<p>Grains feed billions every day. Yet people still argue about which ones deserve a spot on the plate. Whole grains often get praise. Refined grains often get the blame. The truth, as a new study shows, is more complicated.</p>



<p>Researchers looked at more than 14,000 Americans and tracked what they ate. They used national survey data collected between 2017 and 2023, combining diet records with health markers such as weight, waist size, and insulin levels.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-analyzing-different-grains">Analyzing different grains</h2>



<p>The team came from the <a href="https://www.washington.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Washington</a> and a French nutrition group. They used national survey data collected between 2017 and 2023. They combined diet records with health markers such as weight, waist size, and insulin levels. </p>



<p>The study also considered cost - an issue that often keeps families from choosing healthier foods. By linking <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-diet-may-protect-cognitive-health/">nutrition scores</a> with affordability, the researchers could see not only which foods improved health but also which ones people could realistically buy.</p>



<p>This practical lens matters, because guidance that ignores price often fails in everyday life, leaving healthier choices out of reach for many households.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoring-nutrients-in-grains">Scoring nutrients in grains</h2>



<p>The researchers built scoring systems. One focused on whole grain content, fiber, and added sugar. Another measured nine nutrients we need - such as protein, folate, and magnesium - against three we should limit: sugar, sodium, and saturated fat.</p>



<p>Foods that performed well were tagged as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/common-food-nutrition-labels-may-be-based-on-50-year-old-data/">healthy</a> grains, while those lacking balance fell short. </p>



<p>This dual approach gave a sharper view, showing not just which grains are wholesome, but also why certain fortified foods deserve recognition alongside traditional whole grain options.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-grains-with-strong-nutrients">Grains with strong nutrients</h2>



<p>Cooked grains did well. So did cooked cereals and fortified grains in breads. Some ready-to-eat cereals also scored high, but only when sugar stayed low. </p>



<p>Sweet bakery goods, snack bars, and quick breads landed at the bottom. They offered calories but almost no nutrients, highlighting how certain popular items fill stomachs without delivering meaningful health benefits.</p>



<p>The contrast between fortified choices and sugar-heavy products shows why nutrient density, not just grain type, makes the real difference in improving diets.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eating-patterns-matter">Eating patterns matter</h2>



<p>The study showed who eats these grains. Women and older adults ate more of them. Mexican Americans included them often too. Non-Hispanic Black participants ate the least.</p>



<p>Income made a difference: higher income groups leaned toward healthier grain choices. Regional differences also appeared, with some communities relying more on fortified breads and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/childrens-cereals-now-contain-more-sugar-and-fat-than-ever/">cereals</a>. </p>



<p>Still, even the best groups ate less than one-third of their grains from nutrient-dense foods, showing plenty of room for improvement.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-grains-better-nutrition">More grains, better nutrition</h2>



<p>Those who ate more healthy grains had better overall diets. They consumed more fruits and vegetables. They cut down on added sugar, sodium, and saturated fat. </p>



<p>They also got more protein, calcium, potassium, and iron. These benefits grew stronger the more healthy grains people ate.</p>



<p>The gains extended to health outcomes. Adults eating nutrient-rich grains were less likely to have higher body weight. Their insulin levels were lower, indicating stronger metabolic health. Their cholesterol levels also improved in some cases.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-healthy-grains-don-t-cost-more">Healthy grains don’t cost more</h2>



<p>Nutritious foods often cost more, but that assumption did not hold here. Healthy grains were not more expensive than less nutritious ones. In some cases, fortified cereals and breads even cost less per gram or per calorie.</p>



<p>“Healthy grains are a critical component of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-break-down-the-best-heart-healthy-diets/">healthy diets</a>," said Dr. Adam Drewnowski, Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Washington.</p>



<p>“Our evaluation took whole grain content into account, along with fiber, vitamins and minerals. By delivering key nutrients such as fiber, iron, B vitamins and folate, grain foods can make a meaningful contribution to healthier eating patterns among all population groups.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nutrients-matter-more-than-labels">Nutrients matter more than labels</h2>



<p>This study shows that grain choices are not black and white. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/that-whole-wheat-bread-youve-been-eating-is-often-a-trap-its-not-what-you-think-it-is/">Whole grains</a> matter, but fortified refined grains can also help. What counts is nutrient density. That shift in perspective makes it easier for people to build healthier diets without higher costs or strict rules.</p>



<p>Grains will remain central to our diets. Choosing nutrient-dense ones - whether whole or fortified - can improve health without draining wallets. Balance matters more than rigid categories, and the study makes that clear. </p>



<p>Eating patterns shaped by variety and affordability work better long term. Rather than avoiding entire grain types, people can focus on smarter selections, building meals that deliver taste, nutrition, and practicality without unnecessary restrictions.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/17/16/2674" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nutrients</em></a>.</p>



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Some refined grains are surprisingly nutritious

Grains feed billions every day. Yet people still argue about which ones deserve a spot on the plate. Whole grains often get praise. Refined grains often get the blame. The truth, as a new study shows, is more complicated. Researchers looked at more than 14,000 Americans and tracked what they ate. They used national survey data collected between 2017 and 2023, combining diet records with health markers such as weight, waist size, and insulin levels. Analyzing different grains The team came from the University of Washington and...

<p>Iguanas have often been observed drifting on vegetation in the Caribbean, including a past 600-mile journey from Central America to the Galapagos.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, when it comes to extremely long-distance travel, Fiji’s iguanas surpass all others, according to new work by biologists at the <a href="https://www.berkeley.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Berkeley</a>, and the <a href="https://www.usfca.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of San Francisco</a> (USF).</p>



<p>The study shows that, at some point after approximately 34 million years ago, the ancestors of the Fiji <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/calotes-wangi-new-iguana-species-identified-in-china/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iguanas</a> arrived on the South Pacific islands following a 5,000-mile voyage from the western coast of North America. This feat stands as the longest recorded oceanic journey by any land vertebrate.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-overwater-dispersal-and-its-significance">Overwater dispersal and its significance</h2>



<p>Overwater dispersal is the primary means by which newly formed islands become populated by plants and animals, paving the way for the emergence of new species and distinct ecosystems.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This puzzle of how life colonizes distant islands has intrigued scientists since the time of Charles Darwin, who put forth the theory of evolution by natural selection.</p>



<p>According to the experts, the arrival of these iguana ancestors likely coincided with the volcanic origins of the Fiji archipelago.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers estimate that the iguanas’ landing time - 34 million years ago or slightly later - matches the date of the genetic split between Fiji’s <em>Brachylophus</em> iguanas and their nearest relatives, <em>Dipsosaurus</em> desert iguanas in North America.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mystery-of-fiji-s-iguanas-nbsp">Mystery of Fiji’s iguanas&nbsp;</h2>



<p>In earlier work, scientists speculated that Fiji iguanas might hail from an older lineage once spanning the Pacific, leaving <em>Brachylophus</em> as the single iguana genus in the western Pacific after the rest died out.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Some theorized they could have traveled by land and sea from South America or via Australia, but genetic and fossil data offered no support for that. The new research dismisses those ideas.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Study lead author Simon Scarpetta is a herpetologist and paleontologist who is a former postdoctoral fellow at UC Berkeley.</p>



<p>“We found that the Fiji iguanas are most closely related to the North American desert iguanas, something that hadn’t been figured out before, and that the lineage of Fiji iguanas split from their sister lineage relatively recently, much closer to 30 million years ago, either post-dating or at about the same time that there was <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-giant-volcanic-eruptions-alter-earths-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">volcanic activity</a> that could have produced land,” said Scarpetta.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“That they reached Fiji directly from North America seems crazy,” said co-author Jimmy McGuire, a UC Berkeley professor of integrative biology and herpetology curator at the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology. "But alternative models involving colonization from adjacent land areas don’t really work for the time frame, since we know that they arrived in Fiji within the last 34 million years or so." </p>



<p>"This suggests that as soon as land appeared where Fiji now resides, these iguanas may have colonized it. Regardless of the actual timing of dispersal, the event itself was spectacular.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-iguanas-voyage-to-fiji">The iguanas’ voyage to Fiji</h2>



<p>Whereas modern sailors can harness favorable winds to travel from California to Fiji in about a month, an iguana (or a group of them) would probably have drifted for far longer on uprooted plant life, crossing the doldrums and equator to arrive in Fiji and neighboring Tonga, where these iguanas live.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Luckily, iguanas are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/large-herbivores-are-not-always-harmful-in-new-territories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">large herbivores</a> adept at going without food or water for extended periods - and vegetation rafts may have provided them with nourishment.</p>



<p>“You could imagine some kind of cyclone knocking over trees where there were a bunch of iguanas and maybe their eggs, and then they caught the ocean currents and rafted over,” Scarpetta said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fiji-iguanas-as-an-evolutionary-outlier">Fiji iguanas as an evolutionary outlier</h2>



<p>Altogether, more than 2,100 species populate the suborder Iguania, comprising creatures such as chameleons, anoles, bearded dragons, and horned lizards.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The term “iguanas” typically refers to the Western Hemisphere lizards in the family <em>Iguanidae</em>, which includes the familiar green iguana. Forty-five iguanid species live in the Caribbean and in tropical, subtropical, and desert regions of the Americas - including the marine iguanas of the Galapagos and the chuckwallas of the American Southwest.</p>



<p>The Fiji iguanas stand apart, marooned in the Pacific. Four species live on Fiji and Tonga, all listed as endangered because of habitat destruction, invasive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/endangered-greater-sticknest-rat-uses-invasive-weed-african-boxthorn-food-shelter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rats</a>, and illegal exploitation for the pet trade.</p>



<p>In the past, some researchers suggested that a now-lost iguana population once ranged widely around the Pacific Rim, eventually reaching the central Pacific through island-hopping.&nbsp;</p>



<p>They may have traveled by land and sea along the Pacific coast of the Americas, passing through Antarctica, or perhaps they rafted on the Humboldt Current from South America into the South Pacific.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-origins-of-fiji-iguanas-nbsp">Genetic origins of Fiji iguanas&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Previous genetic analyses of a few selected genes proved inconclusive about how Fiji iguanas relate to other iguanids. Then, while a postdoctoral fellow with McGuire, Scarpetta launched a comprehensive survey of all genera in Iguania to clarify the group’s phylogeny.</p>



<p>“Different relationships have been inferred in these various analyses, none with particularly strong support,” McGuire noted. “So there was still this uncertainty about where <em>Brachylophus</em> really fits within the iguanid phylogeny. Simon’s data really nailed this thing.”</p>



<p>Collecting genome-wide sequences from over 4,000 genes, along with tissue samples from more than 200 iguanian specimens archived in museums worldwide, Scarpetta found that Fiji iguanas are most closely aligned with the <em>Dipsosaurus</em> genus.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Their best-known member, the North American desert iguana, <em>Dipsosaurus dorsalis</em>, endures the scorching conditions of the American Southwest and northern Mexico, with another related species confined to Santa Catalina Island in the Sea of Cortez.</p>



<p>“Iguanas and desert iguanas, in particular, are resistant to starvation and dehydration, so my thought process is, if there had to be any group of vertebrate or any group of lizard that really could make an 8,000 kilometer journey across the Pacific on a mass of vegetation, a desert iguana-like ancestor would be the one,” Scarpetta said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genomic-data-reveals-dispersal-patterns">Genomic data reveals dispersal patterns</h2>



<p>This genetic evidence clarifies that <em>Brachylophus</em> and <em>Dipsosaurus</em> diverged around 34 million years ago - ruling out earlier conjectures about older Pacific lineages or a South American origin. </p>



<p>Moreover, since the Fiji Islands also formed near that time, the iguanas’ extraordinary journey aligns neatly with the emergence of volcanic land.</p>



<p>“When you don’t really know where <em>Brachylophus</em> fits at the base of the tree, then where they came from can also be almost anywhere,” McGuire added. </p>



<p>“So it was much easier to imagine that <em>Brachylophus</em> originated from South America, since we already have marine and land iguanas in the Galapagos that almost certainly dispersed to the islands from the mainland.”</p>



<p>With the new analysis, a South American path can be dismissed. And as the volcanic Fiji Islands appeared roughly 34 million years ago, iguanas possibly found them not long afterward. </p>



<p>Other South Pacific islands might have supported iguanas at some point, but ephemeral volcanic islands can vanish as fast as they appear, erasing any trace of past populations.</p>



<p>Scarpetta, who has studied reptiles and amphibians from a young age, is continuing to utilize genome-wide data to further unravel the evolutionary relationships and dispersal patterns of iguanian lizards over time.</p>



<p>Image Credit: Nicholas Hess</p>



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Iguanas traveled 5,000 miles from North America to Fiji

Iguanas have often been observed drifting on vegetation in the...

<p>In a busy city or a remote countryside, a sudden bright light sometimes shows up overhead. It streaks across the sky, then fades fast, leaving people with a jolt of excitement and plenty of questions.</p>



<p>These blazing objects are often <a href="https://cneos.jpl.nasa.gov/fireballs/intro.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bolides</a> - meteors that burn especially brightly as they pass through Earth's atmosphere. </p>



<p>According to <a href="https://ares.jsc.nasa.gov/people/bios/marc-d-fries/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marc Fries</a> and <a href="https://jeffreyfriesen.me/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jeffrey Fries</a>, researchers affiliated with NASA, such events can be tracked even when the glow ends, thanks to certain weather radars that happen to catch them in action.</p>



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



<p>Weather radars like NEXRAD have served as powerful observation systems for decades. They sweep the skies and collect data on raindrops and other particles in constant motion. </p>



<p>They can detect birds migrating and bats that move around at night.</p>



<p>A bolide enters the atmosphere at tremendous speed, generating intense heat and light. </p>



<p>Most of its material burns up, yet small fragments known as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/he-thought-it-was-gold-but-inside-this-4-6-billion-year-old-meteorite-he-found-something-even-stranger/">meteorites</a> can continue falling long after the glow disappears. Weather radars can detect these falling objects.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seeing-meteors-by-day-or-night">Seeing meteors by day or night</h2>



<p>Many people think meteor-watching is all about scanning the sky after sunset. In reality, these systems operate 24/7, so they can pick up meteorites even in daylight when our eyes are less likely to spot them.</p>



<p>By detecting these fragments in their dark flight stage, scientists learn exactly where to search on the ground. This leads to faster recoveries of space rocks that can teach us about the early solar system.</p>



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



<p>When these objects enter our airspace, they first blaze as friction ionizes the surrounding gas. After that luminous phase, they slow below a critical speed and stop glowing.</p>



<p>At that point, radar beams bouncing off the descending fragments show up as reflections on a computer screen. </p>



<p>The resulting data help experts gauge where the fragments might land, how big they are, and how fast they are traveling.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modeling-the-final-drop">Modeling the final drop</h2>



<p>Experts often use specialized tools to map out a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12447433/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">strewn field</a>, which is the area scattered with meteorites of different sizes. </p>



<p>Calculations rely on wind data from weather balloons, along with velocity estimates gleaned from radar sweeps.</p>



<p>In the <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/blog/breakup-lasting-impact-meteorites-470-million-year-old-split" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2003 Park Forest meteorite event</a>, weather radar returns guided local search efforts and led to successful recoveries. </p>



<p>The final yield offered a valuable set of samples that provided further insight into asteroid collisions and fragmentation patterns.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-staying-clear-of-confusion">Staying clear of confusion</h2>



<p>Radar picks up birds, insects, and even dust, which makes singling out real <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-meteorites-can-be-traced-to-three-asteroid-families/">meteorites</a> more tricky. Scientists look for specific traits - like brief, strong signals high above the ground and away from typical rain clouds.</p>



<p>For a daytime bolide, infrasound or eyewitness accounts can confirm that a meteor fall occurred. Researchers then check radar archives to pinpoint the location of possible fragments.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-advantages-of-open-data">Unique advantages of open data</h2>



<p>In the United States, radar data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (<a href="https://www.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NOAA</a>) is openly shared, which enables quick searches when an unexpected event lights up the sky. This open format simplifies collaboration across different fields.</p>



<p>Similar radar networks around the planet could track bolides everywhere. Widespread data access might boost annual meteorite recoveries and spark fresh discoveries related to planetary science.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bringing-it-down-to-earth">Bringing it down to earth</h2>



<p>Because these rocks are fragments from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/27500-hidden-near-earth-asteroids-discovered-using-google-cloud/">asteroids</a> or comets, every recovered piece reveals new clues about our cosmic backyard. Some may carry organic compounds, while others hold records of ancient impacts.</p>



<p>When scientists retrieve them quickly, the specimens are less contaminated. This boosts the quality of lab studies, and allows for more accurate chemical and structural examinations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improving-detection-methods">Improving detection methods</h2>



<p>Machine learning may soon assist in separating meteorite signals from the usual radar chatter. Large sample sets help train algorithms to recognize distinct patterns or shapes.</p>



<p>Limited examples slow down progress. But as more bolides are recorded and recovered, patterns should emerge that allow software to flag potential meteorite drops as they happen.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-potential">Global potential</h2>



<p>Many nations rely on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-timing-is-drastically-changing-due-to-extreme-weather/">weather</a> radars operating at different frequencies, such as <em>S-band</em>, <em>C-band</em>, or <em>X-band</em>. </p>



<p>The variations can influence whether smaller or larger fragments are picked up, and this brings different science opportunities in each region.</p>



<p>Coordinated radar networks across continents could fill current data gaps. Whether it’s a small rock that survives or a larger one that breaks apart in the atmosphere, the worldwide community stands to benefit from shared findings.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-real-time-rescue-of-rare-objects">Real-time rescue of rare objects</h2>



<p>Groups like the <a href="https://www.amsmeteors.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Meteor Society</a> gather eyewitness accounts, and these tips often confirm a bright fireball. Once that alert goes out, radar data can guide volunteers to search possible fall sites within hours.</p>



<p>People in local areas sometimes have no idea that a valuable specimen has just landed on their doorstep. Sharing timely maps of predicted impact zones can lead to swift recoveries.</p>



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



<p>The more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/iron-meteorites-reveal-unexpected-metal-distribution-in-solar-system/">meteorites</a> we collect, the closer we get to answering big questions about our planet and solar system. </p>



<p>Efforts to refine radar detection and search strategies are on the rise, helping scientists assemble a clearer picture of near-Earth space objects.</p>



<p>When a shining streak appears overhead, curiosity is natural. If weather radars confirm that fragments have indeed fallen to Earth, the new evidence may soon be safely in a research lab. </p>



<p>This would help us learn more about where we came from and where we might be headed next.</p>



<p>The study is published in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/aa/3041760" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Advances in Astronomy</em></a>.</p>



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Weather radar systems can detect meteorite falls

In a busy city or a remote countryside, a sudden...

<p>Over the last 20 years, the Gulf of Maine has turned into a hotspot for invasive species, many of which arrive in ship ballast water.&nbsp; These invaders - and the changing environmental conditions that favor them - have reshaped coastal ecosystems, including tidal snail populations.</p>



<p>A recent study has examined how two common snail species (<em>Nucella lapillus</em> and <em>Littorina obtusata</em>) have <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snails-defy-death-and-revive-through-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolved</a> in response to a major predator: the invasive green crab (<em>Carcinus maenas</em>). </p>



<p>The key finding is that snails have developed thicker shells, reflecting a shift from short-term, plastic defenses to more durable, genetic adaptations.</p>



<p>The research was co-authored by Geoffrey Trussell, an evolutionary biologist at <a href="https://cos.northeastern.edu/marinescience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center</a> and his collaborator James Corbett.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rapid-invasion-by-a-voracious-predator">Rapid invasion by a voracious predator</h2>



<p>Originally thriving in more southern waters, green <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reef-crabs-help-heat-stressed-corals-survive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crabs</a> have steadily moved north up the Atlantic coast. They feed aggressively on tidal snails, among other prey, and their recent establishment in the Gulf of Maine has placed new pressure on native species.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Lots of invasive species have arrived on our shores, mostly through ship ballast,” Trussell said. “So you have this confluence of significant environmental changes.”</p>



<p>By comparing snail data collected 20 years apart - first in 1998, when green crabs were still new arrivals, and again in 2018 - the researchers documented a striking shift. Snail shells had become not only thicker, but also less able to adapt flexibly to varying predator threats.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-nature-of-snail-defenses">The nature of snail defenses</h2>



<p>Previously, many tidal snails displayed phenotypic plasticity: they would grow thicker shells if they detected “risk cues” from predators in their environment, such as chemical signals and hormones emitted by crabs.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In lab tests, snails reared in water near green crabs ended up with a protective, thicker armor compared to those in predator-free tanks.</p>



<p>As green crabs grew more common, this on-demand defense began to shift toward permanent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/subtle-dna-changes-shaped-human-brain-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic changes</a>. Over generations, snails started producing thicker shells without relying as much on situational cues. While effective at deterring predators, it comes at a cost.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Back in the early days, if a snail had a thick shell, they had very little soft body mass,” Trussell noted. “If they had a thin shell, they had a lot of body mass.”</p>



<p>Because snails require adequate body mass to carry out vital functions - particularly reproduction - the move toward bigger, heavier shells may reduce their reproductive output.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decline-in-behavioral-flexibility">Decline in behavioral flexibility</h2>



<p>In ecology, “plasticity” refers to an organism’s ability to adjust traits in real time based on its environment. In the 1990s, snails in the Gulf of Maine possessed more of this short-term adaptability.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Two decades later, genetic evolution is overshadowing plasticity, suggesting that constant predator pressure and environmental change have steered snails toward more fixed physical traits.</p>



<p>“That body mass has direct effects on things like how many offspring they’re able to produce,” Trussell said. “So that [decreased] behavioral plasticity has huge consequences, not only for how these [snail] communities are structured, but also potentially how their ecosystem functions.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complexity-of-snail-defenses-nbsp">Complexity of snail defenses&nbsp;</h2>



<p>This study underscores the significance of multi-decade ecological monitoring.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“This work highlights the value of going back and revisiting experiments and populations to understand how things have changed,” Trussell explained.&nbsp;</p>



<p>He noted that the new round of experiments repeated the same procedures - and sometimes used the same containers - he relied on in graduate school.</p>



<p>The new data also reveal unexpected complexity within snail species. In some cases, individuals from the same species and sex, collected in the same location, displayed notably different levels of UV reflectance or shell thickness.</p>



<p>This discovery hints at underlying genetic variability and the intricate interplay between environment and heredity.</p>



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



<p>Trussell and Corbett plan to repeat the study in 2028, extending the project’s timeline to 30 years. They aim to explore how snail defenses and population structures continue to shift, as both climate change and the green crab invasion persist.</p>



<p>By documenting how these tidal snails evolve, the research offers a broader window into how coastal systems transform under invasive pressure and environmental change.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As certain traits become genetically “locked in,” they reshape the dynamics of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/largest-predator-prey-feast-ever-seen-in-the-ocean-enormous-quickly-altered-food-chain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predator-prey interactions</a> - while also reminding ecologists that prolonged, in-depth observations are often the only way to grasp the full evolution of ecosystems in a changing world.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adr6947" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Science Advances</em></a>.</p>



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Sea snails evolved defenses against invasive predators

Over the last 20 years, the Gulf of Maine has...

<p>One of the most profound questions about human history is when language, as we know it, first emerged. </p>



<p>A new analysis of genetic studies proposes that the cognitive capacity for language was already present at least 135,000 years ago, with language likely becoming a social tool around 100,000 years ago.</p>



<p>The study challenges long-standing debates about the timing of language emergence. </p>



<p>The research was conducted by a team led by Shigeru Miyagawa, a linguist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (<a href="https://web.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MIT</a>), alongside Rob DeSalle and Ian Tattersall from the American Museum of Natural History (<a href="https://www.amnh.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AMNH</a>).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetics-and-human-language-evolution">Genetics and human language evolution</h2>



<p>Previous attempts to determine the origins of language have relied on fossil records, cultural artifacts, or linguistic reconstruction. This study took a different approach.</p>



<p>The team examined genetic evidence to trace the earliest known divergence of human populations, reasoning that all human languages likely share a common origin.</p>



<p>“The logic is very simple. Every population branching across the globe has human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-generated-birdsongs-may-shed-new-light-on-human-language/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">language</a>, and all languages are related," Miyagawa explained.</p>



<p>"I think we can say with a fair amount of certainty that the first split occurred about 135,000 years ago, so human language capacity must have been present by then, or before.”</p>



<p>The study systematically reviewed 15 genetic studies conducted over the past 18 years. </p>



<p>These studies included: Y chromosome analysis (which traces paternal lineage), mitochondrial DNA studies (which track maternal ancestry), as well as whole-genome studies (which examine broader genetic variation).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-populations-branched-out">Human populations branched out</h2>



<p>Together, these genetic studies suggest that human populations began splitting around 135,000 years ago, meaning that before this divergence, <em>Homo sapiens</em> was a single, undivided population.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Since every group that branched out maintained the ability to communicate through language, this strongly suggests that language had already developed by this time.</p>



<p>A 2017 study attempted a similar genetic approach but had access to fewer datasets. With more recent genetic research available, the current study provides a more precise estimate for when language capacity was present.</p>



<p>“Quantity-wise, we have more studies, and quality-wise, it's a narrower window [of time],” said Miyagawa, who is also affiliated with the <a href="https://www5.usp.br/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of São Paulo</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-language-as-a-unique-human-trait">Language as a unique human trait</h2>



<p>Miyagawa has long argued that all human languages share fundamental similarities, making it likely that they evolved from a common source. </p>



<p>His past research has explored unexpected linguistic connections, such as similarities between English, Japanese, and Bantu languages.</p>



<p>Some scholars propose that language capacity dates back millions of years, based on the vocal abilities of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-chimpanzees-and-humans-learn-to-communicate-in-the-same-way/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">primates</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, Miyagawa believes this perspective is flawed. He emphasizes that human language is unique, not just because of vocal ability, but because of its combination of words and grammar, which creates an infinitely generative system of communication.</p>



<p>“Human language is qualitatively different because there are two things - words and syntax - working together to create this very complex system,” he explained.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“No other animal has a parallel structure in their communication system. And that gives us the ability to generate very sophisticated thoughts and to communicate them to others.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-transition-from-thought-to-communication">The transition from thought to communication</h2>



<p>The study also suggests that language did not begin as a social tool but instead may have first developed as an internal cognitive system.</p>



<p>“Language is both a cognitive system and a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbial-cells-have-a-fascinating-and-unexpected-communication-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">communication system</a>,” Miyagawa said. “My guess is that prior to 135,000 years ago, it did start out as a private cognitive system, but relatively quickly that turned into a communications system.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-use-of-social-language-nbsp">Human use of social language&nbsp;</h2>



<p>If language was cognitively present before 135,000 years ago, when did it become an active part of human social life? The archaeological record offers clues.</p>



<p>Around 100,000 years ago, early humans began engaging in symbolic activities, such as making meaningful markings on objects and using fire to produce ocher, a decorative red pigment.</p>



<p>Such behaviors suggest that humans were using symbols to convey meaning - a crucial aspect of language. </p>



<p>These findings reinforce the argument that language was the driving force behind the emergence of modern human behavior.</p>



<p>“Behaviors compatible with language and the consistent exercise of symbolic thinking are detectable only in the archaeological record of <em>Homo sapiens</em>,” the authors said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-catalyst-for-human-advancement">A catalyst for human advancement</h2>



<p>One of the study's co-authors, Ian Tattersall, has previously proposed that language played a transformative role in human evolution. </p>



<p>He argues that once language emerged, it triggered a cascade of innovations, from symbolic art to more complex social structures.</p>



<p>“Language was the trigger for modern human behavior. Somehow, it stimulated human thinking and helped create these kinds of behaviors," Miyaga notes.</p>



<p>"If we are right, people were learning from each other [due to language] and encouraging innovations of the types we saw 100,000 years ago.”</p>



<p>However, not all researchers agree. Some scholars propose a gradual development of complex behaviors, arguing that language was just one of many factors shaping human evolution.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Others believe that cultural changes - such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/first-tools-ever-made-on-earth-hominins-3-million-years-ago-cradle-of-humankind/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tool use</a> and social coordination - may have influenced linguistic development rather than the other way around.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-origins-of-human-language-nbsp">The origins of human language&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Despite the ongoing debate, Miyagawa and his colleagues believe their study marks an important step forward in understanding how and when language emerged.</p>



<p>“Our approach is very empirically based, grounded in the latest genetic understanding of early <em>Homo sapiens</em>,” Miyagawa concluded. </p>



<p>“I think we are on a good research arc, and I hope this will encourage people to look more at human language and evolution.”</p>



<p>By integrating genetic evidence with archaeological findings, this research provides a clearer timeline for when language capacity emerged.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While many questions remain, the study reinforces the idea that language was central to shaping human history, allowing our ancestors to develop complex cultures, communicate across generations, and ultimately, create the societies we live in today.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1503900" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Frontiers in Psychology</em></a>.</p>



<p>Image Credit: CC0 Public Domain&nbsp;</p>



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When did humans first develop language? Scientists think they know

One of the most profound questions about human history is...

<p>A team of scientists has recently found an unexpected social twist in the behavior of certain Andean hummingbirds. </p>



<p>Contrary to their usual reputation for aggressive territoriality, these small, high-energy birds are sometimes nesting close together in a communal fashion. The finding has sparked fascination among ornithologists worldwide.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-hummingbird-nesting">Rethinking hummingbird nesting</h2>



<p>Typically, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hummingbirds-have-an-incredible-strategy-to-survive-food-shortages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hummingbirds</a> are highly aggressive and territorial. But the researchers found that in the harsh environment of the Andes Mountains, a particular species - the Chimborazo Hillstar - appears to forgo territorial aggression and cluster its nests instead.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“It was mind-boggling,” said Gustavo Cañas-Valle, an ornithologist and <a href="https://www.bgsu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bowling Green State University</a> (BGSU) alumnus. “I knew hummingbirds were usually very aggressive to each other, so finding them nesting in the same location was amazing.”</p>



<p>The surprising finding left Cañas-Valle’s colleague and co-author Juan Bouzat, a BGSU evolutionary biologist, initially skeptical.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Hummingbirds are not a species like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/emperor-penguins-are-struggling-to-survive-as-sea-ice-vanishes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">penguins</a> where you see hundreds of them together,” Bouzat said. “These are hummingbirds that live in the High Andes, above 10,000 feet, in a very, very harsh environment above the tree line.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>Yet after years of research, the experts have produced data that demonstrate this unusual social nesting.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-constraints-of-hummingbird-nesting-sites">Constraints of hummingbird nesting sites</h2>



<p>In seeking to understand this communal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/uncovering-the-secrets-of-wild-turkey-nesting-habits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nesting</a>, the researchers hypothesized that perhaps the Chimborazo Hillstars were simply forced into shared spaces due to limited safe nesting areas in the rugged high-altitude environment.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The first intuition was to say there might not be enough space - the landscape doesn’t offer them suitable locations to nest in safe, protected places,” Bouzat explained.</p>



<p>To test this hypothesis, Cañas-Valle meticulously surveyed the region, including the possibility that birds might nest alone in ravines or in human-made culverts. If scarcity of safe spots were the only factor, those solitary sites should be fully occupied. But that was not the case.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While some birds did nest alone in culverts, many were left unused. Meanwhile, over 80% of the observed active nests were grouped in colonies with roosting birds.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-reasons-for-communal-nesting">Evolutionary reasons for communal nesting</h2>



<p>The results point to factors beyond simple habitat shortages. According to the scientists, colonies usually evolve over a long period of time and become socially cohesive, in some cases leading to complex cooperation among individuals.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This suggests that close nesting may enhance reproductive success, the key measure of success in adaptive evolution.</p>



<p>“There is a theory of information exchange as one of the potential explanations for coloniality,” Cañas-Valle said. “This is only speculation right now, but hummingbirds may get easier access to mates and food resources by an exchange of information between members of a colony.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Those are the two most important things the hummingbirds gain, while also gaining a safe place to sleep that is slightly away from the harsh winds of the Chimborazo volcano region.”</p>



<p>Getting these findings recognized was not straightforward. Before the paper was accepted for publication, Cañas-Valle had to convince Bouzat, his advisor, that this “colony” of hummingbirds was real.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“It took me probably two years for Juan to say, ‘Well, Gustavo, you convinced me. We can call this gathering of nests a colony from now on,’” Cañas-Valle said. “That was a priceless moment.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-window-into-evolutionary-adaptations">A window into evolutionary adaptations</h2>



<p>Beyond explaining the immediate puzzle - why hummingbirds would nest together in the Andes - this study may illuminate how harsh environmental pressures can drive unconventional adaptations.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Rather than typical one-on-one territorial aggression, these hummingbirds appear to have adopted a semi-cooperative strategy, enabling them to endure cold, windy conditions above 10,000 feet.</p>



<p>By showing how extreme habitats can shape social behaviors that seem out of character for a species, the BGSU team’s research also opens the door for broader discussions about communal nesting and the ways in which different species can adapt to harsh climates.</p>



<p>For now, the Chimborazo Hillstar stands as a striking example of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolutionary-flexibility-unique-traits-help-mammals-survive-mass-extinctions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary flexibility</a>, reminding ecologists that even among famously territorial creatures, cooperation can occasionally win out in the face of nature’s most daunting challenges.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ornithology/ukae063" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Ornithology</em></a>.</p>



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Hummingbirds found nesting in colonies have completely defied expectations

A team of scientists has recently found an unexpected social...

<p>Freshwater ecosystems, such as rivers, streams, and estuaries, are growing saltier as a result of a combination of natural and human processes.</p>



<p>Several factors are driving this change, threatening the fragile balance of these precious water sources and the species that rely on them.</p>



<p>The growing issue of salinity is addressed in a recent study, which brings to light its long-term impacts on infrastructure, agriculture, and drinking water resources, with economic and environmental implications.</p>



<p>As salinity continues to increase, the need to comprehend, track, and execute mitigation measures becomes more important than ever.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-salinization-from-both-land-and-sea">Salinization from both land and sea</h2>



<p>Scientists from the <a href="https://umd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Maryland</a> have been studying freshwater <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/influx-of-salt-in-water-soil-and-air-poses-a-potential-health-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">salinization</a> for years. Their research examines how human activities like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/less-ice-more-salt-the-environmental-cost-of-deicing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">road salt use</a>, mining, and land development accelerate the natural "salt cycle."</p>



<p>But their latest study adds another dimension: the role of ocean saltwater mixing with freshwater supplies, particularly in coastal regions.</p>



<p>"Our paper involves oceanographers for the first time to point out the growing problem of double trouble: salinization from both land and sea," said study lead author Professor Sujay Kaushal.</p>



<p>"We now recognize that these salts are coming from two directions and represent an emerging risk that's going to affect a lot of infrastructure, ecosystems, agriculture, and drinking water supplies around the world."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-costs-of-saltier-freshwater">Hidden costs of saltier freshwater</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/salt-pollution-threatens-freshwater-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Salt contamination in freshwater</a> is not just an environmental issue - it has real-world consequences for public health, agriculture, and infrastructure stability.</p>



<p>About 70% of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-water-quality-will-suffer-from-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drinking water</a> in the United States comes from rivers and surface water, making it especially vulnerable to rising salinity levels.</p>



<p>Higher salt concentrations make water purification more challenging and expensive, increasing costs for municipalities and households alike.</p>



<p>Farmers also rely on freshwater for irrigation, and increased salinity can damage crops, reduce yields, and degrade soil quality over time. This threatens overall food production.</p>



<p>Infrastructure like bridges, wastewater pipes, and underwater cables can corrode faster due to prolonged exposure to salty water, leading to costly repairs and safety concerns.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-and-extreme-weather">Climate change and extreme weather</h2>



<p>Salt levels in freshwater can fluctuate due to extreme weather events, making the issue even more unpredictable.</p>



<p>Droughts, floods, and rising temperatures all influence <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-threats-groundwater-salinity-is-on-the-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">salinity</a>, sometimes worsening the problem by concentrating salts or introducing new sources of contamination.</p>



<p>Researchers warn that climate change, land-based salt pollution, and saltwater intrusion do not act independently but rather interact in complex ways.</p>



<p>Instead, these factors can trigger chemical reactions in water that further amplify contamination, potentially creating toxic byproducts that threaten aquatic life and human health.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unintended-effects-of-road-salt">Unintended effects of road salt</h2>



<p>Study co-author Gene E. Likens explained how road salt, commonly used in winter for safety, can have unintended side effects.</p>



<p>"What we started realizing is that some of the primary mobilized chemical cocktails react with other contaminants to form secondary chemical cocktails, packing a one-two punch to water quality," said Likens.</p>



<p> "What's concerning is that these chain reactions are happening all along the freshwater-marine continuum now with cascading effects on ecosystems, agriculture, and infrastructure."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mitigating-threats-from-saltier-freshwater">Mitigating threats from saltier freshwater</h2>



<p>As salinization intensifies, it is becoming increasingly important to seek effective solutions to protect ecosystems, public health, and economies.</p>



<p>Experts stress the need for ongoing observation of salt levels in freshwater environments and the adoption of preventive measures to avoid future contamination before such damage becomes permanent.</p>



<p>Mitigation of the intensifying threats to water quality and availability could be achieved by dealing with road salt runoff, managing industrial salt discharge, enhancing wastewater treatment, and coastal saltwater intrusion management.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preventing-freshwater-salinization">Preventing freshwater salinization </h2>



<p>The research offers a useful framework for predicting and preventing freshwater salinization, providing policymakers, environmental authorities, and local communities with direction.</p>



<p>As the world's temperature rises, precipitation patterns shift, and human activity increases, forward-thinking measures such as sustainable land management and enhanced water conservation strategies are needed to protect vital water resources.</p>



<p>Without immediate action, the world’s rivers, lakes, and drinking water supplies will remain under threat of a saltier and more unpredictable future.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10533-025-01219-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Biogeochemistry</a></em>.</p>



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Freshwater is getting saltier - with cascading effects worldwide

Freshwater ecosystems, such as rivers, streams, and estuaries, are growing...

<p>A predator must eat, but sometimes its meal comes at the cost of livestock. This conflict often leads to the predator’s death. Conservationists have long searched for solutions that protect both <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bastetodon-fearsome-predator-was-once-king-of-the-ancient-egyptian-forests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a> and livestock owners.</p>



<p>In Tanzania, fortified enclosures help protect livestock from predators like lions, leopards, and hyenas. </p>



<p>A recent study by Colorado State University (<a href="https://www.colostate.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CSU</a>) found that these enclosures do more than just shield animals inside them. </p>



<p>Instead of seeking easier meals next door, predators avoid entire neighborhoods when chain-link fences replace traditional thorny bomas.</p>



<p>These findings mark a significant breakthrough. The study shows that proactive, non-lethal strategies can reduce human-wildlife conflicts. </p>



<p>Preserving large carnivores is essential for maintaining ecological balance. Losing apex predators disrupts food chains and harms the environment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coexistence-of-humans-and-carnivores">Coexistence of humans and carnivores </h2>



<p>Study co-author Kevin Crooks is the director of the CSU Center for Human-Carnivore Coexistence (<a href="https://sites.warnercnr.colostate.edu/centerforhumancarnivorecoexistence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CHCC</a>).</p>



<p>"Coexistence between humans and carnivores is a global challenge, and conflict resulting from carnivores attacking livestock is among the most important coexistence threats globally, including here in the Rocky Mountain West and Colorado specifically,” said Crooks.</p>



<p>“Our results provide important evidence of the effectiveness of proactive, non-lethal tools to prevent livestock predation by carnivores, benefiting not just the target household but potentially neighboring households as well.”</p>



<p>Jonathan Salerno, an associate professor at CSU, emphasized that while this method may not work in every location, understanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snakes-use-invisible-colors-to-outsmart-predators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predator-prey dynamics</a> is crucial.</p>



<p>"Understanding these dynamics can help guide effective use of conservation resources and support better outcomes for people, livestock and threatened species," he said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chain-link-fences-reduce-losses">Chain-link fences reduce losses</h2>



<p>A prior study in January revealed that chain-link enclosures significantly lowered livestock losses in areas around Ruaha National Park. This region houses 10% of the world’s African lions, making it vital for conservation efforts.</p>



<p>Predation remains a major threat to small-scale farmers. Those living near the park face a 30% chance of losing livestock to predators each year. Recognizing this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/largest-predator-prey-feast-ever-seen-in-the-ocean-enormous-quickly-altered-food-chain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">issue</a>, Lion Landscapes subsidized 75% of the cost of chain-link fences, with livestock keepers covering the rest.</p>



<p>The study’s cost-benefit analysis showed that within five years, livestock owners saved three to seven times their investment in enclosures.</p>



<p>"The break-even point is anywhere from three months to two years, given that the loss of one cow is a substantial amount of wealth,” Salerno said. “So, you reduce the risk enough that the fortified enclosure actually pays for itself relatively quickly.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neighboring-households-benefit-too">Neighboring households benefit too</h2>



<p>The researchers analyzed 25,000 monthly reports from livestock keepers. The results confirmed that households near those with fortified enclosures also reported fewer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-happens-when-an-apex-predator-goes-missing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predator</a> attacks. </p>



<p>This marks the first time such a beneficial spillover effect has been recorded.</p>



<p>“This research provides scientific evidence about the effectiveness of antipredation interventions, which not only reduce livestock losses but also have positive spillover effects, fostering coexistence between humans and carnivores,” said co-author Joseph Francis Kaduma of <a href="https://www.lionlandscapes.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lion Landscapes</a>. </p>



<p>“By demonstrating how non-lethal methods can benefit both people and wildlife, the study offers practical conservation solutions that can be scaled to other regions facing similar conflicts worldwide.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predators-nbsp-avoid-fenced-nbsp-areas">Predators&nbsp;avoid fenced&nbsp;areas</h2>



<p>The study does not pinpoint the exact reason why predators avoid these areas. However, Salerno suggested that fortified enclosures make hunting livestock more difficult.</p>



<p>“The neighborhood with three or four enclosures is going to represent more risk or more effort for the carnivore, because they know they can't pull livestock out of the fortified enclosures, though a few leopards will try with a goat or sheep,” he said. </p>



<p>“It reduces the availability; the night-time livestock buffet is simply less accessible and attractive.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-maintaining-the-livestock-predator-nbsp-balance">Maintaining the <strong>livestock-predator</strong>&nbsp;balance</h2>



<p>Some may wonder why large parks like Ruaha are not entirely fenced. </p>



<p>However, enclosing such a vast area would isolate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saber-toothed-predators-evolved-the-perfect-fangs-for-hunting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a> and disrupt migration patterns. It would also increase conflicts between conservationists and local communities.</p>



<p>Instead, targeted interventions like fortified corrals present a more practical solution. They reduce livestock losses while allowing carnivores to thrive in their natural habitats.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-model-for-global-conservation">A model for global conservation</h2>



<p>Lion Landscapes has worked closely with livestock keepers to collect extensive data for these studies. Salerno stressed that gathering similar data from other regions would help conservationists design effective solutions.</p>



<p>“If we gather these data, we can understand what factors are contributing to predation events on a particular ranch, and by accounting for the complexity of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-predator-found-in-one-of-the-deepest-parts-of-the-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">larger system</a>, we can start to understand what methods are going to be effective,” he said.</p>



<p>This research highlights how innovative, data-driven strategies can benefit both people and wildlife. By reducing conflict, conservationists can help ensure a future where humans, livestock and predators coexist peacefully.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal<em> <a href="https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/conl.13085" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Conservation Letters</a>.</em></p>



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Helping predators and livestock become better neighbors

A predator must eat, but sometimes its meal comes at...

<p>The deep sea has long fascinated scientists and explorers alike. It stretches across more than half of Earth's surface, yet much of it remains a mystery. For years, researchers believed that life at extreme depths was nearly impossible.</p>



<p>The immense pressure, near-freezing temperatures, and lack of sunlight seemed too hostile for survival. The hadal zone, which lies beyond 6,000 meters, was once thought to be a biological desert, devoid of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sea-shrimp-evolved-an-extraordinary-skill-that-lets-them-see-in-the-dark/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex ecosystems</a>.</p>



<p>Recent advances in deep-sea exploration have changed this perception. Remarkable discoveries have revealed thriving marine life in one of the most inhospitable places on the planet. </p>



<p>Scientists are now unraveling the secrets of these resilient organisms, learning how they survive and adapt to extreme conditions.</p>



<p>A recent study led by Professor He Shunping and his team at the Institute of Hydrobiology (<a href="http://english.ihb.cas.cn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IHB</a>), Chinese Academy of Sciences (<a href="https://english.cas.cn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CAS</a>), sheds light on the evolutionary history of deep-sea fish and their genetic adaptations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-perspective-on-the-hadal-zone">A new perspective on the hadal zone</h2>



<p>For a long time, the deep <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/record-heat-of-2024-triggered-a-surge-in-sea-level-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean</a> was considered an isolated and lifeless abyss. The crushing pressure at these depths exceeds one ton per square centimeter. </p>



<p>Temperatures hover just above freezing, and oxygen levels remain critically low. The complete absence of sunlight makes photosynthesis impossible, leaving organisms to rely on alternative sources of energy.</p>



<p>Despite these harsh conditions, researchers have discovered that the hadal zone is not barren. Instead, it is home to a variety of unique creatures, including the hadal snailfish. </p>



<p>These fish have evolved to survive where few other species can. Their presence challenges the traditional view of the deep ocean and highlights the incredible resilience of life in extreme environments.</p>



<p>The discovery of these deep-sea ecosystems was made possible by China's rapidly advancing deep-sea exploration technology. Sophisticated submersibles and research vessels have allowed scientists to explore regions that were previously inaccessible. </p>



<p>As a result, they have uncovered thriving biological communities in some of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sea-mining-debate-intensifies-as-opponents-face-a-setback/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deepest parts of the ocean</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-ecosystems-in-the-deep-sea">Hidden ecosystems in the deep sea</h2>



<p>To better understand how deep-sea fish survive, the researchers conducted extensive sampling missions. The missions were carried out using the motherships <em>Tansuo Yihao</em> (<em>Exploration I</em>) and <em>Tansuo Erhao</em> (<em>Exploration II</em>).</p>



<p>These vessels were equipped with manned submersibles, <em>Shenhai Yongshi</em> (<em>Deep-Sea Warrior</em>) and <em>Fendouzhe</em> (<em>Striver</em>), which allowed scientists to collect valuable specimens from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-predator-found-in-one-of-the-deepest-parts-of-the-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean floor</a>.</p>



<p>The sampling spanned across the western Pacific and the central Indian Ocean. Scientists explored a range of geological features, including deep-sea trenches, basins, fracture zones, and hydrothermal vents.</p>



<p>These regions provide diverse habitats for deep-sea species, each with its own unique environmental conditions.</p>



<p>Over the course of the study, the researchers collected 11 deep-sea fish species from six major groups. These fish were found at depths ranging from 1,218 meters (3,996 feet) to an astonishing 7,730 meters (25,367 feet).</p>



<p>By analyzing genetic material from the fish, the scientists were able to reconstruct their evolutionary history and gain new insights into how vertebrates adapted to life in the deep sea.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-paths-of-deep-sea-fish">Evolutionary paths of deep-sea fish</h2>



<p>The scientists uncovered a key piece of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/jaw-dropping-deep-sea-oil-find-talos-energy-sparks-global-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deep-sea puzzle</a> - fish took two different evolutionary paths to survive.</p>



<p>Some, called "ancient survivors," settled the deep before the Cretaceous mass extinction and have been there ever since. Others, the "new immigrants," arrived after the mass extinction 60 million years ago, adapting through entirely different genetic mechanisms.</p>



<p>This discovery changes how we understand deep-sea evolution. Life in the depths isn’t the result of a single process - it’s a story of old bloodlines holding on and newcomers finding their way in a world of crushing pressure and darkness.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-questioning-a-long-standing-theory">Questioning a long-standing theory</h2>



<p>For decades, scientists believed that deep-sea fish relied on trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) to survive under extreme pressure.</p>



<p>This compound was thought to help stabilize proteins, preventing them from being damaged by high-pressure environments. Previous research showed that TMAO levels increase with depth in fish living between 0 and 6,000 meters. However, this new study challenges that assumption.</p>



<p>The researchers found that beyond 6,000 meters, TMAO levels do not continue to rise as previously expected. This finding suggests that deep-sea fish use alternative mechanisms to withstand pressure at <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-oxygen-discovery-deep-ocean-rocks-upends-centuries-of-scientific-beliefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme depths</a>.</p>



<p>The discovery opens new questions about the biochemical adaptations that enable life to persist in the hadal zone.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-newly-identified-genetic-mechanism">Newly identified genetic mechanism</h2>



<p>One of the most surprising discoveries? A tiny genetic tweak that makes survival at extreme depths possible.</p>



<p>Scientists found a mutation in the&nbsp;<em>rtf1</em>&nbsp;gene - present in all deep-sea fish living below 3,000 meters (9,842 feet). It boosts transcription efficiency, helping cells function under crushing pressure.</p>



<p>This wasn’t just a minor finding. It revealed an entirely new way fish adapt to the deep. By decoding these hidden genetic tools, researchers are piecing together the story of how vertebrates conquered the ocean’s most hostile environments.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pollution-reaches-the-deepest-trenches">Pollution reaches the deepest trenches</h2>



<p>This study didn’t just uncover how deep-sea fish evolved - it found something far more troubling.</p>



<p>Scientists detected toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the liver tissues of hadal snailfish from the Mariana Trench and the Philippine Sea Basin. These industrial pollutants, banned long ago, have somehow seeped into the ocean’s most remote depths.</p>



<p>Pollution has reached places humans have never even set foot in. If contaminants can travel this far, what else is being affected? The deep sea is no longer untouched, and that realization raises urgent questions about conservation and the future of marine life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-era-of-deep-sea-exploration">New era of deep-sea exploration</h2>



<p>The research was conducted as part of the Global Deep-Sea Trenches Exploration Program (Global TREnD).</p>



<p>This study is one of the most detailed looks at how deep-sea fish survive. Scientists are piecing together the puzzle - mixing genetics, ecology, and environmental data to understand life in the ocean’s darkest corners.</p>



<p>The discoveries go beyond science textbooks. They could help protect fragile deep-sea ecosystems from pollution and climate change. The more we learn, the more we realize how connected everything is.</p>



<p>But there’s more to uncover. Every dive, every new species, every unexpected finding pushes the boundaries of what we know. The deep sea is still a mystery, and its biggest secrets remain hidden - at least for now.</p>



<p>Each expedition brings us closer to understanding the incredible diversity of life that thrives beneath the waves.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(25)00031-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Cell</em></a>.</p>



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How deep-sea fish survive the crushing depths of the ocean

The deep sea has long fascinated scientists and explorers alike....

<p>Satellite-based technology is widely used every day. People rely on it to get directions, communicate, and handle financial transactions.</p>



<p>Solar flares can disrupt those signals. During these events, the ionosphere experiences changes in <a href="https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/phenomena/total-electron-content" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">total electron content</a> (TEC) that can affect navigation and communication. </p>



<p>Dr. Sarat C. Dass from the <a href="https://iisc.ac.in/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indian Institute of Science</a>, Bangalore has been studying these variations to find new ways to predict them more accurately.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-a-solar-flare">What is a solar flare?</h2>



<p>A solar flare is caused by the release of energy stored in the Sun's magnetic fields. These fields can become twisted or tangled due to the Sun's rotating surface and convection currents. </p>



<p>When these magnetic fields suddenly reconnect or "rearrange," they release a burst of energy in the form of light, heat, and radiation. This energy is emitted as a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strong-solar-storm-warning-issued-as-two-cmes-will-hit-earth-tomorrow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flare</a>.</p>



<p>Solar flares are often associated with sunspots, regions of intense magnetic activity on the Sun's surface. The size and intensity of a flare depend on the strength and complexity of the magnetic fields involved in the eruption.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-challenge-of-solar-flares">The challenge of solar flares</h2>



<p>Solar flares have different categories, and X-class flares are considered among the most severe. They can release large amounts of energy that intensify geomagnetic activity and produce sudden spikes in ionospheric measurements. </p>



<p>Researchers have noted that strong flares can alter electron densities, which triggers abrupt shifts in satellite signal paths.</p>



<p>There is a lot at stake because airlines, emergency services, and financial networks depend on uninterrupted geolocation data. Higher error margins in positioning can be costly or even life-threatening in certain situations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-approach-with-deep-learning">A new approach with deep learning</h2>



<p>The increasing interest in machine learning has led to models that analyze and forecast ionospheric conditions with better precision. One such model uses bidirectional long short-term memory networks, a neural architecture that processes data forward and backward for improved context.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The choice of the <a href="https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/adam-optimizer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Adam optimizer</a> is often praised for its ability to handle large volumes of data and adjust learning rates efficiently.</p>



<p>These specialized algorithms examine a variety of inputs, such as geomagnetic activity indicators and <a href="https://spaceweather.gc.ca/forecast-prevision/solar-solaire/solarflux/sx-5-en.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar flux measurements</a>, to predict TEC changes. The goal is to make real-time forecasts that can keep up with the ionosphere’s sudden fluctuations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-step-toward-stable-communication">Step toward stable communication </h2>



<p>“The Bi-LSTM-AO model exhibited exceptional accuracy in predicting TEC values across these dates, consistently outperforming the IRI-2020 model,” said Dr. Dass, lead author of the study.</p>



<p>The scientists compared the new model against traditional tools like the IRI-2020 and found that higher accuracy is especially noticeable during periods of intense solar activity.</p>



<p>Classic methods often struggle to handle abrupt shifts, but deep learning shows resilience when solar and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flickering-loops-solar-storm-warning-signs-appear-on-sun-before-it-erupts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">geomagnetic conditions</a> change quickly. Researchers see these improvements as a step toward stable positioning and communication services.</p>



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



<p>Millions rely on precise location-based tools throughout the day. Small errors in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/time-may-not-just-move-forward-experts-say-it-could-rewind/">timing or path calculations</a> can create large uncertainties in real-time navigation. </p>



<p>Unexpected glitches have the potential to slow emergency response and disrupt shipping operations, both domestic and international.</p>



<p>In addition, companies invest considerable resources to shield systems from space weather issues. With more exact predictive models, they can reduce unforeseen outages and keep people connected and safe.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-for-future-applications">Potential for future applications</h2>



<p>Users of satellite services may notice fewer dropouts or timing lags if advanced models are used to adjust signals on the fly. These adaptations can help mitigate the negative effects of powerful solar flares. </p>



<p>Industries reliant on precise time stamps, such as financial markets and data centers, might also benefit when transaction errors become less frequent.</p>



<p>Researchers anticipate that even stronger methods could come from combining novel architectures with expanded data sources. Partnerships among scientists worldwide can lead to more data sharing, better coverage, and faster model updates.</p>



<p>The push toward improved TEC forecasting has already shown it can increase confidence in satellite-based systems. By linking advanced neural networks with robust data inputs, experts have reduced the gap between predictions and actual conditions.</p>



<p>These results hint at exciting possibilities for real-time monitoring, especially during solar flares that might otherwise catch users off guard.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/aa/7000070" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Advances in Astronomy</em></a>.</p>



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Scientists are closer to predicting the timing and intensity of solar flares

Satellite-based technology is widely used every day. People rely on...

<p>More teenagers are grappling with stress, anxiety, and depression, with nearly one in three experiencing mental health challenges. A Finnish study reveals that childhood habits - such as screen time and physical activity - play a crucial role in adolescent well-being. What can we do to support their mental health?</p>



<p>Technology is everywhere now. Kids grow up swiping, scrolling, and tapping before they even learn to read. </p>



<p>While screens provide entertainment and education, too much <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/screen-time-delays-language-development-in-toddlers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exposure</a> comes at a cost. Meanwhile, physical activity is being pushed aside, replaced by endless hours of digital engagement.</p>



<p>The study, conducted by the <a href="https://www.jyu.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Jyväskylä</a> and the <a href="https://www.uef.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Eastern Finland</a>, followed 187 adolescents for eight years. Their findings? Striking a balance between movement and screen use is key to protecting mental health.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-toll-of-too-much-screen-time">Hidden toll of too much screen time</h2>



<p>Screens aren’t inherently bad. But when they are used excessively, that’s another story.</p>



<p>The researchers found that kids who spent more time on digital devices - especially <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/too-much-screen-time-is-making-teens-anxious/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">smartphones</a> - were more likely to experience stress and depressive symptoms in their teenage years. The pattern was clear: the more hours spent staring at screens, the worse their mental health.</p>



<p>Why? Because prolonged screen exposure encourages a sedentary lifestyle. Less movement, less fresh air, fewer real-life interactions. </p>



<p>Sleep suffers, too - blue light disrupts natural sleep cycles, making it harder for kids to rest and recharge. And then there’s social media, where endless comparisons and digital drama add another layer of stress.</p>



<p>“Several international, evidence-based recommendations suggest that the leisure screen time of children and adolescents should be limited to two hours per day.”</p>



<p>“Personally, I think that even this figure is high, as it amounts to almost one month of screen time per year,” said study lead author Dr. Eero Haapala from the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-more-stressing-less">Moving more, stressing less</h2>



<p>If too much screen time harms mental health, could physical activity offer a fix? The study showed that kids who engaged in sports and other physical activities reported lower stress levels and fewer depressive symptoms. </p>



<p>Exercise doesn’t just strengthen muscles - it boosts mood, sharpens focus, and promotes emotional resilience.</p>



<p>Beyond the biological benefits, movement brings connection. Organized sports teach teamwork, discipline, and self-confidence. Running around outside, playing a game, even just going for a walk - these simple actions create space for kids to reset mentally and emotionally.</p>



<p>But here’s the twist. While physical activity helped, the negative effects of too much screen time were stronger than the positive impact of exercise. In other words, even the most active kids weren’t immune to the downsides of excessive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/green-spaces-are-key-to-reducing-kids-screen-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digital exposure</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-screen-time-isn-t-bad-but-balance-is-key">Screen time isn’t bad, but balance is key</h2>



<p>Today’s world makes it tough to limit screen time. Online learning, digital homework, social media - kids need screens for school and socializing. But experts agree: balance is everything. Children need movement just as much as they need technology.</p>



<p>“The modern sedentary lifestyle, with high <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-under-two-should-not-be-exposed-to-tv-or-screen-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">screen exposure</a>, challenges the mental health of children and adolescents,” said Dr. Haapala.</p>



<p>“Recent discussions have rightly focused on screen time and social media, but I hope our findings encourage adults in young people’s lives to promote a broad spectrum of healthy habits – especially by balancing screen time and physical activity.”</p>



<p>The goal isn’t to ban screens. That’s unrealistic. Instead, parents, teachers, and caregivers can create environments where screen time and movement coexist. </p>



<p>Maybe that means setting screen-free hours at home, encouraging outdoor play, or making exercise a daily family <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/taking-a-smartphone-break-can-improve-your-life-in-surprising-ways/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habit</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-collective-responsibility">A collective responsibility</h2>



<p>Change doesn’t happen in isolation. It takes effort from individuals, families, and society as a whole. </p>



<p>Schools can introduce more physical education, policymakers can push for healthier screen time guidelines, and communities can create spaces for kids to be active.</p>



<p>“Achieving change requires collaboration,” said Dr. Haapala. "Society as a whole - from families to policymakers - must invest in promoting healthy lifestyles for children and adolescents by ensuring balanced screen time, sufficient physical activity, adequate sleep, and a nutritious diet.”</p>



<p>Mental health isn’t just about one factor. It’s about everything - sleep, diet, exercise, relationships, and screen habits all play a role. Addressing one without considering the others is like fixing a leak while ignoring a sinking boat.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lifestyle-choices-and-teen-mental-health">Lifestyle choices and teen mental health</h2>



<p>The PANIC Study, part of the Metabolic Diseases Research Community at the University of Eastern Finland, continues to explore the connections between lifestyle and health. Their work focuses on disease prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment - using science to build a healthier future.</p>



<p>Mental health struggles among adolescents aren’t going away overnight. But small, intentional changes - starting in childhood - can have lasting effects.</p>



<p>Encouraging kids to move more, set boundaries with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/kids-with-too-much-screen-time-struggle-to-gain-language-skills/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">technology</a>, and develop healthier habits today can lead to stronger, happier minds tomorrow.</p>



<p>The takeaway is clear. Screens aren’t the enemy - but unchecked digital habits can do real damage. The solution? Movement, connection, and balance. It’s not about cutting technology out but making space for everything else that keeps young minds strong.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal<em> <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2830233" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAMA Network Open</a>.</em></p>



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Children's screen time must be limited to protect their mental health

More teenagers are grappling with stress, anxiety, and depression, with...

<p>Brown trout have long been considered vulnerable to beaver dams, which have traditionally been seen as obstacles to fish migration. </p>



<p>A new study refutes this idea, revealing that these resourceful fish can actually make their way through such obstacles in certain conditions.</p>



<p>Dams often trap fish in low water levels, preventing or delaying access to key spawning grounds. Researchers warn that global warming, with its extended periods of dryness, could intensify these issues in the future.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-brown-trout-movement">Tracking brown trout movement</h2>



<p>In the current study, researchers studied trout movement in two Scottish streams - one modified by four <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/beaver-dams-mitigate-the-effects-of-climate-change-on-rivers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beaver dams</a> and the other unaltered.</p>



<p>Using telemetry technology, they tracked how the fish responded to these natural barriers during the critical <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spawning-fish-generate-ocean-mixing-help-sustain-a-healthy-ecosystem/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spawning</a> season from October to December. </p>



<p>The method involved tagging trout with microchips, which were then detected by antennae placed across the dam structures.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fish-overcoming-beaver-dams">Fish overcoming beaver dams </h2>



<p>The results showed that high river flows, often triggered by rainfall, significantly increased the likelihood of successful upstream passage. Larger fish also had better chances of overcoming the dams. </p>



<p>On the other hand, low water flow created more substantial obstacles, sometimes preventing migration altogether.</p>



<p>Dr. Robert Needham is the restoration manager at Beaver Trust and former researcher at the <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southampton</a>.</p>



<p>"Our findings highlight how adaptable brown trout are under favorable conditions, regularly passing beaver dams and with certain individuals making multiple repeat passes," said Dr. Needham. </p>



<p>"However, as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-migrating-towards-poles-escape-warming-waters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> continues to bring warmer and drier weather, the risk of migratory barriers may become a concern on certain rivers."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-return-of-beavers-to-britain">The return of beavers to Britain</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/beavers-are-key-allies-in-the-fight-against-droughts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Beavers</a> were once widespread across Great Britain, but were hunted to extinction by the 16th century. Their recent reintroduction has been hailed as a conservation success, with around 1.2 million beavers now found across Europe.</p>



<p>In Great Britain, populations remain much smaller, with the largest groups in Scotland and some isolated populations in southern England. </p>



<p>Recently, DEFRA authorized the licensed release of beavers into the wild in England.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-concerns-about-beaver-activity">Concerns about beaver activity</h2>



<p>Beaver activity creates biodiversity benefits, but concerns remain about its impact on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bleaching-effect-coral-loss-threatens-fisheries-and-livelihoods/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fisheries</a>. </p>



<p>The construction of dams can potentially block rivers and contribute to localized flooding. This research highlights the need for proactive management strategies to balance conservation efforts with the needs of fish populations.</p>



<p>"Our findings indicate how fish response to river modification through the construction of dams by beaver can be nuanced," said Professor Paul Kemp, the project lead at the University of Southampton.</p>



<p>"In general, and if rivers are allowed to respond naturally, the benefits of beaver activity can be substantial from an ecological perspective. However, under some circumstances, beaver dams can pose barriers to fish movement, particularly under low flows."</p>



<p>"More research is now needed to understand how beaver dams might impede fish movements in more modified lowland rivers, such as in the south of England."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-changing-landscape">A changing landscape </h2>



<p>This study was conducted in collaboration with the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), Trout and Salmon Association, and NatureScot. </p>



<p>Understanding how beaver reintroduction affects migratory fish like trout and salmon is crucial for conservation planning.</p>



<p>"Beavers are now back in England and Scotland, but the landscape is very different to when they were last here 500 years ago," said Dylan Roberts, head of GWCT Fisheries.</p>



<p>"With populations of many migratory fish, which need free passage up and downstream to access spawning areas and the sea, now at crisis point and classified as endangered. Such studies are crucial to better understand the interactions between beavers and migratory fish like brown trout and salmon."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-debate-over-beaver-dams-and-fish">Debate over beaver dams and fish</h2>



<p>Dr. Martin Gaywood, Species Projects Manager at NatureScot, noted that the interactions between beavers and fish have been the subject of great debate over many years, especially within Scotland. </p>



<p>"We were pleased to support this work, which makes another important contribution to our understanding of these complex relationships," said Dr. Gaywood.</p>



<p>"This kind of evidence is vital in helping us and others to plan the continued restoration of beavers to Scotland, including how we use appropriate management and mitigation when necessary."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-and-fisheries-management">Conservation and fisheries management</h2>



<p>This research highlights the importance of balancing conservation with practical fisheries management.</p>



<p>As beavers continue to reshape aquatic ecosystems, understanding their impact on fish migration will be crucial. </p>



<p>Scientists emphasize the need for further studies, particularly in lowland rivers where environmental conditions differ from the study areas in Scotland. </p>



<p>With climate change affecting water levels, future conservation efforts must consider how both beavers and fish can thrive in shared ecosystems.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0313648" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS One</a></em>.</p>



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



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

Brown trout prove that beaver dams don't always limit fish movement

Brown trout have long been considered vulnerable to beaver dams,...

<p>Misha was a beloved zoo elephant that lived a long and well-documented life. When she passed away in 2008, her remains provided an unexpected opportunity for scientists studying how large animals move across landscapes.</p>



<p>Researchers from the <a href="https://www.utah.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Utah</a> have developed a method that uses strontium isotopes in tooth enamel to track animal migration. </p>



<p>This technique could help scientists understand the movements of extinct species like mastodons and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-made-woolly-mammoths-unique/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mammoths</a>. It may also aid conservationists in tracing the origins of modern wildlife, including victims of the illegal ivory trade.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unlocking-history-through-elephant-teeth">Unlocking history through elephant teeth</h2>



<p>Strontium, a naturally occurring element, accumulates in teeth and bones as animals eat and drink. </p>



<p>Since different geographic regions have distinct isotope signatures, analyzing strontium ratios can reveal where an animal has lived.</p>



<p>“Our study not only adds to our understanding of how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-provides-insights-into-the-lives-of-neanderthals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tooth enamel</a> records an animal’s Sr isotope exposure, but also helps to reconstruct <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grazing-succession-animal-herbivore-mass-migration-serengeti/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal migrations</a> from Sr isotope analysis,” said lead author Deming Yang. </p>



<p>“It can be applied to studies of paleobiology, to answer how megaherbivores migrated in the past. It can also be applied to studies of modern conservation and forensics, to trace the origins of illegal ivory trade and other forms of wildlife trafficking.”</p>



<p>Misha, a female elephant, was acquired by Salt Lake City’s Hogle Zoo in 2005. Before that, she lived at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California. Her well-documented history made her an ideal subject for testing this method.</p>



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



<p>Strontium behaves like calcium in the body, incorporating into bones and teeth over time. The isotope 87Sr is radiogenic, meaning it is formed by the decay of rubidium, an element with a half-life of over 49 billion years.</p>



<p>While 87Sr levels increase over time, other strontium isotopes remain stable. This means that different regions have unique isotope ratios, which animals absorb through their diet.</p>



<p>“As animals eat and drink, they pick up this environmental signature and store it in their teeth, preserving a series of environmental exposures like historic archives,” noted Yang.</p>



<p>“We use other elements, but in this case, we’re focusing on strontium, which has proven to be really useful because of its strong link to geology,” said study co-author Gabe Bowen.</p>



<p>“Ultimately it comes down to where that element comes from, how the animal gets it into their body and from what sources.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-an-elephant-s-past-with-teeth">Tracking an elephant’s past with teeth</h2>



<p>When Misha passed away, Professor Thure Cerling saw an opportunity. He reached out to Hogle Zoo for permission to recover her teeth before burial. The detailed veterinary records of Misha’s life allowed scientists to compare her tooth enamel’s isotope signatures to her known movements.</p>



<p>As a postdoctoral researcher, Yang led the effort to analyze Misha’s tusk and teeth to see how well they recorded her past environments. </p>



<p>The experts used laser ablation to sample different layers of enamel and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-secrets-revealed-about-the-evolution-of-mammal-tusks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tusk</a>. They then measured the samples with a mass spectrometer to determine their strontium isotope composition.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-movement-recorded-in-tooth-enamel">Movement recorded in tooth enamel</h2>



<p>“It’s a very simple movement history. She lived in one location for a decade or more, and then moved here [to Salt Lake City], and we know the date of that move,” Bowen said. “We don’t have a lot of opportunities to see these kinds of natural experiments.”</p>



<p>The researchers found that the innermost enamel layer provided the most accurate record of isotope exposure, making it the best location for sampling.</p>



<p>Study co-author Diego Fernandez is an expert in the Department of Geology and Geophysics who operates the university’s mass spectrometry lab.</p>



<p>“We determined the strontium isotopes from the top to the bottom of the tooth in different parallel lines and those represent different times in the growth of Misha,” said Fernandez. “It captured the time where Misha was moved from California to Utah.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-learning-experience">A learning experience</h2>



<p>Undergraduate student Katya Podkovyroff assisted in refining lab procedures for analyzing bioapatite, the mineral that makes up enamel and bone.</p>



<p>“It was in this lab where I got my first hands-on experience with scientific research, and I immediately fell in love. One of the most thrilling aspects of the job was learning that each sample carried a history, a mystery waiting to be unraveled through chemical signatures,” said Podkovyroff, now a graduate student at the University of Oregon.</p>



<p>“This research was both exciting and challenging: sampling ivory required extreme precision, as even minor contamination could alter results, and isotope purification is a meticulous and time-consuming process,” she continued. </p>



<p>“The most rewarding aspect of this project was its broader implications beyond a single case study: it has applications in modern conservation efforts, with the ability to trace the origins of illegal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-vikings-traveled-great-distances-to-hunt-walruses-for-ivory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ivory trade</a>.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-elephant-teeth">Beyond elephant teeth</h2>



<p>The success of the method used to analyze Misha’s teeth suggests that similar analyses could be applied to fossils, helping scientists learn how ancient animals migrated.</p>



<p>The technique could also play a role in conservation, identifying where modern animals come from and helping to track illegal wildlife trade.</p>



<p>By using nature’s own chemical records, such as those found in elephant teeth, researchers are gaining a clearer picture of the past while providing valuable tools for protecting animals today.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-025-07686-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communications Biology</a></em>.</p>



<p>Image Credit: Brian Maffly, University of Utah</p>



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How an elephant's teeth can help us track animal movements

Misha was a beloved zoo elephant that lived a long...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p id="block-9bd989d6-2fd3-4580-957f-6cacce134f08">-----</p>



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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



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



<p>Many children are finicky eaters, but research explains how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-learned-why-so-many-kids-dislike-vegetables/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">watching others eat and social modeling</a> influence the eating habits of children.</p>



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



<p>Researchers at <a href="https://www.aston.ac.uk/hls/school-of-psychology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aston University School of Psychology</a> have published findings in Frontiers in Psychology that illuminate the neurobiological foundations of food preference development through observational learning. The investigation employed controlled video stimuli featuring adults consuming raw broccoli while displaying systematically varied facial expressions to measure participant responses.</p>



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



<p>The research, conducted with 204 female participants, revealed a pronounced asymmetry in social modeling effects. Negative facial expressions during vegetable consumption significantly diminished observer food preference ratings, while positive expressions failed to produce corresponding increases in vegetable appeal. This finding challenges conventional assumptions about the bidirectional nature of social influence in dietary behavior formation.</p>



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



<p>Dr. Katie Edwards and her research team propose that these results reflect adaptive mechanisms developed through evolutionary processes. The heightened sensitivity to disgust expressions likely functions as a protective system, enabling individuals to identify potentially harmful foods through social cues without direct risk exposure.</p>



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



<p>These findings carry substantial implications for pediatric nutrition interventions and family meal dynamics. The research suggests that parental expressions of distaste during vegetable consumption may inadvertently reinforce children's existing food aversions through unconscious social transmission pathways.</p>



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



<p>The study establishes a foundation for expanded investigation into real-time social modeling effects and cross-demographic applicability. Researchers emphasize the necessity for longitudinal studies examining actual consumption behaviors rather than preference ratings alone, particularly within family contexts where social learning occurs most frequently.</p>



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



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<p></p>

Social modeling affects our food choices

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists discover we age in bursts

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists solve the mystery of tickling

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p></p>



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



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

Retired professor claims he solved time travel

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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



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



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https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Nushagak Bay, a large estuary in southwest Alaska. Nushagak runs mainly north to south and exits in Bristol Bay, a large body of water in the Bering Sea.</p>



<p>"The bay is primarily fed by the Nushagak River, which begins in the Alaska Range and flows southwest approximately 450 km. The bay is also fed by several additional rivers including the Wood, Igushik, Snake and Weary rivers," says ESA.</p>



<p>"The dark colors of the Nushagak River are most likely due to tannins or lignins (chemical substances found in plants). Tannins and lignins from roots, leaves, seeds, bark and soil can leach into the water and give it a brown or even black colour. The sediments then flow southwards where it is mixed with the bluer waters of the bay."</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: ESA</em></p>



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



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> (ACS) reveals that proteins on flu viruses are actually flexible, tilting and waving in a “breath-like” motion. According to the experts, these proteins could be used to better defend against the flu.</p>



<p>"The main antigenic targets of influenza virus are two surface glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Whereas the structural and dynamical properties of both glycoproteins have been studied previously, the understanding of their plasticity in the whole-virion context is fragmented," wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>To investigate, the team conducted detailed simulations of the influenza A H1N1 virion, or the swine flu. The experts concluded that the visualizations show many new vulnerable states of flu viruses, which could improve future vaccines and antiviral drugs.</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;</em></p>



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



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Lake Trasimeno, which is located west of Perugia in central Italy. It is the fourth largest lake in the country. While Trasimeno’s water level varies, it has a maximum depth of approximately six meters.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"In this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, captured on 6 August 2022, the lake’s emerald green colour is likely due to the presence of phytoplankton. Streaks in the water, particularly visible in the west, indicate the presence of soil and sediments which have been stirred up by winds. Dark colored waters in the southern part of the lake indicate a presence of submerged and floating macrophytes (aquatic plants) as well as algae," says ESA.</p>



<p>"Surrounded by hills on three sides, Trasimeno is subject to heavy storms created by winds, especially from the north and west. There are three islets in the lake: Maggiore, Minore and Polvese (the largest). The lake’s shores are sparsely inhabited with only two popular villages: Castiglione del Lago and Passignano sul Trasimeno."</p>



<p>"Italy is experiencing its worst drought in 70 years which has affected drinking water supplies, hydroelectric power and agricultural production. High temperatures, hot winds and lack of rainfall are the main causes of drought in the Umbrian region which saw Lake Trasimeno’s drop 1.3 m, reaching the limit of the hydrometric zero in July 2022."</p>



<p><em>Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;</em></p>



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



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes a new self-powered nanosensor that can instantly detect mercury contamination with the tap of a finger.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The oxidized form of mercury can be harmful when it is ingested through contaminated water or food. This makes it necessary for experts to develop sensors that can quickly and accurately detect the presence of mercury.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Zong-Hong Lin and colleagues have now created a triboelectric nanosensor (TENS) that can detect mercury by simply by touching a sample. According to the researchers, their TENS could serve as the basis for similar devices to safely and remotely monitor other pollutants.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;</em></p>



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



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Designing crops that can beat the heat

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> explores the ability of salt to transform the way that foods and beverages taste. Salt is known to cover up undesirable flavors, such as bitterness in coffee or beer, but how exactly does sodium chloride change the taste of other compounds?</p>



<p>One previous study showed that, not only does salt suppress bitterness, but also enhances sweetness and sourness. Another study revealed that bitterness reduction by salt seems to be happening at the tongue receptor level as well as in the brain.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While it is known that salt taste is mediated by the presence of sodium channels in the form of taste buds, experts believe that there is also an unknown receptor responsible for how we taste salt that has not yet been identified.&nbsp;</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: ACS Reactions</em></p>



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



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



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

How does salt makes things taste better?

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Santiago, the capital city of Chile. The city is located in the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which has a population of about eight million people.&nbsp;</p>



<p>'The weather of Santiago resembles the Mediterranean climate with dry and warm summers with temperatures reaching up to 35°C (from October to March) and cool and humid winters that can drop to 0°C (from April to September)."</p>



<p>"The city lies in the centre of the country’s central valley around 80 km from the Pacific Ocean to the west and borders Argentina to the east. A tiny part of Argentina is visible in the top-right corner of the image where the mountain crest of the Andes Mountains acts as a divider between the two countries," says ESA.</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: ESA</em></p>



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



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



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

Santiago, Chile in South America

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