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 <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.



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



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>).



"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. 



The project involved an international team of experts working across multiple collections and labs.



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.



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



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



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



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. 



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



From the 1.1 million year steppe mammoth, the team reconstructed partial genomes of Erysipelothrix 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.



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



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. 



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.



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.



"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.



"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."



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



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



One bacterium in the dataset is closely related to a Pasteurella 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.



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.



Erysipelothrix 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 Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae associated with widespread deaths in the Canadian Arctic.



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



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.



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.



"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. 



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



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



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.



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.



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.



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">Cell</a>.



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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...

Black holes are among the most powerful and mysterious objects in the universe. Their gravitational pull is so strong that even light cannot escape them. 



For decades, astronomers have tried to understand how supermassive black holes formed and grew during the early years of the universe. But the task has remained difficult. Thick clouds of dust and gas often block these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evidence-of-massive-early-universe-black-hole-stuns-astronomers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">regions from view</a>.



A breakthrough study has now provided a rare glimpse into one such hidden region. An international team of scientists, including researchers from The Australian National University (<a href="https://www.anu.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ANU</a>), detected radio signals from hot gas surrounding a supermassive black hole.



This black hole existed 12.9 billion years ago - less than a billion years after the Big Bang. The signals offer the closest look yet at hot molecular gas near a black hole from that ancient time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-massive-black-hole-concealed-by-dust">Massive black hole concealed by dust</h2>



The black hole examined by the team is no small cosmic object. It is more than a billion times the mass of our Sun. Despite its size and energy, the black hole has remained largely hidden - enshrouded in dust that blocks conventional observation.



The team overcame this by using ultra-high-resolution observations from the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (<a href="https://www.almaobservatory.org/en/home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ALMA</a>), a powerful telescope in Chile. ALMA detects millimeter-wavelength radio signals, which can pierce through dust that normally obscures such targets.



Professor Ken-ichi Tadaki from <a href="https://www.hgu.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hokkai-Gakuen University</a> led the international team. The new method allowed the experts to analyze the black hole’s immediate surroundings in unprecedented detail.



The result is a significant step forward in understanding black hole <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-ways-black-hole-unleashes-mysterious-flares/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environments</a> during the universe’s early stages. The discovery points to the possibility that many more such black holes could remain hidden in similar dusty regions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-in-studying-distant-quasars">Challenges in studying distant quasars</h2>



Supermassive black holes generate tremendous energy as they consume matter. This process creates quasars - some of the brightest objects in the universe. Yet, even their brilliance has limits. The innermost areas around these quasars are incredibly hard to observe.



Dust and gas scatter and absorb light from these regions, preventing direct study. Until now, researchers had few tools to penetrate that thick cosmic fog.



The new approach changes that. The team’s focus on radio waves allowed them to study gas just a few hundred light-years out from the black hole. This level of precision opens a window into how these giants evolve and interact with their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/thousands-of-active-black-holes-discovered-where-it-was-believed-they-couldnt-exist/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environments</a>.



By examining molecular gas emissions in detail, the scientists revealed the forces that shape the region around the black hole.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shock-waves-and-intense-radiation">Shock waves and intense radiation</h2>



The findings also shed light on how energy from the black hole alters nearby gas. Study co-author Dr. Takafumi Tsukui from ANU explained the heating mechanisms they observed.



"We discovered that intense X-ray radiation emitted by the material spiraling around the black hole, along with strong winds and shock waves, heat the gas to energy states far higher than what's typically seen in normal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-hole-radiation-may-actually-be-a-catalyst-for-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galactic environments</a>, where the main source of energy comes from the ultraviolet radiation from stars," Dr. Tsukui said.



This discovery reveals an environment much more extreme than in typical star-forming galaxies. 



The gas close to the black hole behaves differently, as it is pushed to higher energy levels by the black hole's violent forces. Understanding these changes helps scientists trace the growth of black holes over cosmic time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-approach-to-finding-black-holes">New approach to finding black holes</h2>



Black holes like this one may not be rare. Instead, many could simply be undetected because they are concealed by dust from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/many-supermassive-black-holes-are-hidden-by-gas-and-dust/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early universe</a>. This dust absorbs visible and ultraviolet light, making it hard for traditional telescopes to detect what lies beneath - especially a black hole.



But radio waves, like those detected by ALMA, can travel through these barriers without losing strength.



"The findings help us understand how black holes grow from tiny seeds in the early universe to supermassive black holes, and the challenges posed by dust and gas that can obscure them," said Dr. Tsukui.



This insight changes how astronomers may search for ancient black holes going forward. Instead of relying solely on visible light, they may turn more often to radio emissions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clues-revealed-in-molecular-gas">Clues revealed in molecular gas</h2>



ALMA’s sensitivity to millimeter wavelengths makes it especially powerful for this type of work. Unlike other signals, radio waves are less affected by dust. This allows scientists to examine regions long hidden from view.



By using this method, researchers can map the energetic conditions surrounding black holes. They can also track how molecular gas behaves under intense radiation and pressure, which provides clues about how black holes shape the galaxies around them.



The team’s key breakthrough involved targeting emissions from carbon monoxide molecules. These molecules, especially those in higher energy states, reveal the temperature and density of surrounding gas. By studying this gas, scientists can understand the black hole’s effect on its surroundings.



This strategy could now be applied to other distant galaxies. It paves the way for a larger survey of ancient black holes that are hidden by dust.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-many-black-holes-are-hidden">How many black holes are hidden?</h2>



The research offers more than just one discovery. It hints at a vast, unseen population of supermassive black holes in the early universe. 



By applying similar techniques across the sky, astronomers can begin to find and study them. Each new observation will bring us closer to understanding how the first galaxies and black holes emerged.



This work not only provides a sharper image of the distant past - it gives us the tools to keep looking further. As radio astronomy advances, so too does our vision of the ancient cosmos. The universe may still hide many secrets, but now we have a way to peer through the dust.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-025-02505-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Astronomy</a>.



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Monster in the shadows: Giant black hole emerges from cosmic dust

Black holes are among the most powerful and mysterious objects...

A tiny fossil with an unusually well-preserved interior is rewriting what we know about ancient life. Discovered 25 years ago and affectionately named "Sue," the fossil is unlike most others from its time.



Instead of showing off a tough outer shell like other arthropods, this creature gives a rare peek inside - offering a glimpse at muscles, tendons, and guts from the Ordovician period, 444 million years ago.



The fossil, now officially named Keurbos susanae, was found in South Africa's Soom Shale, a rock layer north of Cape Town that was formed after a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-mass-extinction-event-was-caused-by-ocean-deoxygenation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">massive global extinction event</a>. 



During that time, a freezing climate wiped out about 85% of Earth’s species. Somehow, a few marine creatures survived in this basin, and Sue was among them.



This unusual fossil was recently studied by scientists from the <a href="https://le.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Leicester</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-keurbos-susanae-fossil-is-all-guts">Keurbos susanae fossil is all guts</h2>



“Sue is an inside-out, legless, headless wonder,” said Professor Sarah Gabbott from the University of Leicester’s School of Geography, Geology and the Environment. 



“Remarkably, her insides are a mineralized time-capsule: muscles, sinews, tendons and even guts all preserved in unimaginable detail. And yet her durable carapace, legs and head are missing - no douubt lost to decay over 440 million years ago."



Sue stands out because her internal features are fossilized, rather than her external shell. This is rare. 



Most fossilized <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-fossil-sheds-light-on-arthropod-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arthropods</a> - members of a group that includes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-are-closer-to-unlocking-the-secrets-of-spider-silk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spiders</a>, lobsters, and millipedes - preserve hard body parts like exoskeletons. In Sue’s case, the soft tissues were sealed away by unique conditions on the ancient sea floor.



The lack of oxygen, combined with toxic hydrogen sulfide in the sediments, likely helped create an environment where her soft tissues were not decomposed, but could remain intact.



Scientists believe a strange chemical process was involved in preserving her this way.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-still-a-mystery-in-the-family-tree">Still a mystery in the family tree</h2>



While researchers are confident Sue was a primitive marine arthropod, exactly where she fits into the evolutionary story is still unclear.



“We are now sure she was a primitive marine arthropod but her precise evolutionary relationships remain frustratingly elusive,” Professor Gabbott explained.



Her unique preservation makes it hard to match her with other known species from the time. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="University of Leicester" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Sue-fossil_Keurbos-susanae_Credit-ULeicester_1s.webp" alt="The fossil Keurbos susanae - or Sue - in the rock. Discovered by Professor Sarah Gabbott. Credit: University of Leicester" class="wp-image-1963799"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The fossil Keurbos susanae - or Sue - in the rock. Discovered by Professor Sarah Gabbott. Click to enlarge. Credit: University of Leicester</figcaption></figure>



Most comparable fossils only show hard outer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossilized-shells-can-help-predict-the-impacts-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shells</a> or limbs, offering little internal detail for comparison. With no modern equivalent and no other specimens like her, Sue remains a puzzle. 



No other fossils with the same level of detail have turned up in over two decades of searching. And the original quarry where Sue was found - a small roadside site - has all but vanished.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-personal-tribute-25-years-in-the-making">Personal tribute, 25 years in the making</h2>



“This has been an ultramarathon of a research effort,” said Professor Gabbott. “In a large part, because this fossil is just so beautifully preserved, there's so much anatomy there that needs interpreting."



She spent years studying every layer of the fossil, hoping to one day find another with more complete features like a head or legs. But as time passed, she realized this might be a once-in-a-lifetime find.



“I'd always hoped to find new specimens but it seems after 25 years of searching this fossil is vanishingly rare - so I can hang on no longer,” she said.



And so she named the fossil Keurbos susanae, or Sue, after her mother.



“Especially as, recently, my mom said to me, 'Sarah if you are going to name this fossil after me, you'd better get on and do it before I am in the ground and fossilized myself,'" she shared.



"I tell my mom in jest that I named the fossil Sue after her because she is a well-preserved specimen. But, in truth, I named her Sue because my mom always said I should follow a career that makes me happy - whatever that may be. For me, that is digging rocks, finding fossils and then trying to figure out how they lived, what they tell us about ancient life and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-evolution-not-random-gene-families-pangenome-influence-called-revolutionary/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution on Earth</a>."



Sue may not have her head or legs, but her legacy - both scientific and personal - is unforgettable.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/spp2.70004" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Palaeontology</a>.



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444-million-year-old fossil named 'Sue' has a story to tell

A tiny fossil with an unusually well-preserved interior is rewriting...

In the United States, student math performance has been steadily slipping for decades, consistently ranking in the bottom quarter compared to other developed countries. The COVID-19 pandemic only deepened the crisis.&nbsp;



But a new study led by researchers at the <a href="https://bcfg.wharton.upenn.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Pennsylvania's Behavior Change for Good Initiative</a> (BCFG) suggests that small, behaviorally informed nudges directed at teachers could help turn the tide - at least slightly.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-behavioral-science-in-the-classroom">Behavioral science in the classroom</h2>



The study, published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2418616122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>, explored whether carefully designed email messages could influence teacher behavior in ways that benefit student <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/memes-help-students-learn-better-and-boost-engagement/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">learning</a>.&nbsp;



Past research has shown that behavioral nudges can increase student motivation and performance. This time, the researchers turned their attention to the adults in the room.



Angela Duckworth, who led the research, is the Rosa Lee and Egbert Chang Professor at Penn’s School of Arts &amp; Sciences and the Wharton School, and co-director of BCFG.&nbsp;



“Our results showed that simple, low-cost nudges can help teachers support student progress in math,” said Duckworth. “These nudges worked across different school contexts, with effects persisting eight weeks after teachers stopped receiving the nudges.”



The intervention was made possible through a partnership with <a href="https://www.zearn.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zearn Math</a>, a nonprofit educational platform used by millions of students and teachers.&nbsp;



“Large-scale studies on teacher-focused interventions have been rare due to the high cost and logistical challenges involved,” said Dena Gromet, executive director of BCFG and co-author of the study. “Thanks to our partnership with Zearn Math, we were able to overcome these challenges.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-megastudy-on-math-progress">A megastudy on math progress</h2>



This was no small experiment. Involving over 140,000 teachers and nearly 3 million elementary school students, the study tested 15 different types of behaviorally informed email interventions against a simple reminder message.&nbsp;



The design followed a “megastudy” format, a relatively new experimental approach that allows multiple interventions to be tested simultaneously against a common control.



“A megastudy is a large-scale experiment in which multiple interventions are tested on the same outcome,” explained co-author Katy Milkman, professor at the Wharton School and co-director of BCFG. “This method allows for direct comparisons of their effectiveness.”



Each intervention was based on principles from behavioral science. One asked teachers to make a concrete plan for using Zearn Math in the upcoming week. 



Another intervention appealed to empathy by reminding teachers of their students’ needs and potential. Others focused on delivering personalized updates about student progress.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-modest-but-measurable-impact">A modest but measurable impact</h2>



The researchers found that, on average, behaviorally informed messages led to a 1.89% increase in student math progress during the four-week period in which teachers received the emails. While the effect was small, it was statistically significant - and some messages were more effective than others.



The most successful intervention increased student math progress by 5.06%. This message prompted teachers to log into Zearn weekly to view a personalized progress report for their students.



“Personalized nudges - those that referenced progress updates about a teacher’s own students - were more effective than nonpersonalized ones,” Duckworth noted. This aligns with prior findings in behavioral science that people are more motivated when feedback is directly tied to their own goals or the outcomes of people they care about.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-small-nudges-solve-big-math-problems">Small nudges solve big math problems</h2>



Despite the promising findings, the researchers caution that these types of email nudges are only one piece of a much larger puzzle.&nbsp;



“These results suggest the need for more intensive support than the light-touch email nudges we tested,” Milkman said. “And they underscore how hard it is to change human behavior.”



Still, the study opens the door to further research into what makes teacher-directed nudges effective - and how they can be improved over time.&nbsp;



Duckworth emphasized the importance of exploring why referencing personalized data seems to work so well. 



“It may be that capitalizing on teachers’ intrinsic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dopamine-influences-our-motivation-to-exercise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">motivation</a> to help their students is a distinct and potentially cost-effective approach that can complement other interventions, such as offering performance bonuses and other extrinsic incentives,” she said.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shaping-more-effective-education-policies">Shaping more effective education policies</h2>



The researchers are already looking ahead. They plan to conduct more randomized experiments to better understand the long-term effects of such interventions and to determine why some nudges are more successful than others.



“The better we understand why something works, the more powerfully we can use it to create positive change,” Duckworth said. “Ultimately, this line of research could help shape smarter, more effective education policies.”



In a system where large-scale transformation often feels daunting, these small, strategic nudges offer a glimpse of how behavioral science can help educators - and their students - make meaningful strides, one math problem at a time.



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How simple emails could help fix America's math crisis

In the United States, student math performance has been steadily...

When NASA’s Perseverance rover touched down on Mars in 2021, its primary mission was to look for signs of ancient microbial life and study the planet’s geology and climate. 



But there was another important goal tucked into its toolkit: helping scientists prepare for future human missions to Mars. 



Part of that effort includes carrying a small collection of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-spacesuits-will-keep-astronauts-clean-on-the-moon-and-beyond/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spacesuit</a> materials to test how well they hold up in the planet’s harsh conditions.



Researchers at <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/johnson/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA’s Johnson Space Center</a> are now entering the next stage of this long-term experiment, which involves analyzing how these materials have fared after four years on the Martian surface.



The results could play a key role in designing spacesuits for astronauts who may one day walk on Mars.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-small-sample-with-big-implications">A small sample with big implications</h2>



"This is one of the forward-looking aspects of the rover’s mission - not just thinking about its current science, but also about what comes next," said planetary scientist Marc Fries. "We’re preparing for people to eventually go and explore Mars."



Each of the five materials being tested measures just 20 millimeters square - about the size of a postage stamp. These tiny swatches are mounted on a calibration target used by SHERLOC, an instrument attached to the rover’s robotic arm. 



SHERLOC scans <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-collects-26th-rock-sample-on-mars-plans-to-bring-them-all-to-earth-for-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Martian rocks</a> for signs of ancient life, but it also monitors how the suit materials change over time. The samples include a slice of polycarbonate helmet visor, two types of Teflon known for their nonstick and dust-resistant properties, and Vectran, a cut-resistant fiber used in astronaut gloves. 



The fifth material is Ortho-Fabric, which combines three layers: flame-resistant Nomex, breathable Gore-Tex, and tough <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/kevlar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kevlar</a>, which is also used in bulletproof vests. 



All of these materials must be strong enough to protect astronauts while remaining flexible enough for movement.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-from-a-harsh-planet">Lessons from a harsh planet</h2>



Mars is a rough place to test any gear. Its temperatures regularly plunge well below freezing. Fine dust clings to surfaces, wearing them down over time. The soil also contains perchlorates - corrosive salts that are hazardous to humans.



Then there’s the radiation. Unlike Earth, which is shielded by a magnetic field and a thick atmosphere, Mars offers little protection from ultraviolet rays. That exposure can take a serious toll on materials, especially over months or years.



"Mars is a really harsh, tough place. Don’t underestimate that - the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-radiation-levels-are-measured-for-the-first-time-and-will-help-astronauts-prepare/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">radiation</a>, in particular, is pretty nasty," said SHERLOC science team member Joby Razzell Hollis.



He compared the damage to what happens to plastic lawn chairs left in the sun: they turn yellow and brittle. On Mars, this kind of degradation likely happens even faster because of the more intense UV exposure.



About half of the visible changes in the suit samples happened within the first 200 days after <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/perseverance-rover-finds-best-evidence-yet-life-on-mars-cheyava-falls-rock/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Perseverance</a> landed. Vectran was the first to show signs of change.



Experts are also investigating how different parts of a suit might wear down at different rates. For example, an astronaut’s shoulders would face more direct sunlight than their hands and might require stronger materials or extra shielding.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-spacesuits-for-mars">Testing spacesuits for Mars</h2>



Researchers are now working on a science paper that lays out the early findings from SHERLOC’s observations. 



Back on Earth, engineers at NASA Johnson plan to run lab tests on similar samples using chambers that mimic Martian conditions, from its carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere to its air pressure and sunlight.



The experts will test how the materials stretch, tear, or break down over time and compare that data to what’s being seen on Mars.



"The fabric materials are designed to be tough but flexible, so they protect astronauts but can bend freely," said Fries.



"We want to know the extent to which the fabrics lose their strength and flexibility over time. As the fabrics weaken, they can fray and tear, allowing a spacesuit to leak both heat and air."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-exploration-of-mars">Future exploration of Mars</h2>



The Perseverance mission is about more than exploration. The rover is also collecting samples of Martian rock and soil, which could one day be returned to Earth through NASA’s Mars Sample Return Program in collaboration with the European Space Agency.



These efforts are part of NASA’s broader Moon to Mars strategy, which includes the Artemis missions to the Moon. 



Data from Perseverance - including what it reveals about spacesuit durability - is shaping the way for humans to explore Mars safely in the coming decades.



By putting spacesuit materials through the ultimate wear-and-tear test on another planet, Perseverance is quietly helping write the instruction manual for the next generation of explorers.



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NASA is testing spacesuit materials for future missions to Mars

When NASA’s Perseverance rover touched down on Mars in 2021,...

In our vast galaxy, one star holds a special position - Proxima Centauri. Located just over four light-years away, it’s the closest star to our solar system. This proximity alone makes it a focus of scientific curiosity. But there’s another reason it captures attention.



Proxima Centauri hosts a planet that lies in the star’s habitable zone - a region where conditions could support liquid water. That simple fact sparks questions about the possibility of life.



Yet, this hope runs into a powerful obstacle: Proxima Centauri itself. A recent study reveals that this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/runaway-star-may-be-dragging-a-planet-along-with-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star</a> may be far too volatile for comfort. 



While astronomers already knew Proxima flared in visible light, new radio and millimeter-wavelength data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (<a href="https://www.eso.org/public/teles-instr/alma/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ALMA</a>) uncovers just how extreme its behavior truly is.



What we once saw as a quiet red dwarf now shows itself as an engine of explosive energy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dark-side-of-a-habitable-zone">Dark side of a habitable zone</h2>



Proxima Centauri’s flares are no minor sparks. These are intense surges of radiation and particles, resembling solar flares from our Sun - but with much greater impact.



In our solar system, Earth’s thick atmosphere and magnetic field protect us. They absorb and deflect these charged particles, turning potential destruction into dazzling auroras.



But what happens when a planet doesn’t have that protection? That’s the core concern for scientists observing Proxima Centauri. Its rocky planet, Proxima b, may lie at the right distance for liquid water - but it also sits right in the blast zone of near-constant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fluffy-molecular-clouds-may-change-our-understanding-of-star-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stellar flares</a>.



Each flare carries the potential to tear apart an atmosphere, destroying essential elements like ozone and water vapor. Without these, surface conditions become hostile to any form of life we currently understand.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-engine-behind-the-storm">The engine behind the storm</h2>



A team of astronomers led by Kiana Burton from the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado</a> and Meredith MacGregor from <a href="https://www.jhu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Johns Hopkins University</a> took a closer look. 



They examined both new and archival ALMA data to study flare activity in the millimeter-wavelength range. Their findings, published in The Astrophysical Journal, offer fresh insight into the nature of these flares.



Proxima Centauri is not just small - it’s magnetically intense. Unlike our Sun, which has a layered structure with both convective and non-convective zones, Proxima appears to be fully convective.



This structure allows magnetic fields to twist freely, build tension, and then violently snap. That process releases massive amounts of energy and particles into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/webb-captures-a-young-stars-jet-colliding-with-space-dust/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surrounding space</a>.



"Our sun's activity doesn't remove Earth's atmosphere and instead causes beautiful auroras, because we have a thick atmosphere and a strong magnetic field to protect our planet. But Proxima Centauri's flares are much more powerful, and we know it has rocky planets in the habitable zone," noted MacGregor.



"What are these flares doing to their atmospheres? Is there such a large flux of radiation and particles that the atmosphere is getting chemically modified, or perhaps completely eroded?"



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-explosive-flare-activity">Explosive flare activity </h2>



The team examined over 50 hours of data from ALMA. They used both the 12-meter main array and the smaller 7-meter <a href="https://public.nrao.edu/gallery/atacama-compact-array/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Atacama Compact Array</a>.



The result? They identified 463 flare events, each lasting between 3 and 16 seconds. The energy levels of these flares spanned from 10²⁴ to 10²⁷ erg, showcasing the star’s explosive character.



This is the first study of its kind to look at flare activity in the millimeter-wavelength range. Previous work focused mainly on optical flares. Now, with ALMA’s sensitive detection power, scientists have a much clearer view of what's truly happening on - and around - Proxima Centauri.



"When we see the flares with ALMA, what we're seeing is the electromagnetic radiation - the light in various wavelengths. But looking deeper, this radio wavelength flaring is also giving us a way to trace the properties of those particles and get a handle on what is being released from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/four-small-planets-discovered-orbiting-the-nearest-single-star-to-earth-barnards-star/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star</a>," MacGregor explained.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unusual-flare-patterns">Unusual flare patterns </h2>



By studying the frequency and intensity of flares, the experts mapped out what's called a flare frequency distribution. This shows how often flares occur at different energy levels. In most stars, smaller flares are common, while large ones are rare.



Proxima Centauri doesn’t quite follow that rule. The team found a surprising number of large flares, even at the highest energies. These powerful flares had an odd pattern: their decay phase lasted much longer than their initial burst. That asymmetry gives clues to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evidence-of-massive-early-universe-black-hole-stuns-astronomers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">physical processes</a> driving them.



More importantly, it tells us that Proxima b - if it ever had a stable atmosphere - may have lost it long ago. Or worse, it may still be losing it flare by flare.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-refining-the-search-for-habitable-planets">Refining the search for habitable planets </h2>



This study also made one thing clear: visible light isn’t enough. Millimeter-wavelength observations offer a deeper, more accurate picture. Flares look very different in this part of the spectrum. The frequency and energy distribution of flares seen by ALMA didn't match those seen in optical studies.



"The millimeter flaring seems to be much more frequent - it's a different power law than we see at the optical wavelengths. So if we only look in optical wavelengths, we're missing critical information. ALMA is the only millimeter interferometer sensitive enough for these measurements," said MacGregor.



That point reshapes how scientists evaluate stars with potentially habitable planets. If we rely only on optical data, we could misjudge whether a planet can sustain life. Radio and millimeter-wave observations add a new dimension - literally - to the search.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-proxima-b-may-not-be-habitable">Proxima b may not be habitable</h2>



Proxima Centauri may be close, but it’s also dangerous. The very traits that make it fascinating - its size, structure, and flaring - also make it hazardous. While Proxima b may lie in the habitable zone, it doesn’t mean it's truly habitable.



This research reveals more than just flare mechanics. It urges a reevaluation of what "habitable zone" means, especially around M dwarf stars like Proxima. Life needs more than the right temperature. It needs protection from the very star that gives it light. 



In Proxima’s case, that light might come with a lethal price.



Image Credit: NSF/AUI/NSF NRAO/S. Dagnello



The study is published in <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ada5f2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astrophysical Journal</a>.&nbsp; 



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Proxima Centauri: The closest star to Earth is extremely violent

In our vast galaxy, one star holds a special position...

For nearly thirty years, the medical world has waited for a breakthrough in antibiotic development. As bacteria continue to evolve and outsmart existing drugs, antibiotic resistance has become one of the most pressing public health threats. The World Health Organization ranks antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among the top ten global health concerns.



Doctors now face infections they can no longer treat with available drugs. In hospitals, once-manageable conditions are turning fatal. This crisis has pushed scientists worldwide to search for new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antibiotic-resistance-could-cause-a-health-crisis-globally/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">antibiotics</a> - especially those that work differently from current ones.



Now, a team at <a href="https://www.mcmaster.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McMaster University</a> may have found what the world desperately needs: a brand-new molecule that can fight drug-resistant bacteria. Called lariocidin, this molecule could open a new chapter in the fight against superbugs.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-antibiotic-candidate-discovered">New antibiotic candidate discovered</h2>



The discovery came from the lab of Professor Gerry Wright, an expert in biochemistry and biomedical sciences. His team, working at the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research (<a href="https://iidr.mcmaster.ca" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IIDR</a>), published their results in Nature on March 26, 2025.



The new antibiotic candidate, lariocidin, stands out not just for its power but also for its uniqueness. It belongs to a group of natural compounds called lasso peptides. 



These molecules have a special knotted structure that helps them resist breakdown in harsh conditions. Lariocidin may be the first of its kind to block one of the most essential components in bacterial survival: the ribosome.



“Our old drugs are becoming less and less effective as bacteria become more and more resistant to them,” said Wright. “About 4.5 million people die every year due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antimicrobial-resistance-could-cause-39-million-deaths-by-2050/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">antibiotic-resistant infections</a>, and it’s only getting worse.”



That number speaks volumes. The team’s discovery could not come at a better time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-antibiotic-is-a-leap-forward">New antibiotic is a leap forward</h2>



Lasso peptides are known for their biological activity and their complex structures. They belong to a class called ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides. 



These molecules often interact with various bacterial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nanoplastics-can-alter-the-course-of-antibiotics-within-our-body/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">targets</a>, but until now, none had been shown to block the ribosome itself.



Lariocidin and its variant, lariocidin B, are produced by a strain of Paenibacillus bacteria found in backyard soil in Hamilton, Ontario. These molecules don’t just slow bacterial growth - they halt it by interfering with protein production. The ribosome, responsible for making proteins, becomes the primary target.



“This is a new molecule with a new mode of action,” Wright says. “It’s a big leap forward for us.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-backyard-discovery-with-global-potential">A backyard discovery with global potential</h2>



To uncover lariocidin, the research team cultivated soil bacteria for nearly a year. This slow and steady approach allowed even sluggish microbial species to thrive. Among them was Paenibacillus sp. M2, quietly producing a substance with potent antibacterial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/soil-plays-an-overlooked-role-in-antibiotic-resistance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">properties</a>.



“When we figured out how this new molecule kills other bacteria, it was a breakthrough moment,” says Manoj Jangra, a postdoctoral fellow in Wright’s lab.



Further analysis showed that lariocidin binds to a unique site on the small subunit of the bacterial ribosome. There, it interacts with 16S ribosomal RNA and aminoacyl-tRNA. This disrupts the ribosome’s normal function, preventing proper protein synthesis. 



The result is twofold: blocked translocation and increased miscoding. Bacteria cannot survive this type of disruption.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-molecule-built-to-beat-resistance">A molecule built to beat resistance</h2>



One of lariocidin’s most exciting features is its ability to bypass resistance mechanisms. Many current antibiotics lose their power because bacteria adapt to destroy or eject them. 



Lariocidin, however, avoids these common traps. Its structure and action are novel enough that bacteria haven’t yet developed a clear defense.



The molecule also shows a low chance of triggering spontaneous <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-create-viruses-to-combat-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resistance</a>. That makes it an excellent candidate for long-term clinical use. In early tests, lariocidin proved safe for human cells, showing no signs of toxicity.



In a mouse model of Acinetobacter baumannii infection - a notoriously resistant pathogen - the molecule performed impressively. Infections shrank, and the animals recovered better than expected.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-path-for-antibiotic-research">A new path for antibiotic research</h2>



Despite its promise, lariocidin is not ready for hospital use just yet. Natural production by Paenibacillus is limited. The team must now modify the molecule and develop methods to produce it in larger quantities. This step is crucial for future testing and approval.



“The initial discovery - the big a-ha! moment - was astounding for us, but now the real hard work begins,” said Wright. “We’re now working on ripping this molecule apart and putting it back together again to make it a better drug candidate.”



That hard work involves genetic engineering, chemical tweaks, and scaling production. The road to clinical trials is long and full of hurdles. Still, the discovery of lariocidin offers a new direction - one grounded in both science and urgency.



Lariocidin is more than just a new compound; it introduces an entirely new chemical scaffold for antibiotics. Its unique action on the ribosome opens doors to future drugs built on the same model. For the first time in decades, scientists have a fresh template to explore.



As resistance continues to rise, discoveries like lariocidin offer hope. The fight against superbugs is far from over, but we may finally have a new weapon worth watching.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08723-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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New antibiotic found in soil has potential to fight superbugs

For nearly thirty years, the medical world has waited for...

Mars holds many curious features, and one of the most intriguing is the Medusae Fossae Formation (MFF). This enormous stretch of terrain sits near the planet’s equator, exactly where smooth northern plains meet rugged southern highlands. 



Scientists have puzzled over this place for years because it seems to hide something that might change our understanding of the Red Planet’s past.



A radar tool called the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding (MARSIS) has provided new clues by bouncing signals beneath the MFF. 



The echoes reveal underground layers that hint at an astounding discovery, and one that is of particular importance to future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astronauts-can-survive-mars-space-journey-but-their-kidneys-will-be-permanently-damaged/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human settlers on Mars</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deep-water-on-mars-mff">Deep water on Mars' MFF</h2>



Thomas Watters, from the <a href="https://www.si.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Smithsonian Institution</a>, and lead author of both the original and recent studies, sheds light on these recent findings.



“We’ve explored the MFF again using newer data from <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Mars_Express/Mars_Express_orbiter_instruments" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars Express’s MARSIS radar</a>, and found the deposits to be even thicker than we thought: up to 2.2 miles (3.7 km) thick,” says Watters.



“Excitingly, the radar signals match what we’d expect to see from layered ice, and are similar to the signals we see from Mars’s polar caps, which we know to be very ice rich.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enough-water-to-cover-mars-9-feet-deep">Enough water to cover Mars 9 feet deep</h2>



The implications of this discovery are profound. The ice within the Medusae Fossae Formation, if melted, could envelop the entire planet of Mars in a water layer measuring between 5 and 9 feet deep (1.5 to 2.7 meters).



This represents the largest water reservoir discovered in this region of Mars, holding enough <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasas-curiosity-rover-explores-mars-ridge-with-intriguing-watery-past/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water</a> to rival the volume of Earth's Red Sea.



The MFF is a geological marvel, covering hundreds of miles and can tower over a mile high. It sits at the intersection of Mars's highlands and lowlands, a potential major source of Martian dust and one of the planet's most expansive deposits.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Medusae-Fossae-Formation-location_Mars-global-map_ESA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Medusae-Fossae-Formation-location_Mars-global-map_ESA_1s.webp" alt="This image shows a height map of the Martian surface, with lowest land in blue and highest in white. Standing at an impressive 14 miles high, Olympus Mons is the tallest volcano in the entire Solar System. Credit: ESA" class="wp-image-1963683"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This image shows a height map of the Martian surface, with lowest land in blue and highest in white. Standing at an impressive 14 miles high, Olympus Mons is the tallest volcano in the entire Solar System. Click to enlarge. Credit: ESA</figcaption></figure>



Wind-sculpted ridges, along with a blanket of dust or ash, appear to protect layers of ice from the harsh conditions on modern Mars. 



Experts believe these vast dust deposits might be the biggest single source of Martian dust, which could mean they shaped the planet’s atmosphere over long periods.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earlier-studies-of-the-mff">Earlier studies of the MFF</h2>



The initial observations by Mars Express hinted at the icy nature of the Medusae Fossae Formation due to its radar transparency and low density. 



However, alternative theories proposed that the formation could be a colossal accumulation of windblown dust, volcanic ash, or sediment. 



“Here’s where the new radar data comes in! Given how deep it is, if the MFF was simply a giant pile of dust, we’d expect it to become compacted under its own weight,” says co-author Andrea Cicchetti of the <a href="https://www.inaf.it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Institute for Astrophysics, Italy</a>. 



“This would create something far denser than what we actually see with MARSIS. And when we modelled how different ice-free materials would behave, nothing reproduced the properties of the MFF - we need ice," Cicchetti concluded.



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



The current understanding of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mars_water-reservoir_Medusae-Fossae-Formation_perspective-view_Mars-Express_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MFF region</a> suggests a composition of dust and ice layers, topped by a protective layer of dry dust or ash, hundreds of meters thick. 



Mars, though appearing arid now, shows signs of a water-rich past, including remnants of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-evidence-found-for-life-on-mars-where-ancient-rivers-once-flowed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">river channels</a>, ancient ocean beds, and water-carved valleys. 



This discovery of significant ice near Mars's equator, like that suspected beneath the MFF's surface, points to a radically different climatic era in the planet's history.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mars_ice-thickness-map_MFF-region_ESA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Mars_ice-thickness-map_MFF-region_ESA_1s.webp" alt="This map shows the ice thickness at Mars’s Medusae Fossae Formation (MFF) if we assume that the dust is 1000 feet thick. In this case, the total volume of water ice contained within the MFF deposits, if it melted, would be enough to cover Mars in an ocean of water 9 feet deep. Credit: ESA" class="wp-image-1963680"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">This map shows the ice thickness at Mars’s Medusae Fossae Formation (MFF) if we assume that the dust is 1000 feet thick. In this case, the total volume of water ice contained within the MFF deposits, if it melted, would be enough to cover Mars in an ocean of water 9 feet deep. Click image to enlarge. Credit: ESA</figcaption></figure>



“This latest analysis challenges our understanding of the Medusae Fossae Formation, and raises as many questions as answers,” says Colin Wilson, ESA project scientist for Mars Express and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/ExoMars" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO)</a>. 



“How long ago did these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-korolev-crater-holds-a-50-mile-wide-sheet-of-solid-ice-that-is-one-mile-thick/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ice deposits</a> form, and what was Mars like at that time? If confirmed to be water ice, these massive deposits would change our understanding of Mars climate history. Any reservoir of ancient water would be a fascinating target for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human or robotic exploration</a>.”



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



For future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/moxie-has-successfully-extracted-oxygen-from-mars-atmosphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars missions</a>, the discovery of ice at equatorial locations like the Medusae Fossae Formation is invaluable. 



Missions require landing near the equator, away from the polar caps or high-latitude glaciers, and water is a critical resource. 



However, Wilson cautions, "The MFF deposits, buried under extensive dust layers, remain out of reach for the time being. 



Yet, each discovery of Martian ice enriches our understanding of the planet's hydrological history and current water distribution."



While MARSIS looks deep underground, the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) offers a shallower view. TGO’s FREND instrument tracks hydrogen in the topmost three feet of soil. 



Not long ago, FREND discovered a hydrogen-rich patch the size of the Netherlands inside Mars’s Valles Marineris. 



Such findings show how valuable orbiters can be when searching for water in places that may support future landings.



Colin Wilson concludes, "Our collective <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/elon-musks-spacex-plans-to-land-a-spacecraft-on-mars-in-3-to-4-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars exploration</a> efforts are progressively unveiling the mysteries of our planetary neighbor, offering glimpses into its past and potential for future exploration."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mars-continues-to-surprise">Mars continues to surprise</h2>



To sum it all up, the Mars Express' exploration of the Medusae Fossae Formation (MFF) mark a significant milestone in our understanding of Mars and its <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/the-history-of-mars-is-much-more-complex-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climatic history</a>.



Mars researchers say there are still many questions about how and when these mysterious formations accumulated their icy layers.



The significance is clear, though: abundant ice so far from the poles could reflect a period in Mars’s past when the climate supported large-scale water deposits at different latitudes. 



Detecting and mapping these resources will be helpful for both science and practical planning.



“Together, our Mars explorers are revealing more and more about our planetary neighbor,” adds Colin.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023GL105490" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a>.



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Water reservoir on Mars is two miles deep, would cover planet with nine feet of water

Mars holds many curious features, and one of the most...

What does it take to truly understand evolution? For centuries, scientists studied bones in museums and fossils in stone. But in recent decades, a quiet shift has been underway. 



A group of dedicated researchers has started tracking life as it changes - not over millennia, but through real-time observation. At the heart of this movement is a growing collection of long-term <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolution-itself-found-to-be-evolving-as-life-constantly-learns-to-adapt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary studies</a>, some spanning generations, others stretching across continents.



Now, a new review article published in the journal Nature pulls these threads together for the first time. Led by scientists from Georgia Tech, the study explores how these extensive research programs are capturing evolution’s most elusive processes. The findings reveal more than biological data - they offer a window into life’s unfolding story.



"Evolution isn't just about change over millions of years in fossils - it's happening all around us, right now," said lead author James Stroud, an assistant professor in the <a href="https://biosciences.gatech.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">School of Biological Sciences</a> at Georgia Tech.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-long-term-research-matters">Why long-term research matters</h2>



Understanding evolution isn't just about snapshots. It’s about watching a process play out, one generation after another. Many evolutionary events unfold too slowly or unpredictably to catch in a brief study. This is where long-term research comes in. 



By investing time - sometimes decades - scientists can observe what shorter experiments might miss entirely.



"However, to understand evolution, we need to watch it <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-animal-will-replace-humans-as-earths-dominant-species-this-scientist-has-an-idea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unfold in real time</a>, often over many generations. Long-term studies allow us to do that by giving us a front-row seat to evolution in action," explained Stroud.



This is the first major review to examine the role of long-term evolutionary studies in such depth. It highlights not only their scientific value but also their potential to answer questions that once seemed unapproachable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-islands-to-petri-dishes">From islands to petri dishes</h2>



The review explores case studies from both the wild and the lab. One example comes from the Galápagos Islands, where researchers have spent forty years studying Darwin’s finches. 



These iconic songbirds provided direct evidence of speciation - when a new species formed through hybridization.



In the lab, scientists observed 75,000 generations of bacteria evolve. Over time, these microbes developed new metabolic abilities that no one had predicted at the start. 



These events might seem extraordinary, but they were not accidents. They were only visible because of the patient design and extended timeline of each study.



"These remarkable evolutionary events were only caught because of the long-term nature of the research programs," said Stroud. "Even if short-term studies captured similar events, their evolutionary significance would be hard to assess without the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolutions-many-solutions-nature-finds-multiple-paths-to-success/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">historical context</a> that long-term research provides."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-results-in-evolution">Unexpected results in evolution</h2>



One thing long-term studies teach us: nature rarely <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-ice-age-cycles-are-predictable-but-humans-may-change-that/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">follows our expectations</a>. Surprising discoveries often emerge years after a study begins. 



This unpredictability makes such work especially valuable. Long-term experiments serve as both a test of hypotheses and a source of entirely new questions.



"The most fascinating results from long-term evolution studies are often completely unexpected - they're serendipitous discoveries that couldn't have been predicted at the start," said co-author Professor Will Ratcliff, co-director of the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Quantitative Biosciences at <a href="https://www.gatech.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Georgia Tech</a>.



Ratcliff also points to a practical truth that often goes unnoticed. "While we can accelerate many aspects of scientific research today, evolution still moves at its own pace. There's no technological shortcut for watching species adapt across generations."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-evolution-reacts-to-climate-shifts-nbsp">How evolution reacts to climate shifts&nbsp;</h2>



The Nature paper also reflects on how long-term studies have captured changes driven by the planet itself. One area of growing concern is phenology - the timing of biological events like flowering or migration.



As the climate warms, many species shift their schedules. But how much of that change is temporary flexibility, and how much is actual evolution?



Long-term studies provide the answer. They allow researchers to see whether traits are inherited, and whether those changes persist. Without enough time, it’s nearly impossible to tell the difference between momentary adaptation and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-chapter-in-human-evolution-revealed-through-genetics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lasting change</a>.



A recent case showed how both phenotypic plasticity and adaptive evolution influence the timing of flowering in plants. Such insights matter, especially in a world where ecosystems face rapid and unpredictable shifts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decade-long-evolution-experiments">Decade-long evolution experiments</h2>



Stroud and Ratcliff do more than study other people’s work. They run their own long-term experiments as part of Georgia Tech’s evolutionary biology community. These projects not only inform the review - they reflect its central message.



In South Florida, Stroud oversees a project known informally as “Lizard Island.” Over the last ten years, he and his team have monitored a tiny island’s lizard population - about 1,000 individuals from five species.



By watching how these animals compete, coexist, and sometimes change, his group uncovers how species evolve and hold their identity under pressure.



Meanwhile, Ratcliff’s work focuses on a deeper evolutionary shift: the origin of complex life. His Multicellularity Long Term Evolution Experiment (MuLTEE) observes snowflake yeast as they evolve into multicellular forms. 



Running for more than 9,000 generations already, this project may continue for 25 more years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revealing-life-s-transitions">Revealing life’s transitions</h2>



One of Ratcliff’s most important findings is that becoming multicellular might not be as hard as once believed. 



That single-celled organisms can evolve cooperation, division of labor, and complexity - all within an observable timeframe - challenges long-standing views.



These results make long-term projects not just informative but essential. Some evolutionary transitions were thought to be rare or nearly impossible. But with time as an ally, researchers are discovering that nature may have more flexibility than expected.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-science-in-a-time-of-speed">Science in a time of speed</h2>



Despite their value, long-term studies face growing challenges. Today’s academic culture often rewards fast results. Funding cycles rarely last more than a few years. Publishing systems favor novel discoveries over incremental work. This creates an environment where slow research becomes harder to sustain.



Yet, the most powerful findings about life’s processes often take time. Stroud and Ratcliff argue that the scientific community must protect and support these efforts. 



In the review, they point out how many breakthroughs happened only because researchers kept going - even when immediate outcomes weren’t clear.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-present-predicting-future">Understanding present, predicting future</h2>



Stroud believes that this work has never been more urgent. "The world is rapidly changing, which poses unprecedented challenges to Earth's biodiversity," he noted. "It has never been more important to understand how organisms adapt to changing environments over time."



"Long-term studies provide our best window into achieving this. We can document, in real time, both short-term and long-term evolutionary responses of species to changes in their environment, like climate change and habitat modification."



This review doesn’t just celebrate what has already been learned. It points toward the future. Understanding evolution isn’t only about looking back. It’s about predicting what comes next - and that takes time, patience, and a commitment to seeing the whole picture.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08597-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Evolution isn’t just ancient history, it’s happening right now

What does it take to truly understand evolution? For centuries,...

Trillions of bacteria occupy human bodies - from head to toe, inside and out - forming a microbiome that is as personal as a fingerprint. Each individual’s microbial mix affects digestion, immunity, and many other human processes.



For six years, scientists tracked the microbiomes of people ranging from 29 to 75 years old. 



They collected samples from the gut, mouth, nose, and skin, observing how these organisms changed during short-term illnesses, chronic conditions, and daily life.



Michael Snyder, Ph.D., from <a href="https://www.stanford.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford University</a> and director of the Stanford Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine, led this wide-ranging effort with the late George Weinstock at <a href="https://www.jax.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jackson Laboratory</a>. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trillions-of-microbes-shape-who-we-are">Trillions of microbes shape who we are</h2>



Researchers confirm that the human microbiome contains about 39 trillion microbes. 



“Our results underscore the idea that we each have individualized microbiomes in our bodies that are special to us,” Snyder states. 



Genes, diet, and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-may-be-the-best-strategy-to-boost-your-immune-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">immune system</a> all shape these communities, which vary greatly between people.



This diversity matters for health. Each person’s bacteria respond to internal factors, refuting any notion that everyone shares identical microbial residents. 



Investigators suggest that understanding these differences could open new possibilities for personalized care.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-temporary-microbial-changes-observed">Temporary microbial changes observed</h2>



Over 5,432 biological samples produced more than 118 million measurements. 



Scientists used genetic sequencing to identify microbial populations during routine checkups or unusual events, such as vaccinations or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antibiotic-resistance-increasing-enterococci-looming-global-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">antibiotic use</a>. 



Xin Zhou, Ph.D., notes, “People with Type 2 diabetes showed a less stable and less diverse microbiome,” hinting that limited variety may connect with certain illnesses.



Short-term infections caused temporary disruptions. 



“We found that when you get sick with something like a cold, you have this temporary change in the microbiome; it becomes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antibiotic-resistance-could-cause-a-health-crisis-globally/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">very dysregulated</a>,” Zhou explained. 



“With diabetes, that signature is the same in many ways except that it is long-term rather than temporary.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-personal-microbes-are-the-most-stable">Personal microbes are the most stable</h2>



Another finding challenged expectations about which bacteria remain most consistent. 



“A lot of people would suspect that the bacteria shared among us would be the most important and thus the most stable. We found the complete opposite - the personal microbiome is the most stable,” Snyder expounded.



Researchers discovered that unique <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/household-plumbing-is-full-of-microbial-communities-that-might-be-a-health-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbial communities</a> within each person often stay steady despite environmental influences. 



This insight highlights how individual baselines shape resilience during illness or dietary changes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interconnection-across-human-microbiomes">Interconnection across human microbiomes</h2>



Shifts in the nose, mouth, or skin coincided with changes in the gut, suggesting that these microbes behave like “a single, fluid system,” according to Snyder. 



Certain immune proteins in the blood moved in sync with these shifts, indicating strong ties between microbial balance and immune reactions.



Environmental factors, including humidity and seasonal effects, influenced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/warming-waters-are-dramatically-changing-microbial-life-in-antarctica/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbial composition</a> but could not explain the large differences seen across participants. 



The study underscores that each person’s body creates a unique habitat for bacteria, making it hard to define a universal standard.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-the-human-microbiome-matter">Why does the human microbiome matter?</h2>



Scientists propose that the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-meditation-transforms-gut-microbes-for-optimal-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">composition and stability</a> of a person’s microbiome may help predict how they respond to illnesses or treatments. 



“The microbiome varies enormously between people. How you feed it and what it’s exposed to probably makes a big impact on your health, and we still have to work that out in many ways,” Snyder concluded.



Insights from this work point to individualized strategies that account for specific microbial features. 



By focusing on personal baselines, future research may offer medical guidance tailored to each individual’s microbes, potentially improving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gut-microbes-have-an-unexpected-link-to-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">long-term wellness</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolution-of-scientific-understanding">Evolution of scientific understanding</h2>



Interest in microbes dates back to the late 1600s, when early microscopes revealed tiny organisms in water droplets. 



For centuries, scientists concentrated on harmful bacteria, overlooking beneficial ones. Over time, researchers uncovered the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-says-the-international-space-station-is-too-clean-add-microbes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">importance of friendly bacteria</a> that assist with immune function.



The term “microbiome” gained traction in the early 2000s, accompanied by growing awareness that these microbial residents are not merely passengers. 



Ongoing projects, including broad genetic investigations, have shown that microbial diversity can shift with diet, medications, and aging. 



This evolution in understanding has prompted deeper studies into how each person’s bacterial signature may influence everything from metabolism to mood.



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



Experts see ways to use microbiome knowledge in personalized medical plans, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chocolate-could-be-the-next-probiotic-powerhouse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">designing probiotics</a> or targeted therapies for each person. 



Some researchers suggest that small changes, like altering meal routines, might strengthen bacterial communities that enhance metabolic health. 



Others propose monitoring microbial markers to identify subtle shifts before chronic conditions take hold.



Scientists continue to probe how gut microbes connect to the brain through chemical signals, raising questions about links to mental well-being. 



Investigators are also examining <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-aging-have-been-found-in-the-skin-microbiome/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">skin microorganisms</a> to see if they affect issues like dryness or irritation. 



As methods for genetic analysis improve, more precise mapping of these bacterial populations may offer fresh approaches for supporting long-term health without a one-size-fits-all framework.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-microbiome-and-future-health">Human microbiome and future health</h2>



Growing interest in this field suggests that bacteria can influence nutrient processing. Studies look beyond the gut, revealing microbial identities in body areas.



Variety appears vital, prompting further work on how personal bacterial communities support resilience. 



Simple lifestyle shifts may nurture helpful microbes, guiding approaches that honor each person’s unique health profile.



While these microbial mysteries continue to unfold, it’s clear that our personal armies of bacteria deserve more attention in the pursuit of better, individualized care.



These findings, published in <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/fulltext/S1931-3128(24)00056-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell Host &amp; Microbe</a>, are part of the <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-019-1238-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Integrative Human Microbiome Project</a>.



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Human bodies have 'head-to-toe' microbiomes that are unique like fingerprints

Trillions of bacteria occupy human bodies - from head to...

Space journeys that stretch far beyond home are on the horizon. Crews heading for Mars will face conditions quite different from those on Earth, and researchers have been working to figure out what might happen to the human body during these extended voyages. 



Kidneys have been a big question mark. Recent work reveals that these important organs could face more trouble than previously assumed, including a higher risk of stones and lasting damage.



Several studies have hinted at health concerns for astronauts ever since humans first ventured outside Earth’s protective zone, but the new findings shed light on why such problems arise in the kidneys. 



Dr. Keith Siew from the <a href="https://www.londontubularcentre.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">London Tubular Centre</a>, based at the UCL Department of Renal Medicine, and his colleagues have pieced together a detailed picture of what happens when living beings - human and otherwise - experience space-like conditions for weeks to years.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-space-missions-and-human-kidneys">Space missions and human kidneys</h2>



The latest study was conducted under a UCL-led initiative involving over 40 institutions on five continents.



The team considered data from 20 different research cohorts and samples linked to over 40 Low Earth orbit missions to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-says-the-international-space-station-is-too-clean-add-microbes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Space Station</a>, plus 11 simulations with mice and rats. 



The work is described as the largest analysis of kidney health in spaceflight so far and includes the first health dataset for commercial astronauts. 



It also involved seven simulations in which mice were exposed to radiation that mimicked up to 2.5 years of cosmic travel beyond <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/earths-magnetic-field-origin-structure-and-impact-on-humanity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth’s magnetic field</a>. 



Findings revealed that the structure and function of the kidneys are altered by spaceflight, with galactic radiation causing permanent damage that would jeopardize any long-distance mission.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kidneys-and-deep-space-radiation">Kidneys and deep space radiation</h2>



Astronauts in Low Earth orbit still benefit from partial shielding by our planet’s magnetic field. 



Only 24 people - the ones who went to the moon - have been exposed to the full brunt of Galactic Cosmic Radiation for short trips of about 6-12 days. 



Nobody has ventured on a years-long mission beyond the Earth’s magnetic boundary, so it was unclear how organs might hold up under <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/voyager-spacecraft-fighting-survival-cosmic-threats-outside-our-solar-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">more extreme conditions</a>.



As part of the new study, researchers found that certain kidney tubules, which control delicate balances of salts and calcium, shrink after just a month in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microgravity-causes-big-problems-with-human-gene-expression/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microgravity</a>. 



The kidneys also process salts in a way that increases the likelihood of kidney stone formation. 



This new insight shifts the focus away from an older assumption that stones in space result mainly from bone loss causing elevated calcium in urine.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-longer-distance-more-radiation">Longer distance, more radiation</h2>



The research highlighted that cosmic radiation cannot be fully blocked by typical shielding. When mice were given doses of simulated <a href="https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/phenomena/galactic-cosmic-rays" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Galactic Cosmic Radiation</a> equal to a mission length of up to 2.5 years, the animals showed irreversible kidney damage. 



Some of the key observations point to changes in how the kidneys manage vital minerals, which impacts long-term health during space travel.



“We know what has happened to astronauts on the relatively short space missions conducted so far, in terms of an increase in health issues such as kidney stones,” explained Dr. Siew. 



“What we don’t know is why these issues occur, nor what is going to happen to astronauts on longer flights such as the proposed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-curiosity-rover-finds-sulfur-crystals-martian-rock-hints-at-possible-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mission to Mars</a>.”



If scientists don’t develop new ways to protect the kidneys, any astronaut that makes it to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/largest-organic-molecules-ever-found-on-mars-confirm-life-forming-chemistry-is-possible/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars</a> will likely need dialysis on the way home or upon arrival.



"We know that the kidneys are late to show signs of radiation damage; by the time this becomes apparent it’s probably too late to prevent failure, which would be catastrophic for the mission’s chances of success," Dr. Siew concluded.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-kidneys-and-future-space-travel">Human kidneys and future space travel</h2>



Space agencies have been aware since the 1970s that journeys outside our planet’s natural defenses lead to health concerns involving bones, eyes, and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-century-of-progress-in-the-fight-against-cardiovascular-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular system</a>. 



This new work puts fresh focus on the kidneys. It also highlights the importance of managing both microgravity and radiation, especially with more ambitious missions on the table.



“Our study highlights the fact that if you’re planning a space mission, kidneys really matter. You can’t protect them from galactic radiation using shielding," noted Professor Stephen B. Walsh from the London Tubular Centre, UCL Department of Renal Medicine.



"But as we learn more about renal biology it may be possible to develop technological or pharmaceutical measures to facilitate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/space-travel-has-unexpected-effects-on-gut-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extended space travel</a>."



Any drugs developed for astronauts may also be beneficial here on Earth. For instance, by enabling cancer patients’ kidneys to tolerate higher doses of radiotherapy, which is currently an impediment to that form of treatment.



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



Though this work only outlines organ changes up to two and a half years, it stands as the most comprehensive data currently available for that timescale. 



Researchers say that pinpointing these risks is a vital first step before reliable solutions can be introduced. 



The study’s international collaboration suggests momentum is building to safeguard astronauts’ kidneys, and future innovations could reach beyond space missions to help patients on Earth.



Experts note that learning how to handle the combined effects of microgravity and cosmic radiation will be key to making ambitious missions safer. 



With evidence pointing to serious kidney challenges, careful planning will be needed to keep crews healthy on journeys that last far longer than any undertaken before.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-49212-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Astronauts can survive a trip to Mars, but one critical internal organ will likely fail

Space journeys that stretch far beyond home are on the...

Wind and Earth’s spin keep the ocean’s surface currents constantly moving, and those currents are the main reason floating plastic and other debris travel so far. A prime example of this phenomenon is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.



Two types of currents do most of the work: geostrophic currents, which form from the balance between gravity and Earth’s rotation, and Ekman currents, which wind drives directly. Together, they carry debris across vast stretches of the ocean.



As these currents swirl, they naturally pull trash toward the centers of the world’s five subtropical gyres - massive, slow-moving whirlpools in the ocean. Over time, these zones turn into plastic hotspots, where all kinds of floating junk gathers.



The North Pacific subtropical gyre is the most infamous of the bunch. That’s home to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the biggest and most studied plastic pile-up in the ocean. 



It’s drawn the attention of scientists, environmentalists, and the public alike. And not surprisingly, many of the first large-scale ocean cleanup projects have started right there.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-great-pacific-garbage-patch">Understanding the Great Pacific Garbage Patch</h2>



The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a massive collection of plastic debris, abandoned fishing gear, and other trash that accumulates in the North Pacific Ocean. 



These plastics can take hundreds of years to break down, and even when they do, they become tiny microplastics that enter marine food chains. 



This swirling soup of litter poses a big threat to marine life, seabirds, and even human health when contaminated seafood ends up on our plates.



You might picture the patch as a giant floating island of trash, but in reality, it’s more like a massive zone of scattered debris. 



This makes it difficult to clean up, as much of the garbage is tiny bits of plastic dispersed throughout the water. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smarter-alternative-hiding-in-plain-sight">Smarter alternative hiding in plain sight</h2>



Instead of chasing the trash, scientists now suggest using the ocean’s own natural flow to do the work. A new study has mapped out zones where water tends to converge and pull debris into tight pockets.



“Instead of boats slowly trawling and burning fuel, they can hold their position and keep the nets steady at a location where currents funnel and aggregate drifting objects,” said <a href="https://www.psi.edu/staff/profile/rodrigo-duran/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rodrigo Duran</a>, a research scientist at the <a href="https://www.psi.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Planetary Science Institute</a>, and co-author of the study.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-patterns-pull-trash-into-zones">Ocean patterns pull trash into zones</h2>



The team, led by <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Luca_Kunz" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luca Kunz</a> from the University of Hamburg, used over 20 years of satellite and drifter data to spot high-traffic areas for floating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-currents-may-soon-clean-up-waste-thanks-to-space-tech/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">debris</a>. 



These zones, called Transient Attracting Profiles (<a href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2024OcSci..20.1611K/abstract" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TRAPs</a>), are temporary regions where swirling currents push trash together.



TRAPs form when four eddies - circular currents - spin in just the right pattern. About 60% of the time, this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/critical-ocean-current-may-be-more-stable-than-previously-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pattern</a> pulls debris into a stable zone roughly 60 miles (96 kilometers) wide. Most of these zones stick around for about six days.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-this-changes-cleanup-strategy">Why this changes cleanup strategy</h2>



Instead of moving across hundreds of miles, crews could now wait at known TRAP locations. When positioned right, nets could skim off trash that is funneled in by the current.



That saves fuel, time, and effort - and reduces the environmental cost of sweeping up the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-oceans-are-rapidly-changing-colors-matching-climate-predictions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-than-just-ocean-trash">More than just ocean trash</h2>



While TRAPs are useful for plastic cleanup, Duran says they could also be used for search and rescue, cargo loss, oil spill containment, or tracking volcanic ash and wildfire smoke as it drifts across the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-draining-nutrients-from-the-oceans-surface/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a> and air.



“This can even be used for atmospheric data,” Duran said, pointing to how the technique can predict movement across multiple systems.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-past-predictions-fell-short">Why past predictions fell short</h2>



Previous models tried to guess where trash was heading based on <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/030193229090034G" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lagrangian simulations</a>, which track particles drifting on oceans over time. But at the smaller scale - about 1 to 10 miles (1.6 to 16 kilometers) - those methods break down.



TRAPs flip the question. Instead of asking where an object will go, they ask: where will things gather? That shift makes all the difference.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-the-patterns">Testing the patterns</h2>



To verify these zones, the team analyzed how drifters (floating sensors that move with surface currents) behaved around TRAPs. Most stayed near a TRAP for an average of six days. A few stuck around for over a month.



Researchers also noticed that drifters weren’t just spinning in circles. They were pulled straight into a TRAP, then funneled along its length - like getting sucked into a current and pushed out the other side.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-this-can-change-everything">How this can change everything</h2>



The most effective TRAPs form in clusters of four eddies with alternating spin directions. These structures appear often in areas of high turbulence, like near <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/science-data/oceanography-northern-california-current-study-area" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">California’s upwelling zone</a> or around the <a href="https://hilo.hawaii.edu/~kenhon/GEOL205/Chain/default.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hawaiian Ridge</a>.



Tracking them in real time could help cleanup crews navigate better and use far fewer resources. Long-lasting TRAPs, in particular, offer a clear target: the longer they exist, the more plastic they tend to gather.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-coming-for-ocean-trash-cleanup">What’s coming for ocean trash cleanup</h2>



This technique isn’t just theory. It’s backed by decades of observations and tested with real ocean data. Cleanup crews could start using TRAP tracking to guide where and when they deploy nets.



As satellite monitoring improves and new missions deliver higher-resolution data, smaller TRAPs near coastlines may also be tracked more easily.



“It’s a very exciting time,” Duran remarked. The scale of the garbage patch is overwhelming, but knowing where and when debris gathers gives crews a fighting chance.&nbsp;



If cleanup systems can act more like filters than drag nets, sitting still while the ocean delivers the trash, then this could mark a shift in how we tackle plastic pollution at sea.



The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-22939-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ocean Science</a>.



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New ideas on how to cleanup the 'Great Pacific Garbage Patch'

Wind and Earth’s spin keep the ocean’s surface currents constantly...

After more than a decade of charting the stars with extraordinary precision, the European Space Agency’s Gaia spacecraft has completed its mission.&nbsp;



On March 27, mission controllers at <a href="https://www.esa.int/About_Us/ESOC" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA’s European Space Operations Center</a> (ESOC) powered down Gaia for the last time, sending the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gaia-reveals-moons-around-hundreds-of-asteroids/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spacecraft</a> into a carefully planned solar orbit that will keep it far from Earth for at least a century.



Though Gaia’s systems are now silent, its scientific impact is just beginning to unfold.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-decade-of-galactic-discovery">A decade of galactic discovery</h2>



Launched in 2013, Gaia set out to map the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-ways-black-hole-unleashes-mysterious-flares/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a> with a level of detail never before achieved. Over the years, it recorded the positions, motions, distances, and physical properties of nearly two billion stars.&nbsp;



The resulting data has revolutionized our understanding of galactic structure and evolution, and provided insight into everything from black holes and exoplanets to asteroids, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bouncing-comets-could-deliver-lifes-building-blocks-to-exoplanets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">comets</a>, and distant galaxies.



“Gaia’s extensive data releases are a unique treasure trove for astrophysical research, and influence almost all disciplines in astronomy,” said Gaia Project scientist Johannes Sahlmann.



The mission’s legacy is already profound. It revealed the remnants of ancient galactic mergers, discovered new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secret-origins-of-young-star-clusters-traced-to-three-families/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star clusters</a>, and enabled the most accurate visualisation of the Milky Way’s appearance from the outside.&nbsp;



Even with the spacecraft now decommissioned, its data releases will continue. A fourth major data release is scheduled for 2026, with a final “legacy” catalogue expected after 2030.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenge-of-powering-down-spacecraft">Challenge of powering down spacecraft</h2>



Gaia was designed to survive the hazards of space - radiation storms, micrometeoroid impacts, and lost contact with Earth. Redundant systems ensured it could restart itself and resume operation after nearly any disruption. That resilience made powering it down especially delicate.



“Switching off a spacecraft at the end of its mission sounds like a simple enough job,” said Spacecraft Operator Tiago Nogueira. “But spacecraft really don’t want to be switched off.”



To prevent any chance of Gaia reactivating, the team at ESOC developed a precise decommissioning sequence. They carefully disabled its instruments and subsystems, one by one.&nbsp;



The team also deliberately corrupted its software, ensuring that even if Gaia’s solar panels catch sunlight again, it won’t resume transmission.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-keeping-gaia-at-a-safe-distance">Keeping Gaia at a safe distance</h2>



“I was in charge of corrupting Gaia’s processor modules to make sure that the onboard software will never restart again,” said Spacecraft Operations Engineer Julia Fortuno.&nbsp;



“I have mixed feelings between the excitement for these important end-of-life operations and the sadness of saying goodbye to a spacecraft I have worked on for more than five years.”



Before shutting it down completely, Gaia’s thrusters were fired one last time, nudging it away from the second Lagrange point (L2), its long-time observing post, and into a retirement orbit around the Sun.&nbsp;



That move ensures Gaia will stay at a safe distance from Earth - more than 10 million kilometers - for the next century or more.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-enduring-legacy-of-gaia">The enduring legacy of Gaia</h2>



Although Gaia’s instruments are now quiet, the spacecraft’s contributions to science will echo for decades. ESA missions already in orbit, such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/euclid-captures-26-million-galaxies-in-vivid-deep-field-photos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Euclid</a>, rely on Gaia’s star maps for accurate orientation.&nbsp;



The upcoming PLATO mission, designed to search for exoplanets, will build on Gaia’s detailed stellar data to target stars that are most likely to host planets.



Gaia also spent its final weeks in service conducting technology tests. Engineers examined how its micropropulsion system had aged after more than ten years in space - data that could prove invaluable for future missions such as ESA’s LISA observatory, which will detect gravitational waves using similar propulsion.



But the mission's farewell also carried a deeply human element. As a symbolic gesture, the names of around 1,500 people who worked on Gaia were written into its onboard memory, overwriting parts of the backup software.&nbsp;



Personal farewell messages were also added, allowing the spacecraft to carry a lasting tribute from its team as it drifts silently through the solar system.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saying-goodbye-but-not-letting-go">Saying goodbye, but not letting go</h2>



ESA has long emphasized responsible spacecraft disposal, and Gaia’s deactivation reflects that commitment. Still, for the scientists and engineers who worked on it, the moment was bittersweet.



“We will never forget Gaia, and Gaia will never forget us,” said Gaia Mission Manager Uwe Lammers.



The spacecraft may no longer be gathering data, but its legacy is secured. Gaia has charted a new path for galactic exploration - one that future astronomers will follow for generations.



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Farewell to Gaia, the spacecraft that mapped the Milky Way

After more than a decade of charting the stars with...

<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>



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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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>



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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



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



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.



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%.



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



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.



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.



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.



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



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>.



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



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

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>



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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">Nature Communications</a>.



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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



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



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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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>



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>.



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



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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



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>. This research offers renewed hope against cancer, and it can potentially open a door to more effective cancer therapies for most cancer patients worldwide.



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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>



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.



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.



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.



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.



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.



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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>



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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



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."



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



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.



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



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



The forest was remarkably diverse. Scientists identified Eospermatopteris, 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.



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.



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



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.



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."



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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.



The full study was published in the journal Current Biology.



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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>



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.



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



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.



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."



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.



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



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.



"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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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>.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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



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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>



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.



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



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 Neuron</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.



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.



"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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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



Dr. Konstantina Kilteni's 2025 research, published in <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adt0350" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a>, 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.



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



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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



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



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.



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.



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



-----



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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>



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.



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



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.



That solace came through H.G. Wells' The Time Machine. 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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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



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."



"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.



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



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."



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.



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



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



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



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 This American Life</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 Today Show</a>. The widespread interest reflects both his compelling personal story and rigorous scientific approach.



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



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.



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.



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.



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.



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



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."



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.



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.







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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...

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</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>



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?



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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



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.



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



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



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



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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



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



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.



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



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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



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.



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.



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.



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



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



Sources: 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.



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



1. Is acid rain completely gone? 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.



2. How long did solving take? 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.



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



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



5. Could acid rain return? 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.



6. Can you recommend any teaching tools on the subject of "acid rain"? 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>



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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...

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. 



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



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



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



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. 



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).



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



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.



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.



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>.

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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Today’s Video of the Day 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.



"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.



"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."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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Today's Video of the Day 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.



"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.



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.



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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Today’s Video of the Day 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;



"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.



"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."



"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."



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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Today's Video of the Day 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;



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;



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.



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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.

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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;



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;



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. 



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.



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. 



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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



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.

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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

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Today’s Video of the Day 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.



“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. 



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.



“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;



“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.”



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



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.



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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.

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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

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Today’s Video of the Day 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?



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;



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;



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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.

How does salt makes things taste better?

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Today’s Video of the Day 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;



'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)."



"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.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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.

Santiago, Chile in South America

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

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