<p>For a long time, the Stone Age has been painted in narrow strokes. Men hunted with stone tools, women cooked. and children watched. This idea shaped research, museum displays, even the way skeletons were identified. But the ground in Latvia is telling a very different story.</p>



<p>At Zvejnieki, one of Europe’s largest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stone-tool-flint-discovery-challenges-theory-of-human-cultural-evolution/">Stone Age</a> cemeteries, archaeologists have found that tools buried with the dead were not just men’s possessions. Women had them too, so did children. </p>



<p>The way these objects were placed in graves shows they carried meaning far beyond daily work.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ancient-graves-and-stone-tools">Ancient graves and stone tools</h2>



<p>Zvejnieki sits near Lake Burtnieks. The site has more than 330 graves, spanning over 5,000 years. Excavations began in the 1960s and continued for decades. </p>



<p>Thousands of ornaments made from animal teeth and amber came out of the ground. Red ochre stained the soil around many skeletons. These details have been studied again and again.</p>



<p>But stone tools? They were mostly ignored. Archaeologists thought of them as practical. Not decorative or symbolic. Just leftovers of everyday survival. That view collapsed once Dr. Aimée Little and her team returned with new tools of their own.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-looking-closer-at-stone">Looking closer at stone</h2>



<p>The Stone Dead Project used microscopes to search for tiny traces on the artifacts. The team studied how each tool was made, used, and finally placed in graves. </p>



<p>The results surprised everyone. Some scrapers showed wear from working animal hides. Others looked fresh, almost untouched, as if they had been created only for burial. And many were broken on purpose before being laid to rest.</p>



<p>These details reveal that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-humans-traveled-long-distances-to-find-colorful-stones-for-tools/">stone</a> tools were not only about survival. They were part of rituals. Part of how people said goodbye. Part of how they thought about life and death.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tools-in-all-graves">Tools in all graves</h2>



<p>The discoveries challenged long-standing ideas about gender. Women were just as likely, sometimes even more likely, to be buried with stone artifacts. Children and older adults received them too. </p>



<p>That makes the picture clear: these objects were not reserved for hunters. They belonged to everyone.</p>



<p>“Our findings overturn the old stereotype of ‘Man the Hunter’ which has been a dominant theme in Stone Age studies, and has even influenced, on occasion, how some infants have even been sexed, on the basis that they were given lithic tools,” noted Dr. Little.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changing-traditions-over-time">Changing traditions over time</h2>



<p>Burial practices at Zvejnieki shifted. In earlier centuries, tools were rare in graves. Later, by the 4th millennium BC, deposits grew larger. Some people were buried with dozens of flint artefacts. Many had never been used. Their role was clearly symbolic.</p>



<p>This change matched wider cultural <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stone-tools-flint-created-400000-years-show-technological-advancement-of-early-humans/">shifts</a> across the Baltic. Communities began to use more red ochre. They buried people collectively. Clay death masks appeared. The inclusion of flint tools fit into this wider move toward more elaborate rituals.</p>



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



<p>Micro-wear analysis showed patterns that mattered. Scrapers often carried traces of hide working, suggesting that preparing skins was a valued activity even in death. </p>



<p>Bone and butchery marks appeared on some pieces. Mineral traces, connected to ochre, turned up only in female burials. That detail hints at gender-specific ritual roles.</p>



<p>Bifacial points - long seen as hunting weapons - often showed no use at all. They were made, broken, and buried. Their meaning was symbolic, not practical. Destroying them may have been part of letting go, part of a shared tradition that stretched beyond one community.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-special-graves-with-stone-tools">Special graves with stone tools</h2>



<p>Some graves stood out. An older child was buried with more than 40 tools, many unused, alongside ornaments of amber and animal teeth.</p>



<p>Another grave, belonging to a young woman, contained primary deposits with her body and additional offerings at her feet. These were not random choices. They were deliberate acts, full of meaning for the people who stood around the grave.</p>



<p>These burials show that women and children were not peripheral. They stood at the center of ritual traditions. Their graves carried messages for the living.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breaking-old-assumptions">Breaking old assumptions</h2>



<p>The implications are clear. Tools in Stone Age burials were not simply for men. They were symbols for everyone - men, women, children, and elders. They carried social meaning and were part of rituals that bound communities together in the face of loss.</p>



<p>“This research demonstrates that we cannot make these gendered assumptions and that lithic grave goods played an important role in the mourning rituals of children and women, as well as men,” noted Dr. Anđa Petrović, from the <a href="https://www.bg.ac.rs/home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Belgrade</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-it-matters-today">Why it matters today</h2>



<p>What might look like simple flint flakes turn out to be keys to identity, memory, and ritual. They tell us that Stone Age communities valued more than hunting. They cared about symbolism. They cared about honoring all their members.</p>



<p>“The study highlights how much more there is to learn about the lives - and deaths - of Europe’s earliest communities, and why even the seemingly simplest objects can unlock insights about our shared human past and how people responded to death,” said Dr. Little.</p>



<p>The study shows that re-examining overlooked artifacts can transform our understanding of the past. At Zvejnieki, stone tools are no longer just tools. They are stories carved in flint, carrying the voices of communities that lived, grieved, and remembered.</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <em><a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0330623" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLOS One</a></em>.</p>



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Stone Age women and children were buried with tools too

For a long time, the Stone Age has been painted in narrow strokes. Men hunted with stone tools, women cooked. and children watched. This idea shaped research, museum displays, even the way skeletons were identified. But the ground in Latvia is telling a very different story. At Zvejnieki, one of Europe’s largest Stone Age cemeteries, archaeologists have found that tools buried with the dead were not just men’s possessions. Women had them too, so did children. The way these objects were placed in graves shows they carried...

<p>A recent study led by the University of Mississippi has made significant strides in understanding animal emotions through an innovative approach.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Partnering with researchers from the United Kingdom, the experts focused on how vocalizations from domestic chicks can indicate stress levels, potentially offering new ways to improve animal welfare in the poultry industry.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The findings reveal insights that could benefit not only animals but also human mental health research.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chick-vocalizations-and-animal-welfare">Chick vocalizations and animal welfare</h2>



<p>The study's core experiment was simple yet revealing: placing one <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chicks-can-identify-an-object-just-by-touching-it-even-in-the-dark/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chick</a> in a box by itself and another in a box with a mirror. </p>



<p>The chick that could see its reflection believed it was not alone and emitted calm calls, while the solitary chick produced louder, higher-pitched sounds - an indicator of anxiety-like states.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The team used advanced acoustic equipment to measure the changes in the quality of these vocalizations, aiming to link them to stress levels.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improving-animal-welfare-practices">Improving animal welfare practices </h2>



<p>The results of this study have broader implications for improving <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/animal-welfare-biggest-concern-people-making-food-choices/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">welfare</a> practices in the meat and egg production industry. </p>



<p>According to co-author Kenneth Sufka, a professor of psychology and pharmacology at the <a href="https://olemiss.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Mississippi</a>, monitoring the stress of animals like chickens, swine, and cattle through their vocalizations could be a valuable tool for ensuring humane conditions in commercial facilities. </p>



<p>“Is this a worthwhile thing, to be thinking about using acoustics to monitor animal welfare in these production facilities? I think so,” Sufka said, highlighting the potential for this method to be applied in practical settings.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-studying-emotions-in-animals">Studying emotions in animals</h2>



<p>Lead author Sarah Collins, an associate professor of animal behavior at the <a href="https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Plymouth</a>, emphasized the importance of the findings in understanding animal sentience.</p>



<p>“This is more evidence of animal sentience - the ability to experience feelings,” she said. The ability to assess how stressed an animal is through vocal cues could allow for more precise measures of their welfare.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measuring-stress-in-chick-peeps">Measuring stress in chick peeps</h2>



<p>Beyond animal welfare, this research offers a noninvasive and cost-effective method for studying anxiety-like states in animals other than chicks. </p>



<p>Traditional methods of assessing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-eats-away-our-brains-cognitive-defenses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stress</a> involve capturing animals, taking blood samples, and measuring corticosterone, a stress hormone - a process that can itself induce stress. </p>



<p>Sufka points out the advantage of their method: “That itself is stressful - to capture, restrain, collect, release. This, we think, is a better way.”</p>



<p>This approach is particularly relevant for testing medications intended for human use.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Since chicks are often used in early stages of research for anxiety and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-adult-depression-linked-to-worse-memory-skills/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">depression</a> medications, being able to accurately measure their stress levels could lead to more effective treatments. </p>



<p>“To claim that an anti-anxiety drug is alleviating an anxiety-like state, this chick or mouse or rat has to have an anxiety state similar to yours,” Sufka said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ethical-questions-about-animal-welfare-nbsp">Ethical questions about animal welfare&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The research also touches on deeper ethical questions regarding the emotional capacities of animals and their rights.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Historically, animals have been considered less emotionally complex than humans, leading to a perception that they have fewer needs.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, the recent findings suggest that animals like chickens do experience negative emotional states.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“My argument is that all of the work that we have done to-date shows the similarities between this avian model and human anxiety and depressive states makes a very strong argument that these animals do have negative emotional states,” Sufka explained.</p>



<p>“If that's true, then ethically it follows that we are absolutely obligated to be worried about animal welfare and provide for the best living conditions possible.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>This perspective underscores the importance of ensuring that animals under human care live in conditions that support their well-being.</p>



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



<p>Sufka’s research opens the door to new methods of understanding and improving the lives of animals, both in agricultural settings and in research environments.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By providing a clearer picture of how animals like chicks experience stress, this study could shape future standards of care and deepen our understanding of the emotional lives of animals.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The implications extend beyond barns and laboratories, touching on the fundamental ways we relate to the animals around us and the ethical responsibilities that follow.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106359" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Applied Behaviour Science</em></a>.</p>



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Chick emotions shed new light on animal welfare

A recent study led by the University of Mississippi has...

<p>A team of researchers led by MIT has discovered a significant amount of pyrene, a large carbon-rich molecule known as a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), within a distant interstellar cloud.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This finding provides new insights into the origins of carbon in our solar system and supports theories about the molecular building blocks that contributed to its formation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-interstellar-clouds-and-solar-system-origins-nbsp">Interstellar clouds and solar system origins&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-collided-with-an-interstellar-cloud-millions-of-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interstellar cloud</a> in question, known as TMC-1, contains a mix of dust and gas similar to what eventually formed our own solar system. Pyrene's discovery in this environment suggests it may have played a crucial role in seeding our solar system with carbon. </p>



<p>This idea is further supported by recent findings that pyrene is abundant in samples from the near-Earth asteroid Ryugu, returned by Japan's Hayabusa2 mission.</p>



<p>“One of the big questions in star and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planet-formation-new-insights-mechanics-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet formation</a> is: How much of the chemical inventory from that early molecular cloud is inherited and forms the base components of the solar system?” said senior author Brett McGuire, an assistant professor of chemistry at <a href="https://www.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MIT</a>. </p>



<p>“What we’re looking at is the start and the end, and they’re showing the same thing. That’s pretty strong evidence that this material from the early molecular cloud finds its way into the ice, dust, and rocky bodies that make up our solar system.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-detecting-pyrene-with-radio-astronomy">Detecting pyrene with radio astronomy</h2>



<p>Detecting pyrene in space is a complex process, as its symmetrical structure makes it invisible to conventional radio astronomy methods. To overcome this, the researchers focused on an isomer called cyanopyrene, a version of pyrene modified by cyanide.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This alteration breaks the molecule's symmetry, allowing it to be detected through its unique rotational spectra - patterns of light emitted as the molecule rotates in space.</p>



<p>The team used the 100-meter Green Bank Telescope (GBT) in West Virginia to identify these signals within TMC-1. This discovery builds on earlier work by McGuire and others, who had identified smaller PAHs in the same region, such as benzonitrile and cyanonaphthalene.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-massive-carbon-sink-in-space">A massive carbon sink in space</h2>



<p>The researchers found that cyanopyrene accounts for approximately 0.1 percent of all the carbon present in TMC-1.&nbsp;</p>



<p>McGuire noted that while 0.1 percent doesn’t sound like a large number, most carbon is trapped in carbon monoxide (CO), the second-most abundant molecule in the universe besides molecular hydrogen.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“If we set CO aside, one in every few hundred or so remaining carbon atoms is in pyrene. Imagine the thousands of different molecules that are out there, nearly all of them with many different carbon atoms in them, and one in a few hundred is in pyrene,” said McGuire.</p>



<p>“That is an absolutely massive abundance. An almost unbelievable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/concrete-becoming-great-carbon-sink-capturing-storing-co2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sink of carbon</a>. It’s an interstellar island of stability.”</p>



<p>The detection of pyrene marks the discovery of the third-largest molecule found in space and the largest yet identified using radio astronomy techniques.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-for-star-and-planet-formation">Implications for star and planet formation</h2>



<p>Interstellar clouds like TMC-1 have the potential to birth stars and planetary systems as clumps of dust and gas come together, forming new celestial bodies.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The presence of pyrene in TMC-1 and similar molecules in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asteroid-ryugu-has-unexpected-family-ties-near-jupiter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ryugu</a> asteroid suggests that such carbon-rich compounds might be directly inherited by forming planetary systems, including our own.</p>



<p>&nbsp;“We now have, I would venture to say, the strongest evidence ever of this direct molecular inheritance from the cold cloud all the way through to the actual rocks in the solar system,” McGuire explained.</p>



<p>The study’s findings have drawn attention from the broader scientific community.&nbsp;Ewine van Dishoeck, a professor of molecular astrophysics at Leiden Observatory in the Netherlands, highlighted the importance of the discovery.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“It builds on their earlier discoveries of smaller aromatic molecules, but to make the jump now to the pyrene family is huge,” said van Dishoeck.</p>



<p>“Not only does it demonstrate that a significant fraction of carbon is locked up in these molecules, but it also points to different formation routes of aromatics than have been considered so far.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-probing-the-origins-of-pyrene">Probing the origins of pyrene</h2>



<p>The research team now aims to explore whether even larger PAH molecules exist within TMC-1, providing further insights into the early chemical processes that shape star systems.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The experts are also investigating whether pyrene formed within TMC-1 itself or originated elsewhere in the universe, potentially carried across space by high-energy processes like those found near dying stars.</p>



<p>This study not only offers a deeper understanding of carbon’s role in the formation of planetary systems but also opens new avenues for exploring the molecular <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-clues-about-the-origins-of-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">origins of life</a> in the cosmos. </p>



<p>As scientists continue to probe the mysteries of space, findings like this bring us closer to understanding the chemical connections between distant clouds and the evolution of our own solar system.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adq6391" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Science</em></a>.</p>



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Scientists detect molecules that store carbon in space

A team of researchers led by MIT has discovered a...

<p>While insects like stink bugs and mosquitoes might not be liked by many people, they play an essential role in maintaining the balance of Earth's ecosystems. </p>



<p>E.O. Wilson, a renowned biologist, once emphasized their importance by stating that if insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse. </p>



<p>However, scientists have recently observed a decline in insect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-insect-decline-what-are-the-causes-and-consequences/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">populations</a>, with numbers dropping by 2-3% annually, alongside shifts in their behavior. </p>



<p>This decline has driven researchers to explore potential causes, including habitat loss, climate change, and the effects of chemicals.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-effects-of-agrochemicals-on-insects">Effects of agrochemicals on insects</h2>



<p>A study led by researchers from the <a href="https://www.embl.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Molecular Biology Laboratory</a> (EMBL) sought to understand how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pesticides-travel-far-and-wide-endangering-aquatic-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pesticides</a>, herbicides, and other agrochemicals influence insect populations. </p>



<p>Using more than 1,000 chemical compounds from EMBL’s unique chemical library, they systematically exposed fruit fly larvae to assess changes in their development, behavior, and survival throughout their life cycle.</p>



<p>The research revealed that 57% of the tested chemicals significantly altered fruit fly larvae behavior, even when the doses were not lethal. At higher exposure levels, the long-term survival of the flies was further compromised.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We found that when we exposed larvae to very low doses of chemicals, the exposure caused widespread changes in physiological processes that are at the heart of how they develop and behave,” said lead author Lautaro Gandara, a postdoctoral fellow at EMBL.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rising-temperatures-chemicals-and-insects-nbsp">Rising temperatures, chemicals, and insects&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The researchers also examined the effects of rising temperatures on these changes, simulating global warming trends.</p>



<p>To assess the influence of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insect-size-shaped-by-predators-and-temperature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperature</a>, the team gradually increased the growing environment's temperature, starting at 25°C (77°F) and raising it to 29°C (84.2°F). At this higher temperature, they observed a more pronounced impact on the larvae. </p>



<p>“Further, we mixed some of the most commonly detected airborne chemicals, at ecologically relevant doses, again exposing fruit flies from when they first hatched. We then saw a much stronger effect,” said senior author Justin Crocker, a biologist at EMBL.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neurological-and-physiological-disruptions-nbsp">Neurological and physiological disruptions&nbsp;</h2>



<p>These effects included a 60% reduction in egg-laying rates and the emergence of altered behaviors like “hunching.”</p>



<p>Hunching, where larvae curl their bodies excessively, can indicate stress or toxicity and may point to underlying neurological or physiological disruptions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“On the surface, hunching may seem inconsequential, but even small changes in behavior can impact fitness if they adversely affect feeding, mating, and migration,” Crocker explained.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While the connection between hunching and reduced egg-laying remains unclear, it is likely that larvae preoccupied with such behaviors would struggle to thrive in the wild.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chemical-impact-on-insect-behavior-nbsp">Chemical impact on insect behavior&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The study involved collaboration with several scientists, including Jean-Baptiste Masson and François Laurent from the <a href="https://www.pasteur.fr/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pasteur Institute</a>, who provided AI-based tools to analyze behavioral changes. </p>



<p>Additional partners included <a href="https://www.heidelberg-university-hospital.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Heidelberg University Hospital</a> and <a href="https://www.gwu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">George Washington University</a>, where the experiments were expanded to mosquitoes and Painted Lady butterflies. </p>



<p>These efforts helped confirm that similar patterns emerged across different insect species, reinforcing the study’s conclusions.</p>



<p>“Insects - even those that can seem like pests - are critical to the planet. They pollinate the plants we eat and they’re an important part of the food web,” Gandara noted.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research sheds light on how even low doses of chemicals can have significant impacts on insect behavior and survival. This deeper understanding provides a clearer picture of the challenges insects face and the factors contributing to their decline.</p>



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



<p>The study’s findings have significant implications for understanding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/groundwater-plays-critical-role-ecosystem-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystem health</a> and balance. </p>



<p>As insect populations dwindle, genetic diversity decreases, making it harder for species to adapt to environmental changes. This threatens not only food webs but also the resilience of ecosystems against future challenges.</p>



<p>“The positive aspect to this work is that we have new knowledge about which chemicals can cause certain molecular changes and associated behavioral and developmental changes,” Crocker said.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This knowledge could inform regulatory practices and industrial approaches that better protect both human health and the environment.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By understanding the subtle but crucial ways chemicals affect insects, scientists can help create a more balanced approach to pesticide use, aiming for practices that support the health of these vital creatures.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.ado0251" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Science</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Chemicals are changing insects in subtle yet deadly ways

While insects like stink bugs and mosquitoes might not be...

<p>When you think of devoted helpers in the bird kingdom, it's the females who are likely to nab the attention. It seems female birds are hard-wired to nurture and provide, not just for their own brood but also for their family groups. </p>



<p>However, males take a different flight path - their focus often lies elsewhere; they are the seekers and explorers, busy scouting for opportunities to expand and create new homes, according to a new study on birds and their families.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-family-dynamics-of-birds">Family dynamics of birds</h2>



<p>Did you know that the white-browed sparrow weavers, a species of bird residing in the arid Kalahari desert, live in family groups where only a dominant pair breeds? </p>



<p>The offspring, more so the female ones, help feed the young nestlings. This extraordinary family dynamic led scientists at the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at the <a href="https://www.exeter.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Exeter</a> to investigate why one sex would invest more in family care than the other.</p>



<p>“Female sparrow-weaver helpers contribute more to cooperative nestling care than males and also stay for longer in their family groups than males,” said Dr Pablo Capilla-Lasheras, who led the study during his PhD at Exeter and now works at the Swiss Ornithological Institute.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-bird-behavior-and-family-care">Bird behavior and family care </h2>



<p>The scientists wanted to get to the bottom of why such discrepancies in cooperation arose across the animal kingdom. The prevailing hypothesis was simple - the sex that lives longer within its family group cooperates more since they benefit more from mutual aid over time. </p>



<p>For instance, the sex residing the longest in the family group might receive more assistance from the family members they have cared for previously. The sex that departs sooner may not get the same support.</p>



<p>However, after extensive research spanning over a decade, which included monitoring the birds' cooperative behaviors and tracking their movements, the team learned that this might not be the case.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-male-birds-abandon-families">Male birds abandon families</h2>



<p>“Our findings point instead to an alternative explanation that has attracted much less attention,” said Dr. Andrew Young, who leads the Kalahari sparrow-weaver project.</p>



<p>“Instead, males appear to help less because they spend more time prospecting for opportunities to live and breed elsewhere, and these efforts trade-off against their investments in cooperation at home.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolving-through-trade-offs">Evolving through trade-offs</h2>



<p>According to the findings, the team proposes this "dispersal trade-off hypothesis" might be a more universal explanation for the evolution of sex differences in cooperation across <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/female-birds-need-a-male-hormone-for-sexual-development/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animal societies</a>.</p>



<p>This contradicts the more widely acknowledged view that the longer you stay, the more you'll benefit from having helped out.</p>



<p>It seems that the fundamental challenge that all organisms face is a simple one – there is never enough time or energy to do everything well at once. However, overcoming these trade-offs is what propels evolution forward.</p>



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



<p>The insights from this study offer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bird-extinctions-shatter-the-harmonious-balance-of-nature/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">valuable implications for conservationists</a> aiming to protect social bird species. Understanding the innate behaviors that drive males and females differently can aid in crafting strategies to maintain and support sustainable populations. </p>



<p>For example, if certain male birds are particularly prone to dispersal, creating corridors or safe passes to facilitate their movement may prevent habitat fragmentation and ensure genetic diversity in families. </p>



<p>Concurrently, supporting the female role in nurturing and resource distribution within the group could enhance the survival odds for new generations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-behavior-of-bird-families">Behavior of bird families</h2>



<p>The findings of this research open avenues for broader applications beyond the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/birds-are-moving-north-and-breeding-earlier-in-a-changing-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">avian world</a>, offering a foundational perspective on how sex-specific roles could influence social structures in diverse animal societies. </p>



<p>The dispersal trade-off hypothesis can prompt new investigations into species where familial cooperation and individual dispersion play pivotal roles in survival and reproduction.</p>



<p>By analyzing these patterns, biologists can better comprehend the balance between cooperation and independence required for thriving animal communities, with potential lessons applicable to human social dynamics as well. </p>



<p>Insight into these mechanisms of cooperation and dispersal can provide profound understanding into the strategies animals employ in the natural world, guiding future studies on evolutionary biology and ecology.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-acts-in-birds">Balancing acts in birds</h2>



<p>As we fly to the end of our discussion, we see that in the bird world, as in ours, there are fascinating balances between family duties, ambition, and opportunity. </p>



<p>Female birds lean towards nurturing their family, while males are driven to explore and seek out new breeding opportunities. In the end, it is a balancing act that keeps life diverse and species evolving.</p>



<p>It makes us wonder, are these differences merely the result of bird instincts, or could they be part of a broader spectrum of survival strategies shared across the animal kingdom?</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3002859" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLoS Biology</a>.</em></p>



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



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Female birds commit to caring for young; males abandon family life

When you think of devoted helpers in the bird kingdom,...

<p>Our battle against wildfires is becoming a race against time. Researchers discovered that nearly 90 percent of the damages caused by wildfires in the United States, from 2001 to 2020, were due to quick-burning fires. That's right, the speedsters of the fire world are causing some serious damage.</p>



<p>These so-called "fast fires" are the Usain Bolts of the fire kingdom - shooting embers into the air and quickly encroaching on whatever lies in their path. And before emergency responders can even get their boots on, these fires could have already ignited neighborhoods. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fast-wildfires-picking-up-speed">Fast wildfires picking up speed</h2>



<p>Fast fires are gaining even more speed, especially in the Western U.S., posing a growing risk for millions of people.</p>



<p>The U.S. does a fantastic job at prepping for many hazards. Yet, when it comes to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-co2-emissions-from-forest-fires-have-surged-by-60-percent/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fire speed</a>, our national-level risk assessments seem to have a blind spot. </p>



<p>These assessments don't take into account the speed of fires or offer insight into how communities can better prepare for these rapid-fire events. It's a bit like going on a road trip and not considering the speed bumps on the highway.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wildfire-speed-matters-more-than-size">Wildfire speed matters more than size</h2>



<p>The study was led by Jennifer Balch, a CIRES fellow and associate professor of Geography at the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado</a> Boulder. </p>



<p>“We hear a lot about megafires because of their size, but if we want to protect our homes and communities, we really need to appreciate and prepare for how fast fires move," said Balch. "Speed matters more for keeping people safe.”</p>



<p>Jennifer and her team felt a personal connection to this issue after the Marshall Fire tore through over 1,000 homes in Boulder County, Colorado, in December 2021. The fire consumed less than 6,100 acres, but the combination of dry conditions and furious winds made it swiftly destructive.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growth-rate-of-fast-wildfires">Growth rate of fast wildfires</h2>



<p>The researchers sifted through satellite data, analyzed growth rates of over 60,000 <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-season-of-2023-redefined-what-is-possible/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fires</a> in the U.S. from 2001 to 2020, and applied a set of calculations to each satellite pixel. They identified and recorded the perimeter of each fire for each day it was active.</p>



<p>“Until now, we had scattered information about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/intense-forest-fires-leave-scorched-earth-heating-the-planet-faster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fire speed</a>,” said Virginia Iglesias, interim director of Earth Lab and co-author of the study. “We harnessed Earth observations and remote sensing data to learn about fire growth across the nation in a systematic manner.”</p>



<p>The team then studied the fastest fires, which grew more than 4,003 acres in a single day, and observed how the highest growth rates changed over time. They found a striking 250 percent increase in the average maximum growth rate of the fastest wildfires over the last two decades in the Western U.S.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-fast-fires">Impact of fast fires</h2>



<p>When the researchers compared the growth rates of the fastest fires to the number of structures damaged or destroyed per fire event, they found that fast fires were responsible for 88 percent of the homes destroyed between 2001 and 2020, although they only represented 2.7 percent of fires in the record.</p>



<p>Climate change has undeniably amplified the conditions conducive to these rapid wildfires. Rising global temperatures result in prolonged droughts and parched vegetation, creating an ideal fuel source for fast fires. </p>



<p>Moreover, the escalation of extreme weather patterns, such as high winds and heatwaves, intensifies the speed and ferocity of these blazes. Researchers emphasize that understanding this climate-fire nexus is critical for predicting future fire behavior and implementing effective mitigation strategies.</p>



<p>By addressing the root causes of climate change, we might hope to slow down the fire juggernaut threatening our landscapes and communities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pressing-challenges-of-wildfire-management">Pressing challenges of wildfire management </h2>



<p>The pressing challenge posed by fast <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-fire-risk-has-grown-exponentially-in-a-hotter-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fires</a> necessitates innovative approaches in fire management and prevention. </p>



<p>Strategies such as employing advanced technology, predictive modeling, and real-time data analysis are becoming quintessential in fire mitigation efforts.</p>



<p>These tools allow for more accurate forecasting and faster response times, thus safeguarding vulnerable areas. </p>



<p>Communities are also turning towards adaptive land management practices, such as strategic firebreaks and prescribed burns, to reduce fuel availability and wildfire severity.</p>



<p>By integrating cutting-edge science with traditional knowledge, the pathway towards more resilient ecosystems and communities becomes attainable.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-need-for-a-shift-in-perspective">Need for a shift in perspective</h2>



<p>“When it comes to safeguarding infrastructure and orchestrating efficient evacuations, the speed of a fire's growth is arguably more critical than its sheer size,” Iglesias said.</p>



<p>Incorporating growth rate or other measures of fire speed into government agencies and insurance companies' models could provide homeowners with crucial information on how fires spread and what they can do to protect themselves and their communities.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adk5737" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Science</em></a>.</p>



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

'Fast' wildfires are gaining even more speed

Our battle against wildfires is becoming a race against time....

<p>Have you ever wondered why animals engage in group hunting only to divide the spoils later? Turns out, there's more to it than just the thrill of the chase.</p>



<p>A research team from the Cluster of Excellence Science of Intelligence (SCIoI) embarked on an aquatic adventure to answer this question.</p>



<p>In collaboration with experts at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU Berlin) and the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), the team dived into the ocean off the coast of Mexico to observe the striped marlin's hunting strategies in nature's wildest theater.</p>



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



<p>Interestingly enough, it all boils down to the speed of the prey. The faster the prey school flees, the higher the capture rate.</p>



<p>Why? Because as the school scurries away at a high pace, individual fish are more likely to break away from the pack. And these lonesome <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unexpected-discovery-large-sharks-are-hunting-each-other/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish</a> are nothing less than easy pickings for the non-attacking marlins.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advantage-of-group-hunting">Advantage of group hunting</h2>



<p>On dry land, there is evidence showing that predators have a higher success rate when they chase groups of prey - targeting the slower, weaker animals that fall behind. The question was whether this strategy applies to the open ocean.</p>



<p>“Little is known on this topic for predators that hunt in groups in the open sea, as it is difficult to record the attack and capture rates of several predators together with the positions of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/does-hunting-fishing-connect-humans-with-nature-or-reinforce-superiority-complex/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predators and prey</a>,” explained&nbsp;Professor Jens Krause, a behavioral ecologist and co-first author of the study.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-need-for-speed-in-group-hunting">Need for speed in group hunting</h2>



<p>Meet the striped marlin (Kajikia audax), one of the ocean's most epic hunters. These behemoths, armed with spear-like mouth appendages, are renowned for their cooperative hunting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/orcas-have-hunting-and-eating-habits-that-we-never-imagined/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">strategy</a> to round up schools of small fish.</p>



<p>Using intricate underwater and aerial photography, the research team took to the seas, observing the marlins' movements while hunting approximately 30 kilometers off the coast of northern Mexico.</p>



<p>The experts collected data on the attack and capture rates during different states of the prey school's movements.</p>



<p>The researchers found that chasing schools of prey at high speed resulted in a greater number of isolated targets for the marlins. The likelihood of a fish breaking away from the school was directly associated with the speed of the school.</p>



<p>An increase of just 0.1 meters per second in the school's speed boosted the probability of isolation by a whopping 18 percent.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-group-cohesion-among-prey">Group cohesion among prey</h2>



<p>Understanding the dynamics of group cohesion among prey is crucial to comprehending the hunting success of predators like the striped marlin. </p>



<p>In schools of fish, cohesion serves as a defense mechanism, decreasing the likelihood of any individual being singled out. This collective movement disrupts predator-promoting strategies, creating a bewildering spectacle of flashes and turns. </p>



<p>However, as marlins capitalized on disorder within the ranks, it raises intriguing questions about the nexus of cooperation and competition within both predator and prey communities. </p>



<p>The marlin's ability to exploit breaks in cohesion demonstrates nature's intricate checks and balances, where equilibrium often dictates survival and success.</p>



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



<p>The work led by <a href="https://www.scienceofintelligence.de" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SCIoI</a>, <a href="https://www.hu-berlin.de/de" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HU Berlin</a>, and <a href="https://www.igb-berlin.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IGB</a> delivers vital implications for understanding marine ecosystems and the role of apex predators like the striped marlin. </p>



<p>By highlighting the importance of water dynamics and prey behavior in shaping predator-prey interactions, this research sheds light on the delicate balance of aquatic food webs. </p>



<p>The findings emphasize the interconnectedness within marine ecosystems and highlight the potential impacts of environmental changes on predator efficacy and prey vulnerability. </p>



<p>As climate change alters ocean temperatures and currents, continued exploration of these dynamics is essential to predict and mitigate future ecological shifts, ensuring the health and resilience of marine biodiversity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-advantage-of-rapid-group-hunting">Advantage of rapid group hunting </h2>



<p>The marlins' group hunting strategy doesn't necessarily mean every marlin has to actively chase the school. Fish that become isolated from the school are quickly snapped up by nearby marlins. </p>



<p>According to Korbinian Pacher, a behavioral biologist and co-first author of the study, the research clearly shows the advantage of rapid group hunting for predatory fish.</p>



<p>“The rapid movement of the swarm of prey makes it easier to isolate and catch individual fish. This significantly increases the hunting success of the group of marlins,” noted Pacher. </p>



<p>Dr Matthew J. Hansen, who led the study, said that another interesting aspect of group hunting at high speed is that in this form of hunting, prey also falls to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/world-animal-day-2024-building-a-legacy-of-compassion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">animals</a> that are not actively attacking the prey school.</p>



<p>"This effect probably favors group hunting in striped marlins and may be a principle that applies to many large predatory fish in the open sea that join together to hunt schooling fish," concluded Dr. Hansen. </p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2435.14638" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Functional Ecology</a>.</em></p>



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Striped marlin demonstrate the advantages of group hunting

Have you ever wondered why animals engage in group hunting...

<p>Struggling with the bathroom scale or sighing into the mirror doesn't expose the hidden secrets of aging. What if standing on one leg to test your balance is a more accurate gauge of aging than changes in strength or walking style?</p>



<p>Balance, muscle strength, and gait are essential to independence and well-being as people age. Improving leg balance is crucial in maintaining these aspects.</p>



<p>Scientists studied how these factors change and at what pace to develop effective programs for healthy aging. The good news? People can train their balance without special equipment and maintain it over time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-balancing-on-one-leg">Balancing on one leg</h2>



<p>40 spry, independent individuals over 50 were central figures in a study measuring their walking ability, balance, grip strength, and knee strength.</p>



<p>They braced themselves on force plates under various situations. This included standing on both feet with eyes open and closed, and standing on their non-dominant and dominant leg with eyes open.</p>



<p>The most significant revelation? Standing on the non-dominant leg showed the highest rate of decline with age, highlighting the importance of consistent leg balance exercises.</p>



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



<p>"Balance is an important measure because, in addition to muscle strength, it requires input from vision, the vestibular system and the somatosensory systems," says <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/kaufman-kenton-r-ph-d/bio-20054278" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kenton Kaufman, Ph.D.</a>, senior author of the study and director of the <a href="https://www.mayo.edu/research/labs/motion-analysis/overview" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Motion Analysis Laboratory</a> at Mayo Clinic.</p>



<p>"Changes in balance are noteworthy. If you have poor balance, you're at risk of falling, whether or not you're moving. Falls are a severe health risk with serious consequences."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-other-aspects-of-aging">Other aspects of aging</h2>



<p>In addition to balance, the study measured participants' grip and knee strength using custom-made devices.</p>



<p>Both showed significant declines by decade, but not as much as balance. Grip strength decreased faster than knee strength making it another <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/monthly-aging-treatment-helps-you-live-long-die-healthy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">potent predictor</a> of aging.</p>



<p>Gait parameters didn't change with age, and there were no substantial age-related declines in strength tests tied to gender. This suggests age impacted male and female subjects alike.</p>



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



<p>Understanding the nuances of the research has implications for everyday practice including those endeavoring to sustain functional independence as they age. Maintaining good leg balance significantly helps.</p>



<p>Engaging in exercises that enhance balance seamlessly incorporate into daily routines without requiring complex equipment or specialized training environments.</p>



<p>Simple practices such as standing on one leg while brushing teeth or incorporating tai chi and yoga into weekly activities positively influence balance and reduce the risk of falls.</p>



<p>Emphasizing balance-enhancing activities is the cornerstone of a robust <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-bodies-undergo-very-rapid-change-aging-at-two-very-specific-times/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">approach to aging healthily</a>, aligning with the study’s insights into maintaining physical autonomy.</p>



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



<p>The study's findings signal new horizons in gerontological research, highlighting the necessity to explore the multifaceted nature of aging including leg balance.</p>



<p>Future studies will delve deeper into the interplay between neural feedback and physical performance over time. They could consider psychological and lifestyle factors that might mitigate or accelerate age-related declines in balance and strength.</p>



<p>Longitudinal studies involving diverse populations help craft personalized intervention programs tailored to individual strengths and limitations.</p>



<p>By advancing the understanding of these dynamics, researchers better equip societies with the tools to support aging communities to maintain their quality of life and well-being.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-long-should-we-balance-on-one-leg">How long should we balance on one leg?</h2>



<p>So, where do researchers go from here? Dr. Kaufman believes people can take steps to train their balance such as standing on one leg.</p>



<p>Coordinating the muscle responses required for leg balance helps maintain overall stability. If a person can stand on one leg for 30 seconds, they're doing well.</p>



<p>"If you don't use it, you lose it. If you use it, you maintain it," Kaufman said. "It's easy to do. It doesn't require special equipment, and you can do it every day."</p>



<p>As people <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-bodies-begin-breaking-down-very-precise-age/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">age</a>, staying active becomes more crucial, and this research highlights the importance of balance in daily routines.</p>



<p>Balance isn't just about standing up straight. It's about embracing a healthier, more dynamic way of aging.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0310764" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLoS ONE</a>.</em></p>



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Leg balance is a key indicator of healthy aging

Struggling with the bathroom scale or sighing into the mirror...

<p>Enigmas of life are often hidden in unexpected places, and the python offers a fascinating glimpse into the mysteries of human physiology. Surprisingly, we can find answers to human intestinal regeneration by studying the remarkable pythons.</p>



<p>Let's unravel the intriguing connection between the regenerative abilities of boas, pythons, and the human digestive system.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intestinal-regeneration-humans-and-pythons">Intestinal regeneration, humans, and pythons</h2>



<p>The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/toxic-chemicals-from-food-production-pass-into-the-human-body/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human body</a> is a marvel of nature, constantly replenishing itself. A prime example of this is the lining of our intestines. Our bodies regularly repair and replace it to keep up with our dietary needs. </p>



<p>This turnover of cells is driven by stem cells that originate in the tiny pits scattered throughout our intestine known as intestinal crypts.</p>



<p>However, the same mechanism doesn't apply to all creatures. A case in point is infrequently feeding <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/move-over-burmese-pythons-these-snakes-are-the-true-eating-champions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">snakes</a> like boas and pythons. These creatures don't have intestinal crypts but display a considerable degree of intestinal regeneration.</p>



<p>Without a meal for weeks, their intestines shrink and become practically non-functional. Within 48 hours of feeding, though, their intestines radically regenerate, more than doubling in mass and reforming the cells and structures necessary for food digestion.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-regeneration-ability-of-pythons">Regeneration ability of pythons</h2>



<p>A team of scientists from <a href="https://www.uta.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The University of Texas at Arlington</a>, <a href="https://www.utsouthwestern.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UT Southwestern Medical Center</a>, and <a href="https://www.ua.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the University of Alabama</a> embarked on an intriguing journey to uncover how these massive snakes accomplish this feat. </p>



<p>They focused on understanding the intestinal regeneration process in pythons hoping that this would provide valuable insights into human gastrointestinal diseases like diabetes, celiac disease, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-with-pet-dogs-have-a-lower-risk-of-crohns-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Crohn's disease</a>, and cancer.</p>



<p>The researchers used single-cell RNA sequencing to investigate. The key discovery was that pythons use conserved pathways similar to those found in humans but trigger them uniquely.</p>



<p>The study further revealed that the signaling pathways directing python regeneration bear significant resemblance to the ones seen in humans after undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery for weight loss and type 2 diabetes treatment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shedding-light-on-best4-cells">Shedding light on BEST4+ cells</h2>



<p>The researchers also highlighted the significance of a particular intestinal cell type called BEST4+ cells.</p>



<p>These cells, present in both pythons and humans but absent in commonly studied mammals like mice, are powerful orchestrators of the initial phases of regeneration.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-zooming-out-to-the-bigger-picture">Zooming out to the bigger picture</h2>



<p>The findings unearthed in this study have profound implications for understanding intestinal physiology across varied species, including humans. </p>



<p>They offer a fresh perspective on the intersections between intestinal regeneration and the body's metabolic adjustments in response to changes like nutrient availability and stress. </p>



<p>These insights may ultimately lead to novel therapeutic approaches for treating intestinal or metabolic diseases.</p>



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



<p>In the end, the question remains, can studying snakes boost our comprehension of human health? According to the scientists, the answer is a resounding "yes."</p>



<p>By expanding our knowledge about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-humans-have-shockingly-different-digestive-systems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digestive functions</a> in different creatures, we gain a broader understanding of the evolutionary design of these vital body functions. </p>



<p>This knowledge will shape our perception of the human body with the ultimate aim of enhancing the treatment and prevention of many common human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-tool-detects-changes-in-gut-health-to-help-prevent-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digestive disorders</a>.</p>



<p>The world within us is intricate and incredibly dynamic. As we explore into it, aided by unexpected allies like pythons, we continue to unravel intriguing stories that could illuminate the path to healthier lives for millions around the world.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-harnessing-python-regeneration">Harnessing python regeneration </h2>



<p>The potential for translating python intestinal regeneration into human medical treatments is an exciting frontier. </p>



<p>By understanding how pythons regenerate their intestines so rapidly and efficiently, researchers believe this knowledge can be applied to develop new therapies for gastrointestinal disorders.</p>



<p>The unique pathways activated during python regeneration may hold the key to stimulating similar processes in humans, allowing for faster recovery from injuries or surgeries.</p>



<p>Furthermore, the discovery of BEST4+ cells, which play a critical role in both python and human regeneration, opens the door to targeted therapies that could harness these cells’ natural regenerative powers. </p>



<p>By exploring these biological parallels, scientists hope to one day engineer treatments that can mimic the extraordinary healing abilities found in the animal kingdom, ultimately improving human health.</p>



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



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Python gut regeneration offers clues for treating human diseases

Enigmas of life are often hidden in unexpected places, and...

<p>Deep in the cosmos, quasars shine brightly. Their luminescent cores showcase the activity of supermassive black holes at the heart of a galaxy.</p>



<p>Tracking quasars back to the early days of the universe, several hundred million years after the Big Bang, a cosmic conundrum emerges. How did these luminous and massive quasars come to be?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-outshining-entire-galaxies">Outshining entire galaxies </h2>



<p>Quasars, short for "quasi-stellar objects," are incredibly bright and energetic regions found at the centers of some distant galaxies. They are powered by supermassive black holes that actively consume surrounding material.</p>



<p>As this material (often gas and dust) spirals into the black hole, it heats up and emits enormous amounts of radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum, including visible light, radio waves, X-rays, and gamma rays. </p>



<p>This process makes quasars some of the brightest objects in the universe, often outshining entire galaxies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quasars-with-mysterious-origins">Quasars with mysterious origins</h2>



<p>Attempting to unravel the mystery of early quasars' rapid growth, some experts have suggested they emerged from regions abundant with primordial matter. This results in smaller galaxies populating quasar fields. </p>



<p>A study led by astronomers at the <a href="https://www.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</a> is now challenging this theory. </p>



<p>The researchers uncovered ancient quasars floating alone when the universe was relatively young - between 600 and 700 million years old.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The experts explained that luminous quasars are expected to reside in massive overdensities at early cosmic times, which implies that one should find a high number of companion galaxies in their vicinity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observations-challenge-prevailing-theories">Observations challenge prevailing theories</h2>



<p>The team used NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to peer back more than 13 billion years. They looked at five quasars and found a staggering diversity in the “<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/merging-quasars-cosmic-dawn-reveal-how-early-universe-formed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quasar fields</a>."</p>



<p>As predicted by original models, some quasars inhabit crowded fields with more than 50 neighboring <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/james-webb-captures-galaxies-that-are-too-old-to-exist/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">galaxies</a>. However, some defy predictions, drifting in isolation with only a small number of galaxies nearby.</p>



<p>These solitary quasars raise questions. How could luminous objects form early in the universe without a significant reservoir of matter to fuel <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/colossal-black-hole-found-in-our-galaxy-is-33-times-the-suns-mass/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black hole</a> growth?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quasars-in-the-middle-of-nowhere">Quasars in the middle of nowhere</h2>



<p>Anna-Christina Eilers, the lead scientist on the project and assistant professor of physics at MIT, elaborated on the study's findings.</p>



<p>“Contrary to previous belief, we find on average, these quasars are not necessarily in those highest-density regions of the early universe," noted Eilers. "Some of them seem to be sitting in the middle of nowhere.”</p>



<p>The quasars may not be as solitary as they seem. Galaxies could surround them but be concealed by dust and hidden from view.</p>



<p>The research team aims to fine-tune their observations and seek out clues on how these quasars grew so large (so quickly) in the early universe.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quasar-neighborhoods-a-varied-landscape">Quasar neighborhoods: A varied landscape</h2>



<p>For this study, the scientists used the JWST to investigate the environments of five of the earliest known&nbsp;quasars. Despite their age, the objects still manage to retain their <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quasar-j0529-4351-brightest-object-ever-seen-eats-one-star-per-day/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">luminosity</a>. </p>



<p>Quasars cast their light across the expanse of the universe and JWST’s sensitive detectors find it.</p>



<p>“It’s just phenomenal that we now have a telescope that can capture light from 13 billion years ago in so much detail," said Eilers.</p>



<p>"For the first time, JWST enabled us to look at the environment of these quasars, where they grew up, and what their neighborhood was like."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lonely-quasars-and-our-understanding-of-the-universe">Lonely quasars and our understanding of the universe </h2>



<p>Ultimately, the study creates more questions than answers. The isolation of some quasars goes against models predicting quasar formation in regions populated with smaller galaxies - a result of dark matter attracting gas and dust.</p>



<p>“Our results show that there’s still a significant piece of the puzzle missing of how these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hubble-spots-two-supermassive-black-holes-spiraling-on-collision-course/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supermassive black holes</a> grow," said Eilers. </p>



<p>"If there’s not enough material around for some quasars to be able to grow continuously, that means there must be some other way that they can grow, that we have yet to figure out."</p>



<p>The enigma of lonely quasars challenges our understanding of the universe, particularly black hole growth, and pushes scientists to question and refine current models.</p>



<p>The research is published in <em><a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ad778b" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astrophysical Journal</a></em>.</p>



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



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<p></p>

Lonely quasars in the early universe cannot be explained

Deep in the cosmos, quasars shine brightly. Their luminescent cores...

<p>Imagine gazing into the endless cosmos and discovering a hidden population of brown dwarfs deep within a distant star cluster named NGC 602. </p>



<p>Located in the outskirts of the Small Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way approximately 200,000 light-years from Earth, the brown dwarf cluster is unlike anything observed locally. </p>



<p>Its environment mirrors the early universe with limited elements heavier than hydrogen and helium and dominated by dark clouds of dense dust. This unique setup coupled with a richness in ionized gas signals ongoing star formation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-searching-for-young-brown-dwarfs">Searching for young brown dwarfs </h2>



<p>An international team of astronomers embarked on a quest to examine this <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hyades-star-cluster-may-contain-the-closest-black-holes-to-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star cluster</a> using the James Webb Space Telescope.</p>



<p>The goal was to uncover young brown dwarf candidates outside of the Milky Way, a feat that has never been attempted before.</p>



<p>“Only thanks to the incredible sensitivity and resolution in the right wavelength range we are able to detect these objects at such great distances," said study lead author Peter Zeidler, an expert at the <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Space Agency</a>.</p>



<p>"This has never been possible before and also will remain impossible with telescopes on the ground for the foreseeable future.” </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-world-of-brown-dwarfs">The world of brown dwarfs</h2>



<p>What exactly are brown dwarfs? Picture them as the more substantial siblings of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/giant-gas-planets-are-cosmic-wrecking-balls-that-wreak-havoc-in-habitable-zones/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">giant gas planets</a>. Their mass usually falls roughly 13 to 75 times that of Jupiter, and they are not gravitationally bound to any stars.</p>



<p>Brown dwarfs bear an uncanny resemblance to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exoplanet-discovery-nasa-identifies-over-5500-distant-worlds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exoplanets</a> and share similar atmospheric compositions and storm patterns.</p>



<p>“Until now, we’ve known of about 3,000 brown dwarfs, but they all live inside our own galaxy,” said Elena Manjavacas, an astronomer at the European Space Agency.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-dynamic-telescope-duo-hubble-and-webb">The dynamic telescope duo: Hubble and Webb</h2>



<p>The discovery highlights the synergistic relationship between the Hubble and Webb telescopes in unraveling the mysteries of young stellar clusters.</p>



<p>Antonella Nota, executive director of the <a href="https://www.issibern.ch/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Space Science Institute</a> in Switzerland and the previous Webb Project Scientist for ESA, emphasized the significance of this collaboration.</p>



<p>“Hubble showed that NGC602 harbors very young low mass stars, but only with Webb we can finally see the extent and the significance of the substellar mass formation in this cluster. Hubble and Webb are an amazingly powerful telescope duo!” Nota said.</p>



<p>“Brown dwarfs seem to form in the same way as stars, they just don’t capture enough mass to become a fully-fledged star. Our results fit well with this theory," noted Zeidler.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-incredible-image-of-a-star-cluster">Incredible image of a star cluster</h2>



<p>The team’s data includes a new image from Webb’s Near-InfraRed Camera (NIRCam) of NGC 602. </p>



<p>The image shows the cluster stars, young stellar objects, and surrounding gas and dust ridges. It captured many background galaxies and stars from the Small Magellanic Cloud.</p>



<p>This achievement represents the first detection of giant exoplanet analogs beyond the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-way-galaxy-is-surrounded-by-massive-magnetic-fields/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a>.</p>



<p>“We need to be ready for groundbreaking discoveries in these new objects!” Manjavacas said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-brown-dwarf-exploration">The future of brown dwarf exploration</h2>



<p>This discovery marks the beginning of what could be a new chapter in brown dwarf research.</p>



<p>"Although further detailed work is required to quantitatively derive the initial mass function and confirm the true nature of the brown dwarf candidates, this discovery is particularly relevant in the effort to refine our understanding of the subsolar mass function at very low metallicities and young ages," wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>As astronomers push the boundaries of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/future-space-exploration-could-be-shut-down-by-orbiting-debris/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space exploration</a>, the next steps involve studying the atmospheres and compositions of these enigmatic objects.</p>



<p>Brown dwarfs bridge the gap between stars and planets and help scientists better understand the formation of both.</p>



<p>With the James Webb Space Telescope’s capabilities, scientists can observe these objects in remarkable detail.</p>



<p>The power of the JWST will allow researchers to confirm the presence of brown dwarfs in the Small Magellanic Cloud and uncover additional substellar objects beyond the Milky Way. </p>



<p>This research could greatly expand our knowledge of how stars, planets, and exoplanet analogs form and evolve across the universe.</p>



<p>The study is published in <em><a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ad779e" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astrophysical Journal</a></em>.</p>



<p>Image Credit: ESA/Webb, NASA &amp; CSA, P. Zeidler, E. Sabbi, A. Nota, M. Zamani</p>



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



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Brown dwarfs detected outside the Milky Way for the first time

Imagine gazing into the endless cosmos and discovering a hidden...

<p>EarthCARE, a scientific endeavor by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), has delivered the initial images from its cutting-edge onboard instruments.</p>



<p>These images confirm that the instruments can work together to accurately measure how clouds and aerosols influence the heating and cooling of our atmosphere.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-enigma-of-earth-s-energy-balance">The enigma of Earth's energy balance</h2>



<p>Earth's energy balance is a crucial aspect of the climate. It represents the total energy the Earth receives from the Sun, contrasted with the thermal radiation it pushes into space.</p>



<p>Regulated by various factors such as greenhouse gases, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-clouds-influence-earths-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clouds</a>, aerosols, and more, this balance is vital in maintaining Earth's climate.</p>



<p>Even though clouds and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-small-aerosols-influence-cloud-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aerosols</a> cool the atmosphere, there is an intricate interplay between them and heat exchange, and the process isn't completely understood.</p>



<p>With the launch of EarthCARE in May 2024, scientists inch closer to unraveling these mysteries and obtaining a detailed understanding of how clouds and aerosols deflect incoming <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/suns-fury-secrets-of-solar-energy-storms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar energy</a> back to space and trap outgoing infrared energy.</p>



<p>"Although we are still in the early stages of the mission and busy with the satellite’s commissioning phase, the results we present today are truly remarkable," said Simonetta Cheli, ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programmes.</p>



<p>She further emphasized the effectiveness of the combined measurements and their role in achieving mission objectives.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-from-earthcare-s-instruments">Insights from EarthCARE's instruments</h2>



<p>The preliminary data provided an extensive view from Central Europe to Sweden. It uncovered the signatures of a thunderstorm over northern Italy, near Milan. </p>



<p>EarthCARE’s cloud profiling radar, supplied by JAXA, provided information on the vertical structure and internal dynamics of the clouds.</p>



<p>Simultaneously, the atmospheric lidar profiled aerosols and thin clouds, and the multispectral imager provided a broad-scene overview in multiple wavelengths.</p>



<p>The broadband radiometer measured the reflected solar radiation and outgoing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasas-prefire-satellites-monitor-polar-heat-emissions-from-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">infrared radiation</a> from Earth.</p>



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="L4ysArmZGd-3949490-12187" type="single"]</div>



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



<p>A detailed look at the synergy between EarthCARE's instruments reveals interesting findings. </p>



<p>The multispectral imager provided an overall scene context, focusing initially on the recent thunderstorm over northern Italy and northern Corsica.</p>



<p>This storm led to severe flooding in Italy's Emilia Romagna region and was part of a larger system associated with Storm Boris wreaking havoc in parts of Central Europe.</p>



<p>The synergy becomes more apparent when focusing near the top of the cloud. The cloud profiling radar and lidar provided complementary data, allowing for more detailed cloud characterization.</p>



<p>These initial synergistic results reveal cooling and warming effects at different altitudes, providing key insights into the role clouds and aerosols play in atmospheric temperature regulation.</p>



<p>The animation also highlighted cirrus clouds over Sweden, part of a high-altitude ice-cloud formation.</p>



<p>Despite the thin clouds allowing sunlight to pass through, they trapped thermal radiation emitted from Earth,creating an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-some-lakes-resist-the-heat-of-atmospheric-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmospheric warming</a> effect.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cirrus-clouds-and-climate-science">Cirrus clouds and climate science</h2>



<p>By studying a significant portion of the cirrus cloud, scientists observed how the cloud absorbed both solar radiation from above and thermal radiation from below.</p>



<p>This information helped scientists understand the overall heating effect of the climate and contributed to a broader understanding of climate science.</p>



<p>Even in regions where the cloud thickened and larger ice particles formed, which blocks the thermal radiation from Earth, the cloud top cooled by emitting thermal radiation into space.</p>



<p>Despite localized cooling effects, cirrus clouds contribute to the overall warming of the atmosphere.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-capability-of-earthcare">Unique capability of EarthCARE</h2>



<p>According ESA EarthCARE mission scientist Thorsten Fehr, having the data available at this early stage is a testament to the outstanding work of his team, particularly the scientists who developed these data products.</p>



<p>"This highlights EarthCARE’s unique capability to simultaneously provide direct measurements of both clouds and aerosols, enabling an unprecedented assessment of their impact on climate," said Fehr.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-steps-in-earthcare-s-mission">Further steps in EarthCARE’s mission</h2>



<p>Hitonori Maejima, senior chief officer on Earth observation missions at JAXA, believes EarthCARE's ability to capture different types of clouds and aerosols and their function symbolizes the collaboration between <a href="https://www.esa.int/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a> and <a href="https://global.jaxa.jp/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JAXA</a>.</p>



<p>As scientists continue to collect and analyze data, there will be more enlightening discoveries and a better understanding of our planet's climatic mechanisms.</p>



<p>Image Credit: ESA Earth Online</p>



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



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EarthCARE reveals the power of clouds and aerosols

EarthCARE, a scientific endeavor by the European Space Agency (ESA)...

<p>Coral reefs are the ocean's vibrant underwater cities, and they face a growing crisis. These ecosystems support countless marine species and over a billion human lives. </p>



<p>Overfishing, irresponsible tourism, coastal construction, nutrient runoff, and climate change are all threats to coral reefs.</p>



<p>However, hope is not lost. In a recent study, scientists used the sounds of healthy reefs to coax new coral species into existence.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reef-sounds-and-coral-restoration">Reef sounds and coral restoration</h2>



<p>Scientists at the <a href="https://www.whoi.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution</a> discovered the sounds of a flourishing reef inspire a new generation of coral life. Their research focused on golfball <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-superhighway-connects-remote-coral-reefs-seychelles/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral larvae</a>, tiny organisms that signal the birth of new corals.</p>



<p>The sounds of the reef draw the larvae and they choose to settle and grow in these areas.</p>



<p>“Acoustic enrichment is continuing to show promise as a technique to enhance coral settlement rates,” said Nadège Aoki, a doctoral candidate at the institution.</p>



<p>This technique worked on two coral species and indicates potential as a broad-based tool for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/restored-coral-reefs-can-bounce-back-in-just-four-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reef restoration</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decoding-the-language-of-corals">Decoding the language of corals</h2>



<p>The underwater journey of a coral larvae is fascinating. Searching for the perfect place to mature into adulthood, the tiny organisms drift through the ocean. They use cues from chemicals, light, and sound to choose their new home.</p>



<p>A <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-coral-reefs-crackle-with-the-sounds-of-busy-inhabitants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthy coral reef</a> is a symphony of purrs and grunts from fish, along with the persistent crackle of snapping shrimp. It is music to a coral larva's ears.</p>



<p>On the other hand, a sick, silent reef signals the organisms to keep searching.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-draw-of-healthy-reef-sounds">The draw of healthy reef sounds </h2>



<p>In an experiment in the summer of 2022, Aoki and her team collected golfball coral larvae from the U.S. Virgin Islands.</p>



<p>The scientists divided the larvae and placed them in two quiet, sandy bays. One bay had a solar-powered speaker playing the sounds of a nearby healthy reef. </p>



<p>After 24 hours, about 30 percent of the larvae exposed to the sounds settled and began to grow. After 48 hours, the settlement rates were around 73 to 85 percent.</p>



<p>Despite the experiment's small scale, a similar tank-based experiment echoed the results. </p>



<p>Golfball coral larvae showed significantly higher settlement rates when exposed to healthy reef sounds during their first 36 hours. After this window, the settling rate remained the same regardless of the sound cues.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crunch-time-for-coral-settlement">Crunch time for coral settlement</h2>



<p>Senior author and marine biologist Aran Mooney explained the time-sensitivity of this process. “Acoustic enrichment worked for 36 hours or so. After that, they seem desperate to settle, and healthy cues become less important.”</p>



<p>Golfball corals have a short window of opportunity in their larval stage. Without the resources to float around for weeks, they settle within 8 to 36 hours of being released into the water.</p>



<p>Early on, sound cues play a crucial role. As time runs out, they settle anywhere.</p>



<p>“We’re getting at some of the nuances of coral biology,” Aoki said. “There’s a huge range of reproductive strategies that corals use, and different species have different larval periods. We’re opening up this broad range of questions about how responsiveness to sound will vary between species.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-symphony-for-coral-reef-restoration">A symphony for coral reef restoration</h2>



<p>The researchers also noted corals responded to auditory cues in tanks where sound reflections, aerators, and water filters make acoustics less ideal. This discovery simplified the process of getting corals to reproduce and settle in land-based <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coral-nurseries-need-protection-equal-to-that-of-established-coral-reefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nurseries</a>.</p>



<p>There is no single solution suitable for all coral species worldwide. Aoki and her team believe acoustic enrichment combined with an understanding of local ecology and coral biology can be an effective tool for restoration.</p>



<p>“Finding a second species settling in response to sound shows that this isn’t just a one-off, and maybe we can really scale this up,” Mooney said. </p>



<p>“But we can’t just throw a speaker over the side of a boat and think it’s going to work. We have to know the system and it has to be integrated with other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unexpected-coral-adaptations-challenge-conservation-plans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation</a> and restoration efforts.”</p>



<p>In the quest to protect and restore the ocean’s coral reefs, the solution might lie not in our hands, but in our ears as the tiny organisms listen to the symphony of life produced by reefs.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://pubs.aip.org/asa/jel/article/4/10/107701/3317630/Replayed-reef-sounds-induce-settlement-of-Favia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JASA Express Letters</a></em>.</p>



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Healthy reef sounds inspire coral larvae growth

Coral reefs are the ocean's vibrant underwater cities, and they...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHHxOej4QfE
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Researchers found a correlation between Alzheimer's disease and traffic pollution.</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

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

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

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0DuSr87SHY
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">57 million-year ice age mystery solved by Australian scientists.</figcaption></figure>



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

What caused the planet's longest ice age

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

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXGGiynIjs
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the opposite.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-contrasting-climate-response">A contrasting climate response</h2>



<p>Most coastal towns are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sinking-land-will-intensify-the-effects-of-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">preparing for higher sea levels</a>, but <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/greenland-no-longer-has-to-worry-about-rising-sea-levels/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Greenland presents</a> a different scenario during climate change. The ground there is rising at a remarkable rate. Over the past decade, some areas have lifted about 20 centimeters, which translates to roughly 2 meters per century. This rate significantly exceeds current projections for sea level rise.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-geological-rebound-process-through-climate-change">Geological rebound process through climate change</h2>



<p>The mechanism behind this phenomenon is straightforward. As the ice sheet melts, the immense weight is removed from the bedrock, causing the land to rebound upward. This process resembles the way compressed material springs back when pressure is released.</p>



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



<p>Researchers at the <a href="https://www.dtu.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Technical University of Denmark</a> are documenting this uplift using the GNET network, consisting of 61 GPS stations positioned around Greenland's coast. These sensors can detect movement with millimeter precision, providing detailed measurements of the ongoing changes.</p>



<p>The data reveal that current uplift rates exceed the gradual rebound occurring since the last ice age ended approximately 12,000 years ago. This acceleration corresponds directly with increased ice sheet melting rates.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coastal-transformation">Coastal Transformation</h2>



<p>This uplift is actively reshaping Greenland's coastline. New islands and rocky formations, called "skerries," are emerging as previously submerged land surfaces rise above the water level. This represents a notable contrast to global concerns about rising seas.</p>



<p>The study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, demonstrates the varied regional impacts of climate change. While many locations face rising water levels, Greenland's bedrock is literally rising above the surrounding seas.</p>



<p>The full study was recently published in <em><a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2023GL104851" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Geophysical Research Letters</a></em>.</p>



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXXGGiynIjs Greenland is not sinking. In fact, it is the...

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSM3EVeGHJU
</div><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Companies like MindStudio help companies train their employees to implement the latest AI Agent building platform.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-agent-training-transforms-the-workplace-fear-factor-into-a-competitive-advantage">AI agent training transforms the workplace 'fear factor' into a competitive advantage</h2>



<p>Organizations that offer comprehensive artificial intelligence training to their workers find remarkable value that extends well beyond basic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mind-wandering-might-be-more-productive-than-you-think/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">productivity improvements</a>. Emerging research demonstrates that carefully crafted AI training programs <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-does-not-replace-human-creativity-but-enhances-it/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">enhance</a> corporate performance, lower operational costs, and dramatically improve employee psychological well-being by turning workplace uncertainty into professional empowerment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-widespread-ai-anxiety-crisis-among-us">Addressing the widespread 'AI anxiety' crisis among us</h2>



<p>A staggering 53% of employees expressed concern that the use of AI tools to automate work tasks could make them appear disposable to their employers, according to <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft</a>'s 2024 workplace survey. Such pervasive worry about being substituted by machines has caused what researchers have termed "AI technostress" – a psychological state that can result in occupational burnout and poorer mental well-being.</p>



<p>Data published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a> showed that belief in AI learning ability was a moderator in the link between technology adoption and work pressure, and higher confidence significantly lowered negative psychological responses. Workers provided ample training to become competent with AI software have significantly lower stress.</p>



<p>Companies like <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a> have platforms for building what are known as "AI Agents".  In essence, AI Agents are simply tools that employees can build for themselves or their teams quickly and inexpensively.   MindStudio will even train entire companies, from the CEO on down, at no cost. By letting MindStudio empower employees, companies avoid hiring more IT staff, buying more software, and implementing solutions to problems that do not exist.</p>



<p>MindStudio even has partners locally for companies, like <a href="http://www.dominnus.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dominnus</a> with offices in the Carolinas, California, and Denver, to help build AI Agents and support employees as they become resident AI experts for their organization.  The training provided by MindStudio is applicable across other AI Agent building platforms as well.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-revolutionary-productivity-through-focused-learning">Revolutionary productivity through focused learning</h2>



<p>Organizations that implement large-scale AI training programs achieve dramatic outcomes. Employees performed tasks significantly better when they utilized AI support compared to when they didn't, according to <a href="https://www.nngroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nielsen Norman Group</a> research findings. Their study documented productivity increases of 66% for a variety of professional tasks.</p>



<p>Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis research finds workers record 33% higher productivity in time working with generative AI tools. The benefit is equivalent to 5.4% of work time savings for AI users – around 2.2 hours per week for full-time workers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-psychological-well-being-benefits-through-ai-competence">Psychological well-being benefits through AI competence</h2>



<p>The emotional transformation when employees are provided with proper technology training is a fundamental transformation from fear to professional confidence. A survey of 600 employees across industries, carried out by ScienceDirect, proved that AI capabilities strengthen work environment commitment and improve job satisfaction.</p>



<p>A <a href="https://www.lut.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">LUT University</a> study discovered that AI adoption has no direct effect on workers' well-being but does so indirectly through working conditions like task optimization and safety protocols. Strategically deployed AI that involves correct training can actually increase workplace mental well-being.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-from-replacement-anxiety-to-partnership-confidence">From 'replacement anxiety' to 'partnership confidence'</h2>



<p>Although 35% of those interviewed in recent McKinsey studies were concerned about workforce displacement, firms with large-scale training initiatives witness such fears dissipate quickly. The World Economic Forum found that two out of three respondents believe AI competencies will enhance their career prospects and job marketability.</p>



<p>This shift from fear to trust has measurable implications for job satisfaction. Applied Sciences research indicates AI can create tailored wellness programs based on individual employee requirements.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-financial-benefits-of-increased-retention">Financial benefits of increased retention</h2>



<p>The mental health advantages of AI learning have a direct impact on organizational bottom lines in the form of a positive feedback cycle with high retention of employees. Recent ROI research validates that artificial intelligence learning has a beneficial impact on employee turnover and satisfaction levels.</p>



<p>PriceWaterhouseCoopers' research documents 20% to 30% improvements in productivity, market speed, and revenue in organizations that attempt systematic AI adoption through comprehensive training.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environmental-advantages-of-ai-enabled-teams">Environmental advantages of AI-enabled teams</h2>



<p>AI training has unforeseen environmental benefits as it makes the work environment more efficient. According to a study in Scientific Reports, the carbon footprint in writing and illustrating work is significantly lower when AI performs it compared to humans. AI software produces 130 to 1,500 times less CO2 equivalent per page of text created than human authors.</p>



<p>In addition, AI-driven remote work functionality significantly reduces environmental impact. Research by Cornell University and Microsoft indicates that remote workers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 54% by not commuting daily to offices. Hybrid workers working remotely two to four days a week can reduce their carbon footprint by 11% to 29%.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cumulative-organizational-advantages">Cumulative organizational advantages</h2>



<p>The compounding gains of better mental well-being, reduced turnover, increased productivity, and environmental benefits flow to enterprises from the pairing. McKinsey analysis estimates the long-term AI potential at $4.4 trillion in incremental productivity growth opportunity from business use cases.</p>



<p>As of now, 75% of knowledge workers globally utilize generative AI, mirroring widespread adoption patterns. Organizations that provide organized training and assistance see the most favorable results in productivity, worker satisfaction, and ecological sustainability.</p>



<p>The research overwhelmingly indicates that companies that invest in proper AI education, like that offered through <a href="https://www.mindstudio.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MindStudio</a>, establish win-win scenarios where employees are both more empowered and less stressed, and companies enjoy the gains of increased productivity, reduced turnover, and improved mental health outcomes throughout their workforce.</p>



<p>For more on MindStudio's free AI training for companies, visit the website's of MindStudio and Dominnus from the links below.</p>



<p>The research was published across a variety of peer-reviewed journals, including <a href="https://www.nature.com/palcomms/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Humanities and Social Sciences Communications</a>, <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/artificial-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence</a>, and <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci">Applied Sciences</a>.</p>



<p id="block-9bd989d6-2fd3-4580-957f-6cacce134f08">-----</p>



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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p></p>

Social modeling affects our food choices

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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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...

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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>



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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...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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



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



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



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Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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