<p>Microscopic pores in brain cells may hold vital clues to Parkinson’s disease. Scientists have tracked these disruptions in real time, revealing how toxic protein clusters interact with membranes.</p>



<p>The findings point toward a new explanation for how Parkinson’s symptoms develop, beginning at the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-can-detect-neurological-diseases-like-parkinsons-years-before-symptoms-appear/">molecular level</a> of cell membranes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-quiet-onset-of-parkinson-s">The quiet onset of Parkinson’s </h2>



<p>Parkinson’s often begins quietly. A tremor in the hand, a stiffness in movement, or slowed responses mark the earliest signs. </p>



<p>Beneath these symptoms lies a gradual loss of brain cells. For decades, the trigger behind this degeneration remained unclear. Now, the focus has shifted to α-synuclein, a protein abundant in nerve cells.</p>



<p>In its healthy state, α-synuclein supports communication between neurons. In Parkinson’s, it misfolds and forms clumps. </p>



<p>Earlier studies focused on fibrils, the large clumps seen in brain tissue. The new research highlights oligomers, smaller assemblies that prove more toxic because of their ability to pierce cell membranes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-proteins-create-shifting-pores">Proteins create shifting pores</h2>



<p>“We are the first to directly observe how these oligomers form pores - and how the pores behave,” said Mette Galsgaard Malle, postdoctoral researcher at both <a href="https://international.au.dk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aarhus University</a> and Harvard University.</p>



<p>Oligomers do not create static damage. Instead, they attach to curved membrane regions, insert partly, and then complete pores that open and close like revolving doors.</p>



<p>“This dynamic behavior may help explain why the cells don’t die immediately,” said Bo Volf Brøchner, PhD student and first author of the study. </p>



<p>“If the pores remained open, the cells would likely collapse very quickly. But because they open and close, the cell’s own pumps might be able to temporarily compensate.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-watching-molecules-move">Watching molecules move</h2>



<p>To capture this activity, the researchers used a single-vesicle analysis platform. These vesicles, artificial bubbles resembling cell membranes, allowed scientists to record oligomer activity in real time. </p>



<p>The team even watched fluorescent dyes move through pores, confirming that molecules can cross once pores form.</p>



<p>“It’s like watching a molecular movie in slow motion,” explained Galsgaard Malle. “Not only can we see what happens - we can also test how different molecules affect the process. That makes the platform a valuable tool for drug screening.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinct-steps-of-parkinson-s">Distinct steps of Parkinson's</h2>



<p>The team proposes a three-stage model: initial recruitment to membranes, partial insertion, and full pore formation. </p>



<p>Interestingly, recruitment occurs more often on curved membranes, while full pore creation favors flatter ones. This means the first and final steps are distinct processes shaped by membrane geometry and charge.</p>



<p>Negatively charged lipids, abundant in mitochondria and synaptic vesicles, seem particularly vulnerable. This supports the idea that energy-producing cell regions may be among the first harmed in Parkinson’s.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pore-formation-and-cell-risk">Pore formation and cell risk</h2>



<p>The studies also show that neutral membranes can recruit oligomers, but only negative charges activate pores. Recruitment is enhanced by curvature, likely because tightly bent membranes expose more defects that oligomers can latch onto. </p>



<p>Yet, pore formation itself works best on flat, low-curvature membranes, which offer more stability for the pore to open fully.</p>



<p>This separation between binding and pore creation clarifies earlier contradictions in research. It suggests that cells might not be equally at risk, depending on membrane <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pesticide-exposure-increases-the-risk-of-parkinsons-disease/">composition</a> and shape.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nanobodies-and-detection">Nanobodies and detection</h2>



<p>The researchers also tested nanobodies, tiny antibody fragments that bind specifically to oligomers. These nanobodies did not block pore formation, but they helped reveal how pores change dynamics. </p>



<p>One nanobody increased pore turnover, making oligomers more flexible and interactive, while another reduced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cancer-immunotherapy-drug-also-works-to-slow-progression-of-parkinsons-disease/">activity</a>.</p>



<p>“The nanobodies did not block the pore formation,” said Volf Brøchner. “But they may still help detect oligomers at very early stages of the disease. That’s crucial, since Parkinson’s is typically diagnosed only after significant neuronal damage has occurred.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-beyond-parkinson-s">Implications beyond Parkinson’s</h2>



<p>These findings may apply beyond Parkinson’s. The same methods could explore other protein aggregates, such as tau in Alzheimer’s disease, which may also damage membranes in subtle but progressive ways. </p>



<p>The single-vesicle platform offers a high-resolution way to track protein-membrane interactions across different neurodegenerative conditions.</p>



<p>For now, these experiments remain in artificial models. Real brain cells are far more complex, with diverse lipids and interacting proteins. The next challenge is to confirm whether pores form in living tissue and how they contribute to cell death.</p>



<p>“We created a clean experimental setup where we can measure one thing at a time. That’s the strength of this platform,” said Galsgaard Malle. “But now we need to take the next step and investigate what happens in more complex biological systems.”</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.5c04005" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Nano</a>.</em></p>



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



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Tiny holes in brain cells may unlock the mystery of Parkinson’s

Microscopic pores in brain cells may hold vital clues to Parkinson’s disease. Scientists have tracked these disruptions in real time, revealing how toxic protein clusters interact with membranes. The findings point toward a new explanation for how Parkinson’s symptoms develop, beginning at the molecular level of cell membranes. The quiet onset of Parkinson’s Parkinson’s often begins quietly. A tremor in the hand, a stiffness in movement, or slowed responses mark the earliest signs. Beneath these symptoms lies a gradual loss of brain cells. For decades, the trigger...

Hand,Putting,Out,Cigarette,In,Ashtray.,Glass,Ashtray,With,Cigarette

<p>Cigarette smoking has been on a steady decline across the United States. New research shows that young adults are driving this shift, especially in states where smoking rates were once the highest. However, there is still a long road ahead for older generations, whose slower progress in quitting may delay broader public health improvements. </p>



<p>Scientists from the <a href="https://ucsd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California San Diego</a> published their findings in the journal <em>JAMA Network Open</em>. The study points to major differences in smoking habits depending on age, region, and background.</p>



<p>Although national smoking rates have dropped sharply, adults over 50 are quitting at a much slower pace. This slower change could keep smoking-related diseases like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-may-trigger-lung-cancer-in-non-smokers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lung cancer</a> and heart disease high for years to come.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smoking-rates-progress-and-persistence">Smoking rates: Progress and persistence</h2>



<p>The researchers used data from the Tobacco Use Supplements to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey. This large monthly survey gathers information from about 54,000 households across the country. </p>



<p>The analysis, covering responses from 1.77 million people between June and October 2024, revealed some striking trends. Across the board, smoking has dropped. But the states that once had the highest smoking rates have seen the biggest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neighborhood-green-space-linked-to-lower-rates-of-smoking/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">improvements</a>.</p>



<p>In contrast, places with historically lower rates saw more modest declines. One of the most important findings was the difference between younger and older adults. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cigarette-smoking-among-teens-has-declined-dramatically/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Young people</a> have quit smoking at much faster rates than those over 50.</p>



<p>Dr. Matthew Stone, the study's first author, is an assistant professor at the UC San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health.</p>



<p>“The rapid decline in smoking among young adults is clear evidence that the smoking epidemic will come to an end in our lifetime,” said Dr. Stone.</p>



<p>“Indeed, we project that the national smoking prevalence will be under 5% by 2035. However, the much slower decline in smokers over the age of 50, particularly in previously high smoking states, will mean that the high rates of lung cancer, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/smokers-have-weaker-hearts-that-pump-less-blood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart</a> disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that are caused by lifelong smoking will take longer to decrease.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-far-we-have-come">How far we have come</h2>



<p>Smoking in America has been on a steady decline for decades. In 1955, more than half of U.S. adults - 56.9% - were smokers. </p>



<p>By 2000, that number had fallen by more than half. It dropped again by 50% by 2022. If current trends continue, smoking rates are expected to fall to under 5% by 2035.</p>



<p>Another important pattern has also emerged. States that cut smoking rates the most have seen the biggest drops in lung cancer deaths - though with a delay of about 16 years. This connection shows how public health efforts, policies, and education campaigns can pay off over time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decline-in-smoking-rise-in-vaping">Decline in smoking, rise in vaping</h2>



<p>While cigarette smoking is fading, other problems are taking its place. "The ongoing decline in cigarette smoking is a major public health success story," said study co-author Dr. John P. Pierce, a professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science and Moores Cancer Center.</p>



<p>"Recent evidence suggests that the tobacco industry has successfully recruited a new generation of teenagers into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/e-cigarettes-linked-to-increased-risk-of-heart-failure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">e-cigarette</a> use and nicotine addiction. Further research is needed to assess the long-term impact of this shift."</p>



<p>As <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vaping-epidemic-half-of-students-who-try-e-cigs-get-hooked/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vaping</a> and e-cigarette use grow among teens, public health experts are concerned about what the next chapter in tobacco use might look like. Today's young adults may be turning away from cigarettes, but tomorrow's teenagers could be facing a different kind of addiction.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smoking-and-public-health-the-future">Smoking and public health: The future</h2>



<p>Public health efforts over the past several decades have made a real difference. Education campaigns, smoking bans, higher tobacco taxes, and smoking cessation programs have all played a role in driving down smoking rates. However, the work isn’t finished.</p>



<p>Addressing the slow decline among older adults will be key to reducing the burden of smoking-related illnesses. At the same time, understanding and managing the rise in e-cigarette use among younger people will be critical. </p>



<p>As smoking habits shift, researchers and policymakers alike will need to adapt to ensure the next generation stays healthy and smoke free.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2833289" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA Network Open</a></em>.</p>



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Young adults lead dramatic decline in smoking rates

Cigarette smoking has been on a steady decline across the...

<p>An exoplanet is a planet that orbits a star outside of our solar system. One such dusty body, perched about 140 light-years away, appears to be wasting away at a startling speed.</p>



<p>NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (<a href="https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/tess/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TESS</a>) picked up unusual dips in the host star’s brightness that hinted at a dramatic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-galaxies-discovery-would-upend-current-understanding-of-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">event</a> taking place. When astronomers took a closer look, they found a small exoplanet flinging off dust and debris each time it whipped around its star.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exoplanet-s-dust-cloud-is-evolving">Exoplanet's dust cloud is evolving</h2>



<p>“The extent of the tail is gargantuan, stretching up to 9 million kilometers (5.6 million miles) long,” said Dr. Marc Hon from the <a href="https://www.space.mit.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kavli Institute</a> for Astrophysics and Space Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.</p>



<p>This crumbling orb, known as <a href="https://ciencia.nasa.gov/exoplanet-catalog/bd05-4868-a-b/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BD+05 4868 Ab</a>, completes its entire orbit around its star in roughly 30 hours. Its close position to the star means it experiences searing temperatures that can melt rock on its surface.</p>



<p>Researchers say these punishing conditions make the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/zhulong-torch-dragon-the-oldest-known-spiral-galaxy-in-the-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet</a> shed its outer layers, which forms a tail that gives the planet the appearance of a dusty comet. That dust cloud changes over time, which explains the strange fluctuations in starlight recorded by TESS.</p>



<p>Such variability is no small matter because typical signals from an orbiting object remain fairly consistent. The shifting pattern here suggests ongoing changes in how much dust is released and how that debris spreads out around the planet.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-planet-loses-mass-with-each-orbit">The planet loses mass with each orbit</h2>



<p>Rocky <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/10-billion-white-dwarf-stars-in-milky-way-galaxy-might-have-habitable-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planets</a> with greater gravitational fields can hold onto their minerals, so this type of disintegration rarely comes to light. Small worlds simply do not have the pulling power to keep matter from escaping once intense heat takes over.</p>



<p>BD+05 4868 Ab loses a chunk of mass equivalent to a mountain every time it orbits. If this meltdown continues, the planet might break down completely in a mere few million years.</p>



<p>“We got lucky with catching it exactly when it’s really going away,” said Avi Shporer from the TESS Science Office. These discoveries help scientists explore the extreme conditions that can tear planets apart.</p>



<p>Many factors play a role in such destruction, including the star’s temperature and the planet’s distance. Because BD+05 4868 Ab sits so close, it gets a direct blast of scorching radiation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rare-exoplanet-with-a-dust-tail">Rare exoplanet with a dust tail</h2>



<p>Astronomers rely on transits to observe these events, which occur when a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strange-signals-from-the-center-of-our-galaxy-hint-at-a-new-kind-of-dark-matter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet</a> crosses in front of its star from our viewpoint. When the planet lugs a substantial dust cloud behind it, the star’s brightness dips for longer periods than usual, and with different intensities.</p>



<p>Scientists can measure how the dip varies and piece together what the dust might be composed of. For BD+05 4868 Ab, tiny grains linger in orbit and form a stretched-out tail that makes the planet appear like a comet.</p>



<p>This elongated structure indicates a constant stream of evaporated material leaving the planet. The presence of a dusty tail also suggests that surface minerals are boiling away on a regular basis.</p>



<p>The star itself is a K-dwarf, which is cooler than our Sun but still intense enough at close range to strip material from a vulnerable body. Studying such star-planet interactions deepens our understanding of how quickly certain worlds can vanish.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rare-example-of-exoplanet-disintegration">Rare example of exoplanet disintegration</h2>



<p>Only a handful of exoplanets show signs of disintegration like this. Each new case is a reminder that cosmic environments vary in ways we never expected a few decades ago.</p>



<p>Since the first confirmed discovery of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/galaxies-are-much-bigger-than-we-originally-believed-gas-clouds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet</a> in orbit around another star in 1992, scientists have cataloged thousands of these objects. Detailed observations reveal a wide range of forms and fates, from gas giants to small rocky spheres on paths of destruction.</p>



<p>BD+05 4868 Ab stands out because the star is brighter than those hosting other known shredding planets. That brightness allows for clearer observations and may provide more direct measurements of the dust’s composition.</p>



<p>By comparing data from different star systems, astronomers can piece together common factors in planetary evolution. This knowledge can also shed light on how similar or dissimilar our solar system might be compared to others.</p>



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



<p>“Sometimes with the food comes the appetite, and we are now trying to initiate the search for exactly these kinds of objects,” said Shporer. Future work will involve the use of the <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Webb Space Telescope</a>, which excels at capturing infrared signatures.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Infrared analysis can identify the precise mineral makeup of the dust swirling around exoplanet BD+05 4868 Ab. Those findings might confirm theories about what lies under the crust of rocky planets far beyond our neighborhood.</p>



<p>Once researchers pin down these minerals, they can match them to known compounds in our solar system. If parallels are found, it may hint that some planetary interiors share a similar recipe despite forming around very different stars.</p>



<p>Although BD+05 4868 Ab is facing an imminent exit, its dramatic transformation offers a wealth of new ideas about planetary survival.</p>



<p>By examining these fleeting worlds, astronomers uncover how quickly certain orbits become lethal. Data from TESS and other telescopes bring our galaxy into sharper focus.</p>



<p>The study is published in <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2501.05431" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The Astrophysical Journal Letters</em></a>.</p>



<p>Image Credit: Jose-Luis Olivares, MIT</p>



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Exoplanet is rapidly disintegrating, leaving behind a trail of dust

An exoplanet is a planet that orbits a star outside...

<p>Empathy is often seen as a defining human trait, woven into the fabric of our societies. It helps people cooperate, build friendships, and resolve conflicts. But empathy is not unique to humans. Across the animal kingdom, from elephants to the bonobos, behaviors hint at emotional connections that transcend species boundaries.</p>



<p>Recent research from <a href="https://www.durham.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Durham University</a> in the UK delves into how two of our closest living relatives — the bonobo and the chimpanzee — express empathy, challenging long-held assumptions and deepening our understanding of emotional evolution.</p>



<p>This study does more than just compare species. It explores how individual personalities, social bonds, and community structures shape emotional behaviors. Led by Dr. Jake Brooker, the research opens a new chapter in the story of human and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bonobo-communication-shares-many-structural-similarities-with-human-language/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">primate</a> empathy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bonobos-and-chimps-show-similar-empathy">Bonobos and chimps show similar empathy</h2>



<p>Traditionally, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bonobos-say-no-to-unfair-trades-even-if-it-costs-rewards/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bonobos</a> have enjoyed a reputation as the "empathic ape," while chimpanzees have been cast as aggressive and political. However, Brooker’s study found that both species comfort others at similar rates.</p>



<p>Observations spanned 1,400 hours, covering 40 bonobos at the Lola ya Bonobo sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo and 50 chimpanzees at the <a href="https://www.chimfunshiwildlife.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage</a> in Zambia. </p>



<p>Researchers focused on how individuals reacted to distress events like fights, recording spontaneous gestures of consolation, including embracing, hand grasping, and soothing touches.</p>



<p>“For a long time, bonobos have been thought of as the more empathic ape, whilst chimpanzees are typically spoken about as the violent, despotic ape. However, we found that chimpanzees are just as likely to console one another as bonobos,” said Dr. Brooker.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-young-apes-offer-comfort-more-often">Young apes offer comfort more often</h2>



<p>Age played a significant role in consolation patterns. Younger <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-bonobo-day-a-celebration-of-love-peace-and-conservation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">apes</a> were more likely to offer comfort compared to their older counterparts, a trend observed across both species.</p>



<p>In bonobos, young individuals actively both consoled and received consolation. In chimpanzees, young males and close social partners were the primary sources of comfort. These findings echo observations in human children, who often show concern for others even before their first birthday.</p>



<p>The study suggests that emotional sensitivity emerges early and may diminish as individuals mature and navigate complex social hierarchies. Dr. Brooker’s team highlighted that empathy is likely intrinsic rather than solely learned through experience.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-drives-empathy-in-bonobos">What drives empathy in bonobos?</h2>



<p>One of the standout discoveries was the role of social relationships. Among <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orphaned-bonobos-can-regain-social-skills-and-empathy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bonobos</a>, kinship mattered deeply. Individuals were far more likely to console relatives than non-kin. In contrast, chimpanzees prioritized close social bonds over genetic ties when offering comfort.</p>



<p>“Although empathy is very important for our own species, our findings show that empathic behaviours, like consolation, appear to be a common trait we also share with our two closest ape relatives,” said Professor Zanna Clay, senior author of the study. </p>



<p>This highlights an important point: empathy is not only about feeling another’s distress but is also influenced by relational closeness, just as it is among humans.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-emotional-flexibility-within-ape-communities">Emotional flexibility within ape communities</h2>



<p>Variation within species eclipsed differences between species. Some groups showed stronger tendencies toward consolation based on their unique social environments.</p>



<p>For instance, young male chimpanzees were especially active in consoling peers but became less so with age, suggesting social ambition could influence empathic behavior during development. </p>



<p>In bonobos, higher-ranked individuals were more likely to console, while lower-ranked members appeared more restrained.</p>



<p>“Just like humans, bonobos and chimpanzees may flexibly show empathy depending on the individual, the group, and the surrounding social culture,” Dr. Brooker noted. </p>



<p>This points to a flexible empathy that shifts according to social conditions and personal traits.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-empathy-depends-more-on-social-context">Empathy depends more on social context</h2>



<p>The study also connects behavioral trends with biological differences. Previous research shows bonobos have more serotonergic fibers in the amygdala, a brain region crucial for emotion regulation. They also possess genetic differences associated with social bonding tendencies.</p>



<p>Despite these neurological distinctions, this study found no overarching difference in the likelihood of consolation between the two species. Empathy-related behaviors appeared instead to be more responsive to social and individual contexts.</p>



<p>This finding challenges ideas that neurobiology alone can predict empathic tendencies. Instead, it emphasizes how emotional expressions are shaped within dynamic social landscapes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consolation-reflect-deep-evolutionary-roots">Consolation reflect deep evolutionary roots</h2>



<p>The behavior of bonobos and chimpanzees adds to a growing body of evidence showing that empathy has ancient evolutionary origins. Consolation behaviors similar to those seen in apes have been documented in elephants, rodents, and even some bird species.</p>



<p>“Finding these overlaps between our two close cousins suggests our last common ancestor likely showed these empathic capacities too. A next step will be to see how much these patterns are also observed in other settings, particularly in the wild,” said Dr. Clay.</p>



<p>This evolutionary perspective deepens our understanding of where human empathy might have originated and suggests that the roots of our emotional lives are much older than previously thought.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ape-empathy-in-wild-natural-settings">Ape empathy in wild natural settings</h2>



<p>One of the major recommendations from this study is the need for broader, cross-setting comparisons. Sanctuaries offer semi-natural environments, but understanding how these behaviors manifest in wild populations will be crucial.</p>



<p>Studying more communities could reveal how local conditions, cultural traditions, and ecological pressures influence the expression of consolation and empathy. </p>



<p>Future research could also explore how demographic factors, such as the presence of juveniles or social network complexity, shape emotional responses in different communities.</p>



<p>The Durham team plans to pursue such questions to build a richer picture of emotional evolution. They believe that understanding emotional flexibility among our closest relatives will illuminate important aspects of human nature itself.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-empathy-is-shaped-by-social-lives">Empathy is shaped by social lives </h2>



<p>Brooker’s study redefines how we think about empathy in our closest relatives. It challenges outdated notions of species-wide emotional profiles and shows that individual differences and social environments hold the key.</p>



<p>Both bonobos and chimpanzees can express profound empathy, but how, when, and to whom they show it depends on who they are and the world they live in. Just like humans, their emotional lives are complex, dynamic, and deeply social.</p>



<p>The research was funded by the Templeton World Charity Foundation and sets the stage for a new wave of empathy studies across the animal kingdom.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090513825000315?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Evolution and Human Behavior</a>.</em></p>



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Bonobos and chimps express empathy much like humans

Empathy is often seen as a defining human trait, woven...

<p>When most people picture drifting tabular icebergs - flat-topped behemoths the size of city blocks - they imagine the frigid waters fringing Antarctica.</p>



<p>Yet a new study shows that, at the height of the last ice age, leviathan icebergs cruised less than 90 miles from Britain’s east coast. </p>



<p>Their deep underbellies ploughed into soft marine sediments, leaving parallel gouges that have been preserved for nearly 20,000 years beneath today’s North Sea seafloor.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seafloor-comb-marks-tell-the-tale">Seafloor comb-marks tell the tale</h2>



<p>Researchers made the discovery while analyzing seismic-reflection data collected for oil-and-gas exploration in the Witch Ground Basin, a trough between Scotland and Norway.</p>



<p>Scientists found comb-like furrows, hundreds of meters wide and stretching for kilometers, instead of expected fossil fuel structures. The team realized vast, flat-tipped icebergs carved these features as tides and currents pushed them southward along the sea floor.</p>



<p>“We’re talking about enormous flat-topped, or ‘tabular,’ icebergs,” explained lead author James Kirkham of the <a href="https://www.bas.ac.uk/">British Antarctic Survey</a> (BAS). </p>



<p>“Conservatively, they measured five to perhaps a few tens of kilometers in width - comparable to the area of a medium-sized UK city such as Cambridge or Norwich - and could be a couple of hundred meters thick.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ice-shelves-surrounded-britain">Ice shelves surrounded Britain</h2>



<p>Such colossal bergs calve today from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarcticas-melting-ice-shelves-threaten-global-sea-levels/">Antarctic ice shelves</a>, the floating extensions of land-based glaciers. If tabular icebergs roamed the ancient North Sea, ice shelves must have once bordered the British and Irish Ice Sheet.</p>



<p>This conclusion reshapes our picture of the region during the Last Glacial Maximum, when ice covered much of the British Isles but was beginning to retreat as the climate warmed between 20,000 and 18,000 years ago.</p>



<p>Ice shelves play a crucial role in stabilizing their parent ice sheets by buttressing inland glaciers. When shelves thin or break up, glacier flow tends to accelerate, raising global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-much-did-sea-levels-rise-after-the-last-ice-age-alarming-new-clues-revealed/">sea level</a>. </p>



<p>The presence - and subsequent collapse - of shelves in the North Sea offers a natural experiment that may help scientists predict Antarctica’s future under today’s warming trends.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-iceberg-size-shifted-suddenly">Iceberg size shifted suddenly</h2>



<p>The seismic record captures not just the heyday of giant bergs but also their disappearance.</p>



<p>“Around 18,000 years ago we detect a shift in the type of iceberg plough-mark recorded in seafloor sediments, from giant tabular bergs - produced by the normal calving lifecycle of ice shelves - to much more numerous and smaller icebergs as the ice shelves disintegrated,” said co-author Kelly Hogan, a scientist at the British Antarctic Survey.</p>



<p>Glaciologists saw a similar event in 2002, when Antarctica’s Larsen B Ice Shelf shattered after rapid surface melting. </p>



<p>Glaciers once buttressed by Larsen B quickly sped up, dumping extra ice into the ocean. The Witch Ground record suggests the British and Irish Ice Sheet may have experienced a large-scale analogue. It likely retreated 200 - 300 meters per year at its edges once its shelves vanished.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-triggered-the-collapse">What triggered the collapse?</h2>



<p>One key question is whether ancient British ice shelf breakup triggered rapid retreat or simply mirrored already accelerating ice loss. Better dating of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seafloor-relic-uncovers-earths-ancient-mysteries/">seafloor</a> deposits could reveal which came first.</p>



<p>“If we observe a similar transition from large tabular icebergs to smaller icebergs in Antarctica today, it could indicate the continent is about to experience significant and rapid mass loss,” said BAS co-author Rob Larter.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-for-a-warming-world">Lessons for a warming world</h2>



<p>Greenland and parts of West Antarctica are currently losing ice at rising rates, and many Antarctic ice shelves are thinning. Understanding how ancient shelves collapsed, and how quickly adjacent glaciers responded, can inform projections of future sea-level rise.</p>



<p>"Understanding how regime shifts in iceberg calving behavior affect ice shelf stability remains a challenge for numerical models. This is an important question as we consider the fate of the ice shelves that currently buttress the Antarctic Ice Sheet and hold back the bulk of its potential upstream sea-level contribution," wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>The North Sea plough-marks remind researchers that ice-shelf dynamics are not unique to polar realms; they can shape mid-latitude marine basins when climate and geography align.</p>



<p>For now, the hidden grooves beneath North Sea sediments stand as silent testimony to a long-lost icy era. Britain’s horizon was once patrolled by icebergs the size of cities - a legacy that informs future coastal challenges.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-58304-5"><em>Nature Communications</em></a>.</p>



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Evidence of massive ancient icebergs found off the coast of Britain

When most people picture drifting tabular icebergs - flat-topped behemoths...

<p>Understanding how human DNA mutates over time is key to decoding the origins of disease and the path of evolution. But until now, some of the most change-prone regions of our genome have remained out of reach. That’s beginning to change.</p>



<p>A collaboration between researchers at the <a href="https://uofuhealth.utah.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Utah Health</a>, the <a href="https://www.washington.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Washington</a>, <a href="https://www.pacb.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PacBio</a>, and other institutions has recently produced the most detailed map to date of how human genetic mutations pass from one generation to the next.</p>



<p>By combining multiple cutting-edge DNA sequencing methods, the researchers uncovered parts of the genome that mutate far faster than previously thought - findings that could reshape our understanding of both rare genetic conditions and the broader story of human evolution.</p>



<p>“It's mutations that ultimately differentiate us from other species,” said study co-author Lynn Jorde, a geneticist at the University of Utah. “We're getting at a very basic property of what makes us human.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-hidden-speed-of-dna-mutation">The hidden speed of DNA mutation</h2>



<p>By directly comparing the DNA of parents to that of their children, the team calculated how often new mutations occur and are passed on. Jorde calls the human genetic mutation rate a biological constant, as vital as the speed of light in physics.</p>



<p>“This is something you really need to know - the speed at which variation comes into our species,” Jorde said. “All of the genetic variation that we see from individual to individual is a result of these mutations.” These changes, over time, have led to diverse traits such as eye color, lactose tolerance, and certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-technology-could-safely-treat-hundreds-of-genetic-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">inherited diseases</a>.</p>



<p>On average, every person inherits nearly 200 new mutations that are not present in either parent. While many of these are harmless or fall in regions of DNA that don’t code for genes, others can have profound biological consequences. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mutable-regions-of-the-genome">Mutable regions of the genome</h2>



<p>Until now, the most mutable regions of the genome have remained largely unexamined. Aaron Quinlan, a professor and chair of human genetics at the University of Utah and co-author of the study, noted that the new research breaks that barrier. </p>



<p>Previous studies focused on the genome’s most stable sections. The new work, by contrast, highlights areas that mutate rapidly - regions that Quinlan describes as “previously untouchable.”</p>



<p>“We saw parts of our genome that are crazy mutable, almost a mutation every generation,” said Quinlan. In contrast, other DNA segments were remarkably stable.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-clues-to-disease">New clues to disease</h2>



<p>The findings could be highly useful for genetic counseling. As Jorde explains, knowing whether a human genetic mutation is new or inherited helps doctors and families assess the likelihood of disease reoccurring in siblings.</p>



<p>“If you have a child who's affected with a disease, is it likely to be inherited from a parent, or is it likely to be a new mutation?” Jorde said.</p>



<p>If the mutation occurs in a so-called “hotspot,” it's more likely to be unique to that child, and the chance of recurrence in another child is lower. But if the mutation is inherited, other children may be at higher risk.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-four-generations-of-dna">Four generations of DNA</h2>



<p>Central to the research was a remarkable Utah family that has worked with scientists since the 1980s as part of the <a href="https://cephb.fr/en/presentation_historique.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Human Polymorphism Study Center</a>, also contributing to the original <a href="https://www.genome.gov/human-genome-project" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Human Genome Project</a>.</p>



<p>Four generations of this family donated DNA and consented to its analysis, creating an extraordinary dataset for studying how mutations appear and are passed down. </p>



<p>“A large family with this breadth and depth is an incredibly unique and valuable resource,” said co-author Deborah Neklason, a research associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Utah. “It helps us understand variation and changes to the genome over generations in incredible detail.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-peeking-into-our-genome">Peeking into our genome</h2>



<p>To capture a complete and accurate picture of genetic change, the team employed several DNA <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/complete-sequencing-of-the-human-genome-reveals-new-findings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sequencing technologies</a>. </p>



<p>Some tools detect tiny changes like single-nucleotide variants, while others scan broader genome regions to catch large-scale alterations or structural variations.</p>



<p>Sequencing each family member using multiple technologies allowed the researchers to achieve both fine detail and broad coverage. This multi-platform approach gave them the clearest view yet of how our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-genome-size-impact-evolutionary-success/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genome</a> shifts across generations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-charting-the-future-of-dna">Charting the future of DNA</h2>



<p>The researchers now plan to apply their comprehensive sequencing approach to more families. “We saw really interesting stuff in this one family,” Quinlan said. </p>



<p>The next step is to ask: “How generalizable are those findings across families when trying to predict risk for disease or how genomes evolve?”</p>



<p>To encourage further discovery, the team is making its sequencing data freely available. By opening access to this unparalleled genetic atlas, the researchers hope others will continue to unravel the mysteries of human evolution, diversity, and inherited disease.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08922-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature</em></a>.</p>



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Most detailed map of human genetic mutations unveiled

Understanding how human DNA mutates over time is key to...

<p>Sharks often carry a reputation as the ultimate beasts. However, shark bites remain rare. Only about 100 happen globally each year, and roughly 10% are fatal.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sharks-may-benefit-from-rising-temperatures-but-not-from-rising-co2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sharks</a> bite for many reasons. They might act out of competition, territorialism, or predation. Now, researchers have identified another reason: self-defense.</p>



<p>Dr. Eric Clua is a shark specialist and researcher at Université PSL and the first author of the study.</p>



<p>“We show that defensive bites by sharks on humans - a reaction to initial human aggression - are a reality and that the animal should not be considered responsible or at fault when they occur,” said Dr. Clua. "These bites are simply a manifestation of survival instinct, and the responsibility for the incident needs to be reversed.”</p>



<p>This discovery challenges common views. It suggests sharks often bite as an instinctive response, not as cold-blooded attackers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sharks-bite-because-they-feel-threatened">Sharks bite because they feel threatened</h2>



<p>Negative interactions between humans and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-third-of-shark-species-face-extinction-despite-fishing-bans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sharks</a> are not new. However, they have increased with more human activity at sea. Management now aims to minimize lethal responses to wildlife.</p>



<p>Sharks, much like land animals, react defensively when provoked. Yet self-defense motivations in sharks were rarely explored until recently. French Polynesia, with an  exclusive economic zone that spans 5.5 million square kilometers, provided key insights.</p>



<p>Between 2009 and 2023, 74 shark bites were documented in French Polynesia. Four were strongly linked to self-defense. This proportion, about five percent, matches global trends when activities like spearfishing and fish trap use are considered.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-many-shark-bites-happen-without-warning">Many shark bites happen without warning </h2>



<p>Self-defense bites arise when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mediterranean-sharks-face-growing-threats-despite-conservation-efforts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sharks</a> feel threatened by human actions. Activities like spearfishing or grabbing sharks often trigger these responses. Warning signs are rare or absent. Defensive bites usually cause superficial, non-lethal wounds.</p>



<p>This pattern is not unique to sharks. Bears and cassowaries also react similarly, defending themselves without a lethal intent.</p>



<p>“Some species of coastal shark, such as the gray reef shark, are both particularly territorial and bold enough to come to contact with humans,” said Dr. Clua. A human merely intruding their space could be enough.</p>



<p>Repeated bites during defensive events were noted, though fatalities remained rare. In many cases, minor to moderate injuries occurred, reinforcing the non-predatory nature of these incidents.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sharks-may-react-with-strong-defense">Sharks may react with strong defense</h2>



<p>When <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-sharks-make-sounds-despite-not-having-vocal-cords/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sharks</a> react in self-defense, the force may seem excessive compared to the human action.</p>



<p>“We need to consider the not very intuitive idea that sharks are very cautious towards humans and are generally afraid of them,” noted Dr. Clua.</p>



<p>“The sharks’ disproportionate reaction probably is the immediate mobilization of their survival instinct. It is highly improbable that they would integrate revenge into their behavior and remain above all pragmatic about their survival.”</p>



<p>This reaction closely mirrors human behavior under threat. Defenders often inflict greater harm than the attacker intends.</p>



<p>Additionally, there is no proportional link between human aggression and shark bite severity. Tooth anatomy and shark size primarily influence injury outcomes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-case-studies-from-french-polynesia">Case studies from French Polynesia</h2>



<p>Detailed case studies shed light on real-world self-defense bites. One case involved two spearfishermen at Makemo Atoll in 2016. After injuring a gray reef shark, the animal retaliated, inflicting multiple non-lethal wounds.</p>



<p>Another case focused on traditional fish traps. Fishers entering traps to retrieve fish sometimes confronted trapped sharks. Attempts to spear sharks often triggered defensive bites.</p>



<p>A third case documented scientists trying to handle a blacktip reef shark for sampling. An improper grip allowed the shark to bite a scientist’s hand. These incidents illustrate that even non-aggressive handling attempts can trigger defensive behavior.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-self-defense-bites-are-common">Self-defense bites are common </h2>



<p>Globally, self-defense bites represent about 4.6% of all recorded shark bites, closely matching French Polynesian observations. Data from the <a href="https://www.sharkattackfile.net" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Shark Attack Files</a> supports this estimate.</p>



<p>For instance, Australian data shows that Wobbegong sharks often bite defensively when accidentally disturbed. This finding highlights that self-defense biting is not region-specific but widespread among various species.</p>



<p>The media often fails to differentiate these events, labeling them all as "attacks," which harms shark conservation efforts.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preventing-shark-bites">Preventing shark bites</h2>



<p>Avoiding aggressive or intrusive actions toward sharks is key to staying safe. Even well-meaning rescue attempts can be perceived as threats.</p>



<p>“Do not interact physically with a shark, even if it appears harmless or is in distress. It may at any moment consider this to be an aggression and react accordingly,” said Dr. Clua. “These are potentially dangerous animals, and not touching them is not only wise, but also a sign of the respect we owe them.”</p>



<p>Touching stranded sharks can lead to defensive bites. Their flexible bodies allow them to turn quickly and strike even when handled gently.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sharks-bite-to-survive">Sharks bite to survive</h2>



<p>Recognizing self-defense as a motivation changes how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overfishing-has-caused-a-50-decline-in-sharks-and-rays/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shark</a> incidents should be understood and managed. People must acknowledge their role in provoking many incidents.</p>



<p>This understanding can shift media narratives and reduce unjustified fears. Better reporting can also support shark conservation efforts, crucial for preserving ocean ecosystems.</p>



<p>Self-defense bites reveal sharks as cautious, pragmatic survivors rather than ruthless killers. Humans must revise their attitudes and actions when interacting with these animals.</p>



<p>Reducing aggressive encounters and respecting sharks' space could lower incident rates. Meanwhile, more accurate media representation could significantly aid global shark conservation initiatives.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/conservation-science/articles/10.3389/fcosc.2025.1562502/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Conservation Science</a>.</em></p>



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Sharks often bite people in self-defense, not to attack

Sharks often carry a reputation as the ultimate beasts. However,...

<p>Lower back pain is one of the most widespread and debilitating conditions in the world. It affects millions of people, often reducing quality of life, limiting mobility, and draining healthcare systems. Despite its enormous impact, most available treatments only dull the pain; they do not fix it.</p>



<p>People with this chronic pain rely on painkillers, physical therapy, or invasive surgery. While these options may help some patients cope, they don’t fix the underlying problem. That may soon change, thanks to a team of researchers at <a href="https://www.mcgill.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McGill University</a>.</p>



<p>In a recent preclinical study, the experts explored a radically different approach. Instead of masking the pain, they aimed to treat its root cause - damaged cells in the spine, known as “zombie cells.”</p>



<p>These senescent cells don’t die when they should. They accumulate in spinal discs, spreading inflammation and tissue <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-with-chronic-pain-have-high-rates-of-depression-and-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">damage</a>. The researchers tested two drugs that clear these cells from the body. The results, they say, could transform how chronic back pain is treated.</p>



<p>“Our findings are exciting because it suggests we might be able to treat back pain in a completely new way, by removing the cells driving the problem, not just masking the pain,” said Professor Lisbet Haglund, senior author and co-director of the Orthopaedic Research Laboratory at the <a href="https://muhc.ca/montreal-general-hospital" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Montreal General Hospital</a>.</p>



<p>This study is a step toward developing therapies that tackle the biological drivers of pain, not just its symptoms.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-zombie-cells-in-the-spine-fuel-inflammation">Zombie cells in the spine fuel inflammation</h2>



<p>As people age, or experience stress and injury, senescent cells begin to gather in tissues throughout the body.</p>



<p>In the spinal column, they settle into the intervertebral discs - the cushion-like pads that lie between vertebrae, absorb shock, and help with movement. These cells release a cocktail of damaging molecules known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP).</p>



<p>This mix includes inflammatory cytokines, enzymes, and signaling molecules that degrade surrounding tissue. They create a toxic environment that promotes further cell damage, inflammation, and disc degeneration. </p>



<p>As the discs deteriorate, spinal pain worsens and becomes more resistant to traditional treatments. The team at McGill focused on these zombie cells as the key culprits behind chronic lower back pain.</p>



<p>The researchers used a mouse model known as sparc<sup>−/−</sup> that lack a gene that is associated with healthy spinal disc maintenance.</p>



<p>As a result, they develop early-onset disc degeneration and back pain similar to human patients. This model allowed the scientists to test whether eliminating zombie cells could actually <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chronic-pain-is-harder-to-treat-in-women-but-a-new-target-offers-hope/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reduce</a> pain and restore tissue health.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drugs-relieved-back-pain-in-mice">Drugs relieved back pain in mice</h2>



<p>The study investigated the effects of two drugs for back pain: o-Vanillin, a natural compound derived from turmeric, and RG-7112, a synthetic drug that was originally developed for cancer treatment.</p>



<p>The drug o-Vanillin is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, while RG-7112 works by interfering with a protein complex that helps zombie cells avoid death.</p>



<p>Both drugs were administered orally over eight weeks. Remarkably, the treatment reduced inflammation in the mice, removed senescent cells, and even reversed damage to the discs.</p>



<p>Although each drug worked on its own, their combination yielded the strongest results. The researchers observed improvements in grip strength, decreased cold and mechanical sensitivity, and fewer signs of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/viewing-nature-reduces-pain-by-altering-brain-activity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">discomfort</a> in mice.</p>



<p>“We were surprised that an oral treatment could reach the spinal discs, which are hard to access and present a major hurdle in treating back pain,” said Haglund. “The big question now is whether these drugs can have the same effect in humans.”</p>



<p>Their success in reaching the discs, which are shielded from many medications, adds another layer of excitement to the findings.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-drugs-work-for-back-pain">How the drugs work for back pain</h2>



<p>To understand the mechanism behind the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mindfulness-meditation-is-a-powerful-weapon-against-chronic-pain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">improvements</a>, the team studied the effects of the drugs on a molecular level.</p>



<p>Both drugs reduced levels of SASP factors like IL-6, TNF-α, and VEGF-α, molecules known to worsen inflammation and accelerate tissue decay. In spinal discs, levels of the senescence marker p16Ink4a decreased significantly, showing that the treatment was clearing out harmful cells.</p>



<p>This cellular cleanup translated to real improvements. Treated mice showed healthier discs, better separation between disc layers, and restored disc volume. These changes indicate the potential for actual tissue repair, not just temporary pain relief. </p>



<p>When the two drugs were given together at full strength, the benefits were magnified. Reducing either drug by half weakened the response, and cutting both reduced the effect significantly.</p>



<p>In untreated mice, signs of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-women-experience-more-chronic-pain-than-men/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">degeneration</a> continued. Their spinal discs shrank, pain increased, and inflammatory markers remained high. But in treated animals, disc structure and bone density improved.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-treatment-calmed-nerve-activity">Treatment calmed nerve activity</h2>



<p>Pain isn’t just caused by physical damage. It is also shaped by how the nervous system processes signals from the spine. </p>



<p>The researchers examined the spinal cords of treated mice and found that senolytic therapy also had effects there. They recorded lower activity of key proteins like CGRP and GFAP - both of which are involved in amplifying pain in the nervous system.</p>



<p>This suggests that the drugs may relieve back pain by calming down the pain-processing machinery in the spinal cord. Both o-Vanillin and RG-7112 reduced these markers, but the combination again delivered the greatest effect. Reducing inflammation in the spinal cord may help stop the cycle of chronic pain.</p>



<p>The study also showed reduced activation of microglia, which are immune cells in the brain and spinal cord that can worsen pain, if overstimulated. Taken together, the findings suggest that the therapy not only heals the spine but also reduces the brain’s sensitivity to pain signals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-innovative-drugs-for-back-pain">Innovative drugs for back pain</h2>



<p>The drug o-Vanillin wasn’t even supposed to be in the original study. It was added as a side compound during early testing. Yet its impact turned out to be crucial. </p>



<p>This turmeric-based molecule is not only effective at reducing inflammation but may also have unique properties that let it penetrate tough tissues like spinal discs and even the brain.</p>



<p>Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that o-Vanillin is quickly distributed throughout the body and may accumulate in fat tissue, allowing it to act over time. Its high clearance rate suggests rapid dispersal, yet its lipophilic structure helps it reach hard-to-access areas. These traits make it a promising candidate for long-term use in treating chronic conditions.</p>



<p>The researchers plan to improve the structure of o-Vanillin so that it lasts longer in the body. This could increase its effectiveness and allow for the use of lower doses in future trials.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-treating-back-pain-in-humans">Treating back pain in humans</h2>



<p>Perhaps the most encouraging takeaway is that the drug doses used in mice translate to feasible doses in humans. </p>



<p>Using standard dose conversion, the human equivalent would be about 8 mg/kg for o-Vanillin and 0.4 mg/kg for RG-7112. These amounts are manageable and below the toxic levels seen in cancer patients treated with high doses of RG-7112.</p>



<p>No adverse effects were noted during the eight-week mouse trial. The mice maintained normal activity, body weight, and behavior.</p>



<p>This suggests the therapy is safe, at least in the short term. Before human trials can begin, though, more studies are needed. The researchers plan to test in larger animal models and explore advanced drug delivery methods.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-age-related-diseases-beyond-back-pain">Age-related diseases beyond back pain</h2>



<p>The implications go beyond the treatment of back pain. Senescent cells contribute to many age-related diseases - arthritis, osteoporosis, and even neurodegeneration. By removing these harmful cells, senolytic drugs could become a universal tool to manage aging-related health issues.</p>



<p>“The big question now is whether these drugs can have the same effect in humans,” Haglund said. If they do, this could signal a shift in medicine - from treating symptoms to correcting root causes.</p>



<p>The study, published in <em><a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adr1719" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a></em>, was led by Matthew Mannarino, Hosni Cherif, and Lisbet Haglund. The research was supported by the <a href="https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/193.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canadian Institutes of Health Research</a> and other partners.</p>



<p>This work shines a light on a hopeful future where aging tissues can be renewed and pain reversed - not just endured.</p>



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



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

New drugs target 'zombie cells' to relieve back pain

Lower back pain is one of the most widespread and...

<p>The Caribbean holds secrets in its mangroves, lagoons, and coral-rimmed islands - some buried in sediment, others still alive. Off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, researchers have made a discovery that rewrites part of crocodilian history. Two isolated island populations - one on Cozumel, the other on Banco Chinchorro - have been identified as distinct species of crocodiles.</p>



<p>For decades, these animals were assumed to be American crocodiles, part of the species <em>Crocodylus acutus</em>, which ranges from Baja California to Venezuela and across the Caribbean. </p>



<p>But new research reveals that these island <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-evolution-not-random-gene-families-pangenome-influence-called-revolutionary/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">populations</a> are not merely remote relatives. They are genetically and physically distinct - products of isolation, adaptation, and evolutionary divergence.</p>



<p>This revelation comes from an international team led by <a href="https://www.mcgill.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McGill University</a>, working alongside Mexican institutions. Their findings mark a turning point in crocodile biology and conservation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saving-the-new-crocodile-species">Saving the new crocodile species </h2>



<p>“Biodiversity is disappearing faster than we can discover what we're losing,” said Professor Hans Larsson, who led the study. His team’s goal was to explore hidden patterns of crocodile diversity before development and climate change erased them. </p>



<p>Crocodiles are often seen as ancient, unchanging predators. Yet in the islands of the Yucatán, they tell a story of dynamic evolution and ecological specialization.</p>



<p>Island species often evolve rapidly, separated from their mainland ancestors by currents, storms, and time. </p>



<p>The two island populations - Cozumel and Banco Chinchorro - are part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, where prevailing ocean currents reduce genetic exchange with nearby coasts. These natural barriers, acting over thousands of years, allowed isolated populations to take new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/luca-last-universal-common-ancestor-progenitor-all-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary paths</a>.</p>



<p>Each island’s reptiles have stayed hidden in plain sight, their differences mistaken for regional quirks. But as the study shows, these are not minor variations. They are evidence of distinct evolutionary histories.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-island-crocodiles-are-two-separate-species">Island crocodiles are two separate species</h2>



<p>To uncover the truth, Larsson’s team used Restriction-site Associated DNA Sequencing (RAD-seq), analyzing over 13,000 polymorphic genetic markers across crocodile populations from the Caribbean, Pacific Mexico, and Central America. </p>



<p>They found that the Cozumel and Banco Chinchorro crocodiles had exceptionally high numbers of unique alleles and genetic diversity, despite their small population sizes.</p>



<p>“These results were totally unexpected,” said José Avila-Cervantes, the study’s lead author and former student in Larsson’s lab. </p>



<p>Avila-Cervantes explained how they originally assumed all sampled animals were members of a single widespread species. But population structure analyses, genetic clustering algorithms, and phylogenetic reconstructions told a different story.</p>



<p>The team discovered that the two island populations form their own <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolution-isnt-just-ancient-history-its-happening-right-now/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic clusters</a> with no signs of admixture. Their genetic divergence from mainland <em>Crocodylus acutus</em> populations is greater than what separates some recognized crocodile species.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-species-level-distinction-confirmed">Species-level distinction confirmed</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolutions-many-solutions-nature-finds-multiple-paths-to-success/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Genetics</a> wasn't the only signal of divergence. The researchers also analyzed skull shapes using geometric morphometrics. These analyses revealed dramatic differences in cranial morphology between island crocodiles and their mainland counterparts.</p>



<p>Cozumel crocodiles have notably long and narrow snouts - described as “longirostrine.” In contrast, Banco Chinchorro crocodiles have broader skulls adapted for durophagy, likely to help them crush hard-shelled prey.</p>



<p>Morphospace analysis placed each population in distinct zones, confirming that their physical differences mirrored their genetic splits.</p>



<p>Morphological distinctions extend to scale patterns as well. Banco Chinchorro individuals possess a greater number of post-occipital and nuchal scales, while Cozumel individuals have more irregular caudal scales. These features support species-level separation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crocodile-species-evolved-in-isolation">Crocodile species evolved in isolation</h2>



<p>Genomic modeling suggests that the Cozumel and Banco Chinchorro populations have been genetically isolated for over 11,000 years. That’s long enough for new traits to evolve and for species to diverge.</p>



<p>Estimates suggest each island holds only 500 to 700 effective breeding individuals. While these numbers might seem modest, they are significantly larger than previously thought and are adequate to maintain genetic diversity, especially in isolated systems.</p>



<p>These findings highlight how isolation by environment - not just distance - can drive rapid evolutionary changes. Unlike other <em>Crocodylus acutus</em> populations, these two groups have adapted to harsh, specific conditions on their islands.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adapting-to-extremes">Adapting to extremes</h2>



<p>Banco Chinchorro is a small atoll in the Caribbean Sea, distant from the mainland and sparsely inhabited by humans. Its crocodile population has developed exceptional traits to survive in this setting. Lagoon salinity on the atoll reaches levels as high as 65 ppt — more than twice the salinity of typical seawater.</p>



<p>Crocodiles here have adapted to tolerate these hypersaline conditions. Hatchlings survive in salt-saturated nursery sites, and adults exhibit slower growth rates, smaller clutch sizes, and reduced egg mass. </p>



<p>“The lower reproductive parameters for crocodiles in Banco Chinchorro are probably related to a smaller size of nesting females,” noted the researchers.</p>



<p>These ecological pressures are shaping the biology of the population. Females reach maturity at smaller sizes, and survival strategies now depend on both physiological tolerance and geographic seclusion.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-crocodiles-in-cozumel">Protecting crocodiles in Cozumel</h2>



<p>Cozumel, in contrast, is a much larger island, closer to the Yucatán mainland and more affected by human activity. Urban development, tourism, and invasive species have introduced several stressors. Yet even here, the crocodile population shows signs of stable reproduction and unique genetic makeup.</p>



<p>Despite facing habitat fragmentation and limited protection compared to Banco Chinchorro, Cozumel’s crocodiles have preserved distinct traits and high genetic variation. The study calls for stronger protective measures to preserve their ecological niche.</p>



<p>Recognizing these reptiles as separate species could be the first step toward securing their future.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-naming-the-new-crocodile-species">Naming the new crocodile species</h2>



<p>The study suggests that the Cozumel and Banco Chinchorro populations should be officially described and named as new species. Doing so would have major conservation implications. </p>



<p>These crocodiles could become flagship species for preserving Caribbean mangrove ecosystems, which are under constant threat.</p>



<p>“Now that we recognize these crocodiles as distinct species, it's crucial to protect their habitats. Limiting land development and implementing careful conservation strategies on Cozumel and Banco Chinchorro will be key to ensuring their survival,” said Larsson.</p>



<p>Because Banco Chinchorro is already designated as a Biosphere Reserve, it provides a model for effective conservation. Cozumel, however, has fragmented protections, and needs more attention from policymakers and environmental groups.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-evolution-of-new-species">The evolution of new species</h2>



<p>The discovery of these island crocodiles serves as a powerful reminder: evolution is not a closed chapter. It continues, quietly and sometimes dramatically, in the overlooked corners of the natural world.</p>



<p>The crocodiles of Cozumel and Banco Chinchorro are not just relics of the past. They are living examples of how isolation, environment, and time can create new life forms. </p>



<p>These new species may be rare, but they are real - and now, with science and will, perhaps they can be protected too.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1055790325000582?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution</a></em>.</p>



<p>Image Credit: McGill University.</p>



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Hidden in isolation: Two new crocodile species found in Mexico

The Caribbean holds secrets in its mangroves, lagoons, and coral-rimmed...

<p>A burst of lightning near the geographic North Pole is stirring anxious questions about our changing climate. It showed up on August of, 2019, when atmospheric conditions lined up in a way few that had ever imagined.</p>



<p>Researchers discovered 342 lightning <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-meltdown-is-accelerating-global-warming-already-changing-earth-in-unimaginable-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">events</a>, with 122 being in a single thunderstorm that traveled over the ice and came within about 27 miles (43 kilometers) of the North Pole.</p>



<p>Jianqiu Zheng and colleagues from the <a href="https://en.ustc.edu.cn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Science and Technology of China</a> analyzed the event and found it was tied to an unusual surge of warm air.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arctic-heat-now-fuels-rare-storms">Arctic heat now fuels rare storms</h2>



<p>Temperatures in the far north have been <a href="https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/arctic-sea-ice/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climbing</a> faster than the global average. This shift opens the door for moisture to move into places where it once rarely ventured.</p>



<p>Warm air masses from lower <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drastic-warming-will-transform-the-arctic-beyond-recognition/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">latitudes</a> can now slip into polar regions and create the unstable backdrop for storms. Ice sheets still dominate much of the area, but the air above them is no longer as consistently frigid.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lightning-formed-high-above-north-pole">Lightning formed high above North Pole </h2>



<p>Scientists noted a thundercloud that formed about 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) above the surface of the ice. That formation defied the usual pattern, where storms typically begin closer to ground level.</p>



<p>“This thunderstorm was unlike anything we typically see in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-warming-may-fuel-the-spread-of-diseases-by-unleashing-frozen-viruses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arctic</a>,” said Zheng. It developed when a patch of warm, moist air was forced upward by a cooler layer that hugged the ice.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warm-and-cold-air-collided">Warm and cold air collided</h2>



<p>The team attributed this odd weather to a <a href="https://www.weather.gov/lmk/basic-fronts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">frontal system</a> that lifted balmy, humid air over a wedge of cold air at the surface. That collision helped launch storm clouds into a zone where lightning is more likely to spark.</p>



<p>The experts relied on ERA5 reanalysis <a href="https://www.ecmwf.int/en/forecasts/dataset/ecmwf-reanalysis-v5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data</a> (archived meteorological observations) to piece together how air parcels moved and converged at the time. </p>



<p>This data offered clues on how two conflicting air masses produced an elevated thundercloud in a zone known for extreme cold.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-lightning-near-the-north-pole">Tracking lightning near the North Pole</h2>



<p>The storm’s path was logged by the World Wide Lightning Location Network (<a href="https://wwlln.net/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WWLLN</a>), a global sensor system that monitors lightning strikes using radio waves. </p>



<p>This network recorded the closest-known lightning strike to the North Pole, just 27 miles (43 kilometers) away, which helps confirm just how far these unusual storms can reach.</p>



<p>Without systems like WWLLN, events like this could go unnoticed in remote parts of the planet. The ability to track such rare <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-industrialization-how-will-it-impact-delicate-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phenomena</a> offers scientists a clearer picture of atmospheric behavior in a rapidly warming Arctic.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-impact-on-future-forecasts">Potential impact on future forecasts</h2>



<p>“As temperatures rise, we may see more thunderstorms in areas where they were once extremely rare,” said Baohua Ren<strong>, </strong>a corresponding author of the study who hinted at the ripple effects of higher temperatures..</p>



<p>Shifts in polar climate may force meteorologists to adjust forecasting models. Storm frequency, lightning counts, and general weather patterns could all see new variations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicting-what-s-ahead">Predicting what's ahead</h2>



<p>Changes in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-arctic-may-be-ice-free-sooner-than-we-expected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arctic</a> often extend beyond regional boundaries. Variations in sea ice coverage, wind patterns, and ocean currents can trickle down to mid-latitudes and transform familiar seasonal weather.</p>



<p>Some experts wonder whether more frequent lightning in high latitudes might disturb wildlife or disrupt shipping routes.</p>



<p>Elevated storm occurrence might also affect how the upper atmosphere behaves, though more research is needed before making firm predictions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-of-lightning-near-the-north-pole">Implications of lightning near the North Pole </h2>



<p>Lightning isn’t just a flash in the sky, it’s a sign of powerful atmospheric instability. For lightning to occur, there must be strong updrafts and separation of electrical charges within clouds, conditions that are rare in cold, dry regions like the Arctic.</p>



<p>When lightning appears near the North Pole, it signals a major shift in local energy balance. It means the atmosphere had enough moisture, warmth, and motion to support the buildup of charge, which is a clear sign that traditional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-arctic-warming-map-shows-alarming-changes-in-climate-hotspots/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arctic</a> norms are changing.</p>



<p>A single thunderstorm doesn’t rewrite climate science, but it emphasizes the importance of global temperature trends. <a href="https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/24/4451/2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Polar warming events</a> and unexpected weather can align to produce conditions once thought impossible in icy places. </p>



<p>Scientists see this development as an indication of how quickly the environment can shift. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extreme-polar-events">Extreme polar events</h2>



<p>Researchers note that more observational campaigns will help explain how moist air triggers lightning near the North Pole. These efforts could improve our ability to understand and track extreme polar weather events.</p>



<p>Polar scientists also emphasize the potential influence on local communities. People who depend on stable ice for hunting or travel might face new hazards when warmer air creates thunderstorms and slushier terrain.</p>



<p>The study was published in <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00376-024-4141-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Advances in Atmospheric Sciences</em></a>.</p>



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Lightning near the North Pole signals major climate shifts

A burst of lightning near the geographic North Pole is...

<p>Many people wonder if a simple approach can bring lasting improvements to mental health. A new study on psychedelic compounds might spark a deeper conversation about how the brain recovers from stress-related conditions.</p>



<p>Researchers used mice to investigate how a single dose of a psychedelic compound can support cognitive flexibility. The lead investigator, Dr. Omar J. Ahmed from the <a href="https://lsa.umich.edu/psych/people/faculty/ojahmed.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan</a>, oversaw an experiment that tested how the animals responded to unexpected <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psychedelics-sexuality-and-self-discovery-what-a-new-study-reveals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">changes</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-a-psychedelic-dose-rewires-the-brain">How a psychedelic dose rewires the brain</h2>



<p>Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new connections. Psychedelic drugs have shown promise in boosting these adaptive changes in certain parts of the brain.</p>



<p>Research has already <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9671959/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hinted</a> at benefits for people with depression and anxiety. This new investigation goes a step further by looking at how long these benefits last.</p>



<p>Experts are exploring how <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1853/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">serotonin 2a receptor</a> activation might reshape the way we learn. This receptor is linked to mood regulation and perception, so it makes sense that tweaking it could alter how the brain adapts.</p>



<p>According to the investigators, only one dose was given to each mouse, with no additional treatments. Later, they ran tests that looked at how quickly the mice switched strategies under new conditions.</p>



<p>Some scientists say the prefrontal cortex is key to tasks that demand judgment and quick <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psychedelic-ibogaine-can-now-be-produced-without-rare-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adaptation</a>. Strengthening its connections may explain why a single dose can produce effects that last far beyond the initial exposure.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-psychedelic-dose-boosts-flexible-thinking">One psychedelic dose boosts flexible thinking</h2>



<p>“What makes this discovery particularly significant is the sustained duration of cognitive benefits following just one psychedelic dose,” explained Professor Omar Ahmed. The researchers saw a clear advantage in how the psychedelic group tackled changing rules.</p>



<p>Male and female mice both showed an uptick in mental adaptability. This broad effect indicates that the underlying mechanism could benefit a wide range of individuals.</p>



<p>“A key question is what happens with two, three, or even twenty doses taken over several months,” said Dr. Ahmed. Investigators are curious about how repeated doses might affect flexibility in the long run. </p>



<p>Such questions may guide the next phase of research. They might also help clarify whether more doses lead to better <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/increased-use-of-psilocybin-in-u-s-raises-health-concerns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">outcomes</a> or if there is a tipping point.</p>



<p>Yet, not all psychedelics work the same way. Comparing substances with varying strengths and modes of action is essential to pinpoint which ones offer the most stable improvement in learning.</p>



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



<p>Many people who deal with mood disorders struggle to cope with shifting demands. A boost in flexible thinking could help them adapt more quickly to life’s uncertainties.</p>



<p>Therapies that strengthen neuroplasticity show promise for conditions such as depression and PTSD. Psychedelics might become another avenue to support these neural changes, though more data from human studies are needed.</p>



<p>Some <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6220878/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> suggest that psilocybin, a well-known psychedelic, has produced lasting improvements in mental well-being. Researchers note that this effect can persist for weeks, hinting at a mechanism that goes beyond a short-term shift in perspective.</p>



<p>“The most striking aspect of our findings is that these cognitive benefits were measured 15-20 days after a single psychedelic administration,” noted Elizabeth J. Brouns. Experts are also excited about the possibility of helping older adults or those with conditions tied to memory decline. </p>



<p>PTSD, in particular, involves disrupted patterns of recall that can get stuck in negative loops. Breaking these loops might involve a shift in how the brain processes threats and rewards.</p>



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



<p>Expanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/confirmed-magic-mushrooms-can-effectively-treat-depression/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">knowledge</a> about psychedelics might reshape how clinicians approach mental health. Some professionals predict that well-monitored psychedelic therapy could complement existing treatments.</p>



<p>Scientists plan to test different compounds, doses, and schedules to see what works best. They also want to confirm if these changes in flexibility come from changes in the prefrontal cortex or from other parts of the brain.</p>



<p>Since studies point to stable neuroplasticity shifts after just one dose, the timeline for integrating these treatments may be shorter than previously thought. At the same time, caution is key because not everyone responds the same way to psychedelics.</p>



<p>Before new guidelines become mainstream, rigorous research is needed to cover safety and efficacy. Investigators remain optimistic that single-dose therapies could one day make a difference for a variety of people.</p>



<p>Legal frameworks around psychedelics are evolving in the United States. These changes might eventually open paths for more clinical trials that evaluate safety and practicality.</p>



<p>These findings offer a fresh perspective on how one-time interventions may guide the future of mental health care. More thorough testing in clinical settings will reveal which populations stand to benefit the most.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://genomicpress.kglmeridian.com/view/journals/psychedelics/aop/article-10.61373-pp025r.0002/article-10.61373-pp025r.0002.xml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Psychedelics</em></a>.</p>



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One psychedelic dose can improve brain functioning for extended periods of time

Many people wonder if a simple approach can bring lasting...

<p>Mind blanking - those moments when our thoughts disappear and we seem to experience a pause in consciousness - is a familiar, yet surprisingly misunderstood part of human experience. </p>



<p>Often described as “thinking of nothing” or “feeling drowsy,” this phenomenon is now being reevaluated by scientists who believe it deserves distinct recognition in neuroscience research.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-mystery-of-mind-blanking">The mystery of mind blanking </h2>



<p>In a recent opinion article, an international team of neuroscientists and philosophers compiled decades of findings on mind blanking, including recent discoveries from their own studies involving brain activity scans.</p>



<p>The collaboration began at the 25th Annual Meeting of the <a href="https://theassc.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness</a> in Amsterdam in 2022, where researchers agreed that it was time to treat mind blanking not as a side effect of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-wandering-might-be-more-productive-than-you-think/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mind wandering</a>, but as a separate mental state altogether.</p>



<p>“During wakefulness, our thoughts transition between different contents. However, there are moments that are seemingly devoid of reportable content, referred to as mind blanking,” the experts wrote. “It remains unclear what these blanks represent, highlighting the definitional and phenomenological ambiguities surrounding mind blanking.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-the-phenomenon">Exploring the phenomenon</h2>



<p>Traditionally, mind blanking has been explored through frameworks designed to study mind wandering - the spontaneous drift of thoughts we experience throughout the day. </p>



<p>However, the researchers argue that mind blanking is more than just another form of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/from-daydream-to-awareness-the-brains-alert-mechanism/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">daydreaming</a>. It is often accompanied by sleepiness, sluggishness, or cognitive lapses, and deserves to be studied independently.</p>



<p>“We sought to better understand mind blanking by parsing through 80 relevant research articles - including some of our own in which we recorded participants' brain activity when they were reporting that they were 'thinking of nothing,’” explained senior author Athena Demertzi, a neuroscientist at the <a href="https://www.uliege.be/cms/c_8699436/en/uliege" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Liège</a> in Belgium.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-research-revealed"><a></a>What the research revealed</h2>



<p>The review offers several key insights. First, mind blanking occurs in everyone, although the frequency varies between individuals. On average, it occupies about 5% to 20% of our waking hours. </p>



<p>These episodes are often linked to lapses in attention, failures in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/memory-isnt-only-stored-in-our-brains-other-cells-can-remember-too/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memory</a>, or a sudden halt in inner dialogue. They tend to appear more frequently during long attention-heavy tasks, after sleep deprivation, or intense physical exertion.</p>



<p>Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/toddler-screen-time-linked-to-atypical-sensory-behaviors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ADHD</a>) report experiencing mind blanking more frequently than others. It is also listed as a symptom in the clinical description of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in the DSM-5, and appears in other neurological conditions such as strokes, seizures, traumatic brain injury, and Kleine-Levin syndrome.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinct-changes-in-brain-function">Distinct changes in brain function</h2>



<p>Studies using fMRI and EEG scans show that mind blanking is associated with distinct changes in brain function. </p>



<p>The phenomenon involves disruptions in the brain's frontal, temporal, and visual networks, reduced complexity in neural signals, and what scientists refer to as “local sleep episodes” - moments when parts of the brain temporarily fall into a sleep-like state even during wakefulness.</p>



<p>During experiments that involved sustained mental focus, participants showed signs of mind blanking through decreased heart rate, smaller pupil size, and patterns of slow brain waves. </p>



<p>Meanwhile, voluntary mind clearing (like in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meditation-can-rapidly-reduce-ptsd-without-revisiting-trauma/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meditation</a>) produced deactivation in areas like the inferior frontal gyrus, Broca’s area, the supplementary motor cortex, and the hippocampus.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-framework-for-thoughtless-moments">A framework for thoughtless moments</h2>



<p>The research team proposes a novel framework to describe mind blanking as a collection of states influenced by physiological arousal - what they term “vigilance.” </p>



<p>Whether a person is in a low-arousal state (such as fatigue) or a high-arousal state (such as cognitive overload), mind blanking appears more likely to occur when the brain’s normal mechanisms for attention, memory, or speech fail to function.</p>



<p>“The experience of a 'blank mind' is as intimate and direct as that of bearing thoughts,” said co-author Jennifer Windt, a neuroscientist at <a href="https://www.monash.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monash University</a> in Australia.</p>



<p>“Our aim here is to start a conversation and see how mind blanking relates to other seemingly similar experiences, such as meditation,” added co-author Antoine Lutz from the <a href="https://www.crnl.fr/en/page-base/crnl-presentation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lyon Neuroscience Research Center</a> in France.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-brain-looking-to-the-future">The brain: Looking to the future</h2>



<p>Ultimately, the team hopes future research will treat mind blanking as a meaningful mental state, not merely an absence of cognition. They argue it holds crucial insights for understanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brain-stops-paying-attention-to-repeated-distractions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">attention</a>, consciousness, and mental health.</p>



<p>“We believe that the investigation of mind blanking is insightful, important, and timely,” said lead author Thomas Andrillon of the University of Liège.</p>



<p>“Insightful because it challenges the common conception that wakefulness involves a constant stream of thoughts. Important because mind blanking highlights the interindividual differences in subjective experience. Collectively, we stress that ongoing experiences come in shades with varying degrees of awareness and richness of content."</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/trends/cognitive-sciences/fulltext/S1364-6613(25)00034-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Trends in Cognitive Sciences</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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

When the brain goes silent: The complex reality of mind blanking

Mind blanking - those moments when our thoughts disappear and...

<p>Many people hope to find something that helps them feel stronger and more energetic as they get older. Researchers have explored different paths and trials, with a special focus on nutrients that might protect our bodies from the strains of aging.</p>



<p><a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=XXKmfjUAAAAJ&amp;hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Harshani Nadeeshani</a> from the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, and her colleagues have analyzed <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d42473-022-00002-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>nicotinamide mononucleotide</em></a> (NMN) as a potential candidate. </p>



<p>Their efforts have sparked plenty of discussion about whether this compound can help ward off common age-related concerns.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nmn-at-a-glance">NMN at a glance</h2>



<p>NMN is a molecule related to vitamin B3. It plays a part in maintaining healthy cellular energy levels by boosting <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide</em></a> (NAD+) in our cells.</p>



<p>Some researchers propose that higher NAD+ levels could support the way cells handle stress. This idea has driven projects that test NMN in both animals and humans to see if it can reduce common problems <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-anti-aging-drug-interleukin-11-boosts-lifespan-prevents-cancer-gray-hair/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">linked to aging</a>, such as sluggish metabolism and low energy.</p>



<p>Enthusiasm around NMN stems from studies on animals. Early experiments suggest that adding NMN to a balanced diet may affect the body’s metabolic functions in ways that look positive.</p>



<p>A small human trial noted that NMN might help with insulin sensitivity in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abe9985" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>prediabetic</em></a> individuals. That finding caught the attention of people who watch their blood sugar or manage early metabolic issues.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-people-and-nmn-what-we-know">People and NMN: What we know</h2>



<p>Scientists have tried to figure out if NMN can support healthy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-tea-every-day-proven-studies-to-delay-biological-aging-in-humans/">aging</a> by stabilizing cellular energy processes. </p>



<p>One group reported that when they gave healthy adults a single dose of NMN, they observed no negative reactions. This gave them a reason to test higher amounts over a longer span in follow-up work.</p>



<p>Another project looked at how NMN might help muscle cells. Some findings signaled that normal energy production may be supported, but experts still emphasize that these results do not confirm lasting benefits in humans.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-nmn-behaves-in-people">How NMN behaves in people</h2>



<p>Researchers continue to wonder how NMN behaves if it is taken every day for months or even years. Extended use could bring about different outcomes than short trials, and those effects remain unclear.</p>



<p>There is also a discussion about whether NMN might lose its effectiveness in people whose lifestyle includes a high-fat diet. </p>



<p>Since many factors can affect how the body processes supplements, more trials are needed to see who could benefit most from NMN.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-safety-and-concerns">Safety and concerns</h2>



<p>No major safety issues have emerged from small pilot <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10721522/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a>, but the number of participants was limited. Some nutrition experts suggest starting with modest amounts under a health professional’s guidance.</p>



<p>Concerns linger about how an abundance of NAD+ may affect cells linked to inflammation or unwanted growth. Several lab findings argue that normal pathways can keep things balanced, but extra data from larger studies is essential.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-term-impact">Long-term impact</h2>



<p>A handful of ongoing trials aim to measure how NMN influences markers of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-reverse-aging-a-bold-new-approach-could-reprogram-cells/">aging</a> across different ages and lifestyles. Some focus on metabolic factors, while others look at endurance or cognitive performance.</p>



<p>If these investigations show consistent benefits, manufacturers could face requests to set specific guidelines on dosage. </p>



<p>Right now, people often depend on whatever label instructions appear on supplement bottles, which is not always backed by large-scale proof.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-considerations">Practical considerations</h2>



<p>People who already follow a healthy diet, regular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-term-exercise-can-make-belly-fat-healthy/">exercise routine</a>, and proper medical care should know that NMN is not a replacement. It may act as a complementary approach that supports the body’s existing processes.</p>



<p>Cost remains a sticking point. High-purity NMN supplements can be expensive, and quality can vary. Consumers must be watchful of unregulated products that make strong claims without published research to back them up.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-the-scientific-community-trials">Role of the scientific community: Trials</h2>



<p>Authorities in nutrition science are looking at how to define standard doses. They also plan to track potential side effects in people who combine NMN with other health regimens.</p>



<p>Third-party labs have started analyzing product purity. This step is critical in ensuring that over-the-counter supplements contain what their labels promise.</p>



<p>Studies on NMN remind us that science seldom provides simple answers. Different lifestyles, genetic backgrounds, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/outdoor-exercise-amplifies-physical-and-mental-health-benefits/">health</a> conditions can affect how well a supplement works for any individual.</p>



<p>Experts note that the best data come from randomized controlled trials with a sizable group of volunteers. They also stress that safety profiles need repeated confirmation over time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hope-and-caution">Hope and caution</h2>



<p>NMN’s buzz shows a growing interest in preserving wellness well <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-tea-every-day-proven-studies-to-delay-biological-aging-in-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">into our later years</a>. This push for solutions is a good sign, as it encourages deeper research into how our cells age.</p>



<p>Still, caution is advised. People should consider discussing any new supplement with a trusted healthcare provider, especially if they have specific medical concerns or take other medications.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-knowledge-with-reality">Balancing knowledge with reality</h2>



<p>Some see NMN as an easy fix for people with age-related issues, but experts warn that a single compound cannot cancel out all wear and tear on the body. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lifespan-is-influenced-more-by-lifestyle-than-genetics/">Lifestyle</a> factors like diet, fitness, and stress reduction often play a more central role in long-term health.</p>



<p>At the same time, properly designed trials in humans could reveal clearer benefits or downsides. This highlights the need for well-supported research to guide those who buy these products.</p>



<p>NMN studies are evolving quickly. While some investigators see a path toward broader application, others demand greater proof of safety and effectiveness.</p>



<p>Consumers should stay aware that this compound is not regulated like a standard medication. Many questions remain about how best to use NMN, but there is hope that ongoing research will clarify key points.</p>



<p>The study is published in the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2090123221001491" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Advanced Research</a>.</p>



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A scientific review analyzes the potential and limitations of NMN for slowing down aging

Many people hope to find something that helps them feel...

<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>



<p id="block-9bd989d6-2fd3-4580-957f-6cacce134f08">-----</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>



<p>-----</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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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

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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

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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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