in the treatment of patients with hypertension.&nbsp;



A diet rich in these foods has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and improve<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/environmental-pollutants-kidney-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> kidney health</a>, largely due to their base-producing effects. 



A recent study published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2024.06.006" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The American Journal of Medicine</a> highlights these benefits, based on findings from a five-year interventional randomized control trial.



Despite advancements in pharmacological treatments for hypertension, related conditions like chronic kidney disease (CKD) and associated cardiovascular mortality are on the rise. Notably, heart disease remains the leading cause of death among patients with chronic kidney disease.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heart-healthy-fruits-and-vegetables">Heart-healthy fruits and vegetables </h2>



The <a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/education/dash-eating-plan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension</a> (DASH) diet, known for its high content of fruits and vegetables, is recommended as the first-line treatment for primary hypertension. 



However, this diet is often under-prescribed and, even when recommended, not fully implemented, despite substantial supportive evidence from epidemiological studies.&nbsp;



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-fruits-and-vegetables-improves-overall-gut-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diets</a> rich in fruits and vegetables are associated with lower blood pressure, reduced risk and progression of CKD, and lower cardiovascular disease risk and mortality.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dietary-acid-and-health">Dietary acid and health</h2>



The study, led by Dr. Donald E. Wesson of the Department of Internal Medicine at <a href="https://dellmed.utexas.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dell Medical School</a>, University of Texas at Austin, explored the effects of an acid-producing versus a base-producing diet on kidney health. 



“As a nephrologist, my acid-base laboratory studies ways by which the kidney removes acid from the blood and puts it into the urine,” said Dr. Wesson.



“Our animal studies showed years ago that mechanisms used by kidneys to remove acid from the blood can cause kidney injury if the animals were chronically exposed to an acid-producing diet.”&nbsp;



Dr. Wesson said that studies in human patients showed similar findings: an acid-producing diet (one high in animal products) was kidney-harmful, and one that is base-producing (one high in fruits and vegetables) is kidney-healthy.&nbsp;



“Other investigators showed that a diet high in fruits and vegetables is heart-healthy.”



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



To test the hypothesis that fruits and vegetables reduce dietary acid and thereby benefit kidney and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-environments-and-sidewalks-improve-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart health</a>, the study focused on participants with hypertension but without diabetes, who also had high levels of urine albumin excretion (macroalbuminuria). 



These participants were at high risk for worsening kidney disease and developing cardiovascular diseases.&nbsp;



The researchers divided 153 participants into three groups: participants adding 2-4 cups of base-producing fruits and vegetables to their daily intake; participants prescribed NaHCO3 (sodium bicarbonate, common baking soda) tablets; and participants receiving standard medical care from primary care clinicians.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heart-benefits-of-fruits-and-vegetables-nbsp">Heart benefits of fruits and vegetables&nbsp;</h2>



The results of the analysis revealed that both the fruit and vegetable group and the NaHCO3 group experienced improvements in kidney health. However, only the group consuming fruits and vegetables showed a reduction in blood pressure and improvements in cardiovascular disease risk indicators.&nbsp;



“Importantly, fruits and vegetables achieved the latter two benefits with lower doses of medication used to lower blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular disease risk,” noted Maninder Kahlon, a co-investigator from the Department of Population Health at Dell Medical School.



“This means that one can get the kidney health benefits with either fruits and vegetables or NaHCO3, but we get the blood pressure reduction and reduced cardiovascular disease risk with fruits and vegetables, but not with NaHCO3.”&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-the-need-for-medication-nbsp">Reducing the need for medication&nbsp;</h2>



The findings support the recommendation that fruits and vegetables should be the foundational treatment for patients with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/traffic-noise-increases-the-risk-of-hypertension/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hypertension</a>. This approach achieves multiple health benefits - kidney protection, blood pressure reduction, and lower cardiovascular risk - with potentially lower medication doses. 



The research team emphasizes that current clinical practice often prioritizes pharmacological treatment, with dietary changes being secondary. However, this study suggests the opposite: dietary interventions should be the first step in managing hypertension, with medications added as needed.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-fruits-and-vegetables-more-accessible">Making fruits and vegetables more accessible </h2>



“Dietary interventions for chronic disease management are often not recommended and even less often executed because of the many challenges to get patients to implement them. Nevertheless, they are effective, and in this instance, kidney and cardiovascular protective,” said Dr. Wesson.&nbsp;&nbsp;



“We must increase our efforts to incorporate them into patient management and more broadly, make healthy diets more accessible to populations at increased risk for kidney and cardiovascular disease.”



The study also advises that patients with hypertension should ask their clinicians to measure their urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) to assess for underlying kidney disease and potential increased cardiovascular risk.&nbsp;



This proactive measure can help tailor treatment plans to better manage hypertension and its associated risks.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-">-----</h3>



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h--0">-----</h3>

How fruits and vegetables improve heart health

Doctors are increasingly recommending that fruits and vegetables become a...

When the sun sets and you're out enjoying the calm of twilight, do you often find yourself stuck in an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mosquito-habitats-are-expanding-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unwanted chase</a> with mosquitoes? Do they seem to always be attracted to you over others? 



Well, you are not imagining things. You might just be the ideal dinner plate for these pesky insects. <a href="https://www.tamu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Texas A&amp;M University</a>'s Ashley Vargo puts this intriguing phenomenon under the microscope.



Dr. Sonja Swiger, a scientist at Texas A&amp;M AgriLife Extension Service and professor in the <a href="https://aglifesciences.tamu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Texas A&amp;M College of Agriculture</a>, confirms that mosquitoes do pick their targets. But what makes you more enticing than others? Let's delve deeper into the science behind this selective "bugging."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiny-cues-that-matter">Tiny cues that matter</h2>



Contrary to popular belief, mosquitoes don’t select their prey at random. They are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mosquitoes-listen-for-a-specific-buzz-to-find-mates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">very precise</a>, using sensory cues such as exhaled carbon dioxide, body <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bad-news-mosquitoes-prefer-heat-and-thrive-in-the-warming-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heat</a>, and even body odor. 



Swiger, who identifies as a "mosquito magnet" herself, is in agreement with this. She highlights that alterations to these factors can shift the balance of attraction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-blood-type-factor-for-attracting-mosquitoes">Blood type: Factor for attracting mosquitoes</h2>



You know how we have our favorite eateries? Turns out, mosquitoes might have their preferred blood groups. The research suggests a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mosquito-borne-diseases-are-a-growing-threat-in-a-warming-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">certain affinity</a> in mosquitoes towards type O blood.



However, the difference is primarily significant only between type O and type A. But before you breathe a sigh of relief (or worry if you are type O), Swiger warns us to consider the limitations of such studies.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-and-alcohol-scent-of-attraction">Food and alcohol: Scent of attraction</h2>



Sometimes, what we consume also determines whether we become mosquito magnets. Swiger sheds light on how being tipsy may enhance our attractiveness. 



"There is some research to support that changing your diet will make you give off different scents," Swiger said. "So, it may be possible to change your attractiveness to mosquitoes based on what you're eating."



Intoxicated individuals produce more CO2 and sweat, both of which are bug attractors. As for diet, garlic and vitamin B are often touted as mosquito deterrents. On the other hand, high-potassium foods like bananas seem to attract the little monsters.



Why is that? Swiger explains that the consumption of these foods leads to an increase in lactic acid production in the body, an olfactory beacon for mosquitoes. This also impacts our skin microbiota, which in turn affects the scents we give off.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pregnancy-a-mosquito-magnet">Pregnancy: A mosquito magnet?</h2>



Evidence suggests that pregnant women might be more appealing to mosquitoes, primarily due to their increased carbon dioxide output. 



Swiger explains that women in advanced stages of pregnancy exhale about 21% greater volume than non-pregnant women. Coupled with other physiological changes, such as increased body heat, this makes pregnant women prime targets for a mosquito’s meal.



According to Swiger, mosquitoes can develop regional tastes, an interesting evolutionary adaptation. Urban mosquitoes that bite humans often don't venture far and seem to adapt to the local scents, preferring them over other aromas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetics-in-attracting-mosquitoes">Genetics in attracting mosquitoes</h2>



An intriguing dimension to the factors influencing mosquito attraction lies in our genetic makeup. Research indicates that genetic variations can influence the scent profile emitted by individuals. 



Swiger notes that specific genetic markers can affect the skin's production of certain chemicals that mosquitoes find captivating. This genetic predisposition can help explain why some people seem to attract more mosquitoes than others. 



Understanding the interplay between genetics and attraction not only sheds light on personal experiences with these insects but also opens avenues for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-infectious-disease-landscape-is-changing-and-we-must-prepare/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">potential interventions</a> to manage mosquito bites effectively.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-time-of-day-to-attract-mosquitoes">Time of day to attract mosquitoes</h2>



The timing of our outdoor activities can also play a significant role in our likelihood of being bitten. Mosquitoes are most active during specific periods, primarily dawn and dusk. 



Swiger explains that these times create optimal conditions for mosquitoes to feed, as the cooler temperatures and increased humidity often correlate with their peak feeding times. 



Consequently, understanding the daily habits of mosquitoes can empower individuals to better plan their outdoor activities, thereby minimizing unwanted encounters with these unwelcome pests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetically-attractive">Genetically attractive?</h2>



Finally, Swiger points out the one thing we can't control: our genes. She suggests that some genetic traits may make people more attractive to mosquitoes, but these remain unclear.



So, the next time you seem to be the only one under mosquito attack, remember, there's some intriguing science behind it. While your genetic makeup might make you irresistibly delicious to mosquitoes, staying covered and using a repellent might help you tip the scales in your favor. 



After all, who says we can't outsmart these bloodsuckers?



The study is published in the <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jme/article/41/4/796/885285?login=false" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Medical Entomology</a>. 



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Why some people are 'mosquito magnets'

When the sun sets and you're out enjoying the calm...

There's always been an air of thrill and risk associated with the stock market, as investors navigate its unpredictable highs and lows in pursuit of financial gains. 



However, the implications of this volatility may extend far beyond just financial considerations, potentially leading to severe psychological and physical health impacts, according to a recent study by a team of Chinese researchers.



The health concerns associated with stock market volatility are particularly alarming, including increased risks of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exhaustion-increases-the-risk-of-a-heart-attack/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart attacks</a>, strokes, and suicide among investors.



What's more concerning is that the connection between market turbulence and health issues is not merely speculative. 



The data is supported by a massive body of research covering over 12 million deaths in China, underscoring the profound and far-reaching consequences of stock market fluctuations on public health.



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



The research, titled "Stock Volatility Increases the Mortality Risk of Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events and Suicide: A Case-Crossover Study of 12 Million Deaths," could be viewed as a wake-up call to investors, policymakers, and the healthcare community. 



The findings imply that it isn't just a drop in returns that spells disaster. Surprisingly, even an upward swing in stock market returns can lead to adverse health outcomes such as heart attacks.



A one percent decrease in daily returns was associated with a 0.74–1.04 percent increase in mortality risks of major adverse cardiovascular events and a 1.77 percent increase in suicide risk.



On the other hand, a one percent rise in daily returns and intra-daily stock oscillations was coupled with risk increments of 0.57–0.85 percent and 0.67–0.77 percent, respectively.



This signifies that managing the stress of stock market volatility should be as important as managing the investment portfolio itself.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stock-markets-and-public-health">Stock markets and public health</h2>



Investments and stock markets play a pivotal role in economic growth, acting as incubators for capital raising and wealth creation, and providing opportunities for individuals and institutions to build <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/happiness-comes-easier-when-money-is-not-a-priority/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">financial security</a>.



Nonetheless, the inherent inconsistencies and unpredictable nature of these markets can lead to severe psychological implications for investors, manifesting as anxiety, stress, and even <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-with-a-history-of-depression-tend-to-process-more-negative-information/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">depression</a>. 



If these mental health challenges are not addressed, the resulting stress could escalate into a broader public health issue, potentially affecting an even larger demographic beyond just those directly involved in market activities.



It is critical to approach this issue from a solution-oriented perspective, understanding that the fight against this hidden crisis goes beyond the investors themselves. It is a battle against social inequality, ageism, and the inherent unpredictability of the markets.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-health-risks-of-stock-market-volatility">Mental health risks of stock market volatility </h2>



In the light of these findings, the researchers recommend targeted health education and mental health support, particularly during periods of market instability.



They also advocate for increased government-led and public awareness campaigns to diminish the cardiovascular and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/financial-losses-during-the-pandemic-took-a-toll-on-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health</a> risks linked to stock market volatility.



As the global economy increasingly leans on the stock market, understanding and addressing the psychosocial impact of its volatility becomes crucial. 



The findings from this study provide a blueprint for devising effective interventions and support systems, capable of safeguarding not just the financial wealth but also the health of investors, and the broader population.



It's clear that the volatility of the stock market does more than just rattle the nerves of investors - it can genuinely impact their health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-financial-literacy-and-health-outcomes">Financial literacy and health outcomes</h2>



A pivotal element in mitigating the adverse effects of stock market volatility on health is the enhancement of financial literacy among investors. 



Understanding market dynamics not only empowers individuals to make informed decisions but also reduces the anxiety associated with investment fluctuations. 



Research indicates that individuals equipped with a solid grasp of financial concepts tend to experience lower levels of stress, particularly during tumultuous market phases. 



By fostering a culture of financial education, we can cultivate resilience in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cryptocurrency-investors-linked-to-dark-personality-traits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">investors</a>, enabling them to adopt a long-term perspective that prioritizes emotional well-being alongside financial gains. 



Educational initiatives could be integrated into community programs, workplaces, and educational institutions, ensuring broad access to vital knowledge that can transform perceptions of market volatility from a source of dread to an opportunity for strategic growth. 



Ultimately, bolstering financial literacy acts as a protective shield, fostering not only healthier financial practices but also enhancing overall mental health outcomes in the face of economic uncertainties.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S2095809924002790" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Engineering</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Stock market volatility increases risk of heart attacks and suicide

There's always been an air of thrill and risk associated...

How many times have you reached for a bottle of aspirin to combat an ache or pain? Found in practically every home, this seemingly minor pill is now emerging as a major player in the fight against colorectal cancer, particularly for individuals with less than <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/simple-lifestyle-changes-could-prevent-half-of-all-cancer-deaths/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthy lifestyle habits</a>.&nbsp;



This surprising discovery is a result of the latest research by <a href="https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mass General Brigham</a>, a prominent health care institution renowned for its pioneering investigations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-combating-colorectal-cancer-with-aspirin">Combating colorectal cancer with aspirin</h2>



This encouraging research was spearheaded by Dr. Andrew Chan, the Director of Epidemiology for the Mass General Cancer Center, and the Gastroenterology Director of the Center for Young Adult Colorectal Cancer at Massachusetts General Hospital (<a href="https://www.massgeneral.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MGH</a>). 



The study aimed to combat colorectal cancer, the second most common cause of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/which-dietary-changes-are-best-for-cancer-prevention/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer</a> death in the United States, according to the <a href="https://www.cancer.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Cancer Institute</a>.



The study aimed to find individuals who could gain the most benefits from aspirin. This will help create more personalized prevention strategies.



The researchers had to painstakingly sift through health data of 107,655 participants from the Nurses’ Health Study and <a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/hpfs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Health Professionals Follow-Up Study</a>, comparing colorectal cancer rates among routine aspirin users and those who used it less frequently.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aspirin-use-types">Aspirin use types</h2>



You might be wondering what 'regular aspirin use' implies. It was categorized as either two or more standard 325mg tablets per week, or a daily low-dose 81mg aspirin.&nbsp;



The intrigue escalates – the participants, who started the study at an average age of roughly 49.4, who regularly consumed aspirin had a 10-year cumulative colorectal cancer incidence of 1.98%, compared to 2.95% for the non-aspirin users.



The study found that aspirin use was most beneficial for those who led less healthy lifestyles.&nbsp;



People with the lowest healthy lifestyle scores -- looking at things like weight, how often they smoke or drink, how active they are, and how well they eat -- had a 3.4% chance of getting colorectal cancer if they didn't use aspirin regularly. This risk went down to 2.12% for those who took aspirin regularly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colorectal-cancer-risk-lowered-by-aspirin">Colorectal cancer risk lowered by aspirin</h2>



“Our results show that aspirin can proportionally lower the markedly elevated risk in those with multiple risk factors for colorectal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-viruses-can-reactivate-and-fuel-cancer-development/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer</a>,” said Daniel Sikavi, MD, lead author of the paper and a gastroenterologist at MGH.&nbsp;



“In contrast, those with&nbsp;a&nbsp;healthier lifestyle have&nbsp;a&nbsp;lower baseline risk of colorectal cancer, and, therefore, their benefit from aspirin was still evident, albeit less pronounced.”



This suggests that though aspirin provides some level of protection to healthy people, those with unsound lifestyle habits receive proportionately increased benefits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-it-time-to-use-the-pill">Is it time to use the pill?</h2>



This study's results could lead healthcare providers to more robustly recommend aspirin to patients with less healthy lifestyles.&nbsp;



However, it's critical to remember, as Dr. Sikavi reminds us, that the strongest evidence supports daily low-dose (81mg) aspirin as a preventive measure.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-aspirin-though">Why aspirin, though?</h2>



Previous studies have shown that aspirin may help reduce the production of proteins that cause cancer by reducing inflammation in the body.



“Aspirin likely prevents colorectal cancer through multiple mechanisms,” Chan said.



Aspirin has several effects on cancer treatment. It can disrupt cell signaling pathways. Additionally, it modulates the immune response against cancer cells. 



Aspirin also inhibits the development of blood vessels that nourish these cancer cells.



But, like any other drug, daily aspirin use can have side effects, such as potential bleeding. Moreover, while this study aimed to control a broad range of colorectal cancer risk factors, it was largely observational, implying other factors could have influenced the results.



Despite these potential limitations, aspirin's prospective role in preventing colorectal cancer, especially among the high-risk population due to unhealthy lifestyle habits, is an undeniably significant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-anti-aging-drug-interleukin-11-boosts-lifespan-prevents-cancer-gray-hair/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">medical advancement</a>.&nbsp;



And with further research, we may soon be able to identify the best candidates for aspirin use, leading us one step closer towards a world without colorectal cancer.



The ways in which these findings can be translated into practical, effective prevention strategies will unfold in time. So, keep an eye out - and do consider giving a small nod to the ordinary aspirin.



The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/article-abstract/2821928" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA Oncology</a>.



-----



Like what you read?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a>&nbsp;for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a>&nbsp;and Earth.com.



-----

Daily aspirin use strongly tied to colorectal cancer prevention

How many times have you reached for a bottle of...

Fish oil has long been celebrated as a potential <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/olive-oil-can-boost-brain-health-and-fight-off-alzheimers-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">booster for brain health</a>, but recent findings suggest that its benefits may not be universal. 



Over the years, countless studies have delved into the complex workings of the human brain, highlighting the significant role of nutrition in cognitive function. 



One nutrient that has consistently garnered attention is fish oil, renowned for its high content of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/omega-3-fatty-acids-may-provide-superior-cognitive-ability-in-midlife/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">omega-3</a> fatty acids, which are believed to support brain health and potentially lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.



However, a new clinical trial at <a href="https://www.ohsu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oregon Health &amp; Science University</a> raises questions about its true efficacy among older adults.



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



The study suggests that the benefits of fish oil supplementation may not extend to everyone, particularly when it comes to preventing cognitive decline in the aging population.



This discovery prompts a critical question: Does fish oil truly enhance brain function for everyone, or is there more to the story than meets the eye? 



As researchers continue to explore the intricacies of this topic, the nuanced effects of fish oil on different individuals and populations are becoming increasingly evident.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-riding-the-wave-of-omega-3">Riding the wave of Omega 3</h2>



In recent years, there have been many claims about the beneficial effects of fish oil on brain function, particularly in people struggling with memory problems.



However, the new study has added a layer of complexity to these claims. The researchers found that while fish oil supplements did not demonstrate a significant benefit for all older adults in general, a certain subset of the population did see some intriguing results.



The subset included individuals who carried a gene associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Among this group, fish oil supplementation showed a reduction in the breakdown of nerve cells in the brain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-diving-deeper-into-the-fish-oil-conundrum">Diving deeper into the fish oil conundrum</h2>



Study senior author Lynne Shinto theorized that fish oil might be beneficial for individuals carrying the APOE4 gene, particularly as they face a higher risk of developing <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>. Notably, though, the same cannot conclusively be said for all older adults.



“Over three years, our findings didn't reveal a statistically significant difference between the placebo group and those who took fish oil," Shinto explained. “While it wouldn’t likely be harmful, it’s not necessary for everyone to take fish oil to prevent dementia.”



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



The study involved the participation of 102 individuals who were aged 75 years or older and had relatively low blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids, a nutritional component found in fish oil.



Over a period of three years, participants underwent periodic brain imaging to assess the degree of change in white matter lesions in the brain, a potential risk factor for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-healthy-diet-your-secret-weapon-against-aging-and-dementia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dementia</a>.



Interestingly, while all participants enrolled in the study had relatively high levels of these white matter lesions, they were otherwise in good health with no signs of dementia.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fish-oil-and-alzheimer-s-risk">Fish oil and Alzheimer's risk</h2>



The double-blind study divided its participants into two groups: one received omega 3-enriched fish oil supplements each day, while the other group took a soybean-based placebo.



However, the real revelation came when the researchers looked specifically at the subgroup carrying the APOE4 gene. 



Here, the team noticed a dramatic reduction in the deterioration of brain cell integrity following treatment with the fish oil, compared to the soybean oil group. This transformation took place within as short a timeframe as one year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-personalized-approaches-for-dementia-prevention">Personalized approaches for dementia prevention</h2>



The results of this clinical trial highlight the importance of individualized intervention in the prevention of dementia.



"One-size-fits-all" solutions might not necessarily apply to nutritional interventions for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-health-may-literally-be-a-state-of-mind/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain health</a>. The study could lead to more extensive research in diverse populations, targeting the impact of nutritional interventions on specific genetic predispositions.



Gene Bowman is the director of clinical trials at the <a href="https://www.massgeneral.org/neurology/mccance-center" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McCance Center for Brain Health</a> at Massachusetts General Hospital and an instructor of neurology at Harvard Medical School.



“The fact that neuronal integrity breakdown was slowed in people randomized to omega-3 treatment who are also at high risk for Alzheimer’s disease is remarkable," said Bowman, emphasizing the need for larger clinical trials in diverse populations in the future.



The study is published in the journal <a href="http://10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.26872" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA Network Open</a>. 



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Fish oil lowers Alzheimer's risk in people who are most susceptible

Fish oil has long been celebrated as a potential booster...

Attention is a powerful tool of communication, guiding our interactions and shaping our understanding of the world around us. More specifically, the little demonstrative words that direct attention – like "this" and "that" - are universal tools across all languages, serving as crucial linguistic elements that help us navigate and interpret our surroundings.



These words are known as demonstratives, and their use varies significantly from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/native-language-is-specially-stored-in-the-brain-for-easy-access/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">language</a> to language, reflecting cultural and cognitive differences in how attention is directed and perceived.



English and Hebrew, for example, have two demonstratives, while Spanish and Japanese employ a more complex three-word system, offering nuanced ways to indicate proximity and focus.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-linking-language-to-attention">Linking language to attention</h2>



Demonstratives are not merely words; they are social guides, playing a crucial role in our interactions and communication. 



These words help listeners to focus on specific references and establish "joint attention," an element that the researchers describe as a capacity that underpins shared experiences and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/students-learn-better-when-their-brain-waves-are-in-sync/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mutual understanding</a>.



It is this perceived interdependence between language and social cognition that makes demonstratives a fascinating and rich subject of study, offering insights into the intricate ways in which we connect with others and perceive our environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-connection-to-social-cognition">Connection to social cognition </h2>



“The reason why we were interested in demonstratives is because of their connection to social cognition: demonstratives are used to direct the listener’s attention to a referent and establish joint attention. Engaging in joint attention is a uniquely human capacity that links language to social cognition in communication," noted study co-author Paula Rubio-Fernández from the Max Planck Institute.



"Because demonstratives are universal, emerged early in language evolution and are acquired early in child development, they offer an ideal test case for the interdependence between these two fundamentally human capacities."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-demonstratives-for-attention">Demonstratives for attention</h2>



Opinions differ on whether the use of demonstratives to direct a listener's attention is inherently part of the word's meaning (semantics) or if it arises from broader principles of social cognition (pragmatics) that govern how we interact and communicate. 



To uncover the truth, researchers from several universities, including the noted <a href="https://www.mpg.de/institutes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute</a>, conducted an in-depth study using computational modeling and a series of experiments. 



The experiments involved participants who spoke ten different languages from eight distinct language groups, allowing for a diverse examination of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/similar-patterns-music-language-found-across-all-cultures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">linguistic patterns</a>.



In the study, participants took on the role of a "speaker" in an online task. They observed pictures of a "listener" and were asked to choose a demonstrative from their native language to request an object.



The setup varied: the listener was either already looking at the intended object or at one of four other objects, creating different scenarios to test how demonstratives are used to direct attention and establish communication.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-the-spatial-meaning-of-demonstratives">Beyond the spatial meaning of demonstratives </h2>



The findings of the research offer a deeper understanding of how demonstratives function. Participants were found to be sensitive not just to the physical location of the target object but also to the listener's attention and gaze.



This sensitivity highlighted the dynamic nature of demonstratives, as their meaning indeed varied both within and across languages. 



For instance, the "near" demonstrative could refer to an object "close to me," but it could also be used to emphasize joint attention (we are both looking at) or to subtly steer the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-gestures-we-see-can-change-what-we-hear/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">listener's attention</a> towards the speaker, depending on the context and the speaker's intention.



In languages with a three-word system, the medial word often specifically indicated joint attention, providing a unique linguistic mechanism for speakers to establish a shared focus and enhance mutual understanding in communication.



"Our work sheds light on the interface between social cognition and language," said Rubio-Fernández. "We show that representations of interlocutor attention are embedded into one of the most basic word classes that appear across all languages: demonstratives."



"Our work also shows through Bayesian computational modeling that this form of attention manipulation cannot be explained via pragmatic reasoning external to the linguistic system, suggesting that mentalistic representations are embedded in a universal component of language."



The research truly underlines the powerful role that language - even the simplest of words - plays in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-bonding-can-positively-shape-the-success-of-a-group/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social interaction</a> and cognition.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2402068121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Words like 'this' and 'that' direct attention across languages

Attention is a powerful tool of communication, guiding our interactions...

Picture this: you're settled in for movie night, a bag of your favorite salty snack in one hand and a tub of creamy, flavorful dip in the other. 



It's the perfect combo, right? But, before you dip that chip, a novel study urges you to reconsider.



Officially unveiled in the November issue of Food Quality and Preference, an intriguing study delved into American snacking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lack-of-sleep-leads-to-unhealthy-snacking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habits</a>, specifically how the addition of dip impacts our calorie intake.



The research was conducted at the Sensory Evaluation Center, part of the College of Agricultural Sciences at <a href="https://www.psu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State University</a>, which combines expertise in food science and sensory evaluation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dipping-into-the-study">Dipping into the study</h2>



Madeline Harper, a recent Penn State graduate with a master’s degree in food science, led the study. Overall, 46 adult participants were assessed during two visits to the center.



The individuals were served 70 grams of ranch-flavored chips, with or without about a third of a cup of ranch dip, and invited to eat as much as they pleased. What the researchers discovered might make you ditch the dip altogether.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-salty-snack-seduction">The salty snack seduction</h2>



The study documented that when dip was introduced to the snack equation, people consumed significantly more calories – 77% more to be precise. 



The participants chowed down on the same amount of chips, but the addition of the dip led to a sneakily increased <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-caloric-restriction-help-you-live-longer-its-complicated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">caloric intake</a>.



John Hayes is the director of the Penn State Sensory Evaluation Center and a professor of food science.



“The most striking findings of our study is that people didn't eat fewer chips when dip was available - they ate the same amount of chips, plus the dip," said Professor Hayes.



"This lack of compensation means that adding dip to chips can substantially increase overall energy intake without people realizing it.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bigger-bite-bigger-problem">Bigger bite, bigger problem</h2>



Harper suggests that the inclusion of the dip leads to a larger bite, thus allowing participants to eat more without necessarily increasing the rate at which they ate. 



In each eating session, participants consumed an average of 345 calories with the chip-dip combo, as opposed to 195 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-who-are-obese-have-a-harder-time-burning-calories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">calories</a> with the chips alone.



Despite being a significant source of energy in our diets, snacking remains understudied, particularly when it comes to how extras like dips influence our intake. The study at Penn State marks a crucial step towards understanding this behavior.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-paving-the-way-forward">Paving the way forward</h2>



“This research opens up new avenues for exploring how the physical properties of foods can influence our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-behavior-is-influenced-by-the-unconscious-mind/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eating behaviors</a> and ultimately, our energy intake,” Hayes noted. “If we can slow people down, we can influence energy consumption without giving up the pleasure from food.”



Supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the research represents a crucial step in tackling issues of overeating and obesity.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alternative-dips-with-fewer-calories">Alternative dips with fewer calories</h2>



As we navigate the world of snacking, it's essential to find healthier alternatives that can still satisfy our cravings without leading to excessive calorie consumption. 



Instead of traditional creamy dips, consider exploring options that offer flavor and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/minimally-processed-foods-cost-more-offer-no-extra-nutrition/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nutrition</a> without the added calories.



One popular choice is salsa, which is often lower in calories and packed with fresh ingredients like tomatoes, onions, and peppers. Not only does salsa add a zesty kick to your snacks, but it also provides vitamins and minerals that contribute to your overall health. 



Another great option is hummus, made from chickpeas, tahini, and spices. It is rich in protein and fiber, which can help you feel fuller for longer while still enjoying the dip experience.



Additionally, you might want to experiment with yogurt-based dips, such as tzatziki or herbed Greek yogurt, which can be a lighter alternative to traditional dips. These options are not only delicious but can also be rich in probiotics, promoting gut health.



Lastly, consider portion control. Instead of serving the dip directly from the container, try pre-portioning smaller amounts into individual bowls. This way, you can enjoy the flavor without the temptation to go back for seconds or thirds.



By making simple changes to how you dip, you can enjoy your favorite snacks while being mindful of your caloric intake. Balancing enjoyment with health can lead to a more satisfying and guilt-free snacking experience.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Dips can more than double the calories of your favorite snack

Picture this: you're settled in for movie night, a bag...

Have you ever wondered about the science behind your breakfast sausage or that slice of bacon you relish with your morning coffee? Did you ever imagine that what's on your breakfast plate could potentially wield an influence over your brain health? Well, new research suggests that eating processed red meat increases dementia risk by 14 percent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-red-meat-and-dementia">Red meat and dementia</h2>



It's not an alien concept that our diet has <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/which-dietary-changes-are-best-for-cancer-prevention/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">implications for our health</a>. But can switching your bacon and sausages for alternatives like nuts, beans, or tofu help decrease your risk of dementia? An intriguing study proposes this very hypothesis.&nbsp;



This research, conducted by Yuhan Li, a diligent research assistant at the renowned <a href="https://www.brighamandwomens.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brigham and Women’s Hospital</a> in Boston, Massachusetts, scrutinizes the impact of processed red meat on our neurological health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-processed-red-meat">Impact of processed red meat</h2>



Li began research to study how eating processed red meat affects the risk of developing dementia.



The study reached out to over 130,000 health professionals from all over the United States, gathering their insights and experiences. Individual health and dietary habits were tracked and analyzed over an impressive 43 years, providing valuable perspectives on wellness.



This longitudinal study involved participants filling out questionnaires every few years. They shared details about their dietary habits. A key focus was their consumption of processed red meat. This included items like bacon, hot dogs, sausages, and salami.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-could-we-go-nuts-over-meat">Could we go nuts over meat?</h2>



Out of all the participants, over 11,000 cases of dementia surfaced during the study's follow-up period. The results indicated that consuming two servings of processed red meat saw a 14% hike in dementia risk compared to eating about three servings each month.



The study suggests that by replacing one daily serving of processed red meat with a serving of nuts, beans, or tofu, we could potentially trim the risk of dementia by as much as 20 percent.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dementia-risk-from-red-meat">Dementia risk from red meat</h2>



Li's research also threw light on cognitive abilities. Over 17,000 participants underwent assessments gauging their language, executive function, and processing prowess. These assessments also evaluated their verbal memory - basically, their ability to recall and understand words and sentences.



The outcomes were eye-opening. Those who made the switch from processed red meat to a serving of nuts, beans, or tofu were found to have sharper memory and thinking skills. In contrast, those who consumed more processed red meat exhibited poorer cognitive skills and a higher risk of dementia.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-the-red-meat-dementia-riddle">Unraveling the red meat-dementia riddle</h2>



These findings, while compelling, raise an important question - does processed red meat directly contribute to dementia, or is it a lifestyle question? Could it be that those who steer clear of such meat tend to have healthier habits in general?



"Research into diet and the risk of dementia is a major focus. In particular, the effect of eating processed red meat on our health has been a hot topic," said Dr Richard Oakley, associate director of research and innovation at <a href="https://www.alzheimers.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alzheimer’s Society</a>.



“In this study more people who ate processed red meat went on to develop dementia and had worse memory and thinking skills.



“It’s important to remember that this doesn’t mean that eating processed red meat is directly related to developing dementia. It may be that people who avoid processed red meat are generally more health conscious and avoid other unhealthy habits that increase dementia risk.



“The diseases that cause dementia are very complex, and it is unlikely that one food group would make a significant difference. Instead, we know that what is good for the heart is good for the head, and recommend everyone to eat a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mixed-diets-offer-health-benefits-and-lower-carbon-footprint/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthy balanced diet</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-ahead">Looking ahead</h2>



While the study spanned an extensive 43 years, it's not without its limitations. Researchers only evaluated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/diseases-linked-to-processed-meat-could-easily-be-prevented/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diet</a> every two to four years. Considering the significant time gap, diets could have swerved substantially in between assessments, potentially tilting the findings.



This concern is echoed by experts like Dr Hilda Mulrooney, reader in nutrition and health at the London Metropolitan University, and Dr Sebastian Walsh, a doctoral fellow at the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a>.&nbsp;



They underline the need to understand other factors that were considered while evaluating this apparent red meat-dementia relationship. Their input could paint us a more holistic picture.



Is it time to rethink our eating habits? Possibly. As the adage goes, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Each small stride towards improved lifestyle choices is a win for mental health. So, let's take a moment to reflect - what's on your plate today?



-----



Like what you read?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a>&nbsp;for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a>&nbsp;and Earth.com.



-----

Reduce your risk of dementia by cutting out this type of meat

Have you ever wondered about the science behind your breakfast...

Don't you find it fascinating how societal attitudes and laws morph over time? It's happened right before our eyes with the widespread consumption of cannabis in cities across the United States. 



There's a paradigm shift happening, and it's reaching towering peaks. Our guide to understanding this escalation? None other than <a href="https://www.buffalo.edu/news/experts/edward-bednarczyk-faculty-expert-pharmacy-practices.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Edward M. Bednarczyk</a>, PharmD, FACCP, FAPhA, Clinical Associate Professor at the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy &amp; Pharmaceutical Sciences.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-in-u-s-cities-urban-green-giants">Cannabis in U.S. cities: Urban green giants</h2>



Fast forward to 2024, and you'll find cities like New York, Los Angeles, Denver, Seattle, San Francisco, Phoenix, Baltimore, Las Vegas, Buffalo, and Kansas City topping the list of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/recreational-cannabis-use-protects-against-cognitive-decline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis consumers</a>. 



Ever wondered what makes these cities the prime spots for cannabis hit? Let's investigate!



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-york-ny">New York, NY</h3>



Even though the Big Apple came in late to the party, the city comes out on top due to its bustling population and cultural acceptance of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/smoking-cannabis-significantly-increases-the-risk-of-heart-attack/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marijuana use</a>. Since the legalization, the city's consumption rates have shot up, mirroring its vibrant and diverse crowd.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-los-angeles-ca">Los Angeles, CA</h3>



Ever heard of Los Angeles as the city of dreams? It holds true for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-cannabis-use-disorder-risk-varies-among-young-adults/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis enthusiasts</a>, too! With its extensive network of dispensaries and friendly atmosphere, LA surely knows how to roll up the green carpet.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-denver-co">Denver, CO</h3>



The city continues to rank high due to its pioneering status in legalizing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-potency-linked-to-dramatic-rise-in-psychiatric-disorders/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recreational marijuana</a>. Denver's well-established market makes it the nucleus for cannabis culture.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seattle-wa">Seattle, WA</h3>



With progressive attitudes and a sound legal framework, not to mention scores of Amazon employees, Seattle is another city that has put its name on the cannabis map.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-san-francisco-ca">San Francisco, CA</h3>



San Francisco’s liberal stance and wide retail footprint paint the city green, making it a crucial player in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-smokers-not-lazy-unmotivated-despite-stereotypes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the cannabis scene</a>.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-honorable-mentions">Honorable mentions</h3>



Phoenix, AZ, Baltimore, MD, Las Vegas, NV, Buffalo, NY, and Kansas City, MO: Each of these cities have developed their unique strategies and attitudes towards cannabis, leading to high usage rates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-is-cannabis-on-such-a-high">Why is cannabis on such a high?</h2>



Have you ever wondered why cannabis is becoming mainstream?<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/half-of-americans-have-tried-cannabis-and-nearly-a-fifth-use-it-regularly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Legalization and decriminalization</a> play significant roles in this shift. 



According to Bednarczyk, "Decriminalization reduces the penalty below that of a criminal charge while maintaining illegal status. Legalization, on the other hand, makes the action fully legal.” As legal barriers diminish, more people are embracing cannabis.



Health and wellness trends also contribute to this growing acceptance. Many individuals view cannabis as a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/runners-high-cannabis-makes-exercise-more-enjoyable-and-boosts-motivation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">valuable wellness tool</a>, offering pain relief, anxiety reduction, and improved sleep. 



The increasing popularity of CBD products further fuels this trend, demonstrating cannabis's expanding role in personal health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-cannabis-benefits-cities">How cannabis benefits cities</h2>



The cannabis industry is also generating substantial economic opportunities. From cultivation and retail to marketing and security, this sector creates numerous jobs and drives significant revenue, much like seeds sprouting in fertile soil.



Cultural acceptance of cannabis is on the rise, transforming it into a mainstream topic. Conversations around cannabis abound in media, celebrity endorsements, and social media platforms, signaling a shift in public perception.



Finally, advancements in product variety cater to diverse <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-abuse-trends-much-higher-in-people-who-experienced-childhood-trauma/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consumer preferences</a>. Whether people prefer traditional flower, edibles, or concentrates, the market offers a wide array of options to suit everyone's tastes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-money-actually-does-grow-on-trees">Money actually does grow on trees</h2>



According to Bednarczyk, the financial incentives associated with cannabis legalization are undeniably significant. “The obvious answer is money. Let’s be honest; the tax revenue is a strong driver,” he states, highlighting the economic benefits that come with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-legalization-does-not-increase-youth-substance-abuse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">legalizing cannabis</a>.



As more states move toward legalization, not only does this create a new revenue stream for state governments, but it also fosters job growth within the cannabis industry.



This trend is expected to continue upward as public acceptance grows and more states recognize the potential financial gains associated with cannabis regulation.



As a result, the landscape of the cannabis market is likely to evolve, presenting further opportunities for economic expansion.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-cities-cannabis-and-the-future">Big cities, cannabis, and the future</h2>



To sum it all up, more people in the U.S. are using cannabis these days. This is happening because some states have made it legal, more people are okay with it, and it's creating new business chances. 



As laws change, people's views on cannabis are changing too. In many places, cannabis use doesn't shock people like it used to.



Big cities are showing how cannabis fits into city life. You can find nice-looking shops selling cannabis, restaurants <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/after-centuries-of-speculation-heres-what-really-causes-the-munchies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">using it in food</a>, health products, and people using it in parks. More people are saying cannabis might help with health issues or just for fun.



New cannabis businesses are opening up, giving people jobs and helping local money flow. Cannabis is becoming a bigger part of life in America, changing how people act and how businesses work. This makes us think about what cannabis use might mean for our future.



These changes in cannabis use make us wonder how they might affect our towns and cities. Looking at this more closely can help us understand how cannabis might change our communities and local businesses in the coming years.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.



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



-----

America's cannabis capitals: These U.S. cities smoke the most marijuana

Don't you find it fascinating how societal attitudes and laws...

The advent of blood testing in diagnosing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/medical-breakthrough-new-vaccine-may-prevent-alzheimers-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alzheimer's disease</a> has led to a paradigm shift in the medical world. 



This innovation opens up new possibilities for timely detection and offers hope for the early application of treatments - a critical factor considering the emergence of new Alzheimer's therapies that could change the disease's trajectory.



Although the potential of blood tests is undoubtedly promising, it raises an essential question regarding their reliability. 



Which of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-tool-better-predicting-alzheimers-disease-than-current-tests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tests</a> accurately detect Alzheimer's? The answer was shrouded in mystery as there had not been a head-to-head comparison of the tests.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-battle-of-the-alzheimer-s-blood-tests">Battle of the Alzheimer's blood tests</h2>



Grappling with this challenge, a team of experts led by Dr. Suzanne Schindler at <a href="https://medicine.wustl.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Washington University School of Medicine</a> in St. Louis took on the vital task of comparing the accuracy of commercially available blood tests.



The research efforts were centered around six blood tests, four of which are currently clinically available.



The goal? To determine which tests were best at identifying the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease - the presence of characteristic amyloid plaques in the brain.



The results, unveiled at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, revealed that some of the tests have the potential to replace conventional and invasive procedures such as spinal taps and brain scans in many patients.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deciphering-the-diagnostic-dilemma">Deciphering the diagnostic dilemma</h2>



“Some of the blood tests are accurate, and some are not, and doctors don't know which tests to use,” noted Dr. Schindler.



However, this head-to-head comparison has now provided medical practitioners with more trustworthy information, equipping them to provide accurate diagnoses to their patients.



The significance of an early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease cannot be understated, especially with the advent of new treatment options. 



The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has endorsed two new drugs that slow the disease's progression. However, these drugs are only effective for individuals with very mild to mild <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-why-some-brains-resist-alzheimers-disease-symptoms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">symptoms</a>.



To prescribe these treatments, doctors must be certain of the presence of amyloid buildup in the patient's brain, which is a condition that these blood tests can identify.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-quest-for-the-ideal-biomarker">The quest for the ideal biomarker</h2>



The six blood tests under study were developed by diverse groups. The teams behind these tests are from ALZpath, C2N Diagnostics, Fujirebio Diagnostics, Janssen, Quanterix, and Roche Diagnostics.



Interestingly, C2N Diagnostics is a startup supported by Washington University. Each of these tests measured the blood levels of one or more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alzheimers-disease-earliest-biomarker-protein-psd-95-identified/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biomarkers</a> linked to Alzheimer's disease.



Across these tests were five distinct biomarkers assessed using different techniques. However, one biomarker, phosphorylated tau 217 (p-tau217), surpassed the others in accurately identifying signs of Alzheimer's disease.



“Some people thought that we might need to measure multiple biomarkers to capture the different features of Alzheimer's disease. That's not what we found. P-tau217 alone can do it all," said Dr. Kellen Petersen, an instructor in neurology at the School of Medicine.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-top-performing-tests">The top performing tests</h2>



Of the tests studied, those incorporating measures of p-tau217 displayed remarkable accuracy. 



The highest-ranking tests were C2N Diagnostics’ PrecivityAD2 and Fujirebio’s Lumipulse. In their analysis, the scientists concluded that for a blood test to be used without additional testing, it should be as accurate as FDA-approved cerebrospinal fluid tests, which are approximately 90% sensitive and specific.



The significant findings of this elaborate comparison study act as guiding light in the pursuit of the ideal diagnostic tool for Alzheimer's disease - suggesting the game-changing potential of blood tests in detecting and managing this challenging illness.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-alzheimer-s-diagnosis-and-treatment">The future of Alzheimer's diagnosis and treatment</h2>



As we stand on the brink of this new era in Alzheimer’s diagnosis, the implications extend far beyond mere testing. 



Advancements in blood testing could pave the way for more personalized <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pomegranates-may-be-key-in-preventing-and-treating-alzheimers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">treatment</a> plans tailored to individual patients' needs, enhancing the efficacy of emerging therapies. 



Additionally, as the accuracy of these blood tests improves, they may facilitate wider access to early diagnosis, particularly in underserved populations who may not have the opportunity for traditional diagnostic methods.



Moreover, ongoing research into additional biomarkers holds the promise of unveiling more comprehensive insights into Alzheimer’s disease, potentially leading to breakthrough treatments. 



Collaborations between academic institutions, biotech companies, and healthcare providers will be crucial in driving this innovation forward, ensuring that the benefits of these advancements reach those who need them most. 



The future looks promising, and it is our collective responsibility to harness these developments to improve Alzheimer's care and research.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Blood tests offer new hope in detecting Alzheimer's

The advent of blood testing in diagnosing Alzheimer's disease has...

With the 2024 Summer Olympics gracing our television screens, the spectacle of endurance is front and center. This tenacity is epitomized by the ultimate test of fitness and sheer determination: the marathon.



While sprinters often steal the spotlight, it's the long-distance <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flexible-foot-arch-makes-humans-better-runners/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">runners</a> who truly exemplify the remarkable capacity of humans for endurance running.



Despite not being able to outrun a cheetah in a sprint, humans can outlast most creatures over long distances, especially in scorching weather conditions.



This is primarily due to our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neurons-in-the-spinal-cord-coordinate-walking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">locomotor</a> muscles, which are predominantly composed of fatigue-resistant, slow-twitch fibers. 



Coupled with our unique ability to produce sweat, allowing us to efficiently dissipate heat, the image of humans as exceptional endurance runners becomes clear.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-science-behind-human-endurance">The science behind human endurance</h2>



In the mid-1980s, biologist David Carrier put forth the endurance-pursuit hypothesis. This theory suggests that humans acquired our exceptional endurance running traits in order to chase down and exhaust large game animals through persistence hunting.



This idea was later expanded upon by scientists Dennis Bramble and Daniel Lieberman, who speculated that such traits first appeared in our Homo genus ancestors around two million years ago and were crucial in the development of the human form.



However, like any good scientific hypothesis, the endurance-pursuit theory is not without its detractors. Professor Bruce Winterhalder, previously of the <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Davis</a> Department of Anthropology, voiced two major concerns.



First, running requires more energy than <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/walking-can-drastically-improve-your-health-without-thousands-of-daily-steps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">walking</a>, which raises the question of whether it's an efficient hunting strategy based on a cost-benefit analysis. Second, there's a dearth of examples of modern hunter-gatherer populations using endurance-pursuit tactics. 



This scarcity of evidence led some to question the importance of these strategies in our Paleolithic ancestors' hunting practices.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-secrets-of-historical-hunts">Secrets of historical hunts</h2>



In a recent study - a collaboration between Winterhalder and paleoanthropologist Eugène Morin of <a href="https://www.trentu.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Trent University</a> - the team utilized mathematical modeling and a multi-year ethnohistoric investigation to bolster the legitimacy of Carrier's hypothesis.



The digital age proved to be of great assistance, as the wide availability of digitized historical accounts and the power of analytical software helped uncover valuable instances of endurance pursuits throughout history. 



By screening these resources, Winterhalder and Morin unearthed 391 accounts of hunts from 1527 through the early 20th century that exhibit endurance pursuit tactics, originating from 272 locations globally.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breaking-down-the-hunt">Breaking down the hunt</h2>



Upon analyzing these historical hunts, a common pattern surfaced. After spotting their prey, hunters would begin their pursuit. However, the prey would rapidly outdistance the hunters, pause to recover, and then resume <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-running-speed-is-optimized-for-efficient-energy-use/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">running</a>.



This cycle would repeat until the prey was completely exhausted and finally overtaken by the hunters. The tactics, however, varied considerably.



The accounts revealed that hunts often involved a level of cooperation and teamwork, suggesting a social aspect to endurance hunting. 



Winterhalder and Morin believe that this might have afforded males the opportunity to flaunt their athletic prowess, thereby increasing their social standing or chances of securing a mate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-women-and-the-endurance-puzzle">Women and the endurance puzzle</h2>



Winterhalder and Morin are not solely focused on male endurance runners. Their future research will delve into the role of women in these pursuits. 



While the existing data points to female participation in endurance pursuits only 3-4% of the time, this doesn't necessarily imply that females were not proficient runners.



Winterhalder mentioned instances of festivals, feasts, and ritual events featuring running contests, which typically included women, men, and children. 



This even extends to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/prehistoric-women-were-not-just-gatherers-they-were-hunters-too/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hunting</a>, where recent research shows that early women were also active participants.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-efficiency-of-endurance-hunting">Efficiency of endurance hunting </h2>



Through mathematical modeling, Winterhalder and Morin were able to determine the efficiency of endurance hunting in various conditions. 



They discovered that in contexts like high heat or when the prey was hindered by environmental factors such as snow, endurance pursuits could yield equal or superior results compared with other foraging methods.



As Winterhalder emphasizes, our ability to run long distances with stamina is unusual in the animal kingdom. Perhaps this explains the euphoric "runner’s high" we often experience. 



Ultimately, the research provides compelling evidence supporting the unique human ability for endurance running.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-024-01876-x">Nature Human Behaviour</a>.



-----



Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



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



-----

Humans are natural born endurance runners

With the 2024 Summer Olympics gracing our television screens, the...

The digital age is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, the internet and corresponding technological advancements are a blessing, creating a world more interconnected than ever. But on the other, they've paved the way for a pervasive issue - the misinformation and rumors that spreads like nuclear reactions.



In our modern climate of misinformation, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/more-than-48-million-americans-deny-that-climate-change-is-real/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">falsehoods, and rumors</a>, distinguishing truth from fiction as data zips around the planet often seems like an uphill battle.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spread-of-misinformation-and-rumors">Spread of misinformation and rumors</h2>



The research was carried out by Wenrong Zheng, a researcher from <a href="https://english.sdnu.edu.cn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shandong Normal University</a>, and his dedicated team. 



They've been working tirelessly to understand this digital-age phenomenon. And the critical findings of their study were recently published by the American Institute of Physics.



Can we look at rumor propagation in a new light? Yes, indeed! 



Ditching the conventional epidemic models, Zheng's team found inspiration in a somewhat unexpected place: nuclear reactions. 



According to their modified model, rumors act like neutrons, the particles that initiate nuclear fission. When individuals encounter these 'rumor neutrons,' they send them spiraling into other people, sparking a chain reaction. 



“When individuals encounter rumors, they are influenced by their personal interests and decide whether to spread or whether repeated exposure is needed before spreading,” said Zheng. 



“Based on different considerations of uranium fission thresholds, individuals are divided into groups based on the influence of their own interest thresholds, fully considering individual behavior and differences, which is more in line with the reality.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-the-real-world">Implications for the real world</h2>



Did you guess that education plays a crucial role in rumor propagation? 



“The extent of rumor propagation is closely related to the proportion of rational internet users. This reflects the importance of education: the higher the level of education, the easier it is to question rumors when receiving information that is difficult to distinguish between right and wrong,” Zheng corroborates. 



If you're educated, chances are you'll scrutinize the information before accepting it blindly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-avoid-spreading-misinformation">How to avoid spreading misinformation</h2>



So, what can we do about the spread of misinformation? The team's research provides some vital pointers. 



The researchers found that rumors propagate on a smaller scale initially, so monitoring by official platforms is key.



When governmental and official media detect potential rumors, they should verify the content and offer corrections. This would enable rational citizens to prevent further <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gossiping-may-actually-be-beneficial-to-society/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rumor propagation</a> effectively.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-countering-disinformation">Countering disinformation</h2>



The research done by Zheng and his team is a major step in understanding and mitigating rumor propagation. 



Their nuanced, nuclear fission-inspired model offers fresh insights that could guide future strategies to combat disinformation. 



However, the battle against misinformation online is ongoing, and we, as responsible netizens, have a pivotal role to play.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-social-media-algorithms">Role of social media algorithms</h2>



In an era dominated by social media, the algorithms that dictate what content users see play a pivotal role in the dissemination of information. 



These complex systems curate feeds based on user preferences, often prioritizing engaging, sensational content over factual accuracy.



Algorithms are not inherently good or bad; it depends on how we choose to use them. This presents a unique opportunity -- by refining algorithms to promote accountability and accuracy, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/doomscrolling-threatens-our-mental-well-being/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media platforms</a> could significantly reduce the reach of false information.



If users are consistently provided with a diverse range of reliable sources, they may be empowered to challenge misleading narratives and engage in healthy discourse.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-empowering-citizens-to-avoid-misinformation">Empowering citizens to avoid misinformation</h2>



As research indicates, empowering individuals with media literacy skills is crucial in the fight against misinformation. 



Educational initiatives aimed at enhancing critical thinking and analytical skills can equip citizens to evaluate information critically.



Workshops, online courses, or community programs can introduce individuals to techniques for fact-checking, recognizing bias, and analyzing sources. 



By fostering these competencies, society cultivates a more informed populace that can navigate the complex landscape of information.



An educated public is less susceptible to the allure of rumors, ultimately cultivating a culture of inquiry and discernment that significantly dampens the spread of disinformation.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nuclear-reaction-and-spreading-misinformation">Nuclear reaction and spreading misinformation</h2>



In sum, misinformation, like a neutron starting a nuclear reaction, spreads rapidly in today's digital age. But all's not lost. 



Scientific research like Zheng's is helping us understand the spread dynamics better and providing cues for possible mitigation. 



Remember, staying educated, questioning the information we receive, and relying on only <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/political-views-change-our-perception-of-the-past-and-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">credible sources</a> can go a long way in combating this online avalanche of disinformation. After all, don't we all want a truthful, reliable digital world for ourselves?



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.aip.org/aip/adv/article/14/7/075326/3304858/A-rumor-propagation-model-based-on-nuclear-fission" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AIP Advances</a>.



-----



Like what you read?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a>&nbsp;for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;



Check us out on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a>&nbsp;and Earth.com.



-----

Digital misinformation and rumors spread like nuclear reactions

The digital age is a double-edged sword. On the one...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



---



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="uV9Lh2fQbV-1760058-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

[sendtonews key="uV9Lh2fQbV-1760058-12187" type="single"] Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="QIoVYJqRBi-2434608-12187" type="single"]</div>



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)



---



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



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

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



---



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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qARzJPSabQ-2270617-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="qas3EhyI0Y-2220951-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="vpljfR2VBX-2560867-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



---



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



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

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="MHyhtebibJ-2200368-12187" type="single"]</div>



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;



---



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



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

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

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

News coming your way