<p>Think about sipping a sugar-free drink that still tastes sweet. Many of us have puzzled over this illusion. Now scientists at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden reveal how our brains transform smell into taste.</p>



<p>The research, published in <em>Nature Communications</em>, shows that the brain encodes certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-dna-may-explain-why-you-love-or-hate-certain-smells/">aromas</a> as if they were flavors themselves.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-flavor-and-smell-form">How flavor and smell form</h2>



<p>Flavor is more than taste. It comes from a combination of gustatory signals and retronasal odors, those aromas drifting from the mouth to the nose. </p>



<p>The insula, known as the taste cortex, was found to integrate these signals earlier than expected. This means the brain does not wait for higher regions to combine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-your-brain-decides-what-smells-good-or-bad/">taste</a> and smell but merges them immediately into one experience.</p>



<p>Study lead author Putu Agus Khorisantono is a researcher in the Department of Clinical Neuroscience at <a href="https://ki.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Karolinska Institutet</a>. </p>



<p>“We saw that the taste cortex reacts to taste-associated aromas as if they were real tastes,” explained Khorisantono. "The finding provides a possible explanation for why we sometimes experience taste from smell alone, for example in flavored waters." </p>



<p>"This underscores how strongly odors and tastes work together to make food pleasurable, potentially inducing craving and encouraging overeating of certain foods.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-brain-links-flavor-and-smell">How the brain links flavor and smell</h2>



<p>The researchers tested 25 adults. First, participants learned to identify sweet and savory flavors through combinations of taste and smell. </p>



<p>Later, inside a scanner, they received either tasteless odors or odorless tastes. Algorithms trained on brain responses to actual tastes were then tested on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/radio-waves-can-boost-our-sense-of-smell-without-contact/">odors</a> alone. The surprising outcome was that odours mimicked the brain’s taste responses.</p>



<p>The study revealed that sweet or savory odors activated the same neural patterns as the corresponding tastes.</p>



<p>This overlap was strongest in the ventral anterior insula, a region connected to olfactory areas. Importantly, the researchers ruled out simple pleasure ratings as the cause. Instead, the brain genuinely encoded odors in a way that matched taste perception.</p>



<p>“This shows that the brain does not process taste and smell separately, but rather creates a joint representation of the flavor experience in the taste cortex,” said senior researcher Janina Seubert. </p>



<p>“This mechanism may be relevant for how our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-sense-of-smell-and-different-odors-can-influence-how-we-see-colors/">taste</a> preferences and eating habits are formed and influenced.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-flavor-and-smell-matter">Why flavor and smell matter</h2>



<p>The findings highlight the insula as a hub for flavor integration. They also reveal that taste representations can drift over time. Neural patterns of taste identity were less stable across days, echoing results seen in rodent studies. </p>



<p>This suggests that our flavor experiences are dynamic, adapting with exposure, context, and internal states such as hunger, mood, or attention. </p>



<p>A flavor that feels vivid and distinct one day may blur or even shift the next, depending on what the brain has recently learned or anticipated.</p>



<p>This fluid quality points to a system designed not for rigid coding but for flexibility, helping us adjust to changing diets, environments, and cultural influences on taste.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flavor-identity-and-reward-value">Flavor identity and reward value</h2>



<p>The study also observed cross-modal decoding in other regions, such as the orbitofrontal cortex, which is known to encode the value of food. </p>



<p>The researchers propose that the insula forms a shared flavor identity, while the orbitofrontal cortex evaluates its reward value. This dual process could explain why certain odors make foods irresistible and shape long-term eating habits.</p>



<p>The team now wants to test external smells, or orthonasal odors. These are the scents we encounter before eating, like walking past bread or pastries.</p>



<p>“We want to find out whether the activation pattern in the brain’s taste cortex changes from salty to sweet when we walk from the cheese aisle to the pastries in the supermarket,” said Khorisantono. “If so, this could have a significant impact on the foods we choose to consume.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-flavor-and-smell-affect-health">How flavor and smell affect health</h2>



<p>This research reframes flavor as a deeply integrated brain process. Smell and taste are not separate streams but overlapping codes that can trick the brain into tasting without tasting.</p>



<p>Beyond solving everyday mysteries like sweet-tasting flavored water, the work raises questions about cravings, overeating, and how our diets are shaped by environments filled with powerful aromas. </p>



<p>The research also suggests that everyday exposure to food-related smells in supermarkets, restaurants, offices, and even advertising spaces may influence us more than we realize.</p>



<p>These aromas may prime the brain to expect certain tastes, creating a loop where scent alone can nudge us toward food choices we might not otherwise make. </p>



<p>Over time, this subtle influence could shape eating habits, nutritional patterns, and even health outcomes, revealing how deeply our sensory world directs behavior long before conscious decisions take place.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-63803-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.</em></p>



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



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



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

How smell tricks the brain into tasting flavors

Think about sipping a sugar-free drink that still tastes sweet. Many of us have puzzled over this illusion. Now scientists at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden reveal how our brains transform smell into taste. The research, published in Nature Communications, shows that the brain encodes certain aromas as if they were flavors themselves. How flavor and smell form Flavor is more than taste. It comes from a combination of gustatory signals and retronasal odors, those aromas drifting from the mouth to the nose. The insula, known as the...

<p>Every year, the night sky fills with the unseen movement of millions of migrating songbirds, tracing routes carved by evolutionary history.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While these flight paths are largely guided by innate instincts, new research from the <a href="https://illinois.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign</a> suggests an unexpected social dimension to their nocturnal journeys.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Evidence from over 18,300 hours of acoustic recordings reveals that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/songbirds-benefit-from-social-networks-during-migration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">songbirds</a> may “talk” to other species as they migrate, potentially sharing information and forming temporary social bonds along the way.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-migration-may-not-be-a-solitary-endeavor">Migration may not be a solitary endeavor</h2>



<p>The study, led by Benjamin Van Doren, an assistant professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at Illinois, offers a fresh perspective on the traditionally individualistic view of songbird migration.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research, initiated at the <a href="https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cornell Lab of Ornithology</a>, indicates that birds may vocalize during flight to signal their species, age, or sex and perhaps even exchange navigation tips or information about stopover sites.</p>



<p>“We can’t be sure what they’re saying, but birds might broadcast calls during flight to signal their species, age, and sex. And we can certainly speculate that these flight calls could relate to navigation or finding suitable stopover habitat,” Van Doren said.</p>



<p>Earlier studies had documented instances of different species forming temporary partnerships during stopovers. However, this is the first evidence of vocal communication and possible social interactions between songbird species while in flight.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-listening-to-the-night-sky">Listening to the night sky</h2>



<p>Songbirds migrate primarily at night, making it difficult to observe their movements. To overcome this challenge, Van Doren and his team used acoustic recordings captured at 26 sites in eastern North America over three years. These recordings provided a rare glimpse into the nocturnal world of songbird migration.</p>



<p>“These nocturnal acoustic recordings are really the only window onto this unseen but absolutely massive flow of birds - hundreds of millions aloft over the U.S. on any given night during migration,” Van Doren explained. “It's something people aren’t usually aware of because it happens when we’re sleeping.”</p>



<p>Analyzing such a vast dataset would have been impractical without recent advancements in artificial intelligence.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Using <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/machine-learning-could-revolutionize-drug-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">machine learning</a> tools, the researchers identified the flight calls of 27 bird species, including 25 well-sampled songbirds, allowing them to detect patterns of co-occurrence.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-associations-in-the-sky">Social associations in the sky</h2>



<p>The team measured how often flight calls from different species occurred within 15, 30, and 60-second intervals. Regardless of the time frame, they found that certain species called in tandem more often than chance would predict.</p>



<p>Further analysis revealed two key factors influencing these associations: wing length and call similarity.</p>



<p>Birds with similar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-with-short-stubby-wings-are-less-capable-of-relocating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wing sizes</a> were more likely to associate, likely because similar wing lengths correspond to similar flight speeds, making it easier for them to travel together.</p>



<p>Species with comparable vocalizations also showed stronger associations, suggesting that shared calls may facilitate social connections during migration.</p>



<p>Interestingly, species that formed partnerships during stopovers did not maintain those relationships while in flight. Additionally, the birds were not necessarily flying with closely related species or those with similar habitat preferences.</p>



<p>“Species with similar wing sizes were more likely to associate, and wing length is directly linked to flight speed,” Van Doren said.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“As for vocalizations, it is possible that species’ calls have converged over time because of this social link or that species that happen to give similar calls are simply more likely to gravitate towards each other.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-our-understanding-of-songbird-migration">Expanding our understanding of songbird migration</h2>



<p>While the study focused on 25 species, many other nocturnal migrants do not vocalize during flight, leaving much to uncover.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Van Doren’s team plans to extend their research by equipping individual birds with tiny microphones to track their in-flight “conversations” and interactions with travel companions.</p>



<p>These preliminary findings raise fascinating possibilities. For instance, short-lived species that cannot rely on parental guidance for migration may instead depend on social ties with other birds.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Conversely, the loss of biodiversity due to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-behavior-productivity-being-directly-impacted-by-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> and habitat destruction could disrupt these co-migratory relationships, further imperiling vulnerable species.</p>



<p>“This study really calls into question the long-held idea that songbirds migrate alone, solely following their own instincts,” Van Doren said.</p>



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



<p>The discovery of social interactions during migration has significant implications for bird conservation. If certain species rely on social cues or co-migration with specific partners, their survival may depend on maintaining these networks.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Losses in bird biodiversity could jeopardize these connections, making migration more difficult for some species.</p>



<p>Moreover, understanding the role of social information in migration could help researchers design better strategies to protect migratory birds, particularly as they face mounting risks from habitat loss, climate change, and light pollution.</p>



<p>“Learning more about the consequences of these social connections - not only for migration but also for other aspects of their biology - will be important to inform and manage the risks they face in a changing world,” Van Doren emphasized.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-perspective-on-songbird-migration">A new perspective on songbird migration</h2>



<p>This research challenges the traditional view of songbirds as solitary migrants guided solely by instinct and memory. Instead, it suggests that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-migration-is-influenced-by-social-relationships/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social interactions</a> and communication play a crucial role in their epic nocturnal journeys.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As scientists continue to explore these complex dynamics, they may uncover new strategies for safeguarding these remarkable travelers and the ecosystems they connect.</p>



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



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



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

Songbirds ‘talk’ to each other during migration

Every year, the night sky fills with the unseen movement...

<p>Stroke is a silent killer that racks up a death toll of roughly 6.7 million individuals each year among the estimated 100 million people who are affected worldwide.</p>



<p>Despite advances in healthcare, strokes often strike without warning, making it imperative to develop innovative tools that can predict and prevent this devastating condition.</p>



<p>Stroke prevention has often hinged on identifying notable risk factors like high cholesterol levels, poor diet, smoking, and high blood pressure.</p>



<p>However, new research has illuminated a potentially life-saving discovery: a person's eyes could serve as an early warning system for stroke.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-examining-eyes-for-stroke-prevention">Examining eyes for stroke prevention</h2>



<p>The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/retinal-health-is-a-good-predictor-of-mortality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">retina</a>, the light-sensitive tissue layer that lines the back of our eyes, isn't just for sight. The study suggests that it can also be an indicator that predicts a person's risk of developing a stroke.</p>



<p>This discovery highlights the retina's value as a unique window into overall vascular health, and offers insights far beyond vision-related disorders.</p>



<p>The retina's complex vascular network shares distinct anatomical and physiological similarities with the brain's vasculature, which has led scientists to consider its credentials in assessing systemic damage from medical conditions like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-diabetes-rate-has-doubled-reaching-over-800-million/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diabetes</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vascular-fingerprint-on-the-retina">Vascular fingerprint on the retina </h2>



<p>The experts found that a vascular "fingerprint" on the retina of the eyes could provide valuable insights into an individual's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/short-term-exposure-to-air-pollution-increases-stroke-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stroke risk</a>. This physiological fingerprint comprises 29 indicators of vascular health.</p>



<p>The researchers examined these indicators, considering features such as the caliber of veins and arteries - including their density, twistedness, branching angle, and complexity.</p>



<p>They also factored in demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds, lifestyle, and health measurements like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/just-5-minutes-of-daily-exercise-can-lower-blood-pressure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blood pressure</a>, cholesterol levels, and body weight.</p>



<p>The impressive part? These fingerprints can be obtained relatively easily, without invasive lab tests. </p>



<p>A technique known as fundus photography, captures images of the back of the eye and can be used to gather this information. It is particularly suited for primary healthcare and low-resource settings, and offers a practical, implementable approach.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-machine-learning-for-stroke-prediction">Machine learning for stroke prediction </h2>



<p>As much as the retinal fingerprint is a promising tool, its potential in stroke risk prediction hasn't been exploited fully due to inconsistent uses of fundus photography or variable study outcomes. </p>



<p>Addressing these gaps is crucial to unlocking the full potential of retinal imaging as a reliable, non-invasive diagnostic tool. </p>



<p>Enter machine learning, which allowed the scientists to identify biological markers that could predict stroke risk accurately without resorting to invasive lab tests.</p>



<p>One of these advanced machine learning tools includes the Retina-based Microvascular Health Assessment System (RMHAS).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changes-in-eye-indicators-and-stroke-risk">Changes in eye indicators and stroke risk</h2>



<p>The researchers studied fundus images from over 68,000 participants, with the final group comprising 45,161 people (with an average age of 55).</p>



<p>Over 12.5 years, 749 participants had a stroke, with these individuals predominantly being older males who smoke and have diabetes, high blood pressure, or low levels of "good" <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-can-work-as-well-as-medication-to-lower-cholesterol/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cholesterol</a>.</p>



<p>In total, 118 retinal vascular measurable indicators were included, with 29 significantly connected to first-time stroke risk after adjustments for traditional risk factors.</p>



<p>The study discovered that changes in these eye indicators correlated with increased stroke risks of between 10 - 19.5 percent.</p>



<p>So, does the retinal "vascular fingerprint" forecast future stroke risk accurately? According to the study, the answer is a resounding yes.</p>



<p>This fingerprint can predict stroke risk as efficiently as traditional risk factors alone, even when combined with just age and sex data.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limitations-of-the-study">Limitations of the study</h2>



<p>It is imperative to note that this is an observational study. Therefore, it does not confirm any causal relationships.</p>



<p>Additionally, the research findings may not apply to diverse ethnicities as the majority of the participants were white. Moreover, the risk associated with different types of stroke could not be assessed.</p>



<p>Nevertheless, the potential application of this discovery, particularly in primary healthcare and low-resource settings, cannot be understated.</p>



<p>This breakthrough research has great potential in the fight against stroke. With further studies and exploration, we may be on the cusp of transforming the way we assess the risk of stroke around the world.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://heart.bmj.com/content/early/2025/01/03/heartjnl-2024-324705" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Heart</a></em>.</p>



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



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



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

Eyes serve as an early warning system for stroke risk

Stroke is a silent killer that racks up a death...

<p>Parasitic crickets, no larger than a grain of rice, have perfected a way of surviving within the heart of ant colonies. These master infiltrators don't just survive - they thrive in what should be a certain death situation for any unwanted visitor.</p>



<p>Researchers at Nagoya University, led by Ryoya Tanaka, have unveiled the fascinating strategies used by parasitic crickets within ant colonies.</p>



<p>The study, published in the journal <em>Communications Biology</em>, explores the behavioral toolkit of these "ant guests" as they navigate life among potential predators.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crickets-the-unwanted-ant-guests">Crickets: The unwanted ant guests</h2>



<p>Some animals, known as "ant guests," live inside <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/larger-ant-colonies-drove-the-evolution-of-worker-castes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ant colonies</a> to take advantage of the resources there, such as food and shelter. These animals are not part of the ant colony but find ways to survive alongside the ants.</p>



<p>However, this lifestyle is extremely risky. Ants are highly territorial and will aggressively attack and eliminate any intruders they see as a threat to their colony. Living among ants means constantly avoiding their attention in order to survive.</p>



<p>One fascinating example of an ant guest is the&nbsp;<em>Myrmecophilus</em>&nbsp;ant cricket. These guests live within ant colonies and face the constant threat of being attacked or killed by their hosts.</p>



<p>Despite this danger, they have evolved specialized behaviors that help them escape attacks and avoid detection. These survival strategies enable them to coexist with their potentially lethal hosts, making them remarkable examples of adaptation in nature.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crickets-strategies-inside-ant-colonies">Crickets strategies inside ant colonies</h2>



<p>Tanaka and his team conducted a detailed study on the behavior of&nbsp;<em>Myrmecophilus tetramorii</em>, a type of parasitic cricket that lives inside ant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-work-in-groups-more-successfully-than-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">colonies</a>. </p>



<p>This cricket is classified as a "brood parasite" because it survives by feeding on resources within the colony, such as dead insects and ant larvae. While these crickets benefit from the ants' environment, they must also avoid detection and attacks from their hosts.</p>



<p>The researchers identified two specific escape strategies that these crickets use when threatened by ants.</p>



<p>Using the distancing method, the cricket moves directly away from the approaching ant in a straight line. This strategy allows the cricket to quickly create space between itself and the ant, effectively evading an immediate threat.</p>



<p>The dodging strategy is more complex. The cricket moves in a circular path that positions it behind the ant. By doing so, the cricket avoids the ant's mandibles, which are the primary means of attack.</p>



<p>Dodging is slower and more calculated than distancing, but it allows the cricket to evade the threat without attracting attention from other ants in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-sex-of-an-entire-ant-colony-is-determined-by-the-queen/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">colony</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-survival-tactics-for-parasitic-crickets">Survival tactics for parasitic crickets</h2>



<p>These two escape tactics are critical for the cricket’s survival as it navigates the hostile environment of an ant colony. Each strategy serves a specific purpose and is deployed depending on the level of threat experienced by the cricket.</p>



<p>“While distancing behavior can quickly get crickets away from the approaching ant, such quick movements may alert surrounding potential enemies to the crickets’ presence, triggering an aggressive chase by another ant," noted Tanaka.  </p>



<p>"Ant crickets benefit from a slow and precise reaction to dodging, which reduces the probability of being attacked by ants."</p>



<p>Interestingly, the team noted that crickets used dodging more frequently, and tended to reserve distancing for high-risk situations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-crickets-avoid-ant-detection">How crickets avoid ant detection</h2>



<p>In addition to their escape tactics, the crickets exhibited strategic positioning within the colony. </p>



<p>They tended to stay in specific areas, such as corners, debris-filled zones, and locations with wet paper. These spots offered safety and reduced ant encounters.</p>



<p>“Dodging behavior is advantageous for staying in attractive areas while avoiding ants,” Tanaka explained.</p>



<p>“The unique trait of dodging behavior might be a way of effectively staying in a safe location while avoiding a succession of incoming ants, allowing them to reduce the risk of being attacked.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cricket-adaptations-and-nature-s-ingenuity">Cricket adaptations and nature’s ingenuity</h2>



<p>This research sheds light on the incredible adaptability of parasitic crickets. By using precise evasion techniques and choosing their locations carefully, these insects have carved out a niche in a hostile environment.</p>



<p>For Tanaka, the journey into this fascinating behavior began with a single observation. </p>



<p>“I often stroll around the <a href="https://en.nagoya-u.ac.jp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nagoya University</a> campus to see insects. I still remember when I saw an ant cricket skillfully evading ants despite being surrounded by them,” he recalled. “From that moment on, I was utterly enthralled by this behavior.”</p>



<p>Through their detailed research, Tanaka and his team have revealed the subtle yet remarkable strategies these tiny creatures use to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-destabilizing-ant-plant-relationships/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">survive</a>. </p>



<p>The findings not only deepen our understanding of insect behavior but also highlight the extraordinary ways life adapts to thrive against all odds.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42003-024-07368-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Communications Biology</em></a>.</p>



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



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



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

Parasitic crickets hide in ant colonies without being caught

Parasitic crickets, no larger than a grain of rice, have...

<p>Blood does more than just carry oxygen and nutrients. Its many “markers,” known as antigens, can trigger unexpected responses. Most folks have heard about the blood groups A, B, and O, and the Rh factor categories, which are crucial for safe blood transfusions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Yet there are others with unique properties that affect certain patients. On September 16, 2024, researchers revealed a <a href="https://ashpublications.org/blood/article-abstract/144/26/2735/517404/Deletions-in-the-MAL-gene-result-in-loss-of-Mal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new blood group system</a> called MAL. This news has medical experts paying close attention.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-system-solves-old-puzzles">New system solves old puzzles</h2>



<p>This recent work addresses an antigen once labeled AnWj. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22233405/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earlier findings</a> had hinted at its importance in certain patients, but its genetic basis was unclear.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The genetic background of AnWj has been a mystery for more than 50 years, and one which I personally have been trying to resolve for almost 20 years of my career,” explained Dr. Louise Tilley, Senior Research Scientist, IBGRL Red Cell Reference at NHS Blood and Transplant, at the end of a statement.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-deeper-look-at-how-it-works">A deeper look at how it works</h2>



<p>Scientists discovered that a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/protein-that-halts-dna-damage-may-lead-to-cancer-vaccines/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">key protein</a>, referred to as Mal, plays a major role in whether a person’s blood cells show AnWj. </p>



<p>People lacking this protein are said to be AnWj-negative. If they need blood, receiving units from someone with AnWj-positive cells may cause a bad transfusion reaction. </p>



<p>This risk highlights why researchers across the United Kingdom have been keen to confirm the exact genetic changes that remove the Mal protein from red blood cells.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-players-in-the-discovery">Key players in the discovery</h2>



<p>“It’s really exciting we were able use our ability to manipulate gene expression in the developing blood cells to help confirm the identity of the AnWj blood group, which has been an outstanding puzzle for half a century,” remarked Professor <a href="https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/persons/ash-m-toye" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ashley Toye</a> from the University of Bristol, who leads research in developing blood products. </p>



<p>Gene manipulation studies have made all the difference. These lab methods helped the team locate the exact spot on the MAL gene that caused some folks’ cells to skip making that protein.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mal-blood-group-is-number-47">MAL blood group is number 47</h2>



<p>This discovery adds MAL to a growing list of recognized blood group systems. Experts have <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2267/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">classified</a> it as the 47th system, which shows just how many different markers exist beyond ABO and Rh.</p>



<p>Each new system reveals a hidden detail about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-human-genetics-could-optimize-medical-care/">human genetics</a>. That extra piece of knowledge can guide blood banks when they test donations, ensuring that rare donors and patients are matched more precisely.</p>



<p>“Now genotyping tests can be designed to identify genetically AnWj-negative patients and donors,” said <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nicole-Thornton-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nicole Thornton</a> at <a href="https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NHS Blood and Transplant</a>.</p>



<p>Such tests allow hospitals to plan for patients with uncommon blood needs. Quick detection might save lives by avoiding adverse reactions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exome-sequencing-turns-the-tide">Exome sequencing turns the tide</h2>



<p>The break in this 50-year riddle emerged from a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-genetics-shape-modern-eelgrass-populations/">modern genetic</a> tool called exome sequencing. This approach focuses on the parts of the DNA that build proteins. </p>



<p>With it, scientists rapidly narrowed down the small area of DNA that carried the faulty code.</p>



<p>Once they homed in on the MAL gene, the missing snippet explained why the Mal protein wasn’t produced. </p>



<p>The wide availability of exome sequencing in research labs has sped up efforts to sort out other rare blood issues as well.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-discovering-the-mal-blood-group">Discovering the MAL blood group</h2>



<p>The discovery didn’t come easy. Dr. Tim Satchwell at UWE Bristol mentioned how tricky it was to be certain about Mal’s involvement.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Mal is a very <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-too-much-protein-greatly-increases-heart-disease-risk/">small protein</a> with some interesting properties which made it difficult to identify and meant we needed to pursue multiple lines of investigation to accumulate the proof we needed to establish this blood group system,” said Dr. Satchwell. That perseverance paid off in ways that will aid clinicians and lab workers everywhere.</p>



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



<p>People who lack AnWj are extremely rare, but they require special attention. Simple awareness of MAL alerts medical staff to take extra steps if these patients need blood.&nbsp;</p>



<p>It also means donors with a similar blood type will be more easily found, which reduces the chance of harmful interactions during transfusions.</p>



<p>“It represents a huge achievement, and the culmination of a long team effort, to finally establish this new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/could-blood-type-determine-your-stroke-risk/">blood group system</a> and be able to offer the best care to rare, but important, patients,” summarized Dr. Tilley.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Hearing that kind of relief underscores the personal stakes. Behind every lab test is someone who depends on correct identification.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mal-blood-group-system-and-human-health">MAL blood group system and human health</h2>



<p>Experts believe that each refined test will empower hospitals and blood services to expand their screenings. </p>



<p>With advanced methods, the medical community aims to catch all sorts of unusual markers that affect patient care. </p>



<p>Though the MAL system is new to many, it serves as a sign that diligent research can simplify once-mysterious conditions.<br><br>The study is published in <a href="https://ashpublications.org/blood/article-abstract/144/26/2735/517404/Deletions-in-the-MAL-gene-result-in-loss-of-Mal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Ash Publications</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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



<p>Like what you read?<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/"> Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Check us out on<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/"> EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/"> Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



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

Rare genetic mutation has given rise to a new human blood group, identified after 50 years

Blood does more than just carry oxygen and nutrients. Its...

<p>The snow leopard (<em>Panthera uncia</em>), an apex predator native to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is a symbol of ecological resilience and a critical component of its high-altitude environment.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Despite its importance, little is known about the evolutionary history of this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snow-leopards-the-carnivores-that-eat-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">elusive species</a> due to the scarcity of fossil records, particularly from the Quaternary period.</p>



<p>A recent study sheds light on the evolutionary adaptations that have allowed snow leopards to thrive in one of the most challenging environments on Earth.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research was led by an international team of researchers from the <a href="https://english.cas.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese Academy of Sciences</a> (CAS) and European institutions.</p>



<p>By analyzing rare fossils and employing advanced modeling techniques, the study reveals the intricate evolutionary journey of the snow leopard and its specialized adaptations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-evolution-of-snow-leopards">Unique evolution of snow leopards</h2>



<p>Until now, our understanding of snow leopards' evolutionary path relied heavily on molecular biology, which links the species closely to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/could-captive-tigers-help-restore-wild-populations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tigers</a>. However, the vast ecological and morphological differences between the two suggest that snow leopards followed a unique evolutionary trajectory.</p>



<p>To address this, the research team identified five significant fossil sites across Eurasia: Longdan (Gansu, China), Arago (France), Zhoukoudian Locality 3 (Beijing, China), Manga Larga (Portugal) and Niuyan Cave (Mentougou, Beijing, China).</p>



<p>These fossils provided critical insights into snow leopard lineage. While the specimen from Niuyan Cave closely resembled modern snow leopards, the others displayed unique traits, suggesting they were earlier offshoots from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study concluded that these offshoots likely represent multiple dispersal events out of Tibet over time, providing a timeline for the development of the species’ specialized traits.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-specialized-adaptations-for-survival">Specialized adaptations for survival</h2>



<p>Using cutting-edge techniques like geometric morphometrics, finite element analysis, and anatomy studies, the researchers analyzed how snow leopards evolved to survive in their mountainous habitat. Their findings highlighted several key adaptations:</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exceptional-vision">Exceptional vision</h3>



<p>Large eye sockets and highly developed binocular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-camera-technology-lets-us-see-colors-of-the-world-through-the-eyes-of-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vision</a> allow snow leopards to focus on prey with precision in complex, rugged terrain.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-powerful-jaws-and-teeth">Powerful jaws and teeth</h3>



<p>Snow leopards have steeply angled jaws and robust canines, enabling them to subdue large prey like mountain goats and sheep. </p>



<p>Their large premolars and molars help them efficiently consume frozen carcasses before they spoil in cold environments.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-enhanced-respiratory-efficiency">Enhanced respiratory efficiency</h3>



<p>A well-developed frontal sinus system warms inhaled air, helping snow leopards cope with low temperatures and oxygen levels at high altitudes.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-heightened-hearing">Heightened hearing</h3>



<p>Their pronounced tympanic bulla enhances sensitivity to low-frequency sounds, allowing them to detect prey over long distances in open terrain.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-agile-limbs-for-mountainous-terrain">Agile limbs for mountainous terrain</h3>



<p>With elongated distal limb bones and a smaller scapula, snow leopards are built for agility, enabling them to navigate rocky slopes and leap across large gaps with ease.</p>



<p>These traits not only reflect their adaptation to cold, high-altitude environments but also their reliance on <em>Caprinae</em> prey, which are slow-moving yet highly robust with powerful horns.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-milestones-of-snow-leopard-evolution">Milestones of snow leopard evolution</h2>



<p>The researchers discovered that early snow leopard fossils, such as <em>Panthera aff. pyrenaica</em> from Longdan and Arago, displayed some adaptations for mountainous prey but lacked traits seen in modern snow leopards.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For instance, while their mandibles were steeply angled, their cheek teeth were smaller, and there was no evidence of advanced respiratory adaptations.</p>



<p>Later fossils, such as those from Zhoukoudian and Portugal, exhibited traits closely resembling modern snow leopards, including larger cheek teeth and advanced sinus systems. </p>



<p>However, some features, such as forehead expansion and ectotympanic chamber development, were less pronounced compared to their modern counterparts.</p>



<p>These findings suggest a gradual evolution of snow leopards’ traits, driven by changes in climate and prey availability, particularly during the Middle Pleistocene when ice sheets expanded on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-s-role-in-snow-leopard-distribution">Climate’s role in snow leopard distribution</h2>



<p>The study also explored the ecological adaptations of fossil snow leopards by analyzing the species’ distribution in relation to climate data. Using species distribution modeling (SDM), the researchers examined how snow leopards might have adapted to the Last Glacial Maximum.</p>



<p>The findings revealed that the suitable habitat for snow leopards during this period was far larger than it is today. </p>



<p>However, areas such as Europe and Beijing were excluded from this range, suggesting that fossil snow leopards in these regions had ecological adaptations distinct from modern populations. </p>



<p>Most fossil sites were located in mountainous regions, reinforcing the idea that rugged terrain and prey availability played a more critical role in their survival than altitude or oxygen levels.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interactions-of-leopards-and-snow-leopards-nbsp">Interactions of leopards and snow leopards&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Niuyan Cave is the only known site containing both snow leopard and leopard fossils, offering rare insights into the interactions of these predators.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The overlapping habitats suggest that snow leopards occasionally shared transitional zones near forest edges with leopards, similar to behaviors observed in modern populations.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This discovery provides a glimpse into the complex environmental dynamics of the region during ancient times.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-snow-leopard-conservation">Implications for snow leopard conservation</h2>



<p>The study’s findings hold significant implications for conservation efforts. By understanding the evolutionary history and ecological needs of snow leopards, conservationists can better protect their habitats in the face of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-species-are-pre-adapted-to-tolerate-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> and human activity.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research also highlights the importance of preserving mountainous ecosystems that serve as critical habitats for this species.</p>



<p>This study not only deepens our understanding of snow leopards’ past but also highlights the importance of integrating paleontology, biology, and modern technology to inform the conservation of one of the world’s most iconic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saber-toothed-predators-evolved-the-perfect-fangs-for-hunting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predators</a>.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adp5243" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Science Advances</em></a>.</p>



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



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-ralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



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

Snow leopards: Tracing the evolution of an apex predator

The snow leopard (Panthera uncia), an apex predator native to...

<p>Ever since scientists discovered DNA's crucial role in life, they've known our cells have built-in repair systems to fix damaged genetic material. But recent research has revealed something unexpected - some types of DNA damage can dodge these repair mechanisms and lurk in our cells for years, creating multiple opportunities for cancer-causing mutations.</p>



<p>The research team, led by Dr. Michael Spencer Chapman from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and the Barts Cancer Institute, made this discovery by studying an impressive collection of cellular family trees. </p>



<p>The findings, published in the journal <em>Nature</em>, challenge long-held beliefs about how DNA damage works.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-some-dna-damage-lingers-for-years">Some DNA damage lingers for years</h2>



<p>The scientists analyzed family trees of hundreds of single cells from individuals. These trees, pieced together from shared mutation patterns, provide insights into the ancestry of cells.</p>



<p>By examining blood stem cells, bronchial epithelial cells, and liver cells, researchers uncovered unexpected patterns of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-of-microrna-may-change-the-fight-against-cancer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mutation</a> inheritance.</p>



<p>In blood stem cells, up to 20% of mutations arise from specific DNA damage that remains unrepaired for two to three years or longer. </p>



<p>“With these family trees, we can link the relationships of hundreds of cells... meaning we can track back through the divisions each cell has gone through,” explained Dr. Chapman.</p>



<p>This persistence means damaged DNA can repeatedly introduce mutations during cell division. Each attempt to replicate the damaged DNA risks generating new errors, creating multiple chances for cancer-causing mutations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dna-mutations-and-structural-alterations">DNA mutations and structural alterations </h2>



<p>DNA damage and mutations are related but distinct concepts. A mutation occurs when one of the DNA bases (A, T, C, or G), which are the "letters" of the genetic code, is in the wrong position. </p>



<p>This is similar to a typo in a written sentence. For example, replacing a "C" with a "T" changes the meaning of the genetic instruction.</p>



<p>DNA damage, on the other hand, refers to chemical alterations to the DNA's structure itself. Instead of a "wrong letter," it's like a letter being smudged or distorted, making it unreadable. This type of damage can prevent the DNA from being properly copied or understood.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dna-damage-and-cancer-risk">DNA damage and cancer risk</h2>



<p>If the cell’s repair mechanisms fail to fix the damage, it can create permanent mutations during cell division. </p>



<p>When the cell replicates its DNA, it may misinterpret or incorrectly copy the damaged section, introducing errors into the genetic code. These errors can accumulate and, over time, contribute to diseases like cancer.</p>



<p>“When exploring family trees of blood stem cells, we found a type of DNA damage that results in around 15 to 20 percent of the mutations and can last for several years,” noted study co-author Emily Mitchell.</p>



<p>This finding raises critical questions: Why does this persistent damage occur in blood stem cells but not other tissues? What is the exact nature of this damage?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-cancer-research">Implications for cancer research</h2>



<p>Persistent DNA damage presents a challenge to what scientists previously believed about how cancer mutations form. Until now, the assumption was that most <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/molecular-fingerprints-could-be-key-to-early-cancer-detection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA</a> damage is either repaired quickly or eliminated, preventing long-term effects. </p>



<p>However, this study reveals that some types of DNA damage can persist for years without repair, causing mutations each time cells divide. These findings reshape our understanding of how mutations accumulate over time and their role in diseases like cancer.</p>



<p>“These findings don’t fit with what scientists have previously thought. This paradigm shift brings a new dimension to the way we think about mutations,” noted co-author Dr. Peter Campbell.</p>



<p>Understanding why some DNA damage escapes repair and persists for years offers new avenues for cancer prevention and treatment. Intervening to repair or eliminate such damage could significantly reduce mutation rates.</p>



<p>The research also highlights the importance of curiosity in science. “This study is a prime example of exploratory science – you don’t always know what you’re going to find until you look,” Dr. Chapman noted.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-targeting-dna-damage-to-combat-cancer">Targeting DNA damage to combat cancer</h2>



<p>This study from Wellcome Sanger Institute and <a href="https://www.bci.qmul.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barts Cancer Institute</a> changes our understanding of how DNA damage contributes to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-the-next-frontier-in-cancer-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cancer</a>. Previously, scientists believed most DNA damage was quickly repaired by the body’s natural mechanisms.</p>



<p>However, the research shows that certain types of damage can persist for years without being fixed. These long-lasting forms of damage can repeatedly introduce mutations every time cells divide, increasing the risk of harmful changes that lead to cancer.</p>



<p>By uncovering this process, scientists have created new opportunities to study and combat cancer. For example, understanding why some DNA damage evades repair may lead to treatments that target and fix these persistent issues, reducing mutation rates and preventing cancer development.</p>



<p>As we learn more about our genome - the complete set of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gene-regulation-controlling-cells-to-improve-medical-treatments/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA</a> in our bodies - this study highlights how even tiny, hard-to-detect changes in DNA can have significant impacts on our health. It serves as a reminder that understanding these small changes is key to tackling major diseases like cancer.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08423-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature</em></a>.</p>



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



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



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

DNA damage can persist for years, increasing cancer risks

Ever since scientists discovered DNA's crucial role in life, they've...

<p>The humble bumble bee, already battling habitat loss and climate change, faces another invisible enemy that attacks its body from multiple angles. </p>



<p>A new study reveals that a widely-used agricultural pesticide doesn't just harm bees in one way - it disrupts different body tissues in distinct and concerning patterns, much like a multi-pronged assault on their health.</p>



<p>The research team, led by Professor Yannick Wurm at Queen Mary University of London, used cutting-edge molecular techniques to expose how the neonicotinoid pesticide clothianidin impacts various bee body parts differently.</p>



<p>Their findings paint a troubling picture of widespread disruption throughout the insects' bodies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-pesticides-harm-bumble-bees">How pesticides harm bumble bees</h2>



<p>By exposing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-honey-bee-day-protecting-our-vital-pollinators/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bumble bees</a> to field-realistic doses of clothianidin, the researchers discovered that pesticide exposure doesn’t affect all body parts uniformly.</p>



<p>The study showed that&nbsp;82% of gene activity changes caused by pesticides are specific to individual tissues. This specificity disrupts critical functions in the brain, legs, and kidney-like Malpighian tubules.</p>



<p>“Each tissue we examined was severely affected by the pesticide,” said Professor Wurm. “Seeing impacts of pesticide exposure across the body helps to explain the multi-faceted problems that exposed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-bee-day-2024-bee-engaged-with-youth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bees</a> have, from impaired movement to reduced learning ability and compromised immunity.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinct-damage-in-different-tissues">Distinct damage in different tissues</h2>



<p>The study from <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen Mary University of London</a> found that neonicotinoid pesticides like clothianidin cause distinct damage to different tissues in bumble bees, each critical for the insect's survival. </p>



<p>In the brain, genes related to ion transport - essential for learning and memory - were disrupted, potentially impairing cognitive functions needed for navigation and problem-solving.</p>



<p>The hind femurs, vital for movement, showed changes in muscle-specific genes, which could weaken the bees’ ability to forage effectively or escape predators. </p>



<p>Additionally, the Malpighian tubules, which function similarly to kidneys, experienced reduced activity in detoxification genes. This decline compromises the bees' ability to process and eliminate toxins, further endangering their health.</p>



<p>These molecular disruptions are particularly alarming because they resemble patterns typically associated with aging and even cancer in other organisms. </p>



<p>This suggests that pesticide exposure could have severe long-term impacts on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/good-nutrition-is-key-to-honey-bee-survival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollinator populations</a>, threatening their ability to sustain themselves and perform their crucial ecological roles.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-safety-tests-miss-tissue-specific-damage">Safety tests miss tissue-specific damage</h2>



<p>Neonicotinoid pesticides like clothianidin are widely used in agriculture to protect crops, but their effects on non-target species like pollinators are often underestimated. </p>



<p>Current pesticide safety assessments rarely account for tissue-specific damage, focusing instead on generalized outcomes. This oversight means they fail to capture the full scope of sub-lethal impacts on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hidden-danger-bees-cant-taste-lethal-pesticides-in-nectar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vital pollinators</a>.</p>



<p>“The findings suggest that traditional pesticide risk assessments, which often overlook tissue-specific damage, do not fully capture the sub-lethal impacts on pollinators,” explained Dr. Federico López-Osorio, co-author of the study.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-bees-form-pesticides">Protecting bees form pesticides</h2>



<p>The research highlights the urgent need to reassess how we test, regulate, and use pesticides. Bees play a crucial role in pollinating crops and maintaining ecosystems, yet the multi-tissue effects of pesticides jeopardize their survival and the biodiversity they support.</p>



<p>“We apply pesticides without fully understanding their effects on beneficial insect pollinators,” said study lead author Dr. Alicja Witwicka.</p>



<p>“Our findings show that every tissue is compromised in ways that undermine its vital role, which is why the effects are so devastating and widespread. This research is a call to action to rethink how we assess, regulate and apply pesticides, not only to protect pollinators but the ecosystems that depend on them.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biodiversity-loss-a-growing-crisis">Biodiversity loss: A growing crisis</h2>



<p>Pollinators, such as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/honey-bees-face-a-multitude-of-complex-stressors-in-the-field/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bumble bees</a>, play a vital role in global agriculture by enabling the production of many fruits, nuts, and vegetables that make up a substantial portion of the human diet. Their work as pollinators is essential for the reproduction of plants that provide food for people and animals alike.</p>



<p>Beyond agriculture, bumble bees are crucial for maintaining biodiversity and supporting ecosystems. They help pollinate wild plants, which in turn sustain various animal species and preserve the balance of natural habitats. </p>



<p>However, the increasing loss of biodiversity has become a growing concern worldwide. Governments and citizens are striving to set ambitious goals to reverse these declines and restore ecosystems to health.</p>



<p>This research on bumble bees provides a compelling reason to rethink how we use pesticides. The health of pollinators - and the ecosystems they sustain - depends on it.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969724084201?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science of The Total Environment</a>.</em></p>



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



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



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

Pesticides attack bees in multiple ways throughout the body

The humble bumble bee, already battling habitat loss and climate...

<p>The quest to reduce our carbon footprint has driven significant efforts toward developing a system to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide, at their source.</p>



<p>Carbon emissions from power plants, industrial refineries, cement factories, and other industries have been the primary target. </p>



<p>These efforts, while impactful, often fall short of addressing the vast amounts of carbon dioxide already present in the atmosphere. </p>



<p>However, imagine if there was a way to scrub these harmful gases directly from our atmosphere.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-system-to-capture-carbon-dioxide">System to capture carbon dioxide</h2>



<p>A team of dedicated researchers at the <a href="https://www.uc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cincinnati</a> has been pursuing this seemingly elusive goal. Their mission? To master the art of extracting carbon dioxide straight from the atmosphere.</p>



<p>According to team leader Professor Joo-Youp Lee, accomplishing this would be akin to "trying to remove a handful of red ping-pong balls from a football stadium full of white ones."</p>



<p>The analogy emphasizes the task's complexity, as the concentration of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-weaker-ocean-will-release-more-carbon-into-the-atmosphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon dioxide in the atmosphere</a> is remarkably low.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-breakthrough-in-carbon-capture">A breakthrough in carbon capture</h2>



<p>Despite the challenges, Professor Lee and his students have made significant progress. They have designed an efficient system for capturing carbon dioxide from the air at approximately 420 parts per million.</p>



<p>The beauty of this process, which is called "<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-control-u-s-will-invest-1-2b-in-direct-air-capture-initiatives/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">direct air capture</a>," is that it can be implemented virtually anywhere.</p>



<p>Power plants and transportation account for about 53% of all carbon dioxide emissions. The remaining emissions are produced by commercial and residential buildings, industry, agriculture, and other human activities.</p>



<p>“Although industrial decarbonization efforts are underway, it’s really hard to implement carbon capture in the remaining sectors,” said Professor Lee.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-system-works">How the system works</h2>



<p>The system uses electricity to separate carbon dioxide. However, it leans towards the use of hot water instead of electricity or steam, making it more energy-efficient than other carbon-capture systems.</p>



<p>To achieve this, the team established a benchtop model. Ambient air is pumped through a canister, which is filled with a honeycomb-like block wrapped with carbon fiber.</p>



<p>This block, designed and fabricated in Lee's lab, contains individual cells coated with a specially designed adsorbent material that captures carbon dioxide. </p>



<p>When the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/met-office-2024-co2-levels-will-surpass-the-point-of-no-return/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon dioxide levels</a> begin to rise at the block's outlet, the team knows it is time to heat the structure, freeing the trapped carbon dioxide.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scaling-up-the-process">Scaling up the process </h2>



<p>The Cincinnati team has successfully repeated this process more than 2,000 times without any decline in efficiency or degradation of the materials.</p>



<p>Professor Lee is optimistic that the process can be extended to 10,000 cycles, which would make the system more economically viable.</p>



<p>The ultimate test came when the team scaled up the project. Inside of a climate-controlled chamber, they built a person-sized canister, which also draws outside air but can manage temperature, humidity, and wind speed variances.</p>



<p>With an expanded system, Professor Lee and his team have their sights set on an industrial-size prototype.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-climate-change">Addressing climate change </h2>



<p>Soumitra Payra, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Cincinnati, looks forward to a future where this technology will be scrubbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere on a large scale.</p>



<p>“I think it’s a great project. We’re doing some real applications that can help the environment,” said Payra.</p>



<p>Professor Lee noted that these systems could be instrumental in addressing climate change - as the demand for electricity is expected to surge in the years ahead.</p>



<p>“Big tech companies like Google, Microsoft and Amazon are supporting this type of research. They will need a lot of energy to run their data centers,” he said. </p>



<p>“In the carbon tax credit market, the more electricity you use, the more carbon dioxide you emit. So they’re buying carbon tax credits, which support the development of these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-meet-climate-targets-with-carbon-capture-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon-capture technologies</a>.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-progress-in-carbon-capture-technology">Progress in carbon capture technology</h2>



<p>Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the research has made significant strides in advancing carbon capture technology development.</p>



<p>The team's innovative system holds the potential to transform the way we combat <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/addressing-climate-change-could-help-reduce-poverty/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>, offering a scalable and energy-efficient solution to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide.</p>



<p>Professor Lee is hoping the DOE will continue to support his plans to develop an industrial-size prototype.</p>



<p>“Our technology has proven to reduce the heat required for the desorption by 50%. That’s a really big improvement,” said Lee. “By using half of the energy, we can separate out carbon dioxide more efficiently. And we can make the cycle longer and longer.”</p>



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



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



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

New system captures carbon dioxide directly from air

The quest to reduce our carbon footprint has driven significant...

<p>Mars has never stopped amazing those of us back on Earth. This dusty neighbor has its quiet moments, yet it also gives us reasons to perk up and pay attention. Right now, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasas-curiosity-rover-records-a-martian-day-from-dawn-to-dusk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA’s Curiosity rover</a> continues to explore rocky outcrops and prepare its instruments for new discoveries. </p>



<p>Rover planners have even managed to conduct science on two wintry targets, named Snow Creek and Winter Creek, making the most of a spot that turned out to be prime for drilling and up-close study.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-curiosity-sees-seasonal-changes">Curiosity sees seasonal changes</h2>



<p>The rover team prioritized remote imaging of formations both near and far. <a href="https://www.msl-chemcam.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ChemCam </a>tested several spots for composition clues, while cameras were fixed on a series of bedrock structures that might hold secrets about Mars’ climate history.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The reason for this focus is clear: clouds and dust storms help shape the planet’s environment. Even NASA’s daily dust-devil surveys reveal how dynamic the skies can be as the seasons change.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"We also see impressive dust clouds that can spread hundreds of kilometers," commented <a href="https://oxfordre.com/planetaryscience/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780190647926.001.0001/acrefore-9780190647926-e-114" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Daniela Tirsch</a> from the <a href="https://www.dlr.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">German Aerospace Center</a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mars-cloud-atlas">Mars Cloud Atlas</h2>



<p>Scientists have put together a large map showing how Martian clouds evolve, with thousands of images combined to form what some folks call a “<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/twenty-years-mars-clouds-catalogued-in-stunning-new-online-photo-atlas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cloud Atlas</a>.” </p>



<p>For about two decades, cameras aboard orbiters like <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Mars_Express" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars Express</a> have captured passing hazes and wide dust plumes. Specialists then singled out various cloud shapes, many similar to ours but tinted by Mars’ thinner air.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"Clouds on Mars are just as diverse and fascinating as those we see in our skies on Earth," said <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11214-024-01092-z#:~:text=The%20main%20water%20ice%20cloud,2007" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Tirsch</a>, who is a planetary geologist.&nbsp;</p>



<p>It has been a real eye-opener, especially the unique “cloud streets” that resemble endless corridors in the sky.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-high-altitude-crystals-that-glow-in-twilight">High-altitude crystals that glow in twilight</h2>



<p>Mars has water-ice clouds that can appear at heights up to 60 miles (100 km). These light wisps can look bright in dawn or dusk images, because the sun hits them long after it has slipped below the horizon at ground level. </p>



<p>Researchers have described them as <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-curiosity-rover-captures-shining-clouds-on-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">noctilucent clouds</a>, a term borrowed from Earth’s own shimmering twilight shows. </p>



<p>Some also <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0019103523003548" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">contain</a> carbon dioxide crystals, and they often form in exceptionally chilly parts of the upper atmosphere.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-dust-matters-for-mars-clouds">Why dust matters for Mars' clouds</h2>



<p>In addition to observing clouds, scientists keep tabs on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dust-storms-can-engulf-the-entire-planet-of-mars-but-how/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dust storms</a> because these fine grains can rise high, linger, and affect everything from ground temperatures to orbital views. </p>



<p>Over the years, orbiters have observed swirling storms that cloak huge areas in a matter of days. </p>



<p>Some are local. Some can spread enough to blanket an entire hemisphere. If dust lifts into the atmosphere at the right spot, it can spark weather patterns that churn and expand. </p>



<p>During Mars’ southern autumn and winter, skies often fill with more particles, which feed those dramatic dust curtains that can be seen from orbit.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-life-of-a-martian-cloud">Life of a Martian cloud</h2>



<p>Most clouds on Mars form when trace amounts of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-has-magnificent-landforms-created-when-ice-turns-into-gas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vapor</a> (mainly carbon dioxide, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-has-a-water-reservoir-two-miles-deep-enough-to-fill-earths-red-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plus a little water</a>) gather onto dust particles. </p>



<p>Because Mars holds far less moisture than Earth, ice crystals end up quite thin. Still, they can leave a mark on the planet’s energy balance.</p>



<p>&nbsp;Water-ice clouds can cluster around volcanoes, following gusts and updrafts. Some, like the well-known elongated plume near <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/pia25649-arsia-mons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arsia Mons</a>, develop and stretch out at surprising speeds, then vanish within a few hours of daylight.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rover-perspective-on-hazy-horizons">Rover perspective on hazy horizons</h2>



<p>From the ground, Curiosity catches glimpses of clouds drifting overhead. These vantage points offer vital information that orbiters might miss, such as the speed of passing wisps or the finer textures of dust events swirling near the rover’s route.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Although the planet’s surface is silent compared to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sunken-worlds-discovered-under-the-pacific-ocean-in-earths-mantle/">Earth’s</a>, its weather scene is busy above. Dust devils still dance across the crater floor, and new-year clouds gather color at sunrise.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fresh-insights-keep-pouring-in">Fresh insights keep pouring in</h2>



<p>Observations of these lofty ice crystals and shifting dust storms continue to guide mission teams. By mapping how clouds shape the seasons, researchers can refine our overall understanding of Martian weather.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Over time, these rovers and orbiters will likely piece together more clues about the interplay between water vapor, dust, and temperature cycles. Each new image or measurement adds to a better picture of conditions that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-white-christmas-australe-scopuli-region-changing-polar-landscape/">shaped Mars</a> through its long history.</p>



<p>The press release was first published by <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/blog/sols-4416-4417-new-year-new-clouds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.</p>



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



<p>Like what you read?<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/"> Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Check us out on<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/"> EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/"> Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



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

Martian phenomenon causes spectacular glowing clouds on the Red Planet

Mars has never stopped amazing those of us back on...

<p>Researchers around the world have chased the promise of quantum entanglement in a device for years.</p>



<p>The concept, often called <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-entanglement-a-simple-way-to-grasp-this-impossible-concept-carl-kocher/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spooky action at a distance</a>, happens when two particles become linked so intensely that changing the state of one instantly changes the state of the other - even if they sit thousands of miles apart. </p>



<p>Scientists first discussed the idea as early as 1935, and it sparked passionate <a href="https://journals.aps.org/pr/abstract/10.1103/PhysRev.47.777" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">debate</a> in the physics community.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biggest-issue-for-quantum-devices">Biggest issue for quantum devices</h2>



<p>Classical research methods showed that generating entangled photons often required large crystals and hefty amounts of energy. Smaller, more efficient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/google-record-shattering-quantum-ai-chip-accesses-parallel-universes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">systems</a> long stood as a kind of holy grail for quantum device engineers.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Many believed a lighter, more compact approach might offer a real shot at quantum-based telecommunications and computing. </p>



<p>Yet design challenges kept mounting, and experts struggled to shrink the necessary components enough to fit on a chip.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.me.columbia.edu/faculty/p-james-schuck" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">P. James Schuck</a>, associate professor of mechanical engineering at <a href="https://www.engineering.columbia.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Columbia Engineering</a>, helped guide a fresh effort to overcome these hurdles. </p>



<p>He and his collaborators created a new entangled photon-pair source that is more efficient than previous models while requiring far less space. </p>



<p>Their paper, published in <em>Nature Photonics</em>, showcases a method that reduces energy use while squeezing everything into a device that is just 3.4 micrometers thick.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-closer-look-at-van-der-waals-materials">A closer look at van der Waals materials</h2>



<p>The breakthrough quantum device hinges on a stack of six ultra-thin crystal pieces made from <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/molybdenum-disulfide" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">molybdenum disulfide</a>. Researchers rotated each piece 180 degrees relative to the layer above and below.&nbsp;</p>



<p>They employed an approach called <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-53472-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quasi-phase-matching</a>, which alters the properties of light in a way that allows for the creation of paired photons.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Scientists have used quasi-phase-matching for years, but turning to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2468023022006307" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">van der Waals semiconductors</a> for this process was a bold move because these materials can pack impressive optical capabilities in an extremely tight space.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quashing-interference-in-tiny-layers">Quashing interference in tiny layers</h2>



<p>Periodically flipping each crystal slice solves a classic interference problem. </p>



<p>When light waves travel in uniform directions within certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-teleportation-communication-achieved-on-regular-internet-cables/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">materials</a>, they start canceling one another, which limits performance. </p>



<p>This periodic flipping trick keeps the waves in check and preserves the desired signals. </p>



<p>“This work represents the embodiment of the long-sought goal of bridging macroscopic and microscopic nonlinear and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/negative-time-observed-measured-tangible-in-new-quantum-experiments/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum</a> optics,” said Schuck.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quantum-entanglement-device">Quantum entanglement device</h2>



<p><a href="https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.49.1804" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Entangled-photon pairs</a> form a fundamental building block of many quantum systems. </p>



<p>Engineers count on them for encryption, sensing applications, and the creation of qubits for quantum computing. Smaller generators that use less power could mean more compact setups. </p>



<p>“These innovations will have an immediate impact in diverse areas including satellite-based distribution and mobile phone <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/building-quantum-computers-just-got-easier-with-new-technique/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum communication</a>,” said Schuck. He and his team anticipate wide-ranging possibilities.</p>



<p>Simple devices that generate entangled photons at telecom wavelengths stand to revolutionize encryption, teleconferencing, and large-scale data transfer. Quantum key distribution could become less expensive and more secure.</p>



<p>Some sensor arrays might gain speed and sensitivity if entangled pairs arrive faster and consume less battery power. </p>



<p>The team’s research shows that a van der Waals system can handle these demands without the size or energy constraints of older setups.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-one-step-toward-on-chip-integration">One step toward on-chip integration</h2>



<p>Bringing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-smallest-quantum-light-detector-now-fits-on-silicon-chip/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum light sources</a> onto a silicon chip like Google’s Quantum chip, <a href="https://blog.google/technology/research/google-willow-quantum-chip/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Willow</a>, could change the face of computing and telecommunications. This new device hints at the potential for integrated circuits that handle quantum <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electrons-can-follow-neat-paths-even-in-chaotic-quantum-systems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">signals</a>. </p>



<p>“It provides the foundation for scalable, highly efficient on-chip integrable devices such as tunable microscopic entangled-photon-pair generators,” stated Schuck at the end of a recent announcement. </p>



<p>Making everything smaller and more efficient sets the stage for eventual commercial designs, including portable quantum devices.</p>



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



<p>There is a growing drive to develop on-chip quantum elements that do more than just produce <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-teleportation-communication-achieved-on-regular-internet-cables/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">photon pairs</a>. In the future, integrated setups might include photon detectors, modulators, and memory elements. </p>



<p>At that point, systems could become easier to mass-produce. Different industries might adapt them for network security, advanced diagnostics, or near-instant long-distance communication. </p>



<p>With this step, researchers encourage the idea that quantum architectures can finally go mainstream.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-simpler-portable-quantum-chip-devices">Simpler, portable quantum chip devices</h2>



<p>The race is on to convert big, clunky research tools into simple, reliable instruments. </p>



<p>In time, groups outside specialized labs may deploy quantum sensors for medical imaging, environmental monitoring, and more.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The engineering behind these stacked crystals is still new, but early results are setting optimistic expectations. By sidestepping older size and energy limits, the team has charted a path that many others might soon follow.</p>



<p>The study is published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41566-024-01602-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Photonics</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



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

New quantum device uses crystal layers to generate entangled photons

Researchers around the world have chased the promise of quantum...

<p>For decades, we've known that eating too much red meat isn't great for our hearts. Now, recent research on red meat shows it might not be doing our brains any favors either. </p>



<p>A large-scale study has uncovered a troubling connection between red meat consumption and increased risk of dementia - but there's good news too. The research suggests we can significantly lower our risk by making simple swaps in our daily diet.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-processed-red-meat-and-brain-health">Processed red meat and brain health </h2>



<p>Researchers from <a href="https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mass General Brigham</a>, <a href="https://hsph.harvard.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health</a>, and the <a href="https://www.broadinstitute.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Broad Institute</a> conducted a long-term study. They analyzed health and dietary data from 133,771 participants over several decades. During the study, 11,173 participants developed dementia.</p>



<p>A significant finding was that individuals consuming one-quarter or more of a daily serving of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/diseases-linked-to-processed-meat-could-easily-be-prevented/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">processed red meats</a>, such as bacon or hot dogs, had a 13% higher risk of developing dementia compared to those consuming minimal amounts.</p>



<p>Similarly, eating unprocessed red meat daily, like beef or pork, was linked to a 16% increased risk of subjective cognitive decline (SCD). The researchers also observed accelerated cognitive aging, equivalent to 1.6 years, for those consuming processed meats daily. </p>



<p>On the other hand, substituting processed meat with healthier protein sources like nuts, legumes, or fish may reduce dementia risk by 20 percent.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-red-meat-harms-the-brain">Why red meat harms the brain</h2>



<p>The experts investigated why red meat consumption might increase the risk of dementia, focusing on biological processes in the gut.</p>



<p>When we eat red meat, bacteria in our digestive system break it down and produce a chemical called&nbsp;trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO). </p>



<p>TMAO is believed to play a role in brain problems because it can promote the accumulation of certain proteins,&nbsp;amyloid and tau, in the brain. These proteins are known to be key contributors to Alzheimer’s disease, as they interfere with normal brain function and cause damage over time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saturated-fats-in-red-meat">Saturated fats in red meat</h2>



<p>In addition to TMAO, red meat is high in&nbsp;saturated fats&nbsp;and&nbsp;salt, both of which can negatively impact brain health. </p>



<p>Saturated fats may disrupt the function of brain cells, while excessive salt can affect blood pressure and circulation, potentially reducing the brain's access to oxygen and nutrients. Together, these factors create a combination of risks that might contribute to cognitive decline and dementia.</p>



<p>“Large, long-term cohort studies are essential for investigating conditions like dementia, which can develop over decades,” said study co-author Dr. Daniel Wang.</p>



<p>“We are continuing to piece together this story to understand the mechanisms causing dementia and cognitive decline.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-skipping-red-meat-to-lower-dementia-risk">Skipping red meat to lower dementia risk</h2>



<p>As <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reduce-your-risk-of-dementia-by-cutting-out-this-type-of-meat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dementia</a> rates rise with the aging U.S. population, this research calls for urgent changes in dietary guidelines. </p>



<p>Current guidelines prioritize reducing risks of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. However, cognitive health remains less discussed, despite its connection to these conditions.</p>



<p>“We hope our results encourage greater consideration of the connection between diet and brain health,” said Dr. Wang.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-recommendations-for-cognitive-health">Practical recommendations for cognitive health</h2>



<p>To lower the risk of dementia, the study emphasizes the importance of making <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-diet-shifts-the-hidden-costs-of-what-we-eat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thoughtful dietary changes</a>. </p>



<p>One key recommendation is to limit the intake of red meat, particularly processed varieties like bacon, hot dogs, and similar products, as they have been strongly associated with increased dementia risk. Instead, individuals are encouraged to substitute red meat with healthier protein alternatives. </p>



<p>Foods such as nuts, fish, and legumes provide high-quality protein that supports brain health without the harmful effects linked to red meat.</p>



<p>Additionally, adopting a well-rounded diet that is rich in plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can further support brain health and overall well-being. These changes not only reduce the risk of dementia but also promote a healthier lifestyle overall.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-term-cognitive-health">Long-term cognitive health</h2>



<p>When it comes to protecting our brain health, this research suggests that small changes in our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sustainable-diets-can-reduce-environmental-pressure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diet</a> could make a big difference. </p>



<p>It's not about completely eliminating foods we enjoy, but rather about making informed choices about how often we eat them.</p>



<p>And while processed meats might be convenient, perhaps it's worth considering whether that convenience comes at too high of a cost to our long-term cognitive health.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000210286" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Neurology</em></a>.</p>



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



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



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

Eating red meat may be putting your brain at risk

For decades, we've known that eating too much red meat...

<p>Quasars have long served as celestial beacons, guiding humanity’s exploration of the universe. These incredibly luminous objects are powered by supermassive black holes at the centers of distant galaxies. </p>



<p>Surrounded by glowing discs of swirling gas, quasars emit immense light that can be seen across vast cosmic distances. </p>



<p>They also eject powerful jets of material, shaping their host galaxies and influencing the surrounding intergalactic environment, much like cosmic lighthouses illuminating the dark reaches of space.</p>



<p>The study of quasars has provided astronomers with crucial insights into the early universe, including the formation of galaxies and the behavior of matter under extreme gravitational forces.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-mysteries-of-quasars">The mysteries of quasars</h2>



<p>In a breakthrough discovery in 2020, newborn jets were found in a number of quasars.</p>



<p>One particular quasar that captured the attention of scientists was Quasar J0742+2704. It is located in an unusual galaxy studied by aspiring naval officer Olivia Achenbach of the <a href="https://www.usna.edu/homepage.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United States Naval Academy</a> during an intensive research internship.</p>



<p>Using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, Achenbach uncovered some surprising attributes of this quasar, including its rare spiral structure and the presence of young jets. These features shed light on the dynamic processes at play within its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-hole-is-starving-its-host-galaxy-of-star-forming-fuel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">host galaxy</a>.</p>



<p>“The biggest surprise was seeing the distinct spiral shape in the Hubble Space Telescope images. At first, I was worried I had made an error," said Achenbach.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rare-and-exciting-discovery">Rare and exciting discovery </h2>



<p>Kristina Nyland is a renowned astronomer at the Naval Research Laboratory who served as Achenbach's advisor.</p>



<p>“We typically see quasars as older galaxies that have grown very massive, along with their central <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evidence-of-massive-early-universe-black-hole-stuns-astronomers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black holes</a>, after going through messy mergers and have come out with an elliptical shape,” explained Nyland.</p>



<p>"It's extremely rare and exciting to find a quasar-hosting galaxy with spiral arms and a black hole that is more than 400 million times the mass of the Sun - which is pretty big - plus young jets that weren't detectable 20 years ago."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quasar-jets-and-galaxy-evolution">Quasar jets and galaxy evolution</h2>



<p>Quasar jets have captivated researchers with their complexity and far-reaching implications. However, the triggers of quasar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-hole-jets-are-like-million-light-year-long-jedi-lightsabers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">jets</a> have long been debated within the astronomy community.</p>



<p>These jets, which can stretch for thousands of light-years, play a crucial role in the evolution of galaxies as they can curtail star formation by expelling the gas and dust necessary for star creation.</p>



<p>Some theories suggest that major galaxy mergers - where two or more galaxies collide and their central black holes merge - lead to the inception of quasar jets, driven by the gravitational chaos of such interactions.</p>



<p>However, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seismic-ripples-observed-in-the-oldest-known-spiral-galaxy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spiral galaxy</a> quasars like J0742+2704 retain their organized structure. This indicates that other causes, such as gravitational interactions with nearby galaxies or internal instabilities, might also be responsible for triggering these extraordinary phenomena.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-secrets-of-a-unique-quasar">Secrets of a unique quasar </h2>



<p>Although Quasar J0742+2704 has retained its spiral shape, intriguing signs of its potential interaction with other galaxies are evident. </p>



<p>“Clearly there is something interesting going on. While the quasar has not experienced a major disruptive merger, it may be interacting with another galaxy, which is gravitationally tugging at its spiral arm," explained Nyland.</p>



<p>One nearby galaxy displayed a unique ring structure, which is thought to occur after a smaller galaxy breaches the center of a spiral galaxy. The unusual shape could provide a clue to the events unfolding in this system.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-journey-of-exploration-continues">The journey of exploration continues</h2>



<p>According to Achenbach and Nyland, this captivating discovery signifies a fresh juncture.</p>



<p>Additional multi-wavelength analysis of J0742+2704 will be conducted soon, using data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile.</p>



<p>Achenbach encourages us all to keep exploring. "If we looked at this galaxy 20 years, or maybe even a decade ago, we would have seen a fairly average quasar and never known it would eventually be home to newborn jets," said Achenbach. </p>



<p>"It goes to show that if you keep searching, you can find something remarkable that you never expected, and it can send you in a whole new direction of discovery."</p>



<p>Image Credit: NASA, ESA, Kristina Nyland (U.S. Naval Research Laboratory); Image Processing: Joseph DePasquale (STScI)</p>



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



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



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

Spiral galaxy with quasar jet surprises astronomers

Quasars have long served as celestial beacons, guiding humanity’s exploration...

<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=lHHxOej4QfE
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Researchers found a correlation between Alzheimer's disease and traffic pollution.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-invisible-threat-in-urban-air"><strong>Invisible threat in urban air</strong></h2>



<p>City dwellers face an unseen danger with every breath. New findings from Emory University researchers suggest that fine particulate matter from <a href="http://earth.com/news/traffic-related-air-pollution-might-increase-alzheimers-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vehicle emissions may significantly elevate the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease</a>. The study examined brain tissue samples from 224 individuals who had confirmed diagnoses and volunteered their brains for scientific research.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-disturbing-connections-emerge"><strong>Disturbing connections emerge</strong></h2>



<p>Scientists analyzed neuritic plaques — protein clusters that characterize Alzheimer's — while mapping each participant's exposure to PM2.5 particles based on residential location and surrounding traffic density. The correlation proved more alarming than anticipated. Individuals experiencing higher pollution exposure showed nearly double the likelihood of elevated plaque accumulation in brain tissue.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-timing-matters"><strong>Timing matters</strong></h2>



<p>The research team discovered that pollution exposure during the final year before death demonstrated the strongest association with brain changes. This timeline suggests relatively rapid impacts from environmental toxins on neural health. The connection remained robust even after accounting for various demographic and health factors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-vulnerability-patterns"><strong>Genetic vulnerability patterns</strong></h2>



<p>Perhaps most concerning, people lacking the APOE gene—which naturally predisposes individuals to Alzheimer's — exhibited more than twice the susceptibility to pollution-related brain damage. Study author Dr. Anke Huels noted this indicates environmental elements like air contamination could trigger the disease in cases where hereditary factors don't explain.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-health-implications"><strong>Public health implications</strong></h2>



<p>These findings, published in <em><a href="https://www.neurology.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neurology</a></em>, underscore the critical importance of air quality regulations in urban planning. The research suggests that implementing stricter emission controls and promoting alternative transportation could serve as powerful tools in Alzheimer's prevention.</p>



<p>As cities worldwide grapple with growing traffic congestion and aging populations, this study highlights an urgent need for comprehensive approaches to environmental health that protect both our lungs and our minds.</p>



<p>—–</p>



<p>Like what you saw and read?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a>&nbsp;for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>—–</p>



<p>Check us out on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth.com</a>.</p>



<p>—–</p>

Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHHxOej4QfE Researchers found a correlation between Alzheimer's disease and traffic...

<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=2E0mn5mTvhQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that scientists never expected.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-waters-beneath-ancient-craters">Hidden waters beneath ancient craters</h2>



<p>Scientists have made a startling discovery that challenges everything we thought we knew about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/saturn-moon-mimas-has-remarkably-young-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saturn's moon Mimas</a>. Beneath the heavily cratered surface that earned it the nickname "Death Star" lies a global ocean that formed just 5 to 15 million years ago—a remarkably young age by cosmic standards.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cassini-data-reveals-orbital-secrets">Cassini data reveals orbital secrets</h2>



<p>The discovery, led by Dr. Valéry Lainey of the <a href="https://observatoiredeparis.psl.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Observatoire de Paris</a>, emerged from careful analysis of <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>'s Cassini spacecraft data. By studying subtle irregularities in Mimas's orbit around Saturn, researchers detected the gravitational signature of liquid water hidden 20 to 30 kilometers beneath the moon's icy shell.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-an-unlikely-ocean-world">An unlikely ocean world</h2>



<p>At only 400 kilometers in diameter, Mimas seemed like the least likely candidate to harbor a subsurface ocean. Unlike other ocean moons such as Europa and Enceladus, which show clear surface signs of internal activity, Mimas displays no obvious hints of the liquid water beneath its ancient, crater-scarred exterior.</p>



<p>"Mimas is a small moon, and its heavily cratered surface gave no hint of the hidden ocean beneath," explained Dr. Nick Cooper from <a href="https://www.qmul.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Queen Mary University of London</a>, a study co-author.</p>



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



<p>The ocean's recent formation makes Mimas a prime target for studying how oceans develop and potentially support life. This discovery adds another member to the exclusive club of ocean worlds in our solar system, each offering unique insights into the conditions necessary for habitability.</p>



<p>The research, published in <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a></em> journal, demonstrates how advanced orbital analysis can reveal hidden features of celestial bodies, opening new possibilities for understanding ocean formation throughout the cosmos.</p>



<p>—–</p>



<p>Like what you saw and read?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a>&nbsp;for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>—–</p>



<p>Check us out on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth.com</a>.</p>



<p>—–</p>

Scientists discover unexpected young ocean on Saturn's cratered moon Mimas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ 'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that...

<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=K0DuSr87SHY
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">57 million-year ice age mystery solved by Australian scientists.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-earth-became-a-frozen-wasteland">When Earth became a frozen wasteland</h2>



<p>Imagine Earth as a giant snowball, frozen solid from the North Pole to the equator. This wasn't the plot of a science fiction movie – it was our planet's reality 700 million years ago during an extreme ice age that has puzzled scientists for decades.</p>



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



<p>Australian researchers from the <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Sydney</a> have finally cracked one of geology's greatest mysteries: what caused the Sturtian glaciation and why it persisted for an unprecedented 57 million years. This period occurred long before dinosaurs roamed the Earth, when no complex plants or multicellular animals existed.</p>



<p>Dr. Adriana Dutkiewicz, the study's lead author, describes a world completely unlike today's climate. "Imagine the Earth almost completely frozen over," she explained. "The planet was blanketed in ice from poles to equator, and temperatures plunged."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-combination-of-climate-factors">The combination of climate factors</h2>



<p>The research team discovered that this massive freeze resulted from a "double whammy" of geological events. First, plate tectonic activity reduced volcanic carbon dioxide emissions to historically low levels. Volcanic activity typically releases CO2 into the atmosphere, creating a greenhouse effect that keeps Earth warm.</p>



<p>Simultaneously, weathering of volcanic rocks in what is now Canada actively absorbed atmospheric CO2, further reducing greenhouse gas concentrations. When atmospheric carbon dioxide levels dropped below 200 parts per million – less than half of today's levels – glaciation engulfed the entire planet.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-climate-implications">Modern climate implications</h2>



<p>Published in the journal <em><a href="https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/geology" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geology</a></em>, this research provides crucial insights into Earth's climate system. While geological climate changes occur over millions of years, the study emphasizes that human-induced climate change is happening at a pace ten times faster than previously observed natural changes, highlighting the urgent need to understand our planet's delicate climate balance.</p>



<p>—–</p>



<p>Like what you saw and read?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a>&nbsp;for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>—–</p>



<p>Check us out on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth.com</a>.</p>



<p>—–</p>

What caused the planet's longest ice age

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0DuSr87SHY 57 million-year ice age mystery solved by Australian scientists....

<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>



<p>—–</p>



<p>Like what you saw and read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>—–</p>



<p>Check us out on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth.com</a>.</p>



<p>—–</p>

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>



<p id="block-eff5dea3-a9bb-40b5-a923-e5a9978bc0e2">Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p id="block-43e218f4-0391-477c-8396-eb777c8c80a3">Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



<p id="block-1f9a227a-ec37-4140-81b8-ffa4a7cc6689">-----</p>



<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>



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



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

Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



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



<p></p>

Social modeling affects our food choices

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



<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>



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



<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>



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



<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>



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



<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>



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



<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>



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



<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>



<p>Like what you read? <a href="https://www.earth.com/subscribe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Subscribe to our newsletter</a> for engaging articles, exclusive content, and the latest updates.</p>



<p>Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by <a href="https://www.earth.com/author/eralls/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric Ralls</a> and Earth.com.</p>



<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>



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter 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://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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="0ynNMYkMKa-2340414-12187" type="single"]</div>



<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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="G9bUoxcjr4-2511624-12187" type="single"]</div>



<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...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"]</div>



<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

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" type="single"]</div>



<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

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

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="iuA5mpp3jv-1641775-12187" type="single"]</div>



<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...

News coming your way