<p>Inside our bodies, countless decisions play out silently at the cellular level. Some cells divide, some die, and others are forced out when they no longer serve their purpose. </p>



<p>A study from <a href="https://www.kcl.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">King’s College London</a> and the <a href="https://www.crick.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Francis Crick Institute</a> reveals that epithelial cells use electricity to spot weak neighbors and remove them. This breakthrough offers fresh insight into how diseases like cancer and stroke arise when energy balance within cells is disturbed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cells-renew-constantly">Cells renew constantly</h2>



<p>Epithelial <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hemifusome-newly-discovered-organelle-inside-human-cells-with-immense-potential/">cells</a> form the barrier that lines organs, renewing rapidly to stay protective. Their balance depends on extrusion, the process of ejecting damaged or excess cells. This keeps tissues tightly packed and efficient. </p>



<p>If extrusion falters, cell numbers become chaotic, creating openings for disease. Without this constant regulation, unhealthy cells may linger, disrupt organ integrity, and interfere with critical signaling pathways. </p>



<p>Over time, these disturbances can weaken the protective barrier, encourage unchecked growth, and increase vulnerability to conditions such as cancer, chronic inflammation, or infections that compromise overall tissue health and resilience.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-electricity-targets-weak-cells">Electricity targets weak cells</h2>



<p>Earlier work showed that overcrowding forces some <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-did-the-first-cells-life-form-on-earth-scientists-think-they-finally-figured-it-out/">cells</a> to be squeezed out mechanically. The latest discovery goes further. It shows that extrusion is not random but targets energy-poor cells. Crowding pushes sodium into cells through specialized ion channels, altering their electrical signals. </p>



<p>Healthy cells restore balance, but weak ones cannot, triggering shrinkage and eventual extrusion. This reveals a precise surveillance system where tissues actively monitor cellular energy, ensuring only the strongest cells remain. </p>



<p>Such control preserves organ stability, while defects in this mechanism may promote disease progression and unchecked cellular growth.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cells-sense-crowding-with-electricity">Cells sense crowding with electricity</h2>



<p>The researchers noticed a striking prelude to extrusion: cells briefly shrank before being expelled. This stage, termed homeostatic early shrinkage, reflects water leaving the cell. </p>



<p>Roughly 70 percent of extruding cells undergo this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cells-vomit-waste-to-speed-up-healing-in-our-body/">shrinkage</a>. It is not caused by contractile forces but by ion channels regulating water movement. Key players include the potassium channels Kv1.1 and Kv1.2, and the chloride channel SWELL1.</p>



<p>The study revealed that an epithelial sodium channel, ENaC, senses crowding. It acts as a tension detector, letting sodium rush in when cells press against one another.</p>



<p>If a cell has enough ATP, it pumps sodium back out and stabilizes. If not, depolarization occurs, potassium and chloride exit, water follows, and the cell shrinks, crossing the threshold that triggers extrusion.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-low-energy-as-a-trigger">Low energy as a trigger</h2>



<p>Time-lapse experiments revealed that cells destined for extrusion show falling ATP levels before they depolarize and shrink. When ATP levels were artificially lowered, extrusion increased. </p>



<p>This shows energy deficiency directly selects <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-space-changes-our-cells-insights-from-the-iss/">cells</a> for removal. In essence, epithelial tissue runs a built-in fitness test: cells unable to maintain their electrical balance are expelled.</p>



<p>"We see this sodium channel acting as a sensor, exposing cells with the least amount of energy and targeting those cells for death," noted study lead author Dr. Saranne Mitchell. </p>



<p>"This mechanism gives epithelia a constant surveillance system to rapidly detect weak cells and remove them. It's like an electrical quality-control check, keeping tissues robust and functional."</p>



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



<p>The study highlights how epithelial tissues are not passive layers but dynamic communities constantly testing their members. By identifying weaker cells early, they can preserve strength and protect organ function.</p>



<p>"By revealing that cells with low energy are targeted for extrusion, our work also adds a new layer into how metabolism can impact many diseases," said Professor Jody Rosenblatt.</p>



<p>"This new insight could suggest how overconsumption, through eating more and consuming more calories, might override this 'low energy trigger' for extrusion and prevent the elimination of defective cells, allowing them to accumulate into cancers." </p>



<p>"It might also reveal how energy deprivation following a stroke, caused by impacted blood supply, could lead to excess extrusion and organ damage."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cells-use-electricity-effectively">Cells use electricity effectively</h2>



<p>This model highlights energy sufficiency as a deciding factor in cell survival. Much like how mitochondria regulate apoptosis, epithelial extrusion uses energy balance as a checkpoint. </p>



<p>The findings also connect to conditions like cystic fibrosis and cancer, where ion channel malfunctions are common. By linking ion flow, energy, and crowding, this study reframes how tissues maintain integrity.</p>



<p>The discovery paints epithelia as more than static barriers. They are dynamic, electrically sensitive tissues constantly probing their members for weakness. </p>



<p>Cells that cannot meet the energy demands are removed for the greater good of the tissue. Even the faintest electrical flicker within these cellular communities can tip the balance between health and disease.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09514-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature</em></a>.</p>



<p>Image Credit: CC0 Public Domain</p>



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Body tissues use electricity to expel weak cells

Inside our bodies, countless decisions play out silently at the cellular level. Some cells divide, some die, and others are forced out when they no longer serve their purpose. A study from King’s College London and the Francis Crick Institute reveals that epithelial cells use electricity to spot weak neighbors and remove them. This breakthrough offers fresh insight into how diseases like cancer and stroke arise when energy balance within cells is disturbed. Cells renew constantly Epithelial cells form the barrier that lines organs, renewing rapidly to...

<p>In the world of sports, the word "concussion" lurks behind every aggressive tackle or unexpected fall. This is especially true in contact sports, such as football, where the risk of incurring a concussion is ever-present.</p>



<p>A recent study now reveals new dimensions in our understanding of concussions and their effects on the brain.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-closer-look-at-concussions">Closer look at concussions</h2>



<p>During recent years, we've seen a surge in reports flagging the potentially dangerous effects of contact sports on young, developing brains. The primary culprit? Concussions.</p>



<p>But what exactly are these elusive concussions? They are best described as a type of traumatic brain injury, which commonly manifests as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-brain-is-constantly-making-predictions-about-the-world-and-your-place-in-reality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive</a> disturbances such as difficulty with balance, memory, or concentration.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unseen-aspect-of-brain-signals">Unseen aspect of brain signals</h2>



<p>A lot of the existing research on concussions has centered around what is known as "periodic" brain signals.</p>



<p>These rhythmic signals play their part in various brain functions like attention, movement, or sensory processing. However, one aspect that hasn't been studied as deeply is the impact of concussions on non-rhythmic brain signals.</p>



<p>Study lead author Kevin C. Yu is a neuroscience student at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.</p>



<p>"Most previous neuroscience research has focused on rhythmic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-brain-literally-changes-based-on-daily-activities-and-lifestyle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain</a> signaling, which is also called periodic neurophysiology," said Yu. "On the other hand, aperiodic neurophysiology refers to brain signals that are not rhythmic.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-background-noise-in-brain-scans">Background noise in brain scans</h2>



<p>While often dismissed as "background noise" in brain scans, recent studies indicate that aperiodic activity might be crucial in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/where-does-creativity-start-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain</a> functionality.</p>



<p>"Despite being often overlooked, aperiodic activity is important because it reflects brain cortical excitability,” explained study senior author Dr. Christopher T. Whitlow, Meschan Distinguished Professor, and Enterprise Chair of Radiology at <a href="https://school.wakehealth.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wake Forest University School of Medicine</a>.</p>



<p>Essentially, cortical excitability is how the brain's nerve cells respond to stimulation. It's pretty important, as it is involved in cognitive functions such as learning, memory, information processing, decision making, motor control, wakefulness, and sleep.</p>



<p>So, how does a concussion affect this aspect of brain function?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-concussions-on-aperiodic-activity">Impact of concussions on aperiodic activity</h2>



<p>To investigate, the researchers collected pre- and post-season resting-state magnetoencephalography (MEG) data from 91 high school football players, 10 of whom had suffered concussions.</p>



<p>MEG is a technique that measures the magnetic fields generated by the brain's electrical currents.</p>



<p>The game-changer here? High school football players who had sustained concussions showed a slowing down of aperiodic activity. </p>



<p>What’s more, this slowed aperiodic activity was present in areas of the brain that contain chemicals linked with concussion symptoms such as impaired concentration and memory.</p>



<p>"This study is important because it provides insight into both the mechanisms and the clinical implications of concussion in the maturing adolescent brain,” said co-lead author Dr. Alex I. Wiesman, assistant professor at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia.</p>



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



<p>Understanding the differential impact of concussions on aperiodic activity not only advances our scientific knowledge but also has practical implications for youth sports. </p>



<p>The adolescent brain is particularly susceptible to the effects of traumatic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-brain-breaks-life-into-events-to-make-sense-of-the-chaos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain</a> injuries, which can have long-term consequences.</p>



<p>Schools and sports organizations must therefore consider implementing more comprehensive concussion management protocols. This includes not just baseline testing but also using technologies like MEG for ongoing monitoring to ensure the safety and well-being of young athletes. </p>



<p>The findings encourage a shift towards more refined, personalized approaches to managing concussions, that will focus on individual variations in brain activity patterns.</p>



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



<p>The new insights gained from this study pave the way for future research endeavors focused on further understanding the complexities of concussion-related brain changes. </p>



<p>Future studies could explore the longitudinal effects of concussions on aperiodic brain activity, potentially linking these changes to different cognitive outcomes. </p>



<p>Additionally, exploring interventions that might mitigate the effects of slowed aperiodic activity could offer new treatment avenues. </p>



<p>Researchers are also contemplating how these findings might translate to athletes in other age groups as well as to non-athletic populations. Data from these sources would broaden the scope of concussion research and potentially inform new healthcare practices.</p>



<p>As neuroscience progresses, such studies remain crucial in unlocking the intricacies of the human brain and improving overall neurological health.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protective-measures-and-new-treatments">Protective measures and new treatments</h2>



<p>The revelations from this study highlight the importance of protective measures in contact sports, and emphasize the need to allow adequate recovery time after a concussion, before returning to the field.</p>



<p>Furthermore, these findings could potentially alter how post-concussion symptoms are tracked and guide professionals to develop new treatments aimed at improving recovery.</p>



<p>“Our study opens the door to new ways of understanding and diagnosing concussions, using this novel type of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lizard-brain-shapes-social-abilities-in-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain</a> activity that is associated with concussion symptoms,” said Dr. Whitlow. “It highlights the importance of monitoring kids carefully after any head injury, and taking concussions seriously.”</p>



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Concussions alter brain signals that are crucial for memory and focus

In the world of sports, the word "concussion" lurks behind...

<p>A prescription medication that has been available in the U.S. since 1992, which many people recognize for treating hair loss and enlarged prostate, seems to have another significant health benefit.</p>



<p>Recent research suggests that a drug called finasteride could lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. That's a surprising twist for a drug that's been around for decades.</p>



<p>Curiosity led <a href="https://fshn.illinois.edu/directory/jaume6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Jaume Amengual</a>, an assistant professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the <a href="https://fshn.illinois.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Illinois</a>, to explore this unexpected connection. </p>



<p>After noticing something unusual in a national survey, he decided to dig deeper. </p>



<p>"When we looked at the men taking finasteride in the survey, their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-power-of-fish-oil-in-combating-high-cholesterol/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cholesterol levels</a> averaged 30 points lower than men not taking the drug. I thought we'd see the opposite pattern, so it was very interesting," Dr. Amengual enthused.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lowering-cholesterol-with-finasteride">Lowering cholesterol with finasteride?</h2>



<p>The initial clue came from the <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey</a> conducted between 2009 and 2016. </p>



<p>This survey collects health information from thousands of Americans. In this data, men using finasteride as a <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 loss treatment</a> had significantly lower cholesterol levels compared to those who weren't on the medication. </p>



<p>A 30-point difference is substantial and caught the researchers' attention. But observational studies have limitations. The sample size of men over 50 using finasteride was small. </p>



<p>"This was not a clinical study in which you can control everything perfectly," Amengual noted. "It was more of an observation that led us to say, 'Okay, now we've seen this in people. Let's see what happens in mice.'"</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-observation-to-experimentation">From observation to experimentation</h2>



<p>To get a clearer picture, the team turned to laboratory mice. Doctoral student <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-molina-ba3099197/?locale=es_ES" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Donald Molina Chaves</a> conducted experiments on mice predisposed to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fathers-diets-impact-the-heart-health-of-their-daughters/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atherosclerosis</a> -- a condition where arteries narrow due to plaque buildup. </p>



<p>The mice were fed different doses of finasteride along with a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet.</p>



<p>"Mice that were given a high dose of finasteride showed lower <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/certain-gut-bacteria-lower-cholesterol-and-the-risk-of-heart-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cholesterol levels</a> within the plasma as well as in the arteries," Molina Chaves said. "There were also fewer lipids and inflammatory markers in the liver." </p>



<p>These findings suggested that finasteride doesn't just lower cholesterol in the blood but might also <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lifestyle-choices-in-young-adulthood-impact-cognitive-ability-in-midlife/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reduce inflammation</a> and plaque formation in arteries.</p>



<p>While the highest dose had significant effects, it's not a dose humans would take. </p>



<p>"It's an incredibly high level of the drug. But we use mice as a model, and they are extremely resistant to things that would kill any of us," Amengual explained. "So it is not that wild when you think about it that way." </p>



<p>The results in mice provide a direction for future human studies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finasteride-testosterone-and-heart-disease">Finasteride, testosterone, and heart disease</h2>



<p>So why would a hair loss drug affect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-study-eating-eggs-is-not-bad-for-your-health-despite-years-of-warnings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cholesterol levels</a>? It comes down to hormones. </p>



<p>Finasteride works by blocking a protein that activates testosterone, specifically reducing levels of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/men-with-low-testosterone-have-a-higher-risk-of-mortality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dihydrotestosterone (DHT)</a>. DHT is linked to hair loss, prostate enlargement, and, as it turns out, possibly heart disease.</p>



<p>"I was reading about this medication one day, and I started to notice that there were not many long-term studies of the implications of the drug," Amengual said. </p>



<p>"Initially, it was just my own curiosity, based on the fact that hormone levels are known to have an effect on atherosclerosis, hair loss, and prostate issues. So, we decided to dig into it."</p>



<p>Testosterone and its derivatives can influence the development of atherosclerosis. By altering these hormone levels, finasteride might indirectly impact cholesterol metabolism and inflammation, leading to improved <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/social-expectations-of-men-are-bad-for-their-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart health</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-surprises-from-finasteride">More surprises from finasteride</h2>



<p>Interestingly, these findings might benefit more than just men dealing with hair loss or prostate issues. </p>



<p>Transgender individuals undergoing hormone therapy often face a higher risk of heart disease due to hormonal changes. </p>



<p>Finasteride is sometimes prescribed during gender transitions to manage hair loss triggered by hormone treatments.</p>



<p>"Over the past decade, doctors have started prescribing this drug for individuals transitioning either from male to female or female to male. In both cases, the hormonal changes can trigger hair loss," Amengual said. </p>



<p>"The interesting thing is that transgender people are also at a higher risk of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/depression-and-cardiovascular-diseases-are-genetically-linked/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular diseases</a>. So this drug could have a potential beneficial effect to prevent cardiovascular disease not only in cis men, but also in transgender individuals."</p>



<p>This opens up the possibility that finasteride could serve a dual purpose for transgender patients, helping with hair loss while also reducing heart disease risk.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-the-catch-understanding-finasteride-risks">What's the catch? Understanding finasteride risks</h2>



<p>Of course, no medication is without risks. Finasteride can cause side effects, and it's important to consider them. </p>



<p>Some users experience <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/men-exhibit-better-sexual-health-eating-a-plant-based-vegan-diet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sexual side effects</a> like decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, and reduced ejaculate volume. These effects happen because finasteride reduces DHT, which plays a role in sexual function.</p>



<p>There have also been reports of psychological effects such as depression, anxiety, and mood changes. While not everyone experiences these, they're important to monitor. </p>



<p>Physical side effects can include breast tenderness or enlargement, rashes, and swelling in the hands or feet. Rarely, finasteride can affect liver enzymes, so regular medical check-ups are recommended.</p>



<p>A small percentage of users report persistent side effects even after stopping the medication, a condition referred to as Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS). </p>



<p>Symptoms can include ongoing sexual dysfunction and psychological issues. Research is ongoing to understand and address these concerns.</p>



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



<p>These discoveries suggest that finasteride could have a role in heart health beyond its current uses. More research is needed, though. </p>



<p>Clinical trials involving people would help determine if the cholesterol-lowering effects seen in mice also occur in humans at practical doses.</p>



<p>"This was not a clinical study in which you can control everything perfectly," Amengual emphasized. "It was more of an observation that led us to say, 'Okay, now we've seen this in people. Let's see what happens in mice.'"</p>



<p>If future studies confirm these benefits, finasteride could become part of a strategy to prevent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-sweetener-erythritol-sugar-substitute-linked-to-blood-clots-heart-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart disease</a>, especially in populations at higher risk.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-hope-proceed-with-eyes-wide-open">A new hope? Proceed with eyes wide open</h2>



<p>Finasteride has been around for a while, helping many with hair loss and prostate issues. Now, it might have a new role to play in promoting heart health. </p>



<p>This could be significant not just for men but also for the transgender community and others at risk of cardiovascular disease.</p>



<p>As with any medical treatment, it's crucial to consult healthcare providers before making changes. Finasteride's potential benefits must be balanced with its risks. But this research opens up exciting possibilities.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the&nbsp;<em><a href="https://www.jlr.org/article/S0022-2275(24)00012-9/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Lipid Research</a></em>.</p>



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Old drug, new life: "Magic pill" regrows hair, heals prostate, boosts heart health

A prescription medication that has been available in the U.S....

<p>Our planet Earth has a mesmerizing history that spans across 4.6 billion years. For a majority of this immense timeframe, single-celled life reigned supreme. </p>



<p>But, about 500 million years ago, everything changed immensely. A dramatic occurrence took place known as the Cambrian “explosion."</p>



<p>During this period, an enormous diversity of life forms made an appearance and found a place for themselves in the fossil record. </p>



<p>Imprinted in these preserved fossils, we can find traces of diverse animal groups that eventually evolved into animal species we see around us today, including us humans.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-cambrian-explosion">Understanding the Cambrian Explosion</h2>



<p>The Cambrian Explosion was an incredibly important period in Earth's history about 541 million years ago when life on Earth suddenly got a major upgrade. </p>



<p>Before the Cambrian, most organisms were simple and microscopic, but then things really took off. </p>



<p>Suddenly, the oceans were teeming with a dazzling variety of creatures, including the first animals with hard shells and complex body structures. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cambrian-explosion_tonto-grand-canyon_tsunami-evidence_UNM_1s.webp" alt="UNM's Karl Karlstrom examines torn-up sediment that may record the record of a large hurricane or perhaps a tsunami affecting the shallow marine environment. Photo by Laurie Crossey." class="wp-image-1951528"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>UNM's Karl Karlstrom examines torn-up sediment that may record the record of a large hurricane or perhaps a tsunami affecting the shallow marine environment. Photo by Laurie Crossey.</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>It’s like nature hit the fast-forward button, and you see the first fish, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/500-million-year-old-trilobites-fossils-preserved-in-volcanic-ash/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trilobites</a>, and even some of the earliest ancestors of modern-day creatures making their debut.</p>



<p>Scientists are still trying to figure out exactly what triggered this burst of life, but they think it was a combination of factors like changes in the environment, the availability of oxygen, and maybe even genetic innovations that allowed organisms to develop new body plans. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-grand-canyon-reveals-earth-s-past">Grand Canyon reveals Earth's past</h2>



<p>Now, an intriguing paper published by a team of researchers from The University of New Mexico (<a href="https://www.unm.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UNM</a>) has added fresh insights into this fascinating event in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mountain-building-triggered-a-mass-extinction-event/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth's history</a>. </p>



<p>“The Tonto Group of Grand Canyon holds a treasure trove of sedimentary layers and fossils chronicling the Cambrian Explosion some 500 million years ago, when the first animals with hard shells rapidly proliferated and sea levels rose to envelop continents with emerging marine life,” said Carol Dehler, professor at <a href="https://www.usu.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Utah State University</a>.</p>



<p>Dehler served as the lead author for this paper, with UNM's adjunct professor and paleontologist, Fred Sundberg, serving as the co-lead author.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-model-of-the-cambrian-explosion">New model of the Cambrian explosion</h2>



<p>This research doesn't just bring <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cambrian-explosion-fossil-sponges/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary advances</a> to the table; it also has implications for geoscience education. </p>



<p>The study builds on Eddy McKee's classic model for marine transgression (the spread of seas across continents), which was developed 50 years ago based on these same rocks. </p>



<p>McKee's model, taught to geology students worldwide, suggests a gradual deepening and slow shifts in sedimentary environments.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cambrian-explosion_grand-canyon-fossils_new-discovery_credit-UNM_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/cambrian-explosion_grand-canyon-fossils_new-discovery_credit-UNM_1s.webp" alt="A 500 million-year-old trilobites fossil left ladder-like traces. Credit: University of New Mexico" class="wp-image-1951525"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>A 500 million-year-old trilobites fossil left ladder-like traces. Credit: University of New Mexico</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>“Our new model for deposition of the Tonto Group is much more nuanced, showing a mixture of marine and non-marine settings, breaks or unconformities when no sediment was being deposited, and a much faster tempo of evolution," noted Professor Karlstrom.</p>



<p>"Even more than before, the Tonto Group of Grand Canyon remains one of the most important Cambrian-type sections in the world because of its complete exposure.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dating-methods-used-for-the-study">Dating methods used for the study</h2>



<p>The application of advanced techniques has provided new insights into the rate at which rock sedimentation occurred and has offered hints into how marine species like trilobites and other early animals diversified swiftly.</p>



<p>“Our new tandem U-Pb dating methods are refining precise ages for each layer in the succession and for the transitions between trilobite biozones,” said Schmitz. </p>



<p>“We are finding that different trilobite species radiated, then went extinct at a very fast, sub-million year, tempo.”</p>



<p>The dating methods used for the study involve extracting hundreds of sand-sized zircon crystals from a ground-up sedimentary rock sample. </p>



<p>The U-Pb ratios of these grains were first obtained using a preliminary method for swift dating, and then the youngest grains were precisely dated using a more elaborate laboratory technique.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-details-about-the-cambrian-explosion">New details about the Cambrian explosion</h2>



<p>"Sedimentary rocks are hard to date," said Crossey. "But the deposition of the sediment and fossils entombed within it, must be younger than the age of the youngest grain so with many dates we can bracket sedimentary ages"</p>



<p>The team's new model, when compared to McKee's model, provides key pathways that can enable students, researchers, and even anyone interested in geology to understand the Cambrian explosion on a deeper level.</p>



<p>“From the Tonto Group’s 500-meter-thick strata, we’re learning about sea-level rise and the effects of catastrophic tropical storms -- probably more powerful than today’s devastating hurricanes," Dehler continued.</p>



<p>"This occurred in a world without land plants and during a period of very hot temperatures when the Earth was ice-free. Sea levels were so high that sediments like the Tonto Group were deposited atop most continents in environments that allowed rapid expansion of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-animal-day-2024-building-a-legacy-of-compassion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal</a> diversity on Earth," she concluded.</p>



<p>With advances like these, we can better understand and appreciate the complexity and beauty of the Cambrian explosion and Earth's history, making us more connected to the past, and more conscious about how our actions today might shape the future.</p>



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



<p>The team also included Karl Karlstrom and Laurie Crossey, distinguished professors at UNM, James Hagadorn from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Mark Schmitz from Boise State University, and Steve Rowland from the <a href="https://www.unlv.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Nevada Las Vegas</a>.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.geosociety.org/GSA/Publications/GSA_Today/GSA/GSAToday/science/G604A/abstract.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GSA Today</a>.</em></p>



<p>Image Credit: UNM Newsroom</p>



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



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Grand Canyon fossils reveal secrets that are forcing a rewrite of evolution textbooks

Our planet Earth has a mesmerizing history that spans across...

<p>You probably know at least a little bit about ocean circulation around the world, also known as currents. In fact, you may have felt smaller currents yourself on a day at the beach.</p>



<p>But have you heard bout the "great global ocean conveyor belt," which is a vast network of currents that constantly moves water around the entire planet?</p>



<p>This massive system helps distribute heat around the world, influencing everything from temperatures to rainfall. Unfortunately, it's slowing down and on the verge of total collapse.</p>



<p>Scientists have been studying this phenomenon, and according to recent research published in <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-024-01568-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a></em>, it's a bigger deal than we thought. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-circulation-and-the-amoc">Ocean circulation and the AMOC?</h2>



<p>The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or AMOC, is like a massive ocean conveyor belt that moves warm and cold water around the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-the-atlantic-ocean-may-ultimately-vanish/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Atlantic Ocean</a>. </p>



<p>It starts in the Gulf of Mexico, where warm, salty water flows northward along the eastern coast of the United States and across the Atlantic towards Europe. </p>



<p>As this warm water reaches the North Atlantic, it cools down, becomes denser, and sinks deep into the ocean. </p>



<p>This sinking process pulls more warm water north to replace it, creating a continuous loop that helps <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/collapse-of-major-ocean-system-would-cause-weather-chaos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">regulate the climate</a> by distributing heat across the planet. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-amoc-s-impact-on-humans">AMOC's impact on humans</h2>



<p>Thanks to the AMOC, regions like Western Europe enjoy milder winters than they would otherwise.</p>



<p>Humans rely on the AMOC in several important ways. By regulating global temperatures, it helps maintain stable weather patterns, which are crucial for agriculture, ecosystems, and our daily lives. </p>



<p>Researchers point out that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is now weaker than at any other time in the past 1,000 years.</p>



<p>The research team from several leading universities explains that global warming is behind this slowdown. </p>



<p>Their new modeling suggests that meltwater from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenlands-melting-icebergs-may-not-be-threat-to-ocean-currents-amoc/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenland ice sheet</a> and Canadian glaciers could be the missing piece of the puzzle.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-should-we-care-ocean-water-circulation">Why should we care ocean water circulation?</h2>



<p>"Our results show the Atlantic overturning circulation is likely to become a third weaker than it was 70 years ago at 2°C of global warming," says the research team. </p>



<p>"This would bring big changes to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-arctic-is-melting-fast-but-a-slowing-ocean-current-could-help/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate and ecosystems</a>, including faster warming in the southern hemisphere, harsher winters in Europe, and weakening of the northern hemisphere's tropical monsoons."</p>



<p>Think about that for a second. A weaker ocean current could mean colder winters in Europe and shifts in rainfall patterns that affect millions of people. It's not just about the ocean; <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/disastrous-climate-changes-of-the-last-ice-age-could-happen-again/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">it's about our daily lives</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meltwater-and-ocean-circulation">Meltwater and ocean circulation</h2>



<p>The Earth has already warmed 1.5ºC since the industrial revolution, and the Arctic has been heating up nearly four times faster than the rest of the planet.</p>



<p>All that heat is melting Arctic sea ice, glaciers, and the Greenland ice sheet.</p>



<p>"Since 2002, Greenland lost 5,900 billion tons (gigatons) of ice," notes the research team. "To put that into perspective, imagine if the entire state of Texas was covered in ice 26 feet thick."</p>



<p>All this fresh meltwater flowing into the subarctic ocean is lighter than salty seawater, so it doesn't sink as much. </p>



<p>That messes with the southward flow of deep, cold waters from the Atlantic and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-impact-the-gulf-stream-more-than-we-thought/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">weakens the Gulf Stream</a> -- the same current that gives Britain its mild winters.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ripple-effects-around-the-globe">Ripple effects around the globe</h2>



<p>So, what's the big deal with the Gulf Stream slowing down? Well, for starters, Europe could face harsher winters. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-paradox-ocean-current-collapse-could-plunge-europe-into-cold/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Places like Britain</a> might start feeling more like their chilly counterparts at the same latitude, such as parts of Canada.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Atlantic-Meridional-Overturning-Circulation_AMOC_collapsing_Nature-Geoscience_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Atlantic-Meridional-Overturning-Circulation_AMOC_collapsing_Nature-Geoscience_1s.webp" alt="The addition of meltwater in the North Atlantic leads to localised cooling in the subpolar North Atlantic and warming in the South Atlantic. Credit: Nature Geoscience (2024)." class="wp-image-1951410" style="width:300px;height:auto"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>The addition of meltwater in the North Atlantic leads to localised cooling in the subpolar North Atlantic and warming in the South Atlantic. Credit: Nature Geoscience (2024).</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>"Our new research shows meltwater from the Greenland ice sheet and Arctic glaciers in Canada is the missing piece in the climate puzzle," the researchers explain. </p>



<p>When they included this meltwater in their simulations, the slowing of the oceanic circulation made sense.</p>



<p>The study confirms that the Atlantic overturning circulation has been slowing down since the mid-20th century. It also gives us a sneak peek into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/atlantic-and-arctic-mixing-is-crucial-for-earths-climate-stability/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">what's coming next</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-northern-and-southern-ocean-circulation">Northern and Southern ocean circulation</h2>



<p>"Our new research also shows the North and South Atlantic oceans are more connected than previously thought," the team states. </p>



<p>Changes in one part of the ocean can quickly affect distant regions. When the oceanic circulation is strong, it transfers a lot of heat to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antarctic-warming-triggers-rising-north-atlantic-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">North Atlantic</a>. </p>



<p>But when it weakens, the surface of the ocean south of Greenland doesn't warm up as much, leading to what's called a "warming hole." Meanwhile, the South Atlantic ends up storing more heat and salt.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-time-is-not-on-our-side">Time is not on our side</h2>



<p>"Our simulations show changes in the far North Atlantic are felt in the South Atlantic Ocean in less than two decades," the researchers reveal. This means the effects of the slowdown are spreading faster than we thought.</p>



<p>Climate projections have suggested the Atlantic overturning circulation will weaken by about 30% by 2060. But hold on -- that's without considering all that extra meltwater.</p>



<p>"The Greenland ice sheet will continue melting over the coming century, possibly raising global sea level by about 4 inches," the study notes. </p>



<p>"If this additional meltwater is included in climate projections, the overturning circulation will weaken faster. It could be 30% weaker by 2040. That's 20 years earlier than initially projected."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-can-we-do">What can we do?</h2>



<p>Such a rapid decrease in the overturning circulation will shake things up. </p>



<p>Europe might see colder winters, the northern tropics could get drier, and places like the southern United States might experience warmer, wetter summers.</p>



<p>"Our climate has changed dramatically over the past 20 years," the researchers warn. "More rapid melting of the ice sheets will accelerate further disruption of the climate system."</p>



<p>So, what does this all mean for us? It means we have even less time to get our act together. Reducing emissions isn't just a good idea -- it's crucial.</p>



<p>Our planet's systems are interconnected in ways we're only beginning to understand. If we want to keep things from getting worse, we need to act now. Every little bit counts, and the clock is ticking.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-024-01568-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a></em>.</p>



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



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Collapse of Earth's global water circulation system is already happening

You probably know at least a little bit about ocean...

<p>Sipping on a citrus soda, have you ever wondered why the flavor seemed to be evenly distributed? A secret ingredient played a big role.</p>



<p>However, after much consideration and several studies indicating potential health risks, this soda additive is nearing its end in the United States.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-banning-the-soda-additive">Banning the soda additive </h2>



<p>The Food and Drug Administration (<a href="https://www.fda.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FDA</a>), America's federal agency for regulating <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electronic-tongue-could-revolutionize-food-safety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food safety</a>, has recently taken a decisive step against this controversial soda ingredient called BVO, or brominated vegetable oil.</p>



<p>After revoking the registration of BVO, this modified vegetable oil is now officially banned across the country.</p>



<p>The decision came after clear evidence of toxicity emerged from recent studies, making the continued usage of BVO untenable.</p>



<p>James Jones, FDA deputy commissioner for humans foods, announced the significant proposal.</p>



<p>"The proposed action is an example of how the agency monitors emerging evidence and, as needed, conducts scientific research to investigate safety-related questions, and takes regulatory action when the science does not support the continued safe use of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hundreds-of-ingredients-in-u-s-foods-are-potentially-unsafe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">additives</a> in foods," noted Jones. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-questioning-the-safety-of-the-soda-additive">Questioning the safety of the soda additive</h2>



<p>The story of BVO dates back to the 1930s. As an emulsifying agent, it was added to keep the citrus flavor from floating to the top of soda. </p>



<p>Animal studies have suggested that the compound may slowly accumulate in our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eating-late-increases-hunger-and-changes-fat-tissues/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fat tissues</a>, preventing iodine from performing crucial functions within our thyroid gland. </p>



<p>This led health authorities worldwide to question the emulsifier's safety.</p>



<p>In fact, BVO has already been scrapped from the ingredients list in several countries, including India, Japan, and European Union nations. </p>



<p>Even the state of California bid it farewell in October 2022, with the ban expected to be active by 2027.</p>



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



<p>The FDA had its reservations. In the 1950s, it considered BVO a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) ingredient. </p>



<p>This status was given to items that had either been adequately tested or to those in common use prior to 1958.</p>



<p>The perception changed in the next decade when concerns about potential toxicity arose, leading to a temporary limit on BVO usage, especially in citrus <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/elevated-levels-of-toxic-metals-detected-in-popular-drinks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drinks</a>.</p>



<p>Getting hard data on the long-term risks was not an easy task, hence the delay. </p>



<p>However, research in the UK during the 1970s found bromine building up in human tissues, and its high concentrations were linked to heart and behavioral issues in animals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-exactly-is-gras">What exactly is GRAS?</h2>



<p>Generally Recognized as Safe, or GRAS, is a designation used by the U.S. FDA to indicate that a substance added to food is <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/toxic-chemicals-from-food-production-pass-into-the-human-body/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">considered safe</a> by experts. </p>



<p>Basically, if something is labeled as GRAS, it means that scientists and researchers agree it won’t harm you when used as intended in our food. </p>



<p>This can include everyday ingredients like salt, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ultra-processed-foods-are-harmful-to-nearly-every-part-of-the-body/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">certain preservatives</a>, and natural flavorings that have been used for years without any known issues. </p>



<p>The GRAS status can be based on a long history of common use in food or on scientific evidence showing that the substance is safe.</p>



<p>Companies can declare their ingredients as GRAS either by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/electronic-tongue-could-revolutionize-food-safety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conducting their own research</a> or by relying on the collective knowledge of experts. They can also submit their GRAS determinations to the FDA for review, but it's not always required. </p>



<p>This system helps streamline the process of getting safe additives into the food supply without the need for lengthy approval procedures for every single ingredient. </p>



<p>Overall, GRAS plays a crucial role in ensuring that the additives in our food are safe to eat, giving consumers confidence in the products they choose.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-soda-makers-move-on">Soda makers move on</h2>



<p>After several studies, the FDA is finally convinced that BVO should be banned. Companies such as PepsiCo and Coca-Cola Co. have already started the process of phasing out this ingredient from their products over the last decade.</p>



<p>"Over the years many <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-are-consuming-more-sugary-drinks-than-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">beverage</a> makers reformulated their products to replace BVO with an alternative ingredient, and today, few beverages in the US contain BVO," said Jones. </p>



<p>This decision could be the first of many. The FDA is currently reviewing regulations authorizing certain food additives, aiming to enhance the process and prohibit food coloring agents found to cause cancer in humans or animals.</p>



<p>The final decision on BVO's classification went through a comprehensive review process that has now come to an end. With alternatives already being used globally to keep citrus drinks tangy to the last drop, it appears the days of BVO are truly numbered.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-soda-ingredients">The future of soda ingredients</h2>



<p>With BVO officially banned, soda manufacturers are now turning to safer and more sustainable alternatives to maintain flavor consistency in citrus beverages. </p>



<p>Common replacements include natural stabilizers such as ester gum and sucrose acetate isobutyrate (SAIB), which offer similar emulsifying properties without the associated health risks.</p>



<p>This shift reflects a broader trend in the beverage industry toward cleaner labels and transparency in ingredient sourcing. </p>



<p>As consumers become more health-conscious, brands are under increasing pressure to minimize the use of synthetic additives and embrace natural formulations.</p>



<p>In addition, regulatory bodies are expected to intensify their scrutiny of food and beverage ingredients, encouraging innovation in the development of safe and effective stabilizers. </p>



<p>These advancements could pave the way for a new era of beverages that prioritize both taste and health.</p>



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



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<p></p>

Controversial soda ingredient has finally been banned by the FDA

Sipping on a citrus soda, have you ever wondered why...

<p>Some of us may rave about our fast metabolism, while others have witnessed how it slows down with age. But how does the human metabolic rate compare to that of other mammals? It turns out, we humans are unique metabolic hotshots.</p>



<p>According to a new study by Harvard researchers, humans have significantly higher metabolic rates than other mammals. That includes our close kin, the apes, and chimpanzees. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-metabolism-a-delicate-balance">Human metabolism: A delicate balance</h2>



<p>Metabolism refers to all the chemical reactions that occur in our bodies and that help us maintain life; this includes those reactions involved with converting food into energy.</p>



<p>Picture this as a bank account where you deposit calories via the food you eat and then spend them on various activities - such as just existing (resting metabolism), and, well, everything else (active metabolism).</p>



<p>This balance between resting and active metabolism is where we humans stand apart.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-metabolic-rate">Human metabolic rate</h2>



<p>The human metabolic rate is unusual and challenges previous scientific consensus. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mammals-evolved-similar-inner-ears-despite-different-ancestry/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humans</a>, it turns out, are rather energy extravagant.</p>



<p>We defy the trade-off between resting and active metabolic rates commonly seen in other mammals, including apes and monkeys. But how did we manage to escape this trade-off?</p>



<p>The usual scenario looks like this: animals with high resting metabolic rates use up energy to maintain life at rest and consequently have to cut back on their physical activity.</p>



<p>It's like spending a large chunk of your income on rent, which leaves you with less to spend on holidays. </p>



<p>The same happens with our primate cousins. Chimpanzees, with their large brains, long lifespan, and expensive reproductive strategy, tend to be "couch potatoes," and spend a lot of time eating to fuel their high resting metabolism.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-is-human-metabolism-different">How is human metabolism different?</h2>



<p>The research revealed that not only do we humans have higher resting metabolisms than our primate cousins, but we're also great at being active without decreasing our resting rates.</p>



<p><a href="https://heb.fas.harvard.edu/people/daniel-e-lieberman" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Daniel Lieberman</a>, a paleoanthropologist, the Edwin M. Lerner Professor of Biological Sciences at Harvard and co-author of the study, deems humans to be 'off-the-charts' in how they use energy.</p>



<p>"Humans have increased not only our resting metabolisms beyond what even chimpanzees and monkeys have, but - thanks to our unique ability to dump heat by sweating - we've also been able to increase our physical activity levels without lowering our resting metabolic rates," explained co-author Andrew Yegian, a senior researcher in Lieberman’s lab.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-energetically-unique-humans">Energetically unique humans</h2>



<p>Yegian explains that, because of our high resting and active metabolic rates, humans can be crowned as an "energetically unique species."</p>



<p>How unique are we? Consider this: monkeys and apes invest about 30 to 50% more calories in their resting metabolic rates than other mammals of the same size.</p>



<p>Humans aren't content with just that. We go a step further, investing a whopping 60 percent more calories than other, similar-sized mammals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-path-to-metabolic-uniqueness">Path to metabolic uniqueness</h2>



<p>The evolutionary journey that led to this human metabolic anomaly likely involves several intertwined pathways.</p>



<p>Evolutionary pressures favored a high-energy lifestyle, driven by the caloric demands of our large brains and the physical requirements of our environments. Early humans likely benefited from a metabolism capable of supporting endurance activities like persistence hunting over vast distances. </p>



<p>This capability, alongside the development of complex social systems and tools, would have conferred an adaptive advantage. Moreover, our penchant for cooking and processing food allowed us to extract more energy from our diets, supporting both our brain growth and physical exertions. </p>



<p>These evolutionary adaptations highlight the intricate balance between energy intake and expenditure that underlies the human condition, and that sets us apart on the mammalian landscape.</p>



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



<p>Understanding our heightened metabolic rate has profound implications for health and lifestyle in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mammalian-tree-of-life-traces-evolution-of-mammals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modern world</a>. </p>



<p>On one hand, our energetic physiology underlines the importance of regular physical activity, as our bodies are well-equipped to handle and benefit from it. </p>



<p>However, modern lifestyles can diverge significantly from the active lives of our ancestors, potentially contributing to the rise of metabolic disorders such as obesity and diabetes. This disconnect suggests a need to harmonize our diet and activity patterns more closely with our evolutionary design. </p>



<p>Furthermore, the insights gained from studying human metabolism can guide public health policies and provide targeted strategies for disease prevention and management, making this field of study both fascinating and critically important.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-evolutionary-advantage">Human evolutionary advantage</h2>



<p>This unique metabolic feature has been instrumental in our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/meal-time-has-a-major-influence-on-our-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution</a> - it has helped our hunter-gatherer ancestors meet their food requirements, supported the growth of bigger brains, and increased our lifespans and rates of reproduction.</p>



<p>That's not all. The researchers are now intrigued to explore metabolic variations within human populations. They are particularly interested to see how changes in lifestyle due to technology and decreased physical activity might be causing shifts in our metabolic profiles.</p>



<p>As we continue to evolve in a world that is increasingly dependent on technology, it will be interesting to see how our energetic uniqueness adapts.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2409674121?af=R" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.</em></p>



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

Human metabolism has evolved to become 'energetically unique'

Some of us may rave about our fast metabolism, while...

<p>A group of scientists has given us a view into the radiation environment around Mars, which will be crucial for future astronauts as they explore the Red Planet.</p>



<p>They have pieced together the first comprehensive energy spectrum of protons during a recent solar eruption event.</p>



<p>This accomplishment significantly deepens our understanding of the radiation conditions around Mars -- a crucial step in ensuring the safety of astronauts on future exploration missions to the planet.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solar-radiation-s-impact-on-space-travel">Solar radiation's impact on space travel</h2>



<p>Solar radiation poses significant challenges for astronauts venturing into deep space, which is why it's important to understand the radiation levels the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astronauts-kidneys-may-not-survive-a-roundtrip-to-mars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">first Mars astronauts</a> will be dealing with.</p>



<p>Without the Earth's protective atmosphere and magnetic field, astronauts are directly exposed to high-energy particles and harmful ultraviolet rays. </p>



<p>This exposure can increase the risk of cancer, damage the central nervous system, and cause acute radiation sickness, making long-duration missions especially risky. </p>



<p>Even short-term exposure can lead to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-space-travel-affect-eye-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eye problems like cataracts</a>, which have been a concern for many space travelers.</p>



<p>To combat these dangers, space missions incorporate various shielding techniques and develop advanced materials to protect crew members. </p>



<p>Scientists are also researching <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/space-travel-weakens-astronauts-immune-system-similar-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pharmaceutical countermeasures</a> that could help mitigate the effects of radiation on the body. </p>



<p>Additionally, mission planners carefully monitor solar activity to schedule spacewalks and other extravehicular activities during periods of lower solar radiation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-solar-radiation-storms-on-mars">Impact of solar radiation storms on Mars</h2>



<p>Solar energetic particle (SEP) events are caused by solar eruptions and are among the most destructive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-missions-prepare-intense-solar-storms-coming-red-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space weather phenomena</a>. </p>



<p>During these events, charged particles, including protons, that are emitted by the Sun, become accelerated and may fly through space and enter the atmospheres of planets.</p>



<p>The flux of high-energy, charged particles in space may thus suddenly increase during these solar radiation storms, imposing significant threats to spacecraft safety, technological equipment and, of course, the well-being of astronauts.</p>



<p>In contrast to our blue planet, Mars lacks a robust protective magnetic field and only boasts a very thin atmosphere. This renders its surface more susceptible to these high-energy particles and to other, secondary particles.</p>



<p>Studying the impact of SEP events on Mars is, thus, critical for radiation protection in future Mars explorations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monitoring-the-presence-of-high-energy-protons">Monitoring the presence of high-energy protons</h2>



<p>Back in November 2021, China’s Tianwen-1 orbiter stepped into its science mission orbit around Mars. Its onboard device, the Mars Energy Particle Analyzer (MEPA), began its job by measuring particle flux. </p>



<p>With the MEPA's capacity to measure a wide energy range from 2–100 MeV, it is highly suitable for monitoring the presence of high-energy protons, both on the planet and in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-solar-storm-auroras-strikes-mars-nasa-spacecraft-record-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Martian space</a>. This provided critical data for the study.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detecting-radiation-on-and-around-mars">Detecting radiation on and around Mars</h2>



<p>On February 15th, 2022, an exciting incident occurred. MEPA registered a solar energetic particle event that had remarkable intensity and energy.</p>



<p>The accelerated protons in this event had energies that were high enough to penetrate the Martian atmosphere and induce radiation enhancement on the surface.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/mars_SEP-event_observations_solar-radiation-measured_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/mars_SEP-event_observations_solar-radiation-measured_1s.webp" alt="The SEP particle event on February 15, 2022 was simultaneously detected by the Chinese Tianwen-1 orbiter, TGO, MAVEN, and the Curiosity rover on the surface of Mars. Credit: Geophysical Research Letters" class="wp-image-1951687"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>The SEP particle event on February 15, 2022 was simultaneously detected by the Chinese Tianwen-1 orbiter, TGO, MAVEN, and the Curiosity rover on the surface of Mars. Credit: Geophysical Research Letters</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>The event was simultaneously detected by the European Space Agency’s Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO), NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Orbiter (MAVEN), and the Curiosity rover on the Martian surface.</p>



<p>This marked the first time an SEP event was observed by so many different radiation and particle detectors focused on Martian conditions. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-constructing-the-proton-energy-spectrum">Constructing the proton energy spectrum</h2>



<p>Harnessing data from these multiple detectors, the researchers painted a full picture of the proton energy spectrum during the SEP event.</p>



<p>The low- and medium-energy proton spectra were obtained by Tianwen-1 and MAVEN. The high-energy proton flux was deduced by merging observations from Curiosity with simulations of particle transport in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secondary-peak-extreme-geomagnetic-solar-storm-expected-today/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Martian atmosphere</a>.</p>



<p>By fitting the observed and derived fluxes at different energies, the researchers made a breakthrough. They successfully constructed the complete proton energy spectrum of the SEP event, ranging from 1 to 1000 MeV.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-path-for-future-research">A path for future research </h2>



<p>Taking their findings a step further, these scientists used this spectrum to compute the radiation dose caused by the event, both in Martian orbit and on the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/auroras-and-severe-solar-storms-will-continue-through-tomorrow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Martian surface</a>.</p>



<p>This calculation aligns with actual dose measurements, thus validating the reliability of the Tianwen-1 MEPA data and the accuracy of the Martian radiation transport model.</p>



<p>Beyond the immediate discovery, this study paves a path for future research on similar space weather phenomena. </p>



<p>The research highlights the necessity for continuous and coordinated radiation monitoring on Mars. After all, the more we know about our neighboring planet's radiation environment, the safer that our future explorers will be.</p>



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



<p>This significant research was supported by the Key Research Program and Strategic Priority Program of CAS, along with the National Natural Science Foundation of China.</p>



<p>This study was conducted jointly by researchers from the <a href="https://en.ustc.edu.cn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Science and Technology of China</a>, the Institute of Modern Physics (<a href="https://english.imp.cas.cn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IMP</a>) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (<a href="https://english.cas.cn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CAS</a>), the Lanzhou Institute of Physics (<a href="https://www.cast.cn/english/channel/1809" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LIP</a>), and the University of <a href="https://www.uni-kiel.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kiel</a> in Germany.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024GL111775" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a>.</em></p>



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Mars radiation levels are measured for the first time and will help astronauts prepare

A group of scientists has given us a view into...

<p>Jupiter’s iconic Great Red Spot has captivated observers for centuries. Now, astronomers at UC Berkeley have identified equally intriguing Earth-sized spots at Jupiter’s poles. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unpredictable-ovals-appear-at-jupiter-s-poles-nbsp">Unpredictable ovals appear at Jupiter's poles&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Unlike the Great Red Spot, these polar ovals appear and vanish unpredictably and are only visible at ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths.What is causing the mysterious haze at Jupiter’s poles?&nbsp;</p>



<p>These dark UV ovals, embedded in the stratospheric haze at <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/jupiters-great-red-spot-may-not-be-as-old-as-we-expected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jupiter</a>’s north and south poles, were observed just below the bright auroral zones - regions similar to Earth’s northern and southern lights.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Absorbing more UV light than the surrounding areas, the ovals stand out in images captured by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A recent systematic study of Hubble’s observations from 2015 to 2022 revealed that these southern UV-dark ovals (SUDO) appear 75% of the time at the south pole, while their northern counterparts (NUDO) were spotted only twice in 25 global maps of Jupiter’s north pole.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-the-mystery-at-jupiter-s-poles">Unraveling the mystery at Jupiter's poles</h2>



<p>The discovery of these UV spots has led researchers to suspect that they are linked to Jupiter’s powerful <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-jupiters-magnetosphere-will-help-us-predict-space-weather/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magnetic field</a>, which influences processes extending deep into the planet's atmosphere. These phenomena go far beyond the surface-level magnetic interactions responsible for auroras on Earth.</p>



<p>The findings, led by <a href="https://www.berkeley.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Berkeley</a> undergraduate researcher Troy Tsubota and senior astronomer Michael Wong, were recently published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41550-024-02419-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Astronomy</em></a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Their analysis builds on observations that date back to the late 1990s when Hubble first detected dark UV ovals at both poles.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The north pole ovals were also observed by NASA’s Cassini spacecraft during its flyby of Jupiter in 2000, but these features received little attention until now.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-systematic-study-of-the-polar-spots-nbsp">Systematic study of the polar spots&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Tsubota’s systematic analysis of Hubble data revealed eight distinct southern UV-dark ovals between 1994 and 2022. However, similar features at the north pole were far less common, appearing only twice in 25 maps.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Most of the Hubble images used for this research were part of the Outer Planet Atmospheres Legacy (OPAL) project, directed by Amy Simon at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.&nbsp;</p>



<p>OPAL captures yearly snapshots of the outer planets - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune - to study their atmospheric dynamics and evolution. Tsubota’s innovative approach to analyzing OPAL data proved fruitful.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“In the first two months, we realized these OPAL images were like a gold mine,” said Tsubota. “I quickly constructed an analysis pipeline to process all the images and see what insights we could gain.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-causes-the-mysterious-ovals">What causes the mysterious ovals?</h2>



<p>Collaborating with planetary atmospheric experts Tom Stallard of <a href="https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northumbria University</a> and Xi Zhang of <a href="https://www.ucsc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Santa Cruz</a>, the researchers developed a theory to explain these dense haze spots.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Stallard proposed that the ovals are the result of swirling vortex dynamics originating in Jupiter’s ionosphere.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The vortex may be driven by friction between Jupiter’s magnetic field lines and the sheet of ionized plasma surrounding the planet, which is influenced by volcanic activity on Jupiter’s moon Io.</p>



<p>The vortex spins most rapidly in the ionosphere, weakening as it descends into the atmosphere. At its deepest point, it stirs up the stratospheric haze, creating the dense, UV-dark ovals observed by Hubble.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The haze in the dark ovals is 50 times thicker than the typical concentration, which suggests it likely forms due to swirling vortex dynamics rather than chemical reactions triggered by high-energy particles from the upper atmosphere,” said Zhang.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Our observations showed that the timing and location of these energetic particles do not correlate with the appearance of the dark ovals.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jupiter-s-complex-atmospheric-system">Jupiter’s complex atmospheric system</h2>



<p>The research team estimates that these ovals take about a month to form and dissipate within a few weeks. This rapid lifecycle highlights the dynamic nature of Jupiter’s atmosphere and the complex interplay of forces that shape its features.</p>



<p>Wong emphasized that the UV ovals offer valuable insights into the connections between different atmospheric layers.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Studying connections between different atmospheric layers is very important for all planets, whether it’s an exoplanet, Jupiter, or Earth,” Wong said.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We see evidence for a process connecting everything in the entire Jupiter system, from the interior dynamo to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hydrothermal-vents-could-support-life-on-jupiters-moons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">satellites</a> and their plasma torii to the ionosphere to the stratospheric hazes. Finding these examples helps us to understand the planet as a whole.”</p>



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



<p>The discovery of these polar UV-dark ovals underscores the importance of long-term observational projects like OPAL.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By systematically analyzing decades of data, researchers can uncover subtle but significant atmospheric features that were previously overlooked.</p>



<p>The findings not only enhance our understanding of Jupiter but also contribute to broader studies of planetary evolution. Similar atmospheric dynamics may exist on other gas giants in our solar system or even on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exoplanet-discovery-nasa-identifies-over-5500-distant-worlds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exoplanets</a> beyond it.</p>



<p>As researchers continue to study these enigmatic spots, their work will shed light on the mechanisms that drive atmospheric phenomena across a variety of planets, offering a richer understanding of the complexities within our solar system and beyond.</p>



<p>Image Credit: Troy Tsubota and Michael Wong, UC Berkeley</p>



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What is causing the mysterious haze at Jupiter’s poles?

Jupiter’s iconic Great Red Spot has captivated observers for centuries....

<p>Two hundred and thirty million years ago, in what is now Wyoming, dramatic seasonal changes dominated the climate. Torrential monsoons drenched the region for months, followed by extreme dry spells. Such harsh conditions posed significant challenges for amphibians, which rely on moist environments for survival. </p>



<p>However, a group of salamander-like creatures developed a unique adaptation to endure these extremes, as evidenced by their unusual fossils discovered recently.</p>



<p>A recent study describes a new species of fossil <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/over-40-of-amphibians-face-extinction-due-to-escalating-climate-threats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amphibian</a> preserved in torpedo-shaped burrows. These ancient creatures apparently used these burrows to wait out the dry seasons, showcasing an early form of estivation - a state of dormancy similar to hibernation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seasonal-survival-strategies-of-amphibians-nbsp">Seasonal survival strategies of amphibians&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Lead author Cal So, an incoming postdoctoral scientist at the <a href="https://www.fieldmuseum.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Field Museum in Chicago</a>, explains that Wyoming during the Triassic period experienced some of the most drastic seasonal effects due to the mega-<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-land-conditions-affect-the-asian-monsoon-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">monsoon</a> impacting the supercontinent Pangea.</p>



<p>“How did these animals stay moist and prevent themselves from drying out during the hot and dry season that lasted several months?” So asked. “We find these fossils inside these cylindrical structures up to 12 inches long, which we’ve interpreted as burrows."</p>



<p>The discovery traces back to 2014 when David Lovelace, a research scientist at the <a href="https://museum.geoscience.wisc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Wisconsin Geology Museum</a>, was searching for fossils in a rock layer he named the Serendipity Beds. </p>



<p>Lovelace noticed cylindrical structures resembling infilled burrows and collected several for analysis. Upon examining one of the preserved burrows in the lab, he found a tiny, toothy skull.</p>



<p>“I saw sharp, pointy teeth, and my first thought was that it was a baby crocodile,” Lovelace recalled. “But when we put it all together and prepared it, we realized it was some sort of amphibian.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fossils-reveal-a-new-amphibian-species">Fossils reveal a new amphibian species</h2>



<p>Collaborating with Jason Pardo, a postdoctoral researcher at the Field Museum specializing in fossil amphibians, the team conducted high-resolution CT scans of the burrows, revealing more skeletal remains.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Recognizing the significance of their find, the researchers continued excavations and ultimately collected around 80 fossil burrows, most containing skulls and bones.</p>



<p>The partial remains suggest that these amphibians were about a foot long with tiny, underdeveloped arms. Their skulls had a scoop-like shape, indicating they likely used their heads to dig burrows into the muddy riverbeds during dry seasons.</p>



<p>“They spent the dry season underground, in a state somewhat similar to hibernation, until the monsoon returned a few months later,” So explained.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Unfortunately, some of these creatures never emerged, possibly due to changes in river paths that left their burrows dry, leading to their demise.</p>



<p>The amphibians have been given a Shoshone name: <em>Ninumbeehan dookoodukah</em>, meaning “Little People’s flesh eater.” This name honors the Eastern Shoshone people and references the creature's sharp teeth.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eastern-shoshone-community-engagement">Eastern Shoshone community engagement </h2>



<p>The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossils-capture-a-turning-point-in-the-evolution-of-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fossils</a> were discovered on lands stewarded by the <a href="https://www.blm.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bureau of Land Management</a>, within the ancestral territories of the Eastern Shoshone people. The research team established an ongoing collaborative relationship with the local community.</p>



<p>“Our interest is in education, so we met with the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Eastern Shoshone, and he connected us with the schools,” Lovelace said.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Middle school students from Fort Washakie School, along with their teachers and elders, joined the researchers in the field. The elders shared their knowledge of the land, while the students assisted in finding burrows and bones.</p>



<p>Amanda LeClair-Diaz, Office of Indian Education Coordinator and a co-author of the paper, highlighted the importance of this collaboration.</p>



<p>“This process of scientists, community members, educators, middle school students, and Eastern Shoshone elders coming together to learn about these fossils and choosing a Shoshone name for the fossil, <em>Ninumbeehan dookoodukah</em>, solidifies the intergenerational connection we as Shoshone people have to our homeland and the beings that exist within this environment,” said LeClair-Diaz.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-into-amphibian-survival">Insights into amphibian survival</h2>



<p>The discovery of <em>Ninumbeehan dookoodukah</em> offers valuable insights into life during the Triassic period. Small amphibians from this era are rare in the fossil record, making this find particularly significant.</p>



<p>“We find some big ones, but these small ones are really quite challenging to find,” Pardo said. The survival strategy of these amphibians - burrowing to escape extreme weather - mirrors behaviors seen in some modern species.</p>



<p>Understanding how ancient creatures adapted to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-climate-shift-sheds-light-on-future-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate</a> extremes can inform current studies on how modern amphibians might cope with the changing climate.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The way that <em>Ninumbeehan</em> could slow down its metabolism to wait out the dry weather indicates that some lineages of modern amphibians that have similar seasonal behavior might allow for greater survivorship than some of the models suggest,” Pardo said. “It’s a little glimmer of hope.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-to-the-past-in-hope-for-the-future">Looking to the past in hope for the future</h2>



<p>The research not only uncovers a new species but also strengthens the connection between science and indigenous knowledge. </p>



<p>By integrating paleontology with community collaboration, the study enriches our understanding of Earth's history and fosters appreciation for the intricate relationships between ancient creatures and their environments.</p>



<p>As climate change poses new challenges, the resilience strategies of <em>Ninumbeehan dookoodukah</em> may inspire hope and guide conservation efforts for present-day amphibians facing similar environmental pressures.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2024.1041" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Proceedings of the Royal Society B</em></a>.</p>



<p>Image Credit: Copyright: Gabriel N. Ugueto</p>



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Amphibian fossils found in burrows reveal ancient survival strategies 

Two hundred and thirty million years ago, in what is...

<p>The cells in our bodies function like bustling cities. They run on an iron-powered system that uses hydrogen peroxide, not merely as a cleaning agent, but as a conduit for crucial signals that involve carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) and help protect the DNA.</p>



<p>It's an efficient system under normal circumstances, but becomes a cause for concern when cells experience stress, such as during inflammation or a sudden surge in energy usage.</p>



<p>Under such strain, oxidative stress can inflict damage to cells at the genetic level.</p>



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



<p>There is a chemical reaction within our cells that goes by the name of the Fenton reaction. In this reaction, iron and hydrogen peroxide mix, producing destructive hydroxyl radicals that indiscriminately attack DNA and RNA. </p>



<p>However, these cells manage to turn what seems to be an adversary -- CO<sub>2</sub> -- into an ally. </p>



<p>Carbon dioxide, infamous for its impact on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/met-office-2024-co2-levels-will-surpass-the-point-of-no-return/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global climate</a>, provides our DNA and cells with bicarbonate, which helps maintain pH balance.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bicarbonate-s-overlooked-function">Bicarbonate's overlooked function</h2>



<p>According to a study conducted by a team of chemists from the University of Utah, bicarbonate's function extends beyond being a simple pH buffer.</p>



<p>The research showed that bicarbonate can alter the Fenton reaction in our cells, thereby reducing the formation of chaotic hydroxyl radicals. Instead, the reaction produces carbonate radicals which pose a lesser threat to DNA.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oxidative-stress-and-diseases">Oxidative stress and diseases</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.chem.utah.edu/directory/burrows/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cynthia Burrows</a>, a distinguished professor of chemistry, and senior author of the study, talked about the implications of this discovery, particularly in understanding diseases where oxidative stress plays a substantial role.</p>



<p>“So many diseases, so many conditions have oxidative stress as a component of disease. That would include many cancers, effectively all age-related diseases, a lot of neurological diseases,” said Burrows. </p>



<p>“We’re trying to understand cells’ fundamental chemistry under oxidative stress. We have learned something about the protective effect of CO₂ that I think is really profound.”</p>



<p>Burrows' team included research associate professor, Aaron Fleming, and doctoral candidate, Justin Dingman, both of whom are members of the Burrows Laboratory.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-real-impact-of-co-2-on-dna">Real impact of CO<sub>2</sub> on DNA</h2>



<p>Through their study, the researchers discerned the significant role of bicarbonate in our cells when they are confronted with oxidative stress.</p>



<p>Without bicarbonate, or CO<sub>2</sub> being present during <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dna-secret-code-called-spatial-grammar-may-rewrite-genetics-textbooks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA</a> oxidation reactions, the free radical species generated - the hydroxyl radical - is extremely reactive and severely damages DNA.</p>



<p>However, the presence of bicarbonate from dissolved CO<sub>2</sub> changes the reaction, resulting in a less damaging radical that targets only guanine, a constituent of our genetic code.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bicarbonate-the-new-game-changer">Bicarbonate, the new game-changer</h2>



<p>The discovery by Burrows and her team suggests that cells are far more intelligent than previously believed.</p>



<p>This could reshape our understanding of oxidative stress and its link to diseases, such as cancer, and aging.</p>



<p>More importantly, their findings suggest that many scientists studying cell damage might have been conducting lab experiments in ways that don't reflect real conditions, which could cast doubt on their findings.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-question-of-proper-lab-conditions">Question of proper lab conditions</h2>



<p>Scientists grow cells in a tissue culture in an incubator set to body temperature, where carbon dioxide levels are raised to 5%. </p>



<p>This environment replicates the cells' natural habitat as they metabolize nutrients. However, this environment changes when researchers begin their experiments outside the incubator.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-co-2-beyond-dna">Importance of CO<sub>2</sub> beyond DNA</h2>



<p>According to Burrows, bicarbonate must be included in experiments to ensure reliable results. </p>



<p>“Most people leave out bicarbonate/CO₂ when studying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bacteria-and-imprint-new-era-dna-transformation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA</a> oxidation because it is difficult to deal with the constant outgassing of CO₂,” Burrows explained.</p>



<p>“These studies suggest that to get an accurate picture of DNA damage that occurs from normal cellular processes like metabolism, researchers need to be careful to mimic the proper conditions of the cell and add bicarbonate, i.e., baking powder!”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-positive-outcomes">Potential positive outcomes</h2>



<p>Burrows conjectures that her study could have unexpected benefits that may someday advance research in other areas. </p>



<p>Her lab is currently seeking new funding from NASA to study the effect of CO<sub>2 </sub>on people confined to enclosed spaces, such as those inside space capsules and submarines.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-co-2-s-protective-properties-on-dna">CO<sub>2</sub>'s protective properties on DNA</h2>



<p>Research into the protective effect of CO<sub>2</sub> could be vital for astronauts working in enclosed environments where elevated CO<sub>2</sub> levels are commonplace.</p>



<p>A slightly higher concentration of CO<sub>2</sub> might offer a protective shield against radiation, which generates hydroxyl radicals. Such findings could drastically change the way we look at carbon dioxide and its role within our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lifes-molecular-orientation-new-discovery-deepens-the-mystery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cells</a>.</p>



<p>Ultimately, this study sheds light on how cells smartly defend DNA and maintain balance. The discovery of bicarbonate's role in this process is bound to stir the realms of scientific research, shattering misconceptions and reshaping future studies.</p>



<p>The research was funded by the NIH/National Institute of General Medical Sciences.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</em> and <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.26.609766v1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>BioRxiv</em></a>.</p>



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



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<pre class="wp-block-code"><code><br><br></code></pre>

CO2 is actually good for our DNA, even though it's wreaking havoc on Earth's climate

The cells in our bodies function like bustling cities. They...

<p>How do you tell if a plant is doing well or poorly? Is there a way to increase agricultural productivity in our world of climate change and overpopulation? The answers to these pressing questions may be found in a tiny yet powerful plant sensor created by researchers from Japan's Tohoku University.</p>



<p>This is more than just a tale of innovation; it's the story of how we're transforming the way we monitor our planet's green life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-old-methods-new-problems">Old methods, new problems</h2>



<p>The adverse impacts of climate change are not news. Harsh weather conditions such as heatwaves, intense rainfall, and prolonged droughts stress our plants and crops, reducing yields and endangering the long-term health of our farms, forests, and biodiversity.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sensors-that-detect-plant-stress-could-revolutionize-farming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tracking plant responses</a> has always been challenging, and while drones and aircraft offer a bird's eye view of our greenery, they capture only surface-level information.</p>



<p>Moreover, these high-tech solutions need constant adjustments to track plants accurately over time. On the other hand, smaller, ground-level sensors that can monitor individual plants require manual checks, which become impractical for larger fields or forests.</p>



<p>"The traditional methods may work well for some purposes, but they are difficult to operate and quite expensive. In order to continuously monitor small changes, we needed a new solution," said Kaori Kohzuma, a member of the research team at <a href="https://www.tohoku.ac.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tohoku University</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-step-towards-smarter-agriculture">Step towards smarter agriculture</h2>



<p>Addressing these challenges, the researchers developed a unique sensor that can be attached directly to the underside of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-have-a-secret-breathing-strategy-in-response-to-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant</a> leaves. Framed in its small body is a powerful spectroscopic sensor and light source that can measure leaf color over time without blocking sunlight.</p>



<p>Easy to use and durable, the sensor is powered by a battery and equipped with Wi-Fi for data transfer. Thanks to its waterproof design, it can work outdoors for over a month, ensuring extended data collection.</p>



<p>"Smart agriculture is a huge time-saver," said Ko-ichiro Miyamoto, a researcher at Tohoku University.</p>



<p>"Farmers don't have time to manually check every single plant. This sensor is able to provide fine-tuned readings for what's going on in real time. Then, they can react accordingly to areas where plants are experiencing high levels of stress."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-putting-the-plant-sensor-to-test">Putting the plant sensor to test</h2>



<p>The sensor was put through stringent tests where it had to take on a commercial spectrometer across about 90 leaves from 30 different <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planting-diverse-crops-traps-carbon-and-boosts-soil-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant species</a>. </p>



<p>In the face-off, the sensor distinguished colors accurately across seven out of its eight detectable wavelengths. It also showed similar readings to commercial chlorophyll meters at 620 nm.</p>



<p>An outdoor trial was conducted to test the sensor under real-world, changing conditions. Attached to birch leaves, it tracked changes in leaf color during autumn, leaf fall, and aging over a span of two weeks.</p>



<p>The sensor recorded a decrease in chlorophyll - often an indication of plant stress - and documented how the plant's response shifted with sunlight intensity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-smart-agriculture">Future of smart agriculture</h2>



<p>"This affordable sensor is a promising tool for accurately monitoring plant health and stress through leaf color and light reflection data," said Kohzuma.</p>



<p>"Its low cost makes it possible to place multiple sensors across various locations, creating a network for simultaneous monitoring in many spots."</p>



<p>Indeed, the future of agriculture looks bright, and this smart sensor technology could well be the forerunner in a new wave of precision farming. </p>



<p>Farmers, forest rangers, and researchers alike could benefit from the granular data provided by these sensors, and use it to ensure the health and productivity of our plant life in a challenging environment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-plant-sensors">Significance of plant sensors</h2>



<p>Smart farming is more than a buzzword; it's an essential part of our initiatives to sustain life on Earth. </p>



<p>"The plant sensor can be a powerful tool in the field of agriculture and ecological study by realizing simultaneous, multi-point and remote monitoring at a low cost," noted the researchers.</p>



<p>As we continue to battle against climate change and overpopulation, innovative solutions like the plant sensor offer a beacon of hope for our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vaccinating-plants-could-boost-global-food-security/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">green world</a>. It's time to embrace technology that will help plants thrive in a changing world.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214180424000709?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research</a>.</em></p>



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New sensor remotely tracks plant health in real time

How do you tell if a plant is doing well...

<p>Ever wondered how social stress affects our brains? Well, scientists are now diving deep, using the aquatic social dynamics of cichlid fish to peer into the murky waters of mental health. </p>



<p>The latest findings suggest that social dynamics can significantly influence oxidative stress in the brain. But what exactly is oxidative stress, and what's the interplay with social stress? </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-stress-and-the-brain">Social stress and the brain</h2>



<p>Social stress isn't good for the grey matter in the brain. It's believed to contribute to a build-up of oxidative stress in the brain.</p>



<p>This, in turn, has been linked to mental health and neurodegenerative disorders. However, the specific mechanisms that transform social stress into oxidative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-eats-away-our-brains-cognitive-defenses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress</a>, and how social status factors in, remain hazy.</p>



<p>Dr. Peter Dijkstra and his team at <a href="https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&amp;rls=en&amp;q=Central+Michigan+University&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;oe=UTF-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Central Michigan University</a> chose to investigate these questions in an unexpected setting - a fish tank filled with cichlids, a type of highly social fish with a hierarchical group structure.  </p>



<p>The findings? Social stress can magnify oxidative stress in the brains of low-status fish.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-low-rank-high-stress">Low rank, high stress</h2>



<p>“We found that low rank was generally linked to higher levels of oxidative stress in the brain,” said Dijkstra. </p>



<p>“The patterns of oxidative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-is-contagious-and-this-applies-to-animals-too/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress</a> in the brain are likely influenced by social experience modulating cellular processes in the brain.”</p>



<p>Male cichlids live within a rigid, eye-catching social hierarchy. Dominant males are larger, more aggressive, and flashier than their subordinate counterparts, thanks to higher levels of androgen hormones. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stress-in-social-fish">Stress in social fish </h2>



<p>Dominant males have territories to protect and females to woo. What's more, hormones like androgens are known to increase due to social stress and correlate with changes in levels of oxidative stress across various organs.</p>



<p>The researchers then wondered how social stress impacts oxidative stress levels, given that the cichlids' stressful social life was closely tied to their androgen levels.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-monitoring-social-stress-levels-in-fish">Monitoring social stress levels in fish </h2>



<p>The researchers set the stage for cichlids to interact freely in large tanks. They then recorded the cichlids' behavior and soon found a stable hierarchy emerging between the fish.</p>



<p>They collected blood samples and examined the brains of the male fish, measuring markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity in each brain division.</p>



<p>The researchers found that low-status fish evidenced higher levels of oxidative <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-learn-resilience-from-stressful-events/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress</a> and lower antioxidant capacity than their high-ranking counterparts. Even though the alpha males showed higher oxidative stress levels in their blood, their brains seemed somehow better shielded.</p>



<p>Surprisingly, signs of reproductive activity associated with high status in these fish were linked to higher antioxidant levels and lower oxidative stress in the brain. This could be connected to their higher androgen levels, which can be neuroprotective in certain situations.</p>



<p>However, the researchers warn that the effects of status on oxidative stress are far from simple. When they looked at markers of oxidative DNA damage and antioxidant capacity in various brain divisions, they found that different markers reacted differently to the fish's social status.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-stress-and-modern-society">Social stress and modern society</h2>



<p>Dr. Dijkstra highlights the relevance of their study for understanding how stress in our modern human societies can influence essential physiological functions. </p>



<p>“We compare ourselves to others continuously, and these problems are especially compounded by social media. But I would be hesitant to directly relate our findings to human societies,” he states.</p>



<p>He suggests that far more research is needed before making any connections between the findings of the cichlid study and the effect of stress on human societies. </p>



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



<p>The scientists caution that further targeted studies are necessary to comprehend the impact of the interplay between social stress and oxidative stress on specific brain regions. </p>



<p>“I think we just uncovered some interesting patterns across different divisions of the brain,” said Dijkstra. “The next step is to understand the regulation of oxidative stress better and how social stress influences this. This requires more rigorous experimental studies.“</p>



<p>Our understanding of how social stress influences our brains is currently woefully inadequate, so every study like this helps us navigate the unknown a bit better.</p>



<p>So, whether you're a dominant alpha or feeling a tad subordinate, remember that we're all swimming in the same <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-significantly-lowers-heart-disease-risk-by-reducing-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stressful</a> societal waters. The point is to keep swimming and discover how we can navigate these currents better.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/behavioral-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1477984/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience</a>.</em></p>



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Social stress harms the brains of low-status fish

Ever wondered how social stress affects our brains? Well, 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=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>



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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>



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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>



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<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>



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

Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists discover we age in bursts

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists solve the mystery of tickling

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p></p>



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

Retired professor claims he solved time travel

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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