<p>After nearly four decades of stubbornly clinging to life, one of the largest icebergs ever recorded is entering its final act. A23a - the trillion-ton "megaberg," which once sprawled over an area more than twice the size of Greater London - has drifted into the warmer waters of the South Atlantic and has begun to disintegrate rapidly.</p>



<p>In recent weeks, satellite images show vast slabs calving away - some measuring hundreds of square miles - while a blizzard of smaller bergy bits spreads around it, posing hazards to ships as the giant wastes away.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-iceberg-freed-after-30-years">Iceberg freed after 30 years</h2>



<p>A23a’s story stretches back to 1986, when it calved from Antarctica’s Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf and promptly ran aground in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-is-sea-ice-loss-affecting-biodiversity-in-the-weddell-sea/">Weddell Sea</a>, pinned to the seafloor for more than 30 years.</p>



<p>Freed at last in 2020, it joined “iceberg alley,” the conveyor belt of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-circumpolar-current-speed-increasing-rising-sea-levels/">Antarctic Circumpolar Current</a> that sweeps big bergs toward the South Atlantic.</p>



<p>By early 2025, it had loomed into view near South Georgia, raising fears it could block the island’s penguins and seals from their feeding grounds. The berg briefly grounded on shallow banks, then worked loose in late May and accelerated north.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warming-seas-speed-its-demise">Warming seas speed its demise</h2>



<p>Heat and waves are now doing what gravity and time could not. According to an analysis of Copernicus satellite data, megaberg A23a is down to roughly 683 square miles, with a maximum width of about 37 miles - less than half its size at the start of the year. </p>



<p>Its drift speed has jumped too, at times topping 12 miles per day as it rides stronger currents and increasingly rough seas.</p>



<p>“It’s breaking up fairly dramatically,” said Andrew Meijers, a physical oceanographer at the <a href="https://www.bas.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">British Antarctic Survey</a> (BAS). “I’d say it’s very much on its way out - it’s basically rotting underneath." </p>



<p>"The water is way too warm for it to maintain. It’s constantly melting…It won’t be really identifiable within a few weeks.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-made-megaberg-a23a-so-unusual">What made megaberg A23a so unusual</h2>



<p>Iceberg calving is part of the normal life cycle of polar ice, and giant bergs are not unprecedented. But A23a’s persistence and path are striking.</p>



<p>“Most icebergs don’t make it this far,” Meijers said. “This one’s really big, so it has lasted longer and traveled farther than others.”</p>



<p>When BAS researchers sailed alongside it in late 2023 aboard the RRS <em>Sir David Attenborough</em>, the experience was otherworldly.</p>



<p>“It looked like a towering wall emerging from the ocean, stretching from horizon to horizon,” Meijers said. “Some portions were quite pitted and undercut by the action of waves and melt.”</p>



<p>That undercutting is the giveaway. As the berg moves into warmer, saltier water and meets heavier swell, melting hollows its base while cracks propagate through the plate-like ice. Running aground - whether at South Georgia or now on patches of the continental shelf - adds extra stress that hastens the breakup.</p>



<p>“Large bergs have made it a long way north before - one got within 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) of Perth, Australia -  but they all inevitably break up and melt quickly afterward,” Meijers said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-danger-and-opportunity-collide">Danger and opportunity collide</h2>



<p>Icebergs of this size can reshape local ecosystems as they pass. They can temporarily block straightforward routes from island rookeries to offshore feeding grounds, forcing adult <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/penguins-are-threatened-by-mercury-contamination/">penguins</a> and seals to detour and burn energy while chicks and pups wait ashore.</p>



<p>“Potentially, it could interrupt their pathway to feeding sites and force the adults to expend more energy to travel around it,” Meijers said of the South Georgia colonies, which is why the grounding in March drew concern. The berg’s drift around the island reduced that immediate risk.</p>



<p>There may also be benefits. As megabergs like A23a melt, they stir stratified waters and leak micronutrients such as iron into the sunlit surface layer - fertilizer for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-from-africa-sparked-a-massive-phytoplankton-bloom/">phytoplankton blooms</a> that can feed krill and fish, and ultimately seabirds and mammals.</p>



<p>BAS researchers sampled waters around A23a in December 2023 to gauge its biogeochemical “footprint.” They paired these results with past deployments of robotic ocean gliders around similar bergs. </p>



<p>Together, the data show how iceberg-borne nutrients and upwelling can boost productivity and even enhance carbon sequestration as organic matter sinks to depth.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-iceberg-s-collapse-tracked-by-satellites">Iceberg's collapse tracked by satellites</h2>



<p>A23a’s decay has unfolded in near-real time thanks to daily satellite imagery, which captures both its changing outline and the swarms of fragments it sheds.</p>



<p>“It is easily observed from space, and daily visual-spectrum satellite snapshots make it easy to track its progress,” Meijers said. </p>



<p>Ocean current maps - also derived from satellites - help project its likely path, though the precise route always depends on winds, waves, and where the berg next snags the seafloor.</p>



<p>For shipping, vigilance is everything. A single monster is easy to avoid; a broken field of smaller floes is not. “As it breaks up over time, the smaller bergs are much harder to track,” Meijers said. Fishing operators may temporarily write off entire regions until the ice debris disperses.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-icebergs-in-a-warming-world">Icebergs in a warming world</h2>



<p>Scientists are careful to distinguish between calving - a natural release valve for ice shelves - and the broader, climate-driven changes transforming Antarctica.</p>



<p>“Icebergs, including megabergs like this one, are a completely normal part of the lifecycle of the Antarctic (and Greenland) ice sheets,” Meijers said. But the context has shifted.</p>



<p>“Observations show that the ice shelves have lost around 6,000 giga (billion) tons of their mass since the year 2000.” </p>



<p>It is a loss “roughly matched by an increase in straight-up melt of the ice shelves” and aligned with measured mass loss from grounded Antarctic ice.</p>



<p>That matters for global sea level - because thinning shelves buttress <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-glaciers-are-reshaping-landscapes-and-national-borders-around-the-world/">glaciers</a> less effectively - and for ocean circulation, as freshwater input alters density and flow. Scientists are especially concerned about potential “tipping points” in West Antarctica, where retreat could become self-sustaining.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-final-days-of-a-giant">Final days of a giant</h2>



<p>No one can say exactly how A23a’s last weeks will play out, only that the megaberg's direction is one-way. Grounding events, wave attacks, and heat from above and below guarantee a cascade of fractures until the berg is a memory and a field of bergy bits.</p>



<p>“Now it’s grounded, it is even more likely to break up due to the increased stresses,” Meijers noted earlier; whether or not it’s currently snagged, the outcome is the same.</p>



<p>For scientists, though, this isn’t just spectacle. It’s a chance to watch, measure, and model how a true giant interacts with the Southern Ocean - how it fertilizes, how it freshens, how it fragments - and to fold those insights into a bigger picture of a warming world.</p>



<p>As Meijers put it, icebergs provide interesting natural laboratories for studying ocean physics, chemistry, and ecosystems. A23a’s long journey is nearly over. The lessons it leaves behind won’t melt away.</p>



<p>Image Credit: MODAPS at NASA/GSFC</p>



<p>-----</p>



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Antarctica’s megaberg faces its final days in the South Atlantic

After nearly four decades of stubbornly clinging to life, one of the largest icebergs ever recorded is entering its final act. A23a - the trillion-ton "megaberg," which once sprawled over an area more than twice the size of Greater London - has drifted into the warmer waters of the South Atlantic and has begun to disintegrate rapidly. In recent weeks, satellite images show vast slabs calving away - some measuring hundreds of square miles - while a blizzard of smaller bergy bits spreads around it, posing hazards...

<p>Scientists have long puzzled over a curious geological mystery in the Pacific Ocean: could one deep-sea hotspot be responsible for both a sprawling underwater volcano chain and the largest volcanic plateau on Earth? </p>



<p>After years of uncertainty, a new study connects these distant features, revealing a much clearer picture of how the Pacific Ocean floor has shifted and evolved.</p>



<p>The research, led by geologists from the <a href="https://umd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Maryland</a> and the University of Hawaiʻi, points to the Louisville hotspot as the common source of both the Louisville Ridge - a chain of underwater volcanoes - and the vast Ontong Java Plateau.</p>



<p>Their findings, published in the journal <em>Nature</em>, are helping to rewrite the volcanic history of the Pacific Ocean.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-volcanoes-share-hidden-origin"><strong>Volcanoes share hidden origin</strong></h2>



<p>“Up until now, we’ve had this extremely disconnected picture of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunken-worlds-discovered-under-the-pacific-ocean-in-earths-mantle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pacific</a> and its volcanoes,” said Val Finlayson, the study’s lead author. </p>



<p>“But for the first time, we’re able to make a clear connection between the younger southern and older western Pacific <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-camera-helps-scientists-forecast-volcanic-eruptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">volcanic systems</a>. It’s a discovery that gives us a more complete history of how the Pacific Ocean basin has evolved over millions of years to become what it is today.”</p>



<p>The Ontong Java Plateau, located north of the Solomon Islands, is a massive submerged volcanic platform. It’s about 120 million years old and has puzzled researchers due to its size and unclear origins.</p>



<p>Meanwhile, the Louisville hotspot, located in the southern Pacific Ocean, has long been known to generate a line of underwater volcanoes. Scientists had suspected the two might be linked, but no one could prove it - until now.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-volcanic-clues-beneath-the-crust"><strong>Volcanic clues beneath the crust</strong></h2>



<p>Part of the difficulty in confirming the connection came from the disappearance of key evidence. Over time, portions of the Louisville hotspot track were pushed beneath the Earth’s crust through subduction, making direct study impossible.</p>



<p>“Much of the physical evidence for a connection between Louisville and Ontong Java has disappeared because part of the Louisville hotspot track was subducted, or pushed, under <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-roughness-of-tectonic-plates-may-predict-earthquake-magnitude/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tectonic plates</a> in the Pacific region,” Finlayson explained.</p>



<p>“We had to sample deeply <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/underwater-volcanic-eruptions-are-more-harmful-than-previously-believed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">submerged volcanoes</a> from a different long-lived hotspot track to find evidence from tens of millions of years ago that suggested our models for the Pacific plate needed revision.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-footprints-of-a-hidden-past"><strong>Footprints of a hidden past</strong></h2>



<p>The breakthrough came when the team explored <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alien-like-marine-life-found-on-underwater-mountains-includes-100-new-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">underwater mountains</a> near Samoa. They expected to find relatively young volcanic structures. Instead, the researchers uncovered mountains far older than anticipated. Using rock samples, they analyzed both the age and chemical composition of the formations.</p>



<p>The data told a surprising story: the mountains were part of an ancient segment of the Louisville volcanic track. These volcanoes, formed by the same hotspot, left behind what the team likened to a trail of “footprints.”</p>



<p>“We can track these ‘footprints’ across time and space,” Finlayson said. “The footprints get progressively older as you move away from an active hot spot, similar to how your own footprints will fade away in the sand as you walk."</p>



<p>"But you can still tell that these prints belong to the same source. Thanks to this new evidence, we were able to revise current models of Pacific plate motion and gain a better understanding of how the seafloor has moved over millions of years.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rewriting-volcanic-history"><strong>Rewriting volcanic history</strong></h2>



<p>This improved understanding of Pacific plate movement doesn't just fill in a missing chapter of geological history - it could help with future studies of volcanoes across the world.</p>



<p>Many Pacific islands are built on volcanic foundations, and a better grasp of how those formations developed could be useful for both researchers and local communities.</p>



<p>The research team now plans to apply these updated models to other mysterious volcanic features, both below the ocean surface and above it.</p>



<p>“We’ve solved one mystery, but there are countless more waiting to be unraveled. This finding offers us a more accurate history of the Pacific and its volcanic activity and helps us understand more about the dynamics and style of volcanism that occurs there,” Finlayson said. </p>



<p>“Everything new we learn about the Earth’s tumultuous past helps us better understand the dynamic planet we live on today.”</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08889-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a></em>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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Hidden connection unites the largest volcanoes in the Pacific

Scientists have long puzzled over a curious geological mystery in...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em>JAMA Network Open</em>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Nicotine pouches are a dangerous new trend among teens

Nicotine pouches - small, flavored packets placed between the gum...

<p>Researchers have identified a hidden defensive structure deep in the forests of Neamț County, Romania. They used drones equipped with <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-lidar-data-and-where-can-i-download-it" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LiDAR</a> (light detection and ranging) technology to map the terrain through dense foliage, and revealed evidence of an elaborate feature from around 5,000 years ago.</p>



<p>This discovery might date back to the late <a href="https://www.history.com/articles/neolithic-revolution" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neolithic</a>, a stage of prehistory that stretched from about 8,000 B.C. to 3,000 B.C., and it shows how early societies managed to build strong barriers in tricky places. </p>



<p>Experts believe the structure had protective functions during a time of social shifts that occurred before the start of the Bronze Age - which began around 3,000 B.C.</p>



<p>The project was supervised by archaeologist <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Vasile-Diaconu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vasile Diaconu</a>, who is affiliated with the Neamț County Museum Complex. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-hidden-structures-with-lidar">Finding hidden structures with LIDAR</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/complex-canopies-help-forests-recover-from-disturbances/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LiDAR</a> has proven valuable in many archaeological projects, from spotting hidden Mayan roads in Central America to mapping temple complexes in Southeast Asia. </p>



<p>Researchers depend on these laser-based surveys to penetrate thick vegetation and capture precise ground elevations.</p>



<p>“LiDAR coverage provides the means to detect subtle anthropogenic features beneath a dense tropical forest canopy,” stated <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Arlen-Chase" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arlen F. Chase</a>, from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (<a href="https://www.unlv.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNLV</a>). </p>



<p>This method also limits the need for extensive on-site clearing, which saves time and preserves delicate ecosystems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-window-into-ancient-societies">Window into ancient societies</h2>



<p>Many historians associate the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-study-sheds-light-on-neolithic-rituals-involving-human-bones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">late Neolithic</a> with innovations in agriculture and early social organization. Creating a fortified area in rugged terrain reflects strategic thinking that goes beyond the needs of basic survival.</p>



<p>Differences in pottery styles, burial practices, and settlement layouts from this era shed light on gradual transitions that laid the groundwork for the Bronze Age. </p>



<p>The structure in Neamț County might have served as a hub for trade or a refuge during regional tensions.</p>



<p>“LiDAR scans showed that most of the fortified sites were located in high areas, which had good visibility and were reinforced by ditches and even earthen mounds in order to increase their defensive capacity,” Diaconu said. </p>



<p>“Field measurements indicated that some of these ditches had impressive dimensions with lengths of several hundred meters, which required considerable human effort in the construction.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-any-of-this-matter">Why does any of this matter?</h2>



<p>Modern archaeological ventures often rely on partnerships between traditional researchers and specialists in surveying or remote sensing. </p>



<p>This project succeeded because a former student - Vlad Dulgheriu - brought drone expertise to an established excavation team. </p>



<p>“Thanks to current technology and using LiDAR scans I was able to obtain a faithful image of an almost 5000-year-old fortification,” said Diaconu. He believes such measures reveal structures that have stayed hidden for centuries.</p>



<p>This fortification is evidence of the complexity of communities that existed long before metal tools became widespread. </p>



<p>In some cases, even basic wooden defenses or earthworks required sophisticated planning and labor coordination.</p>



<p>Uncovering these features shows the value of integrating new approaches with classic archaeological methods. It also opens more ways to protect cultural heritage sites from vandalism or climate-related threats.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-of-lidar-and-hidden-sites">Challenges of LIDAR and hidden sites</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forest-space-age-satellites-can-track-canopies-and-carbon-storage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Surveying thick forests</a> comes with problems like poor visibility and limited access to remote areas. LiDAR cuts through these barriers, but analyzing data demands specialized skills and advanced software.</p>



<p>Drone-based work can also be sensitive in regions with protected wildlife or historical landmarks, requiring special permits. Once that is sorted out, researchers can process the data to outline potential structures more accurately.</p>



<p>By around 3,000 B.C., societies in various parts of the world were experimenting with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-of-ancient-cymbals-suggests-that-music-connected-arabian-cultures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">copper alloy tools</a> and different forms of governance. </p>



<p>This shift shows how groups often adjusted their lifestyles to local challenges, such as building enclosures or reorganizing their communities.</p>



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



<p>Neamț County has a reputation for cultural treasures that span from medieval monasteries to centuries-old rural settlements. </p>



<p>This newly revealed fortification could add another layer to local identity, highlighting how human activity shaped these forests long ago.</p>



<p>Any site that merges natural features with strategic design hints at the resourcefulness of its builders. Over time, local communities may explore ways to protect it while promoting thoughtful tourism.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preserving-ancient-knowledge">Preserving ancient knowledge</h2>



<p>Archaeological archives are full of examples where sites were lost because people lacked the tools to identify them. In today’s world, technology can salvage fragile remnants of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mayan-civilization-may-have-been-shaped-by-ingenious-fisheries/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">earlier civilizations</a> without major disruptions.</p>



<p>Experts also stress ethical responsibilities when revealing newly identified places with significant heritage value. Protective measures must be balanced with the public’s interest in learning about the past.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-continued-lidar-hidden-exploration">Continued LIDAR hidden exploration</h2>



<p>Scholars anticipate more hidden sites will emerge as scanning tools improve and costs become more manageable. </p>



<p>Each uncovered location can broaden our perspective on how people thrived in challenging climates or landscapes.</p>



<p>Research teams may also turn to other remote sensing methods, such as thermal imaging, to complement LiDAR. That way, various layers of data can combine to form a cohesive record of vanished structures.</p>



<p>As technology evolves, archaeology may make connections between previously unrelated findings. This can enrich discussions about the origins of social hierarchies, trade networks, and cultural practices. </p>



<p>Local institutions might explore new avenues for research and tourism that rely on scanning technologies. This approach will highlight the resilience of ancient populations.</p>



<p>The findings were presented at the <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/385377876_Let's_make_the_invisible_visible_LiDAR_investigations_and_archaeological_data_from_fortified_sites_attributed_to_the_Bronze_Age_in_Eastern_Romania" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Landscape Archaeology Conference</a> in Spain, 2024.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p></p>

5,000-year-old fort hidden in the jungle confirms sophistication of ancient societies

Researchers have identified a hidden defensive structure deep in the...

<p>The tiny tardigrade is often praised for its unmatched durability. Scientists have tested these microscopic animals in punishing conditions, and some have lived to tell the tale.</p>



<p>Tardigrades measure just around 0.02 inches, yet appear to shrug off extreme cold, radiation, and weeks without moisture. </p>



<p>Observers are now stunned to see new <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c00378" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">experiments</a> that place micro designs on their bodies through a specialized electron beam approach.</p>



<p>Ding Zhao from <a href="https://www.zju.edu.cn/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zhejiang University</a>, along with fellow researchers, has introduced a way to etch micro tracings onto tardigrade exteriors without hindering their natural <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/water-bear-tardigrade-fossils-reveal-how-they-survived-several-mass-extinction-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">behaviors</a>.</p>



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



<p>Tardigrades, also called water bears or moss piglets, are tiny creatures that punch way above their weight. These microscopic animals lumber around on stubby legs, often in damp environments like moss, soil, or lichen. </p>



<p>Despite their cuddly nickname, they’re some of the toughest life forms on Earth. They can survive boiling heat, freezing cold, crushing pressure, radiation, and even the vacuum of space. </p>



<p>When things get rough, they curl up into a dry, shriveled ball called a “tun,” hit pause on life, and wait it out - sometimes for decades.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-microfabrication">What is microfabrication?</h2>



<p>The term <a href="https://monroeengineering.com/blog/what-is-microfabrication/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microfabrication</a> describes a set of processes for building incredibly small devices. Researchers have used these methods to create sensors, circuit boards, and other intricate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robots-can-now-learn-from-humans-by-watching-how-to-videos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tools</a>.</p>



<p>Achieving compatibility with delicate organisms has remained a sticking point. Old methods risk harming living cells with toxic chemicals or destructive radiation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tattooing-tardigrades-without-harm">Tattooing tardigrades without harm</h2>



<p>The experts used an electron beam to form patterns on a tardigrade’s outer layer. Some portions of the animals withstood the process and resumed normal movement soon after.</p>



<p>“Through this technology, we’re not just creating micro-<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tattoo-ink-travels-through-the-body-and-may-cause-long-term-risks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tattoos</a> on tardigrades - we’re extending this capability to various living organisms, including bacteria,” explained Ding Zhao.</p>



<p>This statement highlights how advanced microfabrication might find uses across a wide range of living systems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-tardigrades-survive-extreme-conditions">Why tardigrades survive extreme conditions</h2>



<p>Scientists are still uncovering the factors behind these creatures’ legendary <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5492148/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">toughness</a>. Research has shown that certain species can return to life after losing nearly all their water content, which is a remarkable example of endurance.</p>



<p>This survival strategy makes them ideal test subjects for new fabrication ideas that require harsh steps like exposure to vacuum or cold. Their bodies recover in ways that few other animals can match.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiny-implants-could-help-future-medicine">Tiny implants could help future medicine</h2>



<p>Biomedicine may benefit from micro-scale implants or sensors that merge seamlessly with living <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tattoos-and-body-art-found-on-1200-year-old-peruvian-mummies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tissues</a>. Some experts foresee devices that collect data inside the human body without major surgical steps.</p>



<p>“It is challenging to pattern living matter, and this advance portends a new generation of biomaterial devices and biophysical sensors that were previously only present in science fiction,” noted Gavin King, who invented the underlying ice lithography technique but was not involved in this study.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-steps-for-using-micro-tattoos">Next steps for using micro-tattoos</h2>



<p>The researchers hope to expand these methods to other resilient microorganisms. New forms of <a href="https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Anisole" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anisole</a> or related compounds might open doors to printed electronics that stick firmly on biological surfaces.</p>



<p>Specialized micro-sensors could someday track health markers in real time and transmit signals externally. This might transform disease monitoring and personalized care options.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-micro-tattoos-harm-tardigrades">Can micro-tattoos harm tardigrades?</h2>



<p>There are still questions about long-term impacts on each test subject’s health and lifespan. Further studies will examine whether repeated procedures cause hidden issues inside their cells.</p>



<p>Refinements in cooling, beam intensity, and chemical agents are likely to minimize harm. Some scientists see this as a path to safer, more precise methods that respect an organism’s integrity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discovery-of-tough-tardigrades">Discovery of tough tardigrades</h2>



<p>Tardigrades belong to a distinct group called Phylum Tardigrada. They were first documented in the late 18th century by naturalists who studied water samples.</p>



<p>Early observations noted their curious shape and lumbering walk, prompting the nickname water bear. Centuries later, advanced labs continue to explore new features of their biology.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-micro-tattoos-could-help-robotics">How micro-tattoos could help robotics</h2>



<p>Scientists speculate that flexible circuits could coat the surfaces of living microbes to monitor chemical changes in high-risk environments. This might lead to real-time alerts about contamination or hidden toxins.</p>



<p>Similar concepts might appear in robotics, where living cells combine with manufactured parts to form hybrid machines. Supporters envision a time when microbes and human-made systems work in unison without harming each other.</p>



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



<p>Teams worldwide exchange notes to refine micro-scale engineering on living hosts. This collaboration crosses disciplines, tying biology, physics, and chemistry into one puzzle.</p>



<p>Continual improvements in electron beam control allow for finer detail with fewer side effects. Leading laboratories consider tardigrades a stepping stone to more fragile organisms.</p>



<p>Enthusiasts believe new micro-designs on these creatures will spark ideas for advanced drug delivery and personalized treatments. Tiny adhesives may cling to tissues and guide medication where it is needed most.</p>



<p>Engineers and biologists see common ground in these experiments. The combination of precise patterns and natural resilience points to methods that could redefine how we use biological surfaces in tech.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c00378" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nano Letters</em></a>.</p>



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Scientists found a way to put tattoos on the smallest, toughest creatures on Earth

The tiny tardigrade is often praised for its unmatched durability....

African,Woman,,Portrait,And,Heart,Hands,On,Stomach,At,Gym,

<p>The bacteria, fungi, and other gut microbes colonizing an animal’s intestines influence everything from digestion to immunity, yet scientists still know surprisingly little about how everyday foods reshape this inner ecosystem. </p>



<p>A new investigation shows that switching the dominant source of dietary protein can upend both membership and metabolic duties of the gut microbiome in a single week.</p>



<p>This study, led by <a href="https://www.ncsu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">North Carolina State University</a> and published by Alfredo Blakeley-Ruiz and colleagues, may help unravel why modern diets are often linked to chronic gastrointestinal disorders and could point the way toward new therapeutic or preventive strategies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-gut-s-response-to-protein">The gut's response to protein </h2>



<p>To isolate the effect of protein <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-too-much-protein-greatly-increases-heart-disease-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">source</a> alone, the researchers fed mice a series of highly defined diets that were identical in fat, carbohydrate, fiber and mineral content but differed in a single component: every seven days the sole protein came either from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eggs-may-slow-memory-decline-and-support-brain-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">egg</a> white, brown rice, soy or yeast. </p>



<p>After each dietary phase, the team harvested intestinal contents and applied an “integrated metagenomics-metaproteomics” pipeline.</p>



<p>This combination of DNA sequencing and high-resolution mass spectrometry simultaneously identifies which microbial species are present and which proteins those microbes are producing - offering a rare window into the community’s actual functions rather than its potential.</p>



<p>“There’s something wrong with what we’re eating today, and we are not close to knowing what that is,” Blakeley-Ruiz noted. “Our lab wanted to know how different diets impact what lives in the gut, and to learn something about what those microbes are doing, functionally, in response to that diet.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reshuffling-of-microbial-communities">Reshuffling of microbial communities</h2>



<p>The results revealed striking volatility. Each new protein source triggered a noticeable turnover in microbial membership, but three diets - egg white, brown rice, and yeast - drove the most dramatic transformations.</p>



<p>“The composition of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gut-bacteria-have-very-clever-ways-of-supporting-human-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gut microbiome</a> significantly changed every time we changed the protein source,” Blakeley-Ruiz explained. </p>



<p>Not only did some formerly minor species bloom to dominance, but entire metabolic pathways switched on or off, indicating that the microbes were quickly retooling their biochemical machinery to exploit the new nutrient landscape.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-amino-acids-and-complex-sugars">Amino acids and complex sugars</h2>



<p>When the scientists compared microbial proteins across diets, two functional categories showed the largest swings. </p>



<p>The first, amino-acid metabolism, was expected: because proteins are built from amino acids, microbes respond to a fresh influx by either manufacturing more amino-acid-processing enzymes or dialing production down if the amino acids arrive pre-made.</p>



<p>In mice fed egg white or brown rice, the team saw a pronounced increase in enzymes that break down amino acids, suggesting that gut microbes were scavenging these building blocks directly from the diet rather than synthesizing them on their own. </p>



<p>Blakeley-Ruiz cautioned that such degradation makes intuitive sense but may have hidden consequences, because certain amino-acid by-products can become toxic or influence brain signaling through the gut–brain axis.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dramatic-changes-in-the-gut-microbiome">Dramatic changes in the gut microbiome </h2>



<p>The second major change surprised the team: large shifts in enzymes that degrade glycans, the branching chains of sugar molecules that decorate many proteins. Diets rich in soy, rice, yeast and especially egg white boosted the expression of glycan-cutting enzymes, sometimes dramatically.</p>



<p>“This could be really meaningful, health-wise,” Blakeley-Ruiz said. In the egg-white group, a single bacterial species surged and switched on a broad suite of glycan-degradation genes. </p>



<p>Laboratory tests showed this bacterium expressed a similar enzyme profile when grown in the presence of mucin, the slippery protein-sugar mixture that coats and protects the intestinal lining.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-erosion-of-the-gut-s-protective-barrier">Erosion of the gut’s protective barrier</h2>



<p>Because mucin’s sugars resemble those on dietary proteins, microbes that learn to chew through egg-white glycans might also erode the host’s mucin layer, compromising the gut barrier and allowing inflammation or pathogens to take hold.</p>



<p>“I’m excited to explore this potential connection between the expression of glycan degrading enzymes in the egg white diet and the breakdown of mucin by the gut microbiome in future studies,” Blakeley-Ruiz said.</p>



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



<p>Manuel Kleiner, associate professor of plant and microbial biology and co-corresponding author, emphasized that the purified diets used here are intentionally artificial. Real meals include multiple protein sources and additional nutrients that could buffer or blunt the effects seen in mice. </p>



<p>Nonetheless, the work spotlights egg white as an “extreme” modulator of microbial behavior and sets the stage for follow-up experiments that mix proteins in more realistic proportions.</p>



<p>“Our study shows not only which bacterial species are in the gut microbiome and their abundance, but also what they are actually doing,” Kleiner explained. </p>



<p>By mapping the enzyme repertoires that microbes deploy for different proteins, the researchers have created a catalog of metabolic responses that future projects can mine to design precision diets or probiotics.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nutrition-that-supports-gut-health">Nutrition that supports gut health</h2>



<p>The findings arrive amid a surge of interest in how diet shapes the gut microbiome and, by extension, human health. Gastrointestinal diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease afflict millions worldwide, and many patients report symptom flares linked to particular foods. </p>



<p>However, mechanistic explanations have been elusive. By revealing that protein source alone can rewire microbial communities in days - altering amino-acid breakdown and potentially stripping protective mucus - the NC State team provides new clues to this puzzle.</p>



<p>Further studies in animals and humans could determine whether certain protein-rich <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/contamination-crisis-microplastics-found-in-88-of-protein-sources/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">foods</a> contribute to disease by nudging the microbiome toward mucus-degrading, toxin-producing pathways, and whether alternative proteins or tailored fiber supplements can steer the gut back to a healthier state.</p>



<p>According to the scientists, there shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all approach to dietary protein. Understanding how specific proteins influence microbial metabolism is a first step toward personalized nutrition that supports, rather than undermines, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gut-health-may-be-the-key-to-anxiety-relief/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gut health</a>.</p>



<p>The study is published in the <a href="https://academic.oup.com/ismej/advance-article/doi/10.1093/ismejo/wraf048/8089909"><em>ISME Journal</em></a>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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What protein-packed diets are really doing to your gut

The bacteria, fungi, and other gut microbes colonizing an animal’s...

<p>Agricultural chemicals sprayed over vast plant fields rarely stay where growers intend. Researchers estimate that as much as half of each application drifts into soil, water, or the atmosphere - raising costs for farmers while burdening ecosystems.</p>



<p>A collaboration between <a href="https://web.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MIT</a> and the <a href="https://smart.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology</a> offers a radically different approach: hollow <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/inspired-by-sea-slugs-microneedles-could-transform-health-monitoring/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microneedles</a> spun from natural silk protein that inject fertilizers, nutrients, or sensing probes directly into plant tissues. </p>



<p>This technique pairs surgical precision with a fabrication process so simple it can be done outside a clean room, yet robust enough for large-scale production.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-silk-needles-for-smarter-farming">Silk needles for smarter farming</h2>



<p>“Agrochemicals are important for supporting our food system, but they’re also expensive and bring environmental side effects, so there’s a big need to deliver them precisely,” explained Benedetto Marelli, the study’s senior author and an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at MIT.</p>



<p>Traditional foliar spraying addresses entire canopies even when only specific plants - or particular tissues - need treatment.</p>



<p>The new silk microneedles bypass that waste, ferrying liquids directly into a plant’s vascular network, where they can be distributed internally with minimal losses to the surrounding environment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-way-to-feed-plants">A new way to feed plants</h2>



<p>The research builds on medical microneedle technology originally devised for painless human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-19-vaccine-misconceptions-are-spreading-rapidly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vaccinations</a>. Earlier work from Marelli’s group proved that solid silk needles could pierce plant epidermis, but those prototypes carried only minuscule doses. </p>



<p>To deliver commercially relevant volumes, Yunteng Cao and Doyoon Kim created a hollow version without the clean-room lithography medical devices usually require. They mixed purified silk fibroin with a saline solution and cast the blend into tiny conical molds.</p>



<p>As the water evaporated, salt crystallized inside the cones. Washing away the salt left behind either a central lumen or microscopic pores, depending on salt concentration. Despite their lightweight structure, the needles still had enough strength to penetrate stems.</p>



<p>“It’s a pretty simple fabrication process. It can be done outside of a clean room - you could do it in your kitchen if you wanted,” Kim said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-silk-needles-to-heal-crops">Using silk needles to heal crops</h2>



<p>Iron deficiency, or chlorosis, stunts growth in many crops and can significantly reduce tomato yields. Sprays often fail because iron oxidizes before it enters the roots or leaves.</p>



<p>The team demonstrated that their hollow needles could infuse iron chelate directly into chlorotic tomato stems, reversing yellowing while using far less material than conventional soil or foliar supplements. </p>



<p>Because the silk matrix biodegrades over several days, the needles acted like slow-release capsules, sustaining iron delivery as the plant recovered.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enriching-crops-with-vitamins">Enriching<strong> </strong>crops with vitamins</h2>



<p>Biofortification - boosting the nutritional content of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/creating-resilient-crops-to-cope-with-the-climate-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crops</a> - typically involves genetic engineering or post-harvest additives. </p>



<p>The researchers tested whether the silk microneedles could embed vitamin B12, a nutrient scarce in plant foods, into developing tomatoes. Injections into green stems resulted in ripe fruit containing measurable B12, hinting at a field-based route for nutrient enrichment.</p>



<p>Co-author Daisuke Urano noted that detailed assessments showed “minimal adverse effects from microneedle injections in plants, with no observed short- or long-term negative impacts,” suggesting the method could scale without compromising crop health.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crop-diagnostics-and-silk-needles">Crop diagnostics and silk needles </h2>



<p>The team also used the needles as diagnostic probes. Hydroponic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tomatoes-have-a-molecular-trick-to-survive-in-extreme-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tomatoes</a> growing in cadmium-tainted nutrient solution can absorb the toxic metal long before visual symptoms appear.</p>



<p>By inserting microneedles and later analyzing the absorbed sap, the researchers detected cadmium within fifteen minutes and monitored its rise over eighteen hours. </p>



<p>Current imaging methods only reveal stress after growth falters, and pulling sap manually is laborious. A microneedle array could act as an “IV line,” continually sampling fluid for on-farm analytics.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-robotic-treatment-for-plants">Robotic treatment for plants</h2>



<p>At present, technicians place the needles by hand, but Marelli envisions mounting them on robotic arms or autonomous drones that already patrol high-tech farms. Such systems could target individual plants flagged by imaging or soil sensors, applying nutrients or pesticides only where needed.</p>



<p>“We want to maximize the growth of plants without negatively affecting the health of the farm or the biodiversity of surrounding ecosystems,” Marelli said. “There shouldn’t be a trade-off between the agriculture industry and the environment. They should work together.”</p>



<p>While agriculture is the immediate focus, the underlying manufacturing technique could benefit human medicine. </p>



<p>Hollow polymeric microneedles loaded with drugs or vaccines can offer painless, self-administrable alternatives to hypodermic needles. Cao noted salt-templating can customize pore size and shape for controlled release in both skin and plant stems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-precise-crop-injections-with-silk-needles">Precise crop injections with silk needles </h2>



<p>Global demand for food is climbing even as arable land and freshwater resources strain under climate change and pollution. Precision tools that conserve inputs while protecting surrounding ecosystems are crucial, and silk microneedles offer a versatile platform.</p>



<p>The technology cuts waste and boosts crop care by infusing treatments, enriching nutrients, and enabling fast, in-plant diagnostics. </p>



<p>If automated at scale, farmers could soon replace broad sprays with pinpoint injections, feeding a growing world more responsibly and efficiently.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41565-025-01923-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Nanotechnology</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Smarter farming: Silk needles heal crops with precision

Agricultural chemicals sprayed over vast plant fields rarely stay where...

<p>An isolated corner of Ivory Coast has produced stone tools that suggest humans lived in dense jungle settings about 150,000 years ago. This <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08613-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence</a> defies the common view that thick tropical forests were too unforgiving for early human survival.</p>



<p>Archaeologists used advanced dating methods to confirm the age of the site at Anyama, which more than doubles prior estimates of when humans first made homes in such lush environments. This find widens our view of how early populations adjusted to life across Africa.</p>



<p>That historical gap caught the attention of Professor Yodé Guédé of <a href="https://w.univ-fhb.edu.ci/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">l'Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny</a>, who was part of the original team that first examined the region decades ago.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jungles-added-to-list-of-early-human-habitats">Jungles added to list of early human habitats</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/when-did-early-humans-first-start-wearing-clothes-and-why-parasites-lice/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Early humans</a> emerged around 300,000 years ago, but many details about their preferred ecosystems remain unclear.</p>



<p>Jungles were rarely considered prime spots for ancient communities, largely because of the challenges of limited farmland and tricky navigation.</p>



<p>“Several recent climate models suggested the area could have been a rainforest refuge in the past as well, even during dry periods of forest fragmentation,” noted <a href="http://www.eleanorscerri.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prof. Eleanor Scerri</a>, from the <a href="https://www.gea.mpg.de/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology</a>. This perspective motivated researchers to revisit earlier discoveries and apply fresh laboratory analysis.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-discoveries-in-the-trench">Hidden discoveries in the trench</h2>



<p>The original trench investigation took place around the 1980s, but specific dating methods were unavailable at that time. Researchers relied on stone tools and sediment layering for clues, yet the exact timeline was not evaluated. </p>



<p>One researcher explained that they relocated the older excavation and used advanced techniques just in time, since modern mining threatened to erase the entire site. </p>



<p>The team uncovered proof that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-humans-thrived-on-plant-based-diets-not-meat-alone-780000-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early humans</a> thrived in these rainforest conditions much earlier than scientists once believed.</p>



<p>Laboratory tests pinpointed the layers to approximately 150,000 years ago. Analysts checked sediments for pollen, phytoliths, and other markers to confirm that the region was heavily wooded rather than open savanna.</p>



<p>Low levels of grass pollen indicated denser tree cover, while certain leaf wax residues pointed to damp forest floors. Stone tools found in these layers showed humans shaped implements for hunting and gathering in thick canopy settings.</p>



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



<p>“This exciting discovery is the first of a long list,” exclaimed Prof. Guédé. Findings like these offer a glimpse into an ancient human past that included life in more varied environments than once thought.</p>



<p>“We now need to ask how these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-humans-used-interesting-technique-hunt-big-animals-clovis-points/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early human</a> niche expansions impacted the plants and animals that shared the same niche-space with humans. In other words, how far back does human alteration of pristine natural habitats go?” queried Prof. Scerri.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-resilience-in-jungle-environments">Human resilience in jungle environments</h2>



<p>For a long time, researchers assumed that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-and-neanderthals-species-face-structure-evolved-differently/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early humans</a> stuck to coastlines, open plains, or rivers. These areas made hunting and movement easier, and survival more straightforward. </p>



<p>But the Anyama discovery flips that idea, showing people were tough enough to settle deep in wet, closed-canopy forests long before modern tools or farming.</p>



<p>Surviving in this setting would have meant adjusting to dense tree cover, unpredictable rainfall, and dangerous wildlife. It wasn’t an easy life. That humans pulled it off over 100,000 years ago speaks volumes about their creativity, adaptability, and endurance.</p>



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



<p>Experts are eager to hunt for additional relics in neighboring areas. They speculate that similar discoveries could reshape the timeline of human occupation across tropical regions.</p>



<p>Fresh data may also reveal how resource use and local animal interactions played out in wetter environments. Investigating more sites could shed light on the full scope of ancient adaptability in Africa’s green corridors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-west-africa-still-holds-secrets">Why west Africa still holds secrets</h2>



<p>West Africa remains one of the least explored regions when it comes to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-arrived-in-south-america-much-earlier-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early human history</a>. Political instability, limited funding, and decades of underrepresentation in research have left many sites untouched and stories untold.</p>



<p>Archaeologists believe this is just the beginning. If one forgotten trench in Ivory Coast can reshape our human timeline, there’s no telling what lies beneath the soil in neighboring countries. The deeper we dig, the more complex the story of our origin becomes.</p>



<p>The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08613-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature</em></a>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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Primitive tools reveal early humans lived in a harsh, forgotten jungle 150,000 years ago

An isolated corner of Ivory Coast has produced stone tools...

<p>Aging is not just about counting candles on a cake. While chronological age marks time, biological age reveals how your body is truly holding up. The two don’t always align. You might be 60 on paper but have the organs and cells of someone far younger - or older.</p>



<p>This difference can carry real <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organ-aging-can-predict-diseases-decades-in-advance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consequences</a>, especially for brain health. According to a major new study, people with higher biological ages than their chronological ones may face a greater risk of developing dementia.</p>



<p>The findings shed light on how our internal aging patterns could shape long-term cognitive outcomes.</p>



<p>This research gains urgency in the face of global dementia rates, which continue to climb. With longer life expectancies, understanding how to age <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/defying-time-three-ways-to-slow-biological-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthily</a> becomes more important than ever. And this study offers a new lens through which to view prevention and early detection.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biological-age-may-signal-dementia-risk">Biological age may signal dementia risk</h2>



<p>Chronological age is simple - your age based on birthdate. Biological age is more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/protein-changes-discovered-protect-humans-mammals-from-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex</a>. It reflects how your body's systems perform relative to typical aging. It draws on health indicators like lung function, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and even blood cell activity.</p>



<p>While this study does not prove causation, it reveals a compelling association between advanced biological age and dementia. </p>



<p>That’s important, because it suggests biological age may be a useful warning sign for cognitive decline. It also raises hope - because biological age is more responsive to change than the passage of time.</p>



<p>“With the rising impact of dementia around the world, identifying risk factors and implementing preventive measures is essential,” said study author Dr. Yacong Bo of <a href="https://english.zzu.edu.cn/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zhengzhou University</a> in China.</p>



<p>“While none of us can change our chronological age, we can <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/random-dna-mutations-shape-biological-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">influence</a> our biological age through lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-faster-aging-and-higher-dementia-risk">Faster aging and higher dementia risk</h2>



<p>The researchers examined 280,918 individuals from a large UK database. At the start of the study, the average participant was 57 years old. </p>



<p>Importantly, none had dementia when they joined the research. These individuals were then tracked for 14 years on average, allowing the team to observe who developed dementia and how biological age might relate to that outcome.</p>



<p>During the study period, 4,770 participants were diagnosed with dementia. Among those who developed the disease, their average chronological age was 65. </p>



<p>But their average biological age stood at 55, suggesting their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-scientific-review-analyzes-the-potential-and-limitations-of-nmn-for-slowing-down-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bodies</a> had aged beyond their actual years. In contrast, people who did not develop dementia had an average chronological age of 57 and a biological age closer to 45.</p>



<p>These differences reflect more than numbers - they may signal stress on vital systems like the brain, heart, and immune system.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-biological-age-was-measured">How biological age was measured</h2>



<p>To calculate biological age, the researchers used two distinct methods. Both factored in key aging biomarkers like lung efficiency, cholesterol, and blood pressure. But they also looked at deeper blood indicators, such as average red cell size and white blood cell count.</p>



<p>These tests offer insight into how the body’s internal systems - like metabolism, immunity, kidney and liver function, and cardiovascular health - are aging. When these systems wear out faster than normal, they may place the brain under greater stress.</p>



<p>When grouped by biological age, the participants with the oldest biological profiles were about 30% more likely to develop dementia compared to those with the youngest profiles. </p>



<p>These results accounted for other variables like smoking, education, and baseline age, suggesting that biological age remained a strong predictor.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-faster-aging-linked-to-brain-shrinkage">Faster aging linked to brain shrinkage</h2>



<p>The researchers didn’t stop at statistical risk. They also looked at brain imaging to find structural evidence of damage. People with advanced biological age showed signs of reduced gray matter volume - a known marker in many forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.</p>



<p>“These brain structure changes explain some, but not all, of the association between advanced biological age and dementia,” Bo said. </p>



<p>“These results support the hypothesis that advanced biological age may contribute to the development of dementia by causing a widespread change in brain structures.”</p>



<p>The structural thinning of the brain may help explain why faster-aging bodies tend to suffer cognitive problems earlier. However, it also points to other unknown factors that may link the two.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-healthy-living-may-reduce-dementia-risk">Healthy living may reduce dementia risk</h2>



<p>While we cannot pause time, this study hints that we might influence how our bodies age. Biological age appears more flexible than chronological age. That means good habits - like regular movement, plant-forward eating, low stress, and avoiding tobacco - could lower our biological age over time.</p>



<p>The authors emphasize this point. "While none of us can change our chronological age, we can influence our biological age," Bo said. This opens a promising window for public health efforts that target modifiable risk factors.</p>



<p>The study also raises new questions: Could slowing biological aging delay or prevent cognitive diseases? Would earlier screening based on biological age allow for better treatment or care? These are paths future research may explore.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limitations-of-the-study">Limitations of the study</h2>



<p>The researchers acknowledged some limitations of their study. Participants in the UK database were generally more health-conscious than the wider population.</p>



<p>This could skew the findings toward lower dementia risk overall, meaning the real-world numbers might differ. Still, the consistent patterns between biological age and cognitive decline remain relevant.</p>



<p>Importantly, this work was supported by both the Henan Province and Zhengzhou city governments in China, highlighting the growing international interest in brain aging research.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learn-more-about-brain-health">Learn more about brain health</h2>



<p>To better understand brain conditions and healthy aging, resources like <a href="https://www.brainandlife.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BrainandLife.org</a> offer science-backed information. </p>



<p>Managed by the American Academy of Neurology, this platform connects patients, caregivers, and medical professionals with expert advice. The site includes articles, podcasts, and books covering topics from migraine to Alzheimer’s.</p>



<p>In summary, how fast your body ages may shape how well your mind holds up. And as this new research shows, staying biologically younger might offer powerful protection.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000213616" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Neurology</em></a>.</p>



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Our biological age may predict dementia risk better than birth date

Aging is not just about counting candles on a cake....

<p>Plastic pollution in the ocean is an urgent crisis. While most people recognize its physical dangers, new research reveals deeper biological threats. </p>



<p>A new study shows that ingested plastic can release hormone-altering chemicals in northern fulmars, a species of seabird that inhabits the North Atlantic and North Pacific.</p>



<p>Researchers from <a href="https://www.ucsc.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Santa Cruz</a> and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance conducted this study. Their findings suggest that plastics can chemically interfere with birds’ hormonal systems. This is more than a surface-level threat - this interference may affect survival, reproduction, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nearly-all-seabirds-have-ingested-microplastics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">behavior</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-after-seabirds-ingest-plastic">What happens after seabirds ingest plastic? </h2>



<p>The researchers analyzed estrogen receptor (ER) activity in northern fulmars. ERs are vital for reproduction and development. Many plastic-associated chemicals mimic or block estrogen, acting as xenoestrogens.</p>



<p>To investigate this, scientists compared human and fulmar ER responses using a luciferase-reporter assay. </p>



<p>Both species’ ERs were activated by common plastic additives like bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), 4-octylphenol (4-OP), and benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP). They were inhibited by known toxicants such as tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).</p>



<p>This similarity in response raises concerns about ecosystem-wide effects. The chemicals leached from plastics don’t just pass through animals - they bind to key receptors that control biological <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-are-breathing-in-plastic-what-does-that-mean-for-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">systems</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastic-chemicals-harm-birds-for-days">Plastic chemicals harm birds for days</h2>



<p>Lead author Liesbeth Van Hassel emphasized that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nearly-all-seabirds-have-ingested-microplastics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic</a> ingestion may have deeper effects. </p>



<p>“We’ve long known that plastic ingestion can cause physical harm to seabirds, but this study shows it may also have hidden biological effects,” she said. </p>



<p>“What’s especially concerning is that these chemicals don’t just pass through - they interact with key hormone receptors in the body.”</p>



<p>In the study, plastic recovered from 27 fulmars’ stomachs was soaked in solvent. The leachates were tested on cloned fulmar hormone receptors. Thirteen of the birds had plastics that activated or blocked hormone receptors on day one. </p>



<p>Nine of those still showed disruption after five and fourteen days, revealing a prolonged threat.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-damage-caused-by-plastic-chemicals">Damage caused by plastic chemicals </h2>



<p>The study also analyzed the polymers in the ingested <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-day-2025-innovation-takes-the-lead-in-environmental-action/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastics</a>. Using infrared spectroscopy, they identified polyethylene (60%), polypropylene (35%), polyethylene terephthalate (3%), and 2% unidentifiable materials. </p>



<p>However, the type of plastic didn’t predict hormonal response. This suggests the additives - not the base materials - cause the damage.</p>



<p>“Some of these plastics kept leaching active chemicals for two weeks,” said Christopher Tubbs, co-author and Associate Director of Reproductive Sciences at <a href="https://sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance</a>. </p>



<p>“This suggests seabirds are not only swallowing harmful materials — they may be getting a continuous dose of hormone-altering chemicals.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seabirds-humans-and-plastic-chemicals">Seabirds, humans, and plastic chemicals</h2>



<p>While fulmars and humans showed similar reactions to certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-normal-plastic-turns-into-dangerous-micro-and-nanoplastics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chemicals</a>, sensitivity varied by substance and concentration. </p>



<p>For instance, human ERs responded more strongly to BPA and BPS, while fulmar ERs were more sensitive to 4-OP. These differences highlight the importance of testing species-specific hormone systems rather than relying only on human models.</p>



<p>Previous research has shown that different bird species experience unique endocrine effects. Quail, for example, showed reproductive issues and lowered estrogen after ingesting plastic. Fulmars, with long retention times and a tendency to consume floating plastics, are especially vulnerable.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-global-warning-from-seabirds">A global warning from seabirds</h2>



<p>Northern fulmars are often used as indicators of ocean plastic pollution. Their surface-feeding habits expose them to microplastics, and their stomachs can retain these for weeks or months. This extended retention increases the chance of chemical absorption.</p>



<p>The team’s study offers the first data showing that a seabird’s estrogen receptors can be disrupted by chemicals released from actual ocean-recovered plastic. </p>



<p>It provides a cautionary example of how plastics are harming wildlife not just physically, but chemically and hormonally.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uncovering-plastic-s-deeper-risks">Uncovering plastic’s deeper risks</h2>



<p>This research is part of a broader collaboration between the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and UC Santa Cruz. </p>



<p>The goal is to uncover hidden risks to species and apply this knowledge in conservation science. The team's findings highlight the need to reduce plastic waste and limit the use of harmful additives.</p>



<p>Plastics may look inert, but inside a bird’s stomach, they become chemical hazards. This study reveals how ocean pollution is silently rewiring the biology of marine species - one swallowed fragment at a time.</p>



<p>The work was supported by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oikonos.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/alaska/fisheries-observers/north-pacific-observer-program" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOAA North Pacific Observer Program</a>, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://wildlife.ca.gov/OSPR/Science/MWVCRC" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CDFW-OSPR Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center</a>.&nbsp;These partnerships enabled collection, lab work, and analysis vital to this study.​</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0269749125005184" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Pollution</a>.</em></p>



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Plastic is harming seabirds even more than we realized

Plastic pollution in the ocean is an urgent crisis. While...

<p>A team of scientists has recently uncovered a unique genetic adaptation in horses that may explain their remarkable athleticism. The adaptation, previously seen only in viruses, provides horses with a way to override a premature genetic stop signal. </p>



<p>The discovery, led by <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Johns Hopkins Medicine</a>, in collaboration with <a href="https://castiglionelab.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vanderbilt University’s Castiglione Lab</a>, focuses on a key genetic pathway known as NRF2/KEAP1 and a rare evolutionary mechanism that gives <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/all-domestic-horses-have-ancestors-in-russia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">horses</a> an athletic advantage.</p>



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



<p>The NRF2/KEAP1 pathway is found in all vertebrates and plays a critical role in protecting cells from oxidative stress. It also helps regulate metabolism and energy production. </p>



<p>NRF2 is a protein that shields cells from reactive oxygen species - unstable molecules that damage DNA and accumulate during activities like exercise. KEAP1 acts as a sensor that regulates how much NRF2 is available to help cells respond to stress.</p>



<p>“We’ve studied NRF2 and KEAP1 for a long time, because this duo is very relevant to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-retinal-cells-explain-complex-color-perception/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">retinal</a> diseases such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy,” said senior author Elia Duh, a professor of ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins Medicine’s <a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/wilmer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wilmer Eye Institute</a>. </p>



<p>“NRF2 is important for coping with oxidative stress, as well as for mitochondrial metabolism, respiration, and energy production.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extremely-rare-adaptation-in-horses">Extremely rare adaptation in horses</h2>



<p>Using genetic sequencing, the researchers found a peculiar mutation in the KEAP1 gene in horses, donkeys, and zebras. The mutation introduced a premature stop codon - a segment of DNA that acts like a "stop" sign, usually ending protein production too early. </p>



<p>When such a stop codon appears early in a gene, the resulting protein is often too short to function properly. In humans, these premature stop codons are linked to around 11% of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-technology-could-safely-treat-hundreds-of-genetic-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">inherited diseases</a>, including conditions like cystic fibrosis and muscular dystrophy.</p>



<p>Surprisingly, horses have evolved a workaround. Instead of halting KEAP1 protein production, their cells recode the stop signal, allowing the gene to continue translating into a full-length, functional protein. This process, known as stop codon read through, is extremely rare in animals and has only been documented in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/viruses-that-love-to-kill-bacteria-could-help-fight-deadly-infections/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">viruses</a> before this study.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-better-energy-better-performance">Better energy, better performance</h2>



<p>Further molecular analysis of horse cells showed that this genetic recoding results in a more efficient KEAP1 protein, one that is highly responsive to reactive oxygen species. </p>



<p>This in turn boosts the activity of NRF2, the protective protein that helps cells generate energy and fend off oxidative damage. The end result: a cellular system optimized for the extreme demands of equine endurance.</p>



<p>The enhanced NRF2/KEAP1 pathway in horses appears to help them meet their intense energy requirements during exercise while also minimizing the cellular damage typically caused by such exertion. </p>



<p>According to the research team, this could explain how horses have evolved such exceptional speed and stamina.</p>



<p>“Not only does our work confirm this genetic evolutionary adaptation, it brings into focus how important this pathway is for chronic disease, age-related diseases, and exercise physiology,” Duh said. “This might give insight into the particular NRF2/KEAP1 interactions we can take advantage of therapeutically.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improving-human-health">Improving human health </h2>



<p>The findings on horse genetics do more than offer insight into equine biology - they may open doors to new medical treatments. The same genetic mechanism that allows horses to bypass a premature stop codon could potentially be applied in humans to treat a variety of inherited diseases caused by similar mutations.</p>



<p>By understanding how horses naturally override a genetic stop signal, researchers may be able to design drugs or gene therapies that mimic the process.</p>



<p>“The strategy used by horses to bypass a stop codon could guide ongoing efforts to treat the many inherited diseases resulting from premature stop codons,” Duh explained.</p>



<p>Beyond rare genetic disorders, the study also highlights the broader relevance of the NRF2/KEAP1 pathway in age-related and chronic diseases. </p>



<p>Because NRF2 plays a central role in cellular stress response and energy metabolism, targeting this pathway might offer new avenues for treating conditions like macular degeneration, cardiovascular disease, or even the effects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/protein-changes-discovered-protect-humans-mammals-from-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-horse-genetics-and-human-medicine">Horse genetics and human medicine </h2>



<p>This discovery of stop codon read through in horses is a striking example of how evolution can find ingenious solutions to biological challenges. Until now, such a mechanism was thought to be confined to viruses, which use it to produce multiple proteins from the same genetic sequence. </p>



<p>The fact that horses have developed a similar ability suggests this strategy may be more broadly applicable - and more medically significant - than previously imagined.</p>



<p>As the researchers continue to explore the full implications of this evolutionary adaptation, their work is helping bridge the gap between animal biology and human medicine, offering new insights into both performance and pathology.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adr8589" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Science</em></a>.</p>



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Horse genetics could unlock breakthroughs in human medicine

A team of scientists has recently uncovered a unique genetic...

<p>Extreme rainfall events can lead to flash floods that threaten both people and property. Research on how rising temperatures may influence extreme rainfall has sparked lively debate.</p>



<p>Recent findings explore whether the intensity of short, heavy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-rainfall-increases-as-a-direct-result-of-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">downpours</a> grows faster than earlier theories suggested. The study was led by Nicolas Da Silva and Jan O. Härter at the <a href="https://www.uni-potsdam.de/en/university-of-potsdam" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Potsdam</a>.</p>



<p>"In the past two decades, several studies reported that extreme rainfall intensity can increase with temperature at rates exceeding the thermodynamic Clausius–Clapeyron rate," noted the researchers.</p>



<p>The Clausius-Clapeyron relationship predicts the increase in the water-holding capacity of air - which leads to heavier rainfall - based on the rate of temperature rise.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-claims-of-extra-rain-gains">Early claims of extra rain gains</h2>



<p>Back in 2008, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/ngeo262" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">researchers</a> in the Netherlands analyzed rainfall data and proposed that intense downpours might increase at about 14 percent per 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit of warming. The experts believed the classic formula linking temperature to moisture content in the air was too low.</p>



<p>Their findings stirred questions about whether standard expectations were incomplete. The Clausius-Clapeyron rate predicts a 7 percent rise in water vapor capacity per 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit. In that light, the Dutch claim of roughly 14 percent set off alarm bells.</p>



<p>Many wondered if storms were actually intensifying faster than the established rules predicted. Scientists have attempted to confirm or dispute that jump.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extreme-rainfall-and-rising-temperatures">Extreme rainfall and rising temperatures</h2>



<p>“We make use of a large and high-frequency dataset from Germany which is combined with a novel lightning detection dataset,” said Da Silva. The new analysis splits thunderstorms from more uniform <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-summer-rainfall-events-have-increased-in-the-u-s/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rainfall</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The result is rather striking: when carefully selecting only clear thunderstorm rainfall and studying the extremes at each temperature, the increase is almost perfectly along the <a href="https://taylorandfrancis.com/knowledge/Engineering_and_technology/Mechanical_engineering/Clausius-Clapeyron_relation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clausius-Clapeyron theory</a>,” said Jan O. Härter. </p>



<p>Next, the team looked at temperature data matched to each burst. Many scientists have tried to confirm or reject that jump over the years. Over time, the conversation revolved around whether certain data choices skewed the results.</p>



<p>Short bursts, often accompanied by lightning, can spike <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forecasting-the-floods-new-clues-about-extreme-rainfall/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rainfall</a> totals in a small region. Meanwhile, gentler rain events spread water more evenly and typically show milder extremes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mixed-rain-inflated-extreme-rainfall">Mixed rain inflated extreme rainfall</h2>



<p>By isolating different forms of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/once-in-a-thousand-years-extreme-storms-are-becoming-much-more-frequent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rain</a>, the study reveals that each pattern aligns closely with earlier expectations. Convective storms follow the usual thermodynamic scaling without exceeding it.</p>



<p>Only a combined approach, which mixes short and steady systems, produces the outlier numbers. This explains why earlier attempts implied a rate far beyond the basic 7 percent metric.</p>



<p>Instead of proving that thunderstorms become dramatically stronger, the findings point to a statistical overlap of different rain events. Only when both types are pooled together do the numbers suggest higher rates of change.</p>



<p>This aligns with earlier <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/ngeo1731" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">remarks</a> that combining thunderstorm and uniform rain may artificially inflate projections. In other words, each category alone shows a near match with the thermodynamic rate.</p>



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



<p>Flash floods often stem from cloud clusters that include intense cells and milder drizzles. Such mixtures appear to be behind the seemingly extra-strong escalation in extreme rainfall.</p>



<p>The study notes that future warming could create more of these combined events. This raises concerns for urban areas with sensitive drainage systems.</p>



<p>Urban infrastructure can be vulnerable to sudden deluges. If storms grow in frequency or overlap, stormwater systems may be overwhelmed.</p>



<p>Researchers stress that human safety and city planning could face new challenges. More clusters of strong cells within the same storm heighten the flash flood threat.</p>



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



<p>The research emphasizes the need to focus on how storms organize rather than assuming a hidden super-boost in rainfall intensity. They plan to explore interactions that cluster individual storms within larger systems.</p>



<p>Efforts are also underway to examine whether high-resolution climate simulations can replicate changes in thunderstorm clustering. Such work could improve risk assessments for flash floods.</p>



<p>More refined climate models could pinpoint where thunderstorms overlap. This detail may guide urban planning and early-warning strategies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-patterns-and-seasonal-shifts">Global patterns and seasonal shifts</h2>



<p>Experts also want to check if winter storms share similar traits. They suspect seasonal shifts in weather patterns could reshape the mix of intense and steady rainfall.</p>



<p>Determining whether these findings hold in other continents will be a next step. Collaboration among meteorologists worldwide could clarify how temperature shifts affect rainfall in various climates.</p>



<p>Stakeholders in flood-prone regions keep an eye on how storms evolve. More thorough knowledge of rainfall patterns could influence building codes and insurance practices.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preparing-cities-for-extreme-rainfall-events">Preparing cities for extreme rainfall events</h2>



<p>Public awareness campaigns might also help communities respond faster when warnings appear. Local authorities could partner with schools, community centers, and businesses to distribute guidelines.</p>



<p>Scientists emphasize that ongoing data collection is essential. Continuous station upgrades and satellite monitoring can shed light on storm shifts over the coming decades.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-025-01686-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Geoscience</em></a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Rising temperatures and extreme rainfall: Study reveals a missing link

Extreme rainfall events can lead to flash floods that threaten...

<p>Scientists have long questioned if evolution repeats or if chance drives every turn. A new study shows that in some birds, evolution may repeat itself - especially in how they fight for limited nesting spots.</p>



<p>Experts noticed that particular species of cavity-nesting birds share striking behavioral similarities. These species also display matching genetic changes, implying that repeated aggression could be tied to repeated patterns in the brain.</p>



<p>This new work is led by Kimberly Rosvall, an associate professor in the Indiana University College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Biology, who teamed up with Sara Lipshutz, an assistant professor of biology at <a href="https://duke.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Duke University</a>. Their collective effort hints at a consistent blueprint for how certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/luca-last-universal-common-ancestor-progenitor-all-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">traits</a> evolve over time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-birds-fight-hard-for-nest-spots">Birds fight hard for nest spots</h2>



<p>Securing a hole in a tree can decide which birds get to breed. When those holes are in short supply, some species show a strong push to ward off intruders.</p>



<p>“I have been studying <a href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.0021-8790.2001.00555.x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cavity-nesters</a>, like tree swallows and bluebirds, for over 20 years. We knew they fiercely defend their nesting territories, including those human-made bird boxes you might see in your local park,” said Rosvall.&nbsp;</p>



<p>That protective streak appears consistent across several unrelated birds. Each time a lineage became reliant on enclosed nests, aggression rose in parallel.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bird-clashes-show-repeated-patterns">Bird clashes show repeated patterns</h2>



<p>The researchers introduced a stuffed decoy and broadcast recorded bird calls to see how real birds responded. Flares of hostility revealed how serious a species is about defending its site.</p>



<p>They noticed that a handful of these birds engaged quickly and confronted the decoy. Others, less tied to cavities, didn’t show the same intensity.</p>



<p>In each case, bold defenders shared a special signature in their brains. The team combed through more than 10,000 genes, spotting a small subset that kept popping up when aggression levels were high.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-few-genes-drive-repeated-aggression">Few genes drive repeated aggression</h2>



<p>“It’s a small number of genes, but it’s exciting because evolution did repeat itself,” Rosvall said.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These genes might be key switches that help a bird ramp up hostility to secure a limited commodity. A bigger group of genes also turned up in certain lineages, pointing to multiple routes to the same end.</p>



<p>Those separate routes show that even with similar results, each bird family might get there in unique ways. Yet the shared core suggests a common guidebook exists whenever <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-evolution-not-random-gene-families-pangenome-influence-called-revolutionary/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">competition</a> spikes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-changes-repeat-in-bird-evolution">Brain changes repeat in bird evolution</h2>



<p>“Instead, we saw convergent increases in aggression linked to genes with connections to neurodegenerative disorders,” Rosvall said. </p>



<p>One unexpected twist linked strong aggression to certain molecules commonly tied to <a href="https://utswmed.org/conditions-treatments/neurodegenerative-disorders/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neurodegenerative disorders</a> in humans.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Researchers stress that the birds themselves are not at high risk for human diseases. However, seeing how evolution shapes these genes might inform future studies that look at how the brain changes across species.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-repetition-and-behavior-studies">Evolution repetition and behavior studies</h2>



<p>Findings that compare natural selection to an artist have cropped up in past <a href="https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/285134" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a>. As environments shift, a repeated call for certain strategies may draw on the same genetic toolkit.</p>



<p>Scientists hope this knowledge can broaden our understanding of how traits emerge. That might eventually shape how we address behavior-related conditions in other animals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genes-adjust-aggression-under-pressure">Genes adjust aggression under pressure</h2>



<p>Some species rely on a high-alert stance for their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolution-itself-found-to-be-evolving-as-life-constantly-learns-to-adapt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">survival</a>. Others benefit from more flexible approaches.</p>



<p>Rosvall and Lipshutz’s team shows that aggression can be fine-tuned by genes activated under competitive pressure. They also confirm that convergent evolution can affect the complex interplay between behavior and the brain.</p>



<p>Every time these birds faced tough nesting conditions, evolution seemed to repeat the same blueprint. This happened even across different branches of the avian family tree.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nest-fights-stress-and-behavior">Nest fights, stress, and behavior</h2>



<p>People who watch birds in neighborhood parks may notice them skirmishing over nest boxes. Although we often think of birds as gentle creatures, competition can push them into surprising battles.</p>



<p>This could serve as a powerful example of how ecological stress influences social interactions. It also challenges the notion that complicated <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolution-isnt-just-ancient-history-its-happening-right-now/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">behaviors</a> are always shaped by separate genetic routes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shared-genes-may-shape-many-traits">Shared genes may shape many traits</h2>



<p>Recognizing that aggression might recruit the same genes over and over helps us predict patterns in nature. Observers might wonder if other traits, from feeding habits to migration, follow a similar code.</p>



<p>Researchers suspect that future work could reveal shared pathways in many animals. Such comparisons may illuminate how small genetic changes reverberate through entire behaviors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-tends-to-repeat-itself">Evolution tends to repeat itself</h2>



<p>Rivalries for prime real estate can spark bold reactions in the bird world. There’s a chance that wherever competition erupts, evolution leans on similar strategies.</p>



<p>In this study, repeated patterns in aggression and gene expression show that evolution tends to repeat. This consistency spans millions of years, suggesting some evolutionary solutions keep working again and again.</p>



<p>The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02675-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Ecology &amp; Evolution</em></a>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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Nature might repeat evolution under pressure

Scientists have long questioned if evolution repeats or if chance...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXGGiynIjs
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the opposite.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-contrasting-climate-response">A contrasting climate response</h2>



<p>Most coastal towns are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sinking-land-will-intensify-the-effects-of-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preparing for higher sea levels</a>, but <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-no-longer-has-to-worry-about-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenland presents</a> a different scenario during climate change. The ground there is rising at a remarkable rate. Over the past decade, some areas have lifted about 20 centimeters, which translates to roughly 2 meters per century. This rate significantly exceeds current projections for sea level rise.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geological-rebound-process-through-climate-change">Geological rebound process through climate change</h2>



<p>The mechanism behind this phenomenon is straightforward. As the ice sheet melts, the immense weight is removed from the bedrock, causing the land to rebound upward. This process resembles the way compressed material springs back when pressure is released.</p>



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



<p>Researchers at the <a href="https://www.dtu.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Technical University of Denmark</a> are documenting this uplift using the GNET network, consisting of 61 GPS stations positioned around Greenland's coast. These sensors can detect movement with millimeter precision, providing detailed measurements of the ongoing changes.</p>



<p>The data reveal that current uplift rates exceed the gradual rebound occurring since the last ice age ended approximately 12,000 years ago. This acceleration corresponds directly with increased ice sheet melting rates.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coastal-transformation">Coastal Transformation</h2>



<p>This uplift is actively reshaping Greenland's coastline. New islands and rocky formations, called "skerries," are emerging as previously submerged land surfaces rise above the water level. This represents a notable contrast to global concerns about rising seas.</p>



<p>The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, demonstrates the varied regional impacts of climate change. While many locations face rising water levels, Greenland's bedrock is literally rising above the surrounding seas.</p>



<p>The full study was recently published in <em><a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2023GL104851" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a></em>.</p>



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Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXGGiynIjs Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM3EVeGHJU
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to implement the latest AI Agent building platform.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-agent-training-transforms-the-workplace-fear-factor-into-a-competitive-advantage">AI agent training transforms the workplace 'fear factor' into a competitive advantage</h2>



<p>Organizations that offer comprehensive artificial intelligence training to their workers find remarkable value that extends well beyond basic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-wandering-might-be-more-productive-than-you-think/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">productivity improvements</a>. Emerging research demonstrates that carefully crafted AI training programs <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-does-not-replace-human-creativity-but-enhances-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enhance</a> corporate performance, lower operational costs, and dramatically improve employee psychological well-being by turning workplace uncertainty into professional empowerment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-widespread-ai-anxiety-crisis-among-us">Addressing the widespread 'AI anxiety' crisis among us</h2>



<p>A staggering 53% of employees expressed concern that the use of AI tools to automate work tasks could make them appear disposable to their employers, according to <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft</a>'s 2024 workplace survey. Such pervasive worry about being substituted by machines has caused what researchers have termed "AI technostress" – a psychological state that can result in occupational burnout and poorer mental well-being.</p>



<p>Data published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a> showed that belief in AI learning ability was a moderator in the link between technology adoption and work pressure, and higher confidence significantly lowered negative psychological responses. Workers provided ample training to become competent with AI software have significantly lower stress.</p>



<p>Companies like <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a> have platforms for building what are known as "AI Agents".  In essence, AI Agents are simply tools that employees can build for themselves or their teams quickly and inexpensively.   MindStudio will even train entire companies, from the CEO on down, at no cost. By letting MindStudio empower employees, companies avoid hiring more IT staff, buying more software, and implementing solutions to problems that do not exist.</p>



<p>MindStudio even has partners locally for companies, like <a href="http://www.dominnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dominnus</a> with offices in the Carolinas, California, and Denver, to help build AI Agents and support employees as they become resident AI experts for their organization.  The training provided by MindStudio is applicable across other AI Agent building platforms as well.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-productivity-through-focused-learning">Revolutionary productivity through focused learning</h2>



<p>Organizations that implement large-scale AI training programs achieve dramatic outcomes. Employees performed tasks significantly better when they utilized AI support compared to when they didn't, according to <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nielsen Norman Group</a> research findings. Their study documented productivity increases of 66% for a variety of professional tasks.</p>



<p>Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis research finds workers record 33% higher productivity in time working with generative AI tools. The benefit is equivalent to 5.4% of work time savings for AI users – around 2.2 hours per week for full-time workers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychological-well-being-benefits-through-ai-competence">Psychological well-being benefits through AI competence</h2>



<p>The emotional transformation when employees are provided with proper technology training is a fundamental transformation from fear to professional confidence. A survey of 600 employees across industries, carried out by ScienceDirect, proved that AI capabilities strengthen work environment commitment and improve job satisfaction.</p>



<p>A <a href="https://www.lut.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LUT University</a> study discovered that AI adoption has no direct effect on workers' well-being but does so indirectly through working conditions like task optimization and safety protocols. Strategically deployed AI that involves correct training can actually increase workplace mental well-being.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-replacement-anxiety-to-partnership-confidence">From 'replacement anxiety' to 'partnership confidence'</h2>



<p>Although 35% of those interviewed in recent McKinsey studies were concerned about workforce displacement, firms with large-scale training initiatives witness such fears dissipate quickly. The World Economic Forum found that two out of three respondents believe AI competencies will enhance their career prospects and job marketability.</p>



<p>This shift from fear to trust has measurable implications for job satisfaction. Applied Sciences research indicates AI can create tailored wellness programs based on individual employee requirements.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-financial-benefits-of-increased-retention">Financial benefits of increased retention</h2>



<p>The mental health advantages of AI learning have a direct impact on organizational bottom lines in the form of a positive feedback cycle with high retention of employees. Recent ROI research validates that artificial intelligence learning has a beneficial impact on employee turnover and satisfaction levels.</p>



<p>PriceWaterhouseCoopers' research documents 20% to 30% improvements in productivity, market speed, and revenue in organizations that attempt systematic AI adoption through comprehensive training.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-advantages-of-ai-enabled-teams">Environmental advantages of AI-enabled teams</h2>



<p>AI training has unforeseen environmental benefits as it makes the work environment more efficient. According to a study in Scientific Reports, the carbon footprint in writing and illustrating work is significantly lower when AI performs it compared to humans. AI software produces 130 to 1,500 times less CO2 equivalent per page of text created than human authors.</p>



<p>In addition, AI-driven remote work functionality significantly reduces environmental impact. Research by Cornell University and Microsoft indicates that remote workers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 54% by not commuting daily to offices. Hybrid workers working remotely two to four days a week can reduce their carbon footprint by 11% to 29%.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cumulative-organizational-advantages">Cumulative organizational advantages</h2>



<p>The compounding gains of better mental well-being, reduced turnover, increased productivity, and environmental benefits flow to enterprises from the pairing. McKinsey analysis estimates the long-term AI potential at $4.4 trillion in incremental productivity growth opportunity from business use cases.</p>



<p>As of now, 75% of knowledge workers globally utilize generative AI, mirroring widespread adoption patterns. Organizations that provide organized training and assistance see the most favorable results in productivity, worker satisfaction, and ecological sustainability.</p>



<p>The research overwhelmingly indicates that companies that invest in proper AI education, like that offered through <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a>, establish win-win scenarios where employees are both more empowered and less stressed, and companies enjoy the gains of increased productivity, reduced turnover, and improved mental health outcomes throughout their workforce.</p>



<p>For more on MindStudio's free AI training for companies, visit the website's of MindStudio and Dominnus from the links below.</p>



<p>The research was published across a variety of peer-reviewed journals, including <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a>, <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence</a>, and <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci">Applied Sciences</a>.</p>



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<p>MindStudio.AI: <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.mindstudio.ai</a></p>



<p>Dominnus: <a href="https://www.dominnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.dominnus.com</a></p>

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM3EVeGHJU Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDXqTGEmi4
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-natural-solution-to-disease-through-crop-modification">A natural solution to disease through crop modification.</h2>



<p>The agricultural industry stands at a crossroads between productivity and environmental responsibility, and crop modification often carries a negative connotation. While chemical pesticides have long been the go-to solution for crop protection, their harmful effects on ecosystems and human health have prompted scientists to seek alternatives. The recent breakthrough by <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southampton</a> researchers offers a promising path forward through the precise manipulation of plant-associated microbial communities.</p>



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



<p>Plants naturally harbor diverse ecosystems of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that function as biological allies. These microscopic partners contribute to disease resistance, nutrient absorption, and stress tolerance. However, until now, scientists lacked the tools to deliberately reshape these communities to enhance crop protection.</p>



<p>The Southampton team's approach centered on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/engineered-plant-microbiomes-the-future-of-crop-protection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modifying lignin biosynthesis genes in rice plants</a>. This strategic intervention altered the plant's metabolic output, creating conditions that favored beneficial bacterial populations while suppressing harmful ones. The result was a living defense system embedded within the plant itself.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-global-food-security">Implications for global food security</h2>



<p>The successful demonstration against Xanthomonas oryzae, the pathogen responsible for bacterial blight in rice, represents more than a laboratory achievement. Rice feeds nearly half the world's population, and bacterial blight causes devastating crop losses annually. Traditional control methods rely heavily on pesticides that contaminate soil and water systems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beyond-disease-resistance">Looking Beyond Disease Resistance</h2>



<p>While disease protection represents the immediate application, the research framework opens doors to broader agricultural improvements. Future developments could engineer microbiomes to enhance nutrient uptake, reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers. This dual benefit addresses both crop productivity and environmental sustainability.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-path-forward">The path forward</h2>



<p>As this technology advances from laboratory to field applications, it promises to reshape sustainable agriculture. The ability to program plants with their own biological defense systems could herald a new era where crops protect themselves naturally, reducing chemical inputs while maintaining yields necessary for global food security.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal&nbsp;<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-44335-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Communications</em></a>.</p>



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HDXqTGEmi4 Scientists give plants superpowers against bacterial disease A natural...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVywlgRJXsc
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Some children read facial expressions when making food choices.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-people-s-reactions-influence-children-s-eating-habits">Other people's reactions influence children's eating habits</h2>



<p>Many children are finicky eaters, but research explains how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-learned-why-so-many-kids-dislike-vegetables/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">watching others eat and social modeling</a> influence the eating habits of children.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Study Methodology Demonstrates Social Learning Impact</h2>



<p>Researchers at <a href="https://www.aston.ac.uk/hls/school-of-psychology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aston University School of Psychology</a> have published findings in Frontiers in Psychology that illuminate the neurobiological foundations of food preference development through observational learning. The investigation employed controlled video stimuli featuring adults consuming raw broccoli while displaying systematically varied facial expressions to measure participant responses.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Asymmetrical Response Patterns Identified</h2>



<p>The research, conducted with 204 female participants, revealed a pronounced asymmetry in social modeling effects. Negative facial expressions during vegetable consumption significantly diminished observer food preference ratings, while positive expressions failed to produce corresponding increases in vegetable appeal. This finding challenges conventional assumptions about the bidirectional nature of social influence in dietary behavior formation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Evolutionary Psychology Framework Applied</h2>



<p>Dr. Katie Edwards and her research team propose that these results reflect adaptive mechanisms developed through evolutionary processes. The heightened sensitivity to disgust expressions likely functions as a protective system, enabling individuals to identify potentially harmful foods through social cues without direct risk exposure.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Clinical and Educational Implications</h2>



<p>These findings carry substantial implications for pediatric nutrition interventions and family meal dynamics. The research suggests that parental expressions of distaste during vegetable consumption may inadvertently reinforce children's existing food aversions through unconscious social transmission pathways.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Future Research Directions</h2>



<p>The study establishes a foundation for expanded investigation into real-time social modeling effects and cross-demographic applicability. Researchers emphasize the necessity for longitudinal studies examining actual consumption behaviors rather than preference ratings alone, particularly within family contexts where social learning occurs most frequently.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>



<p></p>

Social modeling affects our food choices

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVywlgRJXsc Some children read facial expressions when making food choices....

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JynHpMaNO8A
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chaotic cancer protein finally controlled after decades of mystery</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cancer-causing-protein-bound-and-blocked">Cancer-causing protein bound and blocked</h2>



<p>In a discovery that can one day revolutionize cancer treatment, researchers at the <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Riverside</a> have successfully developed a means of controlling MYC, a notoriously slippery protein that causes approximately <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chaotic-protein-that-fuels-75-of-cancers-can-be-controlled/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">75% of all cancers in humans</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-makes-myc-different">What makes MYC different</h2>



<p>MYC presents a unique challenge when studying cancer. Normally, this protein plays a vital role in healthy cells. It carefully controls transcription - the process that converts genetic information from DNA and RNA into proteins.</p>



<p>However, cancer changes everything. In cancer cells, MYC becomes a destructive force. It operates in overdrive mode with no regulation whatsoever.</p>



<p>Professor Min Xue, who led the research team, explains it simply: "MYC is less like food for cancer cells and more like a steroid. It drives cancer's aggressive growth." This superactive behavior makes MYC involved in three out of every four cancer cases.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-myc-is-hard-to-target">Why MYC is hard to target</h2>



<p>Despite its clear role in cancer, targeting MYC has been one of medicine's biggest challenges. The main problem lies in MYC's unusual structure - or rather, its complete lack of structure.</p>



<p>Professor Xue describes the protein as "basically a glob of randomness." This means conventional drug discovery methods don't work. These traditional approaches rely on sharply defined protein structures. MYC simply doesn't have one.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A New Approach to Fighting MYC</h2>



<p>The UCR research team developed a clever solution. They designed a special peptide molecule that could selectively bind to MYC. More importantly, this peptide could block MYC's destructive activity.</p>



<p>The key was fine-tuning two specific features: the peptide's stiffness and its shape. Through careful adjustments, researchers achieved something remarkable. They reached "sub-micro-molar affinity" - meaning their peptide binds as strongly as antibodies do.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breakthrough-results">Breakthrough results</h2>



<p>This accomplishment represents a major leap beyond previous attempts. The researchers enhanced their peptide's binding strength by two orders of magnitude. This dramatic improvement brings the work significantly closer to practical drug development goals.</p>



<p>The research opens new possibilities for treating the vast majority of cancers where MYC plays a destructive role.</p>



<p>The researchers are presently optimizing peptide-delivery systems based on lipid nanoparticles that deliver the peptide effectively into cancer cells. The<a href="https://www.nih.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> National Institutes of Health</a> and the <a href="https://www.defense.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">U.S. Department of Defense</a> funded the study, which appeared in the Journal of the <a href="https://www.acs.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Chemical Society</a>.<br>This research offers renewed hope against cancer, and it can potentially open a door to more effective cancer therapies for most cancer patients worldwide.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

The protein that fuels 3 out of 4 cancers has been controlled

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JynHpMaNO8A Chaotic cancer protein finally controlled after decades of mystery...

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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em>Current Biology</em>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Veg4HmmRVZY
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Our bodies hits two 'aging cliffs' at these ages.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientists-map-exact-ages-when-your-body-rapidly-ages">Scientists Map Exact Ages When Your Body Rapidly Ages</h2>



<p>Scientists have <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-bodies-begin-breaking-down-two-very-precise-ages/#google_vignette">discovered that aging</a> isn't the gradual, steady process many assume it to be. Instead, researchers from Stanford Medicine have found that our bodies undergo dramatic molecular changes at two specific ages: 44 and 60. This research, published in Nature Aging, reveals that aging happens in sudden bursts rather than smooth transitions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-waves-of-rapid-aging">Two waves of rapid aging</h2>



<p>The Stanford study tracked over 135,000 different molecules and microbes in 108 participants aged 25 to 75 over several years. Results showed that 81% of all molecules studied exhibited non-linear changes, meaning they shifted dramatically at certain ages rather than changing gradually over time.</p>



<p>Michael Snyder, chair of genetics at Stanford School of Medicine and the study's senior author, noted significant findings. "We're not just changing gradually over time; there are some really dramatic changes. It turns out the mid-40s is a time of dramatic change, as is the early 60s. And that's true no matter what class of molecules you look at."</p>



<p>The first wave of changes occurs around age 44, affecting molecules related to alcohol metabolism, caffeine processing, lipid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/age-related-changes-in-metabolism-dont-match-our-expectations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">metabolism</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-disease-remains-the-leading-cause-of-death-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular disease</a>, and skin and muscle function. The second wave hits around age 60, involving changes in carbohydrate metabolism, immune regulation, kidney function, and again cardiovascular and muscle health.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-happens-during-these-aging-bursts">What happens during these aging bursts</h2>



<p>During the mid-40s transformation, researchers observed significant changes in how the body processes alcohol and fats. This period often coincides with increased stress levels in many people's lives, potentially contributing to lifestyle factors that accelerate these molecular shifts.</p>



<p>"It's possible some of these changes could be tied to lifestyle or behavioral factors that cluster at these age groups, rather than being driven by biological factors," Snyder explained. For instance, alcohol metabolism dysfunction might result from increased consumption during the typically stressful mid-40s period.</p>



<p>The changes at age 60 are perhaps less surprising, as this is when many age-related diseases begin to manifest more prominently. The molecular shifts affect immune function and kidney health, both critical for maintaining overall wellness as we enter our senior years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-latest-research-confirms-aging-patterns">Latest research confirms aging patterns</h2>



<p>Recent 2025 studies have validated these findings. Research examining tissue samples from 76 people found similar aging patterns, noting an "inflection point" between ages 45 and 55.</p>



<p>Scientists discovered that blood vessels, particularly the aorta, age fastest among all body tissues. This vascular aging may drive aging in other body parts, highlighting cardiovascular health's central role in the aging process.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cellular-changes-and-microbiome-shifts">Cellular changes and microbiome shifts</h2>



<p>The Stanford research revealed that these aging bursts affect our microbiome – the trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi living in and on our bodies. These microbial communities undergo substantial shifts during both aging periods, potentially affecting everything from digestion to immune function.</p>



<p>Additionally, researchers found that protein production and gene expression begin to fall out of sync as we age. This breakdown in cellular communication becomes especially pronounced during the two aging waves, contributing to the accumulation of damaged proteins associated with diseases such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alzheimers-may-not-be-brain-disorder-important-data-was-fabricated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alzheimer's</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-implications-and-longevity-considerations">Health implications and longevity considerations</h2>



<p>Understanding these aging patterns has important implications for healthcare strategies. Research suggests that people should pay particular attention to their health during their 40s and 60s, when these dramatic molecular changes occur.</p>



<p>Snyder emphasized the importance of proactive health measures. "I'm a big believer that we should try to adjust our lifestyles while we're still healthy," he noted. This might include increasing exercise to protect heart health and maintain muscle mass, or reducing alcohol consumption in the 40s as the body's ability to metabolize it declines.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-approaches-to-anti-aging-treatment">New approaches to anti-aging treatment</h2>



<p>Aging research has seen notable advances in 2025. Harvard Medical School scientists developed chemical cocktails that reverse cellular aging without genetic modification. These six combinations restored aged cells to youthfulness in under a week, offering safer alternatives to gene therapy.</p>



<p>Researchers identified new biomarkers like "InflammAge," a saliva-based test measuring chronic inflammation associated with aging. This non-invasive approach could change how we monitor aging and intervention.</p>



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



<p>Emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, cellular reprogramming, and senolytic therapies, are opening new possibilities for extending healthspan. Companies develop treatments targeting aging's fundamental mechanisms rather than just managing age-related diseases.</p>



<p>The Stanford findings provide a roadmap for implementing preventive measures. Rather than waiting for symptoms, people can prepare for and potentially mitigate these predictable aging waves.</p>



<p>As aging understanding evolves, one thing becomes clear: aging isn't inevitable decline, but specific biological events we may learn to prevent or reverse. The key is recognizing when these transitions occur and taking proactive health steps during vulnerable periods.</p>



<p>The study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/nataging" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Aging</a></em>.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Scientists discover we age in bursts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Veg4HmmRVZY Our bodies hits two 'aging cliffs' at these ages....

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqlF0XKzHY4
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The hidden science behind tickling.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientists-discover-the-brain-s-tickling-command-center">Scientists discover the brain's 'tickling command center'</h2>



<p>Researchers have finally solved one of humanity's most enduring mysteries: why we can't <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/after-centuries-of-debate-we-still-dont-know-how-tickling-works/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tickle</a> ourselves and what makes some people incredibly ticklish while others barely react? Recent scientific discoveries are revolutionizing our understanding of this peculiar human behavior.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breakthrough-discovery-in-the-brain">Breakthrough discovery in the brain</h2>



<p>In 2023, Dr. Michael Brecht's team at <a href="https://www.hu-berlin.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humboldt University</a>-<a href="https://www.hu-berlin.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Berlin</a> made a major discovery published in the <a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(22)01991-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">journal <em>Neuron</em></a>. They identified the brain's actual "tickling command center" – specific neurons in a region called the periaqueductal gray that control both tickling responses and play behavior.</p>



<p>When researchers used cutting-edge optogenetic technology to shut down these neurons in laboratory rats, something remarkable happened. The animals completely lost their ability to be tickled or engage in playful behavior.</p>



<p>"We found that global blockade of the rat periaqueductal gray with either muscimol or lidocaine interfered with ticklishness and play," the research team reported in their study.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-types-of-tickling-revealed">Two types of tickling revealed</h2>



<p>What we call "tickling" is two completely different phenomena, according to the latest research. Light tickling – that feathery sensation that makes you want to scratch – is essentially your body's sophisticated bug detection system. This alerts you to potential insects or parasites on your skin.</p>



<p>Deep tickling – the kind that makes you laugh uncontrollably – involves complex brain circuits and is fundamentally social. You literally cannot tickle yourself with this type of stimulation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-self-tickling-is-impossible">Why self-tickling is impossible</h2>



<p>Your cerebellum acts like a prediction machine, recent findings show. When you move your own hand to touch yourself, your brain generates precise predictions about what you will feel and then cancels out the tickling sensation through neural inhibition.</p>



<p>When someone else tickles you, your brain can't predict their movements, so the full tickling response activates. It's like your brain's way of distinguishing between self and others.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-individual-differences-explained">Individual differences explained</h2>



<p>Individual differences in ticklishness depend on genetics, psychology, and even trust. Dr. Xinzhong Dong at <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Johns Hopkins University</a> notes that people with denser nerve endings tend to be more sensitive.</p>



<p>Psychological factors matter just as much. You respond more strongly when tickled by people you trust, and anxiety completely shuts down tickling responses. This explains why the same physical stimulus can produce completely different reactions depending on who's doing the tickling.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-controlling-your-ticklishness">Controlling your ticklishness</h2>



<p>Science offers answers for controlling your ticklishness. You can reduce tickling sensitivity through systematic desensitization – gradual exposure in controlled settings.</p>



<p>Dr. Konstantina Kilteni's 2025 research, published in <em><a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adt0350" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a></em>, reveals another technique: place your hand on the tickler's hand. This allows your brain to partially predict the sensations, reducing the tickling response by up to 90 percent.</p>



<p>"Your brain is essentially learning to override its own reflexes," Kilteni explained in her review of tickling research.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-purpose-discovered">Evolutionary purpose discovered</h2>



<p>From an evolutionary perspective, tickling serves vital functions according to <a href="https://www.umd.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Maryland</a> researcher Dr. Robert Provine's extensive studies. It trains our defense reflexes for vulnerable body areas and facilitates social bonding between family members.</p>



<p>Tickling-induced laughter is actually one of the first forms of communication between infants and caregivers. "Tickle involves a neurological self/nonself discrimination, providing the most primitive social scenario," Provine noted in his research.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clinical-applications-emerge">Clinical applications emerge</h2>



<p>Research shows people with autism spectrum disorder perceive touches as more ticklish than people without the condition. Investigating this difference could provide insight into brain differences and help advance autism research.</p>



<p>People with schizophrenia tend to experience self-touches similarly to external tickles, allowing them to essentially tickle themselves. This suggests altered sensory prediction mechanisms in the condition.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animal-research-reveals-universal-nature">Animal research reveals universal nature</h2>



<p>Scientists have discovered that many species beyond humans are ticklish. Rats emit ultrasonic "laughs" when tickled, while chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans all respond to tickling stimulation.</p>



<p>This widespread occurrence across species suggests that tickling serves fundamental biological and social functions that evolved long before humans developed complex language and culture.</p>



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



<p>Dr. Kilteni argues that tickling research deserves more scientific attention. "It is a complex interplay of motor, social, neurological, developmental, and evolutionary aspects," she stated in her recent review.</p>



<p>New haptic technologies and advanced research methodologies now permit scientists to investigate tickle sensation with unprecedented precision. Standardized experimental methods using mechanical tickling devices ensure consistent results across studies.</p>



<p>Recent findings published in <em>Science Advances</em> show that tickling research is opening new doors in neuroscience, potentially leading to a better understanding of social behavior, sensory processing, and neurological conditions.</p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Scientists solve the mystery of tickling

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqlF0XKzHY4 The hidden science behind tickling. Scientists discover the brain's...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elr4948_uOU
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Dr. Ronald Mallett from the University of Connecticut reveals secret mission to create working time travel device.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-could-an-equation-truly-bend-time-a-physicist-s-decades-long-quest-to-rewrite-reality">Could an equation truly bend time? A physicist's decades-long quest to rewrite reality</h2>



<p>Imagine the impossible: stepping back through time in a time machine, not in fantasy, but through a scientific endeavor driven by profound personal loss. For <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astrophysicist-says-hes-cracked-the-equation-for-time-travel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Ronald Mallett</a>, a distinguished astrophysicist and professor emeritus at the <a href="https://uconn.edu/">University of Connecticut</a>, this deeply human longing has fueled a lifelong mission. He claims to have discovered the equation that could unlock temporal displacement, pushing boundaries once deemed purely science fiction.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-profound-grief-that-forged-a-vision">A profound grief that forged a vision</h2>



<p>Mallett's extraordinary pursuit began with devastating tragedy in 1955. At merely 10 years old, he endured his father Boyd's sudden death—a television repairman whose passion for science had ignited a similar spark in his young son. Boyd Mallett, only 33, succumbed to a heart attack, leaving behind a grief-stricken child searching for solace.</p>



<p>That solace came through H.G. Wells' <em>The Time Machine</em>. Within its pages, Mallett found a captivating concept: "Time is only a kind of Space." These words transformed from a literary phrase into a guiding principle, becoming the driving force behind his unwavering commitment to unraveling time's fundamental mysteries.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-humble-beginnings-to-academic-heights">From humble beginnings to academic heights</h2>



<p>Mallett's journey was far from straightforward. After serving in the Air Force during the Vietnam War era, he utilized the GI Bill for higher education, earning his Ph.D. in physics from Pennsylvania State University in 1973 at the age of 28.</p>



<p>In 1975, he made history as the first African American professor in the University of Connecticut's physics department, achieving full professorship in 1987 before retiring in 2024 as professor emeritus.</p>



<p>Throughout these successful academic years, Mallett harbored his radical ambition as a closely guarded secret. "I kept my time travel goal a secret," he confessed. "I worried people would think I was nuts." His public research centered on black holes, serving as a "cover story" while he quietly developed his revolutionary time travel theory.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-breakthrough-moment">The breakthrough moment</h2>



<p>His pivotal insight arrived while hospitalized for a heart condition—a profound irony given his father's heart attack started this journey. The breakthrough was elegantly simple yet revolutionary: "If gravity can bend time, and light can create gravity, then light can bend time."</p>



<p>"It turns out that black holes can create a gravitational field that could lead to the creation of time loops that could allow us to go back in time," he explained.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-blueprint-for-a-temporal-vortex">The blueprint for a temporal vortex</h2>



<p>Mallett's vision for a functioning time machine replicates spacetime-warping phenomena around black holes. He offers a compelling analogy: "Picture a cup of coffee. Stir it with a spoon, and the coffee swirls. A spinning black hole does the same to spacetime."</p>



<p>In Einstein's general relativity, the universe is a dynamic fabric woven from space and time. Massive objects like black holes warp this fabric—an effect we perceive as gravity. Mallett theorizes that an intense, continuous, circulating beam of light from a ring of powerful lasers could replicate this gravitational torsion, effectively twisting time into a loop.</p>



<p>This "time loop" would theoretically allow information—or perhaps matter—to travel backward in time. He detailed this mathematical concept in his 2006 autobiography, <em>Time Traveler: A Scientist's Personal Mission to Make Time Travel a Reality</em>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-published-research-and-recognition">Published research and recognition</h2>



<p>His work, published in respected journals including <em><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/physics-letters-a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Physics Letters A</a></em> and <em><a href="https://link.springer.com/journal/10701" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Foundations of Physics</a></em>, suggests circulating laser light could generate gravitational fields potent enough to create closed timelike curves, enabling time travel for data.</p>



<p>Mallett's research has gained worldwide media attention, featured on <a href="https://www.thisamericanlife.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Public Radio's <em>This American Life</em></a>, the <a href="https://www.history.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">History Channel</a>, and <a href="https://www.today.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBC's <em>Today Show</em></a>. The widespread interest reflects both his compelling personal story and rigorous scientific approach.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-galactic-hurdles-and-persistent-skepticism">The galactic hurdles and persistent skepticism</h2>



<p>While Mallett's equations captivate imagination, the path to reality faces immense obstacles. The energy requirement is staggering—Mallett acknowledges needing "galactic amounts of energy," far beyond current technological capabilities.</p>



<p>There's also a poignant limitation: even if realized, his machine could only send information back to when it was first activated, meaning it couldn't transport him to 1955 to prevent his father's death.</p>



<p>The scientific community remains skeptical. Physicists Ken Olum and Allen Everett argue that Mallett's proposed laser ring would need to be larger than the observable universe to achieve the necessary spacetime distortion. They invoke Stephen Hawking's chronology protection conjecture, suggesting physics may prevent macroscopic time travel.</p>



<p>Astrophysicist Paul Sutter has voiced doubts about Mallett's underlying mathematics, while science writer Brian Clegg finds the concept intriguing enough to warrant experimental investigation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-legacy-that-transcends-time">A legacy that transcends time</h2>



<p>Now approaching 80, Dr. Mallett remains steadfast. "I believe my work will show time travel is possible," he asserts. "Future generations will build on it in ways we can't yet imagine."</p>



<p>His equations, though yet to physically bend time, have bent our collective imagination. Ongoing public interest, evidenced by his continued media appearances and Spike Lee's film adaptation of his memoir, underscores his ideas' profound impact.</p>



<p>More than a scientific pursuit, Mallett's story testifies to human resilience, intellectual courage, and hope's enduring power. Whether his theoretical time machine ever materializes, his legacy is immeasurable—inspiring countless individuals to challenge conventional limits and perceive time not as an unyielding barrier, but as a boundless frontier awaiting exploration.</p>



<p></p>



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

Retired professor claims he solved time travel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elr4948_uOU Dr. Ronald Mallett from the University of Connecticut reveals...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>-----</p>



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<p>-----</p>

The environmental problem we actually solved

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

<p>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. </p>



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



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https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



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



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



<p>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. </p>



<p>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).</p>



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



<p>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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p>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>.</p>

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: ESA</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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.</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p>"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."</p>



<p><em>Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Kainji Lake, a reservoir on the Niger River.</p>



<p>In 1968, Kainji Lake was created by the construction of the Kainji Dam. The Niger River, the third longest in Africa, enters the lake in the north.&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rivers-in-the-american-west-are-a-lifesaving-resource-for-birds/">ESA</a>, the creation of the lake submerged Foge Island and the town of Bussa and permanently flooded other riverine settlements, leaving around 50,000 people displaced.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Large parts of Foge Island are temporarily exposed during low water tides, and the land is often used by migrating fishermen. Kainji Dam is a dam across the Niger River in Niger State of Central Nigeria. </p>



<p>Wild mammals occur at relatively low densities due to illegal hunting. Lake Kainji has suffered a dramatic decline as a fishery due to the high numbers of artisanal and subsistence fisherfolk using the lake. It has been suggested that a period of closure, together with controlled fishing rights may help improve fish stocks.</p>



<p>Kainji Lake National Park is the oldest of its kind in Nigeria. The park contains three distinct areas: a part of the Kainji Lake, the Borgu Game Reserve to the west of the lake, and the Zugurma Game Reserve to the southeast. The park is home to around 65 mammal species, 350 bird species, and 30 species of reptiles and amphibians. </p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

[sendtonews key="iuA5mpp3jv-1641775-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from <a href="https://www.igb.illinois.edu/">Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology</a> reveals how scientists can modify common crops like soybean, rice, and wheat to protect them from heat stress.</p>



<p>“We need to double crop production by 2050 to feed a growing global population, and not only are we not on track to do that, but climate change is further complicating things,” said Amanda Cavanagh, a lecturer at the University of Essex. </p>



<p>The study is part of Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE), an international research project that aims to develop food crops that turn the sun’s energy into food more efficiently.</p>



<p>“Using an engineering approach we designed multiple alternative metabolic pathways to photorespiration. Testing them in the field showed increases in productivity which led Amanda to significantly move the project forward by showing our engineered plants can withstand pretty extreme temperature stress,” said study co-author and RIPE researcher Paul South.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“As the climate changes and temperature stresses increase the pressure on our global food supply, farmers will need every tool available including engineering approaches like the synthetic biology used here to maintain safe and productive harvests.”</p>



<p>The experts tested plants modified to have more efficient photorespiration to see if they were better adapted to warmer temperatures.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team found that the engineered plants produced 26 percent more biomass than the wild-type plants exposed to the same temperatures, and had 15 percent less yield loss under the higher temperatures.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Designing crops that can beat the heat

[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from Carl...

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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?</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p>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;</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: ACS Reactions</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

How does salt makes things taste better?

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> 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;</p>



<p>'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)."</p>



<p>"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.</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: ESA</em></p>



<p><em>-</em><em>--</em></p>



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



<p>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.</p>

Santiago, Chile in South America

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