<p>A recent analysis of the Sapphire Canyon mudstone core, drilled by NASA’s Perseverance rover in July 2024, adds new and convincing evidence to the ongoing search for life on Mars.</p>



<p>The study describes minerals and textures that - on Earth - are often linked to microbial activity. At the same time, the authors stress that some unknown, nonbiological chemistry could also explain the signals.</p>



<p>“This finding by Perseverance is the closest we have ever come to discovering life on Mars. The identification of a potential biosignature on the Red Planet is a groundbreaking discovery, and one that will advance our understanding of Mars,” said acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy. </p>



<p>“NASA’s commitment to conducting Gold Standard Science will continue as we pursue our goal of putting American boots on Mars’ rocky soil.”</p>



<p>The core was taken from a rock named "<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/perseverance-rover-finds-best-evidence-yet-life-on-mars-cheyava-falls-rock/">Chevaya Falls</a>" in Neretva Vallis, an ancient river channel about a quarter mile wide that once fed Jezero Crater’s lake. </p>



<p>After drilling, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/perseverance-rover-captures-a-surprise-dust-devil-while-taking-high-resolution-selfie-on-mars/">Perseverance</a> sealed the sample for possible return to Earth, where laboratory instruments can perform tests far beyond the rover’s onboard capabilities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inside-the-martian-mudstone">Inside the Martian mudstone</h2>



<p>Lead author Joel A. Hurowitz of <a href="https://www.stonybrook.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stony Brook University</a> (SBU) reports a fine-grained mudstone with circular reaction fronts informally called leopard spots, plus small nodules embedded in layered sediments.</p>



<p>Perseverance’s <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/jpl/the-detective-aboard-nasas-perseverance-rover/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SHERLOC</a> and <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/heres-how-ai-is-changing-nasas-mars-rover-science/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PIXL</a> instruments mapped organic carbon with phosphate, iron, and sulfur arranged in distinct, repeating patterns.</p>



<p>Two minerals stand out: vivianite and greigite. Vivianite is an iron phosphate, while greigite is an iron sulfide associated with iron and sulfur cycling in oxygen-poor settings.</p>



<p>These features show up in rocks that settled from<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wave-ripples-discovered-mars-surface-indicate-liquid-water-present-4-billion-years-ago/"> water</a>, not in lavas. The site on Mars lies along Bright Angel, a set of outcrops that preserve layers and veins consistent with slow changes after the mud was laid down.</p>



<p>Textures and chemistry point to low temperature reactions that reorganized elements already present in the mud. </p>



<p>That detail matters because low temperatures fit environments that life can handle, while very hot conditions tend to erase delicate signals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-earth-microbes-leave-similar-traces">Earth microbes leave similar traces</h2>



<p>On Earth, vivianite often forms where microbes reduce iron in water-rich sediments and trap phosphorus in blue-green nodules. </p>



<p>Laboratory and field work document biologically mediated vivianite through extracellular electron transfer.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/greigite" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greigite</a> frequently appears where sulfate reducing bacteria drive chemistry in anoxic muds. In controlled experiments, greigite was detected only in live biotic setups after months of incubation.</p>



<p>The Martian rock shows rims rich in vivianite surrounding small cores enriched in greigite. That bullseye pattern matches a sequence of electron transfer reactions seen in some Earth sediments.</p>



<p>None of this proves metabolism happened in Bright Angel mud, but it shows the chemistry is right for it. That is a subtle point, and it is the reason scientists keep the language cautious.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evidence-of-life-on-mars">Evidence of life on Mars</h2>



<p>A potential biosignature is a feature that might have a biological origin but still needs more data to rule out nonbiological sources. </p>



<p>NASA points mission teams and the public to the Confidence of Life Detection, or CoLD scale, which encourages staged claims and independent checks.</p>



<p>The CoLD mindset is simple in practice. First detect a signal, then exclude contamination, then tackle alternatives, and only then talk about life on Mars with high confidence.</p>



<p>The Bright Angel work sits early on that ladder. It clears several necessary steps but leaves demanding tests for the lab.</p>



<p>Organic compounds can also arrive by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-meteorites-tell-us-about-their-birthplace-in-space/">meteorites</a> or form without biology. The authors note those routes and describe how future analyses could tell paths apart.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-organic-signals-but-no-certainty">Organic signals, but no certainty</h2>



<p>The Mars rover detected organic carbon in several targets within Bright Angel. Reaction fronts rimmed with vivianite surround cores richer in greigite, a pairing consistent with iron and sulfur cycling recorded in the paper.</p>



<p>Mineral veins include calcium sulfate, while the mudstone remains fine-grained and low in magnesium and manganese. There is no sign of intense heating that would reset the rock or scramble tiny textures.</p>



<p>The outcrop sits within layered sediments deposited by water flowing through Neretva Vallis. That channel spans roughly a quarter mile across, which implies sustained flow into Jezero’s ancient lake.</p>



<p>Low temperature context favors life-compatible chemistry, but it does not require life. Abiotic organics and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mineral-discovery-sheds-light-on-mars-fiery-past/">mineral</a> reactions can sometimes copy the same shapes and signals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-not-proof-but-potential-life-on-mars">Not proof, but potential life on Mars</h2>



<p>“It’s not life itself,” said Nicky Fox, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, stressing that this is a potential biosignature, not proof of life. The lead author echoed that caution.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We cannot claim this is more than a potential biosignature,” said Hurowitz. Other officials also underscored the stakes and the limits.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“[But] this very well could be the clearest sign of life that we’ve ever found on Mars,” said Sean Duffy, acting NASA administrator. </p>



<p>Caution is not hedging for its own sake. It is how science avoids false alarms when the question is this important.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/mars-life_olivine_leopard-spot_Cheyava-Falls_Perseverance-rover_NASA_1big.jpg"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/mars-life_olivine_leopard-spot_Cheyava-Falls_Perseverance-rover_NASA_1s.webp" alt="NASA’s Perseverance rover discovered leopard spots on a reddish rock nicknamed “Cheyava Falls” in Mars’ Jezero Crater in July 2024. Scientists think the spots may indicate that, billions of years ago, the chemical reactions in this rock could have supported microbial life; other explanations are being considered. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS" class="wp-image-1985874"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>NASA’s Perseverance rover discovered leopard spots on a reddish rock nicknamed “Cheyava Falls” in Mars’ Jezero Crater in July 2024. Scientists think the spots may indicate that, billions of years ago, the chemical reactions in this rock could have supported microbial life; other explanations are being considered. Click image to enlarge. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS</em></figcaption></figure>



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



<p>If the vivianite and greigite formed through microbe-like metabolisms, then <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/perseverance-rover-begins-steep-climb-up-martian-crater-rim-jezero-crater/">Bright Angel</a> captures a period when surface waters supported the same chemical strategies some cells use for energy today. </p>



<p>That would extend Mars's habitability into a window when this part of Jezero was still wet.</p>



<p>If abiotic paths made the same pattern, the rock still records redox organization of iron, sulfur, and phosphorus in Martian mud. That is a window into how the planet cycles key elements without biology.</p>



<p>Either outcome matters for the bigger story. Mars did not just dry out, it changed its chemistry over time, and these samples let researchers track that change layer by layer.</p>



<p>The work also flags what to measure next. Isotopes, microtextures, and the exact structure of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/carbon-atoms-in-your-body-took-a-400000-light-year-journey-through-space/">carbon</a> in the core can separate metabolic signatures from chemical lookalikes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-search-for-life-on-mars-moves-forward">Search for life on Mars moves forward</h2>



<p>The authors lay out lab experiments and field analogs on Earth to test whether nonbiological reactions can reproduce these textures and mineral pairings. </p>



<p>They also point to analyses that require the sample in a clean Earth lab, including isotope ratios that biology tends to skew.</p>



<p>Sample return planning will shape how fast those tests happen. Meanwhile, the rover can keep mapping where these features cluster and how they relate to other rock units nearby.</p>



<p>PIXL and SHERLOC have shown enough sensitivity to guide that search. The pairing of elemental maps and Raman detections gives a consistent picture that can be applied to other outcrops.</p>



<p>As new targets are logged, the CoLD framework will help communicate progress without getting ahead of the data. That is how a potential biosignature becomes a result people can trust.</p>



<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://youtu.be/ieJKWW8sp2A
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>This animation depicts water disappearing over time in the Martian river valley Neretva Vallis, where NASA's Perseverance Mars takes the rock sample named “Sapphire Canyon” from a rock called “Cheyava Falls,” which was found in the “Bright Angel” formation. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09413-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature</em></a>.</p>



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NASA announces discovery of life on Mars with high degree of confidence

A recent analysis of the Sapphire Canyon mudstone core, drilled by NASA’s Perseverance rover in July 2024, adds new and convincing evidence to the ongoing search for life on Mars. The study describes minerals and textures that - on Earth - are often linked to microbial activity. At the same time, the authors stress that some unknown, nonbiological chemistry could also explain the signals. “This finding by Perseverance is the closest we have ever come to discovering life on Mars. The identification of a potential biosignature on...

<p>Sleep schedules are often disrupted when people rush to complete their end-of-year tasks. But those looking forward to a cheerful holiday season might want to reconsider.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A new study from the <a href="https://umich.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Michigan</a> (U-M) suggests that when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-sleep-patterns-affect-your-health-over-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep patterns</a> fall out of sync with the body’s internal clock, it can have dramatic effects on mood.</p>



<p>Conversely, getting rest aligned with our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/colors-of-sunset-and-sunrise-reset-our-circadian-rhythms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">circadian rhythms</a> can deliver a powerful emotional boost and potentially lessen the burden of mood disorder symptoms, said senior author Daniel Forger.</p>



<p>“This is not going to solve depression. We need to be very, very clear about that,” said Forger, a professor in the Department of Mathematics and director of the Michigan Center for Applied and Interdisciplinary Mathematics.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“But this is a key factor that we can actually control. We can’t control someone’s life events. We can’t control their relationships or their genetics. But what we can do is very carefully look at their individual sleep patterns and circadian rhythms to really see how that’s affecting their mood.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strong-link-between-sleep-and-mood">Strong link between sleep and mood</h2>



<p>While the link between sleep and mood is well-known in a casual sense - people might say someone is “cranky” or “fussy” after poor rest - previous studies have linked sleep issues to serious mental health concerns, including elevated suicide risk.</p>



<p>“Sleep is important to us, but maybe not in the same way we care about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/getting-high-quality-sleep-helps-prevent-depression-and-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">depression</a>,” Forger said. “But there’s been a tremendous amount of research coming out showing that mood affects circadian rhythms and sleep, and that circadian rhythms and sleep affect mood.”</p>



<p>However, these findings often stem from controlled laboratory settings. Forger and his team aimed to observe how these interactions play out in everyday life.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-circadian-rhythms-and-mood-nbsp">Sleep, circadian rhythms, and mood&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The team leveraged data from the <a href="https://www.internhealthstudy.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Intern Health Study</a>, funded by the <a href="https://www.nih.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Institutes of Health</a>, which monitors first-year medical interns. P</p>



<p>The participants regularly completed mood surveys while wearing fitness trackers - Fitbits - to measure heart rate, activity, and sleep patterns.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By applying specialized algorithms to the Fitbit data, the researchers extracted insights into each individual’s circadian rhythms, sleep cycles, and how well these were aligned.&nbsp;</p>



<p>When combined with daily mood assessments and quarterly depression screening questionnaires (such as the widely used PHQ-9), the team could correlate patterns of sleep alignment with tangible measures of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mental-health-crisis-half-of-the-worlds-population-will-be-affected-by-age-75/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health</a>.</p>



<p>They found that when sleep and internal rhythms drifted apart, PHQ-9 scores often rose by an average of 2.5 points - a clinically meaningful change.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-aligning-sleep-and-internal-clocks">Aligning sleep and internal clocks</h2>



<p>One of the study’s lead authors, undergraduate researcher Minki Lee, emphasized the importance of timing rather than just sleep duration or start time.</p>



<p>“It’s not just, ‘If you go to bed earlier, you will be happier,’” Lee said. “To some degree, that will be true, but it will be because your sleep schedule is aligning with your internal rhythms.”</p>



<p>The team examined three key patterns: the body’s central circadian clock in the brain, the peripheral circadian clock (such as that in the heart), and the interns’ sleep cycles.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Typically, the heart’s peripheral clock anticipates more daytime activity than nighttime activity. The researchers discovered that having sleep schedules out of sync with this peripheral clock tended to negatively affect mood.</p>



<p>Interestingly, a misalignment between the central circadian rhythm and sleep was especially problematic for those engaged in shift work. When work demands led to a significant disconnect between sleep timing and the central internal clock, mood issues intensified.</p>



<p>Co-lead author Dae Wook Kim conducted the study as a postdoctoral fellow at U-M and is now an assistant professor at the <a href="https://www.kaist.ac.kr/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology</a>.</p>



<p>“Specifically, the misalignment between the central circadian clock and sleep exhibited the strongest negative association with mood and depressive symptoms, including poor sleep, appetite issues and even <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/suicide-rate-increases-during-the-week-of-a-full-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">suicidal thoughts</a>,” said Professor Kim.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-context-matters-for-circadian-disruptions">Context matters for circadian disruptions</h2>



<p>These findings challenge earlier assumptions that all circadian disruptions affect mood similarly.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Understanding how misalignment operates in real-world conditions - like the demands of working interns - could explain why some people cope better with “all-nighters” or jet lag without long-lasting emotional fallout.</p>



<p>The team plans to apply their research methods to other groups, such as students, older adults, and individuals diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, to better understand when and why these disruptions matter.</p>



<p>“This shows us we have to look at different rhythms representing different parts of your body and consider them in light of your working conditions and your lifestyle in general,” Lee said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-how-sleep-disruptions-impact-mood">Understanding how sleep disruptions impact mood</h2>



<p>The good news is that everyday technology - like wearable fitness trackers - can reveal these hidden patterns of circadian misalignment and guide interventions that restore better sync between sleep and internal clocks.</p>



<p>“That’s why this is scalable,” Forger said. “That’s why I think this could help tons of people.”</p>



<p>By understanding when and how sleep disruptions truly impact mood, individuals and clinicians can take steps to preserve emotional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-environment-day-the-critical-role-of-nature-in-human-well-being/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">well-being</a> - even during the busiest times of the year.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41746-024-01348-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>npj Digital Medicine</em></a>.</p>



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Sleep timing has a powerful effect on our mood

Sleep schedules are often disrupted when people rush to complete...

Close-up,Of,A,Dermatologist's,Hand,Checking,Patient's,Hair

<p>Intermittent fasting has drawn serious attention in recent years. Some find it handy for shedding weight, others see it as a strategy to support overall well-being. Its idea rests on dividing the day into strict periods of eating and fasting.</p>



<p>Many have embraced it as a path to possible health benefits. Now, a fresh perspective suggests that while the approach might help with certain metabolic improvements, there is a twist that nobody saw coming.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-less-talked-about-side-effect">Less-talked-about side effect</h2>



<p>Hidden beneath the headlines celebrating intermittent fasting’s impact on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evening-workouts-are-best-for-blood-sugar-control/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blood sugar levels</a> or inflammation lies a less obvious piece of news. </p>



<p>This new research introduces a startling observation: intermittent fasting patterns appear to reduce how fast hair grows in both mice and people.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-fasting-on-hair-growth">Impact of fasting on hair growth</h2>



<p>Hair growth does not happen in one straight shot. </p>



<p>It runs through phases, shifting between times when hair follicles remain quiet and times when they switch on and get active. The researchers behind the study wanted to examine what these eating habits do to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-natural-cure-male-baldness-highly-effective-sugar-2-deoxy-d-ribose/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hair regeneration</a>.</p>



<p>The team tested common intermittent fasting routines in mice, including schedules with 16 hours of fasting and 8 hours of eating, as well as an <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10098946/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">every-other-day eating pattern</a>. </p>



<p>The animals that stuck to these fasting timetables showed only partial hair regrowth after more than three months, whereas mice that ate whenever they pleased had regrown most of their hair much faster.</p>



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



<p>The study, published in <em><a href="https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(24)01311-4" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cell</a></em>, identifies a process related to oxidative stress. </p>



<p>The body normally burns glucose as fuel, but when fasting, it leans more on fat. Free fatty acids start moving through different tissues when this switch happens.</p>



<p>In the case of hair follicles, that shift is not always smooth. The <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10915958/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hair follicle stem cells</a> involved in producing new hair face a harsh environment rich in reactive oxygen species.</p>



<p>The result is less-than-ideal conditions for these cells that need to stay robust if they are to kickstart new growth.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reflections-in-the-human-world">Reflections in the human world</h2>



<p>The authors also explored these effects in people. Their small clinical trial focused on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meditation-app-boosts-memory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthy young adults</a>. </p>



<p>Participants who followed a daily schedule that included 18 hours of fasting showed a drop in the speed at which their hair grew when compared to those following a normal eating schedule.</p>



<p>The difference was subtle, not as dramatic as in mice. This may be linked to the way human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/daily-dose-finasteride-magic-pill-regrows-hair-heals-prostate-boosts-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hair cycles</a> differ. </p>



<p>Human cells take longer to turn over, and hair growth itself moves at a slower pace. Still, there was an 18% reduction in growth speed, raising a curious eyebrow at the practice.</p>



<p>“We don’t want to scare people away from practicing intermittent fasting because it is associated with a lot of beneficial effects -- it’s just important to be aware that it might have some unintended effects,” says <a href="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2356-8849" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bing Zhang</a>, assistant professor and principal investigator at <a href="https://en.westlake.edu.cn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Westlake University</a>, in China.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-views-from-health-professionals">Views from health professionals</h2>



<p>Health experts who were not involved in the study have pointed out that when people lose weight quickly -- regardless of the approach -- some experience shifts in hair quality or thickness.</p>



<p>There is still a lot to learn here. Doctors have seen that even those who reduce their calorie intake by standard dieting techniques face <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5315033/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">changes in their hair.</a></p>



<p>Yet, intermittent fasting could add another layer to this dynamic since it involves a cycle of metabolic changes each day or every other day. The precise biological reasons remain under investigation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fasting-beyond-hair-growth">Fasting beyond hair growth</h2>



<p>Although this new study stands out for examining hair growth, other work has shown that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/intermittent-fasting-could-be-the-key-to-better-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fasting</a> may impact other body systems in unexpected ways.</p>



<p>Intermittent fasting has been linked to possible benefits like improved insulin sensitivity and reduced inflammation. </p>



<p><a href="https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/108/6/1415/6888005?login=false" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Researchers</a> have reported that it could offer an avenue for type 2 diabetes remission under certain controlled conditions.</p>



<p>Other <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10413426/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">investigations</a> have examined how time-restricted eating might have long-term influences on the brain.</p>



<p>On the flip side, studies have also raised concerns about <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1405175/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gallstones</a>, <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2817556#:~:text=Limiting%20time%20spent%20eating,and%20their%20cause%20of%20death." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular death rates</a>, and even <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07840-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">colon cancer risk</a> in certain contexts. </p>



<p>Adding hair growth changes to the list of possible effects underlines how little is fully understood.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supporting-hair-health-during-fasting">Supporting hair health during fasting</h2>



<p>A balanced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-diet-may-protect-cognitive-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diet full of nutrient-dense</a> foods and essential vitamins and minerals is generally encouraged. Foods rich in protein, iron, zinc, and healthy fats can help keep skin, hair, and nails in shape.</p>



<p>Some experts suggest that meeting regularly with a registered dietitian may be wise, especially for anyone experimenting with different eating schedules. </p>



<p>Such guidance can significantly increase the likelihood that essential nutrients and energy levels remain adequate.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-room-for-more-research">Room for more research</h2>



<p>The findings have opened the door to further studies that may explore how different body tissues respond. </p>



<p>Future work might tackle wound healing or uncover whether certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-reduces-aging-related-fat-buildup-in-tissues/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">metabolic adjustments</a> can protect these sensitive hair follicle stem cells.</p>



<p>Larger human trials would help clarify whether only certain groups are affected. For now, these results raise new questions about how fasting shapes the intricate dance of cells and tissues.</p>



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



<p>To sum it all up, despite the hair growth issue, intermittent fasting still holds great appeal for many people.</p>



<p>This study does not insist people toss out their time-restricted diets, but it does suggest that such eating habits should be approached with awareness.</p>



<p>The human body can be complicated, and no single approach will work for everyone. For now, individuals practicing fasting may want to monitor changes in their hair or consult healthcare professionals if something seems off.</p>



<p>All foods and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/which-dietary-changes-are-best-for-cancer-prevention/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diet strategies</a> come with their own trade-offs. As more evidence comes to light, people can make better-informed decisions that fit their personal health goals.</p>



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Intermittent fasting can slow hair growth, but it also has many positive health benefits

Intermittent fasting has drawn serious attention in recent years. Some...

<p>For decades, experts have wondered if electrons could form strange patterns when squeezed into tight corners. The idea that hidden routes might appear within cramped quantum territories has teased researchers since the early 1980s.<br><br>Many scientists doubted anyone would ever see these routes with their own eyes, but recent progress in imaging technology has finally allowed scientists to spot these unusual paths and confirm a theory first proposed around 40 years ago.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quantum-chaos-of-electrons">Quantum chaos of electrons</h2>



<p>In November 2024, a team of researchers captured a direct view of electron patterns inside a material just one atom thick. </p>



<p>Although these electrons behave in a famously puzzling way, the team spotted precise paths that ran through a carefully arranged <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/google-record-shattering-quantum-ai-chip-accesses-parallel-universes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum</a> device.&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to physicist <a href="https://scholar.google.de/citations?user=YySNkzIAAAAJ&amp;hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jairo Velasco Jr </a>at the University of California, Santa Cruz (<a href="https://www.ucsc.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCSC</a>), these stable electron routes suggest that what some called <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/quantum-chaos/129F113966F35AECCE0C6951870D6FF3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum chaos</a> is actually well-organized motion hiding beneath a messy surface.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-name-and-face-for-chaos">A name and face for chaos</h2>



<p>After so many years of theory, it is now certain that electrons can move in ways that appear chaotic yet follow lasting patterns, commonly called quantum scars. </p>



<p>This concept first emerged in the <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.53.1515" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">work</a> of <a href="https://www.physics.harvard.edu/people/facpages/heller" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eric J. Heller</a> at <a href="https://www.harvard.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard University</a> in 1984.<br><br>The team behind the new <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08190-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> used scanning tunneling microscopy to confirm that the paths do not scatter randomly. Instead, the electrons stay on certain lines that loop back onto themselves.</p>



<p>“Scarring is a localization around orbits that come back on themselves,” said Heller, who also contributed to the new work.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quantum-electron-behavior-with-graphene">Quantum electron behavior with graphene</h2>



<p>The study involved <a href="https://www.repsol.com/en/energy-and-the-future/technology-and-innovation/graphene/index.cshtml#:~:text=Graphene%20is%20a%20material%20that,and%20with%20a%20high%20resistance." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">graphene</a>, a sheet of carbon atoms arranged in a flat, hexagonal grid. Graphene’s smooth, two-dimensional structure makes it easier to watch how electrons move.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers confined electrons inside a carefully shaped “stadium,” a region about 0.000016 inches long. This tiny field acted like a specialized arena, allowing the team to see whether the electrons spread out randomly or settled into specific pathways.&nbsp;</p>



<p>To accomplish this, they hovered a scanning tunneling microscope above the graphene, mapping out electron locations step by step without nudging them off their routes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quantum-chaos-of-electrons-can-look-organized">Quantum chaos of electrons can look organized</h2>



<p>The confirmed patterns show that, in certain conditions, electrons form orderly paths that stand out against the usual randomness.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The finding matters because electrons carry information, and their behavior forms the backbone of the devices we use every day. </p>



<p>The study’s authors found that since electrons tend to keep their special patterns, it might be possible to move and guide them through future electronic systems more efficiently.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fresh-angles-for-next-generation-devices">Fresh angles for next-generation devices</h2>



<p>When electrons follow stable routes, engineers can potentially build tiny devices that waste less energy. <a href="https://builtin.com/hardware/transistor#:~:text=Is%20a%20Transistor?-,A%20transistor%20is%20a%20device%20that%20controls%20an%20electrical%20current,from%20computers%20to%20space%20satellites." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Transistors</a>, the small switches inside electronics, rely on controlling electron flow.</p>



<p>If electrons move along predictable lines, next-generation transistors could send information through smaller and smaller spaces without losing too much energy as heat.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“By slightly disturbing, or ‘nudging’ these orbits, electrons could travel predictably across a device,” said Velasco. </p>



<p>This hint that electrons may cruise along known paths rather than scatter into confusion could make today’s power-hungry gadgets more energy-friendly.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bridging-two-separate-worlds">Bridging two separate worlds</h2>



<p>Classical physics describes the behavior of large, everyday objects, where anything rolling or bouncing around tends to scatter and spread out. In <a href="https://quantumatlas.umd.edu/entry/quantum-classical/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">contrast</a>, quantum physics deals with incredibly small scales, where particles behave like waves.<br><br>When electrons swim through tight spaces, one might expect chaos to run wild, with no pattern at all. Instead, the electron patterns highlight a <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.114101" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surprising link</a> between the classical world of random bounces and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-computer-can-instantly-execute-a-task-that-would-normally-take-47-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum world</a> of orderly waves.</p>



<p>This connection helps researchers understand where the rules of large-scale chaos end and where the strange order of quantum effects picks up.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-confirming-quantum-scars-evidence-of-electron-patterns">Confirming quantum scars: Evidence of electron patterns</h2>



<p>Before this study, quantum scars were mostly considered exotic quirks backed by computer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/building-quantum-computers-just-got-easier-with-new-technique/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">simulations</a> and high-level math.</p>



<p>Now, scientists can say with confidence that these <a href="https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.114101" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">patterns truly exist</a> in real materials. This evidence encourages others to think about how to control and use these previously hidden features.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-endless-possibilities-for-refinement">Endless possibilities for refinement</h2>



<p>With the knowledge that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-quantum-revolution-will-impact-all-aspects-of-society/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum</a> scars show up in actual systems, the researchers plan to test different shapes, sizes, and conditions to see what else might appear.</p>



<p>They might tweak the shape of their graphene arenas or play with different materials, always searching for new ways to influence the electrons’ organized paths.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Any steps forward might reveal more secrets about the relationship between seemingly wild <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-computing-giant-leap-forward-breakthrough-ultra-pure-silicon-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum</a> behavior and the subtle patterns lurking behind it.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-glimpse-into-future-controls">A glimpse into future controls</h2>



<p>A co-author of the paper, <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=emSppUsAAAAJ&amp;hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zhehao Ge</a>, who was a graduate student at UC Santa Cruz at the time of the study, expressed excitement over the direct imaging of quantum scars. </p>



<p>“I am very excited we successfully imaged quantum scars in a real <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-entanglement-instead-of-oil-or-coal-powers-a-new-kind-of-engine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quantum system</a>,” said Ge. </p>



<p>This move from quantum theory to sight offers a rare opportunity to steer the bizarre movements of electrons rather than just watch them from afar.</p>



<p>Such control could encourage researchers to imagine entirely new categories of smaller, smarter devices that rely on subtle nudges instead of brute force to direct electrons, altering how we think about tomorrow’s electronics.</p>



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



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Electrons can follow neat paths, even in chaotic quantum systems

For decades, experts have wondered if electrons could form strange...

<p>Human beings have tested their grit in every corner of the planet. Some live at remote poles where the sun barely shows up. Others venture down deep, such as in submarines, to mine precious materials. A few strap themselves into rockets and hurtle through the vast expanse of space.</p>



<p>Against the prospective backdrop of future space travel, it should come as no surprise that our experience manning modern submarines through the ocean’s quiet depths, may offer valuable lessons on how astronauts might endure the isolation and stress of future space missions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spending-two-months-underwater">Spending two months underwater</h2>



<p>A team of volunteers has just surfaced after spending two months <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-melt-patterns-seen-by-ran-robot-underneath-antarctic-ice/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">underwater</a> as part of <a href="https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2024/12/Portuguese_submarine_for_space_research" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the SubSea effort</a>. </p>



<p>They adapted to a life where every inch mattered, equipment was close, privacy was rare, and normal routines were turned upside down.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-space-meets-the-submarine-crew">Space meets the submarine crew</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Submarines_for_space_exploration">This initiative</a> brought together researchers from Germany, Italy, and Portugal to observe how crews behave and feel in places that limit freedom of movement and personal comfort. </p>



<p>After all, astronauts on long voyages will rely on understanding the best ways to stay balanced, calm, and productive when support lines to home are stretched thin.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-than-just-surveys-and-samples">More than just surveys and samples</h2>



<p>Over that stretch of time, the volunteers filled out questionnaires designed to measure stress and mood. Scientists took samples of hair and saliva to examine shifts in hormones like cortisol that rise when people are tense.&nbsp;</p>



<p>They tracked immune markers to spot any telltale signs of the body struggling under strange conditions. </p>



<p>Instead of assuming that what works in normal offices or busy labs would hold true in a sealed compartment, the project gathered raw data from individuals who lived it for real.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lessons-from-submarine-crews-for-space-travel">Lessons from submarine crews for space travel</h2>



<p>Astronauts in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/civilian-spacewalk-is-a-giant-leap-in-space-exploration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space</a> handle issues like microgravity, tricky sanitation, and complicated experiments. </p>



<p>Submariners deal with water pressure, humidity, and the hum of machinery. Both groups work in shifting conditions that test their ability to think clearly and solve problems.<br><br><a href="https://www.marinha.pt/en/a-marinha/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Portuguese Navy</a> has significant experience in maritime operations, and by coordinating with organizations like the <a href="https://ptspace.pt/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Portuguese Space Agency</a>, experts are looking at ways to translate know-how earned beneath the waves to activities beyond Earth’s atmosphere.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-subsea-experience">SubSea experience</h2>



<p>“SubSea is an essential initiative to understand human resilience in extreme <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-swot-satellite-mission-maps-earths-ocean-floors-from-space-in-stunning-detail/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environments</a>,” said <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Astronauts/Andreas_Mogensen" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Andreas Mogensen</a>, who previously became the first Danish citizen in space in 2015 and recently served as pilot on the Crew Dragon spacecraft Endurance launched on August 26, 2023.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Research into life and work in confined environments, whether under the sea, in space or in remote locations on Earth provide invaluable insights into how humans adapt physically and mentally to isolation and stress,” Morgensen added.&nbsp;</p>



<p>During his <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Huginn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Huginn mission</a> (named after one of Odin’s ravens), Andreas sat as pilot beside NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli, became ISS commander for more than five months, and returned to Earth on March 12, 2024 after 199 days in orbit.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-submarine-crews-insights-for-space-explorers">Submarine crews insights for space explorers</h2>



<p>“These efforts deepen our understanding of extreme environments and play a crucial role in preparing the global space community for the challenges of future missions to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/its-official-earth-now-has-two-moons-captured-asteroid-2024-pt5/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moon</a>, Mars, and beyond,” said <a href="https://www.esa.int/About_Us/Corporate_news/Daniel_Neuenschwander_Director_of_Human_and_Robotic_Exploration">Daniel Neuenschwander</a>, ESA’s Director of Human and Robotic Exploration.<br><br>Drawing connections between submarine crews and off-world explorers may sound unusual, but the logic is straightforward: stress is stress, confinement is confinement, and humans are still human regardless of their surroundings.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-portugal-s-path-to-analog-mastery">Portugal’s path to analog mastery</h2>



<p>Portugal’s commitment to building its space sector, detailed in its national strategies, reflects a vision that extends from submarine operations on the ocean floor to distant planets.</p>



<p>The Portuguese Space Agency has been working with <a href="https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Exploration/ESA_and_NASA_to_team_up_on_lunar_science" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">multiple partners</a> to strengthen the nation’s role in the global space scene, not just through satellites and launch services, but also by investing in <a href="https://ptspace.pt/portuguese-space-analogue-sites-and-facilities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">analog sites</a> across the Azores and Madeira.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Real places, like volcanic and coastal areas that resemble lunar or Martian terrain, are already identified for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spaceship-thruster-technology-fueled-by-any-type-of-metal-could-fly-indefinitely/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exploration research</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-submarine-lessons-beyond-space">Submarine lessons beyond space</h2>



<p>There is more at stake than guiding future astronauts who may travel millions of miles from home. Knowledge gained here might find its way back into our everyday lives.<br><br>If certain routines or schedules keep spirits up in a submarine, perhaps those same methods can help teams thrive in remote military outposts or medical facilities serving isolated communities.<br><br>Understanding how to manage stress and remain healthy has no single application. The same lessons may improve the conditions for researchers in polar stations or workers in locked-down regions who must make do with limited interaction and resources.</p>



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



<p>Portugal’s broader <a href="https://ptspace.pt/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/PortugalSpace2030_EN_web.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plans</a>, as seen in the <a href="https://ptspace.pt/space-2030/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Portugal Space 2030 Strategy</a>, outline how growth in the space sector could generate jobs and spur innovations with direct ties to activities in the ocean.<br><br>Future projects may support local businesses, enhance international cooperation, and expand educational opportunities for new generations. As new technologies emerge, the bond between underwater studies and space exploration may deepen even further.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-confidence">Building confidence</h2>



<p>Each submarine mission or test site visit is another piece in a large puzzle. Even small details matter. Maybe it’s how meals are scheduled, how people share tasks, or how privacy is managed in cramped quarters.<br><br>Every bit of data helps shape training and protocols, ensuring that when the time comes for longer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-may-have-captured-the-moon-from-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space</a> journeys, crews carry the knowledge earned through real, sometimes uncomfortable, but always meaningful experiences in submarines and below the surface of our own planet.</p>



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



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Living in submarines can help astronauts prepare for future space missions

Human beings have tested their grit in every corner of...

<p>In space, the force of gravity is reduced to miniscule levels, known as microgravity. This absence of gravitational pull is known to influence muscles, bones, cognition and the immune system, but its specific effects on the brain have remained largely unexplored.</p>



<p>To investigate, scientists from Scripps Research collaborated with the New York Stem Cell Foundation to send brain cell organoids to the International Space Station (ISS).</p>



<p>These tiny, stem-cell-derived clumps offer a unique window into understanding the neurological effects of microgravity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-cells-in-space">Brain cells in space</h2>



<p>After a month, the organoids returned from the ISS in a healthy state, showcasing an unexpected resilience. Even more remarkable was that these cells matured faster than their Earth-bound counterparts.</p>



<p>Published in the journal <em>Stem Cells Translational Medicine</em>, the study revealed that the space cells were closer to becoming adult neurons and had begun showing specialization.</p>



<p>“The fact that these cells survived in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extraterrestrial-life-moons-planets-detected-single-grain-ice-floating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space</a> was a big surprise,” said co-senior author Dr. Jeanne Loring, professor emeritus at <a href="https://www.scripps.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scripps Research</a>.</p>



<p>“This lays the groundwork for future experiments in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/space-travel-weakens-astronauts-immune-system-similar-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space</a>, in which we can include other parts of the brain that are affected by neurodegenerative disease.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-organoids-and-their-earthly-counterparts">Organoids and their earthly counterparts</h2>



<p>On Earth, the researchers cultivated organoids from stem cells to mimic specific brain cells like cortical and dopaminergic neurons. </p>



<p>These types are significant as they are impacted by conditions like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. Some organoids also included microglia, immune cells that play a key role in brain inflammation.</p>



<p>To ensure the organoids could sustain themselves aboard the ISS, the team innovated a method using cryovials - small, airtight containers designed for freezing - in which to grow smaller-than-usual organoids.</p>



<p>This eliminated the need for constant maintenance in orbit, as the nutrient-rich medium within the cryovials remained stable for the duration of the experiment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-earth-to-orbit-and-back">From Earth to orbit and back</h2>



<p>Prepared at <a href="https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kennedy Space Center</a>, the organoids traveled to the ISS in a miniature incubator. After spending a month in microgravity, the brain-mimicking organoids returned to Earth intact and healthy. </p>



<p>The researchers then compared the RNA expression patterns - a measure of gene activity - between the space-exposed organoids and those that had remained on Earth.</p>



<p>The results were striking. The brain organoids grown in microgravity exhibited a gene expression pattern that indicated they were more mature than their Earth-grown counterparts.</p>



<p>“We discovered that in both types of organoids, the gene expression profile was characteristic of an older stage of development than the ones that were on ground,” explained Dr. Loring.</p>



<p>“In microgravity, they developed faster, but it’s really important to know these were not adult neurons, so this doesn’t tell us anything about aging.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-response-of-brain-cells-in-space">Response of brain cells in space</h2>



<p>Interestingly, the study also revealed reduced inflammation and lower expression of stress-related genes in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/low-gravity-conditions-in-space-cause-heart-damage/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space</a>-grown organoids. This finding contradicted initial hypotheses and raised new questions about the unique environment of microgravity.</p>



<p>Dr. Loring speculates that microgravity may more closely replicate the natural conditions experienced by brain cells.</p>



<p>“The characteristics of microgravity are probably also at work in people’s brains, because there’s no convection in microgravity - in other words, things don’t move,” noted Dr. Loring.</p>



<p>“I think that in space, these organoids are more like the brain because they’re not getting flushed with a whole bunch of culture medium or oxygen. They’re very independent; they form something like a brainlet, a microcosm of the brain.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-next-steps-in-space-based-research">Next steps in space-based research</h2>



<p>Building on this initial success, the team has since launched four additional missions to the ISS, replicating the conditions of the first and introducing new experiments. </p>



<p>“The next thing we plan to do is to study the part of the brain that’s most affected by Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dr. Loring.</p>



<p>“We also want to know whether there are differences in the way neurons connect with each other in space. With these kinds of studies, you can’t rely on earlier work to predict what the result would be because there is no earlier work. We’re on the ground floor, so to speak; in the sky, but on the ground floor.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-frontiers-in-neuroscience">New frontiers in neuroscience</h2>



<p>This remarkable research was supported by the National Stem Cell Foundation. </p>



<p>The paper, titled “Effects of microgravity on human iPSC-derived neural organoids on the International Space Station,” includes contributions from Scripps Research scientists and collaborators at the New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute, Space Tango, and the National Stem Cell Foundation.</p>



<p>The findings represent a significant step in understanding how microgravity impacts brain development and function. </p>



<p>As research progresses, these insights may lead to innovative treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and a deeper understanding of human biology in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/civilian-spacewalk-is-a-giant-leap-in-space-exploration/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space</a>.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://academic.oup.com/stcltm/article/13/12/1186/7833382" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stem Cells Translational Medicine</a></em>.</p>



<p>Image Credit: Jeanne Loring</p>



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Brain cells not only survive in space, they actually grow faster for unknown reasons

In space, the force of gravity is reduced to miniscule...

<p>An international team of researchers has recently detected a binary star system orbiting close to Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This marks the first time a stellar pair has been identified in the vicinity of a supermassive black hole.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The findings, based on data from the <a href="https://www.eso.org/public/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Southern Observatory</a>’s Very Large Telescope (ESO’s VLT), provide new insights into how stars survive in extreme gravitational environments and pave the way for future studies on planets near Sagittarius A*.</p>



<p>“Black holes are not as destructive as we thought,” said Florian Peißker, a researcher at the <a href="https://www.uni-koeln.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cologne</a>, Germany, and lead author of the study.</p>



<p>Binary stars, which consist of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exoplanet-found-in-the-habitable-zone-of-a-binary-star-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">two stars</a> orbiting each other, are common throughout the universe. However, none had ever been found so close to a supermassive black hole, where intense gravity typically destabilizes such systems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-binary-stars-the-basics">Understanding binary stars -- the basics</h2>



<p>A binary star is a system where two stars orbit around a common center of mass, acting like cosmic dance partners. </p>



<p>Instead of having just one star like our Sun, binary systems have two stars that are gravitationally linked, keeping each other in their paths. </p>



<p>These pairs can vary a lot -- in some cases, the stars are so close they even exchange material, leading to fascinating events like nova explosions. </p>



<p>Other binary stars are spaced far apart, each shining brightly on their own while still moving in harmony with their partner. It’s like having a stellar buddy system up there in space!</p>



<p>By studying these binary star pairs, scientists can accurately measure the masses of stars, which is tricky to do with single stars. Plus, binary systems can influence the formation of planets and other celestial bodies around them.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-young-binary-star-near-a-black-hole">Young binary star near a black hole</h2>



<p>This discovery reveals that some binary stars can briefly persist even under such harsh conditions. The newly identified binary star, named D9, is estimated to be just 2.7 million years old.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, its close proximity to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-black-holes-become-supermassive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supermassive black hole</a> means the immense gravitational forces will likely cause it to merge into a single star within one million years - a fleeting moment on cosmic timescales.</p>



<p>“This provides only a brief window on cosmic timescales to observe such a binary system - and we succeeded!” said study co-author Emma Bordier, a researcher at the University of Cologne and a former ESO student.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-black-holes-and-star-formation">Black holes and star formation </h2>



<p>For decades, scientists believed that the extreme gravitational environment near supermassive black holes prevented the formation of new stars. </p>



<p>However, the discovery of several young stars near Sagittarius A* in recent years has overturned that assumption. </p>



<p>The D9 binary system now adds another layer to this understanding, suggesting that even pairs of stars can form in such challenging conditions.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/binary-star-D9_milkyway_near-Sag-A-supermassive-black-hole_ESO_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/binary-star-D9_milkyway_near-Sag-A-supermassive-black-hole_ESO_1s.webp" alt="This image indicates the location of the newly discovered binary star D9, which is orbiting Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy. It is the first star pair ever found near a supermassive black hole. The cut-out shows the binary system as detected by the SINFONI spectrograph on ESO’s Very Large Telescope. Credit: ESO/F. Peißker et al., S. Guisard" class="wp-image-1954147"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>This image indicates the location of the newly discovered binary star D9, which is orbiting Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy. It is the first star pair ever found near a supermassive black hole. The cut-out shows  the binary system as detected by the SINFONI spectrograph on ESO’s Very Large Telescope. Credit: ESO/F. Peißker et al., S. Guisard</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>Study co-author Michal Zajaček is a researcher at <a href="https://www.muni.cz/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Masaryk University</a> and the University of Cologne.</p>



<p>“The D9 system shows clear signs of the presence of gas and dust around the stars, which suggests that it could be a very young stellar system that must have formed in the vicinity of the supermassive black hole,” explained Zajaček.</p>



<p>The binary was found within the S cluster -- a dense grouping of stars and objects orbiting near Sagittarius A*. </p>



<p>Among the most puzzling objects in this cluster are the G objects, which appear like clouds of gas and dust but behave more like stars.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-confirmation-of-the-binary-star">Confirmation of the binary star</h2>



<p>The team’s observations of the G objects led them to identify the binary nature of D9. Data from the VLT’s ERIS instrument, combined with archival data from the SINFONI instrument, showed recurring velocity variations in D9, indicating that it consists of two stars orbiting each other.</p>



<p>“I thought that my analysis was wrong, but the spectroscopic pattern covered about 15 years, and it was clear this detection is indeed the first binary observed in the S cluster," said Peißker.</p>



<p>This discovery has implications for the enigmatic G objects as well. The team hypothesizes that these could be either binary stars that have yet to merge or remnants of stars that have already merged.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-ahead-the-hunt-for-planets">Looking ahead: The hunt for planets</h2>



<p>Despite this breakthrough, many questions remain about the origins and characteristics of objects near <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stars-orbiting-sagittarius-a-appear-rejuvenated-after-stellar-collisions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sagittarius A*</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The GRAVITY+ upgrade to the VLT Interferometer and the METIS instrument on ESO’s Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), currently under construction in Chile, are expected to revolutionize studies of the Galactic center.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These tools will allow researchers to conduct even more detailed observations, uncovering additional binary systems and young stars.</p>



<p>“Our discovery lets us speculate about the presence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-planets-formed-in-the-harsh-early-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planets</a>, since these are often formed around young stars. It seems plausible that the detection of planets in the Galactic centre is just a matter of time,” Peißker concluded.</p>



<p>This discovery not only advances our understanding of binary stars but also opens up exciting possibilities for future discoveries in one of the most extreme environments in our galaxy.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-54748-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Communications</em></a>.&nbsp;</p>



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Binary star found near Milky Way's supermassive black hole surprises astronomers

An international team of researchers has recently detected a binary...

<p>Mirror life, a concept where life forms are built using mirror-image molecules, is no longer confined to the realms of science fiction.</p>



<p>Scientists are now raising alarms about the potential risks posed by these synthetic organisms, warning of threats to environmental and human safety.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-warning-about-mirror-life">Warning about mirror life</h2>



<p>In a study published in the journal <em>Science</em>, a collective team of 38 international researchers issued a stark warning about what they called "mirror life."</p>



<p>This term refers to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-oldest-organisms-ever-discovered-show-dazzling-diversity-and-complexity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">organisms</a> whose building blocks are mirror images of the molecules that are naturally found in life as we know it.</p>



<p>"Driven by curiosity and plausible applications, some researchers had begun work toward creating lifeforms composed entirely of mirror-image biological molecules," wrote the scholars.</p>



<p>"Such mirror organisms would constitute a radical departure from known life, and their creation warrants careful consideration."</p>



<p>It seems like a plot from a sci-fi thriller, but the capability to develop these mirror organisms could potentially be less than a decade away. </p>



<p>Currently, scientists have successfully synthesized mirror-image biological molecules and systems, and these could be employed in creating new medicines.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-is-mirror-life">What is mirror life?</h2>



<p>All known life on Earth is homochiral, meaning it uses molecules with specific handedness - <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-can-now-collect-human-dna-from-water-air-and-basically-everywhere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA</a> and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rna-world-unraveling-mysteries-life-origin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RNA</a> are built from "right-handed" nucleotides, while proteins consist of "left-handed" amino acids.</p>



<p>Mirror life would flip this pattern, creating organisms entirely composed of mirror-image molecules. </p>



<p>Although the concept might seem speculative, rapid advances in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolution-is-not-as-random-as-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">synthetic biology</a> suggest that creating mirror life is within reach. </p>



<p>However, these organisms would represent a fundamental departure from natural life, with significant implications for both science and safety.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-hazards-of-unnatural-life-forms">Hidden hazards of unnatural life forms</h2>



<p>This novel line of work does not come without its fair share of concerns. Scientists outline the potential risks posed by mirror bacteria that live in a world of natural organisms.</p>



<p>"Much like an invasive species with few natural predators, we are concerned that mirror <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-and-imprint-new-era-dna-transformation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bacteria</a> could rapidly proliferate, evolving and diversifying as they spread," noted the researchers.</p>



<p>"Persistent and potentially global presence of mirror bacteria in the environment could repeatedly expose human, animal, and plant populations to the risk of lethal infection."</p>



<p>The primary concern is that these unnatural life forms could bypass natural immune defenses in humans, animals, and plants. They would also evade mechanisms of natural digestion and degradation that involve chiral molecules, such as enzymes.</p>



<p>Once mirror bacteria infect a host, they could reproduce unchecked, leading potentially to devastating consequences.</p>



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



<p>Creating mirror life, even at the level of simple bacteria, would be a monumental feat of engineering. </p>



<p>Scientists would need to synthesize complex mirror-image biomolecules, such as DNA, RNA, and proteins, and assemble them into functioning cells. </p>



<p>Progress in related fields, like synthetic cell research, has brought these goals closer to reality. However, significant technical barriers remain, including the high cost and complexity of producing mirror biomolecules.</p>



<p>Despite these hurdles, researchers believe continued advances could make this technology feasible within the next decade.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-pause-not-a-prohibition">A pause, not a prohibition</h2>



<p>The researchers are advocating for a halt in the creation of these mirror organisms. The team is made up of experts across various fields, including synthetic biology, human, animal and plant physiology, biosecurity, and global health.</p>



<p>The group stated that research into building mirror life should be put on pause, "unless compelling evidence emerges that mirror life would not pose extraordinary dangers."</p>



<p>The experts believe that funding bodies should clarify that they won't back such initiatives, and efforts to create mirror life should be slowed down and made more challenging.</p>



<p>"Although we were initially skeptical that mirror bacteria could pose major risks, we have become deeply concerned," wrote the experts. </p>



<p>"We were uncertain about the consequences of mirror bacterial infection in humans and animals, but a close examination of existing studies led us to conclude that infections could be severe."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-safer-approach-to-mirror-molecules">A safer approach to mirror molecules</h2>



<p>While creating mirror life poses significant risks, mirror molecules themselves have promising applications. </p>



<p>These molecules could lead to the development of long-lasting drugs, biomaterials, and other medical innovations that are resistant to degradation.</p>



<p>They could also enable breakthroughs in research by providing tools to study biological processes with unmatched stability and precision. </p>



<p>Importantly, such applications can often be achieved without constructing full mirror organisms, thus avoiding many of the risks associated with mirror life.</p>



<p>Focusing on these controlled applications offers a pathway to harness the benefits of mirror molecules while minimizing potential dangers.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.ads9158">Science</a></em>.</p>



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<p></p>

Creating mirror life forms could pose 'extraordinary dangers'

Mirror life, a concept where life forms are built using...

<p>Black holes, among the most powerful forces in the universe, sometimes surprise us by taking it easy. </p>



<p>Consider the case of a giant black hole discovered in the early universe, found in a rare state of rest after a dramatic growth spurt. </p>



<p>Spotted quietly hibernating after consuming vast amounts of cosmic matter, it’s the celestial equivalent of a bear dozing off after feasting on salmon. </p>



<p>This unusual phenomenon sheds light on the mysterious life cycles of black holes, challenging our understanding of their behavior and growth in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fastest-feeding-black-hole-found-in-the-early-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early cosmos</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nap-time-for-an-overfed-black-hole">Nap time for an overfed black hole</h2>



<p>The giant black hole, found just 800 million years after the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/if-the-big-bang-theory-is-correct-what-exactly-happened/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Big Bang</a>, is an extraordinary discovery. </p>



<p>Its size is an astronomical 400 million times the mass of our Sun, or roughly 40% of the total mass of its host galaxy. This is a stark contrast to most black holes, which usually account for about 0.1% of their host galaxy's mass.</p>



<p>Interestingly enough, the gargantuan black hole isn't continually feasting to maintain its size. Instead, it's nibbling on its gas supply at a snail's pace - about 100 times slower than its theoretical maximum limit.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growth-spurts-followed-by-hibernation">Growth spurts followed by hibernation</h2>



<p>The existence of such a monstrous, yet lazy, black hole in the early universe has scientists scratching their heads. </p>



<p>Researchers from the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Cambridge</a> suggest that this black hole must experience ultra-fast growth spurts followed by long hibernations.</p>



<p>Contrary to their vibrant and active cousins, napping black holes are less luminous, hence more challenging to spot.</p>



<p>In fact, black holes are not directly visible. Their presence is confirmed by the glowing accretion disc, a swirling formation near the black hole's edges.</p>



<p>The gas in this disc becomes extremely hot and begins to radiate energy, making it possible to detect.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-slumbering-giant-challenges-existing-models">The slumbering giant challenges existing models</h2>



<p>Study lead author Ignas Juodžbalis is an  expert in Cambridge’s Kavli Institute for Cosmology.</p>



<p>“Even though this black hole is dormant, its enormous size made it possible for us to detect. Its dormant state allowed us to learn about the mass of the host galaxy as well. The early universe managed to produce some absolute monsters, even in relatively small galaxies," noted Juodžbalis.</p>



<p>Traditional models suggest that black holes form from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/binary-systems-with-living-and-dead-stars-reveal-stellar-secrets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dead star</a> remnants and accumulate matter up to a limit known as the Eddington limit. </p>



<p>However,  the sheer size of this particular black hole suggests that standard models may not adequately explain how these cosmic monsters form and grow.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hyperactive-black-hole-needs-a-nap">Hyperactive black hole needs a nap</h2>



<p>The researchers speculate that black holes might either be born big, or they go through periods of hyperactivity, followed by long periods of dormancy. </p>



<p>To support this theory, the team conducted a range of computer simulations. The results suggested that black holes likely eat for five to ten million years and "nap" for about 100 million years.</p>



<p>“It sounds counterintuitive to explain a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/awakening-of-a-black-hole-witnessed-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dormant black hole</a> with periods of hyperactivity, but these short bursts allow it to grow quickly while spending most of its time napping," said study co-author Roberto Maiolino.</p>



<p>Given the longer periods of dormancy, astronomers are more likely to spot black holes during these inactive phases. </p>



<p>“This was the first result I had as part of my PhD, and it took me a little while to appreciate just how remarkable it was. It wasn’t until I started speaking with my colleagues on the theoretical side of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-has-astronomy-research-been-impacted-by-covid-19/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">astronomy</a> that I was able to see the true significance of this black hole," said Juodžbalis.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dormant-black-holes-in-the-early-universe">Dormant black holes in the early universe </h2>



<p>Detecting dormant black holes is a challenging task due to their low luminosity. However, this recently detected black hole hints at a potentially larger population of dormant black holes in the early universe.</p>



<p>“It’s likely that the vast majority of black holes out there are in this dormant state - I’m surprised we found this one, but I’m excited to think that there are so many more we could find,” concluded Maiolino.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08210-5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a></em>.</p>



<p>Image Credit: Jiarong Gu</p>



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Massive black hole is seen taking a 'nap' after eating too much

Black holes, among the most powerful forces in the universe,...

<p>Evolution is a fascinating concept that explains how life changes over generations. </p>



<p>Imagine looking at photographs of your great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents, side by side. You’d notice resemblances, but also distinct differences in features.</p>



<p>This is evolution in its simplest form: descent with modification. Over countless generations, these modifications accumulate, resulting in the incredible diversity of life we see today.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-misconceptions-on-evolution-of-life">Misconceptions on evolution of life</h2>



<p>For a long time, people believed evolution was a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-mars-became-uninhabitable-after-being-life-supporting-ocean-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">process</a> that always moved forward, improving life and making organisms more advanced or perfect over time. </p>



<p>This idea gave rise to the theory of&nbsp;orthogenesis, which suggested that evolution followed a straight, predictable path toward more sophisticated or optimized forms.</p>



<p>However, traditional depictions of evolution, like Rudolph Zallinger’s famous <em>"</em>The Road to <em>Homo Sapiens</em>," suggest a stepwise journey toward increasingly complex forms.</p>



<p>Even though orthogenesis is no longer accepted scientifically, the idea still lingers. Many people unconsciously think of evolution as a progression, which oversimplifies its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-life-and-environment-co-evolved-over-500-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complexity and adaptability</a>.</p>



<p>But evolution lacks a predetermined endpoint. “Organisms evolve by natural selection acting at a specific geologic moment, or simply by drift, without strong selection in any direction,” explained Jacob Suissa, an assistant professor of Plant Evolutionary Biology at the <a href="https://www.utk.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Tennessee</a>.</p>



<p>This means evolution is more akin to a tangled web than a one-way street.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-irreversible-evolution-of-life">Irreversible evolution of life</h2>



<p>In 1893, Belgian paleontologist Louis Dollo introduced the idea that once an organism evolves a specific set of traits, it cannot reverse to its earlier form.</p>



<p>This concept, known as Dollo's Law of Irreversibility, suggests that evolution is a one-way process. For instance, if a species evolves a complex adaptation, it is unlikely to shed that adaptation and return to its simpler, ancestral state.</p>



<p>While this idea has faced criticism, it continues to shape our understanding of evolutionary specialization. </p>



<p>Many biologists believe that once organisms develop highly complex traits, such as seeds in plants or wings in birds, reversing to a simpler, ancestral state becomes nearly impossible due to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-evolution-not-random-gene-families-pangenome-influence-called-revolutionary/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">layers of complexity</a> involved.</p>



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



<p>A clear example can be seen in the evolution of plant reproduction. Early vascular plants like <em>Cooksonia</em> had simple, stem-like structures called telomes, which performed dual functions - photosynthesis (making food) and reproduction (releasing spores).</p>



<p>Over millions of years, plants evolved specialized structures that separated these functions. They developed seeds, cones, and flowers to enhance reproduction efficiency. These advanced adaptations appear irreversible, as plants with such traits have not reverted to using simpler structures like telomes.</p>



<p>In essence, Dollo’s Law highlights the difficulty of "undoing" complexity in evolution, which is why such reversals are rare and surprising when they occur.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ferns-challenge-the-narrative">Ferns challenge the narrative</h2>



<p>Unlike most plants, ferns defy the idea of irreversible evolution of life. They exhibit two main reproductive strategies:</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Monomorphism</strong>&nbsp;– Using the same leaf type for photosynthesis and spore production.</li>



<li><strong>Dimorphism</strong>&nbsp;– Having separate leaf types for these functions.</li>
</ol>



<p>In their study, Suissa and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/makaleh-smith-717638215/">Makaleh Smith</a>, a former undergraduate research intern at <a href="https://www.harvard.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard University</a> discovered that some ferns - particularly in the <em>Blechnaceae</em> family - had reverted from dimorphism to monomorphism.</p>



<p>This finding challenges the traditional view that reproductive specialization is a one-way <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evolution-is-not-as-random-as-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary path</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-makes-ferns-so-flexible">What makes ferns so flexible? </h2>



<p>The key to flexibility in ferns lies in their lack of seeds, flowers, and fruits. While seed plants rely on highly specialized reproductive structures, ferns retain the ability to modify their spore-producing strategies.</p>



<p>“Imagine taking a fertile fern leaf, shrinking it down and wrapping it up tightly into a tiny pellet. That’s basically what an unfertilized seed is,” explained Suissa.</p>



<p>Without the constraints of seeds, ferns can adapt their reproductive methods more freely, demonstrating a remarkable evolutionary plasticity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-the-evolution-of-life">Implications for the evolution of life</h2>



<p>Understanding the flexibility of ferns provides valuable insights into how organisms respond to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mammals-evolved-similar-inner-ears-despite-different-ancestry/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental changes</a>. </p>



<p>Species with rigid, "one-way" evolutionary paths may struggle to adapt to new pressures. In contrast, the ability of ferns to "evolve backward" highlights the importance of retaining adaptability in a rapidly changing world.</p>



<p>“Ultimately, our study underscores a fundamental lesson in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/primate-evolution-completing-the-timetree-of-life-for-all-of-our-closest-relatives/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary biology</a>: there is no "correct" direction in evolution, no march toward an end goal,” concluded Suissa.</p>



<p>Evolution is a dynamic, non-linear process that is continually shaped by the environment and chance.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-branching-tree-not-a-ladder">A branching tree, not a ladder</h2>



<p>The study implies that the evolution of different life forms doesn’t work like climbing a ladder where each step is better or higher than the last. Instead, it’s like a tree with many branches, each representing a species or group adapting differently to its environment.</p>



<p>These adaptations lead to a wide variety of forms and functions, demonstrating that there is no single path or endpoint in evolution. </p>



<p>Some traits evolve to suit specific conditions, while others may develop in entirely different directions in response to diverse challenges.</p>



<p>By understanding this complexity, we gain a deeper appreciation for the vast <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-evolution-was-shaped-by-environmental-crises-land-and-sea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diversity of life</a> on Earth. The research encourages us to move away from oversimplified ideas of evolutionary history and embrace the intricate, non-linear processes that shape life over time.</p>



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Ferns evolving backward: A new look at the evolution of life

Evolution is a fascinating concept that explains how life changes...

<p>The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the world in many ways, from how we interact socially to how we approach public health. Among these changes, the pandemic’s lockdowns had a profound impact on human immune systems, according to a recent study from Radboud University Medical Center.</p>



<p>The research sheds light on how the pandemic’s restrictions influenced immune responses to microorganisms.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-immune-responses-during-lockdown">Immune responses during lockdown</h2>



<p>The study examined inflammation levels and immune reactions in both healthy individuals and people living with HIV during and after the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-lockdowns-caused-premature-aging-of-adolescent-brains/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lockdown period</a>. </p>



<p>The researchers found that while inflammation biomarkers in the blood were low during lockdown, immune cells reacted more intensely to viruses and bacteria afterward.</p>



<p>This stronger immune response persisted in both groups, highlighting the profound effects of lockdown measures on the body’s immune system.</p>



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



<p>Professor Mihai Netea, a leading researcher in this study, attributes these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/covid-19-lockdown-linked-to-dramatic-changes-on-the-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">changes</a> to the hygiene hypothesis. </p>



<p>This hypothesis suggests that regular exposure to microorganisms is essential for training the immune system. Without this constant interaction, the immune system may overreact when re-exposed to pathogens.</p>



<p>“In our daily lives, we are constantly exposed to various micro-organisms. This helps train our immune system, teaching it to recognize which microorganisms are dangerous and which are harmless,“ Netea explained.</p>



<p>“During the lockdown, we missed that interaction because everyone stayed home and avoided each other. As a result, during and immediately after the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/did-the-pandemic-change-our-transportation-habits/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lockdown periods</a>, immune cells exposed to micro-organisms displayed a less well-regulated response, predisposing to hyperinflammation.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-immune-responses-before-vs-after-lockdown">Immune responses before vs after lockdown</h2>



<p>This research stemmed from a large-scale study on individuals with HIV, conducted by Radboudumc and three other HIV treatment centers in the Netherlands. </p>



<p>Recruitment spanned from October 2019 to October 2021, encompassing the pandemic’s onset and subsequent phases. A total of 1,895 participants with HIV were categorized into four distinct groups:</p>



<ol start="1" class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Pre-pandemic cohort:</strong>&nbsp;368 individuals enrolled before the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/we-can-prevent-future-pandemics-by-protecting-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pandemic</a>.</li>



<li><strong>Post-lockdown, pre-vaccine/infection cohort:</strong>&nbsp;851 individuals.</li>



<li><strong>COVID-19 infected cohort:</strong>&nbsp;175 individuals.</li>



<li><strong>Vaccinated cohort:</strong>&nbsp;404 individuals.</li>
</ol>



<p>The researchers measured inflammation levels in participants’ blood and examined the responses of isolated immune cells to viruses and bacteria. To validate these findings, they conducted similar tests on 30 healthy individuals during and after the lockdown.</p>



<p>“The results of this study primarily reflect people living with HIV, but we also examined a healthy control group. We saw similar results in this group, suggesting the effects may apply to the wider population. However, more research is needed for this group,” noted Professor Andre van der Ven.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lockdowns-vs-vaccines">Lockdowns vs. vaccines</h2>



<p>While vaccines and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-makes-a-virus-capable-of-causing-a-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COVID-19 infections</a> did influence immune responses, these effects were relatively minor compared to the impact of lockdowns. </p>



<p>The prolonged reduction in social interactions significantly altered immune behavior - a phenomenon that was observed regardless of HIV status.</p>



<p>“Lockdowns were necessary during the pandemic, especially at the beginning. However, it is important that we gain more insight into how social interactions affect and activate our immune system, so we can better manage the consequences," said Professor Netea.</p>



<p>"This way, we can apply such drastic social measures effectively and safely in a future pandemic." </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-and-future-directions">Implications and future directions</h2>



<p>The findings highlight the delicate balance required when implementing public health measures. While lockdowns are crucial during pandemics to curb the spread of disease, they may have unintended consequences on immune system functioning.</p>



<p>The hygiene hypothesis offers a potential explanation, suggesting that a lack of exposure to everyday microorganisms can lead to an overactive immune response when such exposure resumes.</p>



<p>Future research is needed to further explore the long-term implications of reduced microbial exposure and its link to inflammatory diseases. </p>



<p>Additionally, exploring how vaccines and other preventive measures can mitigate these effects will be crucial for planning responses to future pandemics.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lockdowns-impacted-immunity">Lockdowns impacted immunity</h2>



<p>The study conducted by <a href="https://www.radboudumc.nl/patientenzorg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Radboud University Medical Center</a> highlights an important but underappreciated effect of pandemic lockdowns: their significant influence on how our immune system functions.</p>



<p>Lockdowns reduced everyday exposure to microorganisms, which is essential for maintaining a well-balanced and properly trained immune system. This lack of exposure may have caused immune cells to overreact when reintroduced to viruses and bacteria after the lockdowns.</p>



<p>As the global community moves forward, it becomes crucial to understand how reduced social interactions and environmental exposure can affect immune health. This knowledge is key to improving strategies for managing public health crises in the future. </p>



<p>By applying these insights, governments and health organizations can develop more balanced interventions that effectively control disease spread while minimizing unintended long-term impacts on immunity.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1459593/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers of Immunology</a></em>.</p>



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COVID-19 lockdowns weakened our immune systems

The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the world in many ways, from...

<p>Sit back, raise a glass and maybe... just maybe, you're also raising your resistance against cardiovascular complications. At least that's what a new study on wine consumption suggests.</p>



<p>The study was focused on tartaric acid, a biomarker for wine intake, derived from grapes. </p>



<p>The researchers evaluated 1,232 participants in the PREDIMED project, a prominent investigation into the Mediterranean diet’s effects on cardiovascular health.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drinking-in-excess-is-always-harmful">Drinking in excess is always harmful</h2>



<p>The researchers highlight the nuanced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alcohol-has-a-hidden-impact-on-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">effects of alcohol consumption</a>. </p>



<p>“There is no doubt that excessive alcohol consumption has serious health consequences. However, the effects of moderate and responsible wine consumption are still the subject of debate in the scientific community,” noted the study authors. </p>



<p>”The results of this study and others should help to place moderate wine consumption in its rightful place as an element of the Mediterranean diet, considered to be the healthiest in the world.”</p>



<p>The research was led by teams from the University of Barcelona (<a href="https://web.ub.edu/en/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UB</a>), the Hospital Clínic, the August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), the Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition Networking Biomedical Research Centre (CIBEROBN), and the University of Navarra (<a href="https://en.unav.edu/inicio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNAV</a>).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-controversy-surrounding-alcohol-and-wine">Controversy surrounding alcohol and wine</h2>



<p>Debates continue about the health impacts of moderate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spike-in-alcohol-use-during-the-pandemic-continues-today/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alcohol consumption</a>, especially wine. </p>



<p>“Part of this debate is due to conflicting results of studies that have pointed to a protective effect of wine, while others have found no such effect,” explained Professor Ramon Estruch.</p>



<p>He explained that past studies on wine's health effects often relied on participants self-reporting their wine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alcohol-related-deaths-have-doubled-over-the-past-two-decades/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">consumption</a>. </p>



<p>This method has limitations because people may forget details or report inaccurately due to societal pressures, like wanting to appear healthier or more socially acceptable.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-wine-on-cardiovascular-health">Impact of wine on cardiovascular health</h2>



<p>To address these inaccuracies, the researchers used a two-step approach. First, they collected data through detailed food intake frequency surveys, asking participants about their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-alcohol-in-moderation-does-not-prolong-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wine consumption habits</a>.</p>



<p>They validated these responses by measuring tartaric acid levels in urine samples. Tartaric acid is a compound primarily found in grapes and not commonly produced by other plants. This makes it a precise biomarker for confirming wine consumption, ensuring more reliable data.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cardiovascular-benefits-of-wine">Cardiovascular benefits of wine</h2>



<p>Using this robust methodology, the study examined wine consumption and cardiovascular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drunk-animals-may-explain-humans-love-of-alcohol/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">outcomes</a> among PREDIMED participants. </p>



<p>Of the 1,232 individuals analyzed, 685 experienced cardiovascular events, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, or heart failure. The remaining 625 participants were randomly selected for comparison.</p>



<p>The data revealed significant findings:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Light wine consumption (one glass per week to less than half a glass daily) reduced cardiovascular risk by 38%.</li>



<li>Moderate wine consumption (half a glass to one glass daily) further reduced the risk to 50%.</li>



<li>Consuming more than one glass daily eliminated the protective effects.</li>
</ul>



<p>"When we talk about moderate wine consumption, it is always with meals, never between meals," noted the researchers.</p>



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



<p>Despite these promising results, the experts acknowledged some limitations of the study.  "The observational design of the study limits the ability to establish causality,” said lead author Inés Domínguez. </p>



<p>More <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/even-moderate-drinking-severely-harms-health-despite-past-studies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">research</a> is essential to confirm these findings, and the team has proposed two potential avenues. </p>



<p>First, participants could be randomly assigned to different wine consumption groups to assess impacts. “These studies are very expensive to conduct. One is underway now, but results will take four to five years,” noted the researchers.</p>



<p>In addition, experts could investigate how wine’s protective effects work, focusing on its polyphenols, like resveratrol. These compounds have anti-inflammatory properties that may benefit cardiovascular health. </p>



<p>“Knowing the mechanisms gives a lot of plausibility to the results of epidemiological cohort studies,” explained the researchers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-drinking-wine-for-cardiovascular-health">Drinking wine for cardiovascular health</h2>



<p>In summary, the study highlights that moderate wine consumption, particularly within the context of a Mediterranean diet, may offer cardiovascular benefits. </p>



<p>However, the findings are observational, meaning they show a correlation but not a direct cause-and-effect relationship. To establish causality, further research, including controlled clinical trials, is necessary. </p>



<p>Scientists also aim to explore how wine might exert its protective effects, such as through compounds like polyphenols, which may reduce inflammation.</p>



<p>Until more definitive evidence emerges, the key takeaway is moderation. Drinking wine in small amounts and as part of a balanced diet appears to complement a heart-healthy lifestyle. Overconsumption, however, eliminates these potential benefits and may pose health risks.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/advance-article/doi/10.1093/eurheartj/ehae804/7920812" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Heart Journal</a>.</em></p>



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Moderate wine consumption reduces cardiovascular risks

Sit back, raise a glass and maybe... just maybe, you're...

<p>Fitness trackers and smartwatches have become essential gadgets for many, but new research raises serious concerns about their safety. </p>



<p>A recent study from the University of Notre Dame reveals that the bands of these popular wearable devices may expose users to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as "forever chemicals."</p>



<p>These substances are linked to various health risks and persist in the environment for decades.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forever-chemicals-in-fitness-bands">Forever chemicals in fitness bands</h2>



<p>The study tested 22 smartwatch and fitness tracker bands purchased in the U.S. across various brands and price ranges. </p>



<p>Researchers found that nine of the bands contained elevated levels of perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), a specific type of PFAS. Interestingly, bands priced above $15 were more likely to have higher PFHxA levels.</p>



<p>Graham Peaslee is a co-author of the study and professor emeritus in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.</p>



<p>“The most remarkable thing we found in this study was the very <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forever-chemicals-found-in-tap-and-bottled-water-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">high concentrations</a> of just one PFAS — there were some samples above 1,000 parts per billion of PFHxA, which is much higher than most PFAS we have seen in consumer products,” said Professor Peaslee.</p>



<p>This marks the first investigation into forever chemical contamination in wearable consumer products.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-do-fitness-bands-contain-chemicals">Why do fitness bands contain chemicals?</h2>



<p>PFAS are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-can-now-trace-forever-chemicals-back-to-their-sources/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chemicals</a> commonly used in manufacturing because they make materials resistant to water, heat, and stains. In the case of smartwatch and fitness tracker bands, many are made from fluoroelastomers - a type of synthetic rubber.</p>



<p>This material is specifically designed to withstand sweat, skin oils, and lotions - making it ideal for wearable products. However, the use of PFAS comes with significant downsides.</p>



<p>These chemicals have an extremely stable and nearly indestructible structure, which prevents them from breaking down naturally. As a result, they remain in the environment for decades, contaminating soil and water. </p>



<p>Additionally, PFAS can accumulate in living organisms, leading to potential health risks over time. This durability, while beneficial for products, poses serious challenges for both human health and environmental safety.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-identifying-chemicals-in-different-fitness-bands">Identifying chemicals in different fitness bands</h2>



<p>In Professor Peaslee’s lab, the researchers analyzed the bands using particle-induced gamma-ray emission ion beam analysis and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.</p>



<p>These methods helped determine the total fluorine content, a key indicator of PFAS presence, and identify specific <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-filtration-system-removes-forever-chemicals-from-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PFAS</a> types.</p>



<p>The study categorized bands into three price groups: inexpensive (less than $15), midrange ($15–$30), and expensive (more than $30). The findings were striking:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Expensive bands</strong>: All three contained significantly elevated fluorine levels.</li>



<li><strong>Midrange bands</strong>: Twelve of the 14 tested had high fluorine concentrations.</li>



<li><strong>Inexpensive bands</strong>: All five had negligible fluorine, with levels under 1%.</li>
</ul>



<p>“Fifteen of the 22 bands we tested had a high percentage of total fluorine concentrations, and nine contained PFHxA,” said Alyssa Wicks, the study’s lead author. “The others used some other unidentified surfactant that wasn’t in our targeted analysis.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-concerns-linked-to-pfas">Health concerns linked to PFAS</h2>



<p>PFAS exposure has been associated with numerous health issues, including:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Hormonal imbalances and immunosuppression</li>



<li>Developmental delays in children</li>



<li>High blood pressure during pregnancy</li>



<li>Low birth weight and accelerated puberty</li>



<li>Increased cancer risk, particularly for kidney and testicular cancers</li>
</ul>



<p>The study also highlights gaps in our understanding of how PFAS migrate from products into the human body. The chemicals can <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/forever-chemicals-are-easily-absorbed-through-skin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">transfer through skin contact</a>, dust, or air, making wearables a significant exposure source.</p>



<p>“Few studies so far have been published regarding the dermal absorption of PFAS,” noted Wicks. “More studies are needed to better understand how PFAS travel through the skin.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fitness-bands-increase-chemical-exposure">Fitness bands increase chemical exposure</h2>



<p>According to a 2019 Pew Research study, approximately 1 in 5 Americans wear smartwatch bands or fitness trackers daily. With this in mind, the potential exposure to forever chemicals warrants further investigation.</p>



<p>On average, wearers use these devices for 11 hours per day, increasing prolonged contact with the skin.</p>



<p>“The results suggest that a more comprehensive study is needed to test the levels of PFAS band wearers are exposed to,” said Professor Peaslee.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-research-is-needed">Further research is needed</h2>



<p>The study serves as a wake-up call for manufacturers and regulators to reassess the materials used in consumer products. </p>



<p>While fluoroelastomers enhance durability, they may introduce unintended health risks. More studies are needed to explore the extent of PFAS exposure from wearables and to find safer alternatives.</p>



<p>Heather Whitehead, a <a href="https://www.nd.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Notre Dame</a> graduate and co-author of the study, noted that the findings highlight the importance of addressing PFAS contamination in everyday products.</p>



<p>Consumers should remain informed about the chemicals in their fitness trackers and smartwatch bands. As research progresses, it’s crucial to balance functionality with safety. </p>



<p>The study highlights the need for greater awareness and stricter regulations to minimize exposure to harmful substances like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dangerous-pfas-forever-chemicals-found-in-the-amazon-rainforest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PFAS</a>.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.4c00907" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Science &amp; Technology Letters</a>.</em></p>



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Forever chemicals found in fitness trackers and smartwatch bands

Fitness trackers and smartwatches have become essential gadgets for many,...

<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>



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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>



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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>



<p>—–</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>



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<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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Retired professor claims he solved time travel

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

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prrq8Ql81zk
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Acid rain and a crisis solved.</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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

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