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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/ieJKWW8sp2A
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>This animation depicts water disappearing over time in the Martian river valley Neretva Vallis, where NASA's Perseverance Mars takes the rock sample named “Sapphire Canyon” from a rock called “Cheyava Falls,” which was found in the “Bright Angel” formation. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech</em></figcaption></figure>



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



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

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

<p>Every organism on this planet, from the tiniest bacterium to the colossal blue whale, grapples with the task of adjusting to its ever-changing environment. Picture an animal on its never-ending quest for food, navigating the shifting sands of edible resources molded by the seasons.</p>



<p>Yet learning, as we know, isn't a walk in the park. It drains time and energy. An <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chimpanzees-and-bees-are-capable-of-complex-social-learning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">organism</a> that sluggishly learns may find itself lagging behind the environmental shifts, while one that learns too quickly might find itself swept up in the whirlwind of insignificant fluctuations.</p>



<p>Enter a newly developed mathematical model that tackles this head-on. Constructed by researchers at the Complexity Science Hub (CSH) and <a href="https://www.santafe.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Santa Fe Institute</a>, this model breaks down the optimal pace of learning for any organism existing in our dynamic world.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-rate-of-animals">Learning rate of animals</h2>



<p>“The key insight is that the ideal learning rate increases in the same way regardless of the pace of environmental change, whether the organism changes its environment or alters its interaction with it. This suggests a generalizable phenomenon that may underlie learning in a variety of ecosystems,” said CSH Postdoc <a href="https://csh.ac.at/eddie-lee/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Eddie Lee</a>.</p>



<p>In layman's terms, this model conceives an environment that transitions between various states such as wet and dry seasons or day and night.</p>



<p>The organisms pick up on these environmental cues and hold onto memories of these past states. But as time marches on, these older memories get relegated to the background, taking a backseat based on how quickly the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chick-emotions-shed-new-light-on-animal-welfare/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">organism</a> learns.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-and-environmental-timescales">Learning and environmental timescales</h2>



<p>Treading the line between animals learning too quickly and too slowly is no simple feat. The model brings forth an interesting proposition: the learning timescale should correspond to the square root of the environmental timescale.</p>



<p>Think of it in these terms: if the environment fluctuates twice as slowly, the organism's learning rate should dip by a factor of 1.4 (the square root of 2). The square root scaling tells us there's a limit to the benefits of having a long memory.</p>



<p>Our model doesn’t stop there. It also mimics organisms that aren’t passive learners. Some can actively reshape their environment, a power known as "niche construction."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-impact-on-animal-learning">Environmental impact on animal learning</h2>



<p>"If an organism can keep its surroundings stable, it gains an evolutionary advantage. But, this only works if the benefits stay within the organism. If other organisms move in and exploit the stabilized niche, the whole strategy falls apart," explained Lee.</p>



<p>The model uses beavers as an example to illustrate this. A beaver builds dams in rivers, leading to the formation of steady ponds that provide habitats for them and other species as well. </p>



<p>This construct equips them with a crucial evolutionary advantage - constant food supply and defense against predators.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-effort-required-for-learning">Mental effort required for learning </h2>



<p>An intriguing aspect of this model is its consideration of cognitive load - the mental effort required to adapt and learn. In a complex and rapidly changing environment, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-tool-superanimal-can-accurately-analyze-animal-behavior/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">organisms</a> must balance the amount of information they process to avoid cognitive overload.</p>



<p>An organism inundated with too much data might fail to effectively discern which changes are critical and which are benign. The model posits that there is an optimal level of cognitive load that allows organisms to respond adeptly to environmental shifts without becoming overwhelmed. </p>



<p>This balance enables organisms to allocate their resources efficiently, maintaining focus on the most pertinent environmental cues.</p>



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



<p>The principles outlined by this model hold potential implications for understanding human learning processes, particularly in educational and professional settings. </p>



<p>As we encounter ever-growing volumes of information, determining an optimal learning rate becomes crucial. </p>



<p>Educators can harness insights from the model to design curricula that sync with the natural pace of learning, ensuring students grasp <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drunk-animals-may-explain-humans-love-of-alcohol/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex concepts</a> without succumbing to cognitive fatigue. </p>



<p>In the workplace, this understanding could lead to tailored training programs that align with an employee's ability to absorb new information, promoting a more innovative and adaptive workforce.</p>



<p>By drawing parallels between the learning strategies of animals and humans, this model enriches our approach to education and lifelong learning.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-metabolic-costs-and-learning">Metabolic costs and learning</h2>



<p>Additionally, the researchers evaluated how learning capability interacts with the metabolic costs of maintaining life in animals. </p>



<p>They propose that for smaller, short-lived beings like insects, the costs of learning and memory are critical. For larger, long-lived creatures like mammals, the metabolic costs overshadow the costs of learning.</p>



<p>This suggests that short-lived organisms like insects have well-rounded memories tailored to their environments. </p>



<p>“In contrast, larger organisms like elephants have longer memories, but exactly how long they retain information may have more to do with non-learning costs or other types of environments such as social groups which impose further cognitive demands,” said Lee.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-and-memory-of-animals">Learning and memory of animals</h2>



<p>Ultimately, the model serves as a quantitative mechanism to discern how organisms juggle learning demands and survival imperatives in our ever-evolving world.</p>



<p>The results point towards an optimal pace of adaptation that's in sync with the speed of environmental change and lifespan of the organism, touching every rung of the ladder of life  - from microbes to humans.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2024.1606" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences</a>.</em></p>



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Animal learning speed: Keeping pace with a changing environment

Every organism on this planet, from the tiniest bacterium to...

<p>Ever noticed how you catch a falling glass before it even registers that it's slipping? That's because your brain is constantly making predictions, keeping you one step ahead of reality. </p>



<p>As difficult as it may be to believe, our minds don't just process what's happening -- they anticipate what's about to happen next.</p>



<p>This intriguing concept comes from researchers Christian Keysers and Valeria Gazzola of the <a href="https://nin.nl/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience</a>, along with Giorgia Silani from the <a href="https://www.univie.ac.at/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Vienna</a>.</p>



<p>Their collaborative work delves into how our brains enable us to react swiftly in everyday situations, challenging the old notion that we simply process information as it comes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-humans-react-in-space-and-time">How humans react in space and time</h2>



<p>Traditional views suggested that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/secrets-of-learning-how-our-brains-neurons-make-and-retrieve-memories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our brains</a> function like cameras, taking in visual information and then deciding how to respond. But that process would be too slow for split-second reactions.</p>



<p>“Your brain doesn’t react to what entered the eye -- but it predicts what will happen, based on expectations and previous experiences. By doing so, our actions keep pace with the ball, despite the hundreds of milliseconds it takes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-brain-literally-changes-based-on-daily-activities-and-lifestyle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the brain</a> to process visual input and move our body," Christian Keysers explains.</p>



<p>The human mind actually plans ahead to allow time to execute the action and catch the ball. The image that enters through your eyes is mainly used to check if your expectations match reality. </p>



<p>"Only when there’s a difference between your expectation and what you see, your brain uses the visual input to nudge its expectations in a more accurate direction," Keysers continued.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mirror-neurons-help-with-brain-predictions">Mirror neurons help with brain predictions</h2>



<p>This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-perception-we-see-the-world-based-on-what-we-expect-to-see/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predictive ability</a> isn't limited to our own actions; it extends to understanding others as well. </p>



<p>Valeria Gazzola points out, “What’s interesting is that you also use your own motor programs and somatosensory cortices to predict the actions of others."</p>



<p>Think about lifting a carton of milk.</p>



<p>"When you perform a physical action, like lifting a carton of milk to pour some of it into your coffee, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-brain-has-a-simulator-that-imagines-scenarios-while-planning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">you have expectations</a> about the weight of the carton, and how it should feel in your hand when you start lifting it," Gazzola says. "You don’t really notice the weight of the carton consciously, because your brain predicted it."</p>



<p>However, if someone else already finished the milk, and the carton is so much lighter than you expected, the sudden difference between your expectations and the sensory feedback suddenly grabs your attention.</p>



<p>When watching someone else perform an action, we use similar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-gut-brain-communication-affect-emotional-well-being/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predictive processes</a>. So, you still feel surprised if the carton flies skywards much faster than you expected. </p>



<p>"We think this has to do with so-called mirror neurons, which are cells within your own motor cortex that become active when you see someone else perform an action," Gazzola notes.</p>



<p>This acts as a sort of ‘shortcut,’ allowing you to use your own <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-causes-similar-emotional-experiences-and-sensations-in-all-cultures/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">motor programs</a>, and the predictive machinery necessary for your own actions to predict the behavior of others.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-emotions-through-prediction">Understanding emotions through prediction</h2>



<p>Predicting emotions follows a similar pattern. We know that regions in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-human-brain-decides-which-memories-to-remember/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">our brain</a> that are involved in our own emotions become active while we witness the emotions of others. However, how we predict the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/facial-expressions-arent-enough-to-understand-human-emotions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emotions of others</a> is not fully understood.</p>



<p>"Reviewing the literature revealed that the regions in our brain that are active when we receive reward or punishment also become active when someone else receives reward or punishment. Reward and punishment are therefore <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-reboots-the-brain-making-room-for-new-memories/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">valuable predictors</a> for the emotions of others," Gazzola continued.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-prediction-and-repetition">Brain prediction and repetition</h2>



<p>Christian Keysers offers an example to illustrate how our brains <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/music-triggers-unique-prediction-zones-in-the-brain/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adjust expectations</a>. </p>



<p>“Imagine I have a button, and every time I press it, an actor starts screaming in pain. If I do this five times, your expectations change: the first time, it’s totally unexpected, but by the fifth time, you can predict what’s going to happen," Keysers explained.</p>



<p>According to the traditional <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nature-experiences-alter-time-perception/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">theory of perception</a>, where the brain only processes the image you see, you should see the same reaction in the brain each time. </p>



<p>However, if the outside world primarily serves to test your predictions, you’d expect a strong brain response the first time, and a much smaller response the last time, because you already know what’s going to happen.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-really-happening-in-our-brains">What's really happening in our brains? </h2>



<p>"Over many studies we see that it's quite complex," Keysers says. "Some brain areas maintain consistent responses while others change their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/slow-motion-exercise-changes-our-perception-of-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">activity patterns</a> across repeated exposures."</p>



<p>The research reveals how brain systems form a predictive network. When actions become familiar, the premotor cortex anticipates movements and suppresses visual processing. </p>



<p>"What you perceive is then no longer what you actually see, but what you <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-dreams-influence-our-perceptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expect to see</a>," Keysers explains. Unexpected events disrupt this system. </p>



<p>"Only if something unexpected happens, this inhibition becomes ineffective," Keysers adds. Visual areas then activate strongly and send signals to update the premotor cortex's predictions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-autism-and-brain-prediction">Autism and brain prediction</h2>



<p>The predictive system isn't perfect, and variations in how it functions can have significant effects. The researchers suggest that in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-make-history-by-cracking-the-autism-code/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">people with autism</a>, this system may be less fine-tuned.</p>



<p>"This makes the world around them more unpredictable, leading to less suppressed stimuli," Keysers explains. The brain normally filters out predictable background activity. </p>



<p>In a crowded room, however, most people can focus on important signals while ignoring the chaos. But when prediction fails, even ordinary environments overwhelm the senses.</p>



<p>Understanding these mechanisms is crucial, not just for neuroscience but also for developing better support for those with neurological differences.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deeper-understanding-of-the-human-mind">Deeper understanding of the human mind</h2>



<p>To sum it all up, understanding that our brains are constantly making predictions adds a whole new dimension to how we <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/blinking-plays-crucial-role-vision-human-perception/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">experience life</a>. It's not just about processing what's right in front of us; it's about anticipating what's coming next. </p>



<p>This predictive power allows us to catch a ball without thinking or notice when something feels off, like a milk carton that's unexpectedly light.</p>



<p>"The brain is complex and has the unique ability to adapt," Keysers reflects. "It’s interesting to realize that your brain isn’t just a camera simply processing what comes in. Instead, your brain constantly operates based on predictions. Your brain is always ahead and continuously constructs what the world should be.”</p>



<p>Realizing how our minds are always a step ahead helps us appreciate the complexity of our everyday actions. It also highlights why some people might find the world overwhelming when this system doesn't work the same way.</p>



<p>Isn't it fascinating how much goes on without us even being aware of it? Our brains are very busy, to say the least, always staying one step ahead of what we think is real.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763424003464?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neuroscience &amp; Biobehavioral Reviews</a></em>.</p>



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Your brain is constantly working to "predict" what happens next from every angle

Ever noticed how you catch a falling glass before it...

<p>Astronomers have stumbled upon something truly remarkable: a black hole that's not just part of a binary system, but part of a trio. </p>



<p>This unusual system includes a black hole and two stars -- one orbiting very close and the other much farther away. </p>



<p>It's the first time scientists have observed such a configuration, and it's turning some long-held theories on their heads.</p>



<p>Kevin Burdge, a Pappalardo Fellow in the <a href="https://physics.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MIT Department of Physics</a>, led the team that made this surprising discovery. His work is opening up new questions about how black holes form and evolve.</p>



<p>The research suggests that black holes might not always form the way we thought they did. Instead of being born from violent explosions, some might emerge more quietly, without the dramatic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supernova-dandelion-year-1181-leaves-behind-zombie-star-defying-death/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fireworks of a supernova</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-black-hole-in-a-triple-system">Black hole in a triple system</h2>



<p>In most cases, black holes are found in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supermassive-binary-black-holes-secrets-revealed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">binary systems</a>. That means they have a companion -- usually a star or another black hole -- that they orbit closely due to their immense gravity. But this new system is different. </p>



<p>There's a black hole at the center, consuming a small star that orbits it every 6.5 days. That's pretty typical. What's not typical is the second star, which is also orbiting the black hole but at a much greater distance. This outer star takes about 70,000 years to complete one orbit.</p>



<p>To put that into perspective, the outer star is about 3,500 astronomical units (AU) away from the black hole. One AU is the distance between the Earth and the Sun, so this star is 3,500 times that distance away. That's also about 100 times the distance between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pluto-may-not-be-real-planet-but-has-real-big-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pluto</a> and the Sun.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenging-the-supernova-theory">Challenging the supernova theory</h2>



<p>The big question is, how can a black hole keep hold of a star that's so far away? </p>



<p>According to our current understanding, black holes form from the violent explosion of a dying star -- a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shockingly-bright-carbon-monoxide-detected-in-supernova-remnant/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supernova</a>. </p>



<p>Such an explosion would release so much energy that any loosely bound objects nearby would be kicked away. So, the outer star shouldn't still be hanging around.</p>



<p>"We think most black holes form from violent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bright-star-documented-year-1181-was-actually-supernova-sn-1181/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">explosions of stars</a>, but this discovery helps call that into question," says Burdge. </p>



<p>"This system is super exciting for black hole evolution, and it also raises questions of whether there are more triples out there."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-direct-collapse-theory">Direct collapse theory</h2>



<p>The team believes that the black hole in this system may have formed through a more peaceful process known as direct collapse. </p>



<p>In this scenario, a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-star-redefines-our-understanding-of-stellar-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">massive star</a> simply caves in on itself, forming a black hole without the dramatic explosion. This gentle collapse wouldn't disturb any distant companions, allowing the outer star to remain in orbit.</p>



<p>Direct collapse is a concept that's been discussed in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-hole-disks-are-unexpectedly-fluffy-new-simulation-reveals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">theoretical astrophysics</a>, but observational evidence has been hard to come by. </p>



<p>If this black hole indeed formed through direct collapse, it could be the first concrete example supporting this theory.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-did-astronomers-find-it">How did astronomers find it?</h2>



<p>Interestingly, the discovery happened almost by chance. Burdge and his colleagues were looking through <a href="https://aladin.cds.unistra.fr/AladinLite/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aladin Lite</a>, an online tool that compiles astronomical images from various telescopes. </p>



<p>They were searching for new black holes within our galaxy when they took a closer look at V404 Cygni, a black hole about 8,000 light-years from Earth.</p>



<p>V404 Cygni was one of the first confirmed black holes, identified back in 1992. It's been studied extensively, with over 1,300 scientific papers discussing it. Yet, no one had noticed the third component in its system until now.</p>



<p>When Burdge examined optical images of V404 Cygni, he noticed two blobs of light close together. The first was the known black hole and its closely orbiting star. </p>



<p>The second blob was something else -- a far-off star that hadn't been associated with the system before.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-connecting-the-dots-in-this-black-hole-system">Connecting the dots in this black hole system</h2>



<p>To determine if the outer star was truly part of the system, the team analyzed data from Gaia, a satellite that tracks the motions of stars. </p>



<p>They found that the inner and outer stars moved in perfect sync over the last 10 years. The odds of this happening by chance are about one in 10 million.</p>



<p>"It's almost certainly not a coincidence or accident," Burdge says. "We’re seeing two stars that are following each other because they’re attached by this weak <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/theory-gravity-exists-without-mass-so-dark-matter-does-not-exist/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">string of gravity</a>. So this has to be a triple system."</p>



<p>To test their ideas, Burdge ran tens of thousands of simulations. He tried different scenarios, like a supernova explosion and a direct collapse, to see how the system could have formed without losing the outer star. The results pointed strongly toward the direct collapse theory.</p>



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



<p>The outer star is in the process of becoming a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bubbling-surface-of-distant-star-r-doradus-captured-amazing-video-alma-telescope/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">red giant</a>, a phase that occurs late in a star's life. This helped the team estimate that the system is about 4 billion years old. </p>



<p>Knowing the age gives scientists valuable insights into the lifecycle of black holes and their companions.</p>



<p>"Now we know V404 Cygni is part of a triple, it could have formed from direct collapse, and it formed about 4 billion years ago, thanks to this discovery," Burdge says.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-do-black-hole-systems-matter">What do black hole systems matter?</h2>



<p>To sum it all up, this discovery is turning our understanding of black holes on its head. Finding a black hole with such an unusual trio makes scientists rethink how these cosmic giants come into being. </p>



<p>If some black holes form quietly through direct collapse, there might be more of them out there than we ever imagined.</p>



<p>If direct collapse is more common than we thought, it might change how we search for and study black holes in the future. It also opens up the possibility that there are more triple systems out there waiting to be found.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08120-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a></em>.</p>



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Black hole formation can be "gentle" without producing a supernova

Astronomers have stumbled upon something truly remarkable: a black hole...

<p>This year, Japan's iconic Mount Fuji stands surprisingly snow-less, marking the first time in 130 years of records that its slopes have been bare.</p>



<p>Typically, Mount Fuji is known for its majestic snow-covered slopes throughout most of the year. Every fall, the volcano's snowcap makes its appearance -- usually during the first week of October.</p>



<p>Last year, snow was first spotted on the peak as early as October 5, but this year has been <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/prediction-this-winter-will-be-the-warmest-in-recorded-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">different</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-missing-snow-on-mount-fuji">Missing snow on Mount Fuji</h2>



<p>Mount Fuji's top seems to have skipped its annual white makeover. According to Yutaka Katsuta, a forecaster at <a href="https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/en/Activities/surf/surf.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kofu Local Meteorological Office</a>, warm weather has prevented snowfall on Japan's highest mountain.</p>



<p>This makes it the latest date the mountain has remained bare since comparative data was first recorded in 1894. It beats the previous record from 1955 and 2016, when snowfall was first observed on October 26.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-is-this-happening">Why is this happening? </h2>



<p>According to Katsuta, temperatures were high this summer, and these high temperatures continued into September - deterring the cold air which brings snow.</p>



<p>Katsuta noted that climate change could be affecting the timing of the snowcap's formation.</p>



<p>In fact, the summer of 2024 was the joint hottest on record for Japan, matching the extreme temperatures seen in 2023.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mount-fuji-a-hiking-hub">Mount Fuji: A hiking hub</h2>



<p>Not just a spectacle of nature, Mount Fuji is also a hub for hiking enthusiasts, with over 220,000 visitors pushing themselves up its steep, rocky slopes every year during the hiking season.</p>



<p>The hikers often climb through the night, driven by the prize of a sunrise view from the 3,776-meter (12,388-foot) summit.</p>



<p>However, this year saw fewer climbers. The Japanese authorities, in tackling over-tourism, introduced an entry fee and a daily cap on the number of hikers.</p>



<p>Aside from being a physical challenge and a natural snow landmark, Mount Fuji is also an aesthetic muse. It has inspired countless artworks, including the legendary Hokusai's "Great Wave." Its last eruption was about 300 years ago.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mount-fuji-s-bare-slopes">Mount Fuji's bare slopes</h2>



<p>The unusual absence of snow on Mount Fuji raises significant environmental concerns. The lack of early snowfall is not only an anomaly for Japan's most revered peak but serves as a palpable indicator of broader <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/winters-are-set-to-become-much-wetter-in-the-united-states/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate changes</a> affecting our planet. </p>



<p>Such shifts in seasonal patterns can have lasting impacts on local ecosystems, affecting flora and fauna adapted to colder temperatures.</p>



<p>Moreover, the melting snow traditionally contributes to freshwater sources for surrounding areas. This delay in snow accumulation could result in water scarcity issues during the subsequent seasons.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cultural-significance-of-the-mountain">Cultural significance of the mountain</h2>



<p>Mount Fuji and its snow holds profound cultural significance, weaving deep into the fabric of Japanese identity. It serves as a symbol of natural beauty and spiritual connection that pervades literature, folklore, and art. </p>



<p>The mountain's snow-covered visage is more than just a picturesque scene; it resonates with historical narratives and personal pilgrimages. As Japan faces this <a href="https://www.earth.com/search-results/?search=Mountain%20climatee&amp;start=10" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climatic shift</a>, it presents an opportunity for reflection and adaptation.</p>



<p>Scientists and policymakers alike must collaborate on strategies to mitigate these changes, ensuring this iconic mountain continues to inspire future generations while safeguarding its ecological health and cultural heritage.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mount-fuji-s-delay-in-snow">Mount Fuji's delay in snow</h2>



<p>Scientists are researching why Mount Fuji is experiencing delays in snowfall. They are looking at local and global climate conditions, temperature changes, and historical climate data to understand how climate change affects the mountain.</p>



<p>Improved weather technology helps them predict future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-a-widespread-decline-of-snow-cover-in-the-northern-hemisphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">snow patterns</a>. The research could help the local community adapt to changes on Mount Fuji, while enhancing our understanding of mountain climates globally.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-of-the-missing-snow">Implications of the missing snow</h2>



<p>The lack of snow on Mount Fuji highlights the need for climate awareness. Environmental groups and governments are using this to educate people about the effects of climate change.</p>



<p>The goal is to raise awareness about sustainability and reducing carbon footprints. These efforts encourage a shared responsibility to protect the natural beauty of places like Mount Fuji for future generations.</p>



<p>The missing snow on Mount Fuji is not just an anomaly in weather patterns; it seems to be a symptom of the larger issue of climate change. It's a reminder that our actions affect not just our immediate surroundings but the entire globe.</p>



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Mount Fuji has no snow for the first time in 130 years

This year, Japan's iconic Mount Fuji stands surprisingly snow-less, marking...

<p>Social observation has a surprising power over our choices. Have you ever noticed how your decisions shift when others are watching? There's something about the subtle gaze of others that can flip our internal choice compass entirely.</p>



<p>New insights reveal how social observation sways our choices, nudging us toward safer or riskier options depending on how we interpret the expectations of others.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-observation-and-decisions">Social observation and decisions</h2>



<p>People tend to adjust their choices between a safe and risky decision based on their perception of an observer’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/people-often-overestimate-their-ability-to-understand-others-opinion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">opinion</a>, according to recent research published in the journal <em>Life</em>.</p>



<p>The study challenges the common belief that people universally lean toward riskier choices under observation. </p>



<p>Instead, it presents solid evidence showing that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/brain-cells-communicate-to-support-decision-making/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">decision-making</a> varies based on who’s observing - a unique adjustment that has been largely overlooked.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-peers-influence-our-behavior">How peers influence our behavior</h2>



<p>Past research has shown that the presence of others can impact our choices, particularly in teenagers, who often make riskier <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quick-decisions-are-often-biased-and-misleading/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">decisions</a> when they are being observed. This tendency also holds true in adults, who adapt their choices based on social cues.</p>



<p>HeeYoung Seon is a graduate student in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, <a href="https://www.unist.ac.kr/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology</a> (UNIST), South Korea, who co-authored the study with Professor Dongil Chung.</p>



<p>"Those studies suggest that people actively process information about their social environment when making decisions," said Seon.</p>



<p>"We speculated that people’s beliefs about their observers, which can be shaped by experience, may play a central role in their decision-making process."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testing-the-theory">Testing the theory</h2>



<p>To investigate, the researchers conducted a three-part experiment with 43 participants who were asked to choose between a safe and a risky option during a gambling task.</p>



<p>First, participants made these choices alone. In the second "learning" phase, they were paired with a "risky" and a "safe" partner, predicting each partner's likely choice.</p>



<p>By the third 'observed' phase, participants made <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/co-workers-influence-our-healthy-and-unhealthy-food-choices/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">choices</a> while knowing they were being watched by a partner, providing key insights into how social observation shapes decision-making.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-power-of-social-observation">The power of social observation</h2>



<p>Through this structured task, Seon and Chung observed that participants initially expected others to choose riskier options. However, over time, they accurately learned and anticipated their partners' choices.</p>



<p>When under observation by a safe partner, participants tended to avoid risky choices. With a risky partner, however, they leaned toward riskier options.</p>



<p>The findings suggest that people’s beliefs about their observers significantly impact their decisions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-s-role-in-social-decision-making">Brain’s role in social decision-making</h2>



<p>The researchers also examined the neural mechanisms involved, using blood-oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) signaling to study <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mixed-emotions-linked-to-unique-brain-activity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain activity</a> in solo and observed phases. </p>



<p>The team identified the temporoparietal junction (TPJ) as a key area activated under observation, pointing to its role in social cognitive functions.</p>



<p>"Our study provides further understanding for how the presence of others affects an individual's decision-making behavior," said Professor Chung.</p>



<p>"In the modern world, almost every choice we make is seen by others. In this environment, taking the perspectives of others into account is an essential ability to empathize with one another, make prosocial choices and follow social norms."</p>



<p>"Our data shed light on the flip side, showing how and why incorrect beliefs about others may lead to more risky or maladaptive behaviours, such as the formation of extremely polarised opinions."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-socially-driven-decision-making">Socially driven decision-making</h2>



<p>The study's findings have far-reaching implications beyond the lab, shedding light on how social observation can shape behavior in everyday contexts. </p>



<p>In settings like workplaces, classrooms, or even social media platforms, the awareness of being observed might subtly steer individuals toward choices they perceive as acceptable or expected by others.</p>



<p>Socially influenced decision-making can encourage conformity and collaboration in group settings. On the other hand, it may also lead to decision-making pitfalls - especially in high-stakes scenarios where overestimating others' preferences for risk or safety could have unintended consequences.</p>



<p>For instance, in financial environments where risky choices might be rewarded, employees under social scrutiny may feel pressured to engage in riskier behaviors, potentially leading to outcomes that mirror the influences of their perceived "observers."</p>



<p>Similarly, on social media, where decisions about sharing content or engaging in discussions often unfold in highly visible settings, individuals might adjust their expressions or stances based on what they think aligns with the majority's view. </p>



<p>The study raises questions about how social observation impacts collective behaviors and emphasizes the importance of creating environments where authentic decision-making can thrive without undue social pressures.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://elifesciences.org/reviewed-preprints/102228v1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">eLife</a></em>.</p>



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Social observation: Our decisions shift when people are watching

Social observation has a surprising power over our choices. Have...

<p>Compared to the period just before the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals are now dedicating nearly an hour less each day to activities outside the home, a shift that researchers say is a lasting impact of the pandemic.</p>



<p>A study published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01944363.2024.2385327" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Journal of the American Planning Association</em></a> shows that daily time spent on out-of-home activities has decreased by approximately 51 minutes since 2019. </p>



<p>Additionally, there was a nearly 12-minute reduction in time spent on daily <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-hidden-carbon-footprint-of-long-distance-travel/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">travel</a>, such as driving or using public transportation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-staying-at-home-after-the-pandemic">Staying at home after the pandemic</h2>



<p>Based on a survey of 34,000 Americans, this analysis is the first to compare in-home versus out-of-home time following the pandemic.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Researchers from <a href="https://www.clemson.edu/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clemson University</a> and the <a href="https://www.ucla.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Los Angeles</a> (UCLA) found a trend toward reduced out-of-home activity that dates back to at least 2003, with the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/financial-losses-during-the-pandemic-took-a-toll-on-mental-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pandemic</a> significantly accelerating this shift toward home-based activities.</p>



<p>The shift toward spending more time at home, referred to as “going nowhere fast,” is expected to have wide-ranging effects on psychology, social behavior, and economic conditions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study’s authors, who are urban planners, suggest that this reduced out-of-home activity should prompt changes in urban and transportation policies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-and-transportation-policy-adjustments">Urban and transportation policy adjustments</h2>



<p>The scientists recommend that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cities-are-largely-unprepared-for-the-effects-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cities</a> rethink how they use office and retail spaces due to the increase in remote work and online shopping. </p>



<p>They suggest easing restrictions on converting commercial spaces to residential units and increasing curb space for delivery vehicles to accommodate the boom in online shopping.</p>



<p>“In a world where cities cannot rely on captive office workers and must work to attract residents, workers, and customers, local officials might seek to invest more heavily in their remaining strengths,” said lead author Eric A. Morris, a professor of city and regional planning at Clemson University.</p>



<p>“These include opportunities for recreation, entertainment, culture, arts, and more. Central cities might shift toward becoming centers of consumption more than production.”</p>



<p>Urban centers might leverage their appeal by developing multi-unit housing, which tends to attract younger residents and those who enjoy urban living. Such adjustments could also help lower housing and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-heat-impacts-our-daily-routines-and-transportation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">transportation</a> expenses, benefiting lower-income communities and society at large.</p>



<p>In terms of transportation policy, the authors suggest a shift away from costly infrastructure aimed at accommodating peak travel demands and instead focusing on pedestrian and cyclist safety and improving basic mobility options for underprivileged travelers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advantages-of-staying-close-to-home">Advantages of staying close to home</h2>



<p>While staying closer to home may involve certain disruptions, it also offers advantages, such as reducing travel time, fuel consumption, and emissions, which can save people time and money. However, increased time at home could lead to social isolation and other negative effects.</p>



<p>The study attributes part of this shift to advances in information technology and the way people learned to utilize these tools more effectively during the pandemic.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pandemic-effects-on-leisure-time">Pandemic effects on leisure time</h2>



<p>The researchers analyzed work and leisure patterns using data from the <a href="https://www.bls.gov/tus/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Time Use Survey</a> (ATUS), a yearly review that tracks how Americans allocate their time. </p>



<p>The ATUS, conducted by the United States Census Bureau and sponsored by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, has been running since 2003. The data for this study was compiled by the ATUS-X site managed by the <a href="https://twin-cities.umn.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Minnesota</a> and the <a href="https://umd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Maryland</a>.</p>



<p>The researchers examined time use data from the years before, during, and after the pandemic - specifically 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023. The year 2020 was excluded from analysis due to incomplete data collection during the height of the pandemic. The research focused on adults aged 17 and older.</p>



<p>The team categorized time into 16 in-home activities, such as sleep, exercise, and work, and 12 out-of-home activities, including attending arts events, shopping, working, and religious participation. Travel, by car, walking, or public transit (excluding air travel), was also analyzed separately.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decrease-in-travel-time">Decrease in travel time</h2>



<p>The study found that time spent on 8 of the 12 out-of-home activities decreased between 2019 and 2021, while 11 of the 16 in-home activities increased.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Average out-of-home activity time dropped from 334 minutes per day in 2019 to 271 minutes in 2021 - a decline from roughly 5.5 hours to 4.5 hours per day. Although working from home contributed to this trend, other out-of-home activities saw significant decreases as well.</p>



<p>The decrease in travel time mirrored this pattern, with participants spending about 13 fewer minutes per day in transit. The study notes that this decline was not solely due to reduced commuting during the pandemic.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-staying-at-home-persists">Staying at home persists</h2>



<p>Time spent away from home has only partially rebounded since the pandemic. Between 2021 and 2023, out-of-home time increased by just 11 minutes, from 270 minutes to 281 minutes per day.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, this still represents a 53-minute drop compared to 2019. In 2023, out-of-home activity, travel, and seven types of out-of-home engagements remained below 2019 levels, while eight in-home activities remained elevated.</p>



<p>The researchers observed that this home-oriented trend has persisted into 2023, with minimal change compared to 2022.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-additional-insights-and-continuing-trends">Additional insights and continuing trends</h2>



<p>Interestingly, while online shopping increased, it did not lead to a significant rise in time spent shopping at home, as the process is generally quicker than in-person shopping.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Another surprising finding was that television viewing did not increase significantly, except during the initial pandemic phase. Meanwhile, many individuals have shifted their sports and exercise routines to home settings, likely driven by purchases of home gym equipment.</p>



<p>The authors note that this trend of spending more time at home has been developing for at least 16 years before the pandemic.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Previous research they conducted indicated that out-of-home activity among adults dropped by about 1.8 minutes per year from 2003 to 2019, with travel time decreasing by about 30 seconds per year over the same period.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, the reductions observed during the pandemic were much greater than those suggested by previous trends.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While improvements in technology may account for some of these changes, other patterns, like increased <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-brain-literally-changes-based-on-daily-activities-and-lifestyle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sleep</a> duration, merit further investigation, the researchers conclude.</p>



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



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Staying home is the new ‘going out’ after the pandemic 

Compared to the period just before the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals...

<p>Staring into the depths of space can feel like looking into the eyes of the universe itself. Take a moment to observe this striking image of two merging galaxies that resemble a pair of luminous eyes gazing back. </p>



<p>These celestial bodies, known as galaxies NGC 2207 and IC 2163, are engaged in a slow cosmic waltz that's both spooky and enlightening.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-two-galaxies-have-an-unlikely-encounter">Two galaxies have an unlikely encounter </h2>



<p>In the grand scale of the cosmos, collisions between galaxies are not uncommon. However, the interaction between <a href="https://stsci-opo.org/STScI-01J9RRJA6MZCBT0YXAJQ961Q04.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NGC 2207 and IC 2163</a> is particularly intriguing. </p>



<p>Located about 80 million light-years away in the constellation <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hubble-captures-another-cosmic-masterpiece-in-galaxy-ngc-2217/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Canis Major</a>, these two spiral galaxies have begun a gentle pas de deux. </p>



<p>IC 2163, the smaller galaxy on the left, has started to drift behind the larger NGC 2207. This gradual approach happened millions of years ago and has set the stage for a fascinating series of events.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-when-galaxies-collide">When galaxies collide</h2>



<p>Galaxy collisions are like a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/webb-captures-a-galaxy-collision-with-a-radiant-smile/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">slow-motion dance</a> that lasts millions of years. The stars within them are so spread out that they usually don't crash into each other directly. </p>



<p>Instead, the gravitational pull between the galaxies causes them to stretch and warp. Gas clouds slam into one another, sparking massive bursts of new star formation. </p>



<p>The shapes of the galaxies get distorted -- <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/galaxy-collisions-hubble-spots-a-string-of-pearls-star-cluster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spiral arms can twist</a> and tails of stars might stream out into space.</p>



<p>These cosmic encounters can also send shockwaves through the galaxies, influencing everything from star birth to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-matter-seen-separating-from-normal-matter-after-galaxy-cluster-collision/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">behavior of black holes</a> at their centers. </p>



<p>Sometimes, the colliding galaxies eventually merge into a single, larger galaxy. It's a wild process that reshapes the galaxies involved and plays a big role in how the universe evolves over time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shock-fronts-and-stellar-formation">Shock fronts and stellar formation</h2>



<p>If you look closely, you can spot potential evidence of their interaction. The areas where material from both galaxies may have collided are highlighted in brighter red hues. </p>



<p>These shock fronts, including features that resemble "eyelids," hint at the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-star-redefines-our-understanding-of-stellar-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dynamic processes at play</a>. The gravitational tug-of-war has likely distorted their spiral arms, pulling out tidal tails and creating extensions that stretch into space.</p>



<p>What's truly remarkable is the rate of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-stellar-objects-observing-the-early-lives-of-stars/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star formation</a> within these galaxies. Each year, they give birth to the equivalent of about two dozen Sun-sized stars. </p>



<p>That's a stellar nursery bustling with activity, especially when you consider that our Milky Way produces only two or three such stars annually. </p>



<p>Over recent decades, these galaxies have also been home to seven known supernovae. These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supernova-dandelion-year-1181-leaves-behind-zombie-star-defying-death/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">explosive events</a> signify the end of massive stars while contributing to the cosmic recycling process, seeding the galaxies with elements that fuel new <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/six-rogue-worlds-discovered-inside-a-young-star-forming-nebula/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star formation</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-locating-the-stellar-nurseries">Locating the stellar nurseries</h2>



<p>The vibrant blue regions captured by the <a href="https://hubblesite.org/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hubble Space Telescope</a> indicate areas rich in young, hot stars emitting ultraviolet light. </p>



<p>Meanwhile, the <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">James Webb Space Telescop</a>e's mid-infrared observations highlight pink and white regions where dust and gas are abundant -- perfect conditions for star formation. </p>



<p>Larger clusters of stars, known as super star clusters, can be seen in the upper spiral arm of NGC 2207, wrapping above and pointing left. These are the cosmic hotspots where the next generation of stars is born.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-for-this-galactic-duo">What's next for this galactic duo?</h2>



<p>One can't help but wonder about the future of <a href="https://webbtelescope.org/contents/media/images/2024/136/01J9S5P7D668XGRWBNA950CSB2?news=true" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NGC 2207 and IC 2163</a>. Over the next few million years, they may continue their gravitational dance, passing by each other multiple times. </p>



<p>This could eventually lead to a full merger, blending their cores and arms into a single, larger galaxy. Such a union would create a new cosmic entity, potentially with an even brighter core that could resemble a singular, cyclopean eye in the sky.</p>



<p>As they merge, their abundant gas and dust will fuel a final burst of star formation. But like all good things, this too will come to an end. </p>



<p>Once their stellar fuel is exhausted, the frenetic pace of star birth will slow, and the galaxies will settle into a calmer existence.</p>



<p>Interestingly, this scenario offers a glimpse into a possible future for our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/newly-discovered-stars-milky-way-are-old-as-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a>. Astronomers predict that in about four billion years, the Milky Way will collide with the neighboring <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/uma3-u1-faintest-star-system-found-orbiting-milky-way-galaxy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Andromeda galaxy</a>. </p>



<p>While the scale and specifics will differ, the cosmic choreography might share similarities with what's happening between NGC 2207 and IC 2163.</p>



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



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Dancing galaxies resemble bloodshot demon eyes on a black cosmic tapestry

Staring into the depths of space can feel like looking...

<p>In a remarkable development in the fight against wildlife trafficking, African giant pouched rats have been trained to detect pangolin scales, elephant ivory, rhino horn, and African blackwood.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Previously known for detecting explosives and tuberculosis, these rodents are proving to be versatile allies in conservation efforts.</p>



<p>“Our study shows that we can train African giant pouched rats to detect illegally trafficked wildlife, even when it has been concealed among other substances,” said lead author Isabelle Szott, a researcher at the <a href="https://okeanos-foundation.org/">Okeanos Foundation</a>. </p>



<p>“The rats also continued to detect the wildlife targets after not encountering that species for a long period,” added co-author Kate Webb, an assistant professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at <a href="https://duke.edu/">Duke University</a>.</p>



<p>The study was conducted at <a href="https://apopo.org/">APOPO</a>, a non-profit organization based in Tanzania that develops low-tech, cost-effective solutions to humanitarian challenges.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rats-in-the-fight-against-wildlife-trafficking">Rats in the fight against wildlife trafficking</h2>



<p>To prepare for the detection tasks, the rats - Kirsty, Marty, Attenborough, Irwin, Betty, Teddy, Ivory, Ebony, Desmond, Thoreau, and Fossey (many named after renowned conservationists) - underwent a series of training stages.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Each rat learned to recognize specific wildlife scents through what researchers called “indication training,” where the rats held their noses over a scented target for a few seconds. A correct response was rewarded with flavored rodent pellets, motivating them to repeat the behavior.</p>



<p>As their training progressed, the rats were introduced to various non-target scents such as electric cables, coffee beans, and washing powder - substances often used by traffickers to mask wildlife scents.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“During the discrimination stage, rats learn to only signal the odors of the wildlife targets while ignoring non-targets,” Szott explained.</p>



<p>The study demonstrated the rats’ impressive retention <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-that-rats-have-an-imagination/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">abilities</a>. After periods of five and eight months without exposure to the target scents, the rats could still recognize them with perfect retention scores, a level of cognitive retention comparable to that of trained <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dogs-can-smell-human-stress-and-it-makes-them-feel-gloomy/">dogs</a>. </p>



<p>By the end of the training program, eight rats successfully identified four wildlife species from 146 other substances commonly found in shipping cargo.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rats-are-a-practical-solution">Rats are a practical solution </h2>



<p>“Existing screening tools are expensive and time intensive, and there is an urgent need to increase cargo screening. APOPO's rats are cost-efficient <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-nose-is-a-clever-smell-prediction-system/">scent detection</a> tools,” said Szott.</p>



<p>“They can easily access tight spaces like cargo in packed shipping containers or be lifted up high to screen the ventilation systems of sealed containers.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>Given their size and agility, these rats offer a practical solution for wildlife detection in various port and cargo environments.</p>



<p>The research team’s next objective is to adapt these rats for use at international ports. To achieve this, the rats will wear specially designed vests fitted with a small pull cord. When they detect a target scent, they can pull the cord to emit a beeping sound, signaling their handler.</p>



<p>“The vests are a great example of developing hardware that could be useful across different settings and tasks, including at a shipping port to detect smuggled wildlife,” Webb said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-and-future-development">Challenges and future development</h2>



<p>This study, while promising, does face some limitations. For instance, the research was conducted in a controlled environment that differs significantly from the busy, noisy, and variable conditions typically found at ports and trafficking checkpoints.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Deploying rats in real-world settings will require additional testing and adjustments to ensure their effectiveness and reliability under less predictable conditions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-the-research-nbsp">Broader implications of the research<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>Furthermore, while the current study focused solely on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/experts-are-using-forensic-science-to-fight-wildlife-trafficking/">wildlife trafficking</a>, researchers believe that these detection skills could also aid in other efforts to disrupt organized crime.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Wildlife smuggling is often conducted by individuals engaged in other illegal activities, including human, drug, and arms trafficking,” Webb noted. “Therefore, deploying rats to combat wildlife trafficking may assist with the global fight against networks that exploit humans and nature.”</p>



<p>This study opens new avenues for wildlife <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/effective-conservation-efforts-key-to-saving-biodiversity/">conservation</a> and anti-trafficking measures. If African giant pouched rats can effectively identify and signal the presence of endangered species products, they could become a critical component in stopping illegal wildlife trade and reducing its impact on vulnerable species.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fcosc.2024.1444126"><em>Frontiers in Conservation Science</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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



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Rats can sniff out horns and tusks to combat wildlife trafficking

In a remarkable development in the fight against wildlife trafficking,...

<p>Tales of animals appearing “drunk” after eating fermented fruit have circulated for years. Still, many scientists believed that ethanol consumption among wild animals was rare and largely accidental.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Challenging this assumption, ecologists now argue that animals frequently consume low levels of alcohol in their natural diets.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2024.09.005" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Trends in Ecology &amp; Evolution</em></a>, a new review suggests that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oriental-hornets-have-the-highest-alcohol-tolerance-of-any-animal/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">alcohol</a> is ubiquitous across ecosystems and regularly consumed by many fruit- and nectar-eating species.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-ethanol-in-nature">The role of ethanol in nature</h2>



<p>Behavioral ecologist Kimberley Hockings of the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter</a> believes that this finding broadens our understanding of ethanol’s role in nature.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We’re moving away from this anthropocentric view that ethanol is just something that humans use,” she said. “It’s much more abundant in the natural world than we previously thought, and most animals that eat sugary fruits are going to be exposed to some level of ethanol.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>This perspective emphasizes that ethanol isn’t unique to human consumption but rather a natural compound that animals regularly encounter in their environments.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ethanol-dates-back-100-million-years">Ethanol dates back 100 million years</h2>



<p>The presence of ethanol in the environment dates back approximately 100 million years, around the time <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tree-of-life-created-for-flowering-plants-using-400-million-specimens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flowering plants</a> began to flourish.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These plants produce sugars in nectar and fruits, creating an ideal environment for yeast fermentation, which naturally generates ethanol.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Today, ethanol is present in ecosystems worldwide, with tropical and humid regions showing higher concentrations due to more consistent warmth and moisture.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alcohol-in-fermented-fruits">Alcohol in fermented fruits</h2>



<p>In most cases, fermented fruits have alcohol levels of 1%-2% by volume (ABV), though over-ripe fruits, such as some palm fruits in Panama, have been found to reach up to 10.2% ABV.</p>



<p>Long before the appearance of ethanol-producing yeast, animals had already evolved genes to break down ethanol. Evidence suggests that evolution further adapted these genes for mammals and birds that consume fruit and nectar regularly, particularly in species like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-may-have-inherited-a-love-of-alcohol-from-monkeys/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">primates</a> and treeshrews.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This evolutionary adjustment likely enabled animals to tolerate the presence of ethanol in their food sources, allowing them to consume it without experiencing severe intoxication.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-animals-need-the-calories-in-alcohol">Animals need the calories in alcohol</h2>



<p>“From an ecological perspective, it is not advantageous to be inebriated as you’re climbing around in the trees or surrounded by predators at night - that’s a recipe for not having your genes passed on,” said co-author Matthew Carrigan, a molecular ecologist at the <a href="https://www.cf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">College of Central Florida</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“It’s the opposite of humans who want to get intoxicated but don’t really want the calories - from the non-human perspective, the animals want the calories but not the inebriation.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-benefits-of-animal-alcohol-consumption">Benefits of animal alcohol consumption</h2>



<p>Though researchers are still investigating whether animals actively seek out ethanol, it’s becoming clear that its consumption may offer several benefits.&nbsp;</p>



<p>First and foremost, ethanol provides an additional source of calories, which is vital for survival. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fermented-foods-combat-depression-and-anxiety/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fermentation</a> also releases odorous compounds that can lead animals to food, although it remains uncertain if animals are capable of detecting ethanol itself or are simply drawn to the overall scent of fermentation.</p>



<p>In addition to being a source of energy, ethanol may have protective effects against certain environmental threats. For example, fruit flies lay eggs in ethanol-containing substrates, which can deter parasites.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Likewise, when parasitized by wasps, fruit fly larvae increase their ethanol consumption as a protective measure. Ethanol could have other biochemical or medicinal benefits in wild animals, an area researchers are keen to explore further.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-effects-on-animal-behavior-nbsp">Potential effects on animal behavior&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“On the cognitive side, ideas have been put forward that ethanol can trigger the endorphin and dopamine system, which leads to feelings of relaxation that could have benefits in terms of sociality,” adds lead author Anna Bowland, a behavioral ecologist at the University of Exeter.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“To test that, we’d really need to know if ethanol is producing a physiological response in the wild.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>Such a physiological response could mean that ethanol’s presence in animals’ diets has broader social or psychological impacts, potentially influencing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-tool-superanimal-can-accurately-analyze-animal-behavior/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal behavior</a> in subtle ways.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-many-questions-remain-nbsp">Many questions remain&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Despite these intriguing insights, the extent and implications of ethanol consumption in wild animals remain largely unknown.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research team plans to examine the behavioral and social effects of ethanol intake in primates and investigate how alcohol-metabolizing enzymes function across species.&nbsp;</p>



<p>They are particularly interested in whether animals consume ethanol intentionally or if it’s simply a byproduct of their search for food.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This question opens the door to understanding how evolution might have shaped animals’ ability to tolerate or benefit from low ethanol levels in their diets.</p>



<p>“To really understand if animals consume ethanol intentionally, we need to observe how they interact with ethanol-containing fruits in their natural habitats,” Hockings said.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These future studies could reveal whether ethanol has played an adaptive role in the diets of certain species, and if so, what evolutionary benefits it may have conferred.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alcohol-in-the-animal-kingdom">Alcohol in the animal kingdom</h2>



<p>This research challenges the assumption that ethanol consumption is unique to humans and raises new questions about its evolutionary significance for nonhuman species.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By exploring the role of ethanol in natural ecosystems, scientists may uncover previously overlooked benefits that ethanol offers animals.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Understanding how animals consume and process ethanol could reveal broader ecological patterns and even help us trace the evolutionary origins of how different species interact with this potent molecule.</p>



<p>“There is much more to learn about how ethanol affects wildlife and whether it plays a larger part in the ecological relationships that shape species interactions and evolution,” Carrigan concluded.</p>



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



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‘Drunk animals’ may explain humans’ love of alcohol

Tales of animals appearing “drunk” after eating fermented fruit have...

<p>A team of Australian researchers has developed a trailblazing method to spot plastic debris on our beaches. They've undergone extensive field testing on a secluded beach with promising results.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-perspective-on-plastic-pollution">New perspective on plastic pollution</h2>



<p>Traditional satellite technology has been effective in tracking vast quantities of floating plastic trash in our oceans. This includes the staggering Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a floating trash island with a surface area that is three times bigger than France.</p>



<p>However, satellites fall short when it comes to spotting plastic debris on beaches where the waste easily blends in with the sand. Enter the RMIT team's latest creation, an avant-garde satellite imagery tool.</p>



<p>This tool essentially picks up variations in the reflection of light by sand, water, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/major-plastic-pollution-lurks-beneath-the-surface-of-rivers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastics</a>, facilitating the detection of plastic debris on coastlines from over 600km above the ground. A breakthrough like this could completely revolutionize our approach to shoreline clean-ups.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-plastic-on-beaches">Plastic on beaches</h2>



<p>Worldwide, we are currently dumping an overwhelming 10 million tons of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-win-the-battle-of-planet-vs-plastic-drastic-changes-are-needed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic waste</a> into our oceans annually. By 2030, this figure could catapult to an astounding 60 million tonnes.</p>



<p>The study was led by Dr. Jenna Guffogg from <a href="https://www.rmit.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RMIT University</a>. It sheds light on the dire impact of shore-bound plastic on wildlife and their habitats.</p>



<p>The researchers found that plastics can be mistaken for food, causing larger animals to become entangled and smaller ones, like hermit crabs, to become trapped inside items such as plastic containers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ocean-s-silent-tidal-wave">Ocean's silent tidal wave</h2>



<p>“Remote island beaches have some of the highest recorded densities of plastics in the world, and we’re also seeing increasing volumes of plastics and derelict fishing gear on the remote shorelines of northern Australia,” Guffogg said.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If not cleared, these plastics gradually fragment into micro and nano plastics, with their own set of dangers and implications.</p>



<p>Even though the detrimental effects of ocean plastics on the environment, fishing, and tourism are well recognized, having tangible data to measure the precise extent of the problem and direct clean-up operations has remained elusive, until now.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beached-plastic-nbsp-debris-index">Beached Plastic&nbsp;Debris Index</h2>



<p>The team’s Beached Plastic Debris Index (BPDI) uses a specific mathematical formula to sort patterns of reflected light collected by satellites. This data is then used to reveal an image that highlights what we're most interested in - the plastic debris.</p>



<p>To test its efficacy, 14 plastic targets of approximately two square meters each were placed on a beach in southern Gippsland, Victoria. </p>



<p>The satellite images using the new index were compared with three existing indices, proving the superior performance of the BPDI in identifying plastic-contaminated zones.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detecting-plastics-from-space">Detecting plastics from space</h2>



<p>“This is incredibly exciting, as up to now we have not had a tool for detecting plastics in coastal environments from space,” said study co-author Dr Mariela Soto-Berelov.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The beauty of satellite imagery is that it can capture large and remote areas at regular intervals.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Detection is a key step needed for understanding where plastic debris is accumulating and planning clean-up operations, which aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals, such as Protecting Seas and Oceans.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>With satellite imagery, large and remote areas can be captured at regular intervals. This detection is instrumental for understanding where plastic debris is accumulating and efficiently planning clean-up operations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-protecting-beaches-from-plastic">Protecting beaches from plastic</h2>



<p>As exciting as this breakthrough is, the BPDI’s utility needs to be tested in real-life scenarios. The team is eager to partner with organizations to carry forward their research and to help protect delicate beaches from the plastic menace.</p>



<p>Guffogg carried out this study as a part of her joint PhD research at RMIT in Australia and University of Twente in the Netherlands. She now works in the geospatial mapping industry, signaling a promising future for this innovative research.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community-action-for-cleaner-coastlines">Community action for cleaner coastlines </h2>



<p>The potential of the Beached Plastic Debris Index presents an opportunity to engage local communities in meaningful environmental action.</p>



<p>With accurate data pinpointing hotspots of debris, community-led cleanup operations can target the most affected areas, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wastewater-bacteria-break-down-plastic-waste-for-food/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enhancing efficiency</a> and impact. </p>



<p>This empowerment of local groups promotes greater awareness and responsibility towards maintaining cleaner coastlines, encouraging a collective sense of stewardship over the environment.</p>



<p>By bridging scientific advancements with grassroots efforts, a more comprehensive approach to combating plastic pollution becomes feasible.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-implications-of-the-research">Global implications of the research </h2>



<p>The RMIT team's development of this novel tracking tool has profound implications on a global scale. As countries strive to meet international environmental targets, such innovative technologies can play a pivotal role in reducing plastic waste and mitigating its adverse effects. </p>



<p>Partnerships with governmental bodies, NGOs, and international organizations could facilitate the widespread adoption and adaptation of this tool in various geographical contexts. </p>



<p>Moreover, with continued research and enhancements, the BPDI could extend its applications beyond beaches to monitor other ecosystems burdened by plastic waste. Such foresight and commitment hold the promise of a cleaner, more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/is-it-still-possible-to-save-the-ocean-from-plastic-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sustainable future</a> for our planet.</p>



<p>The futuristic research and satellite imaging technologies are hard at work to combat the pressing issue of plastic pollution. It resonates with our larger goal to revitalize our environment and aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals, such as Protecting Seas and Oceans. </p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X24011019?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marine Pollution Bulletin</a>.</em></p>



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



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Plastic on beaches is now visible from space

A team of Australian researchers has developed a trailblazing method...

<p>The human brain operates like an enigma, filled with mysteries waiting to be uncovered. For years, we've known that a small, almond-shaped region within the brain, the amygdala, plays a pivotal role in controlling emotional reactions. Yet, we've barely scratched the surface in understanding how its cells function, especially in relation to fear and anxiety.</p>



<p>But now, the veil is lifting. Scientists at UC Davis have embarked on a mission to demystify the amygdala, and their findings could revolutionize the way we treat disorders such as anxiety and depression.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-amygdala-cell-clusters-and-anxiety">Amygdala cell clusters and anxiety</h2>



<p>Just like the vast universe, the brain carries extensive mysteries within its tiny structure, and the amygdala is one of the most intriguing.</p>



<p>The amygdala is the emotional powerhouse of the brain and plays a leading role causing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fear-and-anxiety-the-mental-health-impacts-of-wildfires/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">feelings of fear and anxiety</a>. </p>



<p>"The amygdala is central to emotion processing in the brain, and is known to contribute to fear and&nbsp;anxiety," said Drew Fox, associate professor in the UC Davis Department of Psychology and senior author on the paper.</p>



<p>His team's remarkable research aims to unravel the secrets held within the depths of the amygdala.</p>



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



<p>Previously, we believed that the cells, size, or structure of the amygdala could predict <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fomo-what-are-we-afraid-of-missing-out-on/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">emotional issues</a> like anxiety.</p>



<p>This conviction has since proven unfounded. Our understanding has evolved, realizing that the overall size and structure bear little relevance to the emotional problems one might encounter in life. </p>



<p>Fox asserts that emotional disorders most likely surface due to alterations in specific cell types, each with their own distinct functions. The challenge, however, lies in identifying these cell types in human and non-human primates.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-power-of-collaboration">Power of collaboration</h2>



<p>To bridge this knowledge gap, a dynamic collaboration was initiated. Shawn Kamboj, a graduate student, led the research endeavor with Fox's research group and Professor Cynthia Schumann's lab at the UC Davis School of Medicine.</p>



<p>The objective was clear - to identify different cell types within subregions of the amygdala, based on the genes they express.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-the-amygdala-mysteries">Unraveling the amygdala mysteries </h2>



<p>Through a method called single-cell RNA sequencing, the researchers were able to identify, cluster, and understand the origin of different cells within the amygdala, unlocking new doors to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/breakthrough-discovery-social-anxiety-can-be-targeted-in-the-gut/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">potential treatments</a> of anxiety. </p>



<p>The genes involved in anxiety and other disorders were focused upon. Fox believes this strategy can help single out cell types that could possibly lead to psychopathology.</p>



<p>One group of cells they identified expressed a gene called FOXP2. This gene is found in cells at the edge of the amygdala, referred to as intercalated cells. </p>



<p>In rodents, this small group of FOXP2-expressing cells plays a crucial role as "gatekeepers," managing signal traffic in or out of the amygdala. This finding points toward intercalated cells as a potentially powerful platform for developing new treatments.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-vs-non-human-primate">Human vs. non-human primate</h2>



<p>Another significant observation made by Fox and his team was the similarities and differences between cell types in human and non-human primate amygdalas. </p>



<p>Understanding these similarities and differences could help us understand how findings in animal models of disorders like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/doomscrolling-threatens-our-mental-well-being/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">anxiety</a> and autism can be related to humans.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cell-clusters-to-treat-anxiety">Cell clusters to treat anxiety</h2>



<p>This research also hints at potential new treatment strategies. FOXP2-expressing cells, for instance, express both anxiety-related genes and a receptor that can be targeted by drugs, called Neuropeptide FF Receptor 2 (NPFFR2).</p>



<p>This information could guide the development of drugs that activate the NPFFR2 pathway and help treat anxiety-related disorders.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-research-on-amygdala-cells-and-anxiety">Research on amygdala cells and anxiety</h2>



<p>With a more refined understanding of the amygdala and the cell types involved, we may soon have the capability to identify and target "chokepoints."</p>



<p>These are points that affect a vast number of people experiencing severe and incapacitating anxiety. "Put simply, if we're developing a drug to target the&nbsp;<a href="https://medicalxpress.com/tags/amygdala/">amygdala</a>, we want to know which cell type we are targeting," Fox said.</p>



<p>The research by the team at the <a href="https://www.ucdavis.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Davis</a>, asserts that we're on the cusp of a new era where we'll have a more thorough understanding of the human brain and how it operates.</p>



<p>The journey is far from over, but every step takes us closer to a future where we can efficiently treat disorders like anxiety, bringing relief to millions worldwide.</p>



<p>The study is published in the <em><a href="https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.20230602" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">American Journal of Psychiatry</a></em>. </p>



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



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Where do fear and anxiety reside in the brain? New cells identified

The human brain operates like an enigma, filled with mysteries...

<p>The mythical chupacabra, with its gray, scaly skin, protruding spines, and fangs, has intrigued and frightened communities across the Americas for decades. Known for allegedly preying on small livestock, this monster has spawned numerous legends and origin stories.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, according to John Tomeček, a wildlife expert from <a href="https://agriliferesearch.tamu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Texas A&amp;M AgriLife Research</a>, the real explanation for these sightings is rooted in science, not the supernatural.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientific-explanation-for-chupacabra-sightings">Scientific explanation for chupacabra sightings</h2>



<p>Tomeček, an associate professor in the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management at Texas A&amp;M, suggests that many reported sightings of the chupacabra are actually cases of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coyotes-can-make-puppy-dog-eyes-too/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coyotes</a> suffering from advanced stages of mange. </p>



<p>“Mange is a debilitating disease that can infect a wide range of fur-bearing mammals,” explained Tomeček.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The disease, caused by microscopic mites that burrow into the skin, leads to intense irritation, fur loss, scabbing, and thickening of the skin.</p>



<p>Tomeček notes that as mange progresses, it follows a particular pattern on the animal's body.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“On canids, the last place they lose fur is right between the shoulder blades in an area that we call the ruff,” he said. This pattern can create the appearance of spines or ridges, aligning with descriptions of the chupacabra.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The extreme emaciation and weakened state of mange-infested animals further contribute to their eerie, otherworldly appearance, especially when seen in the dim light of dawn or dusk.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-behavioral-changes-in-sick-wildlife">Behavioral changes in sick wildlife</h2>



<p>The advanced stages of mange not only alter the appearance of animals but also change their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-tool-superanimal-can-accurately-analyze-animal-behavior/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">behavior</a>, making them more desperate and bold in their search for food. This desperation can lead to encounters with humans and livestock that would typically be avoided. </p>



<p>“When you have a coyote that is in late-stage mange, they are bolder as far as approaching residential areas to find food because they are desperate,” Tomeček explained. “They're taking risks that an otherwise healthy animal wouldn't take.”</p>



<p>The legend of the chupacabra, which translates to “goat sucker” from Spanish, originated in Puerto Rico, where reports of livestock deaths with drained blood first emerged.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Tomeček suggests that these behaviors align with those of a sick predator. Infected animals may target small, confined livestock that are easier to catch than wild prey, which tend to be more agile and alert.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The characteristic puncture wounds often found on these animals also correspond to the predation style of coyotes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Coyotes' mouths are not good at getting and maintaining a grip, so they have to re-bite,” Tomeček noted, which can result in puncture wounds that lead to significant blood loss.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-misinterpreting-the-signs-of-predation">Misinterpreting the signs of predation</h2>



<p>Tomeček also addressed the myth that chupacabras completely drain their prey of blood. He explained that this perception might stem from a misunderstanding of how blood settles and coagulates in a dead animal, creating the appearance of an empty circulatory system.</p>



<p>While sick animals may be more likely to venture into human areas, Tomeček stressed that their increased boldness does not necessarily mean aggression.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“I always make the distinction between an animal being bold and an animal being aggressive,” he said. “Being bold just means an animal is taking risks and doing things that they normally wouldn't because they're desperate.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-encounters-with-mange-infected-wildlife">Encounters with mange-infected wildlife</h2>



<p>Given that mange can be transmitted to both humans and domestic animals, Tomeček advises caution when encountering infected <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-wildlife-overlap-is-rapidly-rising-across-the-globe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wildlife</a>. </p>



<p>He recommends securing pets and contacting local wildlife officials, such as county wildlife biologists with the <a href="https://tpwd.texas.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Texas Parks and Wildlife Department</a>, rather than approaching the animal directly.</p>



<p>Tomeček also highlighted the importance of ensuring that the animal in question is not a domestic pet suffering from mange before considering any action.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“There are no known preventative measures for mange, but if you live in a region where the disease is common, it would be wise to consider a regular bathing regime for your working and companion animals that includes some sort of acaricide treatment,” he advised, urging pet owners to seek appropriate veterinary care when necessary.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-the-myth-of-the-chupacabra">Beyond the myth of the chupacabra </h2>



<p>While the folklore of the chupacabra can capture the imagination, Tomeček emphasizes the need to focus on the scientific reality behind these sightings.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“When dealing with a 'chupacabra,' we are dealing with a real animal - typically a coyote - that's experiencing a serious health problem,” he said. “Treat the situation accordingly so we can help steward our wildlife resources.”</p>



<p>By shedding light on the science behind the chupacabra phenomenon, Tomeček hopes to encourage a better understanding of wildlife health issues like mange and promote responsible management of the animals that share our ecosystems.</p>



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Spooky stories of the blood-sucking chupacabra: Fact or fiction?

The mythical chupacabra, with its gray, scaly skin, protruding spines,...

<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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<p>—–</p>

Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

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

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E0mn5mTvhQ
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">'Death Star' moon Mimas conceals a 15-million-year-old ocean that scientists never expected.</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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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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