<p>A small, cool star 40 light-years away has a planet that just might hold on to an atmosphere. Astronomers used the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to watch that world, TRAPPIST-1e, pass in front of its star four times and extract the planet’s faint atmospheric fingerprint.</p>



<p>A new paper reports those observations and what they can - and cannot - show about the gases above this rocky surface. </p>



<p>The team can already reject a thick, hydrogen-dominated atmosphere, but the data are not yet strong enough to prove what is there on the planet instead.</p>



<p>Néstor Espinoza from the <a href="https://www.stsci.edu/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Space Telescope Science Institute</a> (STScI) led the analysis with the JWST Telescope Scientist Team.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-star-activity-masks-trappist-1e">Star activity masks TRAPPIST-1e</h2>



<p>TRAPPIST-1 is a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planets-orbiting-red-dwarf-stars-may-not-be-habitable-ultraviolet-uv-radiation/">red dwarf star</a>, a compact and relatively cool star type that often flares and develops spots in ways that upset precise measurements. </p>



<p>That activity complicates the search for air around its planets because changes from the star can masquerade as signs from a planet’s atmosphere.</p>



<p>TRAPPIST-1e sits in the star’s habitable zone - the region where a planet could support liquid water on its surface if pressure and temperature are suitable. </p>



<p>That alone does not make it hospitable, since the star’s outbursts could strip or scramble any atmosphere over time.</p>



<p>Earlier Webb data on the inner siblings, such as TRAPPIST-1b, found little evidence of a substantial atmosphere. </p>



<p>That result keeps expectations in check and places more weight on careful, repeated measurements for the middle worlds.</p>



<p>NASA shared a technical feature explaining that the first four TRAPPIST-1e observations are not enough to confirm an atmosphere. </p>



<p>The figure shows that models with and without an atmosphere still overlap in the range allowed by today’s data.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-the-telescope-actually-measured">What the telescope actually measured</h2>



<p>TRAPPIST-1e is an exoplanet, a planet beyond our solar system. When it crosses the star, a tiny bit of starlight filters through any air at the planet’s edge, and that light carries molecular fingerprints.</p>



<p>This method is called transmission spectroscopy, and it spreads the light into wavelengths to see where particular gases absorb. </p>



<p>Webb’s NIRSpec instrument recorded four such transits in 2023, covering wavelengths where gases like water vapor, methane, and carbon dioxide could show up clearly.</p>



<p>Because the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/interstellar-tunnel-cosmic-channel-discovered-connects-our-solar-system-to-other-stars/">star</a> itself has features that can change over minutes to hours, the team built models to separate stellar effects from any possible planetary signals. </p>



<p>They also combined the four events to reduce random noise while being careful not to blur out real, repeatable features.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-no-primary-atmosphere-detected">No primary atmosphere detected</h2>



<p>A hydrogen-rich atmosphere on the planet would have produced large, easily seen features in the spectrum. </p>



<p>The team reports that such primary atmospheres - dominated by hydrogen at levels above roughly 80 percent by volume - are inconsistent with the data.</p>



<p>Ana Glidden is a postdoctoral researcher in MIT's Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences and the MIT <a href="https://www.space.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research.</a></p>



<p>“The idea is: If we assume that the planet is not airless, can we constrain different atmospheric scenarios? Do those scenarios still allow for liquid water at the surface?” she said. </p>



<p>Glidden noted that the results rule out a hydrogen-dominated atmosphere and tighten limits on several secondary-atmosphere scenarios.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A warm, nitrogen-rich mix remains possible, along with other secondary atmospheres that could arise from volcanic outgassing. </p>



<p>Those would appear much subtler in the data than hydrogen and require more than four transits to emerge from the noise.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stellar-flares-complicate-tests">Stellar flares complicate tests</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trappist-1-has-seven-earth-like-planets-that-may-support-life/">TRAPPIST-1</a>’s surface has star spots and frequent flares that change its spectrum over time. </p>



<p>That “stellar contamination” can either add or remove features in the planetary spectrum and, if not modeled correctly, can be misleading.</p>



<p>To tackle that, the authors used Gaussian processes, a flexible statistical tool that learns the typical shape and size of the star’s variations and then subtracts them. </p>



<p>That approach does not assume a perfect star model, which is wise when the star is as active as this one.</p>



<p>The goal is to treat any wiggles that change from one visit to the next as coming from the star, and any persistent pattern as likely belonging to the planet. Webb’s stability helps here, but the source star’s behavior still sets the pace.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-trappist-1e-air-circulation">TRAPPIST-1e air circulation</h2>



<p>A nitrogen-rich atmosphere would resemble Earth in broad strokes, though details such as oxygen, water vapor, and methane would matter greatly. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nitrogen-was-plentiful-for-early-life-on-earth/">Nitrogen</a> alone does not prove anything about life on the planet, but it suggests a heavier, secondary atmosphere capable of maintaining surface pressure.</p>



<p>“We are seeing two possible explanations," said Ryan MacDonald, Lecturer in Extrasolar Planets in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the <a href="https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of St Andrews</a>.</p>



<p>"The most exciting possibility is that TRAPPIST-1e could have a so-called secondary atmosphere containing heavy gases like nitrogen. But our initial observations cannot yet rule out a bare rock with no atmosphere.” </p>



<p>Independent of biology, an atmosphere changes surface temperature and how heat moves from day to night. On a tidally locked world, that could be the difference between an ice cap and a stable ocean.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-webb-and-trappist-1e">Webb and TRAPPIST-1e</h2>



<p>The team plans many more transits to shrink error bars and test for specific gases. More visits let the statistics work, and they also average over the star’s mood swings.</p>



<p>“In the coming years we will go from four JWST observations of TRAPPIST-1e to nearly twenty," said MacDonald. </p>



<p>"We finally have the telescope and tools to search for habitable conditions in other star systems, which makes today one of the most exciting times for astronomy.”</p>



<p>As the dataset grows, scientists can check for methane and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-dioxide-hydrogen-peroxide-discovered-on-plutos-moon-charon/">carbon dioxide</a> together and run climate models that test whether liquid water could persist at the surface. </p>



<p>Caution remains the watchword until a clear atmospheric pattern repeats across many passes.</p>



<p>The study is published in <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/2041-8213/adf42e" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The Astrophysical Journal Letters</em></a>.</p>



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



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Nearby rocky planet may hold an atmosphere fit for life

A small, cool star 40 light-years away has a planet that just might hold on to an atmosphere. Astronomers used the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to watch that world, TRAPPIST-1e, pass in front of its star four times and extract the planet’s faint atmospheric fingerprint. A new paper reports those observations and what they can - and cannot - show about the gases above this rocky surface. The team can already reject a thick, hydrogen-dominated atmosphere, but the data are not yet strong enough to prove...

<p>In the intricate networks of human and animal brains, decision-making is a highly complex process. While chemical synapses often take center stage, it appears they're not the only stars of the show.</p>



<p>Recent research from scientists at Yale and the University of Connecticut has revealed the significant role of electrical synapses in shaping our decisions.</p>



<p>The study was led by Dr. Daniel Colon-Ramos, a professor of neuroscience and cell biology at Yale School of Medicine.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-brains-make-decisions">How brains make decisions</h2>



<p>Animal brains are like supercomputers that handle endless streams of information from the world around them - what they see, hear, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/odors-prompt-brain-cells-to-make-decisions-before-you-know-whats-happening/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">smell</a>, and sense. But not all of this information is important.</p>



<p>To make sense of it all, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-the-brain-uses-context-to-make-complex-decisions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brains use a system</a> to filter out irrelevant details (like background noise or unimportant sights) and focus only on the most critical information for the moment.</p>



<p>For example, a rabbit in a field might hear the wind rustling the grass (irrelevant) but will quickly focus on the sound of a predator approaching (critical). This ability to tune in to the most important details and act accordingly is what scientists call&nbsp;“action selection.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>It’s the brain’s way of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-cells-communicate-to-support-decision-making/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deciding</a> what to pay attention to and how to respond, helping animals survive and thrive in their environments.</p>



<p>“For animals, filtering sensory input is not about blocking noise but prioritizing context-relevant signals,” explained Daniel Colón-Ramos, Yale neuroscientist and senior author of the study.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adjusting-behavior-based-on-context">Adjusting behavior based on context</h2>



<p>The study centered on a tiny worm called&nbsp;<em>C. elegans</em>, which might seem simple but offers powerful insights into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-brain-literally-changes-based-on-daily-activities-and-lifestyle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">how brains work</a>. Despite its small size and basic nervous system,&nbsp;<em>C. elegans</em>&nbsp;shows surprisingly advanced behavior, such as choosing and sticking to its preferred temperature.</p>



<p>When placed in an environment with varying temperatures, these worms navigate toward their "ideal" temperature zone. They first use a strategy called&nbsp;gradient migration, moving across the temperature gradient until they get closer to their preferred range.</p>



<p>Once they arrive near their target temperature, the worms switch to a different strategy known as isothermal tracking. In this phase, they fine-tune their movements to stay within the ideal temperature zone, ensuring that they remain comfortable.</p>



<p>These two strategies highlight how even simple creatures can adjust their behavior based on context, making <em>C. elegans</em> an excellent model for studying decision-making and neural processes.</p>



<p>But how do they determine which behavior fits the context?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-electrical-synapses">Role of electrical synapses</h2>



<p>The researchers identified electrical synapses, mediated by a protein called INX-1, as key players. These synapses connect two neurons (AIY neurons) responsible for locomotion decisions. </p>



<p>Unlike chemical synapses, electrical synapses act as filters, dampening weak signals and prioritizing significant sensory input.</p>



<p>“Altering this electrical conduit in a single pair of cells can change what the animal chooses to do,” Colón-Ramos said.</p>



<p>In worms with normal INX-1 function, the electrical synapses reduce sensitivity to minor temperature changes, allowing the worms to navigate efficiently. However, worms lacking INX-1 show hypersensitivity to small fluctuations, causing them to get “stuck” in less favorable conditions.</p>



<p>“It’s like watching a confused bird flying with its legs extended,” Colón-Ramos noted. “Birds normally extend their legs to land, but doing so mid-flight disrupts their goals.”</p>



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



<p>Electrical synapses exist <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/optimal-decision-making-is-a-balance-of-experience-and-knowledge/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">across many species</a>, including humans, suggesting the findings have far-reaching implications. </p>



<p>For example, similar configurations of electrical synapses in amacrine cells help regulate visual sensitivity in human retinas.</p>



<p>“These findings allow scientists to explore how single-neuron relationships influence perception and behavior,” said Colón-Ramos. “The principles of action selection may vary, but the role of electrical synapses in shaping sensory responses could be widespread.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-electrical-synapses-guide-decision-making">Electrical synapses guide decision-making</h2>



<p>The study FROM Yale and <a href="https://uconn.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Connecticut</a> highlights the critical role of electrical synapses in guiding decision-making by filtering sensory information. </p>



<p>By unraveling this mechanism in worms, scientists gain insights into broader principles of neuroscience, with potential applications in understanding human cognition and behavior.</p>



<p>This work was supported by major institutions, including the National Institutes of Health (<a href="https://www.nih.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NIH</a>) and the National Science Foundation (<a href="https://www.nsf.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NSF</a>). </p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em>Cell</em>.</p>



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Electrical synapses are key to decision-making in animal brains

In the intricate networks of human and animal brains, decision-making...

<p>Carbon storage in Earth’s deep seas continues to reveal surprising complexities, as scientists uncover more about the intricate processes of our oceans. </p>



<p>These vast underwater ecosystems play a pivotal role in regulating our planet's climate, with microscopic organisms often driving major biogeochemical cycles. </p>



<p>One such discovery comes from a recent study led by the <a href="https://noc.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UK's National Oceanography Centre</a> (NOC).</p>



<p>The research team offers a fresh perspective on the role that a unique group of microscopic algae  play in carbon sequestration - the natural storage of carbon in the ocean.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-storage-in-the-southern-ocean">Carbon storage in the Southern Ocean</h2>



<p>Microscopic algae known as diatoms play a significant role in pulling carbon down into the deep ocean, particularly in the Southern Ocean, which holds about a third of the organic carbon stored in the world's oceans.</p>



<p>Diatoms carry distinct dense, silica-based structures that resemble petite glass houses. </p>



<p>Scientists have long believed these structures provide enough weight - or ballast - for the diatoms to sink into deeper waters, dragging carbon along with them into the deep blue depths.</p>



<p>"The ocean plays a key role in the global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-plankton-are-key-players-in-carbon-cycle-regulation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon cycle</a>, with tiny, microscopic plants taking up billions of tons of carbon from the atmosphere every year," said Dr. Sari Giering, Research Lead at NOC. </p>



<p>"For years, it has been believed that this group of plankton - diatoms - play a crucial role in efficiently transporting carbon to the deep ocean, where it is held out of contact with the atmosphere."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reconsidering-the-biological-carbon-pump">Reconsidering the biological carbon pump</h2>



<p>Diatoms and other types of phytoplankton absorb carbon near the sea surface. This process is part of what's known as the biological carbon pump - a series of processes that funnel this carbon to the deep ocean.</p>



<p>But according to recent findings from the NOC study, the diatom skeletons don't quite make the long descent. Instead, they linger near the surface, while carbon journeys to the deep ocean through other, yet unidentified means.</p>



<p>"We now understand that diatoms are not always contributing as heavily to the Southern Ocean’s carbon pump as we once thought," said Dr. Giering. "This means there are unknown or poorly measured processes happening in the deep ocean that we need to learn more about.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-ocean-carbon-storage">The future of ocean carbon storage</h2>



<p>Scientists have been increasingly worried that ocean warming could impact diatom productivity and thus, reduce the effectiveness of the biological carbon pump in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/southern-ocean-absorbs-more-co2-than-previously-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southern Ocean</a>. </p>



<p>However, this recent study suggests that these changes might not greatly impact the carbon storage capacity of the Southern Ocean.</p>



<p>“The Southern Ocean is vulnerable to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-warming-will-likely-continue-for-centuries/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean warming</a>, which may alter the availability of nutrients and reduce diatom numbers in the future,” said Jack Williams, a post-graduate researcher at the University of Southampton. “But our results suggest these changes may not impact the strength of Southern Ocean carbon storage as much as previously thought."</p>



<p>Carbon continues to descend to the ocean's depth, which suggests that there are yet undiscovered processes occurring in the "twilight zone" of the ocean.</p>



<p>Unveiling these processes is crucial for accurately predicting how the oceans may store carbon in the future. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-twilight-zone-a-frontier-of-discovery">The twilight zone: A frontier of discovery</h2>



<p>The twilight zone, a mid-ocean layer spanning depths of 100 to 1,000 meters, has emerged as a critical area of interest for scientists studying carbon storage. Despite its name, this zone is far from a lifeless void.</p>



<p>It hosts a dynamic ecosystem of organisms and complex processes that are only beginning to be understood. </p>



<p>Recent findings suggest that much of the carbon transported into the deep ocean originates in this layer, bypassing the mechanisms traditionally associated with surface plankton like diatoms.</p>



<p>In this dimly lit zone, carbon is carried by sinking particles known as marine snow - aggregates of organic material, dead plankton, and other detritus. However, the exact processes enabling this descent remain elusive.</p>



<p>The twilight zone acts as a gatekeeper, determining how much carbon reaches the ocean depths. Understanding these pathways is vital for improving climate models and predicting how oceanic carbon storage will respond to global warming.</p>



<p>Ongoing research into the twilight zone could hold the key to unlocking the ocean's full carbon sequestration potential, providing insights that may redefine conservation strategies and our approach to mitigating climate change.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-024-01602-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a></em>.</p>



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Carbon storage mystery emerges in the Southern Ocean

Carbon storage in Earth’s deep seas continues to reveal surprising...

<p>Researchers have identified a fascinating six-planet system that offers a different take on planetary configurations. The newly <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06692-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a> configuration features six planets around a single star. Their orbits line up in a synchronized manner, which astronomers call resonance.</p>



<p>When <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-planets-form-its-much-more-complicated-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planets</a> move in resonance, their orbital periods stay in a fixed ratio for millions or even billions of years. This pattern can be so exact that it reminds some observers of musical tempos. </p>



<p>Spotting this kind of rhythmic harmony helps scientists figure out why some stars gather families of planets that have stood the test of time.</p>



<p>The analysis was led by <a href="https://astro.uchicago.edu/people/rafael-luque.php" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rafael Luque</a> from the University of Chicago.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rare-six-planet-system">Rare six-planet system</h2>



<p>Known as HD110067, this star sits approximately 100 light-years away in the northern constellation of <a href="https://noirlab.edu/public/education/constellations/comaberenices/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Coma Berenices</a>.</p>



<p>Astronomers first recognized unusual dips in the star’s brightness when NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (<a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/tess/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TESS</a>) started surveying that region.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Each tiny dip hinted that one of the star’s planets was crossing its face. Data from both TESS and the European Space Agency’s CHaracterizing ExOPlanet Satellite (<a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Cheops" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cheops</a>) revealed something rare: a neat chain of six sub-Neptune planets in close orbits. </p>



<p>“This discovery is going to become a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vega-star-system-discovery-forces-us-to-rethink-planet-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">benchmark system</a> to study how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neptune-like-exoplanets-atmospheres-interesting-earth-size-neighbors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sub-Neptunes</a>, the most common type of planets outside of the solar system, form, evolve, what are they made of, and if they possess the right conditions to support the existence of liquid water in their surfaces,” remarked Luque.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-sub-neptunes">Understanding sub-Neptunes</h2>



<p>Many stars in our galaxy hold at least one planet that’s bigger than Earth but smaller than Neptune. These in-between worlds are often called sub-Neptunes, and they’re more plentiful than massive gas giants like Jupiter. </p>



<p>Scientists are intrigued by this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/newborn-planet-is-still-glowing-from-the-heat-of-its-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">class of planet</a> because it covers a range of possible compositions. Some might hold thick, gas envelopes, while others could have dense, rocky surfaces.</p>



<p>Observing these in sync can show how these planets get locked in place and remain that way for an incredibly long span of time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-choreography-of-this-planetary-system">Choreography of this planetary system</h2>



<p>Resonant systems form when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-six-planet-star-system-moves-in-strange-perfect-synchrony/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planets start out with orbits</a> that nudge each other in a balanced way. Small gravitational pulls set up a regular rhythm. But big objects or random gravitational jostling can break these patterns. </p>



<p>That makes resonance a tricky arrangement to maintain. Astronomers <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06692-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">estimate</a> that <em>only about one percent</em> of multi-planet systems preserve this stable <a href="https://exoplanets.nasa.gov/news/1771/discovery-alert-watch-the-synchronized-dance-of-a-6-planet-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">choreography</a>. </p>



<p>Not all stars are lucky enough to keep their planetary brood free of turbulence. Some lose this delicate pattern when a larger planet barges in or when stars drift near one another.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The lack of large neighbors in HD110067’s environment might have helped these six sub-Neptunes remain nestled in their precise arrangement for so long.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Without any violent intrusions, the orbits can carry on as they have since formation. This level of cooperation in one system could provide hints about how others might form or break apart.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-does-this-six-planet-system-matter">Why does this six-planet system matter?</h2>



<p>For experts who study planet formation, every new system that shows a clear pattern provides more <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1194854" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence</a> about how dust and gas swirl together and eventually become planets.</p>



<p>Some calculations suggest planets might typically start in resonance, but migration and collisions can make them drift. </p>



<p>An untouched system paints a cleaner picture of early planet-building. Pinpointing each planet’s mass and density can also highlight the proportions of rocky materials, water, and gas they contain.</p>



<p>Researchers plan to keep a close eye on HD110067’s planets using more precise techniques. Improving measurements of the planets’ masses and densities will help astronomers to figure out what these sub-Neptunes look like on the inside.</p>



<p>Deeper analysis can also show whether any might have conditions that allow water to stick around on the surface. These tasks will probably involve instruments on large ground-based telescopes and future space observatories.</p>



<p>Astronomers hope the data from this oddly balanced system will reveal reasons why some worlds remain in tight-knit formation, while others never stabilize.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-puzzle-worth-solving">A puzzle worth solving</h2>



<p>Stumbling upon a collection of planets that circle in smooth synchronization gives a glimpse into the hidden patterns that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-stars-shakti-shiva-shaped-milky-way-galaxy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shape the galaxy</a>.</p>



<p>This compact group orbiting HD110067 might be just one example of what sub-Neptunes can do when left undisturbed.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Folks who are fascinated by the way planetary families and planet systems form see this system as a chance to learn. </p>



<p>It challenges scientists to look for other hidden resonances in our galaxy and sparks the question of how many have slipped past our detection.</p>



<p>The full research paper was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06692-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a></em>.</p>



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Six-planet system discovered that moves in perfect mathematical harmony

Researchers have identified a fascinating six-planet system that offers a...

<p>NASA is examining ways to ensure explorers have nourishing produce, including fresh plants, on future space missions to the Moon and Mars. While sealed food packets get the job done, they can lose flavor and vitamins over time.</p>



<p>Cultivating leafy greens and vegetables on the space station could address this problem and give crews a happier mental state. </p>



<p>Efforts to grow plants such as lettuce, peppers, radishes, and tomatoes in microgravity have been underway, revealing new insights into how spaceflight influences plant genetics, water use, and flavor.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plants-are-key-to-space-exploration">Plants are key to space exploration</h2>



<p>This work is being guided by <a href="https://npp.orau.org/experiences/gioia-massa.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gioia Massa</a> from NASA. Her background involves studying plant behavior in space to help boost the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-do-astronauts-meals-lose-flavor-in-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">variety and taste</a> of fresh crops.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As NASA paves the path toward deeper space travel, her team has focused on how <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/for-kids-and-students/what-is-microgravity-grades-5-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microgravity</a> and factors like humidity and light control affect plant shape, nutrient quality, and yield. </p>



<p>By examining bacteria that live alongside the plants, they also track whether these microorganisms remain safe and beneficial for human health.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growing-crops-in-microgravity">Growing crops in microgravity</h2>



<p>One key study, <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=9195" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plant Habitat-07</a>, looks at how lettuce tolerates different moisture conditions in microgravity. </p>



<p>Although water is crucial for plant cells, too much can restrict oxygen at the roots, and too little can cause wilting.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This investigation uses four moisture scenarios in a specialized growth chamber to see how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/space-tomatoes-are-ready-for-an-unprecedented-mission/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plants</a> adjust nutrient production. </p>



<p>Researchers check yield, overall plant health, and whether bacterial populations on the leaves pose any risk. Early data point to the importance of balancing water to maintain robust leaves that still taste good.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-space-grown-veggies-tastier">Making space-grown veggies tastier</h2>



<p>NASA’s <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=7896" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Veg-04A</a> and <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=7895" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Veg-04B</a> explorations spotlighted how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electro-agriculture-grows-food-in-the-dark-with-94-less-land-required/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">light quality</a> and fertilizer affect lettuce and leafy greens on station. </p>



<p>Studies found that switching red and blue LEDs, or adjusting nutrient formulas, changes how the leaves look, taste, and grow.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These investigations guided more recent plantings of other crops, such as tomatoes. Crew members gave feedback on freshness and flavor, which could inform future seed selection for diverse salads during long-duration spaceflights.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/space-garden_plants_Mizuna-mustard-greens_ISS_Nick-Hague_NASA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/space-garden_plants_Mizuna-mustard-greens_ISS_Nick-Hague_NASA_1s.webp" alt="NASA astronaut Nick Hague harvests Mizuna mustard greens for VEG-04 onboard the International Space Station. Credit: NASA" class="wp-image-1956364"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>NASA astronaut Nick Hague harvests Mizuna mustard greens for VEG-04 onboard the International Space Station. Credit: NASA</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>A <a href="https://biologydirect.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13062-024-00476-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> on <em>Arabidopsis thaliana</em> (<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene?cmd=DetailsSearch&amp;term=AT1G19968" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">thale cress</a>) showed that low gravity changes gene expression and how plants regulate key chemical markers. Researchers tracked DNA methylation—a process that can switch genes on or off. </p>



<p>Their discoveries open new avenues for customizing plant genes to handle the difficulties of space, like unusual water movement or limited floor space.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hormones-and-movement">Hormones and movement</h2>



<p>Scientists have <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/mission/station/research-explorer/investigation/?#id=1730" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">explored</a> how plant hormones guide growth in microgravity. One series of tests examined <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34396657/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">auxins</a>, natural signals that steer root and shoot direction.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grow-plants-on-moon-by-2026-nasa-artemis-iii-mission/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant</a> species had lower auxin levels when floating in microgravity, which curbed their normal pattern of upward stem development. </p>



<p>Others had higher levels, suggesting that the exact outcome varies by species. This subtle shift in plant chemistry helps NASA design growth chambers that best support each crop’s needs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-engineering-plants-to-handle-space">Engineering plants to handle space</h2>



<p>Roots and shoots in microgravity can develop weaker supportive tissues or, in some cases, produce thicker walls for unknown reasons. </p>



<p>An <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41526-023-00312-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">investigation</a> used a suite of lab tools to identify changes in molecules that build plant cell walls, especially those providing mechanical strength.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Although some species quickly adapt and form healthy walls, others remain frail. NASA’s next step is to refine which varieties flourish with minimal gravity or to tweak conditions so roots are less prone to bending or thinning.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sterols-and-space-based-flowering">Sterols and space-based flowering</h2>



<p>Researchers on the <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/first-contracted-spacex-resupply-mission-launches-with-nasa-cargo-to-space-station/">Resist Tubule</a> mission <a href="https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bss/38/0/38_18/_article">uncovered</a> that <em>arabidopsis</em> plants grown in microgravity sometimes see reduced sterol levels.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Sterols help keep cell membranes stable and support a range of growth responses, including when and how a plant transitions to flowering. </p>



<p>The drop in sterols in microgravity can slow certain steps in development. By noting which genes control those sterols, scientists may spot ways to keep plants on schedule.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preparing-for-space-missions-with-plants">Preparing for space missions with plants</h2>



<p>Having tasty salad greens aboard the station is only the first step. NASA’s focus is on sustaining crews through missions lasting many months. </p>



<p>The progress so far is encouraging: fresh produce is feasible in orbit, and each new finding helps refine the process.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As more crops are tested for flavor, nutrition, and shelf life, humans gain the ability to grow food far from our planet. </p>



<p>With input from experts like Gioia Massa, the future of in-space agriculture looks promising for both nourishment and crew satisfaction.</p>



<p>The study is published in the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17429145.2023.2292220#abstract" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Journal of Plant Interactions</em></a>.</p>



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Space lettuce: NASA's plans to grow nutritious plants on Mars

NASA is examining ways to ensure explorers have nourishing produce,...

Historical,House,With,Wind,Towers,In,Abarkuh,,Iran

<p>Our buildings usually remain comfortable during warm days because of constant air conditioning, sealed windows, and an assumption that power never fails. But as large parts of the country have learned, blackouts can hit at the worst possible moment. </p>



<p>When that happens, glass towers and sealed-off homes can quickly become stiflingly hot, showing why passive cooling methods are essential.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-builders-had-better-cooling-methods">Ancient builders had better cooling methods</h2>



<p>Ancient builders had no electricity, yet they made structures that protected people from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2024-confirmed-as-earths-hottest-year-in-recorded-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">worst heat</a>. Some devised thick walls that absorbed heat by day and released it at night.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Others planned entire neighborhoods to maximize shade. These time-tested ideas remain relevant for anyone who wants to stay cooler without cranking up the air conditioner.</p>



<p>This view is shared by Dr. Pablo La Roche, an architecture professor at <a href="https://www.cpp.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">California State Polytechnic University, Pomona</a>, and sustainable design director at <a href="https://www.arcadis.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Arcadis</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>With decades of research on passive cooling systems and low-energy architecture, his work highlights how historical construction techniques effectively addressed the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2024-shatters-heat-records-earths-hottest-year-is-here/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">challenges of harsh climates</a> with intense summer heat.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-ancient-iraq-managed-scorching-heat">How ancient Iraq managed scorching heat</h2>



<p>Archaeologists have <a href="https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&amp;lr=&amp;id=xpTkEAAAQBAJ&amp;oi=fnd&amp;pg=PA3#v=onepage&amp;q&amp;f=false" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">documented</a> the Sumerians’ buildings in what is now southern Iraq. Walls made of mud brick or adobe were thick and had only small windows. This design helped reduce heat inside during the sun’s intense hours. </p>



<p>In some places, homes were built side by side, so fewer walls were directly hit by sunlight. The neighborhoods also included narrow streets that created cooling shade as people walked through the city.</p>



<p>That compact arrangement worked when indoor temperatures had to stay tolerable. Families gathered in inner courtyards where light and breezes could get in but the scorching rays had trouble reaching the seating areas.</p>



<p>Some of these principles might still be practical in hot, urban environments today.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-cities-can-learn-from-passive-cooling">Modern cities can learn from passive cooling</h2>



<p>Major power failures can be disastrous during a heat wave. In <a href="https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southcentral/2024/07/22/784992.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">July 2024</a>, the Houston area lost electricity for several days. When air conditioning shut off, many high-rises became uncomfortable in a hurry.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Some designers suggest that reintroducing features like operable windows, thicker walls, or rooftop shade structures might help with indoor temperature control and lower energy consumption at the same time.</p>



<p>Studies indicate that extremely hot summers are occurring more <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2822854" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">frequently</a>. Placing more emphasis on passive cooling could reduce the stress on power grids and keep people safer when the grid goes down.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-egypt-s-simple-but-clever-wind-catchers">Egypt’s simple but clever wind catchers</h2>



<p>In ancient Egypt, builders knew that porous materials such as mud brick would block intense sunlight and slow the movement of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mapping-2024s-record-heat-unveiling-earths-climate-danger-zones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heat</a> indoors. Residents also slept outdoors on rooftops at night, taking advantage of the cooler air.&nbsp;</p>



<p>One striking invention was the <a href="https://www.egyptianarch.com/post/mulqaf-origin-language-design-and-development" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mulqaf</a>, which used a tall opening to catch breezes and push them downward into a building. </p>



<p>That airflow let hot indoor air escape through other vents. This system is still used in parts of the Middle East, where tall <a href="https://www.archdaily.com/971216/what-is-a-traditional-windcatcher" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wind catchers</a> provide fresh air without the need for electricity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-secrets-from-the-ancient-puebloans">Secrets from the ancient Puebloans</h2>



<p>In the U.S. Southwest, the ancestral <a href="https://blog.nativehope.org/pueblo-native-americans-their-history-culture-and-traditions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Puebloans</a> built with mud brick and stone for many centuries. They placed dwellings close together and used smaller windows to limit excessive heat. Cliffs provided natural shade in places like <a href="https://greenpassivesolar.com/2010/04/mesa-verde-cliff-dwellings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mesa Verde</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The layout took advantage of the sun’s angle to block the harsh summer rays and let in lower winter sunlight that warmed the interior.</p>



<p>These older methods still guide some modern builders who adopt adobe for its ability to moderate indoor temperatures.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preserving-water-for-passive-cooling">Preserving water for passive cooling</h2>



<p>Many cities today send rainwater away as quickly as possible through storm drains. Old societies in arid regions did the opposite. </p>



<p>During the eighth century, the Muslim caliphates in northern Africa and southern Spain put a high value on every drop of rain. Their structures often had <a href="https://www.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38028-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">systems</a> that channeled water from rooftops and courtyards into underground cisterns. That water cooled patios and irrigated gardens during scorching months.</p>



<p>In other parts of the world, societies like the Mayans in Mexico built huge <a href="https://link.springer.com/book/9783031577307" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reservoirs</a> to store the wet-season rainfall. Modern <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301479721002851?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">researchers</a> are exploring ways to adopt or improve rainwater harvesting, especially in places threatened by droughts or limited water supplies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-adapting-passive-cooling-ideas-today">Adapting passive cooling ideas today</h2>



<p>Some architects believe that new designs should rely more on passive cooling and water collection. Orienting buildings in the northern hemisphere to take advantage of south-facing windows can help regulate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scorching-summer-of-2024-could-make-it-the-hottest-year-on-record/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heat</a> gain and loss (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors). </p>



<p>Rainwater captured onsite can be <a href="https://www.energy.gov/femp/rainwater-harvesting-systems-technology-review" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reused</a> for landscape needs, thus reducing the burden on public water supplies.</p>



<p>Larger cities that hope to reduce their energy usage and keep people safe during emergencies could integrate these techniques into upcoming developments. Some methods might look old-fashioned compared to modern high-rises.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Yet people who live in the world’s driest and hottest places have been testing these approaches for a long time, and their successes can offer strong guidance.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moving-forward-with-less-power-dependence">Moving forward with less power dependence</h2>



<p>There is a growing call to learn from strategies that rely on local resources. Converting entire cities will take effort, but these ideas do not belong in the distant past.&nbsp;</p>



<p>There is a need to reconsider glassy towers and single-purpose rooftops, especially as blackouts become an increasing risk in regions experiencing more frequent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-added-41-extra-days-of-dangerous-heat-in-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heat waves</a>. </p>



<p>Historical knowledge of staying cool in extreme heat could provide valuable solutions for maintaining comfort when air conditioning is not an option.</p>



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



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Ancient buildings used passive cooling methods to reduce heat with out air conditioning

Our buildings usually remain comfortable during warm days because of...

Creatures,Of,The,Cambrian,Period,,Underwater,Scene,With,Anomalocaris,,Opabinia,

<p>A new investigation of tiny Cambrian shells has sparked excitement among experts who study how life changed when animals, both predators and prey, first expanded in number and variety. </p>



<p>The research, published in&nbsp;<em>Current Biology</em>, focuses on shell fragments from a small animal related to brachiopods.</p>



<p>These ancient remnants come from the ocean covering what is now South Australia. The shells are dotted with tiny perforations that some unknown marine creature must have made about 517 million years ago.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cambrian-waters-and-shells-of-prey">Cambrian waters and shells of prey</h2>



<p>The <a href="https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2024/07/revisiting-the-cambrian-explosion-s-spark" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cambrian Explosion</a> was a phase in Earth’s history when many animal groups appeared in the fossil record in a short span of time. </p>



<p>It began roughly 541 million years ago, and it introduced an incredible diversity of organisms that possessed shells, spines, and other protective structures. Yet specialists have questioned how these defense features developed so quickly.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Did <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/largest-predator-prey-feast-ever-seen-in-the-ocean-enormous-quickly-altered-food-chain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predators force prey</a> to reinforce their shells and adapt? Or did environmental changes spark widespread new traits in ocean life? </p>



<p>After puzzling over these questions for decades, experts are now pointing to new shell damage as possible proof of a rapid back-and-forth struggle between attackers and the creatures they targeted.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shell-holes-reveal-predator-prey-interactions">Shell holes reveal predator-prey interactions</h2>



<p>This fresh look at the shells was spearheaded by <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Russell-Bicknell" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Russell Bicknell</a> of the American Museum of Natural History. </p>



<p>Bicknell joined forces with colleagues from the <a href="https://www.une.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of New England</a> and <a href="https://www.mq.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Macquarie University</a> to study the tiny armor of a Cambrian species called <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/288292290_New_data_on_the_sclerite_morphology_of_the_tommotiid_species_Lapworthella_fasciculata" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Lapworthella fasciculata</em></a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The shell fragments ranged from a little larger than a grain of sand to something about the size of an apple seed. Researchers spotted more than 200 pieces with punctures that look as if a worm-like or snail-like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/danger-zones-climate-change-is-altering-predator-prey-dynamics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predator</a> produced them. </p>



<p>Over time, the shells appear to have become thicker and stronger, which suggests a quick answer by <em>L. fasciculata</em> to defend itself.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evidence-reveals-attacks-on-shelled-prey">Evidence reveals attacks on shelled prey</h2>



<p>The team examined the fossil remains across different points in <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/cambrian" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cambrian</a> history. They found that holes in the shells gradually rose in frequency while the shell walls became tougher in a short window.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/fossil-shells_Lapworthella-fasciculata_Cambrian_credit-Bicknell_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/fossil-shells_Lapworthella-fasciculata_Cambrian_credit-Bicknell_1s.webp" alt="Examples of Lapworthella fasciculata shells (under scanning electron microscope) from the Mernmerna Formation, Flinders Ranges, South Australia, showing holes made by a perforating predator. Scale bars represent 200 micrometers. Credit: R. Bicknell, et al (2025) Current Biology" class="wp-image-1956329"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Examples of Lapworthella fasciculata shells (under scanning electron microscope) from the Mernmerna Formation, Flinders Ranges, South Australia, showing holes made by a perforating predator. Scale bars represent 200 micrometers. Credit: R. Bicknell, et al (2025) Current Biology</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>“Predator-prey interactions are often touted as a major driver of the Cambrian explosion, especially with regard to the rapid increase in diversity and abundance of biomineralizing organisms at this time. Yet, there has been a paucity of empirical evidence showing that prey directly responded to predation, and vice versa,” said Bicknell.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-speed-of-adaptation">Unexpected speed of adaptation</h2>



<p>Scientists have long suspected that early animals developed new defenses to keep up with evolving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/frogfish-lure-their-prey-with-a-built-in-fishing-rod-and-bait/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predators</a>. This shift is frequently described as an arms race because each improvement from one side pushes the other side to respond.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The remarkable part is how swiftly <em>L. fasciculata</em> managed to boost its shell thickness. In a few generations, the predator must have increased its ability to break through stronger shells.&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/Paleozoic-Era" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> from 1987, early <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/Paleozoic-Era">Paleozoic</a> life underwent several bursts of diversification, partly driven by escalating attacks in marine environments.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiny-shells-big-implications">Tiny shells, big implications</h2>



<p>The tiny shells open a window into the daily struggles of creatures that once lived in shallow seas filled with new forms of life. </p>



<p>These findings add weight to the idea that confrontation between small <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-octopus-has-mastered-the-art-of-multispecies-hunting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predators</a> and their prey influenced the rapid spread of protective traits, such as tougher shells, in the early Cambrian.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A thickened shell could have meant the difference between living and becoming a snack. Some scientists propose that these predator-prey interactions may have shaped early marine communities more than previously assumed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-filling-gaps-in-the-fossil-record">Filling gaps in the fossil record</h2>



<p>Fossils from the Cambrian are not always easy to interpret. </p>



<p>Soft-bodied creatures rarely fossilize well, and skeletal fragments often appear in fragments scattered through sedimentary rock. Many experts have struggled to figure out exactly which predators might have roamed these waters.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The punctured shells from <em>L. fasciculata</em> provide valuable clues because they are preserved well enough to show unmistakable signs of drilling or piercing. </p>



<p>These marks are a real boost to understanding how shells and predatory tools advanced in lockstep.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-it-matters-for-today-s-shelled-preys">Why it matters for today’s shelled preys</h2>



<p>Shell protection still matters in modern oceans, from clams to snails. When researchers look at how Cambrian animals beefed up their shells, they see patterns that may match modern dynamics. </p>



<p>Crabs, for instance, often feed on shelled prey, and those prey can shift their own growth strategies in response.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Looking at these ancient shells confirms that this tug-of-war between attacker and defender is nothing new. While more discoveries are needed, the takeaway is that even half a billion years ago, survival hinged on how well an organism handled the never-ending threat of becoming someone else’s lunch.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-connections-to-broader-evolutionary-questions">Connections to broader evolutionary questions</h2>



<p>Fossil shells tell us that the Cambrian Explosion’s rapid spread of animal life involved a tense duel between those doing the hunting and those trying to avoid it. </p>



<p>This new research highlights that predation is more than a violent encounter; it is a potent force pushing creatures to adapt in surprising ways.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Scientists will likely hunt for similar evidence in other early animal groups. Future work may close gaps in our knowledge of who attacked whom in those ancient seas and how quickly the defenders responded.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960982224016476" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Current Biology</a>.</em></p>



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



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Shell fossils reveal ancient predator-prey battle 517 million years ago

A new investigation of tiny Cambrian shells has sparked excitement...

<p>The ocean, which covers 70% of Earth’s surface, is reaching unprecedented high temperatures - not just at the surface but throughout the upper 2,000 meters (6,561 feet).</p>



<p>A new study led by Lijing Cheng, a professor in the <a href="http://english.iap.cas.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute of Atmospheric Physics</a> at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, brings this alarming fact into sharp focus.</p>



<p>“The broken records in the ocean have become a broken record,”&nbsp;said Professor Cheng, who led a research team of 54 scientists from seven countries.</p>



<p>The research highlights the critical role ocean warming plays in shaping life on Earth and the climate’s future trajectory.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-s-role-in-climate-change">Ocean's role in climate change </h2>



<p>The ocean plays a critical role in Earth's climate system by acting as its primary heat reservoir. It absorbs 90% of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2024-confirmed-as-earths-hottest-year-in-recorded-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">excess heat generated by global warming</a>, helping to regulate global weather patterns. </p>



<p>This regulation occurs as the ocean transfers heat and moisture into the atmosphere, influencing everything from rainfall to storm intensity.</p>



<p>“To know what is happening to the climate, the answer is in the ocean,”&nbsp;explained Professor John Abraham from the <a href="https://www.stthomas.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of St. Thomas</a>, emphasizing the ocean's central role in understanding climate changes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-troubling-trend-in-the-ocean">Troubling trend in the ocean</h2>



<p>Research from three international teams confirmed a troubling trend: ocean heat content (OHC) reached record levels in 2024. The data shows that the upper layers of the ocean continue to absorb unprecedented amounts of heat.</p>



<p>From 2023 to 2024 alone, ocean heat content increased by a staggering 16 zettajoules (ZJ). To put this in perspective, this is roughly 140 times the total electricity generated by the entire world in 2023. </p>



<p>This dramatic rise emphasizes the steady and dangerous warming of the planet’s oceans.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consequences-of-ocean-warming">Consequences of ocean warming </h2>



<p>Ongoing ocean warming has profound <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-warming-is-subtly-changing-the-tides/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consequences for weather</a>, ecosystems, and human life. </p>



<p>Regional variations in warming highlight areas such as the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and mid-latitude Southern Ocean, where temperatures are rising rapidly. Polar regions are also absorbing significant heat, exacerbating ice melt and global sea level rise.</p>



<p>Warmer ocean waters amplify extreme weather by increasing atmospheric water vapor - a powerful greenhouse gas. This phenomenon intensifies storms, droughts, wildfires, and flooding events.</p>



<p>“The main way the ocean continues to influence the climate is through accompanying increases in water vapor in the atmosphere,”&nbsp;explained Dr. Kevin Trenberth from the <a href="https://ncar.ucar.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Center for Atmospheric Research</a>. </p>



<p>The result is a vicious cycle of climate extremes, including hurricanes, typhoons, and record heatwaves.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intensifying-impacts-of-ocean-warming">Intensifying impacts of ocean warming</h2>



<p>Over the past year, 104 countries experienced their hottest temperatures on record, highlighting the growing impact of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plankton-at-risk-global-warming-threatens-the-oceans-lifeline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global warming</a>. </p>



<p>This rise in heat has fueled catastrophic weather events worldwide. Heatwaves, droughts, floods, and wildfires have caused devastation across regions including Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. These events have inflicted widespread damage to communities, economies, and ecosystems.</p>



<p>In the United States, climate-related disasters have been particularly costly. Since 1980, such events have led to nearly $3 trillion in damages, illustrating the significant economic burden of a warming climate.</p>



<p>The rise in ocean surface temperatures plays a critical role in amplifying these impacts. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dramatic-rise-in-ocean-warming">Dramatic rise in ocean warming </h2>



<p>Surface waters, where the ocean interacts with the atmosphere, transfer heat and moisture, fueling extreme weather events.</p>



<p>Since the 1950s, these temperatures have risen dramatically, with far-reaching consequences for marine ecosystems and coastal communities. </p>



<p>Warmer waters disrupt marine life, erode coastal habitats, and increase the frequency and intensity of storms, making the situation even more urgent.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-warming-warns-of-planetary-danger">Ocean warming warns of planetary danger</h2>



<p>Dr. Karina von Schuckmann from <a href="https://www.mercator-ocean.eu/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mercator Ocean International</a> described the ocean as a sentinel for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/2024-shatters-heat-records-earths-hottest-year-is-here/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planetary warming</a>.&nbsp;“The ocean is our sentinel for planetary warming, acting as the major sink of surplus heat,”&nbsp;she emphasized.</p>



<p>If immediate action to combat climate change is not taken, the consequences will grow increasingly severe. Rising costs, damages, and loss of life demand urgent mitigation efforts to slow warming and protect our planet's future.</p>



<p>The findings of the study serve as a critical reminder: addressing ocean warming is essential to safeguarding Earth’s climate and humanity's future.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00376-025-4541-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Advances in Atmospheric Sciences</a>.</em></p>



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



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Record ocean warming in 2024 is a warning for our planet

The ocean, which covers 70% of Earth’s surface, is reaching...

Time,And,Space.,3d,Rendering,Illustration

<p>Time feels so obvious that we rarely question its existence. Our clocks tick, we sense the hours passing, and we connect events to a single timeline. Yet, in many corners of theoretical physics, the very notion of time as a forward-moving entity is under scrutiny.</p>



<p>Some researchers claim that time may not exist in any fundamental way. They argue that our deeply held belief in a flowing “<em>now</em>” might be a trick of perception.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-time-illusions-in-daily-life">Time illusions in daily life</h2>



<p>Our daily life depends on the past, present, and future being well-defined. We pay bills on time. We set our alarms to wake up in the morning.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The equations of physics do not tell us which events are occurring right now,” is an unsettling statement for <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-04558-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">scientists</a> to make. </p>



<p>That remark highlights the gap between how we sense time and how modern equations describe it.</p>



<p>This perspective on timelessness has gained traction through work from many theoretical physicists, including <a href="https://www.cpt.univ-mrs.fr/~rovelli/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Carlo Rovelli</a> a theoretical physicist and Emeritus Professor at the Centre de Physique Théorique (<a href="https://www.cpt.univ-mrs.fr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CPT</a>) of Aix-Marseille University in France. </p>



<p>Dr. Rovelli has developed approaches in loop <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/central-theory-of-quantum-gravity-is-modeled-in-the-laboratory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum gravity</a> that often do away with a global time parameter.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-time-physics-and-intuition">Time, physics, and intuition</h2>



<p>Our intuitions tell us the present moment is distinct, while the future feels open and the past seems fixed. However, Einstein’s theories suggest that all moments could be equally real, leaving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/negative-time-observed-measured-tangible-in-new-quantum-experiments/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">no universal present</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Researchers have shown that gravity can slow clocks. So, for instance, time passes a little bit slower at sea level compared to the top of a mountain, because you’re a bit closer to Earth’s gravity.</p>



<p>It’s relative, meaning that time can move differently depending on how fast you’re moving or how close you are to a strong gravitational field. </p>



<p>Although we don’t experience this effect in our daily routines, <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.177.4044.168" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atomic clocks confirm it</a>. Such experiments show that time intervals can vary depending on speed and gravitational fields.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-sense-of-flow-in-time-s-existence">A sense of flow in time's existence</h2>



<p>If we listen to our everyday instincts, time seems to rush onward, dragging events from future to past. </p>



<p>Yet in general relativity, there is no built-in rule mandating a <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/that-mysterious-flow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">universal flow</a>. Instead, many physicists say that our brains layer the experience of flow on top of an otherwise static reality.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Some propose that what we call the “flow of time” emerges from correlations among physical objects. </p>



<p>Our stories and memories might be responsible for building a chain of events we label “<em>before</em>” and “<em>after</em>.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-einstein-and-our-understanding-of-time">Einstein and our understanding of time</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/radical-new-theory-finally-unites-gravity-spacetime-and-the-quantum-realm/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Albert Einstein’s theories</a>, particularly his theory of relativity, revolutionized how we think about time. In his special theory of relativity, published in 1905, he proposed that time isn’t the same for everyone. </p>



<p>For example, if you’re traveling at a very high speed or near a massive object like a planet, time will seem to pass more slowly for you compared to someone who’s farther away from the gravitational pull or moving more slowly. </p>



<p>This concept is often called "time dilation," and it’s been proven in experiments with fast-moving particles and GPS satellites.</p>



<p>In his general theory of relativity, which he published in 1915, Einstein expanded this idea by showing how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/matter-spacetime-gravitational-waves-fabric-of-the-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gravity can also affect time</a>. The stronger the gravitational field, the more it slows down time.</p>



<p>These theories completely changed our understanding of time - it’s not a constant, unchanging backdrop to everything that happens. Instead, it’s flexible and can stretch, bend, and warp depending on the circumstances. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quantum-twists-on-time-s-existence">Quantum twists on time's existence</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-entanglement-a-simple-way-to-grasp-this-impossible-concept-carl-kocher/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quantum mechanics</a> complicates matters further. Traditional formulations treat time as an absolute parameter, ticking away while particles hop between possible states.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Yet quantum experiments suggest that no single observer can pin down a universal “right now.” Some scientists try to eliminate time altogether in their unified theories.&nbsp;</p>



<p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheeler%E2%80%93DeWitt_equation" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Wheeler-DeWitt equation</a>, for instance, famously omits time when describing quantum gravity. Instead of describing how the universe evolves, the equation focuses on correlations between different parts of a whole.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Time becomes something that emerges when observers carve out local “clocks” from the timeless fabric.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chasing-the-arrow">Chasing the arrow</h2>



<p>Despite the insistence that time might be illusory, we still sense an arrow pointing from the past to the future. We watch eggs break rather than un-break, and we see coffee and milk mix rather than un-mix.</p>



<p>This brings us to the relationship of time to entropy, which is a measure of disorder or randomness in a system. </p>



<p>According to the second law of thermodynamics, entropy in an isolated system always tends to increase over time. In simple terms, things naturally move <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-the-universe-remains-predictable-insights-from-quantum-mechanics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">from order to disorder</a>.</p>



<p>This means that the flow of time is often associated with the increase in entropy, which is why we perceive time as always moving forward, from past to present to future - <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7516914/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the arrow of time</a>. </p>



<p>Low-entropy conditions at the birth of the universe set the stage for irreversible processes. In that sense, the arrow we chase is not woven into time itself. It emerges from a statistical trend toward disorder, giving us the impression that events line up from earlier to later.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-minds-and-the-existence-of-time">Human minds and the existence of time</h2>



<p>Some experts suspect that one day we’ll see <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/do-we-actually-benefit-from-daylight-saving-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">time</a> similar to how we see currency: a clever accounting device rather than a fundamental element of reality. </p>



<p>Even so, humans will keep living as though each new moment actually matters. </p>



<p>Our hearts beat in seconds, our schedules rely on hours, and we navigate our days convinced that "tomorrow" has not happened yet.</p>



<p>Regardless of whether time's existence is an illusion, a by-product of thermodynamics, or an emergent property of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-entanglement-spooky-action-at-a-distance-persists-between-top-quarks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deeper laws</a>, we remain anchored in our daily routines.</p>



<p>Perhaps the biggest puzzle isn’t whether time exists but why our brains are so attached to the notion that it flows without pausing, and why we find it so hard to let go of that idea.</p>



<p>Will our brains one day evolve to the point where we understand the true nature of time? Only time will tell.</p>



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



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"Time is an illusion" and doesn't exist as we know it, according to many physicists

Time feels so obvious that we rarely question its existence....

<p>Robots are transforming the way nursing homes tackle critical challenges like employee turnover and a shrinking workforce in an aging world. </p>



<p>These innovative helpers are stepping in to assist with essential care tasks, offering solutions to ease the burden on caregivers. </p>



<p>A new study from the <a href="https://www.nd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Notre Dame</a> sheds light on the profound impact of robots on worker retention, productivity, and patient outcomes in nursing homes. The research provides important insights into the future of care.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-robots-in-long-term-care">Role of robots in long-term care</h2>



<p>The study was led by Yong Suk Lee, an associate professor of technology, economy, and global affairs at Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs.</p>



<p>While most research on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-hula-hooping-inspires-robotics-and-energy-efficiency/">robotics</a> has focused on industrial sectors, Lee’s work broke new ground by analyzing the role of robots in long-term care. </p>



<p>The team studied data from Japanese nursing homes collected in 2020 and 2022. This setting was chosen for its relevance to the challenges faced by rapidly aging populations.</p>



<p>“Our research focused on Japan because it is a super-aging society that provides a good example of what the future could entail elsewhere - a declining population, a growing share of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/older-adults-make-decisions-and-take-risks-just-like-young-people/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">senior citizens</a>, and a declining share of working-age people,” Lee explained. “We need to be ready for this new reality.”</p>



<p>By 2050, the number of U.S. residents aged 65 or older is expected to reach 88.5 million, making the study's findings particularly timely.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-specific-care-needs">Addressing specific care needs</h2>



<p>The study identified three main types of robots commonly used in nursing homes, each designed to address specific care needs. </p>



<p>Transfer robots assist nurses with physically demanding tasks such as lifting, moving, and rotating patients - reducing the strain on caregivers.</p>



<p>Mobility robots enhance patients' independence by helping them move around and assisting with activities like bathing. </p>



<p>Meanwhile, monitoring and communication robots leverage advanced technologies, including computer vision, to track patient data and relay vital information to caregivers, ensuring timely and efficient care.</p>



<p>Lee’s findings revealed that adopting these robots complemented care workers, notably by reducing quit rates, which is a significant issue in nursing homes.</p>



<p>“Turnover is a big concern in nursing homes,” Lee said. “Workers typically experience a great deal of physical pain, particularly in their knees and back. The work is hard, and the pay is low. So robot use was associated with employee retention.”</p>



<p>While robot adoption led to an overall employment increase, it also sparked changes in workforce dynamics. These changes included a higher demand for part-time, less experienced employees and a decline in demand for highly experienced workers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-robots-improve-patient-care">How robots improve patient care</h2>



<p>The research also highlighted the benefits for patients. Nursing homes with robots reported reduced use of patient restraints and fewer instances of pressure ulcers, both key indicators of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-future-of-ai-enhancing-patient-safety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">patient care</a> quality.</p>



<p>These improvements stemmed from reducing the physical strain on workers, allowing them to focus on tasks better suited to human empathy and dexterity.</p>



<p>“Robots can improve productivity by shifting the tasks performed by care workers to those involving human touch, empathy, and dexterity,” Lee noted. “Ultimately, robots can help workers provide a higher level of patient care.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-robots-in-care-settings">The future of robots in care settings </h2>



<p>Lee’s study highlights the broader implications of robotics in care settings. </p>



<p>“This research provides critical insights into how societies can successfully navigate the challenges of caring for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-migration-patterns-will-result-in-rapidly-aging-coastal-populations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging populations</a>,” Lee said. “It will help inform the work of the long-term care industry and help us better understand how technologies impact workers and patients.”</p>



<p>The research was co-authored with Toshiaki Iizuka from the University of Tokyo and Karen Eggleston from Stanford University. </p>



<p>The work is part of Lee’s broader exploration into how technologies like robotics and artificial intelligence influence inequality and the future of work.</p>



<p>The study also highlights the importance of cross-institutional collaboration in addressing global challenges, emphasizing the need for a collective effort to harness technology for societal benefit.</p>



<p>As societies worldwide prepare for the realities of aging populations, the findings offer a roadmap for integrating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-can-predict-health-deterioration-in-hospital-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">technology into care settings</a> to enhance both worker and patient experiences.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0927537124001623" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Labour Economics</a></em>.</p>



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A glimpse of the future: Robots in nursing homes

Robots are transforming the way nursing homes tackle critical challenges...

<p>Being in shape and maintaining fitness play a bigger role in health and survival than many once believed. Recent findings suggest that excess weight and a larger body size may not always carry the risks people assume - as long as there is enough aerobic activity to keep the cardiovascular system strong.</p>



<p>Looking at past data, researchers noticed that individuals who were heavier but maintained strong fitness levels often had lower chances of dying prematurely compared with thinner people who rarely exercised.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-weight-doesn-t-reveal-true-health-risks">Weight doesn’t reveal true health risks</h2>



<p>Weight on its own <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/weight-and-bmi-do-not-accurately-reflect-a-persons-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">does not give the full picture</a>. A person with a normal body mass index (<a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BMI</a>) but poor endurance can face similar or even higher mortality risks than someone who is heavier but regularly engages in moderate physical activity.</p>



<p>This perspective shifts the focus away from the number on the scale toward basic aerobic conditioning. This idea is reinforced by the study’s senior author, Siddhartha Angadi, an exercise physiologist at the <a href="https://www.virginia.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Virginia</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fitness-reduces-risks-even-with-extra-weight">Fitness reduces risks, even with extra weight</h2>



<p>“This tells us that it’s much more important, all things considered, to focus on the fitness aspect of health and longevity, rather than the fatness aspect,” said Angadi.</p>



<p>Among individuals carrying extra weight, those who managed to stay active were about half as likely to die young as those who were slim but unfit.</p>



<p>The experts explain that regular aerobic exercise, even in moderate doses, appears to strengthen the heart, lungs, and muscles enough to neutralize a portion of the risks typically linked to higher weight.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fit-but-heavier-people-live-longer">Fit but heavier people live longer</h2>



<p>The researchers combined data from multiple sources to see how body size and fitness related to early death. Using <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/16984-exercise-stress-test" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress tests</a> and direct BMI measurements, they tracked who later died and compared rates across different groups. </p>



<p>One major pattern emerged: thin but inactive individuals had a greater chance of dying prematurely compared with heavier individuals who logged consistent exercise time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-short-walks-make-a-difference">Short walks make a difference</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-term-exercise-can-make-belly-fat-healthy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Increasing aerobic capacity</a> does not require over-the-top workouts. The researchers note that brisk walking in the neighborhood or on a treadmill can be enough to move a person into a safer category if they have been getting little to no activity before.</p>



<p>Walking at a speed that allows you to talk but not sing is often described as moderate. This straightforward approach lowers the odds of early death by improving heart function, managing blood sugar, and helping the body respond better to everyday stress.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fitness-is-a-better-health-indicator-than-weight">Fitness is a better health indicator than weight</h2>



<p>Body mass index can show general <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/weight-loss-drugs-could-save-an-enormous-number-of-lives/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weight</a> categories, but it does not illuminate how strong or aerobically capable a person is. </p>



<p>According to a <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa012512" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a> from the <a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/about-niddk/research-areas/diabetes/diabetes-prevention-program-dpp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Diabetes Prevention Program</a>, simply getting active can reduce the likelihood of developing serious health problems such as diabetes by 58% among at-risk people, regardless of whether they hit a certain weight target.</p>



<p>This strategy can be more motivating than aiming for a particular number on the scale, since strength and fitness gains often come faster than weight loss.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-regular-activity-is-better-than-dieting">Regular activity is better than dieting</h2>



<p>Experts say maintaining a baseline level of aerobic conditioning can keep health risks in check, even for people <a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/obesity#tab=tab_1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">classified</a> as overweight or obese. Routine physical activity supports essential bodily functions that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/diet-tracking-does-not-have-to-be-perfect-to-promote-weight-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dieting</a> alone may not fully address.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While some people may choose to lose weight for comfort or other reasons, building enough endurance to get out of the lowest fitness bracket could protect against many age-related health issues.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fitness-level-can-guide-better-decisions">Fitness level can guide better decisions</h2>



<p>Endurance tests provide a practical way to see where a person stands in terms of aerobic fitness. A short visit to a doctor or a sports medicine lab can reveal how well the body handles stress tests.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By understanding these numbers, people can tweak exercise routines to get the biggest benefit in the shortest time. </p>



<p>Once an individual falls into a safe fitness zone, concerns about being a bit heavier tend to matter less from a survival standpoint.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focusing-more-on-fitness-than-weight">Focusing more on fitness than weight</h2>



<p>According to the researchers, higher aerobic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-in-a-pill-is-now-closer-to-reality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">capacity</a> offers a strong layer of protection against issues like cardiovascular disease and early death.</p>



<p>Short, moderate activities such as active gardening, walking the dog, or using the stairs help build that capacity. Over time, this can lead to bigger improvements in heart health than <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ditch-the-diet-trends-for-a-healthier-relationship-with-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diets</a> that focus only on cutting calories.</p>



<p>The study is published in the <a href="https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2024/11/07/bjsports-2024-108748" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>British Journal of Sports Medicine</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Fitness is far more important than weight for living a healthy life

Being in shape and maintaining fitness play a bigger role...

<p>Concussions and repeated head injuries are no longer seen as mere occupational hazards of contact sports; they are now recognized as serious health concerns.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Recent research from <a href="https://www.tufts.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tufts University</a> and the <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Oxford</a> reveals a potential link between head trauma and the activation of dormant viruses in the brain, which may lead to long-term neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The findings, published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scisignal.ado6430" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Science Signaling</em></a>, suggest that early preventive treatments using antiviral drugs could help mitigate these risks.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-threat-of-dormant-viruses">Hidden threat of dormant viruses</h2>



<p>Our bodies host many dormant viruses, including <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cold-sores-and-dementia-the-unexpected-connection/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">herpes simplex virus 1</a> (HSV-1) and varicella-zoster virus, which commonly reside in neurons and glial cells without causing harm.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Dana Cairns, lead author and research associate in Tufts University’s Department of Biomedical Engineering, explained her previous findings.</p>



<p>“In that study, another virus - varicella - created the inflammatory conditions that activated HSV-1. We thought, what would happen if we subjected the brain tissue model to a physical disruption, something akin to a concussion? Would HSV-1 wake up and start the process of neurodegeneration?” </p>



<p>This question drove the new study, which investigates how concussions might trigger these latent viruses.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mimicking-brain-trauma-in-the-lab">Mimicking brain trauma in the lab</h2>



<p>To explore this, the researchers developed a unique brain tissue model. This model is a 6mm wide, donut-shaped sponge made of silk protein and collagen, infused with neural stem cells.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The stem cells matured into neurons and glial cells, forming a network similar to that of a real brain, and some even harbored dormant HSV-1. The team simulated a concussion by enclosing the model in a cylinder and delivering a sudden jolt with a piston.</p>



<p>After subjecting the tissue to this controlled shock, Cairns observed that in models containing HSV-1, the virus reactivated.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Following this reactivation, the tissue began to exhibit key markers of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alzheimers-disease-attacks-the-brain-in-two-separate-phases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alzheimer’s disease</a>: amyloid plaques, tau protein tangles, inflammation, neuronal death, and a surge in glial cells - a condition known as gliosis. Repeated shocks intensified these effects.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In contrast, tissue models without HSV-1 showed only minor gliosis and no other Alzheimer's indicators.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-concussions-and-dormant-viruses-nbsp">Concussions and dormant viruses&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The results strongly indicate that concussions might awaken dormant viruses in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/concussions-alter-brain-signals-that-are-crucial-for-memory-and-focus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain</a>, potentially leading to neurodegenerative conditions over time. </p>



<p>“This opens the question as to whether antiviral drugs or anti-inflammatory agents might be useful as early preventive treatments after head trauma to stop HSV-1 activation in its tracks, and lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease,” Cairns said.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This points to a potential new direction in post-concussion care, aiming to prevent the long-term damage often linked to repeated head injuries.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-breakthrough-brain-model">A breakthrough brain model</h2>



<p>David Kaplan, Stern Family Endowed Professor of Engineering at Tufts and co-author of the study, highlighted the significance of their lab-based brain model.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The brain tissue model takes us to another level in investigating these connections between injury, infection, and Alzheimer’s disease,” he said.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This model allows researchers to recreate a realistic brain environment in which they can monitor virus behavior, plaque formation, and inflammatory responses in response to simulated trauma.</p>



<p>“There is a lot of epidemiological evidence about environmental and other links to the risk of Alzheimer’s. The tissue model will help us put that information on a mechanistic footing and provide a starting point for testing new drugs,” he added.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The model thus serves as a crucial tool in bridging the gap between large-scale health data and the specific biological processes that underlie neurodegenerative diseases.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-targeted-interventions-for-concussions">Targeted interventions for concussions </h2>



<p>The study’s findings underscore the potential for antiviral or anti-inflammatory treatments following head injuries to prevent the reactivation of latent viruses like HSV-1.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This approach could reduce the risk of developing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coffee-grounds-could-help-prevent-neurodegenerative-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neurodegenerative diseases</a> later in life. Moreover, the research highlights the broader importance of understanding how environmental factors and bodily responses interplay after trauma.</p>



<p>As scientists continue to refine these brain models and further investigate how concussions affect brain chemistry, they hope to develop targeted interventions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Such advancements could not only benefit athletes but also countless individuals worldwide who suffer from traumatic brain injuries, potentially transforming post-injury care and long-term health outcomes.</p>



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



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Human brains hold dormant viruses that come to life if you hit your head

Concussions and repeated head injuries are no longer seen as...

Different,Types,Of,Non-dairy,Milk

<p>Vegans who replace cow's milk with soy, almond, or other plant-based alternatives may face a higher chance of mental issues like depression and anxiety than individuals who drink cow’s milk regularly.</p>



<p>This finding emerged from a recent investigation of lifestyle patterns and mental health outcomes among hundreds of thousands of adults in the United Kingdom.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-well-being-of-milk-drinkers">Mental well-being of milk drinkers</h2>



<p>Scientists explored how different milk types might be linked to mental and emotional well-being over more than a decade. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/engineered-gmo-plants-make-baby-formula-healthy-as-breast-milk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milk</a> is consumed by <a href="https://www.fao.org/dairy-production-products/products/milk-and-milk-products/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">billions of people</a> worldwide, making it a major part of daily diets.&nbsp;After reviewing participants’ intake habits, researchers noted intriguing contrasts in mental health. </p>



<p>One group that stood out was semi-skimmed milk drinkers. According to data, they had lower rates of both anxiety and depression when compared to those who either consumed full-fat or plant-based alternatives. </p>



<p>This observation piqued the interest of <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Chunyan-Wu-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Chunying Wu</a> from <a href="https://portal.smu.edu.cn/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Southern Medical University</a>, who authored the study.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-to-non-dairy-beverages">Shifting to non-dairy beverages</h2>



<p>In recent years, many individuals have turned to non-dairy beverages. They cite environmental, health, or ethical concerns in their decision to avoid traditional cow’s milk. </p>



<p>Yet <a href="https://www.mfat.govt.nz/assets/Trade-General/Trade-Market-reports/Milk-alternatives-popularity-growing-in-the-US-February-2022.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evidence</a> suggests some of these milk alternatives may not provide the same mental health benefits. One explanation involves nutritional content.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Milk is a rich source of nutrients such as lactose, lipids, protein, and minerals, which are essential for maintaining human health,” wrote the scientists from Southern Medical University. </p>



<p>Plant-based options, on the other hand, often differ in protein levels and might include added ingredients that influence mood.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-calcium-and-serotonin">Calcium and serotonin</h2>



<p>Researchers found that cow’s milk <a href="https://www.adsa.org/About-ADSA/Media/Serotonin-found-to-be-an-important-factor-in-calcium-homeostasis-in-dairy-cows-November-16-2021" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">delivers calcium</a> in a form that supports pathways involved in serotonin production. Serotonin, sometimes called the body’s “feel-good” molecule, helps regulate mood and stress responses.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Serotonin is a chemical that plays a role in the brain with respect to mood and mental health. The most popular group of antidepressant medications promotes the absorption of serotonin,” the authors explained.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As a result, consistent calcium intake can potentially improve these natural coping mechanisms. Some plant-based milks also offer calcium, but the level and bioavailability may vary.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saturated-versus-unsaturated-fats">Saturated versus unsaturated fats</h2>



<p>Milk is rich in saturated fats. Semi-skimmed milk reduces the proportion of these fats but still retains valuable fatty acids that might help protect the <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11211382/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain</a>. </p>



<p>Compared to the full-fat version, semi-skimmed appears to occupy a middle ground of moderate fat content without the potential drawbacks of excess saturated fat.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Meanwhile, plant-based milk alternatives can sometimes include added sugars or other compounds that may have unexpected effects on mental well-being. </p>



<p>These additives, while often enhancing taste or texture, may inadvertently interfere with the body's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breast-milk-lowers-asthma-risk-in-babies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural hormone regulation</a>, potentially impacting emotional stability.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-impact-on-dopamine">Potential impact on dopamine</h2>



<p>In addition to serotonin, <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dopamine" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dopamine</a> plays a key part in focus and reward-related behavior. <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4850606/#:~:text=Recent%20research%20has%20shown%20that,to%20be%20vulnerable%20to%20dysregulation." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Studies</a> have suggested that high levels of certain saturated fats can alter dopamine signaling, which may contribute to mood disorders.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Semi-skimmed milk, with its reduced saturated fat, may avoid some of these mental effects and maintain a healthier balance of essential nutrients. </p>



<p>Scientists suggest this balance could hold the key to the lower rates of depression and anxiety seen among semi-skimmed milk consumers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-varied-mental-health-benefits-of-milk">Varied mental health benefits of milk</h2>



<p>While findings point to fewer mood challenges for people who choose semi-skimmed over other varieties, each individual’s mental health picture depends on much more than beverage choice. </p>



<p>Genetics, life stressors, sleep, and socioeconomic circumstances all contribute.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Researchers emphasize that food-related decisions are just one facet of psychological well-being. They recommend that people remain mindful of their overall habits and consult healthcare professionals when making major dietary shifts.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-practical-considerations">Practical considerations</h2>



<p>Experts often promote a balanced diet that combines fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and moderate dairy. Semi-skimmed milk could fit neatly into many people’s meal plans.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Individuals who prefer plant-based options may benefit from checking labels for calcium and protein levels, as well as added substances. </p>



<p>Though no single approach will suit everyone, looking at subtle dietary factors might pay off for those hoping to support a healthy outlook.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-research-on-milk-s-mental-benefits">Future research on milk's mental benefits</h2>



<p>Additional research may help clarify whether semi-skimmed milk truly provides extra mental health benefits.</p>



<p>Controlled clinical trials could investigate how this option affects depression or anxiety in different subgroups, such as older adults or those with pre-existing conditions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Researchers also <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7178197/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">note</a> that genetics can make some people more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/raw-milk-could-carry-deadly-flu-viruses-for-days/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vulnerable</a> to certain dietary impacts. A closer look at these details might inform tailored recommendations.</p>



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



<p>Many are interested in how small tweaks to daily meals might lift or lower spirits. </p>



<p>This study urges people to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-raw-milk-health-hazard-pasteurization-important/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pay attention to milk</a> choice, especially if they already feel down or tense. Substituting semi-skimmed for full-fat or plant-based beverages could make a subtle difference for some.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Experts look forward to future work that explores how simple changes in milk type and eating patterns might support better mental well-being. Further investigation of these connections may help people shape diets that support mental balance.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1435435/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Nutrition</a>.</em></p>



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



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Some types of plant-based milk are linked to mental disorders like depression

Vegans who replace cow's milk with soy, almond, or other...

<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>



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<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>



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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>



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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>



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<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>



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<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>



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

Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p></p>

Social modeling affects our food choices

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists discover we age in bursts

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists solve the mystery of tickling

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p></p>



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



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

Retired professor claims he solved time travel

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



<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

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> (ACS) reveals that proteins on flu viruses are actually flexible, tilting and waving in a “breath-like” motion. According to the experts, these proteins could be used to better defend against the flu.</p>



<p>"The main antigenic targets of influenza virus are two surface glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Whereas the structural and dynamical properties of both glycoproteins have been studied previously, the understanding of their plasticity in the whole-virion context is fragmented," wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>To investigate, the team conducted detailed simulations of the influenza A H1N1 virion, or the swine flu. The experts concluded that the visualizations show many new vulnerable states of flu viruses, which could improve future vaccines and antiviral drugs.</p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;</em></p>



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



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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<p>Today’s <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Lake Trasimeno, which is located west of Perugia in central Italy. It is the fourth largest lake in the country. While Trasimeno’s water level varies, it has a maximum depth of approximately six meters.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"In this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, captured on 6 August 2022, the lake’s emerald green colour is likely due to the presence of phytoplankton. Streaks in the water, particularly visible in the west, indicate the presence of soil and sediments which have been stirred up by winds. Dark colored waters in the southern part of the lake indicate a presence of submerged and floating macrophytes (aquatic plants) as well as algae," says ESA.</p>



<p>"Surrounded by hills on three sides, Trasimeno is subject to heavy storms created by winds, especially from the north and west. There are three islets in the lake: Maggiore, Minore and Polvese (the largest). The lake’s shores are sparsely inhabited with only two popular villages: Castiglione del Lago and Passignano sul Trasimeno."</p>



<p>"Italy is experiencing its worst drought in 70 years which has affected drinking water supplies, hydroelectric power and agricultural production. High temperatures, hot winds and lack of rainfall are the main causes of drought in the Umbrian region which saw Lake Trasimeno’s drop 1.3 m, reaching the limit of the hydrometric zero in July 2022."</p>



<p><em>Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;</em></p>



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



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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<p>Today's <strong>Video of the Day</strong> from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes a new self-powered nanosensor that can instantly detect mercury contamination with the tap of a finger.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The oxidized form of mercury can be harmful when it is ingested through contaminated water or food. This makes it necessary for experts to develop sensors that can quickly and accurately detect the presence of mercury.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Zong-Hong Lin and colleagues have now created a triboelectric nanosensor (TENS) that can detect mercury by simply by touching a sample. According to the researchers, their TENS could serve as the basis for similar devices to safely and remotely monitor other pollutants.</p>



<p><em>Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;</em></p>



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



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



<p>In 1968, Kainji Lake was created by the construction of the Kainji Dam. The Niger River, the third longest in Africa, enters the lake in the north.&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rivers-in-the-american-west-are-a-lifesaving-resource-for-birds/">ESA</a>, the creation of the lake submerged Foge Island and the town of Bussa and permanently flooded other riverine settlements, leaving around 50,000 people displaced.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Large parts of Foge Island are temporarily exposed during low water tides, and the land is often used by migrating fishermen. Kainji Dam is a dam across the Niger River in Niger State of Central Nigeria. </p>



<p>Wild mammals occur at relatively low densities due to illegal hunting. Lake Kainji has suffered a dramatic decline as a fishery due to the high numbers of artisanal and subsistence fisherfolk using the lake. It has been suggested that a period of closure, together with controlled fishing rights may help improve fish stocks.</p>



<p>Kainji Lake National Park is the oldest of its kind in Nigeria. The park contains three distinct areas: a part of the Kainji Lake, the Borgu Game Reserve to the west of the lake, and the Zugurma Game Reserve to the southeast. The park is home to around 65 mammal species, 350 bird species, and 30 species of reptiles and amphibians. </p>



<p><em>Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;</em></p>



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



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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