Far beneath our feet, beyond the Earth's rocky mantle and molten outer core, lies a dense, solid sphere of iron and other elements like carbon. 



This inner core is Earth’s deepest secret, shaping the magnetic field that shields our planet. Yet, scientists still puzzle over how it first formed and what ingredients allowed it to crystallize.



A new study by researchers from the University of Leeds, University of Oxford, and <a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University College London</a> provides fresh insight. 



Their findings reveal that carbon may have been the key element that enabled the inner core to solidify billions of years ago.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-earth-s-core-composition-matters">Why Earth's core composition matters</h2>



The makeup of Earth’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-inner-core-proven-to-be-rapidly-changing-and-now-rotating-backwards/">core</a> determines not only its density but also its thermal and magnetic behavior. 



Seismology shows that the core is less dense than pure iron, meaning lighter elements must be present. Candidates like silicon, sulphur, oxygen, and carbon have all been considered.



The latest simulations show that carbon, in particular, may have been essential. Without it, the inner core’s crystallization would have required impossible conditions, making its very existence a mystery.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/earth-inner-core_hidden-chemistry_illustration_credit-Alfred-Wilson_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/earth-inner-core_hidden-chemistry_illustration_credit-Alfred-Wilson_1s.webp" alt="Drawing of Earth with cutaway showing the mantle and inner and outer core. Magnetic field lines produced by the geodynamo extend into space and interact with the solar wind. The iron-rich core at Earth's center is slowly freezing from the inside out. Credit: Dr. Alfred Wilson" class="wp-image-1984775"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Drawing of Earth with cutaway showing the mantle and inner and outer core. Magnetic field lines produced by the geodynamo extend into space and interact with the solar wind. The iron-rich core at Earth's center is slowly freezing from the inside out. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Dr. Alfred Wilson</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-supercooling-paradox">The supercooling paradox</h2>



Liquids rarely freeze solid the instant they cool past their <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/melting-point" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">melting point</a>. Instead, they must be supercooled, chilled further before crystals can form. 



For molten iron alone, estimates suggested that a massive 800 to 1000 °C (1472 to 1832 °F) of supercooling would be needed.



If that had occurred, the consequences for our planet would have been dramatic. 



The inner core would have grown far too quickly, disrupting the delicate balance of heat flow inside <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-inner-core-is-not-solid-it-is-shape-shifting-time-for-textbooks-to-be-rewritten/">Earth</a> and destabilizing the magnetic field that protects life from harmful solar and cosmic radiation.



Scientists know this did not happen. Geophysical evidence points instead to a modest level of supercooling, limited to about 250 °C (482 °F). 



That small difference between theoretical predictions and observational reality has puzzled researchers for decades.



This contradiction, known as the inner core nucleation paradox, continues to inspire debate, experiments, and advanced simulations aimed at uncovering the true chemistry of Earth’s deepest layers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-simulating-the-impossible">Simulating the impossible</h2>



To resolve the paradox, the research team ran atomic-scale simulations of iron mixed with different light elements. 



They tested silicon, sulfur, oxygen, and carbon, and watched how each affected the first step of freezing: nucleation.



“Each of these elements exists in the overlying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-an-ocean-of-fire-shaped-early-earths-core-according-to-a-new-study/">mantle</a> and could therefore have been dissolved into the core during Earth’s history,” explained co-author Associate Professor Andrew Walker from the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a>.



“As a result, these could explain why we have a solid inner core with relatively little supercooling at this depth. The presence of one or more of these elements could also rationalize why the core is less dense than pure iron, a key observation from seismology.”



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/earth-inner-core_cross-section_convection_credit-Alfred-Wilson_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/earth-inner-core_cross-section_convection_credit-Alfred-Wilson_1s.webp" alt="Cross section of the Earth showing the mantle, outer core and inner core. Convection in the outer core produces Earth's geomagnetic field. The properties of Earth's iron-rich core are key to understanding our planet's deep interior, from its temperature to the way it generates the global magnetic field. The core's exact chemistry remains unknown. Credit: Dr. Alfred Wilson" class="wp-image-1984773"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cross section of the Earth showing the mantle, outer core and inner core. Convection in the outer core produces Earth's geomagnetic field. The properties of Earth's iron-rich core are key to understanding our planet's deep interior, from its temperature to the way it generates the global magnetic field. The core's exact chemistry remains unknown. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Dr. Alfred Wilson</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-drives-earth-s-core-freezing">Carbon drives Earth's core freezing</h2>



The simulations revealed that silicon and sulfur actually hindered freezing, which would have increased the supercooling requirement. Carbon, however, had the opposite effect.



With 2.4 % carbon, the required supercooling dropped to about 420 °C (788 °F). Still too high, but much closer to reality. 



Extrapolating further, a carbon content of 3.8 % reduced the figure to 266 °C (511 °F), which is consistent with geological evidence.



This makes carbon the only element so far shown to both enable nucleation and align with seismic observations.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-seeds-needed">No seeds needed</h2>



Unlike hail forming around dust in clouds, Earth’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-discover-how-gold-reaches-earths-surface-from-the-mantle/">core</a> appears to have frozen without “nucleation seeds.” 



Tests of possible seed materials, like oxides or metals, show they would melt or dissolve before reaching the center. That leaves chemistry itself, specifically the presence of carbon, as the driver of solidification.



“It is exciting to see how atomic scale processes control the fundamental structure and dynamics of our planet," said lead author Dr. Alfred Wilson from the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Leeds</a>. 



"By studying how Earth’s inner core formed, we are not just learning about our planet’s past. We’re getting a rare glimpse into the chemistry of a region we can never hope to reach directly and learning about how it could change in the future.”



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/earth-inner-core_iron-carbon-atoms-nucleating_credit-Alfred-Wilson_1m.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/earth-inner-core_iron-carbon-atoms-nucleating_credit-Alfred-Wilson_1s.webp" alt="Drawing of iron and carbon atoms nucleating to form solids which could initiate growth of Earth's solid inner core. The study used atomic scale simulations to identify solids nucleating in supercooled liquids. Carbon atoms can accelerate this process, perhaps enough to trigger the freezing of Earth's solid inner core. Credit: Dr. Alfred Wilson" class="wp-image-1984777"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Drawing of iron and carbon atoms nucleating to form solids which could initiate growth of Earth's solid inner core. The study used atomic scale simulations to identify solids nucleating in supercooled liquids. Carbon atoms can accelerate this process, perhaps enough to trigger the freezing of Earth's solid inner core. Click image to enlarge. Credit: Dr. Alfred Wilson</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-s-role-in-earth-s-core">Carbon's role in Earth’s core</h2>



The research also helps refine estimates of when the inner core formed. Some argue it began crystallizing over two billion years ago, while others suggest it happened less than half a billion years ago. 



By identifying carbon as the critical player, scientists can narrow down these timelines. 



This enables a better understanding of how Earth’s deep engine has evolved to influence the magnetic field, surface conditions, and even the long-term habitability of our planet.



The message is clear: carbon is more than a surface element of life. It may also be the hidden architect of Earth’s inner heart, shaping its stability across geological time.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-62841-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Scientists have changed their minds again about the composition of Earth's core

Far beneath our feet, beyond the Earth's rocky mantle and molten outer core, lies a dense, solid sphere of iron and other elements like carbon. This inner core is Earth’s deepest secret, shaping the magnetic field that shields our planet. Yet, scientists still puzzle over how it first formed and what ingredients allowed it to crystallize. A new study by researchers from the University of Leeds, University of Oxford, and University College London provides fresh insight. Their findings reveal that carbon may have been the key element...

Many teens enter adulthood already carrying risk factors for heart disease. According to a new American Heart Association (AHA) scientific statement, this transition phase - from 18 to the late twenties - is critical for protecting heart health.



During this time, the brain and decision-making abilities are still developing. At the same time, independence increases, and life takes on many new forms.



The research, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, urges better support for young adults. Their routines change, their responsibilities grow, but health often takes a backseat. 



Recognizing this period as an opportunity to build strong habits can shift the outlook of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-disease-remains-the-leading-cause-of-death-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular wellness</a> for life.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-loss-of-structure-can-hurt-heart-health">Loss of structure can hurt heart health</h2>



When children grow up, their regular health checkups often disappear. 



Adolescents see doctors for vaccines or school-related check-ins. Those visits vanish once high school ends. Without these routine appointments, early signs of heart disease can go unnoticed.



“We may miss the opportunity to let them know that they are in the elevated blood pressure range and ways they can take action,” said Dr. Jewel Scott, an assistant professor of biobehavioral health and nursing science in the College of Nursing at the <a href="https://sc.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of South Carolina</a> in Columbia.



Emerging adults often eat more processed foods and exercise less. The habits of high school sports fade, replaced by sedentary days and fast food. Sleep also suffers due to work, studies or parenting. All of these changes increase <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-cells-grown-in-space-may-help-heal-damaged-hearts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular risk</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vaping-surge-among-young-adults">Vaping surge among young adults</h2>



Historically, smoking began in high school. But now, people are picking up tobacco products later. Between 2002 and 2018, tobacco use among 18 to 23-year-olds doubled. 



E-cigarettes are now the most used product in this age group. The long-term effects of vaping on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-insecurity-can-lead-to-heart-problems-later-in-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart</a> health remain unclear, which worries researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cost-and-coverage-health-care-barriers">Cost and coverage: Health care barriers</h2>



Emerging adults make up the biggest group among the 27 million uninsured in the U.S. Insurance often vanishes at 19 or 26, depending on state rules or family plans under the <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/about-the-aca/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Affordable Care Act</a>.



Students in community colleges are at greater risk. About 40% of college students attend these institutions, which often lack health services. Similarly, those in trade programs or apprenticeships may not have access to care.



Even those with insurance don’t always visit the doctor. Less than 40% of insured emerging adults use their benefits. Some avoid care due to bad experiences, long waits or confusion about where to go.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-conditions-affect-heart-health">Social conditions affect heart health</h2>



The <a href="https://www.heart.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AHA</a> statement highlights how education, neighborhoods and income shape health. People with higher education often have better heart health. Those in segregated or resource-poor areas see worse outcomes.



Neighborhoods without clean air or safe green spaces leave kids inactive and stressed. These effects follow them into adulthood. The statement calls for changes that improve access to healthy environments.



Strong friendships and emotional support also help. On the flip side, isolation, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, can hurt heart <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-disease-patients-have-a-unique-vulnerability-to-air-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health</a>. The statement urges finding and helping at-risk youth - especially those with a history of trauma or abuse.



“We highlight some of the populations that need extra effort or attention tailored to their unique circumstances,” said Dr. Scott.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-heart-health">Addressing heart health</h2>



The AHA statement calls for policy changes that close coverage gaps. But having insurance isn’t enough. Young adults need help navigating the system, and providers must use every opportunity to talk about heart health.



Pregnancy adds another layer of concern. Poor heart health can lead to problems like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia. These can affect both mother and child, even years later.



Clinicians must address heart risks before pregnancy. This means bringing cardiovascular conversations into regular care.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supporting-young-adults-with-technology">Supporting young adults with technology</h2>



Technology offers new ways to engage. Telehealth and mobile tools can help. The statement also pushes for social media campaigns to share heart health messages with young people.



Places like community colleges, the military and hospitality industries offer untapped potential. These are spaces where many young adults work and study. Using these channels could improve outreach and awareness.



The statement encourages partnerships across health systems, education and employers. These joint efforts can support emerging adults as they take on the challenges of growing up - while keeping their hearts healthy.



The scientific statement was prepared by a volunteer writing group for the AHA Prevention Science Committee and other councils. It aims to raise awareness and spark better decisions around heart health.



It does not offer treatment advice but summarizes what’s known and what needs more research. Contributors include medical experts and researchers from across the U.S.



The study is published in the <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.124.039239" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of the American Heart Association</a>.



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Your twenties can make or break your heart health

Many teens enter adulthood already carrying risk factors for heart...

Our global food system stands at a dangerous crossroads. As the world heats up and air quality declines, the challenge of feeding nearly 8 billion people grows harder. At the same time, the very system meant to nourish humanity contributes heavily to climate change, air pollution, and rising emissions.



A recent review in the journal Engineering offers a detailed examination of this tangled relationship. It brings forward the idea that food, climate, and air pollution are no longer separate issues. They form a feedback loop - where each reinforces the other.



This growing realization has prompted researchers and policymakers to seek strategies that address them all at once. The solutions must not only protect crops and diets today but also reshape the food system for long-term resilience.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-air-pollution-is-damaging-how-we-grow-food">Air pollution is damaging how we grow food</h2>



Climate change disrupts the natural rhythm of agriculture. Crops grow within specific temperature and rainfall windows. As global temperatures rise and weather grows erratic, those windows shift. 



Farmers face shortened or mistimed growing seasons. Floods, droughts, and storms now damage fields with greater frequency.



Meanwhile, polluted air compounds the damage. Ground-level ozone, in particular, harms plant leaves. This weakens photosynthesis and reduces growth. 



Fine particulate matter from combustion sources also affects pollination and soil health. All of this adds stress to crops that are already <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/critical-food-crops-are-threatened-by-rising-temperatures-globally/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">struggling to adapt</a>.



Livestock suffer as well. Heat stress impacts growth, fertility, and milk production. Poor air quality affects their respiratory systems and increases disease risks. These challenges create ripples through the food supply chain, reducing both quantity and quality of food available to people.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-production-drives-emissions">Food production drives emissions</h2>



While <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-waste-crisis-why-u-s-goals-remain-out-of-reach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">agriculture</a> suffers from climate change and pollution, it is also a major driver of both. The food sector is responsible for over 30% of total greenhouse gas emissions globally. 



These emissions don’t only come from farms. They stretch from soil to store - covering growing, harvesting, transport, processing, packaging, and waste.



Key sources include methane from livestock digestion and rice paddies, nitrous oxide from fertilizer use, and carbon dioxide from fuel combustion. 



"Over the past three decades, emissions beyond the farm gate have nearly doubled, emerging as a primary driver of emissions growth in the agri-food system," the authors note.



Agriculture also emits harmful pollutants such as ammonia, black carbon, and volatile organic compounds. These contribute to both global warming and local air quality problems. 



The feedback loop tightens: the more the system pollutes, the harder it becomes to grow food under safe, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tiny-molecule-could-shape-the-future-of-food-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stable conditions</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-smarter-food-practices-reduce-emissions">Smarter food practices reduce emissions</h2>



To address this, the review identifies several strategies that can reduce emissions without compromising productivity. Fertilizer management is a top priority. 



The 4R approach - right source, right rate, right timing, and right placement - can prevent nitrous oxide from escaping into the air. This not only cuts emissions but also improves soil health.



Rice farming presents another opportunity. Traditional flooded fields generate large amounts of methane. By adopting non-continuous flooding and mid-season drainage, farmers can reduce this output significantly. These techniques are already gaining ground in parts of Asia.



Livestock practices also hold promise. Adjusting animal diets, reducing herd sizes, and improving feed conversion rates can limit methane. Feed additives - like seaweed or plant extracts - suppress methane production in the stomachs of ruminants.



"Improved enteric fermentation mitigation strategies, including dietary adjustments and additive use, hold significant potential for reducing CH₄ emissions," noted the researchers.



"However, successful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-you-eat-can-literally-change-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">implementation</a> requires these measures to be integrated with broader agricultural policies to address trade-offs and ensure sustainable livestock management."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-managing-manure-soil-and-supply-chains">Managing manure, soil, and supply chains</h2>



Beyond animal feed, manure management plays a key role. 



Simple changes such as covering manure storage tanks or switching to anaerobic digestion can reduce methane and ammonia. In colder regions, composting with additives like biochar helps control emissions even more.



Emissions also occur after food leaves the farm. Transport, refrigeration, and retail operations generate pollutants, especially when powered by fossil fuels. Switching to cleaner logistics and reducing spoilage can cut these downstream emissions.



The review emphasizes that demand-side changes are just as important. Dietary shifts - especially toward more plant-based foods - offer large reductions in emissions. Food waste, which currently squanders nearly one-third of all food produced, must also be tackled.



Models show that combined demand-side actions could lower global emissions by over 4 GtCO2eq per year. These actions require education, policy support, and market changes to make sustainable choices easy and affordable.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-food-producers-in-a-changing-climate">Food producers in a changing climate </h2>



While reducing emissions is essential, farmers also need help adapting to the changing climate. 



Crops bred for drought resistance, heat tolerance, and disease resistance can thrive where others fail. Adjusting sowing times, crop rotations, and irrigation techniques boosts resilience.



In livestock, adaptation means more than survival. Farmers can use cross-breeding programs to produce animals better suited for heat or disease resistance. Improving animal housing ventilation also reduces stress and mortality during extreme weather.



Water use becomes critical. Climate change disrupts rainfall patterns, often bringing too much or too little. 



Technologies like drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting help manage this uncertainty. In areas where water is scarce, choosing less water-intensive crops can preserve supplies for future use.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-case-studies-show-what-s-possible">Case studies show what’s possible</h2>



The review cites several global examples of progress. In parts of Africa, agroecological farming systems mix crops, trees, and livestock in ways that mimic natural ecosystems. This improves biodiversity and yields while reducing environmental pressure.



In Asia, the “climate-smart village” model has introduced early-warning weather systems, improved seeds, and resource-sharing networks. These villages offer a practical demonstration of what sustainable, climate-resilient farming looks like.



These initiatives show that local knowledge and global science can come together. They highlight that success lies not in any single technology but in rethinking the food system as a whole.



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



Despite progress, large gaps in understanding remain. Many emissions estimates focus only on carbon dioxide, ignoring methane and nitrous oxide. There is little high-resolution data that tracks emissions across entire food supply chains.



Another concern is nutrient loss in crops. Air pollution and climate change can reduce protein, vitamin, and mineral levels in food. This impacts not just yield but the nutritional value of diets.



As the authors state, more precise measurement tools, better emissions inventories, and long-term field trials are needed. Without this, policies may target the wrong sources or overlook key mitigation options.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shared-responsibility-global-solutions">Shared responsibility, global solutions</h2>



Fixing food systems requires global cooperation. Governments must design policies that reward sustainable farming. Companies must reduce supply chain emissions. Farmers must adopt new practices, and consumers must rethink their choices.



These efforts should be fair and inclusive. Many low-income countries depend on agriculture for survival. Climate action must support - not punish - those who are most vulnerable to its effects.



As the review concludes, the path forward lies in unity. A food system that supports both people and planet is within reach, but only if we work together.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095809924007380?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Engineering</a>.



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Vicious cycle: Food systems both suffer from and cause emissions

Our global food system stands at a dangerous crossroads. As...

Aerial,View,Of,Sossusvlei,Sometimes,Written,Sossus,Vlei,Is,A

Sand dunes shape some of the most fascinating scenery on Earth, particularly in arid regions. Among them, star dunes - sometimes called pyramid dunes - stand out for their towering height and eye-catching form. 



Sand seas, located in places like Africa, Arabia, China, and North America, are home to these beautiful, star-like formations.



Star dunes form in areas where wind arrives from multiple directions and where sand accumulates in large quantities.



They have a tall, pyramid-like center with several arms spreading out, creating a star shape when seen from above. 



Some reach extraordinary heights, including one in China’s Badain Jaran Desert that measures about 984 feet, placing it on par with a famous landmark in Paris. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-dunes-and-the-geological-record">Star dunes and the geological record</h2>



Despite being common in modern deserts and even appearing on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-had-ancient-beaches-shorelines-similar-to-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars</a> and Saturn’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saturns-moon-titan-has-shorelines-shaped-by-waves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">moon Titan</a>, they have been unusually difficult to find in the geological record. 



Researchers have often wondered why these dunes leave so little trace in old sandstone layers.



Professor Geoff Duller, from the Department of Geography and Earth Sciences at <a href="https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aberystwyth University</a>, has been at the forefront of investigating these hidden giants. 



His latest study, undertaken alongside collaborators at <a href="https://www.bbk.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Birkbeck</a> and University College London (<a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCL</a>), offers new insights into the internal structure and speed of formation of a star dune in Morocco. 



This research helps explain why geologists have had trouble identifying these dunes in ancient deposits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-patterns-in-the-sahara">Hidden patterns in the Sahara</h2>



Until now, star dunes received limited attention compared to other well-known dune varieties. The recent study in the Erg Chebbi region of southeastern Morocco reveals a star dune named Lala Lallia, meaning “highest sacred point” in the Berber language. 



It rises about 328 feet and stretches about 2,297 feet across its base. Scientists found that its oldest layers date back roughly 13,000 years, around the time of the Younger Dryas, a sudden cooling phase in Earth’s past.



Ground-penetrating radar scans show that the dune remained mostly dormant for about 8,000 years. 



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/star-dune_Lala-Lallia_Erg-Chebbi_Morocco_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/star-dune_Lala-Lallia_Erg-Chebbi_Morocco_1s.webp" alt="Lala Lallia star dune in Erg Chebbi, the largest sand Dune in Morocco at sunset. Merzouga has become a popular destination for tourists because of this feature." class="wp-image-1963690"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lala Lallia star dune in Erg Chebbi, the largest sand Dune in Morocco at sunset. Merzouga has become a popular destination for tourists because of this feature. Click to enlarge.</figcaption></figure>



Pottery discovered nearby suggests wetter conditions, possibly driven by an expanded monsoon, that kept sand from piling up. Once drier weather arrived, sand began accumulating at a much faster pace. 



The results, published in the journal Scientific Reports, indicate that the dune gained most of its size in the last thousand years and is currently shifting westward at about 1.6 feet each year.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-radar-and-luminescence-offer-clues">Radar and luminescence offer clues</h2>



“Using ground-penetrating radar to look inside this star dune has allowed us to show how these immense dunes form, and to develop a new model so geologists know better what to look for in the rock record to identify these amazing desert features," explained Professor Charlie Bristow of Birkbeck and UCL.



Researchers also used optically <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/golds-glow-luminescence-caused-quantum-realm-effects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stimulated luminescence</a> (OSL) dating to determine when minerals in the sand were last exposed to sunlight. 



This approach made it possible to figure out precisely when the dune began building after the African Humid Period had ended. 



The study concludes that large star dunes may form far more rapidly than many geologists once assumed.



“This research is really the case of the missing sand dune - it had been a mystery why we could not see them in the geological record. It’s only because of new technology that we can now start to uncover their secrets," noted Professor Duller.



"These findings will probably surprise a lot of people as we can see how quickly this enormous dune formed, and that it is moving across the desert at about 50 cm a year. These fantastic star dunes are one of the natural wonders of the world.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-dunes-and-ancient-deserts">Star dunes and ancient deserts</h2>



The discovery sheds light on why star dunes appear absent in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/living-microbes-discovered-in-2-billion-year-old-rocks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">older rocks</a>. Their internal layers can mimic those of other dune types, making them hard to recognize once they have turned to stone. 



This new model, drawn from the Moroccan site, gives geologists a better guide for identifying similar formations preserved deep underground.



“It’s quite a privilege to think that the luminescence dating techniques developed here in Aberystwyth are unlocking some of the secrets of the most challenging climates in the world," Professor Duller added.



"They are giving us insight into geology that could have wider implications including geological deposits that are used for water resources and storing carbon.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-the-shifting-winds-across-eons">Tracking the shifting winds across eons</h2>



Experts note that changes in wind direction contributed to the dune’s star-like shape. As the desert climate became drier, gusts from different angles helped shape the steep pyramid center and radiating arms. 



The speed with which it gained height shows that dramatic environmental shifts can build a towering dune in a geologically short window. 



Researchers also point out that similar wind shifts might have influenced dunes in other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saudi-arabia-is-turning-degraded-desert-sand-into-blooming-soil/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deserts worldwide</a>.



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



To sum it all up, star dunes hold importance for the study of past environments. The tools and findings from Morocco offer a chance to spot these features in buried <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gale-crater-reveals-secrets-of-water-on-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sandstone layers</a>. 



That means geologists can learn more about the behavior of ancient winds, as well as periods of relative stability or intense dryness. 



Understanding these long-past climatic patterns might help in present-day attempts to manage <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-storms-create-temporary-lakes-in-the-sahara-desert/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water in desert regions</a>.



Studying how star dunes grow in modern deserts could open new avenues for interpreting desert rocks of the past. 



By pinpointing signs of varied wind directions, geologists gain a clearer picture of what conditions shaped Earth’s surface thousands of years ago.



With fresh ways to identify these pyramidal giants in ancient layers, scientists are better equipped to find the missing chapters of desert history.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-53485-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.



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Star dunes: Shrouded in beauty and wonder, they are now a bit less mysterious

Sand dunes shape some of the most fascinating scenery on...

Life on our planet has been shaped over an immense span of time. About 4 billion years ago, Earth began to show signs of the conditions that allowed the first cells, and eventually living organisms, to take hold and populate the planet.



Many researchers have tried to figure out how early chemical structures came together to create the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/did-the-building-blocks-of-life-replicate-on-their-own/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">building blocks of life</a>. Some suggest that tiny, spherical assemblies of fats, known as protocells, got the ball rolling.



These protocells might have sparked a cascade of changes that turned basic building blocks into more complex materials. After countless generations, those materials gave rise to fully functional cells. 



Questions remain about how these first <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rainwater-may-have-played-a-key-role-in-the-origin-of-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">protocells</a> picked up the pieces they needed to diversify in such a dramatic way. 



Now, Ramanarayanan Krishnamurthy, PhD, professor in the Department of Chemistry at <a href="https://www.scripps.edu/science-and-medicine/research-departments/chemistry/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scripps Research</a>, along with a team of scientists, have uncovered new clues that may finally provide answers to this ancient mystery.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-earth-chemistry-and-protocells">Early Earth chemistry and protocells</h2>



Early studies have suggested that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/omega-3-and-omega-6-fatty-acids-may-reduce-cancer-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fatty acids</a> and other simple molecules existed in the planet’s primeval soup. 



Researchers have worked hard to figure out how these molecules might have assembled into containers able to grow and split. 



During this recent investigation, teams paid special attention to phosphates. These groups of atoms are vital to many functions in modern cells, but their presence in ancient structures was puzzling.



Scientists reported that phosphorylation, the process of adding phosphate groups, may have occurred at an earlier stage than once believed. That step likely led to more complex double-chained protocells. 



“At some point, we all wonder where we came from. We’ve now discovered a plausible way that phosphates could have been incorporated into cell-like structures earlier than previously thought, which lays the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-building-blocks-of-life-zinc-arrived-on-early-earth-planetesimals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">building blocks for life</a>,” says Krishnamurthy. 



“This finding helps us better understand the chemical environments of early Earth so we can uncover the origins of life and how life can evolve on early Earth.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-cells-shifted-to-double-chains">First cells shifted to double-chains</h2>



Researchers point to phospholipids - molecules with two fatty acid tails - as being crucial in modern cell membranes. 



Early protocells probably had only one chain of fatty acids, making them less stable than the membranes of contemporary cells. 



The new study posits that a blend of simpler fats and early <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/phospholipids-tiny-bubbles-that-may-have-been-earths-first-cells/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phospholipids</a> might have provided the shift toward a more robust double-chain structure.



This two-tailed arrangement made those protocells better at handling environmental challenges. Lab experiments used various chemical mixtures, including glycerol and short-chain fatty acids. 



In some conditions, the vesicles gained stability, suggesting that an ancient environment could have offered the perfect setting for these changes to take hold.



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



Part of the excitement around this work comes from the possibility of creating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/creating-mirror-life-forms-could-pose-extraordinary-dangers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">synthetic cells</a>. 



Lab-built cells that behave like living ones could someday allow scientists to design new methods for making important materials or finding sustainable sources of energy. 



The researchers examined how temperature, metal ions, and fluctuating pH might have influenced the sturdiness of protocells. 



Their observations hint at several routes for protocells to split, fuse, or combine components.



“The vesicles were able to transition from a fatty acid environment to a phospholipid environment during our experiments, suggesting a similar chemical environment could have existed 4 billion years ago,” says first author Sunil Pulletikurti, postdoctoral researcher in Krishnamurthy’s lab. 



This fresh perspective adds weight to the notion that evolving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-building-block-of-life-called-tna-created-in-the-lab/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cell-like structures</a> might have undergone a stepwise assembly that drew from naturally occurring materials.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-the-first-cells-to-complex-life">From the first cells to complex life</h2>



Krishnamurthy’s group joined forces with the lab of soft matter biophysicist Ashok Deniz, PhD, professor in the Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology at <a href="https://www.scripps.edu/science-and-medicine/research-departments/integrative-structural-and-computational-biology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scripps Research</a>. 



By combining chemical expertise with biophysical approaches, the teams pinpointed conditions where phosphorylated molecules emerged and interacted with fatty acids to form sturdier compartments. 



Published in the journal Chem, these findings highlight how subtle environmental shifts could have nudged protocells toward more lifelike behavior.



“It’s exciting to uncover how early chemistries may have transitioned to allow for life on Earth. Our findings also hint at a wealth of intriguing physics that may have played key functional roles along the way to modern cells,” says Deniz. 



Each insight gained is a small step toward explaining how simple vesicles might have paved the way for more dynamic elements of biology.



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



With these observations in hand, the team plans to investigate why <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/origin-of-life-on-earth-may-have-been-found-in-ancient-hot-springs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">some protocells</a> merge while others split or flourish under certain chemical pressures. 



Such investigations could clarify how flexibility in membrane structures contributed to swift adaptation in various environments. 



Understanding these features may open doors to engineered systems that harness ancient chemical reactions for modern applications.



Though many pieces of the puzzle remain scattered, each study brings us closer to answering profound questions about our beginnings. 



Researchers hope that continued collaboration among chemists, biologists, and engineers will pinpoint the mechanisms that gave rise to functional cells. 



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/chem/abstract/S2451-9294(24)00069-X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chem</a>.



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How did the first cells form on Earth? Scientists think they finally figured it out

Life on our planet has been shaped over an immense...

The forests and fields of North America hold secrets that even motion-sensitive cameras can't always reveal. Among those secrets are weasels - small, swift, and almost invisible to modern wildlife monitoring.



These elusive predators have slipped through digital traps for decades, making scientists wonder whether their silence signals absence or simply stealth.



It’s not just curiosity that drives this concern. Weasels, as small mustelids, play vital roles in ecosystems. They control rodent populations and serve as prey for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-wildlife-day-2025-a-global-call-to-protect-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">larger animals</a>. 



Understanding where they thrive or vanish can reveal larger patterns of ecological change. But until recently, researchers lacked a clear method to study their population numbers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenge-of-monitoring-weasels">Challenge of monitoring weasels</h2>



Camera traps work well for large mammals. Deer, bears, and even coyotes often stroll past, triggering a flurry of images. But weasels are a different story. 



Their bodies are small and they move fast. They often live in habitats with thick cover, making them almost invisible, even when present.



Roland Kays is a research professor at <a href="https://www.ncsu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">North Carolina State University</a> and scientist at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences.



“We’re a little worried about the weasels,” said Kays. "We don’t see them very often, but it’s difficult to tell if they’re actually gone or if they’re just so sneaky that we can’t find them."



"We decided that we needed to better understand the best method to detect them. There wasn’t a great consensus on that.”



The lack of consensus led Kays and a group of researchers to try something new. Instead of relying on luck, they decided to identify the best <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-wildlife-conservation-day-2024-saving-species-from-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bait</a> - and the best method - for attracting weasels to camera traps.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-designing-a-massive-survey">Designing a massive survey</h2>



Between January 2022 and April 2023, the scientists launched one of the largest camera-trap bait studies ever done for mustelids.



The team placed 486 cameras across 122 clusters in 14 U.S. states, focusing on areas where weasels were previously recorded or where habitat conditions seemed ideal.



Each site hosted a set of four trail cameras, positioned close enough to give weasels a full choice of lures while minimizing overlap between camera zones.



The researchers tested various bait types. These included red meat, raw chicken, cat food, and scent-based lures like anise oil, salmon oil, and a commercial product called Weasel Super All Call. 



In 2023, they switched fully to meat baits after finding weak results from scent lures alone the year before.



The bait wasn't just thrown on the ground. It was secured in cages to prevent theft by other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-era-in-wildlife-conservation-how-ai-will-help-protect-elephants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a>. One new method, a cage-within-a-cage system, eventually proved highly successful in stopping bait robbers like raccoons and coyotes.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-weasels-preferred">What the weasels preferred</h2>



“There is a huge variety of scent lures available, and trappers often make their own from all kinds of ingredients,” noted Kays. “As it turns out, however, just having a chunk of meat works the best.”



Red meat emerged as the top performer. It tripled the chance of weasel detection compared to scent lures alone. 



Short-tailed weasels especially loved red meat, showing up twice as often at those <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animals-secretly-reshape-landscapes-in-powerful-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bait</a> stations than at sites with chicken or cat food. When salmon oil was added to the red meat, results improved even further - especially for short-tailed weasels.



In the southern U.S., long-tailed weasels appeared more frequently at chicken-baited sites. They also arrived faster. On average, it took just 14.5 days for a chicken-baited camera to record a long-tailed weasel, compared to nearly 40 days with red meat.



Cat food, by contrast, was the least effective. It took over 27 days to attract weasels - if it attracted them at all.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-least-weasel-may-be-in-trouble">The least weasel may be in trouble</h2>



Of all the weasel species in North America, the least weasel remains the most mysterious. The study detected only four individuals in total - one in 2022 and three in 2023.



Their scarcity raises conservation alarms. Researchers have suggested that the least weasel may be the most endangered of the group, with one study estimating a 54% decline in this species' habitat over the past century.



Even in targeted areas, where previous records or ideal habitats existed, least weasels barely registered. This highlights the need for specialized monitoring tools, such as enclosed camera traps like the Mostela, which have had some success in limited trials.



“Now that we have an understanding of the best ways to lure the weasels, we can be more confident in the findings of our surveys,” Kays said. 



“When we have sites where we don’t detect them, we can be much more assured that they aren’t just in hiding, they’re really just not there at all.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-activity-patterns-and-behavioral-clues">Activity patterns and behavioral clues</h2>



The study also revealed new insights into how different weasel species behave. Short-tailed weasels were active both day and night - an unusual pattern that differs from past observations in Europe and Canada.



In contrast, long-tailed weasels were mostly nocturnal or crepuscular, showing peak activity at dawn and dusk.



These activity patterns have practical implications. If researchers know when weasels are likely to appear, they can time camera placements and checks more effectively. 



It also offers clues about predator-prey dynamics, as prey animals may adjust their own schedules to avoid these hunters.



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



Getting the bait right was only half the battle. The researchers quickly learned that non-target species - especially raccoons and opossums - loved the bait too. Red meat and chicken were often stolen, reducing the time that bait remained in front of cameras.



In southern sites, bait theft was particularly high. This lowered detection rates. When cameras lost their bait early, they became less attractive to passing weasels. 



In contrast, northern sites experienced less bait theft. That could explain why red meat worked so well in the north, where short-tailed weasels live.



The addition of salmon oil helped keep sites attractive even after the meat disappeared. Its strong scent lingered, possibly drawing in curious weasels until the bait was replenished. Cameras baited with salmon oil recorded detections in just 6.5 days, compared to 22 days without the oil.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-a-better-monitoring-system">Building a better monitoring system</h2>



This study provides a crucial step toward standardizing how we monitor small carnivores like weasels. With clear bait preferences identified, wildlife agencies can now deploy cost-effective, reliable surveys over large areas.



The best approach? Use red meat or chicken, depending on the region. Add salmon oil for stronger scent cues. Protect the bait using a cage-within-a-cage system. Place cameras in areas with prior weasel activity or suitable habitat. And check the traps monthly during winter, when meat lasts longer and bear activity is low.



Large-scale, standardized surveys like this can finally reveal what decades of anecdotal data couldn’t - the locations where weasels still thrive, and those where they don’t, and how their numbers change over time.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-way-to-track-weasels">A new way to track weasels</h2>



Despite their size, weasels carry ecological weight. They matter. This study, which was published in <a href="https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/wsb.1580" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wildlife Society Bulletin</a>, helps bring these predators out of the shadows.



The research team included experts from over 20 universities and wildlife agencies, and was led by corresponding author Scott M. Bergeson of <a href="https://www.pfw.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Purdue University Fort Wayne</a>. Funding came from the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, a cornerstone of American conservation.



Thanks to their work, weasels are no longer invisible. We can now track their paths, confirm their presence, and protect what remains - one camera trap at a time.



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Weasels are vanishing - or are they just too sneaky to spot?

The forests and fields of North America hold secrets that...

When you sit down to work, your to-do list waits, but so does your phone. One buzz, one glance at your phone, and suddenly you’re distracted, and start scrolling through a feed, not a spreadsheet.



This cycle repeats daily, quietly slicing your attention into fragments. It feels innocent and normal, but the effects run deep.



We often blame the phone itself. It’s a small, glowing thing we can’t resist. Productivity hacks suggest hiding it, muting it, or moving it away. But do these tricks actually help? 



A recent study, published in Frontiers in Computer Science, challenges this approach. It asks a deceptively simple question: If you put the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/phone-bans-dont-help-children-learn-to-navigate-the-digital-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phone</a> just a little farther away, does your mind come back to focus? The answer turns out to be more complicated than expected.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-subtle-changes-and-behavioral-shifts">Subtle changes and behavioral shifts</h2>



“The study shows that putting the smartphone away may not be sufficient to reduce disruption and procrastination, or increase focus,” stated Dr. Maxi Heitmayer, a researcher at the London School of Economics (<a href="https://www.lse.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LSE</a>) and author of the study.



“The problem is not rooted within the device itself, but in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/taking-a-smartphone-break-can-improve-your-life-in-surprising-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habits and routines</a> that we have developed with our devices.”



To explore this, the researchers invited 22 participants into a controlled setting. For two days, each participant worked alone in a soundproof room. They brought the devices they usually used at work - laptops and phones.



The researchers did not change notification settings. All incoming alerts came naturally, as they would on any other workday.



The only variable that shifted was the phone’s location. On one day, it stayed right on the participant’s desk. On the other, it was placed 1.5 meters (about 5 feet) away, on a separate surface. This small shift created a subtle yet revealing change in behavior.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-phones-aren-t-the-only-distraction">Phones aren't the only distraction </h2>



When the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/childrens-screen-time-shapes-their-mental-health-as-teens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phone</a> sat within arm’s reach, people used it often. When it was farther away, phone use decreased. But rather than becoming more focused, participants simply diverted their attention elsewhere - primarily to their laptops.



This redirection didn’t affect how much time people spent on actual work versus leisure. The total amount of distraction remained consistent across both setups. 



So, even when the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-media-pressure-is-straining-teen-friendships/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">phone</a> was harder to reach, the impulse to break concentration didn’t vanish - it just found a new outlet. Phones still drew more attention than laptops.



“It’s your connection with loved ones and with work. It’s your navigation system, alarm clock, music player, and source of information. Unsurprisingly, people turn to the tool that does everything,” said Heitmayer.



“Even if you have no clear purpose, you know it has your socials and can provide entertainment.”



Though laptops could provide similar access, they lacked the same appeal. Phones felt more distracting to use. They were more portable, more personal, and more instantly rewarding.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-phone-itself-is-not-the-issue">The phone itself is not the issue</h2>



“In my research I want to shift the discourse beyond device-centric debates,” Heitmayer said. “The smartphone itself is not the problem. It’s what we do with it and, frankly, the apps that generate and reinforce these habits." 



"The key issue lies in the rituals we’ve built around these devices. Picking up a phone doesn’t require intent anymore. It’s automatic. A second of silence, a moment of rest, and we reach our hand out toward it, without thinking."



This reflex isn’t just about checking the time or answering a call. It's about filling tiny gaps in the day - gaps where our brain used to wander, pause, or recharge. Those gaps are now filled with feeds, images, updates, and loops that rarely end with one swipe.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-phone-apps-designed-for-distraction">Phone apps designed for distraction</h2>



To reduce distractions, people often try turning off phone notifications or setting strict rules. Some set alarms to limit scrolling. Others use apps to block other apps. These strategies may offer brief relief, but they rarely change behavior for long.



“Whenever there is a small break, people check their phone, regardless of whatever system they have in place. And then there’s the socials, which is an entirely different beast,” said Heitmayer.



“There is a very unequal battle fought out every single day by each and every one of us when we use our phones."



“The things inside phones that are the biggest attention sinks are developed by large corporations who greatly profit from our failure to resist the temptation to use them; all of this is literally by design.”



The most engaging parts of your phone are not random. They are engineered. Social media apps, messaging platforms, news updates - they all compete for your time. Such apps reward small clicks with large dopamine hits. And they rely on repeated use, even if you feel worse afterward.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-call-for-responsibility-and-protection">A call for responsibility and protection</h2>



For most adults, managing their relationship with phones and their constant distraction takes daily effort.



It’s hard, even when we understand what’s happening. But for younger users, who have grown up with this digital environment as a norm, the risks may be even greater.



“These devices are incredibly useful and can facilitate learning and creativity, but they come at a cost that most adults struggle to manage, so we simply cannot ignore this,” noted Heitmayer.



This caution points to a future where digital responsibility must expand. It’s not enough to educate users on balance in their lives. Platforms and apps must be designed with user well-being in mind.



Children, in particular, need tools that support - rather than erode - their ability to focus, reflect, and grow.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-s-not-the-phone-it-s-the-habit">It’s not the phone, it’s the habit</h2>



At the center of this issue lies a simple truth: distraction is a habit that is alive and well. In order to make a significant change, we must recognize the loop and disrupt it - not just with tools or rules, but with awareness and intention.



When we stop seeing the phone as the sole culprit, we can start reshaping the way we think, work, and live in its presence.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/computer-science/articles/10.3389/fcomp.2025.1422244/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Computer Science</a>.



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Digital distraction: The real culprit isn’t your phone

When you sit down to work, your to-do list waits,...

Predicting whether it will rain or snow might seem like a basic job for weather forecasters. But, as it turns out, classifying precipitation as either rain or snow - especially when temperatures hover around freezing - is far trickier than we might think.



A recent study, led by researchers from the <a href="https://www.uvm.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vermont</a>, puts this challenge into sharp focus.



Using massive datasets and both traditional and machine learning models, the experts found that even the most advanced tools can struggle with one key problem: nature doesn’t always make a clear distinction between rain and snow.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-importance-of-getting-it-right">The importance of getting it right</h2>



Knowing whether <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-forecast-more-extreme-precipitation-ahead/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">precipitation</a> is falling as rain or snow matters more than most people realize. It affects road and air travel, flood forecasting, reservoir planning, and infrastructure maintenance. 



In mountainous regions, it’s even more critical. A snow-heavy storm may boost a ski season or replenish water reserves. But if that same storm delivers rain instead, it could trigger floods or damage roads and bridges.



Despite the stakes, weather stations rarely have direct measurements that can tell us whether it's raining or snowing. Most surface data - such as temperature, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humidity-increases-urban-heat-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">humidity</a>, and pressure - come from airports and don’t reflect the complex conditions in mountainous terrain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rain-and-snow-at-the-freezing-point">Rain and snow at the freezing point</h2>



To fill the gap, meteorologists use something called “precipitation phase partitioning.” These are mathematical methods that estimate rain or snow based on surface data. 



But there’s a catch: they work best when it's clearly cold or warm. Around the freezing point, where conditions for rain and snow are nearly identical, the predictions often miss the mark.



“The challenge is at those temperatures near <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/north-american-lakes-are-freezing-later-thawing-earlier/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">freezing</a>, the air and wet bulb temperature distributions of rain and snow overlap heavily,” explained Dr. Keith Jennings, lead researcher on the project. "This means the traditional partitioning methods cannot consistently separate rain from snow."



"What surprised us is that the machine learning models did not perform much better. Even by using more data and complex mathematics, they are still trying to tease apart the same information, and they’re seeing rain and snow with almost the exact same meteorological properties.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-tech-same-problem">New tech, same problem</h2>



The team analyzed two major sources of data. One was a collection of nearly 40,000 crowd-sourced weather observations from NASA’s Mountain Rain or Snow project. The other was a dataset of over 17 million weather reports from across the Northern Hemisphere.



They tested both older partitioning techniques - like basic temperature thresholds - and more sophisticated machine learning tools such as random forest, XGBoost, and artificial neural networks. These models had access to the same types of surface weather data.



Despite their complexity, the machine learning models only performed slightly better than traditional methods. The boost in accuracy was tiny - just 0.6% at most.



All methods struggled to classify precipitation correctly near freezing, especially in the 1.0°C to 2.5°C range. The models also failed to reliably identify mixed precipitation (like sleet) and rain that falls when it is below freezing.



The study pinpointed the core issue: rain and snow simply occur under very similar conditions at these borderline <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astonishing-global-heat-in-january-2025-defied-climate-expectations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperatures</a>. When the input data doesn’t clearly separate the two, no amount of model sophistication can compensate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increasing-rain-on-snow-events">Increasing rain-on-snow events</h2>



This research suggests that it's time to rethink how we approach the rain-versus-snow problem. 



Instead of trying to squeeze more performance out of limited surface <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/satellite-data-could-revolutionize-weather-forecasts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weather data</a>, scientists may need to explore new types of input. That could mean tapping into different data streams - like radar, satellites, and more crowd-sourced reports. 



These tools might provide the missing context that surface measurements alone can't offer. As the climate continues to shift, getting precipitation forecasts right is only becoming more important.



Rain-on-snow events are expected to become more common, increasing the risk of floods and infrastructure stress. Knowing the difference between a snowstorm and a rainstorm could be the key to managing those risks.



If we want to be prepared for the storms of tomorrow, we may need to stop asking surface data to do what it simply cannot. It is time to start building smarter, more integrated systems that reflect the full picture of what's happening in the sky.



The study was a collaboration between experts from UVM, Lynker, the Desert Research Institute, the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, the University of Nevada Reno, and Utah State University.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-58234-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.



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Rain and snow are difficult to forecast at near-freezing temperatures

Predicting whether it will rain or snow might seem like...

Some fish are not just fast - they’re smart. A team of scientists, including researchers from the University of Edinburgh, has revealed a never-seen-before hunting trick in the Mediterranean Sea. Small fish called blue runners hide behind sandbar sharks to sneak up on prey.



This behavior stands out. Fish often swim near <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-sharks-make-sounds-despite-not-having-vocal-cords/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sharks</a> to avoid threats or shed parasites. But hiding behind a shark to launch a hunt? That’s a first.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fish-use-sharks-as-cover">Fish use sharks as cover </h2>



Until now, scientists had noticed that fish sometimes trail sharks. This was usually for protection or parasite removal. Some even used <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/top-predator-missing-what-happens-when-great-white-sharks-disappear/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sharks</a> as moving shields to escape larger predators. But the new footage captured around Lampione Island in Italy shows something more calculated.



Over several years, divers and remotely operated vehicles recorded 34 separate cases of blue runners sneaking behind sharks. Each time, a lone blue runner shadowed a sandbar shark for about 30 seconds. Then, without warning, it broke away to dart at smaller fish, especially damselfish.



What changed wasn’t just the fish’s timing - but their approach. Blue runners typically hunt in groups. But these solo hunts seemed far more effective when combined with the shark’s distraction.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shark-cover-boosts-hunting-success">Shark cover boosts hunting success </h2>



The team analyzed hours of underwater footage to understand the success of this hunting trick. The findings were clear. When blue runners used sharks as cover, prey detected them only 10 percent of the time.



In contrast, when they hunted as a group - without shark cover - their targets noticed them over 95 percent of the time.



The difference changed everything. Instead of fleeing or forming tight defensive schools, the damselfish and other prey stayed relaxed. The shark’s presence seemed to lull them into a false sense of security, never realizing another <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-third-of-shark-species-face-extinction-despite-fishing-bans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predator</a> swam in its shadow.



The blue runners also appeared to gain other benefits. Scientists believe that swimming behind the shark may help conserve energy, thanks to reduced water resistance. It may also offer safety, as predators are less likely to attack a fish moving close to a large shark.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-rare-gathering-of-sharks">A rare gathering of sharks</h2>



This remarkable behavior occurs in one of the few places in the Mediterranean where sandbar sharks still gather in groups. 



Every summer, they return to the waters around Lampione Island, creating what scientists call an “aggregation.” This kind of natural event is rare in these seas, especially as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chemical-clues-from-old-shark-jaws-reveal-diets-and-habitats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shark populations</a> decline due to overfishing and habitat stress.



Because of the consistency and uniqueness of this site, the researchers had the chance to observe complex behaviors that would likely go unnoticed elsewhere.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shark-loss-could-affect-hunting-behavior">Shark loss could affect hunting behavior</h2>



“The study highlights how interactions between species can drive alternative hunting tactics in marine ecosystems. Understanding these dynamics enriches our knowledge of marine biodiversity and underscores the importance of conserving high-level predators, like sharks,” said Professor Fabio Badalamenti, of the University of Edinburgh and CNR-IAS Palermo.



“This unique interaction emphasizes the ecological importance of the few remaining shark aggregations, which can influence the structure and function of ecosystems,“ noted Dr. Carlo Cattano, of the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn.



“Lampione Island is one of only two known aggregation areas for the sandbar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-some-great-hammerhead-sharks-rarely-leave-home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shark</a> in the Mediterranean Sea. The ongoing decline in large shark populations due to overfishing could jeopardize associations like these, which could have knock-on effects on other species.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-dynamics-of-fragile-ecosystems">Hidden dynamics of fragile ecosystems </h2>



This behavior isn't just a cool trick of nature - it carries serious implications. The blue runners’ strategy depends on the shark’s presence. If sharks vanish, so might these unique hunting methods. As top predators decline, ripple effects may shift entire ecosystems in ways we don’t yet understand.



Understanding these hidden dynamics reveals how fragile marine systems can be. Every player in the food web, no matter how strong or small, shapes the behavior of others. 



Preserving biodiversity, then, isn't just about saving one species - it’s about keeping the game of life in motion, with all its surprises intact.



The study's success resulted from collaboration across institutions. Scientists from the University of Edinburgh, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, the National Biodiversity Future Center, CNR-IAS, and the University of Palermo all played roles.​



Support from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bluemarinefoundation.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blue Marine Foundation</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.org/society/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Geographic Society</a>&nbsp;enabled long-term observation, which proved key in documenting this behavior over multiple seasons.



The research is published in the journal <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecy.70028" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ecology</a>.



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Sneaky fish use sharks like moving shields while hunting

Some fish are not just fast - they’re smart. A...

Farmers rely on insecticides to protect their crops from damage by pests. But using them too often may lead to an unexpected side effect - more weeds.



A new study reveals that the way insecticides are applied can shape weed growth, especially in corn and soybean fields. 



Researchers from <a href="https://www.psu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Penn State</a> conducted a three-year study to understand the bigger picture. They compared two insecticide strategies: applying them preventively at planting, versus only applying them when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pesticides-have-become-increasingly-toxic-to-insects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insects</a> were actually present. 



The experts also tested how cover crops - plants grown after harvest to protect the soil - interact with both approaches.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insecticides-may-harm-helpful-insects">Insecticides may harm helpful insects</h2>



By the third year, the results showed a clear pattern. Fields treated with insecticides but left without cover crops ended up with more weeds, especially a type called marestail. In contrast, fields with cover crops didn’t have this issue - even if insecticides were used.



This finding raised questions. One possible reason, the researchers suggest, is that insecticides may be hurting more than just the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-use-a-molecular-alarm-system-to-respond-to-insect-pests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pests</a>. 



Some insects - like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-will-climate-impact-the-beetles-that-protect-our-crops/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beetles</a>, crickets, and ants - actually help by eating weed seeds. If these helpful insects are harmed by the insecticides, the weeds have more of a chance to thrive.



“Always using an insecticide at planting does not seem to be the best approach in Pennsylvania, considering that early-season insect pests tend to be a relatively uncommon problem,” said John Tooker, a professor of entomology in the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-case-for-smarter-pest-control">A case for smarter pest control</h2>



The study supports the idea of integrated pest management (IPM). Instead of spraying chemicals by default, IPM involves monitoring fields and only treating them when necessary. This reduces harm to helpful insects and may keep weed populations in check.



“When taking an IPM approach, we advocate for using the right products at the right time to control the right pests, and that will also then help reduce these negative consequences of using these treatments too much,” said Tooker.



This message may be especially important now. Elizabeth Rowen, lead author of the study and assistant professor at the University of California, Riverside, said that weeds are getting harder to manage.



“Many of the seeds growers use were developed to not be killed by herbicides,” explained Rowen.



“This allows growers to use glyphosate to control weeds; however, this also results in the evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds, which makes it much harder to control weeds without killing the crops. So, having multiple strategies to help manage weeds is really important.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-benefits-of-less-insecticide-use">Benefits of less insecticide use</h2>



The study was carried out at Penn State’s Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-sweet-corn-at-high-densities-improves-yield/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Corn</a> and soybean plots were assigned one of three pest control treatments: preventive insecticides at the time of planting, IPM-based insecticides used only when needed, or no insecticides at all. Each treatment was tested with and without cover crops.



Over the course of three years, the researchers tracked many details. They measured cover crop growth, insect communities, seed predation, weed density, and crop yields.



The results showed that applying insecticides only when needed did not reduce productivity. In fact, it came with some added benefits - less pesticide use and better weed control when cover crops were involved.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-limited-approach-pays-off">A limited approach pays off</h2>



“Oftentimes corn and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-virus-can-benefit-soybean-eating-insects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">soybean</a> fields are so big that growers are inclined to do all of the management up front so they don't have to go back and walk the fields,” Tooker said. 



“But our evidence suggests that walking these fields to identify problems as they happen can provide clear benefits in terms of not needing certain pesticides, namely many of the fungicides and insecticides.”



Taking time to observe what’s actually happening in the soil and among the plants can reveal issues that automated treatments might overlook. 



This study reminds us that nature is full of connections. Choosing when and how to use insecticides may not just control pests - it can also change the entire balance of a field.



The research suggests that a slower, more watchful approach might lead to better results in the long run.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://peerj.com/articles/18597/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PeerJ</a>.



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Insecticides may be helping weeds thrive

Farmers rely on insecticides to protect their crops from damage...

Every thought we have, every emotion we feel, and every memory we hold requires one essential ingredient: energy. 



This energy is produced by mitochondria - tiny, bean-shaped structures inside our cells that act like batteries, powering everything our body does.



In the brain, mitochondria are especially important. But for all their importance, we still know very little about how these microscopic engines are distributed throughout the brain, how they vary, or how they impact mental health.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-map-of-mitochondria-in-the-brain">Map of mitochondria in the brain</h2>



To investigate, scientists at <a href="https://www.columbia.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Columbia University</a> created a tool called MitoBrainMap, the first comprehensive map of mitochondria distribution across the human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/first-complete-map-of-every-neuron-in-the-brain-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain</a>.



This tool offers a closer look at how energy is managed in different parts of the brain, and what that means for our mood, memory, and overall brain function.



The study was led by Martin Picard, associate professor of behavioral medicine at the Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center, along with with Michel Thiebaut de Schotten, who is a research director at the University of Bordeaux.



“There’s an emerging notion that energy is really important to health, but we don’t have a way to look at bioenergetics across the entire human brain,” explained Picard.



“MitoBrainMap marks a milestone toward understanding the energy landscape underlying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-health-may-literally-be-a-state-of-mind/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain health</a>, with implications for tracing the origin of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders and developing new approaches to treatment."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detailed-energy-profile-of-the-brain">Detailed energy profile of the brain</h2>



Studying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mitochondria-cells-batteries-leaking-causes-inflammation-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mitochondria</a> in the brain isn’t easy. Traditional brain scans like MRIs give a big-picture view, while microscopic studies only focus on individual cells. The researchers needed a way to connect these two scales.



They started with a frozen human brain. From this brain, they sliced out a section and cut it into 703 small cubes, each measuring just 3 millimeters on each side. That’s about the size of a grain of sand and similar to the resolution of standard brain scans.



Inside each cube, the experts measured two things: the number of mitochondria and how efficiently those mitochondria could convert nutrients into usable energy.



These results were then used to build a detailed energy profile of that single brain slice.



Since analyzing all 50,000 sections of a whole brain would take years, the team used computational modeling to estimate the energy map for the rest of the brain. 



This approach allowed them to create a first-of-its-kind model of how energy is spread out in the human brain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mitochondria-vary-by-brain-region">Mitochondria vary by brain region</h2>



The results were surprising. Mitochondria, it turns out, are not uniformly distributed. Their density and energy-producing capabilities vary not just by the type of brain cell, but also by brain region.



Anna Monzel is a computational research scientist who was involved with the single cell mitochondrial phenotyping ("mitotyping") component of the study.



“These differences are remarkable since all mitochondria originate from the same 'mother' pool of mitochondria in the oocyte,” said Monzel.



“But during development they specialize in a cell type-dependent manner to subserve bioenergetic demands and guide the acquisition of specific cellular phenotypes."



Newer parts of the human brain - those that evolved more recently and help define what makes us human - had more mitochondria.



These mitochondria were also more efficient. That makes sense, considering these newer regions are more energy-hungry than older parts of the brain.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-energy-and-mental-function">Brain energy and mental function </h2>



The team’s initial map is just the beginning. Future work will focus on validating and expanding these findings. 



“If validated, our model could be used to estimate the functional properties of mitochondria in the live brain using standard MRI scans, essentially creating the first non-invasive way of peering into the biology of mitochondrial bioenergetics in the human brain,” said study first author Eugene Mosharov, a research scientist in the Department of Psychiatry.



This would open up entirely new ways to study the connection between brain energy and mental function in real time - during learning, emotional experiences, or even <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/contagion-most-people-would-conceal-an-infectious-illness-in-public/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">illness</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improving-the-accuracy-of-the-brain-map">Improving the accuracy of the brain map</h2>



The researchers are already working on a second version of MitoBrainMap. They’re analyzing brain samples from 500 individuals, and looking at nine different regions to see how mitochondrial patterns vary from person to person.



These efforts will improve the accuracy of the map and help explain how energy differences might relate to conditions like Alzheimer’s or <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/depression-increases-the-risk-of-stroke/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">depression</a>.



“Energy is the missing dimension of biomedicine,” said Picard. "If you think of health as energy, it inspires you to ask different questions. How much energy does it cost to heal the brain? Does the food you eat influence your mitochondria? Do energy constraints affect normal brain function, or the development of Alzheimer’s disease?" 



"This MitoBrainMap v1.0 is a step toward understanding the energetics of the brain and the experiences it allows us to have.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-energy-in-the-brain">Significance of energy in the brain</h2>



By visualizing how energy is distributed in the brain, MitoBrainMap encourages us to think differently about mental health and disease. 



It suggests that energy - something we rarely consider - may be just as important as anatomy or chemistry for brain function.



This first version is just a starting point. As scientists continue to build on this map, it could become a powerful tool in understanding not just the brain, but the experience of being human.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08740-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Fueling the mind: New map reveals where the brain gets its energy

Every thought we have, every emotion we feel, and every...

In recent years, cold plunges have become a fixture on wellness feeds and gym schedules. People swear by them - claiming everything from mental clarity to faster recovery. But what does science say when you strip away the hype?



A team of researchers at the <a href="https://www.uottawa.ca/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Ottawa</a> has taken a closer look. Their work didn’t just explore how our bodies handle cold on the outside. It examined what happens on a much deeper level: inside your cells. 



The results of the study could shape how we think about cold exposure and its place in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/organ-aging-can-predict-diseases-decades-in-advance/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">everyday health</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cold-plunges-change-cells-in-one-week">Cold plunges change cells in one week</h2>



​The&nbsp;<a href="https://hepru.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit</a>&nbsp;conducted a tightly controlled experiment with ten healthy young men.​



Over seven days, each participant immersed himself in 14°C (57.2°F) water for one hour per day. Blood samples were drawn before and after the cold-water sessions on days 1, 4, and 7.



The aim wasn’t to measure surface-level outcomes like muscle soreness. Instead, the team analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cells to examine cellular stress, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-discover-a-protein-that-reverses-cellular-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recovery</a>, and resilience. 



They focused on autophagy (the body's way of cleaning out damaged components) and apoptosis (programmed cell death).



“Our findings indicate that repeated cold exposure significantly improves autophagic function, a critical cellular protective mechanism,” said Professor Kenny. 



“This enhancement allows cells to better manage stress and could have important implications for health and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/defying-time-three-ways-to-slow-biological-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">longevity</a>.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-cold-plunges-caused-stress">Early cold plunges caused stress</h2>



On the first day, the researchers found clear signs of stress. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/random-dna-mutations-shape-biological-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cells</a> showed an increase in proteins like p62, which typically accumulate when autophagy is disrupted. 



LC3-II, a marker of autophagic activity, did not increase. Apoptotic signaling also rose, with a marked spike in cleaved caspase-3, a protein that signals a cell is on its way to self-destruction.



This meant that initially, the cold exposure was overwhelming the cells. The natural repair systems weren't strong enough to counteract the damage. But that would begin to change by day four.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-signals-of-cellular-recovery">Signals of cellular recovery</h2>



By the fourth day of immersion, early signs of adaptation emerged. LC3-II levels began to climb slightly, and p62 dropped - although still above baseline.



However, caspase-3 remained high, indicating the cells were still battling stress. The balance had not yet tipped in favor of full recovery.



“By the end of the acclimation, we noted a marked improvement in the participants’ cellular cold tolerance. This suggests that cold acclimation may help the body effectively cope with extreme environmental conditions," explained King, the study's first author.



Day seven marked a significant change. LC3-II rose substantially, showing robust autophagic activity. p62 dropped below baseline. 



Caspase-3 levels returned to near normal. The cells had started to regulate themselves more efficiently, showing they had adapted.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cellular-learning-confirmed">Cellular learning confirmed</h2>



To take it further, the researchers tested the participants’ blood cells in cold conditions outside the body - before and after the week-long immersion routine.



Known as ex vivo testing, this allowed the team to simulate hypothermic states (temperatures as low as 4°C) without endangering the volunteers.



Before acclimation, these tests revealed poor autophagic responses and increased <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-reverse-aging-a-bold-new-approach-could-reprogram-cells/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">apoptosis</a> across all cold conditions. 



But after the seven-day program, LC3-II increased significantly at every temperature below 35°C. Apoptotic signals, particularly cleaved caspase-3, decreased, while p62 remained lower across the board.



These shifts showed that cells had become better at handling cold stress, even when removed from the body. It wasn’t just temporary resistance - it was programmed cellular behavior.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cold-plunges-triggered-stress-proteins">Cold plunges triggered stress proteins</h2>



While tracking autophagy and apoptosis, the researchers also looked at heat shock proteins - namely HSP70 and HSP90. 



These proteins help stabilize other proteins during stress. Both increased during cold immersion but did not change significantly across the seven days.



This suggests that the cold exposure was enough to activate them, but the level of stimulus did not escalate throughout the week. 



Instead, it’s possible the body tuned its internal systems to respond more efficiently without ramping up these proteins further.



“This work underscores the importance of acclimation protocols in enhancing human health, especially in contexts where individuals are exposed to extreme temperatures,” noted Professor Kenny.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cooling-curve-and-shivering-clues">Cooling curve and shivering clues</h2>



Besides cellular markers, physiological changes supported the idea of adaptation. 



By day seven, participants had smaller increases in blood lactate levels - indicating less shivering. The body was becoming more efficient at conserving heat without relying on rapid muscle contractions.



Cooling rates slowed too. Participants took longer to reach the cutoff esophageal temperature of 35.5°C. While core temperature didn’t differ much across days, these smaller indicators confirmed the shift in cold tolerance.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-and-death-inside-a-cell">Life and death inside a cell</h2>



Interestingly, at colder temperatures (33°C and below), both autophagic and apoptotic signals rose post-acclimation. 



This dual response could mean cells were trying to survive using every tool available. When stress surpassed a certain threshold, even enhanced autophagy wasn’t enough to prevent some cells from progressing toward death.



This mirrors findings in animal models, where excessive autophagy can trigger cell death if damage is too severe. 



The takeaway? Cold adaptation boosts protection, but it’s not a magic shield against extreme stress.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cold-plunges-may-slow-cellular-aging">Cold plunges may slow cellular aging</h2>



"We were amazed to see how quickly the body adapted," said King. "Cold exposure might help prevent diseases and potentially even slow down aging at a cellular level. It's like a tune-up for your body's microscopic machinery."



While this research focused on healthy young males, it opens a door for broader inquiry. 



Could older adults benefit from structured cold exposure? What about people with chronic illnesses that impair autophagic function? 



These are next steps scientists are eager to explore.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cold-exposure-as-health-practice">Cold exposure as health practice</h2>



This study presents a strong case for integrating safe, structured cold exposure into wellness routines. 



Seven days of one-hour immersion changed how cells handled stress, repaired themselves, and avoided damage. It’s one of the first studies to show these changes at a molecular level in humans.



More research will help define guidelines: how cold, how long, and how often. But one thing is clear - the body learns. And when exposed with care, cold might not be something to avoid, but something to use.



Whether you're an athlete or just someone curious about longevity, this research suggests that the answer might be hiding in plain sight - or maybe, in a tub of ice water.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adbi.202400111" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Advanced Biology</a>.



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Cold plunges improve your health by literally changing your cells

In recent years, cold plunges have become a fixture on...

The mortar, pestle, and cutting board you use in your kitchen today are modern tools rooted in ancient tradition. Long before stainless steel and ceramic surfaces, people used manos and metates - stone tools designed to grind plants and seeds into edible forms.



A mano is a handheld stone, used in tandem with a metate, which is a flat slab or natural rock depression. Some of these bedrock grinding surfaces date back as far as 15,500 years and appear in clusters across archaeological sites around the world.



Recently, scientists from the <a href="https://www.utah.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Utah</a>, working through the Natural History Museum of Utah (NHMU), have begun using innovative techniques to extract microscopic plant residues from these ancient bedrock metates.



By doing so, they’re uncovering details about the diets and lives of the people who used them.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-deeper-into-ancient-tools">Looking deeper into ancient tools</h2>



“People have lived here for time immemorial and have been processing native plants on ground <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stone-tool-discovery-challenges-entire-theory-of-human-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stone tools</a> for a long time too,” said archaeobotanist Stefania Wilks, a research assistant at NHMU and graduate student at the University of Utah.



Her work focuses on identifying food and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/narrowing-the-search-for-new-medicinal-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">medicinal plants</a> processed in the past to understand both traditional lifeways and how landscapes have shifted over time.



Wilks is part of a team working with NHMU’s Curator of Archaeology, Lisbeth Louderback, also a professor of anthropology at the University of Utah. Together, they’re focusing on something extraordinarily small: starch granules.



These are microscopic structures within plant cells used to store energy. Some are so tiny that even the largest are still smaller than a tenth of a millimeter.



Because they’re so small, starch granules can’t be seen with the naked eye. The researchers have to extract them from surfaces where plants were once processed - like pottery, basketry, and now, bedrock metates.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plant-matter-in-ancient-bedrock">Plant matter in ancient bedrock</h2>



Louderback suspected that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bedrock-may-be-secretly-supplying-trees-with-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bedrock</a> metates, despite being exposed to the elements, might still contain preserved plant matter.



Specifically, she believed that deep crevices in the stone might be hiding starch granules that people unknowingly pushed into the rock while grinding food.



“Through their actions of grinding and mashing, people would have forced these starches down deeper into the stone,” Wilks explained.



The bedrock metates themselves come in many forms. In Utah, they’re often long grooves in sandstone. In other areas, they may be bowl-shaped or resemble a modern-day mortar.



While they may not catch the eye like arrowheads or pottery, they are commonly found in groups and can be rich with information.



“They aren’t sexy like an arrowhead, but they still contain valuable information about what plants people processed in the past," said Wilks.



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



The research team focused on southern Oregon, where metates are found along basalt outcrops and surrounded by thousands of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/negev-petroglyphs-ancient-art-rock-carvings-face-erosion-fungi-lichens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">petroglyphs</a>.



These sites are also home to culturally significant plants - especially geophytes, which have underground storage organs like roots and tubers.



Archaeologists once believed that ancient people went to these uplands mainly for hunting. Wilks wanted to test whether the grinding surfaces were actually used for plant processing. The team collected samples from both the surface and the crevices of the metates.



First, they used an electric toothbrush and water to scrub the top layer of the stone. Then they added a deflocculant, a cleaning agent similar to detergent, to release particles trapped deeper in the rock. 



Another round with the electric toothbrush followed. For comparison, they performed the same process on nearby rocks that weren’t used for grinding.



When examined under a microscope, the results were clear. The surface samples showed almost no starch granules - nor did the control rocks.



But the material from inside the metate crevices? Hundreds of granules.



“It increased our confidence that what we were seeing was direct evidence that different plant species with starchy organs were processed on the metate,” Wilks recalled.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-diets-recorded-in-bedrock">Ancient diets recorded in bedrock</h2>



With evidence in hand, the researchers began the meticulous process of identifying the starches. 



Wilks compared each granule’s shape and structure to modern examples of plants still found in the region. It was a slow and careful job, but worth the effort. The researchers identified starch granules from several plant families.



One common group was the carrot family, including plants known as biscuit root. They also identified wild grasses, likely wild rye, and members of the lily family. 



All of these plants have been - and in many cases still are - important food sources for local Indigenous communities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-bedrock-holds-valuable-archives">Ancient bedrock holds valuable archives</h2>



“Starch analysis is helpful in studying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-diets-early-humans-richer-berries-nuts-plants-than-expected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human diets of the past</a> because some plant parts don’t preserve in the archaeological record,” Wilks said.



Root vegetables, for example, decay far faster than seeds or grains. By recovering starch granules from stone, archaeologists have a new way to piece together the food stories of ancient peoples.



These bedrock metates, often overlooked in archaeological surveys, are proving to be valuable archives of cultural history.



This new technique shows that even the most weathered stones can hold on to traces of the past. Each granule recovered tells a story - not just about what people ate, but how they lived, traveled, and used the land around them.



These simple tools, still hiding in plain sight, connect us to generations long gone but not forgotten.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-antiquity/article/starch-granule-evidence-for-biscuitroot-lomatium-spp-processing-at-upland-rock-art-sites-in-warner-valley-oregon/F33A2E88C9999D2786DBC45D89E9BF97" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Antiquity</a>.



Image Credit: Stefania Wilks, University of Utah



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What bedrock can tell us about ancient cooking and culture

The mortar, pestle, and cutting board you use in your...

<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



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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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