<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>



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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>In the final era of the Cretaceous, giant reptiles were not the only ones navigating a changing planet. Tiny fossils suggest that many small mammals embraced ground-based living long before the arrival of the asteroid that ended the dinosaur age.</p>



<p>Researchers say these creatures were already exploring terrestrial spaces several million years ahead of that cosmic event. </p>



<p>This challenges the idea that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saving-the-cultural-legacy-of-wild-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mammals</a> only moved down from the trees to the ground after dinosaurs were out of the picture.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/people/person/Christine-Janis-450fb945-9d7d-4004-a540-2524be359b3e/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Professor Christine Janis</a> from the University of Bristol’s <a href="https://www.bristol.ac.uk/earthsciences/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">School of Earth Sciences</a> has contributed to this idea. She and her team analyzed the ends of small mammal limbs and found structures suited to movement on solid ground.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-before-the-dinosaurs-died">Before the dinosaurs died</h2>



<p>The Maastrichtian Age was the last chapter of the Late Cretaceous, running from about 72 to 66 million years ago. </p>



<p>During this time, Earth looked very different from today - sea levels were high, and warm shallow seas covered large parts of the continents. </p>



<p>Dinosaurs still ruled the land, with massive herbivores like <em>Triceratops</em> and duck-billed hadrosaurs grazing in herds, while predators like <em>Tyrannosaurus rex</em> stalked them. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-dinosaur-extinction-influenced-fruit-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flowering plants</a> had spread widely by this point, shaping new ecosystems, and early birds and mammals were quietly evolving in the background.</p>



<p>But beneath the surface, change was brewing. Volcanic activity in what's now India was ramping up, pumping gases into the atmosphere. The climate started to shift, and ecosystems became more fragile.</p>



<p>Then came the asteroid. It triggered wildfires, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-extinction-of-dinosaurs-was-not-caused-by-volcanic-eruptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate chaos</a>, and the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K–Pg) extinction event that wiped out around 75% of all species, including the non-avian dinosaurs. </p>



<p>Thankfully, mammals were part of this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaur-extinction-led-to-the-emergence-of-ant-agriculture/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surviving group</a>, which is the reason that we're all here today and able to read this article.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flowers-helped-mammals-move-to-ground">Flowers helped mammals move to ground</h2>



<p>Mammals were not just contending with large reptiles. They also inhabited landscapes that were rapidly filling with <a href="https://www.britannica.com/plant/angiosperm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">angiosperms</a>, or flowering plants, that provided rich understory habitats in which to live.</p>



<p>“The vegetational habitat was more important for the course of <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982206002454">Cretaceous mammalian evolution</a> than any influence from dinosaurs,” said Professor Janis. </p>



<p>This idea emphasizes how expanded ground-level plant cover created new opportunities for smaller <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-oldest-fish-coelacanth-presumed-extinct-for-60-million-years-before-rediscovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-new-plants-reshaped-habitats">How new plants reshaped habitats</h2>



<p>Beneath prehistoric canopies, modestly sized creatures needed spaces to hide, and diverse food sources to keep them going. </p>



<p>Old forests dominated by <a href="https://www.britannica.com/plant/gymnosperm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gymnosperms</a> had provided fewer ground-based feeding options, but flowering plants added more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meet-mixodectes-pungens-prehistoric-mammal-and-relative-of-primates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">variety</a>.</p>



<p>Experts link the diversification of flowering plants to changes in habitat structure. The vegetation supported denser undergrowth at lower levels, which let many small mammals roam freely without competing for the treetops.</p>



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



<p>Most early studies of mammal locomotion relied on full or partial skeletons. Scientists had a hard time finding enough complete specimens to reconstruct how prehistoric <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-molecule-tells-starfish-and-humans-when-to-stop-eating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">creatures</a> moved around.</p>



<p>By examining partial bones, known as <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/epiphysis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">epiphyses</a>, researchers overcame that hurdle. Subtle features on these limb ends can hint at whether an animal spent more time on the ground or clinging to branches.</p>



<p>Some epiphyses revealed that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-humans-had-surprising-diets-3-5-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mammal</a> limbs were built for sturdy footing rather than gripping bark.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/mammals_first-ground-dwellers_Dryolestes_Credit-James-Brown_1big.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/mammals_first-ground-dwellers_Dryolestes_Credit-James-Brown_1s.webp" alt="Dryolestes, a Late Jurassic relative of the Cretaceous therians. Credit: Artist James Brown. Pamela Gill" class="wp-image-1964794"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Dryolestes, a Late Jurassic relative of the Cretaceous therians. Click imaeg to enlarge. Credit: Artist James Brown. Pamela Gill</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Prior thinking painted a picture of mostly arboreal lifestyles, but these fossils suggest that a gradual transition to the ground began sooner than once believed.</p>



<p>This method let scientists track a broader range of species. They no longer had to rely on the rare jackpot of finding an intact skeleton.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ground-living-mammals-fared-better">Ground-living mammals fared better</h2>



<p>Experts have suggested that non-arboreal species were more likely to endure the impact that devastated life at the <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/abs/10.1098/rsbl.2018.0458" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">K-Pg boundary</a>. </p>



<p>This event may have dealt a harsher blow to treetop animals, as forests took a serious hit.</p>



<p>Many <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/therian" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">therian groups</a>, which include marsupials and placentals, showed signs of a terrestrial lifestyle long before disaster struck. </p>



<p>Researchers propose that ground-based behaviors opened new diets and protective nooks.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mammals-evolved-features-suited-for-ground">Mammals evolved features suited for ground</h2>



<p>In Western North America, there is a rich record of small fossils that span the late Cretaceous and earliest Paleogene periods. </p>



<p>By comparing these remains with modern-day mammals of similar size, scientists noticed a slow but steady upswing in the presence of terrestrial forms.</p>



<p>Bone shapes from different intervals, such as the <a href="https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/89230" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Judithian</a> and <a href="https://geoinfo.nmt.edu/publications/periodicals/nmg/6/n4/nmg_v6_n4_p72.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lancian</a>, reflect shifts in locomotion strategies. By the dawn of the Paleogene, ground-adapted features appeared more commonly than once imagined.</p>



<p>Observations of these ancient bone fragments suggest that mammals responded to plant-driven changes by easing out of the treetops and onto solid ground. </p>



<p>Ecology and environment often act in tandem, and this scenario might be a prime example.</p>



<p>Before the asteroid struck, these animals had been fine-tuning a flexible approach to living. That choice may have helped them weather the harsh aftermath of an altered planet.</p>



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



<p>Some scientists plan to explore whether similar patterns can be found in other regions. </p>



<p>There is also an interest in refining techniques that deduce locomotion strategies from small bones, so that scientists can determine whether these terrestrial traits show up worldwide.</p>



<p>Future work may confirm whether this early move to the ground played a big role in mammal survival. For now, these small fossils highlight how living things can shift gears in response to changes in habitat availability. </p>



<p>The study is published in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pala.70004" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Palaeontology</em></a>.</p>



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How mammals survived the asteroid impact that killed the dinosaurs

In the final era of the Cretaceous, giant reptiles were...

<p>Romulus and Remus are the names on everyone’s lips right now. These large, pale-furred canines, described by some as dire wolf lookalikes, have been heralded as living pieces of prehistory. </p>



<p>But some scientists say the hype is running far ahead of the facts.</p>



<p><a href="https://tamu.academia.edu/AngelaPerri" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Angela Perri</a> from the Department of Archaeology at <a href="https://www.durham.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Durham University</a> is urging caution about what these animals truly represent. </p>



<p>The pups in question may carry a handful of edits derived from ancient dire wolf DNA, but some researchers argue that’s not enough to call them real dire wolves.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dire-wolves-were-not-true-wolves">Dire wolves were not true wolves</h2>



<p>The dire <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00072-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wolf</a> was a formidable carnivore that roamed parts of North and South America, eventually vanishing more than 10,000 years ago. </p>



<p>A 2021 <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-03082-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> suggested it shared a common ancestor with wolves nearly 5.7 million years ago, which means <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04824-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modern gray wolves</a> and dire wolves might be far less related than many believed.</p>



<p>Questions swirl around the label “wolf” itself. That older research hints that dire wolves were possibly closer to a giant form of coyote than to present-day gray wolves; challenging the idea that a few visual <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-inspire-a-safer-method-of-editing-human-genes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">traits</a> can define an animal’s species or evolutionary place.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gene-edited-pups-resemble-legends">Gene-edited pups resemble legends</h2>



<p>Scientists at <a href="https://colossal.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colossal Biosciences</a> used genetic editing to produce large canines resembling the old legends. </p>



<p>They extracted cells from gray wolves, modified certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gene-modification-can-create-better-tomatoes-eggplants-but-should-we-do-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genes</a>, then implanted the resulting embryos into dog surrogates.</p>



<p>Romulus and Remus are big, display lighter fur, and exhibit some behaviors many associate with wild wolves. </p>



<p>Yet a growing chorus of experts wonders if these animals can truly fit the category of a species that split from living canids so long ago.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientists-question-dire-wolf-claims">Scientists question dire wolf claims</h2>



<p>Some observers claim the entire project creates a spectacle rather than a legitimate conservation tool. They see the repeated references to popular culture as a clever publicity move more than a scientific milestone.</p>



<p>Others question whether the presence of just 20 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crispr-gene-editing-gets-a-revolutionary-upgrade-with-new-tool/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modified genes</a> is enough to replicate all the key traits that made dire wolves unique. </p>



<p>One scientist famously asked if tinkering with a few genetic differences in a chimpanzee could ever make it human.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-edited-pups-aren-t-dire-wolves">Edited pups aren’t dire wolves</h2>



<p>Colossal’s announcement triggered debate over what it means to bring back a species. The company's pups may look the part, but leading experts argue they fall short of true <a href="https://colossal.com/de-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">de-extinction</a>. </p>



<p>According to <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7484015/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">paleogenomic</a> data, the real dire wolf was so genetically distinct it may not have been a wolf at all - belonging instead to a now-extinct American lineage far removed from modern canids.</p>



<p>This raises serious doubts about whether editing a few dozen <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/boosting-crop-colors-with-gene-editing-can-improve-weed-control/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genes</a> can recreate an organism with such a unique evolutionary history. </p>



<p>The physical similarities between gray wolves and dire wolves may come down to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/convergent-evolution" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">convergent evolution</a>, not close ancestry.</p>



<p>Without addressing the deeper <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3233720/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genomic divergence</a>, the result may be more of a hybrid impersonation than a faithful revival.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-new-animals-raises-concerns">Making new animals raises concerns</h2>



<p>Beyond taxonomy, the <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3078015/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ethics</a> of creating new animals in the lab weigh heavily on critics. Cloning and genetic editing can lead to unpredictable results, including suffering for both offspring and surrogates. </p>



<p>Even with no miscarriages reported in this case, concerns remain about scaling the process, especially if it’s applied to more complex or sensitive species like elephants.</p>



<p>There’s also the matter of consent and quality of life. Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi may be healthy now, but their entire lives will be monitored, confined, and shaped by humans. </p>



<p>As more animals are created using similar methods, society will need to grapple with what responsibilities come with reviving dire wolf-like creatures that never asked to return.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-ecosystems-may-not-cope">Modern ecosystems may not cope</h2>



<p>Raising a handful of designer canines in an enclosure might be more of a display than an ecological intervention. </p>



<p>The real dire wolf thrived in ancient environments that no longer exist. Releasing them into today’s ecosystems could cause more disruption than restoration.</p>



<p>Predators need large, stable territories and abundant prey. It’s unclear how modern habitats would handle a canine unlike current wolf species in size and hunting style. </p>



<p>Even in controlled reserves, their natural instincts might clash with confined, human-managed spaces.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preserving-vs-resurrecting">Preserving vs resurrecting</h2>



<p>Some conservationists push back on “bringing back” lost creatures like the dire wolf when existing species face urgent threats. </p>



<p>Many large predators are on the brink right now, which raises priorities about saving them first.</p>



<p>“We are an evolutionary force at this point,” stated <a href="https://colossal.com/team/beth-shapiro-ph-d/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beth Shapiro</a>, Colossal’s chief science officer, pointing to the importance of innovative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/novel-gene-editing-tool-analyzes-sperm-health-in-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetics</a>. </p>



<p>She sees these methods as tools for protecting endangered populations rather than only a means of revival.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-commercial-angle">The commercial angle</h2>



<p>Colossal Biosciences is valued at over ten billion dollars, and it’s branching into other genetic ventures. Observers note that money-making spinoffs could overshadow concerns about animal welfare or ecological impacts.</p>



<p>Related startups have tried to harness genetic advances to solve modern problems such as plastic breakdown or livestock breeding. </p>



<p>Critics say that resurrecting extinct species feels like a flashy sideshow that might distract from immediate biodiversity issues.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-science-risks-outpacing-ethics">Science risks outpacing ethics</h2>



<p>Skeptics acknowledge that advanced cloning or gene editing methods can sometimes boost endangered species by broadening the gene pool. But they also point out that no species is restored in a vacuum.</p>



<p>Legal, ecological, and ethical hurdles arise if these animals ever leave controlled facilities. Modern landscapes differ dramatically from ancient times, and artificially created predators might not fit comfortably into today’s ecosystems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-gene-edited-species-unclear">Future of gene-edited species unclear</h2>



<p>The question of how to manage animals engineered from partial ancient genes remains a knotty one. </p>



<p>Colossal’s approach might evolve as more data emerges and more voices join the conversation. But for now, the line between innovation and overreach remains blurry.</p>



<p>Scientists like Angela Perri emphasize the need for deeper DNA analysis, more rigorous peer review, and a realistic look at ecological dynamics. </p>



<p>Only then can we decide if a newly minted wolf-like pup is truly close to the original dire wolf that once reigned.</p>



<p>Until then, calling it a resurrection might be more fiction than fact.</p>



<p>The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-03082-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature</em></a>.</p>



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Scientists: No, those are definitely not 'resurrected' dire wolves

Romulus and Remus are the names on everyone’s lips right...

<p>The new season of “<a href="https://www.hbo.com/the-last-of-us" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Last of Us</a>” arrives on April 13. In the show, a fictional fungus infects humans and spreads through the air. This idea feels unsettlingly real because some actual fungi spread through airborne spores, causing fungal infections.</p>



<p>Scientists have long known about fungi that invade organisms in surprising ways. One of these is <a href="https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/cordyceps" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cordyceps</a>, which can <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-warming-may-fuel-the-spread-of-diseases-by-unleashing-frozen-viruses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">infect</a> ants and influence their behavior until the fungus extends and scatters spores onto unsuspecting targets on the forest floor.</p>



<p>Mention of the show’s new spore angle has also spotlighted research by <a href="https://www.msl.ubc.ca/people/dr-jim-kronstad/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Jim Kronstad</a>, a microbiologist at the Michael Smith Laboratories at the <a href="https://www.ubc.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of British Columbia</a>. </p>



<p>He is among those who study fungi that can adapt to warming climates, raising concerns that certain species might become more harmful to humans.</p>



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



<p>One fungus called <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/valley-fever/hcp/clinical-overview/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coccidioides</a> causes valley fever. It can trigger serious lung <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-infectious-disease-landscape-is-changing-and-we-must-prepare/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">infections</a>, and scientists suspect that hotter temperatures could expand its range.</p>



<p>Another pathogen, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/candida-auris/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Candida auris</a>, is making headlines for its ability to spread in hospital settings. Many available antifungal drugs do not work against it, and some fear it could thrive more widely in a hotter environment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fungal-spores-and-deadly-infections">Fungal spores and deadly infections</h2>



<p>“Fungi love to make spores,” remarked <a href="https://kronstadlab.msl.ubc.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Kronstad</a>. Microscopic spores can lodge in the lungs of people who breathe them in, setting off infections.</p>



<p>In real life, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/cryptococcosis/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Cryptococcus neoformans</em></a><em> </em>offers an example of a fungus that enters the body through inhalation of spores. It sometimes leads to meningitis, particularly in individuals who have <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-infection-equips-the-body-to-fight-off-the-flu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weakened immune systems</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fungi-are-jumping-from-soil-to-humans">Fungi are jumping from soil to humans</h2>



<p>Researchers recently found <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38898217/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Rhodosporidiobolus fluvialis</em></a> in humans after previously detecting it only in soil. Some see this as more proof that fungi can shift hosts and environments in unexpected ways.</p>



<p>Climate change might encourage certain fungal species to adapt to higher temperatures. Experts are looking into whether these organisms can learn to thrive inside human bodies more easily as global temperatures climb.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fungi-also-help-humans-and-the-planet">Fungi also help humans and the planet</h2>



<p>“Fungi are super important, it’s phenomenal what they’ve done for humans,” added Dr. Kronstad. Fungi are not all threats. They break down waste into nutrients, help store carbon in soils, and have long served as food sources.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Scientists have experimented with fungal-based materials in various fields, from eco-friendly packaging to potential construction elements. These unique fibers can be sturdy yet light.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fiction-highlights-real-fungal-infection-threats">Fiction highlights real fungal infection threats</h2>



<p>The show’s creators might have chosen to highlight spores to reflect real-world research that suggests airborne fungal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antimicrobial-resistance-could-cause-39-million-deaths-by-2050/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">transmission</a> can be perilous. </p>



<p>While an actual fungus controlling human minds is far-fetched, the idea of sneaky microscopic travelers is not so outlandish.</p>



<p>Recent <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08419-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">work</a> details how fungal infections in wildlife and humans can intensify with more frequent travel and shifting climate patterns. Scientists hope that exploring fungal biology now will give us the upper hand.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-and-beyond">Food and beyond</h2>



<p>People often associate fungi with mushrooms or yeasts. Beyond these, numerous species serve crucial roles in producing bread, cheese, and even alternative meat.</p>



<p>They also offer lifesaving benefits. Penicillin emerged from fungi, sparking a medical revolution that continues to save countless lives.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fungal-infection-threats-are-rising">Fungal infection threats are rising</h2>



<p>Some fans of “The Last of Us” may wonder if the storyline signals a future fungal threat to humanity. Others feel it simply underscores how versatile and surprising nature can be.</p>



<p>Experts point out that while caution is wise, maintaining perspective is equally important. Practices such as infection control in hospitals and consistent monitoring of emerging pathogens could help address these concerns.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preparing-for-change">Preparing for change</h2>



<p>Environmental scientists encourage efforts to track fungal populations and observe how rising temperatures affect them. They hope to predict potential risks before serious outbreaks happen.</p>



<p><a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8962932/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Researchers</a> also emphasize developing new antifungals to tackle resistant infections. This preventive approach could stop the spread of challenging species in healthcare settings.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adapting-with-knowledge">Adapting with knowledge</h2>



<p>Fungal biology remains a lively area of study. More advanced genetic tools could soon reveal how these organisms evolve to survive in hotter climates or new hosts.</p>



<p>There is growing interest in whether our bodies might also adapt. The interplay between changing fungi and human immune responses is a subject with many questions still to be answered.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fungi-are-both-dangerous-and-essential-to-life">Fungi are both dangerous and essential to life</h2>



<p>Fungi are ancient, diverse, and often helpful. Their ability to mutate and jump into new niches is a reminder that we share our planet with organisms we are still learning to understand.</p>



<p>The latest season of “The Last of Us” might spark a fresh wave of curiosity about how fungal spores spread. If that curiosity leads to more research and careful preparation, the lessons could be invaluable.</p>



<p>The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08419-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature</em></a>.</p>



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



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The Last of Us? Fungal diseases that infect humans are becoming more common

The new season of “The Last of Us” arrives on...

Underwater,Closeup,Of,Branching,Acropora,Coral

<p>As oceans continue to warm and coral bleaching events increase across the globe, scientists are taking a close look at the effectiveness of restoration projects aimed at saving some of the planet’s most vibrant and valuable ecosystems.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reef-sounds-the-melodic-key-to-coral-restoration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">restoration</a> has become a common strategy for helping damaged reefs recover, a new international study suggests that many of these efforts may fall short - not because they’re misguided, but because they can’t keep up with the pace of destruction.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-worlds-largest-coral-bleaching-event-is-now-underway/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bleaching</a> occurs when corals, stressed by unusually high sea temperatures, expel the algae that live in their tissues. These symbiotic algae not only give corals their brilliant colors but also help provide nutrients.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Without them, corals turn white - and if the stress continues, they can die. Marine heatwaves, mostly driven by climate change, are the leading cause of these events, although other factors like pollution and overfishing make reefs more vulnerable.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coral-restoration-on-a-small-scale">Coral restoration on a small scale</h2>



<p>The most widely used method of reef restoration is known as coral gardening. It involves growing coral fragments in underwater <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-nurseries-need-protection-equal-to-that-of-established-coral-reefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nurseries</a> and then transplanting them to damaged reef areas. </p>



<p>Other approaches include removing coral-eating species such as parrotfish, distributing coral spawn to new locations, or even tweaking the microbiomes surrounding the coral in hopes of boosting their survival.</p>



<p>But according to the new study, the scope and scale of these interventions don’t come close to matching the problem. </p>



<p>The study was led by Giovanni Strona from the European Union Joint Research Center, Clelia Mulà of the University of Western Australia, and Professor Corey Bradshaw from <a href="https://www.flinders.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flinders University</a> in Australia. The researchers investigated why many reef restoration projects fail to deliver long-term benefits.</p>



<p>“Most restoration projects only operate over several hundred or a few thousand square meters,” said Professor Bradshaw. </p>



<p>“Compared to the 14% loss and degradation of coral reefs between 2009 and 2018, equating to nearly 12,000 square kilometers, we come nowhere close to the scale of restoration that is needed to offset the losses from climate change.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-many-restoration-projects-fail">Why many restoration projects fail</h2>



<p>The analysis revealed several reasons for the high failure rate of coral restoration efforts - which is about one-third of all projects. Among the most common were high costs per hectare, reliance on unproven or poorly monitored methods, and efforts focused on reefs already severely degraded and highly vulnerable to future bleaching events.</p>



<p>According to the experts, there’s also the issue of poor planning. And without consistent methods for collecting and reporting data from these projects, it’s nearly impossible to figure out what works and what doesn’t.</p>



<p>The review encompassed a wide range of factors - including human impact, risk of bleaching before and after intervention, coral diversity, and remoteness - but no consistent correlation between these conditions and the success of restoration efforts was found. In other words, it’s not yet clear what makes a reef restoration project succeed or fail.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coral-restoration-and-climate-change">Coral restoration and climate change </h2>



<p>The stakes couldn’t be higher. Coral reefs support an estimated one billion people worldwide, offering everything from food security to income from tourism, and even natural protection from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/once-in-a-thousand-years-extreme-storms-are-becoming-much-more-frequent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">storms</a> and coastal erosion.</p>



<p>“Some estimate that over the past 40 years, the coverage of coral reefs has declined by at least 50%,” said Strona. “As climate change continues, bleaching events and coral deaths will only become more common, with projected losses of total coral cover of more than 90% by the end of the century.”</p>



<p>And while many coral restoration efforts are well-meaning, the researchers argue that relying too heavily on them could create a false sense of hope.</p>



<p>“Although coral restoration has the potential to be a valuable tool in certain circumstances, our research makes it clear it is not yet - and might never be - feasible to scale up sufficiently to have meaningful, long-term, and positive effects on coral <a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/underwater-closeup-branching-acropora-coral-2453177503" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reef ecosystems</a>,” explained Professor Bradshaw.</p>



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



<p>The authors emphasize that this shouldn’t be a reason to give up on coral conservation altogether. Rather, it’s a call to think bigger, and to be more strategic about how and where restoration is attempted. </p>



<p>For example, focusing on less degraded reefs, or those that are more resilient to heat stress, may yield better long-term results.</p>



<p>Lead author Clelia Mulà suggests that part of the answer lies in complementing restoration with broader conservation strategies.</p>



<p>“Reinforcing complementary strategies could therefore bolster ecosystem resilience, extending the reach and success of coral restoration projects,” she said.</p>



<p>Ultimately, the researchers agree that no amount of coral restoration work will be enough without a serious global effort to slow climate change.</p>



<p>“This reality check should stimulate constructive debate about when and where restoration is most feasible and important," said Professor Bradshaw. </p>



<p>"But the truth is that without stemming the pace and magnitude of climate change, we have little power to save coral reefs from massive losses over the coming century and beyond."</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41559-025-02667-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Ecology and Evolution</em></a>.</p>



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Without tackling climate change, coral restoration efforts are insufficient

As oceans continue to warm and coral bleaching events increase...

<p>Scientists continue designing new tools to scan the skies for any sign of life on worlds light-years away. But what if every signal we check comes back empty? Could a complete lack of discoveries teach us about the rarity of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-finds-nearby-earth-like-exoplanet-gliese-12b-that-could-support-intelligent-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life</a> another planets and the galaxy?</p>



<p>This question guided the efforts of <a href="https://sites.google.com/view/dananger-me?pli=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Daniel Angerhausen</a>, a Physicist in <a href="https://quanz-group.ethz.ch/quanz-group/people.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Professor Sascha Quanz</a>’s Exoplanets and Habitability Group at ETH Zurich and a <a href="https://www.seti.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SETI Institute</a> affiliate. </p>



<p>He and collaborators recently applied a statistical lens to this possibility and uncovered surprising insights.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-life-can-still-teach-us-about-life">"No life" can still teach us about life</h2>



<p>Their latest analysis looked at how a full lack of <a href="https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/education/alp/what-is-a-biosignature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biosignature signals</a> could still reveal whether <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-planet-named-enaiposha-is-unlike-anything-in-our-solar-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life</a> is widespread. </p>



<p>In a paper using <a href="https://www.quantstart.com/articles/Bayesian-Statistics-A-Beginners-Guide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bayesian statistics</a>, the team explains that checking around 40 to 80 <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/exoplanets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exoplanet</a> targets with no detections could indicate if under 10 to 20% of similar planets host living processes.</p>



<p>They highlight that every measurement carries errors, so researchers must handle those uncertainties or risk jumping to the wrong interpretation. </p>



<p>The group worked through <a href="https://www.redjournal.org/article/S0360-3016(21)03256-9/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frequentist methods</a> too, finding that both approaches can align when enough worlds are investigated.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-planets-may-hide-life-or-give-false-clues">Planets may hide life or give false clues</h2>



<p>False negatives can creep in if an atmosphere masks signs of life. Improper target selection or gaps in data could also distort results.</p>



<p>“It’s not just about how many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/expanding-the-search-for-extraterrestrial-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planets</a> we observe - it’s about asking the right questions and how confident we can be in seeing or not seeing what we’re searching for,” says Angerhausen. He emphasizes the need for prudence. </p>



<p>“If we’re not careful and are overconfident in our abilities to identify life, even a large survey could lead to misleading results,” says Angerhausen. </p>



<p>This caution shapes the planning for new instruments that aim to spot subtle atmospheric patterns.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-planets-give-better-answers">More planets give better answers</h2>



<p>Tools like the Large Interferometer for Exoplanets (<a href="https://www.aanda.org/articles/aa/abs/2022/08/aa41958-21/aa41958-21.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LIFE</a>) are on the horizon to inspect planetary atmospheres and search for water or oxygen. </p>



<p>Experts suggest that a robust sample is essential so that random outliers don’t skew the entire picture.</p>



<p>“In applied science, Bayesian and Frequentist statistics are sometimes interpreted as two competing schools of thought,” says <a href="https://quanz-group.ethz.ch/quanz-group/people/person-detail.MjU2OTMw.TGlzdC80OTI0LC02MTUwNjA4NDM=.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Emily Garvin</a>, a PhD student in Quanz’s group, underscoring how the choice of statistical model can shift the conclusion.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Slight variations in a survey’s scientific goals may require different statistical methods to provide a reliable and precise answer,” says Garvin. </p>



<p>She adds that comparing both methods helps validate assumptions at each step.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clear-questions-help-find-signs-of-life-on-planets">Clear questions help find signs of life on planets</h2>



<p>One of the key takeaways from the study is that not all questions carry the same weight. Asking “How many planets have life?” is too vague to lead to reliable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-super-earth-hd-20794-found-just-20-light-years-away-is-best-target-yet-for-alien-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">answers</a>.</p>



<p>Instead, the researchers recommend focusing on specific, measurable traits. </p>



<p>For example, asking how many rocky planets in the <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/exoplanets/habitable-zone/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitable zone</a> show traces of water vapor, oxygen, or methane helps isolate variables and reduce confusion.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-assumptions-can-skew-final-results">Early assumptions can skew final results</h2>



<p>The team also explored how assumptions made before data collection - called <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2910452/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">priors</a> in Bayesian terms - can shape final results. </p>



<p>This matters when earlier studies or models already lean optimistic or pessimistic.</p>



<p>For missions like LIFE and NASA’s <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/programs/habitable-worlds-observatory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Habitable Worlds Observatory</a>, the influence of these assumptions is expected to be small when surveying dozens of planets. </p>



<p>That’s because larger samples can help drown out personal bias and strengthen overall conclusions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clear-rules-help-future-space-missions">Clear rules help future space missions</h2>



<p>Clear definitions are vital so that researchers limit confusion when they classify <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-planets-may-be-the-place-to-look-for-extraterrestrial-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planets</a>. Even advanced instruments need rigorous protocols to handle noise or incomplete data.</p>



<p>“A single positive detection would change everything,” says Angerhausen. These discussions also hint at how important it is to plan for rare success.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-where-this-leaves-us">Where this leaves us</h2>



<p>Questions about life’s scarcity influence how we invest in telescopes and data processing. The team’s work may guide future surveys as they measure water, methane, and more on new targets.</p>



<p>Finding no signals of life on a planet doesn’t mean we learn nothing. It shines a light on how empty data can still sharpen our sense of what else might be out there.</p>



<p>Scientists continue to refine ways to decode faraway environments. They aim to separate misleading noise from real clues, inching closer to answering whether we are alone.</p>



<p>The study is published in <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-3881/adb96d" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The Astronomical Journal</em></a>.</p>



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What if we don't find alien life in the Universe? That might be OK, too

Scientists continue designing new tools to scan the skies for...

<p>A group of physicists has proposed a new way of thinking about black holes by mapping out intricate “supermazes” - theoretical structures that provide a fresh blueprint for understanding the microscopic complexity of these enigmatic objects.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Their research, published in the <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/JHEP03(2025)120" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Journal of High Energy Physics</em></a>, expands upon the idea of black holes derived from general relativity, offering a nuanced perspective rooted in string theory and M-theory.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-the-limits-of-general-relativity">Beyond the limits of general relativity</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/monster-in-the-shadows-giant-black-hole-emerges-from-cosmic-dust/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Black holes</a> have been traditionally described through the lens of general relativity, which focuses on large-scale gravitational effects and predicts an event horizon around a featureless mass so dense that not even light can escape.&nbsp;</p>



<p>But this picture leads to tensions with quantum mechanics, which requires that black holes exhibit vast amounts of microstructure to account for the information they contain.</p>



<p>“General relativity is a powerful theory for describing the large-scale structure of black holes, but it is a very, very blunt instrument for describing black-hole microstructure,” said Nicholas Warner, co-author of the study and professor of physics, astronomy, and mathematics at the <a href="https://dornsife.usc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“In a framework of theories extending beyond Einstein’s equations, supermazes provide a detailed portrait of the microscopic structure of brane black holes.”</p>



<p>By refining earlier ideas, the researchers use supermazes to extend the notion of “fuzzballs,” which arise in string theory as detailed replacements for classical black holes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Where a classical black hole in general relativity appears as a smooth horizon, the “fuzzball” approach - now supported by this new supermaze formalism - depicts black holes as highly complex, intricate objects composed of branes and geometry at very small scales.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-black-holes-with-branes">Building black holes with branes</h2>



<p>String theory has long posited that fundamental particles can be described as vibrating strings in higher-dimensional space, but M-theory goes one step further by suggesting these objects can also exist as “branes,” short for membranes with multiple spatial dimensions. </p>



<p>This approach reveals that black holes are not simply mass crushing down to a point but can be modeled as extended, interlocking brane structures.</p>



<p>“In this paper, we explore intersecting systems of M2-branes (two-dimensional) and M5-branes (five-dimensional) within the realm of supergravity, which is a low-energy approximation of M-theory,” Warner explained. </p>



<p>“We think of the maze as the ‘substrate’ upon which all the information about whatever made the black hole, or ever fell into it, can be encoded.”</p>



<p>These maze functions act as dynamic templates dictating how branes intersect and interact, effectively recreating black hole properties while still containing copious internal detail. </p>



<p>The ultimate effect is to reconcile the vast entropy required by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unraveling-gravity-quantum-nature-entanglement-mechanics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum gravity</a> with the geometry expected from general relativity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supermazes-in-action">Supermazes in action</h2>



<p>The authors’ new concept of a “supermaze” rests upon a key mathematical construct they call the “maze function.” </p>



<p>This function obeys a nonlinear differential equation akin to the Monge-Ampère equation - a well-known and notoriously challenging equation that arises in problems of differential geometry and physics.</p>



<p>Its solutions govern how M2- and M5-branes can interweave to form a black hole-like configuration with all the microstructure demanded by quantum principles.</p>



<p>“Maze functions play a pivotal role in linking the brane configurations to supergravity solutions, which in turn provide a new way to explore black-hole microstates,” Warner said. </p>



<p>“The maze function is the billion-pixel camera that can give us a deep and detailed picture of the microstructure of black holes.”</p>



<p>The difference between a classical black hole horizon and these newly devised supermazes is one of resolution. Where general relativity might produce a blank silhouette - similar to a one-pixel image - supermazes supply a high-definition rendering that captures the underlying quantum states.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Suppose you wanted a picture of Michelangelo’s Last Judgment: General relativity, with its horizons, is like using a camera with only one pixel. All you see is a single smear of color. Our earlier work gave us a picture with maybe 1,000 pixels," noted Warner. </p>



<p>"Supermazes are like having many, many billions of pixels enabling us to admire the masterpiece in detail.”</p>



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



<p>Though supermazes represent a significant step toward reconciling quantum mechanics and general relativity, the researchers view this work as merely the beginning of a larger program.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The next challenge is to refine these geometrical frameworks to see how they might tackle issues such as black hole information paradoxes, the dynamics of high-energy collisions, or the generation of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gravitational-waves-dark-matter-big-bang-breakthrough/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gravitational waves</a>. </p>



<p>Each puzzle demands a microscopic portrait of black holes that reveals both broad relativistic features and the hidden quantum states that define the fabric of spacetime.</p>



<p>In this sense, supermazes may not just improve black hole theory but also guide future experimental and observational approaches to cosmic phenomena. </p>



<p>By offering an enriched set of predictions about how black holes form and interact with their surroundings, supermazes could shape new directions in gravitational wave astronomy and high-energy physics experiments.</p>



<p>Ultimately, the work showcases a sophisticated leap in theoretical physics, where advanced geometrical and string-theoretic ideas fuse to yield an entirely reimagined black hole. </p>



<p>As mathematicians and physicists continue to probe the “maze function” and its solutions, they may uncover new layers of complexity underlying the most extreme objects in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/powerful-forces-have-made-the-structure-of-the-universe-messier/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cosmos</a>, bringing us closer to a unifying theory that resolves the puzzle of quantum gravity.</p>



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Supermazes: Understanding the structure of black holes on a microscopic level

A group of physicists has proposed a new way of...

<p>Relaxation techniques may help lower high blood pressure - at least in the short term - but the longer term effects are unclear, according to a recent analysis of existing research.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, the study also concludes that the current body of evidence is at risk of bias, highlighting the need for more rigorously designed and extended follow-up studies to verify whether these methods can play a meaningful role in treating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-from-plastic-bottles-linked-to-high-blood-pressure-and-heart-problems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">high blood pressure</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-high-blood-pressure-a-global-concern">High blood pressure: A global concern</h2>



<p>High blood pressure affects roughly one-third of people aged 30 to 79 and stands among the top causes of death globally. Although medications exist to manage high blood pressure, many people struggle with consistent use.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This reality has spurred interest in alternative strategies, such as relaxation-based techniques that aim to reduce stress - a major factor contributing to high blood pressure. Yet which approach, from breath control and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mindfulness-protects-against-work-stress-burnout/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mindfulness</a> to yoga, Tai Chi, or biofeedback, may be most effective is still up for debate.</p>



<p>In an effort to expand the evidence base, the researchers searched for English-language studies published up to February 2024, looking at relaxation’s potential in individuals with high blood pressure (140/90 mm Hg or above) or elevated blood pressure (120/80 mm Hg or above).&nbsp;</p>



<p>The review ultimately included 182 studies, of which 166 involved participants with high blood pressure and 16 involved those with elevated readings. Where applicable, the team used network meta-analysis, a statistical method that allows comparison of multiple treatments at once.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-short-term-effects-and-relaxation-techniques">Short-term effects and relaxation techniques</h2>



<p>From 54 pooled studies, the analysis found that most relaxation techniques appeared to reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in people with high blood pressure, at least over a span of three months or less.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These short-term interventions ranged from breath control to yoga and meditative movement, as well as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-therapy-reduces-distress-in-people-with-dementia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">music therapy</a>, progressive muscle relaxation, and psychotherapy.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Yet after three to twelve months, the data provided no clear evidence that any single relaxation practice continued to exert a significant impact. And in the small number of studies extending beyond a year, autogenic training offered a hint of benefit, but with low certainty.</p>



<p>“The results of our systematic review and network meta-analysis indicate that relaxation or stress management techniques might result in meaningful reductions in blood pressure at up to three months of follow-up,” the researchers wrote.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Uncertainty exists about this effect, however, because of the risk of bias in the primary studies, the potential for publication bias in this area, and imprecision in the effect estimates, meaning that the observed changes in blood pressure might be too small to affect cardiovascular or cerebrovascular outcomes.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vague-data-on-relaxation-techniques">Vague data on relaxation techniques</h2>



<p>Additionally, the data analyzed by the team often lacked detail on costs, cost-effectiveness, and whether or not these interventions decreased the incidence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-worsens-cardiovascular-health-risks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular events</a>. Another point of concern is that many studies’ descriptions of relaxation methods were vague or inconsistent, making it difficult to interpret or replicate their techniques and results.</p>



<p>“Hypertension is a chronic condition, likely to require long term drug treatments or behavioral changes. As such, interventions that are used for a brief period, or provide only short term benefits, are unlikely to be clinically useful,” the authors wrote.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Because the available research seldom tracks participants beyond a few months - and does not always confirm if they maintained their relaxation practice - it remains unclear if any early reductions in blood pressure might last over time.</p>



<p>“Too few studies exist, however, to assess whether the beneficial effects of relaxation are maintained when the techniques are practiced for longer than three months,” noted the experts.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Future studies must clearly report whether participants were still using relaxation methods at the time of the outcome assessment, with details on adherence to the relaxation schedule. These factors might strongly influence the effectiveness of the different relaxation and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-eats-away-our-brains-cognitive-defenses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress</a> management techniques.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-research-is-needed">Further research is needed</h2>



<p>In short, while the analysis offers cautious optimism that approaches such as mindful breathing, meditation, and yoga may help manage blood pressure in the short run, the current evidence does not confirm significant or lasting benefits beyond that window.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Until more definitive, long-term research is carried out - preferably with rigorous designs and standardized reporting - clinicians and patients may want to view these relaxation methods as potentially supportive, but not standalone, tools for addressing chronic high blood pressure.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://bmjmedicine.bmj.com/content/4/1/e001098" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>BMJ Medicine</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Relaxation techniques can lower high blood pressure - at least temporarily

Relaxation techniques may help lower high blood pressure - at...

<p>Quantum mechanics has always left people scratching their heads. Tiny particles seem to break usual laws of nature, hinting at puzzling scenarios that have intrigued physicists for decades, often sparking debates on how these subatomic oddities might push the limits of future technology.</p>



<p>One curious area in this field involves charges that behave in fractions, providing glimpses into phenomena that defy classical logic. </p>



<p>Scientists have spent years studying these strange <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/baffling-quantum-entanglement-statistics-puzzle-finally-solved-advanced-technologies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">properties</a>, hoping to uncover new knowledge about how particles might transform the way we store and process information.</p>



<p>Led by <a href="https://vivo.brown.edu/display/jli234" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jia Li</a> at <a href="https://www.brown.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brown University</a>, a new investigation has zeroed in on unusual subatomic behavior. </p>



<p>The group probed <a href="https://quantumatlas.umd.edu/entry/quantum-states/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum states</a> where charge-carrying particles do not align with usual integer values, suggesting that something unprecedented is going on under the hood.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fractional-charges-shift-quantum-particles">Fractional charges shift quantum particles</h2>



<p><a href="https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.48.1559" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Researchers</a> have long known that the <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nature08582" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fractional quantum Hall effect</a> can make electrons adopt surprising charge fractions. This observation shattered the old belief that electric <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/radical-theory-unites-gravity-spacetime-and-the-quantum-realm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">charge</a> must appear as indivisible units.</p>



<p>Scientists later introduced <a href="https://phas.ubc.ca/~berciu/TEACHING/PHYS502/PROJECTS/20-Anyons-AD2.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anyons</a>, objects that occupy a middle ground between <a href="https://www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainsbosons-and-fermions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bosons and fermions</a>. </p>



<p>While some anyons exhibit fractional charges, the team at Brown observed excitons that suggest a hybrid identity, showing traits that do not fit snugly into established categories.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-historical-context-of-fractional-charges">Historical context of fractional charges</h2>



<p>Theoretical breakthroughs in the early 1980s offered a fresh perspective on how charged particles might split into fractions, a <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.50.1395" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">concept</a> that earned Robert Laughlin a share of the Nobel Prize in 1998. </p>



<p>His work showed that strong magnetic fields and low temperatures can drive electrons into peculiar states where fractional charges become possible.</p>



<p>Such fractionalization puzzled many physicists who were accustomed to seeing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microsoft-announces-giant-leap-in-quantum-computing-majorana-1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">charge</a> as a basic, indivisible property. </p>



<p>Yet growing evidence in layered systems and two-dimensional materials hinted that these phenomena could run much deeper than first assumed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-excitons-show-partial-charges">Excitons show partial charges</h2>



<p>An exciton is a bound state formed by an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/google-claims-commercial-quantum-computing-is-just-five-years-away/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electron</a> and a positively charged gap called a hole, and it normally acts as a neutral composite.</p>



<p>In typical settings, these <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/exciton" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pairs behave like bosons</a>, meaning many can cluster in the same quantum state without forbidding one another.</p>



<p>In the new study, certain pairs appeared to carry fractional components, an unexpected twist that challenges the usual bosonic picture. </p>



<p>This shift might change how experts view excitons, especially under extreme conditions where charges get chopped into fractional increments.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fractional-excitons-might-be-a-new-particle-type">Fractional excitons might be a new particle type</h2>



<p>According to the research, this unexpected behavior suggests fractional excitons could represent an entirely new class of particles with unique quantum properties. </p>



<p>Scientists consider this a potential leap in understanding how subatomic entities can merge in ways we never anticipated.</p>



<p>By blending partial charges into a single packet, these excitons step outside the normal boundaries of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-gates-teleported-a-leap-toward-scalable-computing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum</a> behavior. </p>



<p>They might also point to future research avenues where harnessing these hybrid traits could improve data handling in quantum circuits.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quirky-excitons-could-improve-computing">Quirky excitons could improve computing</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.cambridge.org/highereducation/books/quantum-computation-and-quantum-information/01E10196D0A682A6AEFFEA52D53BE9AE#overview" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quantum computing</a> aims to use fragile subatomic states to process data with speeds and efficiencies beyond today’s machines. </p>



<p>Fractional behavior like this, if controlled, could point to more robust methods of encoding and retrieving information.</p>



<p>Some experts suspect that these quirky excitons might be useful for building architectures that resist errors. </p>



<p>Stable partial charges could, in principle, help keep quantum information intact for longer stretches of time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bridging-theory-and-experiments">Bridging theory and experiments</h2>



<p>Early <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/quant-ph/0001108" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ideas</a> proposed that excitons formed from fractional charges might reveal exotic quantum orders. Yet practical demonstrations remained elusive, so the Brown group’s evidence acts as a strong boost to these predictions.</p>



<p>By uniting state-of-the-art instrumentation with careful tuning, the researchers managed to catch fractional excitons in action. </p>



<p>This alignment of theory and experiment hints at a deeper puzzle that ties quantum field concepts to everyday electronics.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-stable-are-these-quantum-particle-states">How stable are these quantum particle states</h2>



<p>Many questions remain about how long these fractional excitons can stay stable and whether they can appear at milder temperatures. </p>



<p>Probing these details may offer a clearer roadmap for connecting quantum oddities with future devices.</p>



<p>Observers wonder if these excitons could pair with other anomalies, such as special <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42005-023-01245-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anyonic states</a> seen in two-dimensional materials. If such interactions can be guided, they might reveal a way to shape next-generation electronics.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-particles-might-change-tech-and-quantum-physics">New particles might change tech and quantum physics</h2>



<p>Some in the community suspect that strange exciton states might help address roadblocks in high-speed computing and sensor technology. </p>



<p>As fractional concepts move into real labs, we edge closer to finding practical ways to exploit nature’s quirks at tiny scales.</p>



<p>Outside computing, these phenomena could reshape fundamental physics by suggesting new forms of <a href="https://oxfordqcmt.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum matter</a>. </p>



<p>Scientists see hints that fractional excitons belong to a bigger family of novelties that challenge simple textbooks on particles and fields.</p>



<p>In the end, these findings raise more puzzles than answers, which is part of the allure of quantum studies. </p>



<p>Every fresh observation opens new questions about how charges, excitons, and hidden states fit into the broader tapestry of existence.</p>



<p>The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08274-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature</em></a>.</p>



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Quantum oddity points to entirely new class of subatomic particles

Quantum mechanics has always left people scratching their heads. Tiny...

<p>Skylines keep climbing, roads stretch farther, and forests turn into parking lots. Urbanization is everywhere, sweeping across continents and replacing natural habitats with steel, glass, and asphalt. </p>



<p>As cities expand, animals and plants must either adapt or disappear. Among these quiet struggles for survival, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-adapt-their-survival-strategies-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> provide one of the most visible signs of how city life changes the natural world.</p>



<p>Urban ecology has emerged to study these impacts. This field focuses on how animals adjust to city life and how their behaviours, appearances, and chances of survival shift. </p>



<p>While we already know that urban noise affects how birds sing and communicate, questions remain about how cities might also shape something more subtle and striking: their feathers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bird-colors-matter-for-city-survival">Bird colors matter for city survival</h2>



<p>Birds don’t just wear colors for show. Plumage color plays many roles in survival. It helps regulate body heat, provides camouflage from predators, and signals strength or attractiveness to potential mates.</p>



<p>In natural habitats, colors evolve slowly through generations. But in urban areas, the rules change quickly.</p>



<p>Cities are warmer than rural areas. They have different backgrounds - grey walls, dark roads, and neon lights. They also have fewer predators and more artificial lighting at night. This creates a unique environment that may favour certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-evolution-timeline-pushed-back-20-million-years-by-baminornis-zhenghensis-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bird</a> colours over others.</p>



<p>That’s where the question arises: are city birds coloured differently from their countryside counterparts? A group of scientists decided to find out.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-data-from-hundreds-of-bird-species">Data from hundreds of bird species</h2>



<p>A research team led by Bart Kempenaers at the <a href="https://www.bi.mpg.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence</a> and the <a href="https://www.ugr.es/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Granada</a> took on this question. </p>



<p>The researchers used a global dataset that included the abundance of over 1200 bird species across habitats with different urbanization levels. They combined this with detailed information on each <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-birds-use-biofluorescence-glowing-brightly-to-attract-mates-birds-of-paradise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a>’ plumage colour.</p>



<p>The goal was simple but powerful: could plumage color predict which birds do well in cities? The results revealed clear patterns.</p>



<p>The researchers discovered that birds that succeed in urban areas tend to be less brown than those that don't.</p>



<p>"Brown shades are more common in natural environments than in cities. We suspect that brown birds are at a disadvantage in a rather grey city. The predominant colors of a city and the lack of suitable habitats can therefore determine which bird species are successful there," explained Kaspar Delhey, one of the lead authors of the study.</p>



<p>Urban <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saving-americas-birds-scientists-declare-a-full-on-emergency-in-the-us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> seem to shed their earthy tones and adopt colors that fit - or even stand out - against the urban backdrop.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-colorful-birds-do-better-in-cities">Colorful birds do better in cities</h2>



<p>The findings went further. Not only do city <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-birds-are-at-great-risk-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> avoid brown, but they often display more elaborate and striking plumage, especially among females. This trend runs counter to what might be expected in the wild, where standing out can attract predators.</p>



<p>Cities, however, are relatively safe. With fewer predators lurking in the shadows, birds no longer need to hide as much. As a result, colors that once would have been risky may now help with recognition, mating, or dominance within species.</p>



<p>This supports a new understanding of urban wildlife: cities don’t just change numbers - they change traits. The environment influences how birds look, and colour becomes more than just decoration.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cities-have-fewer-birds-but-more-variety">Cities have fewer birds but more variety</h2>



<p>Earlier studies had suggested that cities reduce the diversity of colors in bird populations. With fewer species around, people assumed the range of colors would also shrink. But this research turned that idea on its head.</p>



<p>"There are fewer species in urban areas than in rural areas. When we take this into account, the bird communities in cities actually have greater color diversity," said Juan Diego Ibáñez-Álamo, first author of the study.</p>



<p>So, even though there may be fewer types of birds, the ones that remain or thrive in cities bring a wide range of colors with them. This makes the visual landscape of urban birdlife surprisingly rich.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-city-life-changes-how-birds-evolve">City life changes how birds evolve</h2>



<p>This study offers more than just colourful observations. It highlights a deeper reality — cities can influence the course of evolution. Traits that were once neutral or even harmful may become beneficial in urban settings.</p>



<p>Birds with more vivid plumage now have an edge in places once considered unsuitable for wildlife. This shift affects not only how birds look but how they behave, reproduce, and interact with one another.</p>



<p>While this research focused on birds, it opens the door to a broader question: do other animals also change their appearance to cope with urban living? That remains to be explored.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-more-can-cities-teach-us">What more can cities teach us?</h2>



<p>Urban areas are expanding faster than ever. As we build more, we reshape ecosystems in ways we still don’t fully understand. This study provides one important piece of the puzzle. It shows that city life selects for color in birds, influencing not just which species survive, but how they look while doing so.</p>



<p>Future research will need to explore how widespread this pattern is. Does it apply only to birds? Or will we find similar patterns among insects, reptiles, or mammals?</p>



<p>For now, the message is clear. In the grey world of concrete and steel, color still matters - and in some cases, it matters even more.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ele.70106" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecology Letters</a>.</em></p>



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Birds living in cities are usually more colorful and less brown

Skylines keep climbing, roads stretch farther, and forests turn into...

<p>Six years after cannabis legalization in Canada, scientists are still mapping its long-term health effects. While social and medical benefits remain under review, emerging neuroscience now highlights a key concern - psychosis linked to dopamine changes in the brain.</p>



<p>A new study led by Canadian researchers has found biological evidence linking frequent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/medicinal-cannabis-helped-patients-feel-better-for-a-full-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis use</a> to changes in brain chemistry that resemble those seen in early psychosis.</p>



<p>Using a cutting-edge brain scan called neuromelanin-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the experts observed elevated dopamine activity in people with cannabis use disorder (CUD).</p>



<p>This increase occurred in the same brain areas previously tied to hallucinations, delusions, and other symptoms of psychotic disorders. The findings appeared in <em>JAMA Psychiatry</em>, in a study titled “<em>Convergence of Cannabis and Psychosis on the Dopamine System</em>.”</p>



<p>The study, spanning five years and several institutions, marks a turning point in how clinicians and researchers understand cannabis’ psychiatric risks. The analysis bridges the gap between clinical symptoms and underlying brain activity - something long sought but rarely demonstrated so clearly.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-builds-dopamine-in-key-brain-areas">Cannabis builds dopamine in key brain areas</h2>



<p>Dopamine helps the brain regulate mood, motivation, learning, and motor control. It also plays a central role in psychosis. High dopamine activity, especially in the striatum and midbrain, has been linked to schizophrenia and related disorders. What remained uncertain was how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cbd-reduces-the-unwanted-side-effects-of-thc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis</a> fit into that picture.</p>



<p>The researchers used neuromelanin-MRI - a non-invasive method that visualizes dopamine activity indirectly by tracking neuromelanin, a vital compound in the brain.</p>



<p>Neuromelanin is a dark pigment that accumulates as dopamine breaks down over time. The more dopamine activity, the more neuromelanin remains behind. In brain scans, this pigment shows up as darkened regions, especially in two key midbrain areas: the substantia nigra and the ventral tegmental area.</p>



<p>“In people partaking in excess cannabis use, those spots are blacker than what they should be for their age compared to healthy individuals,” said Lena Palaniyappan, professor at McGill University and senior author of the study. </p>



<p>“This indicates they have high levels of dopamine, and in some cases are showing pigments someone 10 years older would have.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-use-elevates-dopamine-signals">Cannabis use elevates dopamine signals</h2>



<p>The study was focused on 61 individuals aged 18 to 35 from London, Ontario. Participants included people with CUD, those with early psychosis, some with both conditions, and healthy controls. The researchers tracked changes in neuromelanin-MRI signals across the groups.</p>



<p>They found that those with CUD - regardless of schizophrenia diagnosis - had elevated neuromelanin signals in a subregion of the midbrain tied to psychosis. This was not a temporary spike. Even after one year, the signal remained high, suggesting that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-related-anxiety-may-be-reduced-with-citrus-based-oil-d-limonene/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis</a>-related dopamine changes may have a lasting effect.</p>



<p>This finding was dose-dependent. Individuals with more severe CUD symptoms showed stronger signal intensity, confirming that frequency and severity of cannabis use matter. </p>



<p>“We now have evidence that shows a straight line linking cannabis with dopamine and psychosis that has never been shown before, and it's crucial that clinicians, patients, and families work together to break this line," said Palaniyappan.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-increases-the-risk-of-psychosis">Cannabis increases the risk of psychosis </h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-use-impacts-working-memory-and-brain-function/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cannabis</a>’ effects on dopamine have long been disputed. Previous PET scans often showed mixed results - some indicating lowered dopamine synthesis, others showing a spike only after THC administration.</p>



<p>Neuromelanin-MRI offers a longer-term view, revealing cumulative dopamine activity, not just momentary shifts.</p>



<p>Participants with CUD had consistently higher neuromelanin signal across multiple scans, even when researchers accounted for nicotine use and other variables. </p>



<p>Interestingly, participants with first-episode schizophrenia (FES) did not show significant changes unless they also had CUD, which suggests cannabis itself may play a more central role than previously thought.</p>



<p>“This could help explain why cannabis use increases the risk of hallucinations and delusions, key symptoms of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders,” said Jessica Ahrens, a PhD student at McGill University and lead author of the study.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-induced-psychosis-is-rising">Cannabis-induced psychosis is rising </h2>



<p>Canadian emergency departments have reported more cases of cannabis-induced psychosis since legalization. Psychiatrists working with young adults are observing troubling patterns. Brief episodes are turning into more severe psychotic breaks over time.</p>



<p>“In the last several years since legalization, we're seeing adolescents who have two or three brief cannabis-induced episodes of psychosis and then have a much more major episode,” said Dr. Julie Richard, psychiatrist and physician lead at PEPP, a specialized early psychosis program. </p>



<p>“So, we're trying to counsel adolescents within that first episode that they're pushing their brain towards a major episode and show them the areas in the brain that are impacted.”</p>



<p>The new imaging data now offers a visual tool that can support those conversations. Showing young people their own brain scans could help clinicians explain the risks more clearly.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dopamine-changes-persist-after-one-year">Dopamine changes persist after one year</h2>



<p>Importantly, the experts found no evidence that continued cannabis use beyond a certain point further increased dopamine activity. This suggests that dopamine-related changes may plateau after repeated exposure.</p>



<p>Yet, this stability does not mean the brain returns to normal. Elevated neuromelanin signals remained even a year later, indicating lasting effects.</p>



<p>“Increased dopamine functioning in the SN/VTA may be associated with the risk of psychosis in people with cannabis use disorder,” the authors wrote. This midbrain region - the source of dopamine projections to other brain areas - appears central to how cannabis affects mental health.</p>



<p>The absence of a “recovery effect” raises new questions: Can these changes be reversed with abstinence? Do they set the stage for future psychiatric illness? Larger, long-term studies will be needed to explore these questions further.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-guiding-public-health-and-prevention">Guiding public health and prevention</h2>



<p>The authors emphasized that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/high-potency-cannabis-use-linked-to-epigenetic-changes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis</a> alone does not cause psychosis in every user. But it raises the risk, especially in those with family histories or early symptoms. By linking cannabis use to measurable brain changes, this study helps move the discussion from speculation to science.</p>



<p>“The lack of clear biological evidence linking cannabis to psychosis has made it harder to persuade young people with psychotic symptoms to reduce their use,” said Palaniyappan. </p>



<p>“Our findings could help doctors and mental health professionals better educate patients about the potential risks of frequent cannabis use.”</p>



<p>“I hope these findings lead patients and health-care providers to better understand the implications and for the health-care providers to give patients resources for options other than cannabis to help them cope,” Jessica Ahrens added.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-and-dopamine-help-explain-psychosis">Cannabis and dopamine help explain psychosis</h2>



<p>This study does not aim to demonize cannabis but to understand its effects better. With its use becoming more socially accepted and legally accessible, especially among youth, understanding its neurological footprint is urgent.</p>



<p>Cannabis use disorder is now more than a behavioral diagnosis. It is increasingly linked to real, visible changes in the brain’s dopamine system that may shape vulnerability to psychosis. </p>



<p>For clinicians, families, and users themselves, this information could lead to more informed decisions and safer outcomes.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2832297" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA Psychiatry</a>.</em></p>



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



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Dopamine changes from cannabis are linked to psychosis

Six years after cannabis legalization in Canada, scientists are still...

<p>They sleep at our feet, wag their tails when we return, and bring joy to our lives. Dogs have earned the title of "man's best friend" for good reason. Across the globe, over a billion domestic dogs share our homes, parks, and neighborhoods. But this growing presence brings with it a hidden toll on the wildlife and the environment.</p>



<p>A new study by Professor Bill Bateman and Dr. Lauren Gilson from <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Curtin University</a> sheds light on a neglected problem: the environmental impact of pet dogs. While cats have long been studied for their destructive effect on biodiversity, dogs have largely escaped scrutiny. That is starting to change.</p>



<p>The research, published in the journal <em>Pacific Conservation Biology</em>, makes a clear argument. The presence of pet <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/national-puppy-day-2025-where-happiness-meets-responsibility/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dogs</a> - even the most pampered, leashed ones - can disturb ecosystems, spread disease, and accelerate environmental degradation. In many cases, the harm begins before we even notice.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pet-dogs-instinctively-harm-wildlife">Pet dogs instinctively harm wildlife</h2>



<p>Dogs are the world’s most common large carnivores. Despite centuries of domestication, they retain instincts from their wolf ancestors. This means many still chase, harass, or kill other animals when given the chance. Owners often assume their dog is harmless, especially if it stays on a leash. The research, however, reveals otherwise.</p>



<p>“Dogs are incredibly important to people’s lives and their roles range from providing companionship to contributing to conservation efforts as detection <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/are-dogs-replacing-children-how-modern-society-is-changing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dogs</a>,” said Professor Bateman.</p>



<p>But dogs’ impact on nature can be vast. A study in Queensland found that 9.2% of wildlife admissions to rehabilitation centers were due to dog attacks, with nearly three-quarters of those animals dying.</p>



<p>In Tasmania, modeling shows that off-leash dogs have caused repeated collapses of Little Penguin colonies. Between 1980 and 2020, dog attacks accounted for 91% of all reported penguin deaths in these colonies.</p>



<p>These are not isolated incidents. Across the globe, from South Africa to the Galápagos Islands, owned dogs have attacked penguins, plovers, and other vulnerable species. Even the most playful dog can have deadly consequences in the wrong place.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wild-animals-avoid-dogs">Wild animals avoid dogs</h2>



<p>Disturbance doesn’t require physical contact. Wildlife often perceives dogs as predators, regardless of their behavior. Just the presence - or the scent - of a dog can disrupt nesting, feeding, and movement patterns in birds and mammals.</p>



<p>“Studies have found that animals like deer, foxes and bobcats in the US are less active or completely avoid areas where dogs are regularly walked, even in the absence of the dogs,” said Professor Bateman.</p>



<p>A single dog walking through a beach can cause shorebirds to abandon their nests. In Western Australia, endangered Fairy Tern chicks have been trampled or scattered by off-leash dogs.</p>



<p>Breeding Kentish Plovers in Spain were flushed from their nests nearly every time a dog appeared. Plovers responded far more strongly to humans with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/more-than-99-of-dogs-in-the-u-s-have-a-behavior-problem/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dogs</a> than to humans alone.</p>



<p>In northern Australia, migratory birds like Sand Plovers and Knots spend their winters resting. When disturbed by dogs, their energy use jumps by 7.5% a day. These birds travel thousands of kilometers every year. Even a few extra energy costs can mean the difference between survival and death.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dog-owners-ignore-protection-rules">Dog owners ignore protection rules</h2>



<p>One might assume the solution is simple - leash your dog. Yet, compliance remains alarmingly low. Studies from Australia, the United States, and Europe show that fewer than a quarter of owners leash their dogs in sensitive areas. Even when signs are posted or rules enforced, many dog owners flout them.</p>



<p>“Many owners simply don’t realise the environmental damage dogs can cause, from disturbing wildlife to polluting ecosystems,” said Professor Bateman.</p>



<p>In some cases, this disregard turns confrontational. One researcher was threatened with violence when asking beachgoers not to walk dogs in a protected wetland. Elsewhere, online footage shows <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/petting-a-dog-might-be-the-easiest-way-to-reduce-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dogs</a> chasing birds from mudflats or damaging dune vegetation.</p>



<p>Owners often believe their personal actions won’t matter. This mindset, known as the “tragedy of the commons,” leads to shared spaces - like beaches and forests - being slowly damaged by many small actions. Without a sense of shared responsibility, even the best rules fail.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dogs-threaten-wildlife-health">Dogs threaten wildlife health</h2>



<p>Dogs also pollute their environment in less visible ways. Each <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-suffer-from-the-january-blues-just-like-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dog</a> produces about 0.2 kilograms of feces and 0.4 liters of urine daily.</p>



<p>Over a 13-year lifespan, that adds up to over a tonne of waste per dog. When left in parks or natural spaces, it alters soil chemistry, spreads disease, and contaminates waterways.</p>



<p>“Dog waste also contributes to pollution in waterways and inhibits plant growth, while wash-off from chemical treatments used to clean and guard dogs from parasites can add toxic compounds to aquatic environments,” noted Professor Bateman.</p>



<p>Flea and tick medications often contain fipronil and other chemicals. When dogs swim or are washed, these toxins enter streams and rivers. They poison aquatic insects and disrupt entire food chains. In some areas, dog urine has become a leading source of nitrogen in water systems.</p>



<p>The danger extends to wildlife health. Dogs can spread parasites such as roundworms and whipworms through their faeces. Zoonotic diseases like rabies and distemper have jumped from pet <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-focus-more-when-humans-use-eye-contact-and-gestures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dogs</a> to lions, hyenas, and wild canids, causing population declines. </p>



<p>In Italy’s national parks, working dogs have been found carrying parasites harmful to endangered species.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-feeding-dogs-affects-wildlife-ecosystems">Feeding dogs affects wildlife ecosystems</h2>



<p>The environmental toll of dogs goes beyond behavior and waste. Feeding over a billion dogs every day requires vast resources. Pet food production consumes land, water, and energy, adding to global emissions.</p>



<p>“In addition, the pet food industry, driven by a vast global dog population, has a substantial carbon, land and water footprint,” said Professor Bateman.</p>



<p>Studies estimate that 13.5% of wild forage fish - normally eaten by other marine animals - now goes to pet food. The industry uses the equivalent of nearly twice the UK’s land area and emits greenhouse gases equal to a mid-sized nation.</p>



<p>Despite these costs, few owners are willing to change. Only 12 to 16 percent say they would pay more for sustainable dog food, even as prices continue to rise. This resistance blocks one of the few industry-level solutions available today.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-need-for-awareness-and-cooperation">The need for awareness and cooperation</h2>



<p>Dog ownership is not going away. These animals provide emotional support, companionship, and even serve vital roles in conservation. Detection dogs, for example, help find endangered species and monitor ecosystems.</p>



<p>But their rising numbers and poor owner habits threaten the very wildlife we aim to protect.</p>



<p>“Restrictive measures such as banning dogs from sensitive areas are necessary for protecting vulnerable species but they are not a complete solution. We are calling for a collaborative effort between dog owners, conservation groups and policymakers to develop strategies that balance pet ownership with environmental care,” said Professor Bateman.</p>



<p>Solutions must include better education, improved waste management, responsible food choices, and stronger enforcement of leash laws. Dogs can still share our lives, but their presence in nature must be managed with care and awareness.</p>



<p>We owe it to the wild animals who cannot flee forever - and to our own future on a shared planet.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.publish.csiro.au/PC/PC24071" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pacific Conservation Biology</a>.</em></p>



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



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Pet dogs severely harm wildlife, even when leashed

They sleep at our feet, wag their tails when we...

<p>Birdwatchers and scientists alike have long admired the stunning diversity of bird feathers. Their hues and patterns offer more than just visual delight - they tell stories of evolution, survival, and social cues. Yet beyond what we can see lies a hidden world of light. </p>



<p>A recent study from <a href="https://drexel.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Drexel University</a> and <a href="https://nmu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northern Michigan University</a> reveals that some birds like owls hold secrets invisible to human eyes. </p>



<p>The researchers have uncovered fluorescent pigments in the feathers of long-eared owls. These pigments glow only under ultraviolet (UV) light, revealing a new layer of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chicken-embryos-reveal-secrets-of-early-feather-development/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complexity</a> in avian plumage. While earlier studies focused on visible coloration, this study dives into traits concealed in darkness.</p>



<p>The discovery doesn’t just show that owls fluoresce - it demonstrates that this trait varies with age, size, and sex. These findings challenge assumptions about bird biology and open up questions about what fluorescence might truly mean.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-glowing-pigments-in-owl-feathers">Glowing pigments in owl feathers</h2>



<p>The team, led by PhD candidate Emily Griffith, studied 99 long-eared owls captured at the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory in Michigan during the spring of 2020. They collected <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/from-dinosaurs-to-birds-the-mysterious-origin-of-feathers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">feathers</a> from each bird and used a fluorometer to measure pigment levels.</p>



<p>The pigments in question - mainly coproporphyrin III and protoporphyrin IX - respond to UV light by emitting a visible glow. Normally hidden to the naked eye, this glow can appear pinkish under blacklight. These pigments degrade with time and sun exposure, making them useful for determining a bird’s age.</p>



<p>Griffith and her colleagues extracted the pigments using a specialized chemical process, then measured their fluorescence. They also recorded data on each owl’s weight, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dinosaurs-evolved-feathers-for-much-more-than-just-flying/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wing</a> length, tail length, and visible plumage color.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-owl-feathers-glow-more">Some owl feathers glow more</h2>



<p>The results showed that age and sex were the strongest predictors of pigment concentration. Older birds had significantly more pigment than younger ones. Likewise, females had more pigment than males.</p>



<p>“We are only beginning to describe fluorescent pigments in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vulture-fossil-reveals-that-volcanic-rock-can-preserve-feathers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a> and other vertebrates,” said Griffith. “Although describing what species they are present in is important, in order to understand what their function is we need to also describe how they vary within a species like the Long-eared Owl.”</p>



<p>Plumage color, which helps determine an owl’s sex, also matched pigment levels. Darker birds (typically female) showed more fluorescence than lighter ones (typically male). Owls with intermediate coloration fell in between, suggesting a spectrum rather than a binary trait.</p>



<p>Statistical tests confirmed that adult birds consistently had more pigment than juveniles. This trend held regardless of feather type or collection date, reinforcing the idea that pigment concentration reflects biological age and sex.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-body-size-affects-pigment-levels">Body size affects pigment levels </h2>



<p>The researchers also explored the relationship between body size and pigment levels. They found that weight positively correlated with pigment in males and small females. However, in larger females, this trend disappeared.</p>



<p>This suggests that there may be a saturation point - where adding more size doesn’t result in higher pigment levels. In other words, larger birds may already have as much pigment as their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/robopteryx-dinosaur-feather-secrets-revealed-by-a-robot-dinosaur/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">feathers</a> can hold.</p>



<p>These findings highlight the complexity of traits that appear simple at first glance. Size matters, but only under specific biological conditions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-the-purpose-of-pigment">Rethinking the purpose of pigment</h2>



<p>It’s long been thought that bright plumage helps males attract mates. Griffith challenges that narrative.</p>



<p>“Our study shows that female Long-eared Owls have a much higher concentration of these pigments in their feathers, challenging a common misconception that colorful plumage is a ‘male’ trait,” said Griffith. </p>



<p>“Moreover, this trait doesn't follow a strict binary – the amount of fluorescent pigments in these owls exists on a spectrum where the amount of pigment is related to size, age and sex all together.”</p>



<p>Because males perform courtship flights, one might expect them to have more pigment. Yet the data shows the opposite. That raises questions about whether fluorescence in these owls even serves a visual signaling purpose.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pigment-and-heat-retention">Pigment and heat retention </h2>



<p>Rather than attraction, the team suggests a different function for owl feathers: thermal regulation. </p>



<p>Porphyrins, the class of pigments studied here, are known to absorb and reflect radiation. In bird eggs, protoporphyrin IX helps retain heat.</p>



<p>The researchers believe a similar mechanism might apply to female owls, who spend more time incubating eggs. More pigment could mean better heat retention during cold spring nights.</p>



<p>This theory would explain why females have more pigment. Males, who hunt and move often, wouldn’t benefit as much from this trait.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-why-owl-feathers-glow">Understanding why owl feathers glow</h2>



<p>“So little is known about fluorescent pigments in bird feathers and owls aren’t the only ones with fluorescent pigments,” said Griffith. “So, it’s a really exciting time to be interested in studying bird plumage.”</p>



<p>Their study urges scientists to reconsider how feather traits evolve. Future work could explore how pigment production interacts with other compounds like melanin. It could also look at how environmental factors shape feather chemistry.</p>



<p>If these hidden pigments carry biological meaning, we need better tools to understand them. Questions remain about how quickly they fade, how owls perceive them, and whether they play roles in communication, survival, or both.</p>



<p>The glowing feathers of long-eared owls are not just a scientific curiosity. They are a reminder that much of nature’s beauty lies beyond the spectrum of human vision.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15594491.2024.2444031" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Wilson Journal of Ornithology</a>.</em></p>



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Hidden glow in owl feathers reveals biological differences

Birdwatchers and scientists alike have long admired the stunning diversity...

<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>



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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>



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<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>



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<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>



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<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>



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<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>



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<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>



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<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>



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<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>



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<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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