<p>A new study reports microbial DNA preserved inside woolly and steppe mammoth remains that are older than one million years. The team shows that some bacteria were living with these animals while they were alive, not just invading after death.</p>



<p>Researchers analyzed DNA from 483 specimens and sequenced 440 of them for the first time. From a steppe mammoth that lived about 1.1 million years ago, they even pieced together parts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-buried-for-millions-of-years-may-guide-search-for-alien-life/">bacterial</a> genomes that once infected or inhabited the animal.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-microbes-in-mammoths">Ancient microbes in mammoths</h2>



<p>The work was led by Benjamin Guinet, a postdoctoral fellow at the Centre for Palaeogenetics in Stockholm (<a href="https://palaeogenetics.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CPG</a>). The Centre is a collaboration between Stockholm University and the Swedish Museum of Natural History (<a href="https://www.nrm.se/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NRM</a>).</p>



<p>"Our results push the study of microbial DNA back beyond a million years, opening up new possibilities to explore how host-associated microbes evolved in parallel with their hosts," said Guinet. </p>



<p>The project involved an international team of experts working across multiple collections and labs.</p>



<p>The researchers used strict lab protocols, computational filters, and DNA damage checks to separate life stage <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-found-alive-sealed-inside-rock-after-2-billion-years/">microbes</a> from postmortem contaminants. That approach helped them focus on organisms that were likely part of the mammoth’s own internal community.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inside-mammoth-dna">Inside mammoth DNA</h2>



<p>The scientists kept finding the same six types of bacteria in mammoth remains from different times and places, including close relatives of <em>Actinobacillus</em>, <em>Pasteurella</em>, <em>Streptococcus</em>, and <em>Erysipelothrix</em>. </p>



<p>This pattern suggests that these microbes had a long history with mammoths, sticking with them through environmental changes and population shifts.</p>



<p>The scientists distinguished host-associated microbes, meaning those living in or on a host while it was alive, from environmental bacteria that entered after burial. </p>



<p>They used metagenomics, a method that reads all DNA in a sample at once, then identified ancient damage patterns to authenticate the oldest material.</p>



<p>From the 1.1 million year steppe mammoth, the team reconstructed partial genomes of <em>Erysipelothrix</em> that likely came from an infection during life. This is the oldest authenticated host-associated microbial DNA ever reported, and it extends the range for studying ancient host <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-aquificales-discovered-in-hot-springs-breathe-oxygen-and-sulfur-at-same-time/">microbe</a> interactions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-ancient-microbes-matter">Why ancient microbes matter</h2>



<p>This result builds on earlier work that recovered genome scale data from mammoth teeth more than one million years old, demonstrating that DNA can survive when conditions are right. </p>



<p>The previous <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03224-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> established methods and expectations for data quality at this extreme age.</p>



<p>Ancient DNA is fragile and breaks into tiny pieces, and chemical changes accumulate over time. By tracking these signatures, scientists can tell ancient sequences from modern contamination and avoid false signals.</p>



<p>"As microbes evolve fast, obtaining reliable DNA data across more than a million years was like following a trail that kept rewriting itself," said study senior author Tom van der Valk.</p>



<p>"Our findings show that ancient remains can preserve biological insights far beyond the host genome, offering us perspectives on how microbes influenced adaptation, disease, and extinction in Pleistocene ecosystems."</p>



<p>The Pleistocene was a period from about 2.6 million years ago to 11,700 years ago that included repeated ice ages.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microbes-linked-to-mammoth-health">Microbes linked to mammoth health</h2>



<p>One bacterium in the dataset is closely related to a <em>Pasteurella</em> species implicated in lethal outbreaks among African elephants. That connection is supported by a 2023 <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37880229/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">paper</a> that identified a Pasteurella relative as the likely cause of fatal septicemia in elephants in Zimbabwe.</p>



<p>The new study reports several putative <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2646308/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">virulence factors</a>, which are gene features tied to disease-causing ability, in some clades. The authors are careful about cause and effect because ancient DNA is incomplete and infections leave mixed traces.</p>



<p><em>Erysipelothrix</em> is also known to sicken Arctic wildlife today, including muskoxen during unusual mortality events. That pattern has been documented in a Canadian Veterinary <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4431149/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal</a> that found <em>Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae</em> associated with widespread deaths in the Canadian Arctic.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mammoth-survival-and-microbes">Mammoth survival and microbes</h2>



<p>Microbes that stayed with mammoths for hundreds of thousands of years hint at stable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breathing-without-oxygen-how-ancient-microbes-powered-early-life/">relationships</a> shaped by diet, climate, and social behavior. The persistence of these lineages across far flung regions points to deep coevolution.</p>



<p>The last woolly mammoths survived on Wrangel Island until about 4,000 years ago, long after mainland populations vanished. Genetic work on that relict group links their late survival to small population size and accumulating harmful mutations.</p>



<p>"This work opens a new chapter in understanding the biology of extinct species. Not only can we study the genomes of mammoths themselves, but we can now begin to explore the microbial communities that lived inside them," said Love Dalén, professor of evolutionary genomics at the CPG. </p>



<p>Ultimately, the data help connect health, ecology, and extinction risks in a single picture.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-this-research-can-go-next">Where this research can go next</h2>



<p>Reconstructing ancient microbiomes can help set baselines for living elephant microbiomes. That matters because health, diet, and stress are all reflected in the microbiome, the community of microbes that live in and on an organism.</p>



<p>Ancient pathogen signals can also clarify whether outbreaks played a role in population declines. Learning which bacteria carried disease associated genes in the past could inform surveillance and treatment strategies for modern elephants.</p>



<p>Finally, the same tools can be applied to other Ice Age species to test whether long-lived microbial partners were the rule rather than the exception. Careful sampling, clean labs, and independent checks will keep new claims on firm ground.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell/abstract/S0092-8674(25)00917-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Cell</em></a>.</p>



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



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Million year-old mammoth microbes reveal new clues about disease

A new study reports microbial DNA preserved inside woolly and steppe mammoth remains that are older than one million years. The team shows that some bacteria were living with these animals while they were alive, not just invading after death. Researchers analyzed DNA from 483 specimens and sequenced 440 of them for the first time. From a steppe mammoth that lived about 1.1 million years ago, they even pieced together parts of bacterial genomes that once infected or inhabited the animal. Ancient microbes in mammoths The work...

<p>Dinosaurs might not have been on the verge of extinction before an asteroid wiped them out 66 million years ago.&nbsp;</p>



<p>New research led by scientists at <span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">University College London</a>&nbsp;(UCL)</span> challenges the idea that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strange-case-of-the-two-clawed-dinosaur-duonychus-tsogtbaatari/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dinosaur</a> species gradually declined. Instead of a real drop in biodiversity, the study suggests that gaps in the fossil record might better explain this lack of specimens.</p>



<p>These findings question a decades-old assumption that dinosaurs were dwindling even before the catastrophic impact that ended the Cretaceous period.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reexamining-dinosaur-extinction">Reexamining dinosaur extinction</h2>



<p>The team studied more than 8,000 dinosaur fossils from North America. They focused on the last 18 million years before the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asteroid-chicxulub-caused-dinosaurs-extinction-event-traced-to-origin-kuiper-belt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">asteroid</a> hit. This is a window from 84 to 66 million years ago.</p>



<p>At first glance, the fossils show a steady drop in dinosaur diversity starting about 75 million years ago. The researchers believe this trend is misleading.</p>



<p>“It’s been a subject of debate for more than 30 years," said lead author Chris Dean from UCL’s Department of Earth Sciences.</p>



<p>"Were dinosaurs doomed and already on their way out before the asteroid hit? We analyzed the fossil record and found that the quality of the record of four groups of dinosaurs gets worse during the final 6 million years prior to the asteroid.”</p>



<p>In other words, the apparent drop in species may not reflect what was really happening before the sudden dinosaur extinction event. </p>



<p>Instead, it may simply be that fossils from that time are harder to locate. Natural geological changes might have reduced where and how fossils could be preserved.</p>



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



<p>The researchers studied four major groups of dinosaurs: the <em>Ankylosauridae</em> (club-tailed armored herbivores), <em>Ceratopsidae</em> (like the iconic Triceratops), <em>Hadrosauridae</em> (duck-billed plant eaters), and <em>Tyrannosauridae</em> (apex predators like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/t-rex-was-about-70-percent-bigger-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">T. rex</a>).</p>



<p>Using occupancy modeling (a method borrowed from ecology), they mapped where these dinosaurs likely lived across ancient North America. </p>



<p>The experts broke the region into a grid and estimated the number of grid squares each group probably occupied at different points during the last 18 million years of the Cretaceous.</p>



<p>What they found was surprising. While the raw fossil data suggested fewer species, the modeling indicated that the dinosaur habitat range stayed largely consistent. </p>



<p>This means that dinosaurs probably weren’t dying off, but that we are just not finding as many of their fossils.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fewer-rocks-fewer-clues">Fewer rocks, fewer clues</h2>



<p>So why is the record so patchy near the end of the Cretaceous? The team argued it mostly comes down to geology.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Before the dinosaur extinction, North America experienced significant changes: sea levels fell, a large inland sea vanished, and mountain ranges rose.</p>



<p>As a result of these geologic shifts, much of the sediment that could have preserved fossils from that time is no longer exposed. It is also buried under vegetation, cities, and other obstacles.</p>



<p>This makes it harder for paleontologists to locate fossils from the period just before the asteroid.</p>



<p>“The probability of finding dinosaur fossils decreases, while the likelihood of dinosaurs having lived in these areas at the time is stable,” Dean said. “This shows we can’t take the fossil record at face value.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-dinosaur-group-stood-out">One dinosaur group stood out</h2>



<p>Among the four dinosaur groups, <em>Ceratopsians</em> (the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaur-with-huge-blade-like-horns-discovered-in-montana/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">horned dinosaurs</a>) bucked the trend. They were more likely to be found in later layers of the fossil record. These animals also occupied more areas.</p>



<p>The researchers suggest this might be because <em>Ceratopsians</em> preferred open plains. The landscape was more widespread after the inland sea disappeared, and it was more likely to preserve fossils.</p>



<p>This ecological preference may have given them an edge in fossil preservation –&nbsp;not necessarily survival.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dinosaur-extinction-without-an-asteroid">Dinosaur extinction without an asteroid?</h2>



<p>Alessandro Chiarenza, a co-author of the study, said the findings help reframe our understanding of dinosaur extinction.</p>



<p>“If we take the fossil record at face value, we might conclude dinosaurs were already experiencing a decline. But we show that this apparent decline is more likely a result of a reduced sampling window caused by geological changes," noted Chiarenza.</p>



<p>“Dinosaurs were probably not inevitably doomed to extinction at the end of the Mesozoic. If it weren’t for that asteroid, they might still share this planet with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mammals-ground-dwellers-survived-the-asteroid-impact-that-killed-the-dinosaurs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mammals</a>, lizards, and their surviving descendants: birds.”</p>



<p>Thus, the research adds new weight to the idea that the asteroid impact was a cataclysmic fluke. It was not the final blow to an already dying group but the abrupt end to a thriving and diverse reign.</p>



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



<p>Image credit: Reconstruction of a late Maastrichtian (~66 million years ago) paleoenvironment in North America, where a floodplain is roamed by dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex, Edmontosaurus annectens and Triceratops prorsus. Davide Bonadonna</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(25)00310-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Current Biology</em></a>.</p>



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



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Dinosaur extinction theories are challenged by new research

Dinosaurs might not have been on the verge of extinction...

<p>When we envision sea turtles cruising through the ocean, we picture their streamlined shells - natural defenses seemingly built for protection.</p>



<p>However, these shells defend more than that. They allow sea turtles to slice through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/beating-the-heat-how-sea-turtles-cope-with-warming-waters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water</a>, plunge deep into the depths, and survive drastic changes in pressure when surfacing and then diving once more.</p>



<p>Each shell consists of two sections: the carapace above and the plastron below. Both are covered in scutes - tough keratin plates fused to bone</p>



<p>Internally, the architecture is similar to a sandwich: a tough outer shell and a spongy, lightweight interior. This architecture balances between strength with buoyancy while protecting vital organs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-closer-look-at-sea-turtle-shells">A closer look at sea turtle shells</h2>



<p>Scientists from <a href="https://www.fau.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida Atlantic University</a> set out to study what makes sea turtle shells so good at handling the pressures of life underwater. </p>



<p>While freshwater turtles and land tortoises have been widely studied, marine turtles haven’t received as much attention.</p>



<p>To change that, the team focused on three North Atlantic sea turtle species: <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reintroduction-of-green-turtles-has-been-a-success-in-the-cayman-islands/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">green turtles</a> (Chelonia mydas), <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loggerhead-turtles-migrate-using-a-secret-thermal-corridor/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">loggerheads</a> (Caretta caretta), and Kemp’s ridleys (Lepidochelys kempii). </p>



<p>The researchers used advanced compression tests and statistical models to explore how these turtles' shells perform at different stages of life - from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-sea-turtles-swim-and-choose-their-paths-instead-of-drifting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">young turtles</a> to full-grown adults.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shell-strength-varies-but-toughness-remains">Shell strength varies, but toughness remains</h2>



<p>The research, published in the <em>Journal of Experimental Biology</em>, showed sea turtle shells aren’t merely shields, but dynamic survival tools.</p>



<p>The researchers discovered that the shell’s bone structure maintains a vital balance: it’s flexible enough to absorb shock, but not so floppy as to be prone to damage.  This balance enables sea turtles to remain agile in the water while fending off predators.</p>



<p>Surprisingly, each of the three species possesses the same type of shell, but respond in varying ways to pressure.</p>



<p>Green turtles possess the most rigid, powerful shells made from denser bone. Loggerheads, by contrast, have less dense, more elastic shells better adapted to flex without shattering.</p>



<p>These characteristics apparently mirror each species’ respective habitat and particular challenges it confronts. Even more surprising? The toughness of each species’ shell doesn’t change as the turtle grows.</p>



<p>“We believe this variation is likely a result of their evolution and the environments they inhabit,” said Ivana J. Lezcano, first author and doctoral student in the FAU Department of Biological Sciences within the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. </p>



<p>“The differences in shell stiffness across these species may be connected to their distinct life histories, with each <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-sea-turtle-day-celebrating-100-million-years-of-majesty/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> adapting to unique environmental challenges and predation risks.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growth-brings-greater-protection">Growth brings greater protection</h2>



<p>In green turtles and Kemp’s ridleys, shells become stiffer and stronger as the turtles grow, giving them better protection as they age. </p>



<p>Kemp’s ridleys experience this stiffening earlier in life, likely because they mature quickly and forage in riskier coastal waters.</p>



<p>“What’s fascinating is that their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/turtles-have-genomes-unlike-any-other-animal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shells</a> evolve to provide more protection over time,” said Lezcano. </p>



<p>“The stiffness of juvenile green turtle shells may be especially important because their shells lack the protective spines and keels, which young loggerheads and ridleys sport to armor themselves against predators. It’s a dynamic interplay of form and function that ensures these turtles are built for survival.”</p>



<p>Loggerheads stood out for a different reason. Their shells don’t show a clear increase in stiffness as they grow. </p>



<p>This slower change might be why they spend more time in the open ocean, where threats are fewer, before venturing closer to shore.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turtle-shell-flexibility-is-key">Turtle shell flexibility is key</h2>



<p>The researchers also compared sea turtle shells to those of land turtles and found interesting similarities.</p>



<p>In both cases, the internal porous bone layer is key. It helps the shell resist crushing forces while staying light and somewhat flexible.</p>



<p>Study co-author Dr. Jeanette Wyneken is a professor of biological sciences at FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science.</p>



<p>“The shells of adult sea turtles are surprisingly compliant compared to their land relatives,” said Dr. Wyneken. "But here’s the cool part: while their shells become stronger over time, they don’t become completely rigid like the shells of land turtles. </p>



<p>"This flexibility is key - because it enables them to ‘flex the shell’ under pressure, which is crucial for navigating the harsh and varying conditions of underwater environments.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fine-tuning-through-evolution">Fine-tuning through evolution</h2>



<p>The researchers believe their work sheds light on why sea turtles have lasted so long in the wild. </p>



<p>Dr. Marianne Porter is an associate professor in the FAU Department of Biological Sciences and co-author of the study.</p>



<p>“Our study provides new insights into why sea turtles have thrived over time. Their shells are adapted to their aquatic lifestyle, and stiff enough to defend against predators while being tough enough to absorb shock," said Dr. Porter.</p>



<p>"This remarkable balance of strength and flexibility has allowed them to survive in the ocean for millions of years - an example of evolution shaping species in an environment.”</p>



<p>From the outside, a sea turtle’s shell looks simple. But inside, it’s a smart design honed by nature - built to keep these ocean travelers safe, swift, and strong.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://journals.biologists.com/jeb/article-abstract/228/7/jeb249959/367637/Using-the-axial-skeleton-as-armor-mechanical?redirectedFrom=fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Experimental Biology</a></em>.</p>



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



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Nature's armor: The hidden strength of sea turtle shells

When we envision sea turtles cruising through the ocean, we...

A,Fake,News,Warning,Notification,Appearing,On,The,Phone,While

<p>Fake news is everywhere, and in a world flooded with information, sorting fact from fiction has never been more difficult - or more important. </p>



<p>A new study based on over 66,000 participants across 96 countries sheds light on who struggles most to spot fake news and who might not be as good at identifying misinformation as they think they are.</p>



<p>The research, conducted by scientists from the <a href="https://www.ubc.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of British Columbia</a> and the University of Cambridge, used a tool called the Misinformation Susceptibility Test (MIST). </p>



<p>The tool allows scientists to uncover both how well different groups can identify fake news and how accurately they judge their own abilities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gen-z-and-fake-news-challenges">Gen Z and fake news challenges</h2>



<p>It’s a common assumption that younger generations - especially <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/generation-z-stressed-vote/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Generation Z</a>, those born between 1997 and 2012 - are better equipped to navigate digital content. But the study suggests otherwise.</p>



<p>Participants in this age group performed worse than average in detecting fake headlines. However, they were honest with themselves about it.</p>



<p>“There’s still this widespread misconception that digital natives are better at navigating these environments,” said Dr. Friedrich Götz, senior author of the study. “That has been debunked in the academic world for quite a few years, but I don’t think it has translated into public consciousness.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-education-helps-to-an-extent">Education helps to an extent</h2>



<p>People with university degrees or higher education were more likely to correctly identify fake news. Still, this group often overestimated their own skill. In contrast, those with only a high school diploma were more modest - but also less accurate.</p>



<p>“No matter who you are, no matter what you think you know, none of us is immune to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/digital-misinformation-rumors-spread-like-nuclear-reactions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">misinformation</a>,” said Dr. Götz. “People should realize that all of us are exposed to misinformation on a regular basis, and all of us are likely to fall for it at some point.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-politics-and-gender-differences">Politics and gender differences </h2>



<p>One of the clearest trends in the findings was the link between political leaning and susceptibility to misinformation. People with more conservative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-trust-news-that-matches-their-political-views-even-when-its-fake/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">political views</a> were more likely to believe fake headlines.</p>



<p>The lowest scores came from individuals at the far-right end of the political spectrum. Most conservatives, however, were fairly accurate in judging their own ability to detect misinformation - though this self-awareness dropped off among those with the most extreme views.</p>



<p>The data also showed that women were slightly more likely than men to fall for misinformation. At the same time, women were better than men at assessing their own ability to spot fake news. Men, by comparison, were more likely to show overconfidence in their skills.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-misunderstanding">Measuring misunderstanding</h2>



<p>Participants in the study were presented with a mix of real and fake news headlines and asked to determine which were accurate. </p>



<p>Some of the false headlines included <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brains-may-be-hardwired-to-believe-lies-and-conspiracy-theories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conspiracy theories</a> such as “A Small Group of People Control the World Economy by Manipulating the Price of Gold and Oil” and “The Government Is Conducting a Massive Cover-Up of Their Involvement in 9/11.” Another fake headline claimed “Left-Wingers Are More Likely to Lie to Get a Good Grade.”</p>



<p>In contrast, real headlines such as “About a Quarter of Large US Newspapers Laid off Staff in 2018” were also included in the test. </p>



<p>By comparing how participants scored with how confident they felt about their answers, the researchers were able to identify gaps between perceived and actual skill.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fighting-fake-news-requires-political-will">Fighting fake news requires political will</h2>



<p>The research suggests a need for better education and public awareness campaigns focused on identifying fake news. But implementing these solutions requires a political will that may not always be present.</p>



<p>“My sense is that not all democracies right now are really trying to address this problem,” said Dr. Götz. “Worse yet, in the polarized world we live in, some actors, including politicians, may deliberately weaponize it." </p>



<p>"But if a government acts in good faith and wants to solve this problem in society, then I think they could use this study to raise awareness and move to more intervention-based research.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fake-news-affects-everyone">Fake news affects everyone</h2>



<p>Fake news is not just a digital nuisance - it’s a risk to democracy and informed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quick-decisions-are-often-biased-and-misleading/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">decision-making</a>. This global study reminds us that misinformation affects everyone, regardless of age, gender, education, or beliefs.</p>



<p>And perhaps the most important takeaway? The first step to avoiding misinformation is accepting that you, too, might be fooled.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886925001394?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Personality and Individual Differences</a></em>.</p>



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



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

Who’s most likely to fall for fake news? A new study has the answer

Fake news is everywhere, and in a world flooded with...

Dark,Side,Of,Half,Moon

<p>China’s Chang’e-6 mission made headlines on June 25, 2024 for successfully collecting the first direct samples from the Moon’s farside and returning them to Earth in August. </p>



<p>Following his notable work analyzing Chang’e-5 specimens, Dr. Xian Haiyang of the <a href="http://english.gig.cas.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences</a> (CAS), was awarded the earliest batch of Chang’e-6 material.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Together with his colleague, Dr. Zhu Jianxi, he aims to deepen our understanding of how space weathering shapes the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-new-lunar-fss-mission-will-explore-moon-far-side-moonquakes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lunar farside</a> - an unexplored region that may experience environmental processes distinct from those on the near side of the Moon.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-glimpse-into-farside-soil">A glimpse into farside soil</h2>



<p>Under Dr. Xian’s guidance, graduate researcher Lin Jiarui at the Electron Microscopy Center of the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry began her work by examining the newly arrived samples from the Moon with a scanning electron microscope (SEM).&nbsp;</p>



<p>She first distributed the fine-grained lunar powder evenly onto conductive adhesive, then carefully applied a 10 nm carbon film to stabilize each grain’s surface before imaging.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Operating at a voltage of just 3 kV, Lin meticulously documented nearly a thousand particles and noted how the Chang’e-6 specimens showed noticeably fewer melt droplets or splashes than samples from Apollo or Chang’e-5 missions.</p>



<p>To systematically probe space weathering signatures, she selected seven mineral grains - identified using energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) - that represented the primary lunar minerals.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Observing each of these in detail, Lin sought to understand the cumulative effects of micrometeoroid impacts, <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> radiation, and other processes that gradually transform the topmost layers of lunar soil.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-absence-of-surface-iron-nanoparticles">Absence of surface iron nanoparticles</h2>



<p>In a follow-up investigation using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Lin and colleagues applied focused ion beam (FIB) techniques to section one feldspar grain, designated P2‑001.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Unlike Apollo samples, whose surfaces often carry a vapor-deposited film studded with nanophase metallic iron (npFe⁰), this Chang’e-6 feldspar showed no such feature. Instead, the newly recovered piece offered a different picture of how surface layers had evolved under lunar conditions.</p>



<p>Further EDS mapping on seven more FIB-prepared sections revealed an important clue.  Any indications of space weathering, such as amorphous layers, vesicles, or small npFe⁰ grains, reflected the substrate’s intrinsic composition rather than the signature of external material condensing onto the rock. </p>



<p>This suggests that, at least for these minerals, the solar wind may have been the dominant driver, causing localized damage without adding additional vapor components from micrometeoroid impacts.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-different-exposure-different-iron-grains">Different exposure, different iron grains</h2>



<p>Lin then quantified the thickness of the amorphized zones, measured the diameters of npFe⁰ grains, and counted solar wind tracks in minerals like pyroxene and olivine. The goal was to estimate how long these particles were exposed to solar radiation on the Moon. </p>



<p>The results indicated that the Chang’e-6 grains had one of the shortest solar wind exposure times observed among lunar samples - on par with the least-exposed Apollo 11 grains and somewhat briefer than Chang’e-5’s.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Yet, intriguingly, the iron nanoparticles found in these samples were larger. “This might suggest that solar wind radiation in this region leads to more pronounced segregation and aggregation of iron,” noted Lin.</p>



<p>The findings add fresh context to an ongoing puzzle: the lunar farside appears to be space-weathered in ways that deviate from patterns documented by earlier Apollo or Chang’e-5 missions. Rather than micrometeoroid-induced vapor deposits shaping these surfaces, the solar wind seems to play a more central role.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-moon-s-farside-is-unique">The Moon's farside is unique</h2>



<p>Scientists have long noted differences between the lunar near side and far side. While the near side periodically passes through Earth’s magnetotail, which partially shields it from solar wind flux, the farside remains openly exposed. </p>



<p>And although micrometeoroid impacts certainly occur on both sides, varying orbital velocities can alter how those impacts affect the regolith. For instance, during a full moon, the Moon and meteoroids travel in roughly the same orbital direction, increasing the relative collision speeds.</p>



<p>Micrometeoroid impacts and <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> sputtering are recognized as the two major processes that gradually alter the chemical and physical surface properties of airless bodies like the Moon.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Yet the Chang’e-6 samples highlight that on the farside, solar wind may outstrip micrometeorite activity in shaping the regolith’s mineralogy and microscopic structure.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-constant-transformation-of-the-moon">Constant transformation of the Moon</h2>



<p>Ever since the first images of the lunar farside in 1959, scientists have highlighted its stark contrast with the near side - a phenomenon dubbed the Moon’s “dichotomy.” But whether that difference extends to their space weathering processes has remained largely speculative.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Now, direct analysis of Chang’e-6’s farside soil offers concrete evidence that the unique environmental conditions on the far side lead to distinct signatures, emphasizing solar wind’s importance relative to micrometeoroid impacts.</p>



<p>This finding broadens our understanding of how the space environment molds the lunar surface. With every new mission, researchers refine their knowledge of airless-body evolution - an insight valuable not just for comprehending Earth’s closest neighbor but for interpreting the histories of other rocky objects throughout the solar system.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The Chang’e-6 results suggest that future missions could uncover additional nuances in how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-space-cosmic-rays-from-supernova-sparked-rapid-earth-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cosmic rays</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-magnetic-field-has-a-dent-and-nasa-is-watching-closely/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magnetic fields</a>, and orbital geometry each shape the surfaces of bodies with little or no atmosphere.</p>



<p>For now, the novel data reveal that the lunar farside experiences a heightened influence from solar wind, offering a new lens through which to view our ancient satellite’s constant transformation under cosmic forces.</p>



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



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

Huge differences found between the Moon’s near and farside

China’s Chang’e-6 mission made headlines on June 25, 2024 for...

<p>Sixty-six million years ago, a city-sized asteroid slammed into Earth near today's Yucatán Peninsula, blasting out a huge crater named Chicxulub and unleashing chaos across the planet.</p>



<p>Firestorms raced across continents. Massive tsunamis battered coastlines. Dust and debris blocked sunlight for years. In the aftermath, around 70% of ocean species vanished. </p>



<p>Dinosaurs - apart from birds - were wiped out forever. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mammals-ground-dwellers-survived-the-asteroid-impact-that-killed-the-dinosaurs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">It was the end of an era</a>.</p>



<p>But there's another side to this story, one most people don't know about. It’s not just a story of destruction, but also of renewal. </p>



<p>At the very spot where so much life vanished, something extraordinary happened. A brand-new marine ecosystem sprang up, fueled by the heat and chemical changes left by the asteroid’s violent impact.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chicxulub-crater-became-a-life-source">Chicxulub crater became a life source</h2>



<p>The Chicxulub crater, carved deep into the Earth’s crust, became a long-term source of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asteroid-that-once-threatened-earth-may-target-the-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">energy</a> and nutrients. </p>



<p>New research, published in <em>Nature Communications</em>, reveals that this impact zone supported marine life for at least 700,000 years after the collision event. </p>



<p>It did so through a hydrothermal system that circulated heat and minerals through the seafloor and into the overlying ocean.</p>



<p>This continuous release of materials enriched the surrounding waters, creating a fertile environment in which plankton and other marine life could thrive.</p>



<p>Unlike the rest of the world’s oceans, which suffered from prolonged environmental collapse, the Gulf of Mexico turned into a pocket of recovery.</p>



<p>“After the asteroid impact, the Gulf of Mexico records an ecological recovery process that is quite different from that of the global ocean, as continuous hydrothermal activity has created a unique marine environment,” explained the study’s lead author Honami Sato, an assistant professor at Japan’s <a href="https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kyushu University</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientists-drill-chicxulub-crater">Scientists drill Chicxulub crater</h2>



<p>The foundation for this discovery began in 2016, when scientists led a drilling expedition into the Chicxulub crater. </p>



<p>Sean Gulick, a research professor at <a href="https://www.utexas.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The University of Texas at Austin</a>, helped lead the effort. The team retrieved 829 meters (2,700 feet) of core samples. These can be seen as sedimentary time capsules that reveal how life responded to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-asteroid-2024-yr4-has-a-chance-of-hitting-earth-in-2032/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">impact</a>.</p>



<p>These core samples contained more than just rock. They captured chemical signatures, biological remnants, and a timeline of the crater’s transformation from devastation to sanctuary.</p>



<p>The study is one of many based on the material collected during that international expedition.</p>



<p>“We are increasingly learning about the importance of impact-generated hydrothermal systems for life,” Gulick said. “This paper is a step forward in showing the potential of an impact event to affect the overlying ocean for hundreds of thousands of years.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-osmium-leaves-a-tell-tale-trail">Osmium leaves a tell-tale trail </h2>



<p>To understand how the crater influenced life, researchers examined the element osmium. This rare metal holds a distinct isotopic signature when it comes from space. </p>



<p>In the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-chaos-how-an-asteroid-strike-would-change-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crater</a>, osmium from the buried asteroid melt sheet was carried upward through hot water circulating under the seafloor.</p>



<p>As this hydrothermal water cooled, the osmium precipitated out and settled into the ocean sediment. </p>



<p>Over time, this process created a long chemical record in the core samples. These traces showed a prolonged release of asteroid-derived material into the ocean above the crater.</p>



<p>By tracking osmium ratios, scientists could measure how long the crater enriched the ocean. They found that as long as osmium levels remained high, life thrived. When levels dropped back to normal, the ecosystem shifted.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-marine-life-mirrors-the-hydrothermal-pulse">Marine life mirrors the hydrothermal pulse</h2>



<p>The study reveals a clear connection between chemistry and biology. </p>



<p>When the hydrothermal system actively released osmium, the ocean above supported nutrient-loving plankton species. </p>



<p>These organisms suggest an environment rich in minerals, likely thanks to the heat and chemical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-we-learned-from-nasas-asteroid-deflection-test/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reactions</a> happening below.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Chicxulub-asteroid-crater_dinosaur-extinction_map_credit-Sato_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Chicxulub-asteroid-crater_dinosaur-extinction_map_credit-Sato_1s.webp" alt="A figure showing a hypothesized semi-enclosed environment created by post-impact hydrothermal activity. Credit: Sato et al." class="wp-image-1965148"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>A figure showing a hypothesized semi-enclosed environment created by post-impact hydrothermal activity. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Sato et al.</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>But when the osmium release tapered off, the plankton community changed. New species that were better suited to nutrient poor environments took over. </p>



<p>This shift marks the moment the hydrothermal activity stopped feeding the ecosystem above, even though it continued beneath the surface.</p>



<p>Over millions of years, layers of sediment buried the hydrothermal system deeper into the crust. It no longer influenced the ocean directly, but the record of its previous activity remained preserved in the core.</p>



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



<p>“This study reveals that impact cratering events, while primarily <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/key-ingredients-building-blocks-of-life-found-in-asteroid-bennu-dust-sample/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">destructive</a>, can in some cases also lead to significant hydrothermal activity,” said co-author Steven Goderis, a research professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, in Belgium. </p>



<p>“In the case of Chicxulub, this process played a vital role in the rapid recovery of marine ecosystems.”</p>



<p>The irony is striking. The same impact that wiped out entire ecosystems and the majority of species on Earth, created the right conditions within the crater for life to bounce back in one small corner of the planet. The Chicxulub crater became not just a wound, but a wellspring.</p>



<p>Instead of a barren scar, it turned into a sanctuary - one where microbes, plankton, and other marine life found safe harbor in a nutrient-rich cradle of warmth and chemistry.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chicxulub-crater-and-future-study">Chicxulub crater and future study</h2>



<p>The findings reach beyond Earth’s ancient past. </p>



<p>Sean Gulick, now working at the <a href="https://habitability.utexas.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UT Center for Planetary Systems Habitability</a>, explores how similar events could influence life elsewhere in the solar system. </p>



<p>Could large impacts on Mars or Europa create hydrothermal systems? Could they spark life beneath alien oceans?</p>



<p>Gulick believes the answer may lie in studies like this one. The crater that ended the age of dinosaurs now points to how life might begin in the most unlikely of places.</p>



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



<p>The research brought together scientists from&nbsp;Kyushu University, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jsg.utexas.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Texas at Austin’s Jackson School of Geosciences</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jamstec.go.jp/e/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vub.be/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vrije Universiteit Brussel</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.isct.ac.jp/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute of Science Tokyo</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Imperial College London</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unizar.es/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Universidad de Zaragoza</a>, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://web.ub.edu/en/web/ub/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Universitat de Barcelona</a>.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-58112-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a></em>.</p>



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



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

Dinosaur-killing asteroid left behind a huge crater that actually helped life recover

Sixty-six million years ago, a city-sized asteroid slammed into Earth...

Alleppey,,Kerala,india,-,August,24,2018:,Rescue,Team,Help,People

<p>Recent findings have sparked intense discussion among health experts around the globe. A new multi-country project reveals that flooding may pose serious problems to human well-being, with the potential to send more people to the hospital for unexpected health issues.</p>



<p>Led by Professors <a href="https://www.monash.edu/msdi/about/affiliates-program/affiliates/yuming-guo#:~:text=Dr%20Yuming%20Guo%20is%20Professor,Quality%20Research%20(CARE)%20Unit." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yuming Guo</a> and <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=8yGPu9gAAAAJ&amp;hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shanshan Li</a> from <a href="https://www.monash.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monash University</a>, the team examined more than 300 million hospitalization records across eight flood-prone regions. This makes the study one of the largest ever undertaken in the world.</p>



<p>Researchers reported an overall increase of 26% in diseases requiring hospital care after a major <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shorter-storms-bigger-impact-rising-flood-risks-in-a-warmer-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flood</a> event, and this effect lasted for up to seven months.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-floods-cause-lasting-health-problems">Floods cause lasting health problems</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-outrun-the-flood-risks-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Floods</a> can damage buildings, roads, and power grids. They can also contaminate local water supplies in ways that can bring about unexpected illnesses.</p>



<p>Poorly treated water boosts the risk of <a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digestive diseases</a>, and spreads pathogens that wreak havoc on communities without ready access to clean water.</p>



<p><a href="https://floodobservatory.colorado.edu/Archives/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stagnant water</a> can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other vectors, which can worsen <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17724-infectious-diseases" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">infectious diseases</a>, such as dengue and malaria, and other ailments.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-floods-increase-disease-rates-nbsp">Floods increase disease rates&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The study results highlighted elevated rates of cancer, diabetes, and mental health disorders after <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/once-in-a-thousand-years-extreme-storms-are-becoming-much-more-frequent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flood</a> events. For example, the incidence of diabetes showed one of the bigger increases at 61%, while mental health diagnoses increased by 11%.</p>



<p>These problems are not limited to initial injuries like drowning or electrocution. When roads are damaged, people miss important appointments for dialysis, chemo, and follow-up checkups.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-poor-sanitation-restricts-recovery">Poor sanitation restricts recovery</h2>



<p>Shortages of shelter space often lead to cramped <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flood-fatalities-experts-reveal-the-hidden-health-impacts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conditions</a>. This situation can worsen breathing difficulties and heighten the chance for infections, especially when sanitation is compromised.</p>



<p>Temporary housing set up in haste can complicate access to medications. That includes prescriptions for <a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/cardiovascular-diseases" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular diseases</a> or therapies that cancer patients rely on to stay stable.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-from-floods-weakens-health">Stress from floods weakens health</h2>



<p>Authorities have observed a increased strain on people's mental health in flood-ravaged <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-directly-linked-to-flood-disasters-in-mountain-communities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">areas</a>. Emotional distress from property loss or relocation can hinder sleep and erode immune responses, which sets the stage for various health complications.</p>



<p>Unexpected costs can also drive people to put health on the back burner. Delays in routine checkups can escalate a minor ailment into a hospital-worthy issue.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-is-most-at-risk">Who is most at risk</h2>



<p>Older adults struggle with reduced mobility, and they often need ongoing treatment that floods can disrupt. Children face extra risks too because their developing bodies are more sensitive to environmental changes.</p>



<p>Even so, the study noted that high population density amplifies health impacts across all age groups. When many individuals live close together, conditions that speed up disease transmission can take hold more easily.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-climate-factors-in">How climate factors in</h2>



<p>“An escalation in the severity, duration and frequency of floods [is expected] due to the more frequent extreme precipitation events and rising sea levels due to global warming,” said Professor Guo.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGI_Full_Report.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Researchers</a> say rising seas and more frequent storms point to bigger flood threats in the coming years.</p>



<p>Communities in certain climate zones will be hit harder when infrastructure is weak or health systems are ill-prepared. These areas may see longer recovery times because of slower medical responses.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-flood-related-health-emergencies">Reducing flood-related health emergencies</h2>



<p>Providers can identify high-risk patients early. They can prepare mobile clinics and bolster medication supplies to head off complications when evacuations happen.</p>



<p>Local governments can maintain reliable transportation routes so that ambulances and rescue teams can operate smoothly. Without a plan for these disruptions, hospital visits may spike unnecessarily.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-socioeconomic-status-matters">Why socioeconomic status matters</h2>



<p>Places with limited resources often lack the capacity for large-scale evacuations or robust shelter. People in those areas may delay or skip care entirely, resulting in underreported hospitalization numbers.</p>



<p>Better disaster response systems, stronger buildings, and well-maintained roads can help all communities ride out a flood with fewer complications. </p>



<p>These measures may seem basic, but they serve as key steps toward reducing the number of health emergencies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-systems-and-flood-complications">Health systems and flood complications</h2>



<p>Authorities should update flood risk maps and invest in early warning protocols. This keeps both residents and frontline workers ready for incoming storms.</p>



<p>Clinics in flood-prone areas might partner with volunteer groups to bring care directly to those in need. </p>



<p>Furthermore, minor interventions, like ensuring backup power, can help dialysis or oxygen-dependent patients avoid critical setbacks.</p>



<p>Hospitals alone cannot handle the challenges that follow widespread floods. Public health agencies, local governments, and community volunteers must all act in unison.</p>



<p>Everyone has a role in preventing health crises after floods. Coordinated approaches keep the worst outcomes at bay and help support those who are most vulnerable.</p>



<p>The study was published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44221-025-00425-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Water</em></a>.</p>



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



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

Floods cause long-lasting health issues on top of all the structural damage

Recent findings have sparked intense discussion among health experts around...

<p>Plastic is part of everyday life. It wraps our food, forms our clothes, supports our gadgets, and even helps heal us through medical devices. But plastic doesn’t decompose. </p>



<p>Over time, it breaks into smaller pieces - down to microscopic and nanoscopic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-normal-plastic-turns-into-dangerous-micro-and-nanoplastics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">particles</a> - but these are never broken down completely into their chemical components.</p>



<p>These nanoplastics, measuring just 1–100 nanometers in diameter, are invisible to the naked eye. Yet, they may pose one of the most serious threats to life on Earth. </p>



<p>Once released into the environment, nanoplastics can enter air, water, and soil systems. They stick to living tissues, bind with harmful chemicals, and potentially move through entire ecosystems.</p>



<p>Soil, in particular, serves as a crucial gateway. It holds water, nourishes plants, and connects to food production. But what happens when nanoplastics enter this complex underground world?</p>



<p>A recent study from Japan offers important insights into this issue. Published in <em>Science of The Total Environment</em>, the study explores how nanoplastics move through different types of soil.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-do-nanoplastics-behave-in-soil">How do nanoplastics behave in soil? </h2>



<p>The research was led by Kyouhei Tsuchida, a Ph.D. student from the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (<a href="https://www.aist.go.jp/index_en.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AIST</a>) and <a href="https://www.waseda.jp/top/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Waseda University</a>.</p>



<p>He worked with Yukari Imoto, Takeshi Saito, and Junko Hara from AIST. Professor Yoshishige Kawabe from the Department of Resources and Environmental Engineering at Waseda University also contributed to the study.</p>



<p>Their focus was to understand how nanoplastics migrate through soil. They explored how plastic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nanoplastics-can-alter-the-course-of-antibiotics-within-our-body/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">particles</a> clump together, stick to soil, and influence the way in which soil particles behave.</p>



<p>“The aggregation properties of nanoplastics and their adsorption onto soil particle surfaces are known to affect their migration in soil,” noted Tsuchida. </p>



<p>“We conducted experiments to analyze these traits to get a better understanding of the migration of nanoplastics.”</p>



<p>This investigation helps answer one urgent question - how do plastics behave once they sink into the soil under our feet?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nanoplastics-clump-stick-and-change-soil-behavior">Nanoplastics clump, stick, and change soil behavior</h2>



<p>The researchers examined three important phenomena. </p>



<p>First, they studied how nanoplastics interact with each other - a process known as homo-aggregation. Second, they tested whether nanoplastics adhere to soil surfaces. Third, they checked whether nanoplastics influence how soil <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-could-help-remove-nanoplastics-from-the-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">particles</a> themselves clump together.</p>



<p>These three mechanisms together shape how plastic particles spread in soil. If nanoplastics clump together or bind tightly to soil particles, they might stay put. If not, they may travel long distances, possibly entering groundwater or plant roots.</p>



<p>To test these factors, the researchers selected two soil types: andosol and fine sand. Andosol, a volcanic soil that is rich in minerals, contrasts strongly with fine sand, which has a loose texture and minimal organic content.</p>



<p>“Both andosol and fine sand have extremely different properties, and we utilized these two to get a broader idea of how the behavior of nanoplastics changes with respect to soil composition and surface characteristics,” explained co-author Hara.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-effects-of-soil-type-and-ph">Effects of soil type and pH </h2>



<p>To understand how nanoplastics behave in soil, the team used polystyrene <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-nanotechnology-is-fighting-microplastic-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nanoparticles</a>. </p>



<p>These lab-prepared particles mimic common plastics found in waste. The researchers suspended these particles in solutions with different pH levels - acidic, neutral, and alkaline. This allowed them to simulate various soil conditions.</p>



<p>They measured particle size, clump size, and zeta potential. Zeta potential reflects the electric charge on particle surfaces. </p>



<p>High zeta potential suggests particles will repel each other and stay apart. Low values mean they might attract and clump.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/nanoplastics_soil_illustration_credit-Waseda-University_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/nanoplastics_soil_illustration_credit-Waseda-University_1s.webp" alt="Researchers investigate the effect of soil pH and surface properties on the adsorption and aggregation behavior of plastic nanoparticles. Credit: Kyouhei Tsuchida from Waseda University, Japan" class="wp-image-1965133"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Researchers investigate the effect of soil pH and surface properties on the adsorption and aggregation behavior of plastic nanoparticles. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Kyouhei Tsuchida from Waseda University, Japan</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>They also studied how well nanoplastics attached to particles of the two soil types. For this, they used batch adsorption testing.</p>



<p>“We used batch adsorption testing to gain a deeper insight into how plastic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-future-of-plastic-biodegradable-durable-and-even-edible/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">particles</a> accumulate in soil pores. This property hasn’t been well explained in column studies,” explained co-author Kawabe.</p>



<p>By combining pH variations with different soil types, the team created a detailed map of nanoplastic behavior.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-results-behind-particle-stability">Surprising results behind particle stability</h2>



<p>Advanced tools like laser diffraction, UV spectroscopy, and zeta potential analysis helped examine how stable or reactive the particles were under the different experimental conditions.</p>



<p>Surprisingly, the polystyrene nanoparticles did not clump. The reason lay in their charge. </p>



<p>“The highly negative zeta potential of the polystyrene <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-in-the-brain-alarming-new-details-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nanoparticles</a> causes repulsion between the particles and remains unaffected by pH changes,” reported Tsuchida.</p>



<p>However, the situation changed once soil came into the picture. Nanoplastics began to adhere to soil particles. This binding also led to the clumping of the soil itself.</p>



<p>This process depended heavily on both the type of soil and the surrounding pH. Fine sand behaved differently from andosol, showing that surface texture and composition influence how plastics behave.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-soil-chemistry-matters-in-pollution-control">Soil chemistry matters in pollution control</h2>



<p>The findings show that pH and soil type influence how deeply and widely nanoplastics can travel. Soils with certain properties may trap particles more effectively. Others may allow them to flow through, like water through a sieve.</p>



<p>This distinction is crucial when designing solutions to combat plastic pollution. Contaminated soils may not all respond the same way to clean-up efforts. What works for one ecosystem might fail in another.</p>



<p>By highlighting these differences, the study encourages future research and policy to take a more tailored approach. </p>



<p>Understanding how nanoplastics interact with soils could support more effective agricultural practices and pollution management.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-do-we-go-from-here">Where do we go from here?</h2>



<p>As plastic waste continues to grow, nanoplastics will become more common in our environment. Their movement through soil raises concerns, not only for agriculture but also for drinking water, wildlife, and human health.</p>



<p>Studies like this provide the foundation for new strategies. They bring attention to the unseen threats beneath our feet. And they remind us that, while plastics may seem small, their impact runs deep.</p>



<p>Through detailed experiments and thoughtful design, this research offers a fresh view on a growing problem. </p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969725003468?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science of The Total Environment</a>.</em></p>



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What happens when nanoplastics get into the soil? Many things, none of them are good

Plastic is part of everyday life. It wraps our food,...

<p>Astronomers have been watching Uranus for decades and, until recently, it seemed like a fairly calm, blue-green planet. But new findings, based on two decades of observations from NASA’s <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hubble/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hubble Space Telescope</a>, paint a different picture. </p>



<p>Uranus is full of surprises, with shifting patterns of haze, uneven distributions of methane, and giant seasonal changes that take place on a timescale of decades.</p>



<p>These changes have big implications not only for our understanding of this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/miranda-uranus-moon-may-have-hidden-ocean-possibly-extraterrestrial-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">strange ice giant</a>, but also for how we might interpret data from similar exoplanets in distant star systems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hubble-finds-complexity-on-uranus">Hubble finds complexity on Uranus</h2>



<p>When Voyager 2 passed by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/claim-uranus-and-neptune-have-oceans-5000-miles-deep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Uranus</a> in 1986, it revealed what looked like a smooth billiard ball with a teal hue. That impression stuck for a long time. </p>



<p>But starting in 2002, a team of researchers led by Erich Karkoschka from the <a href="https://www.arizona.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Arizona</a>, and Larry Sromovsky and Pat Fry from the <a href="https://www.wisc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Wisconsin</a> used Hubble’s Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) to take a closer look.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Over the following twenty years, they discovered that Uranus isn’t static at all. Instead, sunlight shifts the planet’s appearance as it tilts throughout its 84-year orbit around the Sun.</p>



<p>Uranus is mainly composed of hydrogen, helium, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/top-10-global-methane-emissions-hotspots-spotted-by-satellites/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">methane</a>, with the methane responsible for its cyan color because it reflects blue-green light and absorbs red.</p>



<p>Yet the Hubble data show that methane is not spread evenly around the planet. It’s severely depleted at both poles but remains more abundant at mid and lower latitudes. On top of that, researchers see big swings in aerosol hazes over time, especially near the poles.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-planet-tipped-on-its-side">A planet tipped on its side</h2>



<p>The dramatic tilt of Uranus - which essentially rolls around the Sun like a barrel - means its poles each get about 42 years of continuous sunlight followed by 42 years of darkness. </p>



<p>In the last two decades, the north pole has gradually come into more direct sunlight.</p>



<p>Hubble’s observations show that this brightening sunlight appears to correlate with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/uranus-is-more-gassy-less-icy-than-we-ever-imagined/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thicker haze</a>, making the north pole shine more vividly. Meanwhile, the south pole is losing light and has been dimming.</p>



<p>This is why the planet doesn’t look quite the same from year to year. An area that was relatively dark a decade ago could become much brighter as it moves into the spotlight.</p>



<p>Conversely, the region on the far side of the planet recedes into darkness, causing its cloud features to fade from view.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uranus-hubble-and-methane">Uranus, Hubble, and methane</h2>



<p>Scientists expected that methane, the main ingredient behind Uranus’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/claim-uranus-and-neptune-have-oceans-5000-miles-deep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">distinctive color</a>, would be key to understanding the planet’s atmosphere.</p>



<p>But what they found is that methane distribution varies more dramatically than anticipated, hinting at complex circulation patterns. </p>



<p>Their data point toward upwelling in some areas - where methane-rich gas rises to the top - and strong downwelling at the poles, which flushes methane out of the visible layers of the atmosphere.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/uranus_hubble_20-years-observations_NASA_1big.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/uranus_hubble_20-years-observations_NASA_1s.webp" alt="The image columns show the change of Uranus for the four years that STIS observed Uranus across a 20-year period. Over that span of time, the researchers watched the seasons of Uranus as the south polar region darkened going into winter shadow while the north polar region brightened as northern summer approaches. Credit: NASA, ESA, Erich Karkoschka" class="wp-image-1965121"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>The image columns show the change of Uranus for the four years that STIS observed Uranus across a 20-year period. Over that span of time, the researchers watched the seasons of Uranus as the south polar region darkened going into winter shadow while the north polar region brightened as northern summer approaches. Click image to enlarge. Credit: NASA, ESA, Erich Karkoschka</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>This interplay also seems tied to changes in cloud cover and haze formation. In false-color images from Hubble, researchers can pick out details that are invisible to the naked eye.</p>



<p>They can see exactly where methane is absent, where it’s abundant, and how these conditions tie to different latitudes or altitudes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seasons-that-last-decades">Seasons that last decades</h2>



<p>For Earth, seasons last a few months. For Uranus, one season can stretch over two decades. That’s what makes Hubble’s long-term observations so valuable: short missions like Voyager’s quick flyby provide just a snapshot.</p>



<p>Now, by capturing repeated views over many years, astronomers can piece together how the planet’s weather and seasons evolve.</p>



<p>The data from 2002 through 2022 capture what amounts to “late spring” in Uranus’s northern hemisphere, heading into northern summer solstice in 2030.</p>



<p>Over that span, the planet’s north pole has gone from modestly bright to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/uranus-has-an-infrared-aurora-that-offers-clues-to-life-on-icy-worlds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">intensely reflective</a>, likely due to changes in the thickness or composition of haze. On the opposite side, the south polar region has moved deeper into shadow.</p>



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



<p>Uranus is not just an oddity at the edge of our solar system. Ice giants like Uranus and Neptune are common throughout the galaxy, and many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exoplanet-discovery-nasa-identifies-over-5500-distant-worlds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exoplanets</a> we discover may be similar. </p>



<p>Learning how an ice giant’s atmosphere responds to sunlight, chemical processes, and extreme axial tilt can guide us in interpreting data from faraway star systems.</p>



<p>Some NASA scientists and engineers are already discussing sending a dedicated orbiter to Uranus in the coming decades. </p>



<p>If built, that spacecraft could peel back even more layers of mystery: sampling the planet’s magnetic field, studying its faint <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-may-have-had-a-saturn-like-ring-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ring system</a>, and measuring wind speeds from within.</p>



<p>But in the meantime, Hubble’s slow, steady watch continues to reveal new details each time Uranus comes into view.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-chapter-in-ice-giant-science">New chapter in ice giant science</h2>



<p>For now, researchers are sifting through this wealth of Hubble data to refine their theories about Uranus’s climate.</p>



<p>The findings confirm that even at great distances from the Sun, solar radiation can dramatically impact weather and haze formation. </p>



<p>They also highlight how crucial long-duration missions like Hubble are for understanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ghostly-trenches-on-ariel-may-signal-a-hidden-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planetary atmospheres</a>. A single pass from a space probe could never have captured the unfolding story of Uranian seasons quite like this.</p>



<p>In short, the once “boring” Uranus now appears to be a place of shifting hazes, peculiar circulation, and slow but strong seasonal makeovers. </p>



<p>Observing this unlikely show at the solar system’s edge, astronomers are constantly reminded that no planet can be written off as uninteresting - especially not one that literally travels on its side and is full of hidden surprises.</p>



<p>Image provided by <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.</p>



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Hubble finds Uranus full of surprises after 20 years of observations

Astronomers have been watching Uranus for decades and, until recently,...

<p>On April 8, 2024, millions across North America paused to watch a rare and awe-inspiring celestial event. A group of scientists was there, prepared to track bird behavior during the total solar eclipse.</p>



<p>The researchers discovered that birds fell unusually quiet. This behavior, however, only occurred in areas where the sun was almost completely obscured.</p>



<p>The research was led by scientists from <a href="https://www.loggerhead.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Loggerhead Instruments</a> and the K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics at the <a href="https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cornell Lab of Ornithology</a>.</p>



<p>The experts analyzed data from 344 Haikubox devices (small, community-powered acoustic monitors spread across the continent). This was the first large-scale study to use the Haikubox network for scientific analysis. </p>



<p>A neural network detected changes in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-songs-human-speech-common-vocal-genetic-origin-syrinx/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bird vocalizations</a> while controlling for human interference.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-did-birds-go-silent">Did birds go silent?</h2>



<p>“Anecdotal evidence has long suggested that birds fall silent or exhibit nighttime <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-behavior-productivity-being-directly-impacted-by-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">behaviors</a> during a total solar eclipse,” said Dr. David Mann, lead author of the study and researcher at Loggerhead Instruments.</p>



<p>“Our study shows that, on average, birds do get quiet during and just after totality, but we also learned that this behavior is strongly linked to the degree of darkness experienced."</p>



<p>The findings confirmed that birds generally reduced their vocal activity during totality - but only in areas where the eclipse brought more than 99% obscuration. This threshold made all the difference.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bird-reactions-to-the-eclipse-varied">Bird reactions to the eclipse varied </h2>



<p>Interestingly, not all birds responded the same way. Even birds of the same species behaved differently at different locations. </p>



<p>For example, black-capped <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chickadees-are-genetically-inclined-to-have-a-remarkable-memory/">chickadees</a> in New York remained silent well after totality. The same birds in Vermont became more vocal during and just after the darkest moment.</p>



<p>Other examples were just as varied. Some American robins in Kentucky continued singing through the eclipse.</p>



<p>In contrast, pine siskins in Maine fell completely silent. These site-to-site variations left researchers with more questions than answers.</p>



<p>“The variability in bird responses and site differences was fascinating,” said Dr. Mann. "We really don’t know why birds had such different responses to the total darkness during the eclipse." </p>



<p>"Despite examining factors like temperature, cloud cover, and wind speed, we found no significant relationship with changes in vocalization rates." </p>



<p>"This strongly suggests that the sudden total darkness and associated changes in wind and temperature were the primary drivers of the observed behavioral shifts.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-keeping-human-noise-out-of-the-data">Keeping human noise out of the data</h2>



<p>One key feature of the study was its effort to isolate the human factor. Haikubox data that may have been influenced by people nearby was adjusted accordingly.</p>



<p>This helped ensure the birds’ behavior was truly in response to the eclipse and not to excited human activity.</p>



<p>“Our first, quick look at Haikubox data just a few hours after the eclipse showed a large dip in bird vocalizations around the time of peak totality,” said Dr. Mann.</p>



<p>“When we dove deeper into the data and removed any sites where humans may have influenced the birds’ behaviors, we found a much more complicated story. People were pretty excited about the <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/total-solar-eclipse-captured-from-one-million-miles-away/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">total solar eclipse</a>, and their celebrations likely affected the birds’ reactions.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monitoring-nature-using-sound">Monitoring nature using sound</h2>



<p>The Haikubox platform is built on the idea that everyday people can help monitor the natural world using sound. </p>



<p>Each device records local bird vocalizations and uploads them to a central database. It’s a non-intrusive way to gather wildlife behavior data at scale, and it doesn't require a team of observers in the field.</p>



<p>“In a time when technology often pulls us away from the natural world, Haikubox does the opposite - it fosters a deeper connection to it. By combining AI technology with a love for the environment, Haikubox helps people engage with nature in a modern and educational way,” noted Dr. Mann.</p>



<p>This passive acoustic monitoring allows scientists to study how animals respond to natural events across large areas - without disrupting them.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-from-bird-behavior">Learning from bird behavior</h2>



<p>Beyond eclipses, the study may have broader implications for understanding how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/habitat-and-evolution-shape-the-unique-sounds-of-birds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> react to sudden changes in light.</p>



<p>“Our findings can inform future research on the impacts of light pollution and sudden changes in light levels on bird behavior," noted Dr. Mann.</p>



<p>“Furthermore, it proves that when we combine the power of community science with clever technology, we can learn amazing things about wildlife without disturbing them, which may inform future continental-scale studies."</p>



<p>The researchers hope this will inspire more people to get involved in community science. More participants also means expanding the listening network.</p>



<p>“Passive acoustic monitoring is a terrific tool for gathering data about animal behavior, and regular folks play an important role in widening our listening network,” said Dr. Mann.</p>



<p>“Putting a Haikubox in your yard helps us add to the already 1 billion acoustic recordings we’ve gathered. Our community is enabling tomorrow’s scientific discoveries.”</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-94901-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a></em>.</p>



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Darkness at noon: What the 2024 eclipse revealed about bird behavior

On April 8, 2024, millions across North America paused to...

<p>Casual observers often overlook sea slugs, yet some species hide astonishing traits that challenge our expectations. One remarkable example is <em>Elysia chlorotica</em>, a small sea slug that produces energy from sunlight.</p>



<p>“It’s unique; it’s controversial; it’s elusive; it never eats,” said Dr. Patrick Krug of California State University in Los Angeles (<a href="https://www.calstate.edu/attend/campuses/los-angeles" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CSU</a>). This slinky slug steals tiny green structures from inside algal cells and uses them to produce energy from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/clouds-have-become-less-reflective-making-global-warming-worse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sunlight</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sea-slugs-living-on-sunlight">Sea slugs living on sunlight</h2>



<p>All plants contain chloroplasts that convert sunlight into energy. Most animals depend on regular meals to survive. However, by retaining <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/chloroplast" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chloroplasts</a> from algal cells, <em>Elysia chlorotica</em> can <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-cells-capable-of-photosynthesis-created-for-the-first-time/">photosynthesize</a> for months without typical feeding.</p>



<p>“We demonstrated that a nuclear gene of <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nrm1525" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oxygenic photosynthesis</a>, psbO, is expressed in the sea slug,” wrote Mary E. Rumpho, a biochemist involved in a 2008 <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.0804968105" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a>. </p>



<p>Researchers have shown that these stolen chloroplasts keep running inside the slug, even though vital genes usually reside in the original algal cells.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Probing deeper into this bizarre fusion of plant-like capabilities and animal physiology may help experts see how genes could move between species. That possibility intrigues many in the scientific community because it suggests a hidden path for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-warming-broke-records-for-450-straight-days/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adaptation</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shrinking-sea-slug-habitats">Shrinking sea slug habitats</h2>



<p>Although these slugs captivate researchers, actually finding them is tricky. Shifting coastlines, development, and habitat changes might be shrinking their marshy homes.</p>



<p>Some specialists note that high tide fluctuations and coastal erosion can wipe out the algae on which these creatures depend. Others point out that a combination of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-ocean-warming-in-2024-is-a-warning-for-our-planet/">warming waters</a> and pollution could intensify threats to their survival.</p>



<p>Only a handful of scientists have tried to unravel these secrets, and many have since retired or pivoted to other projects. As the number of experts declines, so does the knowledge pipeline for these unusual mollusks.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mysteries-of-photosynthesis-in-sea-slugs">Mysteries of photosynthesis in sea slugs </h2>



<p>The biggest mystery is how the sea slug’s own cells refrain from attacking foreign chloroplasts. Animals typically react to invaders, yet this species tolerates them in ways not fully understood.</p>



<p>Another question concerns the slug’s ability to deal with the <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1808645/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">free oxygen radicals</a> generated through photosynthesis. Normally, this process is toxic to animal tissue, but these leaf-like wanderers seem to sidestep the damage.</p>



<p>Experiments have hinted that certain <a href="https://www.immunology.org/public-information/what-immunology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">immunological</a> tweaks may help the slugs coexist with these solar components. Some researchers suspect molecular signals borrowed from algae might give the slug an edge.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dwindling-population-makes-research-difficult">Dwindling population makes research difficult</h2>



<p>Some who once pursued this slug have turned their attention to more readily available species. Collecting enough specimens for robust studies has become increasingly difficult, which limits progress.</p>



<p>The researchers note that raising these sea slugs in the lab is challenging. The adults, which usually live less than a year, require attentive care to reproduce. Their eggs hatch into free-swimming larvae that feed on various types of algae. </p>



<p>As they mature, however, the young slugs switch to eating <em>Vaucheria litorea</em> - a slow-growing and difficult-to-culture alga.</p>



<p>“They’ll eat it literally faster than we could ever grow it,” said researcher Sidney Pierce, who has studied these animals for decades.</p>



<p>As younger generations of scientists seek <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/licking-rocks-and-zombie-spiders-the-wacky-world-of-ig-nobel-prizes/">research topics</a>, many avoid elusive organisms. Without fresh talent, answers to fundamental questions may never materialize.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dna-reveals-genetic-surprises">DNA reveals genetic surprises</h2>



<p>Genomic research is uncovering interesting details about the slug’s DNA. One draft genome assembly found over 24,000 protein-coding genes, suggesting that the genome is larger than expected.</p>



<p>Scientists are investigating whether the slug has captured additional algal genes that help maintain stolen chloroplasts. If confirmed, these conclusions would offer a template for understanding genetic transfers across species.</p>



<p>Such discoveries might even point to new approaches in biotechnology, where harnessing photosynthesis in novel settings could be a game-changer. But these sampling efforts hinge on keeping the slug’s population stable.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-viable-solutions-going-forward">Viable solutions going forward</h2>



<p>In addition to yielding biological insights, the slug’s weird synergy with algae may inform <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-mussels-are-ideal-for-ecosystem-restoration/">ecological restoration</a>. If we comprehend how this animal adapts to shifting coastal conditions, we might refine habitat protection strategies.</p>



<p>Some suggest that mapping the slug’s distribution and monitoring water quality could reveal its true population status. Others envision <a href="https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/citizen-science-projects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">citizen science programs</a> that inspire local communities to document sightings.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-secrets-of-sun-loving-sea-slugs">Secrets of sun-loving sea slugs </h2>



<p>Many experts see the value in this sea slug’s rare talent to convert sunlight into energy. They believe that more comprehensive studies could spark exciting breakthroughs. </p>



<p>If scientists persevere, the synergy between animals and plants might reveal more about life’s creative potential.</p>



<p>Even though the path ahead looks challenging, there is hope that future teams will unlock more secrets about this sun-loving creature. Each fresh observation could demonstrate how life can seemingly bend the rules.</p>



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



<p>Environmental groups may collaborate with academic institutions to fund targeted surveys. This would ensure that these elusive sea slugs are not overlooked in shifting habitats.</p>



<p>Support from diverse disciplines, including molecular biology, marine ecology, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biodiversity-leaks-conservation-efforts-may-shift-harm-elsewhere/">conservation policy</a>, might unite to keep <em>Elysia chlorotica</em> alive for generations.</p>



<p>Scientists remain optimistic about new fieldwork opportunities. Additional synergy and collaboration across scientific networks could generate crucial momentum.</p>



<p>The study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.0804968105" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em></a>.</p>



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



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<p></p>

Some sea slugs use sunlight for energy, just like plants

Casual observers often overlook sea slugs, yet some species hide...

<p>A glass of wine with dinner or a beer at a party may seem harmless. But when drinking alcohol becomes regular and heavy, its effects on the brain can go far beyond a momentary buzz. </p>



<p>A new study published in <em>Neurology</em>, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, reveals that heavy alcohol consumption is linked to serious signs of brain damage. These changes could impair memory and thinking, especially as people grow older.</p>



<p>The researchers examined the brains of older individuals after death. The analysis linked consistent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/more-americans-now-link-alcohol-consumption-to-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heavy drinking</a> - defined as eight or more drinks per week - to a condition called hyaline arteriolosclerosis.</p>



<p>This condition damages small blood vessels in the brain, leading to lesions. Though the study does not prove that drinking directly causes these injuries, it shows a clear association.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alcohol-damages-brain-blood-vessels">Alcohol damages brain blood vessels</h2>



<p>Hyaline arteriolosclerosis is a form of vascular damage in which small blood vessels become stiff and narrow. These damaged vessels struggle to carry enough blood to brain tissue.</p>



<p>Over time, this lack of proper blood flow leads to tissue damage, which appears as lesions in the brain. These lesions are associated with cognitive issues such as memory loss and difficulty concentrating.</p>



<p>Dr. Alberto Fernando Oliveira Justo of the <a href="https://fm.usp.br/en/institucional/the-fmusp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of São Paulo Medical School</a> in Brazil is the study’s lead author.</p>



<p>“Heavy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alcohol-makes-fruit-flies-look-sexy-and-boosts-mating-success/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alcohol consumption</a> is a major global health concern linked to increased health problems and death,” said Dr. Justo.</p>



<p>“We looked at how alcohol affects the brain as people get older. Our research shows that heavy alcohol consumption is damaging to the brain, which can lead to memory and thinking problems."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-autopsies-reveal-alcohol-s-effects">Brain autopsies reveal alcohol’s effects</h2>



<p>The experts studied the brains of 1,781 individuals who died at an average age of 75. All participants had donated their brains for autopsy.</p>



<p>The team collected lifestyle information through interviews with family members, focusing on alcohol use. Each brain was assessed for vascular lesions, tau tangles, brain weight, and other physical indicators of cognitive health.</p>



<p>The participants were placed into four categories based on their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alcohol-has-a-hidden-impact-on-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alcohol</a> habits: those who never drank, those who drank in moderation, current heavy drinkers, and former heavy drinkers who had quit.</p>



<p>A “standard drink” in the study contained 14 grams of alcohol. This amount equals about 350 milliliters of beer, 150 milliliters of wine, or 45 milliliters of distilled spirits.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-brain-damage-behind-the-habit">Hidden brain damage behind the habit</h2>



<p>Among those who never drank, 40% had vascular lesions in their brain tissue. That number rose to 45% for moderate drinkers and 44% for current heavy <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/even-small-amounts-of-alcohol-increase-cancer-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drinkers</a>. </p>



<p>Former heavy drinkers had the highest percentage, with 50% showing signs of vascular damage.</p>



<p>After adjusting for other health factors such as age, smoking, and physical activity, the researchers found a strong association between heavy alcohol use and brain damage.</p>



<p>Heavy drinkers had 133% higher odds of developing vascular brain lesions compared to those who never drank. Former heavy drinkers had 89% higher odds, while moderate drinkers had 60% higher odds.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alcohol-linked-to-brain-shrinkage">Alcohol linked to brain shrinkage</h2>



<p>The experts also examined tau tangles -abnormal protein accumulations in the brain that are a key marker for Alzheimer’s disease.</p>



<p>The researchers found that current heavy drinkers had a 41% higher chance of having tau tangles. Former heavy drinkers had 31% higher odds. These tangles interfere with the brain’s ability to send and receive signals, contributing to cognitive decline.</p>



<p>Former heavy drinkers also showed a reduced brain mass ratio - the proportion of brain weight compared to body weight. This measure suggests physical shrinkage of the brain.</p>



<p>Lower brain mass has been associated with poorer cognitive abilities. Interestingly, this link was seen only in people who had stopped heavy drinking, not those who still drank heavily at the time of their death.</p>



<p>Justo noted that, in addition to brain injuries, impaired cognitive abilities were observed only in former drinkers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heavy-drinking-and-early-death">Heavy drinking and early death</h2>



<p>Beyond brain health, the study revealed a striking trend in life expectancy. Heavy drinkers died an average of 13 years earlier than people who never drank. </p>



<p>This difference reflects alcohol’s wide impact on the body, including liver damage, increased risk of cancer, heart problems, and now, possible brain deterioration.</p>



<p>“We found heavy drinking is directly linked to signs of injury in the brain, and this can cause long-term effects on brain health, which may impact memory and thinking abilities,” said Dr. Justo.</p>



<p>"Understanding these effects is crucial for public health awareness and continuing to implement preventive measures to reduce heavy drinking."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-study-limitations-leave-some-questions">Study limitations leave some questions</h2>



<p>Despite its scale, the study had some limitations. It did not follow participants while they were alive, so the researchers had to rely on reports from family members to estimate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-alcohol-in-moderation-does-not-prolong-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alcohol</a> use.</p>



<p>Also, they had no data on how long people had consumed alcohol or how their cognition changed over time. These gaps make it harder to draw firm conclusions about cause and effect.</p>



<p>However, the findings carry an important message: the damage linked to alcohol - especially heavy use - can remain hidden for years. It can slowly alter the brain's structure and function, even if people quit drinking later in life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reliable-information-about-brain-health">Reliable information about brain health</h2>



<p>This research was supported by <a href="https://fapesp.br/en/about?TSPD_101_R0=08fe110688ab2000baed373c08cc10b8cbb2d14ac157355685375b8621d6cfb977d251d840c8216808d0770047143000078e9f4cd6617498531a22feb2e530404bdf82fd28db1d38e99e0d72554ee716d4d47e894de789e9c727ffd09cc995b0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The São Paulo Research Foundation</a>. For those seeking reliable information about brain health, <a href="https://www.brainandlife.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BrainandLife.org</a> offers helpful resources. The site's magazine, podcast, and books connect the public with experts in neurology.</p>



<p>The American Academy of Neurology is the world’s largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals. With more than 40,000 members, the AAN works to improve brain health and patient care.</p>



<p>Neurologists diagnose and treat conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease, playing a key role in managing the aging brain.</p>



<p>This study reminds us that the choices we make today echo through the brain’s future. For those who drink alcohol regularly, it may be time to ask: is the cost to the brain worth the buzz?</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000213555" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neurology</a></em>.</p>



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



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Alcohol's hidden toll on the brain revealed

A glass of wine with dinner or a beer at...

<p>Climate change is pushing pest insects and mites into new territories.&nbsp;Many pests are migrating from the equator to cooler regions that used to keep them at bay.</p>



<p>Global trade networks are also playing a big part in this shuffle. Ports and shipping channels create pathways for invasive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insect-populations-dramatically-declining-around-the-world-rising-temperatures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> to arrive in places that once seemed too distant to worry about.</p>



<p>Professor Dan Bebber from the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter</a> is part of a research team that includes experts from the University of Hebei and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. </p>



<p>The researchers are calling for swift action to protect key staple crops, including wheat and maize.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warmer-climates-help-pests-multiply">Warmer climates help pests multiply</h2>



<p>Temperatures are going up in regions that had cooler climates. This creates conditions where more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/very-little-is-known-about-99-of-all-insects-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insects</a> and mites can survive winters and breed more often.</p>



<p>More generations in a year mean bigger populations. More bugs mean higher odds that pests will find, eat, and damage vital food sources.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-farming-practices-weaken-pest-control">Farming practices weaken pest control</h2>



<p>Intensive agricultural <a href="https://www.fao.org/publications/sofi/2021/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">practices</a> can decrease biodiversity. When you have fewer predators around, pests multiply freely.</p>



<p><a href="https://geopard.tech/blog/disadvantages-and-benefits-of-monocropping-in-the-context-of-the-environment/#:~:text=Monocrop%20agriculture%20is%20about%20sowing,field%2C%20commonly%20known%20as%20polyculture." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Monocrops</a>, irrigation, and fertilizers support bigger yields, but these methods also give pests reliable food and shelter. This shift weakens the natural checks and balances once provided by a richer variety of species.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tropical-pests-invade-cooler-regions">Tropical pests invade cooler regions</h2>



<p>Tropical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flies-are-more-vulnerable-to-climate-change-than-bees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> are advancing into temperate zones. Cold air once put a stop to major swarms, but warm spells that last longer allow insects to stay active.</p>



<p>High latitudes are especially vulnerable. Wheat, rice, and soybean fields in these areas can become prime feeding grounds for new and old invaders.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trade-accelerates-invasion">Trade accelerates invasion</h2>



<p>Globalization of trade networks is fueling pest invasions worldwide, with damage surpassing $423 billion in <a href="https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/wtr24_e/wtr24_e.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2019</a>.</p>



<p>Goods move around in a matter of days. That opens doors for species to hitch rides in shipping containers, seed batches, and any organic packaging not strictly monitored.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pests-and-climate-risks-threaten-food">Pests and climate risks threaten food </h2>



<p>“About 40% of global crop production is currently lost to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/butterfly-effect-in-reverse-climate-change-turns-havens-into-traps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pests</a> and diseases, creating a major challenge for global food security,” said co-author Professor Dan Bebber. Farmers already struggling with unpredictable weather are on edge with each new pest report.</p>



<p>Beyond economic impacts, these losses can aggravate hunger in vulnerable regions. Reduced output raises prices, and entire communities face shortages of staple crops like rice or maize.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-extremes-trigger-pest-outbreaks">Climate extremes trigger pest outbreaks</h2>



<p>Periods of drought or heatwaves can set off surprising outbreaks. Plants under stress become easy targets, since <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/neurotoxin" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neurotoxins</a> that some pests produce can flourish in warm, dry conditions.</p>



<p>In certain cases, intense rainfall might wash smaller pests away. Still, overall shifts in humidity and temperature can boost pest populations that prefer wet fields over parched ground.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientists-push-for-better-pest-tracking">Scientists push for better pest tracking</h2>



<p>Researchers see promise in pest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grasshopper-size-changes-in-response-to-shifting-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">monitoring</a>. Early-warning systems can track insects as they migrate north and uphill. Predictive models can also factor in shifting climates to pinpoint future hot zones. </p>



<p>“We need better pest monitoring, predictive models, and climate-smart management strategies to safeguard staple crops such as wheat, rice, maize and soybean from increasing pest risks,” said Bebber.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-farmland-changes-can-reduce-infestations">Farmland changes can reduce infestations</h2>



<p>Many experts suggest landscape diversity and planting non-crop species near fields. These habitats can support natural enemies of pests, like ladybugs for aphids.</p>



<p>Strategies that add conservation biocontrol might help growers reduce pesticides. This lowers the risk of insects developing resistance and cuts down on harmful chemicals reaching waterways.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-action-needed-for-climate-driven-pests">Action needed for climate-driven pests</h2>



<p>Cooperative efforts across borders could limit the entry of new pests. Tighter inspection of exports and imports can help identify and quarantine risky arrivals.</p>



<p>Teams focused on integrated pest management can set protocols in regions at highest risk. That plan might combine crop rotation, beneficial insects, and more resilient plant varieties.</p>



<p>The agricultural world is shifting. As pest insects spread to cooler regions, farmland faces challenges nobody expected even a few decades ago.</p>



<p>Innovation in planting decisions, pest prediction, and trade rules can bring hope. Action now can keep dinner tables stocked and protect farmers from devastating infestations.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43017-025-00652-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Reviews Earth &amp; Environment</em></a>.</p>



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Pests are moving to cooler regions due to climate change

Climate change is pushing pest insects and mites into new...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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<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>



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



<p></p>

Social modeling affects our food choices

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists discover we age in bursts

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists solve the mystery of tickling

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p></p>



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Retired professor claims he solved time travel

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Nushagak Bay, a large estuary in southwest Alaska. Nushagak runs mainly north to south and exits in Bristol Bay, a large body of water in the Bering Sea.</p>



<p>"The bay is primarily fed by the Nushagak River, which begins in the Alaska Range and flows southwest approximately 450 km. The bay is also fed by several additional rivers including the Wood, Igushik, Snake and Weary rivers," says ESA.</p>



<p>"The dark colors of the Nushagak River are most likely due to tannins or lignins (chemical substances found in plants). Tannins and lignins from roots, leaves, seeds, bark and soil can leach into the water and give it a brown or even black colour. The sediments then flow southwards where it is mixed with the bluer waters of the bay."</p>



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



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



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> (ACS) reveals that proteins on flu viruses are actually flexible, tilting and waving in a “breath-like” motion. According to the experts, these proteins could be used to better defend against the flu.</p>



<p>"The main antigenic targets of influenza virus are two surface glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Whereas the structural and dynamical properties of both glycoproteins have been studied previously, the understanding of their plasticity in the whole-virion context is fragmented," wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>To investigate, the team conducted detailed simulations of the influenza A H1N1 virion, or the swine flu. The experts concluded that the visualizations show many new vulnerable states of flu viruses, which could improve future vaccines and antiviral drugs.</p>



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



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



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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



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



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



<p><em>Video Credit: ACS Reactions</em></p>



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



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Santiago, the capital city of Chile. The city is located in the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which has a population of about eight million people.&nbsp;</p>



<p>'The weather of Santiago resembles the Mediterranean climate with dry and warm summers with temperatures reaching up to 35°C (from October to March) and cool and humid winters that can drop to 0°C (from April to September)."</p>



<p>"The city lies in the centre of the country’s central valley around 80 km from the Pacific Ocean to the west and borders Argentina to the east. A tiny part of Argentina is visible in the top-right corner of the image where the mountain crest of the Andes Mountains acts as a divider between the two countries," says ESA.</p>



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



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



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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