<p>The first weekend of September offers two dazzling lunar shows, depending on where you live. Across parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, the skies will host a total lunar eclipse.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For more than five hours, Earth will line up perfectly between the Sun and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/when-is-the-black-moon-in-2025-and-why-does-it-occur/">Moon</a>, casting a deep shadow across the lunar surface.&nbsp;</p>



<p>During totality, which will last 82 minutes, only red light will filter through Earth’s atmosphere and reach the Moon. That’s what gives the lunar face its striking copper hue, earning the name “blood moon.”</p>



<p>Here in the United States, the eclipse will stay below the horizon. The wait won’t be long, though. According to <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>, the next blood moon lunar eclipse that will be visible from America will occur on March 3, 2026.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-a-total-lunar-eclipse">Understanding a total lunar eclipse</h2>



<p>A total <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/total-lunar-eclipse-will-paint-the-moon-blood-red-tomorrow/">lunar eclipse</a> happens when the Earth moves directly between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow across the Moon’s surface. </p>



<p>Instead of going completely dark, the Moon usually glows a deep red or copper color. That’s because Earth’s atmosphere bends and filters sunlight, letting only the longer, reddish wavelengths reach the Moon. </p>



<p>It’s the same effect that makes sunsets look red, but in this case the Earth is creating a “sunset glow” that wraps all the way around and paints the Moon.</p>



<p>Unlike solar eclipses, lunar eclipses are safe to watch with the naked eye - no special glasses are needed. They also last much longer: totality can stretch for over an hour, compared to just a few minutes for a total solar eclipse. </p>



<p>Anyone on the night side of Earth can see it, which makes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/harvest-moon-2024-will-feature-a-partial-lunar-eclipse/">lunar eclipses</a> more common to experience. </p>



<p>For astronomers, these events are chances to study Earth’s atmosphere, since the way light bends and colors the Moon gives clues about dust, clouds, and even volcanic ash floating around our planet.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-final-full-moon-of-summer">Final full moon of summer</h2>



<p>On Sunday, September 7, the Corn Moon will reach its peak illumination at 2:09 p.m. EDT. That moment takes place below the horizon for U.S. viewers, but the full moon will climb into the eastern sky, glowing bright and round by nightfall.</p>



<p>The Old Farmer’s Almanac notes that the Moon will look nearly full on both the nights before and after September 7. For sky watchers, that means an extended window to catch a glimpse.</p>



<p>Near the horizon, the Moon may appear golden or orange for a while, but as it rises higher, the glow will shift to a clearer white.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-is-it-called-the-corn-moon">Why is it called the Corn Moon?</h2>



<p>The name Corn Moon traces back to the Algonquin tribes in the northeastern United States. </p>



<p>Late summer was the time to gather their staple crops of corn, beans, pumpkins, squash, and wild rice.&nbsp;The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildlife-vehicle-collisions-surge-during-full-moon-nights/">full moon</a> served as a seasonal marker for this period of abundance and labor.</p>



<p>European traditions gave their own names to the September moon. Some called it the Fruit Moon, marking the ripening of orchard crops.</p>



<p>Others referred to it as the Barley Moon in recognition of the grain harvest. Each name reflects a calendar rooted in the cycles of planting and gathering.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-harvest-moon-is-next">The Harvest Moon is next</h2>



<p>It’s tempting to confuse the Corn Moon with the better-known Harvest Moon, but the two aren’t the same.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The Harvest Moon is the full moon that falls closest to the autumn equinox. In 2025, that moment comes on October 7, which also happens to be the first supermoon of the year.</p>



<p>By contrast, the Corn Moon always comes in September. It marks the bridge between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/this-weekends-sturgeon-moon-marks-a-turning-point-in-summer/">summer</a> and fall, when fields in the Northern Hemisphere are still heavy with late crops, but the days are growing shorter.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lunar-calendar-of-2025">The lunar calendar of 2025</h2>



<p>This year’s lunar calendar is a busy one. September’s Corn Moon is the ninth full moon of 2025.</p>



<p>There will be 12 full moons in total, including three supermoons. Two of those full moons will coincide with total lunar eclipses, offering the dramatic blood moon display.</p>



<p>The calendar has long served as a guide for both farmers and sky watchers. Each name tells a story about the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seasonal-timing-can-change-quickly-over-short-distances/">season</a> - what’s ripening, what’s ready, and what’s just around the corner.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-seasonal-marker-in-the-sky">A seasonal marker in the sky</h2>



<p>For the Algonquin and other Native American tribes, September’s full moon was more than a sign of the corn harvest. Some called it the Corn Maker Moon or Corn Harvest Moon.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These names reflected not only the practical importance of gathering food but also the deep connection between community life and the cycles of nature.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The moon served as both a calendar and a cultural marker, guiding traditions that tied the sky to the land.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-symbolic-meaning-of-the-corn-moon">Symbolic meaning of the Corn Moon </h2>



<p>Beyond the fields, the Corn Moon has taken on symbolic meaning. Some traditions frame it as a time of reflection and release - a moment to let go of stagnant energy and welcome change.&nbsp;</p>



<p>September’s full moon is also viewed as a time to embrace growth and intuition as the seasons shift.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The Corn Moon returns each year as summer fades into fall. It serves as a reminder of how the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-one-side-of-the-moon-still-glows-from-within/">Moon</a> has always been more than just a light in the night sky - it’s a companion through the seasons.</p>



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



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



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



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

This weekend's "Corn Moon" and total lunar eclipse usher in a beautiful end to summer

The first weekend of September offers two dazzling lunar shows, depending on where you live. Across parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, the skies will host a total lunar eclipse.&nbsp; For more than five hours, Earth will line up perfectly between the Sun and the Moon, casting a deep shadow across the lunar surface.&nbsp; During totality, which will last 82 minutes, only red light will filter through Earth’s atmosphere and reach the Moon. That’s what gives the lunar face its striking copper hue, earning...

<p>Most parents agree that puberty is an important topic to cover with their kids. But when is the right time to start? And what’s the best way to approach it? These are questions many parents still struggle with.</p>



<p>A recent national poll by researchers at the <a href="https://www.mottchildren.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital</a> sheds light on how families are handling this crucial stage of childhood. </p>



<p>The poll highlights some common uncertainties, such as the best age to start the conversation and whether to include topics like sex and reproduction.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-to-begin-the-puberty-talk">When to begin the puberty talk</h2>



<p>The results show that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parents-often-feel-lonely-burnt-out-parenting-demands/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parents</a> are split on when to begin the puberty talk. About one-third say it’s best to start before age 10. Others prefer to wait until their kids are 10 or older. This uncertainty can make it tough to know when to speak up.</p>



<p>“It’s easy to assume a child is too young for conversations about puberty, but many parents are surprised to find their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tweens-used-media-more-during-the-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tween</a> already showing signs of puberty or asking unexpected questions about body changes,” said Mott Poll Co-Director Sarah Clark.</p>



<p>“Starting the conversation early gives parents a chance to shape the message in an age-appropriate way and help kids know what to expect, so they’re not confused or anxious. If parents don’t open the door to these talks, kids may get their information elsewhere, like from classmates, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/goldilocks-amount-of-social-media-time-may-protect-teens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social media</a>, or what they see on TV.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-talking-about-puberty-can-be-hard">Talking about puberty can be hard</h2>



<p>Parents take different approaches to discussing puberty. Around half say they’re proactive. Two in five wait for their child to ask questions. A small group - about 5% - avoid the topic entirely.</p>



<p>There are also emotional hurdles. One in five parents say they worry about feeling embarrassed. Others fear saying the wrong thing. </p>



<p>Some parents of 10- to 12-year-olds say their child avoids the subject. Meanwhile, nearly a third of parents with 7- to 9-year-olds think their child is too young to understand. Clark suggests some of that hesitation might come from parents' own childhoods.</p>



<p>While nearly half have shared their personal puberty experiences with their kids, fewer than one in three say they learned about puberty from their own parents. Over a third note that it wasn’t discussed at all in their home growing up.</p>



<p>“Whether they realize it or not parents may bring their own experiences into their parenting approach,” Clark said. “Many parents said they had little or no discussion of puberty when they were young. If puberty was treated as an awkward or embarrassing subject growing up, that can make it harder to know how to begin.”</p>



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



<p>One of the biggest challenges for parents is knowing how and when to talk about sex and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lunar-cycles-have-a-secret-influence-on-human-reproduction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reproduction</a>. For some, this part of the conversation can feel even more overwhelming.</p>



<p>“Early conversations should focus on making kids aware that they will experience physical and emotional changes, and reassuring them that those changes are normal. Discussions about sex can occur over time,” Clark said.</p>



<p>She also points out that parents don’t have to do it all alone. Resources like parenting books, educational videos, and school health programs can help start the conversation or reinforce the message. Annual doctor visits may also provide a comfortable setting to bring up puberty-related topics.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spotting-the-signs">Spotting the signs</h2>



<p>About half of parents say they feel very confident in recognizing signs of puberty. Among parents of kids aged 10 to 12, that number jumps to 60 percent. </p>



<p>For younger kids, only 17% of parents say they’ve noticed changes. And fewer than one in three say they know what signs to look for.</p>



<p>Many parents also report that their children have brought up questions about their own bodies, their parents' bodies, or puberty in general. These moments, Clark says, are great chances to open up the discussion.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-keep-the-conversation-going">Keep the conversation going</h2>



<p>Puberty isn’t just a physical transition. It can also bring emotional changes that make open conversations harder. But that makes the need for communication even more important.</p>



<p>“Puberty isn’t just about physical changes - it’s also a time of emotional disruption, which can make open communication challenging,” Clark said. “Many tweens feel embarrassed or uncomfortable talking with their parents about these changes.”</p>



<p>“To help ease the discomfort, some parents may give their child an age-appropriate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-children-learn-gender-stereotypes-from-storybooks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">book</a> or video about puberty and allow the child to explore the topic privately. Often, that leads to additional discussion with parents.”</p>



<p>In the end, the key is to make room for these conversations early - and to keep them going. By doing so, parents can support their kids through one of the most confusing and important transitions of their lives.</p>



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



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



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



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

Talking to kids about puberty: Why sooner may be better than later

Most parents agree that puberty is an important topic to...

<p>Bonobos are known for gentle interactions, yet recent work suggests they might be less tolerant when rewards are split unequally. Researchers set out to see if these apes would walk away from deals that favored a partner and shortchanged them.</p>



<p>This insight emerges from the work of first author Kia Radovanović from <a href="https://www.uu.nl/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Utrecht University</a>. A team at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology collaborated on these trials to gauge bonobos’ <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-bonobo-day-a-celebration-of-love-peace-and-conservation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reactions</a> to unequal treats.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bonobos-recognize-unfair-rewards-and-protest">Bonobos recognize unfair rewards and protest</h2>



<p>Some experts use the phrase <a href="https://www.behavioraleconomics.com/resources/mini-encyclopedia-of-be/inequity-aversion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">inequity aversion</a> for patterns in animals that refuse to cooperate when they get a raw deal. Human <a href="https://academic.oup.com/qje/article-abstract/114/3/817/1848113?redirectedFrom=fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> have noted how people often protest if someone else is given better benefits for the same effort.</p>



<p>Bonobos share close ties with people on the <a href="https://evolution-outreach.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1007/s12052-008-0035-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary tree</a>. Their social lives revolve around interactions where resources and tasks are commonly exchanged. </p>



<p>When tested in a token-exchange setting, they faced a scenario where one <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bonobo-communication-shares-many-structural-similarities-with-human-language/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">participant</a> got a higher-value treat, while the other settled for a lesser option.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-turn-down-free-snacks">Why turn down free snacks?</h2>



<p>“We found that bonobos more often refused to participate when faced with inequitable rewards,” said Radovanović. This outcome goes against the idea that they simply expect the same tasty morsel and quit if disappointed.</p>



<p>There were instances where an automated contraption handed out the treats. Bonobos avoided interacting if the gadget gave them a lower reward, yet spared a friend something tastier. </p>



<p>This trend did not appear to stem from dissatisfaction with the human caretaker but instead from the unequal handouts themselves.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-much-unfairness-can-bonobos-tolerate">How much unfairness can bonobos tolerate?</h2>



<p>Cooperative behavior in this species is often viewed as a key characteristic. Some pairs seemed more tolerant of small imbalances, especially if they had strong social <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bonobos-are-more-endangered-than-previously-known/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bonds</a>.</p>



<p>The closer pairs of bonobos sometimes accepted the mismatch without walking away. These differences in how each ape responds hint that personal relationships might play a role in how big a difference in goodies they are willing to allow.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bonobos-chimps-and-unfair-rewards">Bonobos, chimps, and unfair rewards</h2>



<p>Unlike bonobos, chimpanzees in similar tests often show refusal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orphaned-bonobos-can-regain-social-skills-and-empathy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">patterns</a> that seem tied more to the person handing out the food than to fairness itself. </p>



<p>When chimpanzees received lesser rewards, they reacted more strongly if the distributor was a human instead of a machine. That suggests they may be expressing frustration with the person, not necessarily protesting the unfairness of the trade.</p>



<p>Bonobos didn’t follow that same pattern. Their refusals were strongest when a machine was involved and their partner still got something better. </p>



<p>This detail sets them apart and raises the possibility that bonobos might have developed a clearer internal barometer for fairness, while chimpanzees may lean more toward social expectations or experimenter-based cues.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-tests-to-explore-fairness-in-apes">More tests to explore fairness in apes</h2>



<p>Fair-minded behavior might develop from social structures that value harmony.</p>



<p>"This study provides new insights into how fairness may have evolved, but further research is needed,” said Daniel Haun, Director at the <a href="https://www.mpg.de/de" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology</a>.</p>



<p>Researchers continue to plan follow-up tasks that offer group-based <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bonobos-are-thriving-in-salonga-national-park/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">activities</a> and broader test groups. They hope to see whether living conditions or group composition shape each individual’s perception of what is or is not an acceptable share.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bonobos-value-rewards-and-fairness">Bonobos value rewards and fairness</h2>



<p>People once believed that only humans show strong objections when rewards are lopsided. Bonobo evidence suggests some apes may notice these imbalances too. </p>



<p>This pattern could reinforce cooperation over time, because no one wants to keep playing with a partner who always gets the bigger prize.</p>



<p>These observations add a new perspective on how a sense of fair play might have taken shape in diverse primate lineages. Focusing on bonobos’ responses could clarify the complexities of social ties and resource division in living groups.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-can-bonobos-fix-unfairness-themselves">Can bonobos fix unfairness themselves?</h2>



<p>Researchers propose testing different tasks where bonobos can actively equalize outcomes. Deeper analysis may also reveal if other apes respond similarly in varied settings. </p>



<p>Questions remain about how environment and familiarity influence the readiness to leave an unfair arrangement.</p>



<p>If bonobos keep showing that they can detect and reject unequal rewards, the idea of fairness in non-human species grows stronger. That could shift how we talk about morality and ethical conduct in the broader animal kingdom.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2024.2873" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences</em></a>.</p>



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



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



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



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

Bonobos say no to unfair trades, even if it costs rewards

Bonobos are known for gentle interactions, yet recent work suggests...

<p>Robots have long struggled with flexibility. Until now, even the most advanced robotic systems have required massive amounts of data and painstaking instruction to complete basic tasks. </p>



<p>If a robot dropped a tool or failed to follow a script precisely, it would typically shut down or fail completely. However, a new breakthrough from <a href="https://www.cornell.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cornell University</a> might change that dynamic entirely. </p>



<p>A team of computer scientists has recently developed a new AI-powered framework called RHyME (Retrieval for Hybrid Imitation under Mismatched Execution). </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-robots-learning-from-humans">Robots learning from humans</h2>



<p>The new technology allows robots to learn complex, multi-step tasks by watching just a single human demonstration, even if the way humans perform a task differs significantly from how robots do.</p>



<p>“One of the annoying things about working with robots is collecting so much data on the robot doing different tasks. That’s not how humans do tasks. We look at other people as inspiration," explained Kushal Kedia, a doctoral student in computer science at Cornell and the lead author of the study. </p>



<p>Kedia is set to present the team’s findings at the <a href="https://2025.ieee-icra.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation</a> in Atlanta, highlighting a system that could fundamentally alter how robots are trained.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-perfect-scripts-to-practical-adaptation"><a></a>From perfect scripts to practical adaptation</h2>



<p>For decades, robotic learning has depended heavily on imitation. In a method known as “<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cultural-learning-begins-in-infancy-during-parent-child-imitation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">imitation learning</a>,” robots watch human demonstrations to acquire new skills. </p>



<p>But this training has required extremely controlled demonstrations - human movements had to be smooth, precise, and consistent, or the robot wouldn’t be able to replicate the actions. Any deviation would result in failure.</p>



<p>“Our work is like translating French to English - we’re translating any given task from human to robot,” said senior author Sanjiban Choudhury, an assistant professor of computer science at Cornell’s Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science.</p>



<p>However, there’s a significant hurdle: humans are too fluid. Our movements are complex and unpredictable, often performed in ways that robots can’t easily mimic. </p>



<p>Training robots on video also traditionally required an enormous amount of footage to be even marginally successful. The mismatch between how humans behave and how robots are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robots-can-now-learn-like-humans-using-self-awareness/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">built to act</a> has long been a stumbling block.</p>



<p>“If a human moves in a way that’s any different from how a robot moves, the method immediately falls apart,” Choudhury noted. “Our thinking was, ‘Can we find a principled way to deal with this mismatch between how humans and robots do tasks?’”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-smarter-memory-for-smarter-machines"><a></a>A smarter memory for smarter machines</h2>



<p>RHyME is designed to overcome this long-standing challenge. Rather than trying to replicate human actions step by step, it equips robots with a sort of “<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/household-robots-now-with-added-common-sense-and-ability-to-self-correct/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">common sense</a>” memory system. </p>



<p>When a robot encounters a task it’s seen performed by a human - like putting a mug in the sink - it can recall and adapt related movements from its video archive, such as grasping a different object or performing a similar arm motion.</p>



<p>This process allows the robot to “connect the dots” even when human demonstrations don’t perfectly align with the robot’s own mechanics. RHyME essentially enables robots to synthesize new behaviors by creatively combining past examples.</p>



<p>In laboratory trials, robots trained with RHyME achieved over a 50% improvement in task success rates compared to traditional training techniques. </p>



<p>Even more impressive, RHyME accomplished this using just 30 minutes of robot-specific data, dramatically reducing the training overhead that has long been a barrier in robotics.</p>



<p>“This work is a departure from how robots are programmed today,” Choudhury said. “The status quo of programming robots is thousands of hours of tele-operation to teach the robot how to do tasks. That’s just impossible. With RHyME, we’re moving away from that and learning to train robots in a more scalable way.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-robots-a-step-toward-home-helpers">Robots: A step toward home helpers</h2>



<p>Though consumer-grade home assistant robots are still a distant dream, RHyME represents a significant step in that direction. </p>



<p>The ability for robots to learn quickly and flexibly by observing people - even from a single video - could one day make robotic helpers more practical, affordable, and accessible.</p>



<p>As automation becomes increasingly integrated into everyday life, systems like RHyME are poised to streamline robotic training across industries. From <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-glimpse-of-the-future-robots-in-nursing-homes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">elder care</a> to warehouse logistics, these smarter robots could adapt to the dynamic nature of real-world environments with much less human oversight.</p>



<p>For now, the researchers are continuing to refine RHyME and explore how it might scale to even more complex tasks. </p>



<p>But the core insight remains: instead of forcing robots to copy us precisely, we can teach them to draw inspiration from us - just like we do from one another.</p>



<p>Read the paper, “<a href="https://portal-cornell.github.io/rhyme/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">One-Shot Imitation under Mismatched Execution</a>."</p>



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



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



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



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

Robots can now learn from humans by watching 'how-to' videos

Robots have long struggled with flexibility. Until now, even the...

<p>Our inner emotions don’t always match what we show on the outside. People often say they’re fine while feeling overwhelmed inside - a common habit that can lead to mental health struggles like anxiety or panic attacks. </p>



<p>Spotting these hidden emotions isn’t always easy, especially for health care providers who are trying to help.</p>



<p>In a breakthrough study, researchers have created a stretchable, rechargeable sticker that senses the body’s emotional signals, including changes in heart rate and skin temperature.</p>



<p>Developed by scientists at <a href="https://www.psu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State</a>, the device offers a way to see beyond facial expressions and get a more accurate read on how someone is really feeling.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-emotions-beneath-the-surface">Tracking emotions beneath the surface</h2>



<p>“This is a new and improved way to understand our emotions by looking at multiple body signals at once,” said Huanyu “Larry” Cheng, a professor of engineering science and mechanics at Penn State.</p>



<p>“Relying only on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/facial-expressions-arent-enough-to-understand-human-emotions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">facial expressions</a> to understand emotions can be misleading. People often don't visibly show how they truly feel, so that’s why we’re combining facial expression analysis with other important physiological signals, which will ultimately lead to better mental health monitoring and support.”</p>



<p>The sticker tracks several indicators that are tied to emotional states. These include skin temperature, heart rate, humidity, and blood oxygen levels. </p>



<p>The emotion sensors are carefully designed to work independently, which means each variable reading stays accurate and does not interfere with the measurement of the others.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sensor-identifies-emotional-reactions">Sensor identifies emotional reactions</h2>



<p>The patch also uses facial expression data and compares it with body signals to tell the difference between a real emotional reaction and a faked one.</p>



<p>The data is then sent wirelessly to mobile devices or the Cloud, where it could help doctors assess patients remotely. Importantly, the device doesn’t collect personal data - just the signals - to protect user privacy.</p>



<p>“This technology has the potential to help people who are struggling with their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/using-apps-to-practice-mindfulness-improves-mental-health-of-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health</a>, but maybe aren’t being fully honest with others or even themselves about how much they are struggling,” explained Yangbo Yuan, who is a co-author on the paper, and a doctoral student studying engineering science and mechanics at Penn State.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-device-understands-context">The device understands context</h2>



<p>Some people may seem calm when they’re actually overwhelmed. Others might appear visibly distressed more easily. </p>



<p>According to Cheng, these differences - often shaped by culture or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/personality-traits-are-not-strongly-inherited-from-parents/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">personalit</a>y - could be better understood using this tool.</p>



<p>“By keeping track of these signals, it could be possible to detect problems like anxiety or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alcohol-and-depression-study-challenges-self-medication-theory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">depression</a> earlier in its progression,” said Cheng.</p>



<p>The patch is about the size of a Band-Aid and can bend and stretch without breaking. The team used thin layers of flexible metals like platinum and gold, cut into wavy patterns to maintain flexibility. </p>



<p>Materials that react to temperature changes were added, along with carbon nanotube tubes to detect humidity.</p>



<p>Each sensor was placed with care to ensure one didn’t disrupt another. For example, the temperature and humidity sensors were protected by a stiff backing to prevent stretching, while waterproof layers shielded them from outside moisture.</p>



<p>“We've engineered this device to measure these different signals independently, without them interfering with each other, providing a much clearer and more accurate picture of what's happening beneath the surface,” said study co-author Libo Gao, an associate professor at Xiamen University.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fake-feelings-versus-real-emotions">Fake feelings versus real emotions</h2>



<p>The team also trained artificial intelligence to discriminate between real <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/words-shape-how-our-brains-process-feelings-and-guide-decisions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">feelings</a> and fake ones. They asked eight participants to make six common facial expressions - joy, surprise, fear, sadness, anger, and disgust - one hundred times each. </p>



<p>The device recorded their movements, and the data was used to teach the AI to spot emotional cues. Then, three new participants joined to test the system. The AI identified the posed emotions with over 96% accuracy.</p>



<p>To test for genuine emotion, the same participants watched videos meant to stir feelings. The device picked up on the emotional shifts with nearly 89% accuracy. </p>



<p>The sensors confirmed that things like rising heart rate and skin temperature matched expected reactions, such as during anger or surprise.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-sensor-to-monitor-human-emotions">A sensor to monitor human emotions</h2>



<p>The emotion sensor could become a valuable tool in virtual healthcare. Since it sends data wirelessly, doctors could one day use it to check in on patients from afar.</p>



<p>“This sensor can serve a vital function in bridging gaps in access to care,” Cheng said. “Given the rising stress levels in modern society, the ability to monitor emotions can provide early indicators of debilitating conditions and allow for proactive support.”</p>



<p>There may be other uses, too. The team believes the same technology could help understand emotional responses in non-verbal patients, identify early signs of dementia, and even track athletic performance or wound healing. </p>



<p>Ultimately, the emotion sensors may be able to assist in detecting overdoses or following the course of neurodegenerative diseases.</p>



<p>“While still in the research and development phase, this device is a significant step forward in our ability to monitor and understand human emotions, potentially paving the way for more proactive and personalized approaches to mental health care,” concluded Cheng.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c06392" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nano Letters</a></em>.</p>



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



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



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



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

New sensor reveals your true emotions, even when you're faking it

Our inner emotions don’t always match what we show on...

<p>For decades, astronomers have searched for the universe’s missing matter - the normal matter that should exist according to the Big Bang theory, but can’t be fully seen.</p>



<p>This isn’t about dark matter, which constitutes most of the universe’s mass. It’s about ordinary, visible matter like stars, gas, and galaxies. Even after accounting for everything that can be observed through telescopes, more than half of this matter seemed to be missing.</p>



<p>But new research might have solved the mystery. Scientists believe they’ve found the missing matter in a form that’s been hiding in plain sight - very diffuse, invisible hydrogen gas floating far beyond what we once thought was the edge of galaxies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-faint-gas-solves-the-mystery">Faint gas solves the mystery</h2>



<p>The discovery comes from a team of researchers at the <a href="https://www.berkeley.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Berkeley</a>, in collaboration with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. </p>



<p>The experts believe the missing matter is in a faint, expanded halo of ionized <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hydrothermal-vents-earths-first-living-beings-hydrogen-gas-energy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hydrogen</a> that surrounds galaxies and stretches much farther than previously assumed - about five times farther, in fact.</p>



<p>This gas doesn’t glow or shine. It's nearly impossible to detect with traditional tools. But its presence helps fix a major inconsistency between what we see in the sky and what our models of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/if-the-big-bang-theory-is-correct-what-exactly-happened/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Big Bang</a> predict.</p>



<p>"We think that, once we go farther away from the galaxy, we recover all of the missing gas," said Boryana Hadzhiyska, a Miller Postdoctoral Fellow at UC Berkeley and lead author of the study.</p>



<p>"To be more accurate, we have to do a careful analysis with simulations, which we haven't done. We want to do a careful job."</p>



<p>"The measurements are certainly consistent with finding all of the gas," noted Simone Ferraro, a senior scientist at Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-cosmic-microwave-background"><strong>The </strong>cosmic microwave background </h2>



<p>To find this gas, the team used a technique that involved "stacking" images of roughly 7 million <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/galaxies-are-much-bigger-than-we-originally-believed-gas-clouds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxies</a>. All of these galaxies lie within 8 billion light-years from Earth. </p>



<p>By studying how these galaxies slightly dim or brighten the cosmic microwave background - the oldest light in the universe - they were able to detect the scattering effect from free electrons in the ionized gas. This phenomenon is called the kinematic Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect.</p>



<p>"The cosmic microwave background is in the back of everything we see in the universe. It's the edge of the observable universe," Ferraro explained. "So you can use that as a backlight to see where the gas is."</p>



<p>The galaxy images used in the study were taken using the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) on the Mayall Telescope in Arizona. DESI, built by a Berkeley Lab-led collaboration, is working on a massive 3D <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/largest-ever-3d-map-of-the-universe-lets-us-travel-back-11-billion-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">map of the universe</a>. </p>



<p>For background light, the team relied on data from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope in Chile, which produced the most accurate measurements of the cosmic microwave background before its retirement in 2022.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gas-expelled-from-black-holes">Gas expelled from black holes</h2>



<p>The discovery has bigger implications than just solving the missing matter problem. It also sheds light on what’s happening at the center of galaxies - specifically, around the enormous black holes that lie at their cores.</p>



<p>Traditionally, scientists believed these black holes only shot out jets of gas and radiation early in their life, when they were feeding on surrounding material. But this new research suggests that the black holes might not be so quiet during their middle years after all.</p>



<p>"One problem we don't understand is about AGNs, and one of the hypotheses is that they turn on and off occasionally in what is called a duty cycle," said Hadzhiyska.</p>



<p>This process - called feedback - involves gas being expelled far from the galaxy and then falling back into the galactic disk. It plays a key role in regulating how new stars are formed. Earlier work in 2020 by Ferraro and his colleagues had already hinted at this extended feedback mechanism.</p>



<p>Graduate student Bernardita Ried Guachalla from Stanford University later confirmed the findings using a more nearby galaxy sample. Her work also revealed that the gas isn't evenly spread around galaxies but rather follows the "cosmic filaments"- long strands of matter that connect galaxies across the universe.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-our-universe-models">Rethinking our universe models</h2>



<p>The findings suggest that galaxy evolution models need a serious upgrade. Simulations of how galaxies form and change over time often don’t account for this much gas being pushed so far out by central <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-holes-shaped-the-universe-before-galaxies-existed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black holes</a>.</p>



<p>Some researchers are already adapting their models to better match this new evidence. The results also help clarify other long-standing puzzles in cosmology.</p>



<p>"Knowing where the gas is has become one of the most serious limiting factors in trying to get cosmology out of current and future surveys," Ferraro said. "We've kind of hit this wall, and this is the right time to address these questions." </p>



<p>"Once you know where the gas is, you can ask, 'What's the consequence for cosmological problems?'"</p>



<p>For instance, some assumptions suggest that gas follows dark matter. But if large amounts of gas are being blown out of galaxies, that idea needs to be re-evaluated. If not corrected, this can lead to inaccuracies in cosmological calculations. Now, this research might help resolve those issues.</p>



<p>"There are a huge number of people interested in using our measurements to do a very thorough analysis that includes this gas," said Hadzhiyska. "People in astronomy care a lot about it for understanding galaxy formation and evolution."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-missing-matter-to-cosmic-insights">From missing matter to cosmic insights</h2>



<p>Beyond helping explain current galaxies, this approach may open a new window into the early universe. </p>



<p>By using the same kinematic Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect, scientists might be able to study large-scale structures that formed just after the Big Bang. It could even help test major theories about gravity and general relativity.</p>



<p>While there’s still work to be done, this research offers a promising step forward in answering some of cosmology’s biggest questions - starting with where half the universe’s matter has been hiding all along.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.07152" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arXiv</a></em>.</p>



<p>Image Credit: NASA/CXC/M.Weiss; NASA/CXC/Ohio State/A Gupta et al</p>



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



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



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



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

'Ghost gas' may solve the mystery of the universe’s missing matter

For decades, astronomers have searched for the universe’s missing matter...

<p>Water on the Moon has long fascinated scientists, not just because it's crucial for future lunar missions, but also because it raises a big question: where did it come from? Since the 1960s, researchers have proposed that water might be forming thanks to the sun.</p>



<p>The idea is simple yet powerful: when charged particles from the Sun hit the Moon’s surface, they might spark a chemical reaction that produces water. That theory now has strong experimental support.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-the-sun-creating-the-moon-s-water">Is the Sun creating the Moon's water?</h2>



<p>Researchers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and their collaborators have confirmed this process in the lab. They used one of the most realistic simulations of solar wind hitting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astronauts-will-melt-lunar-dust-to-build-roads-on-the-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lunar dust</a> to date.</p>



<p>The findings could have a big impact on how NASA plans future missions, especially to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/two-spacecraft-set-out-to-drill-for-water-on-the-moons-south-pole/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moon's South Pole</a> - where frozen water may lie in shadowed craters, a potential goldmine for exploration.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>“The exciting thing here is that with only lunar soil and a basic ingredient from the Sun, which is always spitting out hydrogen, there’s a possibility of creating water. That’s incredible to think about," said Li Hsia Yeo, a research scientist at <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland</a> who led the study.</p>
</blockquote>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-wind-and-water-formation">Solar wind and water formation</h2>



<p>The Sun constantly blasts the solar system with a stream of particles called the solar wind. These particles travel at over one million miles per hour and are mostly made of hydrogen protons.</p>



<p>Earth has a magnetic field and an atmosphere that protect it from this bombardment, but the Moon doesn't. With no protection, its dusty surface - made of a gritty, rocky material called regolith - is fully exposed.</p>



<p>When solar wind protons hit this regolith, they can pick up electrons, becoming hydrogen atoms. These atoms then move through the lunar surface and bond with oxygen in minerals like silica. </p>



<p>The result? Molecules of hydroxyl (OH) and, sometimes, actual <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moons-entire-surface-is-covered-with-water-and-hydroxyl-not-just-the-poles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water</a> (H₂O). Evidence of both hydroxyl and water has been found in the Moon’s uppermost surface - just a few millimeters deep.</p>



<p>Scientists detect these molecules through their chemical "fingerprint" using light analysis. But distinguishing between hydroxyl and water is tricky, so researchers often use “water” as a catch-all term.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-moon-s-dynamic-water-signature">The Moon’s dynamic water signature </h2>



<p>Previous spacecraft observations hinted that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/silent-storms-experts-identify-the-mysterious-source-of-solar-wind/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar wind</a> might be actively generating this water. One major clue is that the Moon’s water signature changes over the course of a day.</p>



<p>In some places, the signal is stronger in the cooler morning and weakens in the heat of the afternoon. Then it returns at night. This suggests the water isn't static - it’s dynamic, possibly being made and lost on a daily basis.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bringing-the-moon-to-the-lab">Bringing the Moon to the lab</h2>



<p>To test the solar wind theory, Yeo and her colleague, Jason McLain, built a unique lab setup. It was the first of its kind to keep lunar samples sealed in a vacuum during testing - eliminating the risk of contamination from Earth’s moisture.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p>“It took a long time and many iterations to design the apparatus components and get them all to fit inside,” said McLain. “But it was worth it, because once we eliminated all possible sources of contamination, we learned that this decades-old idea about the solar wind turns out to be true.”</p>
</blockquote>



<p>The team used lunar dust from Apollo 17 - collected back in 1972 - and baked it to remove any trace water it might have picked up since. Then they bombarded the samples with high doses of mock solar wind using a tiny particle accelerator. This simulated about 80,000 years of lunar exposure.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detecting-a-molecular-signal">Detecting a molecular signal</h2>



<p>To track changes, the researchers used a spectrometer - a tool that measures how light reflects off materials. They spotted a very specific dip in the light signal, right near the infrared wavelength where water usually absorbs energy. </p>



<p>This dip is the telltale sign that something like water had formed. Although they can't say for sure whether it was hydroxyl or full water molecules, the signal strongly suggests both were produced. </p>



<p>The results support the idea that the Sun plays a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-are-searching-for-viable-sources-of-water-on-the-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">major role</a> in forming water on the Moon through solar wind.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-creation-by-the-sun">Water creation by the Sun</h2>



<p>Understanding where and how water forms on the moon isn’t just a scientific curiosity. It could shape how future astronauts explore the lunar surface. </p>



<p>If solar wind really is making water, even in tiny amounts, then lunar soil itself could become a resource - potentially useful for drinking water, breathable oxygen, or even rocket fuel.</p>



<p>And now, thanks to one carefully sealed chamber and a bit of lunar dust from the past, that possibility looks a lot more real.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024JE008334" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets</a></em>.</p>



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



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



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



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

How the Sun might be making water on the Moon

Water on the Moon has long fascinated scientists, not just...

<p>In a world shaped by virtual interactions, avatars are now the new face of communication. In games, work, shopping, or therapy, they act like real people - showing expressions and emotions, and even changing how we feel about taking risks.</p>



<p>But what happens when our brains start treating these digital stand-ins differently than real humans?</p>



<p>A study by Toshiko Tanaka and Masahiko Haruno of the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (<a href="https://www.nict.go.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NICT</a>) in Japan has brought this question into sharp focus.</p>



<p>The research explores how avatars influence <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rethinking-vision-the-brain-sees-what-it-wants-to-see/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human behavior</a>, particularly when it comes to taking risks, and it offers a deeper look at the neural mechanics behind this shift.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-risks-with-avatar-feedback"><strong>More risks with avatar feedback</strong></h2>



<p>Tanaka and Haruno designed a study that places human decision-making under the microscope in virtual environments. </p>



<p>Participants engaged in a gambling task, where they had to choose between a guaranteed small reward and a risky option with a larger potential payout. Their choices were followed by dynamic facial feedback from either a real human face or an avatar presenting the same expressions.</p>



<p>What the researchers found was striking: people made more risky <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-brain-literally-changes-based-on-daily-activities-and-lifestyle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">choices</a> when they expected to receive feedback from an avatar rather than a real face. </p>



<p>The difference was not subtle. It persisted across both behavioral and neuroimaging experiments, revealing that avatar interactions fundamentally altered the way people assessed the value of risk.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-brain-s-reaction-to-avatars"><strong>The brain’s reaction to avatars</strong></h2>



<p>The answer lies in how our brain interprets uncertainty, especially in social situations. The researchers discovered that avatars shift our emotional processing of risk. </p>



<p>Participants perceived facial feedback from avatars - be it admiring or contemptuous - as less emotionally charged than the same expressions from real humans. This led to a more favorable valuation of feedback uncertainty.</p>



<p>That means when participants weren’t quite sure what kind of response they’d receive, the ambiguity felt less threatening if it came from an avatar. This change in emotional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-the-human-brain-create-retrieve-memories-engram-cells-connections/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">processing</a> allowed them to focus more on potential gains, encouraging riskier choices.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quieting-the-brain-s-emotional-alarm"><strong>Quieting the brain’s emotional alarm</strong></h2>



<p>To understand the brain’s role in this behavior, the researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans. </p>



<p>The experts found that a key emotional processing center in the brain - the amygdala - was deeply involved. Specifically, activity in the central amygdala (CM) decreased when feedback uncertainty was delivered through avatars.</p>



<p>This reduction in amygdala response reflected a lower emotional cost attached to avatar feedback. In essence, avatars made the stakes feel lower, even when the actual risk remained the same. </p>



<p>This neural response was not random. It tracked closely with how individuals evaluated feedback uncertainty and how often they chose the risky option.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-empathetic-people-are-more-affected"><strong>Empathetic people are more affected</strong></h2>



<p>Not everyone responded the same way to avatar feedback. The researchers included psychological assessments that measured traits like empathy and anxiety. </p>



<p>They found that people who scored high on empathetic concern - those more emotionally attuned to others - were especially likely to show reduced amygdala responses and increased risk-taking in the avatar condition.</p>



<p>The central amygdala response to feedback uncertainty also correlated specifically with these empathy scores. It wasn’t general anxiety or social avoidance that shaped the brain’s behavior - it was the emotional consideration of others’ internal states.</p>



<p>According to the study, this pattern was not observed in participants with higher scores for social anxiety. That distinction suggests that avatars reduce emotional burden without diminishing the social component of the interaction.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-brain-areas-that-responded"><strong>Other brain areas that responded</strong></h2>



<p>Though the amygdala played the primary role, other brain regions also responded. The ventral striatum (vSTR) and ventral anterior cingulate cortex (vACC) showed activity linked to feedback uncertainty, though their involvement was less direct. </p>



<p>These areas processed reward-related and emotional information, but they didn’t show the same predictive power as the amygdala when it came to actual behavior changes.</p>



<p>Participants who took more risks with avatars had amygdala activity patterns that clearly differed from those who remained cautious. The vSTR and vACC supported these shifts but did not appear to drive them.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-avatar-influence-was-measured"><strong>How avatar influence was measured  </strong></h2>



<p>The strength of these conclusions rests in a meticulous experimental design. Participants interacted with a same-gender observer whom they believed was monitoring and evaluating their gambling behavior.</p>



<p>Unbeknownst to them, feedback expressions were pre-recorded, and observer appearances alternated between avatar and real-face conditions.</p>



<p>Each trial in the experiment involved choosing between a safe and risky option, followed by feedback in the form of facial expressions. The researchers recorded behavioral data and brain activity, allowing them to model the valuation process mathematically and neurologically.</p>



<p>Computational modeling confirmed that feedback uncertainty carried more weight in decision-making under avatar conditions. The best-fitting models showed that only this parameter needed to vary between avatar and human feedback to explain participants' risk behavior.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tests-confirm-risk-taking-boost"><strong>Tests confirm risk-taking boost</strong></h2>



<p>To ensure their findings were not due to a simple lack of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/digital-misinformation-rumors-spread-like-nuclear-reactions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">engagement</a>, the team ran pilot tests. These included a no-observer condition, in which participants received no feedback at all. </p>



<p>Risk-taking rates in this condition were significantly lower than those seen with avatar feedback. This helped eliminate the possibility that participants were simply ignoring avatar responses.</p>



<p>Even when compared to human feedback, avatars elicited more risk-taking. This demonstrated that it wasn’t just the presence of feedback but the form of the feedback that mattered.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-real-world-implications"><strong>Real-world implications</strong></h2>



<p>“We found that people tend to take more risks when their partner responds through an avatar rather than showing their real face. This seems to be driven by a change in how they process uncertainty - and interestingly, that change is reflected in the amygdala," said Haruno.</p>



<p>“Using the same confederate and having them pass as just another participant every time wasn’t easy - it took a lot of effort to keep things feeling real for each new person,” added Tanaka.</p>



<p>These findings extend far beyond the lab. In virtual workspaces, therapy sessions, and customer service interactions, avatars may unintentionally nudge users toward riskier behavior. This could be a double-edged sword - boosting confidence in some cases while increasing impulsivity in others.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-steps-in-avatar-research"><strong>Next steps in avatar research</strong></h2>



<p>Future investigations will likely explore how avatar characteristics - age, gender, realism - affect user responses.</p>



<p>Researchers are also interested in whether these findings apply to other kinds of decision-making, such as moral choices or long-term planning.</p>



<p>The study suggests that more human-like avatars could deepen emotional engagement, potentially altering the balance between empathy and risk even further. As avatar technology becomes more lifelike and widespread, these questions will become increasingly important.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-era-of-virtual-world-risk"><strong>New era of virtual world risk</strong></h2>



<p>Tanaka and Haruno’s study offers a timely look at how digital interactions shape human behavior. By revealing that avatars influence our emotional evaluation of uncertainty, they uncover a hidden driver of risk in the virtual world.</p>



<p>The amygdala, a structure tied to emotional memory and fear, emerges as a key player in how we navigate the unfamiliar terrain of avatar communication. </p>



<p>As we spend more time in these environments, we must learn how these subtle shifts in perception can shape the choices we make - online and off.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3003122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS Biology</a>.</em></p>



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



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



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



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

How avatars are making people take more risks

In a world shaped by virtual interactions, avatars are now...

<p>Ask any parent of a teenager, and they will confirm that young people rarely go to bed early. Smartphones glow into the night, homework drags past midnight, and weekend sleep-ins feel like catch-up sessions rather than luxury.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Yet a large international study led by researchers at the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a> and <a href="https://www.fudan.edu.cn/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fudan University</a> suggests that even small shifts toward longer, earlier sleep may deliver measurable benefits for adolescents’ brains.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-patterns-and-adolescent-brains">Sleep patterns and adolescent brains </h2>



<p>The investigation is one of the most comprehensive attempts to link real-world <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-quality-could-be-the-key-to-better-metabolic-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep patterns</a> with brain imaging and cognitive testing in early adolescence. </p>



<p>Drawing on data from the <a href="https://abcdstudy.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study</a> in the United States, the research tracked nightly rest in more than 3,200 children aged 11–12 by using Fitbit wearables rather than relying on self-reported bedtimes. The scientists then compared those objective sleep metrics with MRI scans, heart-rate data, and a battery of tasks that measure attention, vocabulary, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-rewires-the-brain-to-strengthen-memories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">memory</a>, and reasoning.</p>



<p>“Regularly getting a good night’s sleep is important in helping us function properly, but while we know a lot about sleep in adulthood and later life, we know surprisingly little about sleep in adolescence, even though this is a crucial time in our development,” said Professor Barbara Sahakian of Cambridge’s Department of Psychiatry, one of the senior authors.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“How long do young people sleep for, for example, and what impact does this have on their brain function and cognitive performance?”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-three-distinct-sleep-profiles">Three distinct sleep profiles</h2>



<p>When the team clustered the teenagers’ nightly patterns, three broad groups emerged.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The first group, labeled "late-to-bed, early-to-rise sleepers," made up about 39 percent of the sample. These adolescents started their slumber the latest and woke the earliest, averaging just seven hours and ten minutes of sleep - the least rest of all.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The second group, comprising just under a quarter of the participants, were considered "average sleepers." They managed roughly seven hours and twenty-one minutes, with bedtimes, wake times, and sleep efficiency all falling in the mid-range.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The final group, the "early-to-bed sleepers," accounted for the remaining 37 percent. These teens consistently shut down earlier in the evening and clocked in at about seven hours and twenty-five minutes of sleep. Notably, they exhibited the lowest overnight <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleeping-more-on-weekends-can-reduce-heart-disease-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart</a> rates - a well-known marker of deeper, more restorative sleep.</p>



<p>At first glance, the difference between the most-rested and least-rested teens seems negligible: barely fifteen minutes. Yet those extra minutes translated into meaningful neurological and cognitive distinctions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adolescent-brains-built-on-sleep">Adolescent brains built on sleep</h2>



<p>MRI scans revealed that Group Three, the earliest and longest sleepers, possessed the greatest overall brain volume and showed healthier patterns of functional connectivity - the way distinct neural hubs communicate. Group One, in contrast, had the smallest volumes and weakest functional links.</p>



<p>Cognitive testing echoed the brain-imaging results. In tasks involving reading comprehension, vocabulary recognition, sustained <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brain-stops-paying-attention-to-repeated-distractions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">attention</a>, and problem-solving speed, Group Three consistently outperformed Group Two, which in turn outperformed Group One.&nbsp;</p>



<p>No significant gaps appeared in standard school grades, perhaps because grades involve numerous external factors such as teacher support or parental involvement. Nevertheless, the neuro-cognitive edge associated with slightly better sleep was unmistakable.</p>



<p>“Even though the differences in the amount of sleep that each group got was relatively small, at just over a quarter-of-an-hour between the best and worst sleepers, we could still see differences in brain structure and activity and in how well they did at tasks,” Sahakian noted. “This drives home to us just how important it is to have a good night’s sleep at this important time in life.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reinforcing-the-link-over-time">Reinforcing the link over time</h2>



<p>Because the ABCD project is longitudinal, following participants for a decade or more, the team could examine sleep and brain metrics two years earlier and two years later for overlapping subsets of youths.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers discovered that sleep habits and associated cognitive advantages or disadvantages tended to persist. Children who were short sleepers at nine and ten were likely still short sleepers at thirteen and fourteen. Likewise, the adolescents' relative brain volumes and task scores stayed aligned with sleep duration.</p>



<p>First author Qing Ma of Fudan University emphasized that the study cannot prove unequivocally that longer sleep causes enhanced cognition, but it dovetails with a broad literature.</p>



<p>“Although our study can’t answer conclusively whether young people have better brain function and perform better at tests because they sleep better, there are a number of studies that would support this idea,” Ma said.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“For example, research has shown the benefits of sleep on memory, especially on memory consolidation, which is important for learning.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-aren-t-teens-sleeping-enough">Why aren’t teens sleeping enough?</h2>



<p>Despite the brighter outlook for early-to-bed sleepers, none of the groups met the <a href="https://aasm.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Academy of Sleep Medicine</a>’s recommendation that adolescents log eight to ten hours nightly. On average the entire sample fell short by at least forty-five minutes, highlighting a systemic sleep deficit.</p>



<p>Senior author Wei Cheng of Fudan University believes the next challenge is diagnosing the reasons. </p>



<p>“Given the importance of sleep, we now need to look at why some children go to bed later and sleep less than others. Is it because of playing videogames or smartphones, for example, or is [it] just that their body clocks do not tell them it’s time to sleep until later?”</p>



<p>Biological shifts during puberty cause a natural delay in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/colors-of-sunset-and-sunrise-reset-our-circadian-rhythms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">circadian rhythm</a> - essentially rewiring teens to feel sleepy later - but social factors exacerbate the problem. Homework loads, extracurricular activities, social media, and screen glare all encroach on bedtime.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Some school districts have responded by pushing start times later, aligning schedules more closely with adolescent biology. Evidence from this large-scale study lends weight to such policy interventions and to household rules that prioritize sleep hygiene.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-changes-lasting-gains">Small changes, lasting gains</h2>



<p>While eight to ten hours may remain a lofty goal, the study indicates that trimming bedtimes even by fifteen or twenty minutes could yield tangible brain benefits.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Modest shifts toward earlier lights-out routines, consistent wake-up times, and device curfews might help teens move from the most deprived category to the middle or top tier.</p>



<p>Ma, Sahakian, Cheng, and colleagues plan further analyses as the ABCD Study matures, including investigations into emotional regulation, mental-health trajectories, and risk-taking behavior.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For now, their findings deliver a clear message to parents, educators, and policymakers alike: sleep matters - not just by the hour but by the minute - and adolescence is no time to skimp on it.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell-reports/fulltext/S2211-1247(25)00336-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Cell Reports</em></a>.</p>



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



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



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



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

Sleeping smarter: Just 15 extra minutes can boost adolescent brains

Ask any parent of a teenager, and they will confirm...

<p>The bounty of apple varieties - from Honeycrisp to Granny Smith - obscures a deeper truth: nearly all of them share a lineage that stretches back tens of millions of years. Until recently, however, scientists had only a sketchy understanding of how those ancestral species diversified, swapped genes, or survived ice ages and shifting continents.</p>



<p>A sweeping new study changes that, unveiling a detailed genetic atlas for 30 species in the genus <em>Malus</em> - and providing breeders with a treasure map for tastier, tougher fruit.</p>



<p>“There are roughly 35 species in the genus <em>Malus</em>, but despite the importance of apple as a fruit crop, there hasn’t been extensive study of how this group’s genomes have evolved,” said Hong Ma, an expert in plant development and evolution at the <a href="https://www.psu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pennsylvania State University</a> and one of the paper’s senior authors.</p>



<p>“In this study, we were able to do a deep dive into the genomes of <em>Malus</em>, establish an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/apple-orchards-face-compounding-threats-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">apple</a> family tree, document events like whole-genome duplications and hybridizations between species, and find regions of the genome associated with specific traits, like resistance to apple scab disease.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-evolution-of-apples">Complex evolution of apples</h2>



<p>To reconstruct the family tree, Ma and an international consortium of researchers sequenced and assembled high-quality genomes from 30 <em>Malus</em> species, including the iconic "Golden Delicious." </p>



<p>Twenty of those species are diploid - possessing two copies of every chromosome, as humans do - while the remaining ten are polyploid, carrying three or four copies thanks to relatively recent hybridization events.</p>



<p>By comparing nearly 1,000 genes shared across the roster, the team traced the genus’s roots to Asia approximately 56 million years ago. From that ancestral stock, lineages radiated outward, sometimes merging back together in hybrid bursts that left behind telltale patterns of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-use-dna-duplication-to-increase-their-resilience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">duplicated DNA</a>. </p>



<p>Those duplications, known as whole-genome duplication events, complicate efforts to align chromosomes species by species - much like comparing two scrapbooks whose photographs have been rearranged multiple times.</p>



<p>“The evolutionary history of the genus is quite complex, with numerous examples of hybridization between species and a shared whole-genome duplication event that make comparisons difficult,” Ma explained. </p>



<p>“Having high-quality genomes for such a large number of the species in the genus and understanding the relationships among them allowed us to dig deeper into how the genus has evolved.”</p>



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



<p>Standard genome comparisons can miss critical differences when researchers look at only a few individuals. To widen the lens, the team built what geneticists call a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meet-the-pangenome-the-clearest-snapshot-ever-taken-of-human-genomic-diversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pan-genome</a> - a composite reference that catalogs which genes are shared across all 30 species and which appear in only a subset. </p>



<p>They also logged transposons, the so-called “jumping genes” that can copy or paste themselves into new chromosomal locations, reshuffling genetic instructions along the way.</p>



<p>“The use of the pan-genome of 30 species was powerful for detecting structural variation, as well as gene duplications and rearrangements, among the species that might be missed by comparisons of only a few genomes,” Ma said. </p>



<p>“In this case, one of the uncovered structural variants allowed us to pinpoint the genome segment associated with resistance to apple scab, a fungal disease that impacts apples worldwide.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-selective-genes-in-wild-apples">Selective genes in wild apples</h2>



<p>Beyond structural quirks, the researchers were keen to identify regions of DNA that have raced through populations because they confer a survival edge - so-called selective sweeps. To do that, they built a computational tool tailored to pan-genomes. </p>



<p>One of their discoveries: a sweep encompassing genes tied to cold tolerance and pathogen resistance that is widespread in hardy wild apples but usually missing from juicier commercial cultivars. </p>



<p>“It’s possible that in the efforts to produce the best tasting fruit, there was an inadvertent reduction of the hardiness of domesticated apples,” Ma noted. </p>



<p>The sweep appears to carry genetic baggage that affects fruit chemistry - and, by extension, flavor. That raises a tantalizing breeding challenge: can scientists break the genetic link so future cultivars keep robust disease resistance without compromising sweetness or aroma?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-bigger-apple-family-tree-matters">A bigger apple family tree matters</h2>



<p>Modern apple breeding is a decades-long endeavor. Finding candidate parents with the right blend of sweetness, crunch, shelf life, and disease resistance normally involves screening thousands of seedlings in orchards before a single promising cross emerges. </p>



<p>A detailed genetic map could change that paradigm, enabling breeders to predict desirable traits inside a lab years before trees bear fruit. Knowing the full evolutionary backdrop also helps safeguard the wild relatives that could rescue the crop from tomorrow’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-extremes-could-lead-to-critical-blood-supply-shortages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate extremes</a>. </p>



<p>Traits such as drought tolerance, pest resistance, or cold hardiness often linger in remote species not yet tapped by commercial breeding - but if habitat loss or disease erases those wild gene banks, rescuing the domesticated apple becomes harder.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-apple-genes-next-generation-orchards">Apple genes: Next-generation orchards</h2>



<p>For now, Ma and colleagues plan to refine their pan-genome, adding the handful of <em>Malus</em> species not yet sequenced and teasing apart how each duplication or rearrangement has influenced everything from tree architecture to sugar content. </p>



<p>They also hope to share their analytic pipeline so other crop researchers - from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-bread-wheat-gave-rise-to-civilization/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wheat</a> to citrus - can identify hidden genetic assets in their own plant families.</p>



<p>“Understanding the structural variations in the <em>Malus</em> genomes, the relationships among the species and their history of hybridization using pan-genome analysis could help guide future breeding efforts so that the beneficial traits for good taste and disease resistance can both be retained in apples,” Ma said.</p>



<p>The humble apple has traveled a winding genetic road over 56 million years. With this new map in hand, breeders - and perhaps consumers - stand to reap a richer, more resilient harvest from that ancient journey.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-025-02166-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Genetics</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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



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



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



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

Clues from apple genes could sweeten the future of fruit

The bounty of apple varieties - from Honeycrisp to Granny...

<p>In many households today, dogs hold a place of deep affection. Some are treated like children, others like confidants or even life partners. This emotional closeness reflects a massive shift from their original role as workers and guards. </p>



<p>In Western societies, dogs now often serve as companions - sometimes even as stand-ins for human children. But how accurate is this comparison? Can our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-and-dogs-were-bonding-much-earlier-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">relationships</a> with dogs really be equated to the ties we have with our family or friends?</p>



<p>To explore this, researchers from <a href="https://www.elte.hu/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ELTE Eötvös Loránd University</a> conducted a deep study. They compared human-dog relationships to human relationships using a robust, multi-scale psychological tool. Their findings offer a complex picture of how dogs fit into our social fabric.</p>



<p>These bonds are not only real and profound - they may, in some ways, be even more satisfying than the ones we form with other people.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-our-immense-love-for-dogs">Our immense love for dogs</h2>



<p>Instead of relying on vague labels like “pet” or “family member,” the study used 13 distinct relationship traits. These included measures of companionship, nurturance, intimacy, affection, support, satisfaction, and conflict. </p>



<p>Over 700 participants assessed their relationships with their favorite dog and four key human figures: a child, romantic partner, best friend, and closest relative.</p>



<p>The results showed that owners often rated their relationships with dogs as more satisfying than those with human partners. Dogs came close to children in nurturance and support and outscored all other human categories in companionship and low conflict.</p>



<p>They were seen as highly affectionate, deeply trusted, and emotionally reliable. One important factor, though, was the power dynamic - humans hold total control in the dog-owner relationship.</p>



<p>“Unlike in human relationships, dog owners maintain full control over their dogs, as they make most of the decisions,” said Enikő Kubinyi, senior author of the study and head of the Department of Ethology at ELTE.</p>



<p>“The results highlight that dogs occupy a unique place in our social world - offering the emotional closeness of a child, the ease of a best friend, and the predictability of a relationship shaped by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/are-dogs-replacing-children-how-modern-society-is-changing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human control</a> - revealing why our bonds with them are often so deeply fulfilling.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-we-love-dogs-like-kids">We love dogs like kids</h2>



<p>The study’s comparison was both qualitative and quantitative. On the emotional side, dogs combined the comfort of a child-like bond with the harmony of a best friendship. </p>



<p>Unlike humans, dogs didn’t trigger intense conflicts or bring emotional drama into the mix. Owners felt more admired, supported, and secure in these relationships.</p>



<p>In a measure of overall similarity, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lost-in-translation-how-we-misread-our-dogs-emotions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">relationships</a> with dogs were most like those with children. The researchers calculated a distance index using all 13 traits.</p>



<p>They found that while the dog-child connection was closest, it still had distinct differences. Romantic partners and best friends followed, with closest kin relationships being least similar in emotional pattern to relationships with dogs.</p>



<p>This adds nuance to our understanding of the roles that dogs play. They aren't mere substitutes for humans, nor are they emotional fillers. Dogs inhabit a social role of their own, crafted through daily life, dependence, and the unique structure of human-animal communication.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-dynamics-of-dog-ownership">The dynamics of dog ownership</h2>



<p>The satisfaction owners feel in their dog <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-dogs-say-goodbye-before-they-die-these-signs-will-tell-you-if-your-friend-is-leaving-soon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">relationships</a> may partly arise from predictability. </p>



<p>Dogs cannot question us, leave us, or demand equality. The power imbalance is significant. Owners make the decisions, choose when and how interactions happen, and set the limits of affection and discipline.</p>



<p>This aspect contributes to the lower levels of conflict reported in the study. Dogs were seen as less antagonistic than children, romantic partners, or kin. Only best friends came close to matching dogs in the domain of peaceful coexistence.</p>



<p>Still, the researchers emphasized that this is not about domination. It is about emotional simplicity. Dogs provide support without the complicated layers that often arise in human relationships. They meet social needs with remarkable consistency.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-age-influences-relationships">How age influences relationships</h2>



<p>The study also examined how life circumstances influence dog relationships. Owners without children reported stronger bonds with their dogs. They scored higher in affection, intimacy, and companionship. For these individuals, dogs may serve as emotional stand-ins or trusted confidants.</p>



<p>Puppies evoked more child-like feelings. Owners reported more care-taking behavior, stronger affection, and greater emotional dependence. </p>



<p>Adult dogs, on the other hand, were rated more like friends - reliable, emotionally steady, and low in conflict. Still, these differences were modest. The essential shape of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-can-understand-words-even-in-monotone-speech/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dog-human relationship</a> remained stable across ages.</p>



<p>Age of the owner also played a role. Younger people tended to form more intimate and expressive relationships with their dogs. Yet again, this did not shift the overall pattern too much. The dog-human bond was remarkably resilient.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-needs-and-the-myth-of-substitution">Social needs and the myth of substitution</h2>



<p>One of the most powerful findings was that dog relationships do not compensate for failed human bonds. Instead, they complement them. </p>



<p>Strong relationships with dogs were positively correlated with strong human ties. This goes against the stereotype that people with few friends turn to animals for solace.</p>



<p>“We expected that people with weak human relationships would rely more on their dogs for support, but our results contradict this,” said co-author Dorottya Ujfalussy.</p>



<p>What this means is that dogs are woven into a larger social network. They aren’t a fallback plan - they’re a chosen addition. They provide a kind of support that blends loyalty, affection, and daily routine, all on terms largely defined by the owner.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-dogs-defy-categorization">Why dogs defy categorization</h2>



<p>The research highlights the limitations of how we traditionally classify our pets. </p>



<p>Calling a dog a “family member” or “child” may reflect emotional closeness, but it oversimplifies a far more layered bond. These labels are shaped by culture, social media, and shifting norms - not by any precise understanding of what dogs mean to us.</p>



<p>Instead, the researchers proposed viewing dogs as sources of “social provisions.” This model maps the relationship using established psychological traits. It helps clarify how dogs provide companionship, relieve stress, support autonomy, and offer comfort during hard times.</p>



<p>“Dogs offer different kinds of emotional and social support depending on the needs of their owners,” explained Borbála Turcsán, first author of the study. </p>



<p>“Some people seek companionship and fun, others need trust and stability, and some simply enjoy having someone to care for.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dogs-create-emotionally-stable-relationships">Dogs create emotionally stable relationships</h2>



<p>The human-dog relationship is one of the most stable and rewarding social ties that people experience. It has elements of parenting, friendship, mentorship, and guardianship. It thrives on shared routines, mutual affection, and emotional simplicity.</p>



<p>Despite cultural shifts, changing family structures, and technological distractions, dogs remain close to our hearts. They don’t just fit into our lives - they reshape our emotional landscape. This study reveals why.</p>



<p>By rethinking dogs not just as pets, but as emotionally intelligent partners in our social world, we gain a better grasp of why our love for them runs so deep. </p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-95515-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.</em></p>



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



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



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



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

Why our relationships with dogs matter so much

In many households today, dogs hold a place of deep...

<p>For decades, scientists have tried to answer a simple but fundamental question - where did Earth's water come from? Without hydrogen, the main ingredient in water, our planet wouldn’t have been able to support life.</p>



<p>Many believed hydrogen arrived later, hitching a ride on asteroids during Earth's earliest years. But a recent study suggests a different story. Earth may have had everything it needed to make water right from the start.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evidence-in-a-rare-meteorite">Evidence in a rare meteorite</h2>



<p>Researchers from the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a> have found compelling evidence in a rare meteorite, an enstatite chondrite, that points to hydrogen being present when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-discovery-about-earths-formation-raises-probability-of-finding-life-on-other-planets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth was first forming</a> - 4.55 billion years ago.</p>



<p>The findings challenge the long-held idea that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-may-have-learned-how-earth-got-its-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water</a> had to be delivered after Earth had already taken shape.</p>



<p>"Although water is central to planetary habitability as we know it, the mechanism by which Earth gained its substantial present-day water budget is unclear," wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>"Enstatite chondrites (ECs) closely resemble terrestrial rocks across a range of isotopic compositions. Hence, ECs (or material similar to these meteorites) have been suggested as the predominant building blocks of the proto-Earth, as well as other terrestrial planets including Mars."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-clues-hidden-in-the-meteorite">Ancient clues hidden in the meteorite </h2>



<p>The team analyzed a specific enstatite chondrite <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-meteorites-tell-us-about-their-birthplace-in-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meteorite</a> called LAR 12252. This sample was collected in Antarctica and is chemically similar to the material that originally formed our planet. </p>



<p>The researchers used X-Ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) spectroscopy at the Diamond Light Source in Oxfordshire. This powerful tool allowed them to study the meteorite's elements in fine detail.</p>



<p>Earlier research by a French team had found some hydrogen in the meteorite, particularly in organic bits and the non-crystalline parts of chondrules - the tiny round structures inside the rock.</p>



<p>But there were still questions. Was this hydrogen truly native to the meteorite? Or had it come from Earth after the rock landed?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-beyond-the-expected">Looking beyond the expected</h2>



<p>The Oxford scientists had a hunch. They thought hydrogen might be connected to the sulfur in the meteorite. So they aimed the synchrotron’s intense X-ray beam at the sample to search for sulfur-based compounds.</p>



<p>Initially, they focused on the same non-crystalline areas where hydrogen had previously been found. But then something unexpected happened. </p>



<p>When they looked at the fine material just outside one of these chondrules - a tiny matrix of dust - they found it packed with hydrogen sulfide. Surprisingly, this matrix held five times more hydrogen than the parts previously studied.</p>



<p>Even more telling, parts of the meteorite that showed visible signs of weathering or rust had little to no hydrogen at all. This strongly suggests the hydrogen sulfide in the matrix isn’t from Earth - it’s original to the meteorite.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-origin-story-for-earth-s-water">A new origin story for Earth's water</h2>



<p>These findings change how we think about Earth’s early history. If the proto-Earth was built from materials like enstatite chondrites, it means our planet had enough hydrogen to produce water even before <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asteroid-samples-could-reveal-how-earth-was-formed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">asteroids</a> ever showed up.</p>



<p>Study lead author Tom Barrett, a DPhil student at the University of Oxford, said the team was incredibly excited when the analysis revealed that the sample contained hydrogen sulfide - even though it was not where they had expected.</p>



<p>"Because the likelihood of this hydrogen sulfide originating from terrestrial contamination is very low, this research provides vital evidence to support the theory that water on Earth is native - that it is a natural outcome of what our planet is made of,” explained Barrett.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-water-formation-was-a-natural-process">Water formation was a natural process</h2>



<p>Professor James Bryson, a co-author of the study, noted that a fundamental question for planetary scientists is how Earth came to look like it does today. </p>



<p>"We now think that the material that built our planet - which we can study using these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-meteorites-provide-a-window-into-the-early-solar-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rare meteorites</a> - was far richer in hydrogen than we thought previously," said Professor Bryson.</p>



<p>"This finding supports the idea that the formation of water on Earth was a natural process, rather than a fluke of hydrated asteroids bombarding our planet after it formed." </p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0019103525001356" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Icarus</a></em>.</p>



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



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



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



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

How Earth got its water: Meteorite reveals surprising new clues

For decades, scientists have tried to answer a simple but...

<p>Earth's rotation feels steady, but beneath that illusion of constancy lies a subtle truth: the planet’s spin is shifting. The axis around which Earth rotates isn’t fixed. It wanders, sways, and drifts. This movement, called polar motion, happens over days, decades, and even millennia.</p>



<p>Historically, scientists attributed these shifts to deep <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-inner-core-proven-to-be-rapidly-changing-and-now-rotating-backwards/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth</a> processes like changes in the mantle or the fluid outer core. But over the past few decades, researchers have noticed something else at play. </p>



<p>Melting glaciers, retreating polar ice, and shifting water levels are now steering the planet’s spin. Climate change has become a major driver of Earth’s rotational behavior.</p>



<p>A new study by Mostafa Kiani Shahvandi and Benedikt Soja from <a href="https://ethz.ch/en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ETH Zurich</a> traces this transformation from 1900 to 2100. It combines historical data and future projections to explore how climate-related mass shifts have tilted and will continue to tilt the Earth’s axis.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-s-rotation-axis-slowly-shifts">Earth’s rotation axis slowly shifts</h2>



<p>Polar motion refers to changes in the position of Earth’s rotation axis relative to its crust. This doesn’t mean the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-days-getting-longer-rotation-slows-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet</a> itself tilts dramatically, but that the axis slowly shifts position, like a spinning top that’s wobbling. </p>



<p>These shifts are measurable in centimeters or meters, but they carry real consequences. The motion arises from several causes. </p>



<p>Short-term fluctuations come from atmospheric pressure and ocean currents. Long-term drifts, however, involve deeper or broader processes. </p>



<p>Among these, recent work has shown that surface mass changes - especially those linked to climate - play a growing role. This includes melting polar ice sheets, retreating glaciers, and changing patterns of groundwater storage.</p>



<p>Collectively, these movements redistribute Earth's mass, changing its balance and nudging the axis off its previous course. This study examines how that motion has evolved from 1900 and predicts its path until 2100 under different climate scenarios.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-shapes-earth-s-future-drift">Climate shapes Earth's future drift</h2>



<p>To project the future, the authors used two distinct climate pathways. The first, RCP2.6, represents a low-emission future with significant mitigation. The second, RCP8.5, imagines a high-emission world with little control over greenhouse gas output. </p>



<p>Their models showed clear differences between these futures. Under RCP2.6, Earth’s rotational pole moves about 12 meters from its 1900 position by the year 2100. Under RCP8.5, the shift more than doubles to around 27 meters. </p>



<p>The scale of that motion is significant and carries practical implications. The melting of Greenland’s ice sheet is the largest contributor to this motion. Its location and pattern of mass loss drive the pole westward. </p>



<p>Antarctic melt, particularly under high emissions, contributes more to eastward drift. Global glaciers and groundwater changes also affect the pole’s path, but to a smaller degree.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ice-sheets-pull-the-planet-s-axis">Ice sheets pull the planet’s axis</h2>



<p>The melting of polar ice is not symmetrical. Greenland lies in the Northern Hemisphere and its melt pushes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-inner-core-rotation-has-begun-moving-backwards/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth’s</a> rotation axis toward the west. </p>



<p>Antarctica, especially the Amundsen Sea region in the west of the continent, pulls the axis in the opposite direction. Under high-emission scenarios, Antarctica loses more mass, which shifts the pole eastward more aggressively. </p>



<p>However, Greenland still dominates the trend, especially in the early 21st century. Its contribution is large under both climate scenarios, though it grows faster under RCP8.5. This imbalance means the Earth's rotation axis doesn’t simply shift in one direction. </p>



<p>Instead, it weaves a path across the surface, determined by the changing locations and intensities of ice melt. These movements reflect broader patterns in climate and show how intimately Earth's systems are connected.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-influences-that-affect-earth-s-spin">Influences that affect Earth’s spin</h2>



<p>Outside the poles, mountain glaciers also melt and move water into the oceans. These smaller ice bodies, though less massive, still shape polar motion. Their contribution varies by location. </p>



<p>Glaciers in the Himalayas, for example, influence the direction of drift more than others. In low-emission scenarios, glacier melt slows. </p>



<p>This leads to reduced influence on Earth’s spin, allowing the westward motion driven by Greenland to dominate. In high-emission futures, the increased melting adds more complexity to the pole’s path.</p>



<p>Groundwater also affects polar motion. When water is pumped for agriculture or drinking, it eventually flows into the ocean. That changes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/melting-ice-caps-changing-earths-rotation-need-negative-leap-second/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth’s</a> mass distribution. </p>



<p>The study found that groundwater depletion, particularly in the Eastern Hemisphere, drives the pole eastward. Though its impact is smaller than ice melt, it accumulates steadily.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicting-earth-s-spin">Predicting Earth’s spin </h2>



<p>The researchers used sea-level equations and high-resolution mass data to simulate Earth’s rotation <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-everyday-water-use-is-literally-tilting-the-earth/">path</a>. Their analysis stretched from historical observations to future projections, capturing both past behavior and what may come next.</p>



<p>However, predicting the future of polar motion isn’t simple. Some components, like groundwater, are hard to forecast accurately. </p>



<p>Many datasets lack short-term variations, especially decadal shifts that appear in historical records. This means the long-term trend is clear, but year-by-year predictions come with uncertainty.</p>



<p>Still, the models provide a useful framework. By understanding how different sources of mass change influence Earth’s spin, scientists can better anticipate the future and prepare for its impacts on navigation, mapping, and climate monitoring.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drifting-spin-affects-measurements">Drifting spin affects measurements</h2>



<p>Polar motion may sound like a minor shift, but it affects real-world systems. Satellite navigation, deep space missions, and Earth observation tools all rely on precise coordinate systems. </p>



<p>As the rotation axis drifts, these systems must adjust. A wandering pole also causes subtle changes in Earth’s shape. These are called pole tides. </p>



<p>They can slightly deform the planet’s surface, especially in mid-latitude regions. The study estimates vertical deformations of up to 2.8 centimeters in some areas by 2100. Even gravity changes with the motion. </p>



<p>Shifts in mass and rotation create gravity variations that modern instruments can detect. These changes might help scientists learn more about processes deep within Earth, including mantle dynamics.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-may-control-earth-s-rotation">Climate change may control Earth’s rotation</h2>



<p>Another key insight from the study is the growing dominance of climate effects over geological ones. Traditionally, processes like Glacial Isostatic Adjustment — where land slowly rebounds after ice melt — were thought to dominate long-term polar motion.</p>



<p>But under high-emission futures, climate-induced shifts may surpass geological ones. This suggests that modern climate trends will leave a clearer mark on Earth’s rotation than even ancient ice ages did.</p>



<p>These findings add urgency to climate policy. Reducing emissions could limit how much the pole shifts, preserving Earth’s rotational stability and reducing its cascading effects.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changing-spin-tells-a-big-story">Changing spin tells a big story</h2>



<p>This study offers more than a technical look at polar motion. It reveals the deep connections between surface climate and planetary physics. </p>



<p>As ice melts and water moves, Earth’s balance shifts — not just locally, but globally. From 1900 to 2100, our planet’s spin has been and will be reshaped by human activity. </p>



<p>Whether the pole drifts 12 meters or 27 meters depends on choices made in the coming decades. Either way, the axis is moving, and it is telling the story of a warming world.</p>



<p>The research by Shahvandi and Soja reminds us that no system on Earth is isolated. Climate touches everything - even the planet’s spin.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024GL113405" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a>.</em></p>



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



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



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



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

Climate change is now impacting Earth's rotation

Earth's rotation feels steady, but beneath that illusion of constancy...

<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>



<p>—–</p>



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



<p>—–</p>



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



<p>—–</p>

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>



<p id="block-eff5dea3-a9bb-40b5-a923-e5a9978bc0e2">Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p id="block-43e218f4-0391-477c-8396-eb777c8c80a3">Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



<p id="block-1f9a227a-ec37-4140-81b8-ffa4a7cc6689">-----</p>



<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>



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



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



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

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>



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



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



<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>



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



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



<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>



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



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



<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>



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



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



<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>



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



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



<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>



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



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



<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>



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



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



<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>



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



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



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

The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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



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



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



<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...

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



<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...

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



<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...

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



<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

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

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



<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

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="iuA5mpp3jv-1641775-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



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



<p>The study is part of Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE), an international research project that aims to develop food crops that turn the sun’s energy into food more efficiently.</p>



<p>“Using an engineering approach we designed multiple alternative metabolic pathways to photorespiration. Testing them in the field showed increases in productivity which led Amanda to significantly move the project forward by showing our engineered plants can withstand pretty extreme temperature stress,” said study co-author and RIPE researcher Paul South.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“As the climate changes and temperature stresses increase the pressure on our global food supply, farmers will need every tool available including engineering approaches like the synthetic biology used here to maintain safe and productive harvests.”</p>



<p>The experts tested plants modified to have more efficient photorespiration to see if they were better adapted to warmer temperatures.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team found that the engineered plants produced 26 percent more biomass than the wild-type plants exposed to the same temperatures, and had 15 percent less yield loss under the higher temperatures.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois</em></p>



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



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from Carl...

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



<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?

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

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



<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

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

News coming your way