<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>



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



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

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>Betelgeuse, the tenth-brightest star visible from Earth, is at the center of a surprising finding making waves in the astronomical community. Recent observations challenge long-standing assumptions about the star's behavior.</p>



<p>Once thought to be solitary, new research suggests the star's pulsating light may not be an impending supernova, but the presence of an unseen companion star orbiting the bright giant.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-does-betelgeuse-have-a-companion">Does Betelgeuse have a companion?</h2>



<p>The yet-to-be-seen stellar companion has been humorously named "Betelbuddy" by research scientist Jared Goldberg from&nbsp;Flatiron Institute’s&nbsp;Center for Computational Astrophysics. He said it behaves like a "celestial snowplow."</p>



<p>As it orbits Betelgeuse, the companion star scatters light-obscuring dust, temporarily brightening Betelgeuse’s natural luminosity.</p>



<p>This led the team to explore the idea that Betelgeuse’s observed light pulsing is due to the interference of  Betelbuddy.</p>



<p>“We ruled out every intrinsic source of variability that we could think of as to why the brightening and dimming was happening in this way," said Goldberg. "The only hypothesis that seemed to fit is that Betelgeuse has a companion."</p>



<p>Goldberg collaborated with Meridith Joyce from the <a href="https://www.uwyo.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Wyoming</a> and László Molnár from Konkoly Observatory at the <a href="https://csfk.hun-ren.hu/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HUN-REN Research Centre for Astronomy and Earth Sciences</a> in Hungary.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-betelgeuse-s-mysterious-pulses-explained">Betelgeuse's mysterious pulses explained</h2>



<p>Betelgeuse, a massive red giant star, is nearing the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/astronomers-discover-a-new-way-that-stars-die/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">end of its life</a>, transitioning into its final stages.</p>



<p>The star brightens and dims rhythmically like a celestial heartbeat with a shorter "heartbeat" period lasting just over a year and a longer, more enigmatic cycle spanning six years. The cause behind these mysterious fluctuations has puzzled scientists.</p>



<p>Traditionally, experts attributed the shorter cycle to Betelgeuse's fundamental mode - an intrinsic pattern of brightening and dimming from within the star. </p>



<p>However, scientists suspected the longer cycle to be influenced by an external factor. This curious external variability led researchers to explore the possibility of an unseen companion star lurking in Betelgeuse’s shadow.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sowing-the-seeds-of-a-new-theory">Sowing the seeds of a new theory</h2>



<p>Researchers explored this long secondary period and examined whether internal processes within the star like churnings or periodic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strong-magnetic-fields-leave-marks-on-nuclear-matter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magnetic field</a> transformations could be the cause.</p>



<p>Leveraging the power of advanced computer simulations and observational data on Betelgeuse, the team gravitated towards the idea of Betelbuddy.</p>



<p>"Nothing else added up," Goldberg said. “Basically, if there’s no Betelbuddy, then that means there’s something way weirder going on - something impossible to explain with current physics.”</p>



<p>The nature of Betelbuddy remains speculative but logic suggests it’s a star of at least twice the mass of our sun.</p>



<p>“It is difficult to say what the companion actually is beyond providing mass and orbital constraints. A <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/discovery-sun-like-stars-with-secret-companions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sunlike star</a> is the most probable type of companion, but that is by no means conclusive,” Joyce said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-confirming-betelbuddy-s-existence">Confirming Betelbuddy’s existence</h2>



<p>Even as the theory takes hold, it is still hypothetical. The experts seek to gather concrete visual evidence of Betelbuddy using telescopic images.</p>



<p>The team will play paparazzi, trying to capture images of the Betelbuddy with telescopes during a potential window of visibility around December 6th.</p>



<p>"We need to confirm that Betelbuddy actually exists, since our result is based on inference, not on direct detection," said Molnár. "So we're working on observation proposals now."</p>



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



<p>The researchers highlighted the importance of collaboration, noting that this study was only possible through team science.</p>



<p>“Without each of us considering this problem from very different angles - László as an expert in space-based observations and data analysis, Jared as someone who studies and simulates <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/massive-stars-shape-planetary-systems-like-ours-with-ultraviolet-radiation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">massive stars</a>, and myself as a 1D modeler - the work wouldn’t have been possible," Joyce said. </p>



<p>"I want to thank the Flatiron Center for Computational Astrophysics in particular for creating an environment in which pulling together such a diverse range of scientists is possible."</p>



<p>And so, the celestial investigation continues. The discovery of Betelbuddy could redefine scientists' understanding of Betelgeuse, a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/betelgeuse-one-of-our-brightest-stars-will-vanish-from-sight-next-week/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star</a> that “has been the target of countless studies since the dawn of modern astrophysics," Molnár said. </p>



<p>"And yet, there's still room to make significant new discoveries: in this case, a sunlike star hiding in plain sight, in the immense glare of a red supergiant. That is what excites me the most.”</p>



<p>The study is published in <em>The Astrophysical Journal</em>.</p>



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



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



<p></p>

Supergiant star Betelgeuse may have a 'buddy' causing it to flicker

Betelgeuse, the tenth-brightest star visible from Earth, is at the...

<p>We've known for a long time that military sonar, widely used for submarine detection and naval operations, can have devastating effects on dolphin populations. Now, however, researchers are learning that sonar is more harmful to dolphins than previously believed.</p>



<p>Scientists from UC Santa Cruz and their collaborators have achieved something monumental -- they've managed to directly measure the behavioral responses of these dolphins and unraveled some surprising findings.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sonar-sound-surprise">Sonar sound surprise</h2>



<p>In a recent study, the international team sampled dozens of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microplastics-found-in-dolphin-breath/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dolphin groups</a>. They simulated and activated operational military sonars in controlled conditions, and then keenly observed how these dolphins reacted. </p>



<p>“We see clear evidence of acoustic responses -- fine-scale changes in movement including directed, sustained, strong avoidance, and changes in group configurations,” said lead author Brandon Southall, a <a href="https://www.ucsc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Santa Cruz</a> research associate and senior scientist at Southall Environmental Associates (<a href="https://sea-inc.net/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SEA</a>).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dolphins-reaction-to-sonars">Dolphins reaction to sonars</h2>



<p>To observe these fast and playful creatures, the scientists had to employ advanced methods and technologies. They utilized aerial drone imagery, underwater listening devices, and even shore-based visual observatories.</p>



<p>John Durban, a co-author of the study and a senior scientist at SEA, explained how they further developed drone photogrammetry.</p>



<p>"In this study, we have been able to further develop this technique to geolocate dolphins with centimeter-level precision, enabling changes in behavior to be quantified in an objective way," noted Durban.</p>



<p>This combination of methodologies created a comprehensive picture of how these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-dolphins-who-play-with-others-become-successful-adults/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dolphins</a>, renowned for their sociability, respond to sonic disturbances.</p>



<p>“While these behavioral changes occur and persist on variable time scales, they are surprising in that they collectively demonstrate responses at sound levels that are orders of magnitude lower than predicted in current regulatory impact assessments. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dolphins-smile-at-each-other-when-they-are-feeling-playful/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">These animals</a> are clearly much more sensitive to noise exposure than we thought," Southall explained.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impacts-of-sonar-on-dolphins">Impacts of sonar on dolphins</h2>



<p>These social dolphins, often seen in groups that could range into the hundreds or even thousands, regularly come across potent military sonar systems. </p>



<p>Worryingly, these systems are known to disturb, harm, and even kill other species. The study proposes that millions of animals might be impacted annually, despite past assessments predicting otherwise.</p>



<p>The findings of this study have profound implications for marine conservation efforts, particularly regarding human-induced noise pollution. </p>



<p>With the revelation that dolphins are more susceptible to sonar disturbances than previously assumed, there is an urgent call for reevaluating current naval practices. </p>



<p>This knowledge urges policymakers and environmentalists to integrate more stringent regulations on sonar usage, ensuring the preservation of marine life integrity. </p>



<p>By aligning scientific insights with conservation policy, there is a potential to mitigate some of the anthropogenic impacts on these intelligent creatures.</p>



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



<p>The research team emphasizes the need for continued investigations into the long-term impacts of noise exposure on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pebanista-yacuruna-giant-dolphin-species-discovered-peru-amazon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dolphins</a> and their ecosystems. </p>



<p>Future studies could expand to include a broader range of species and environmental scenarios, ultimately enriching our understanding of marine acoustic ecology. </p>



<p>The deployment of novel technologies, as demonstrated in this study, provides a promising pathway for comprehensive, non-invasive monitoring of marine life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-environmental-impacts">Broader environmental impacts</h2>



<p>This study focuses on dolphins, but its findings are important for all marine life. </p>



<p>Military sonar and other human-made noises impact many species, messing with their behaviors, habitats, and ways of communicating. </p>



<p>By showing how vulnerable dolphins are to these disturbances, it highlights the urgent need for better protection of our oceans.</p>



<p>We must take a holistic approach to ocean conservation, recognizing the complex relationships within marine ecosystems and working to reduce human stressors. </p>



<p>Protecting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plankton-help-predict-ocean-biodiversity-losses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ocean biodiversity</a> is vital not just for marine species, but for the health of our planet, too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increased-concerns-on-sonars-and-dolphins">Increased concerns on sonars and dolphins</h2>



<p>In recent times, the rising number of mass strandings of cetaceans coinciding with the operation of naval sonar systems has flagged concern regarding the potential threats posed by noise exposure. </p>



<p>“Understanding how these animals respond to these types of acoustic signals is important for mitigating the impacts that this type of disturbance can have on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/dolphin-everything-you-need-to-know-about-these-magical-mammals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">social animals</a> that rely on acoustics for communication, feeding, and other critical facets of their lives,” said study co-author Caroline Casey, a researcher at UC Santa Cruz.</p>



<p>By advancing research in this field, scientists aim to promote deeper insights into interspecies interactions and ecological resilience, paving the way towards more informed and effective environmental stewardship.</p>



<p>So, the next time you think about dolphins, remember the other side of their story -- the one that we humans play a part in. What can we do to ensure their environment remains safe? Let's mull over that for a bit. After all, isn't awareness the first step towards change?</p>



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



<p>The team also included Ari Friedlaender, a professor of ocean sciences at UC Santa Cruz, and a number of collaborators from institutions in the United States and the Netherlands.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsos.240650" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Royal Society Open Science.</em></a></p>



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



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

Military sonar does a lot more damage to dolphins than previously disclosed

We've known for a long time that military sonar, widely...

<p>Imagine, if you can, a place where every lungful of air doesn't quite fulfill your body's needs. Yet, despite such challenging conditions, Tibetan women residing on the high Tibetan Plateau with low oxygen have been surviving and thriving for over 10,000 years.</p>



<p>Now that's what you call an art of survival.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tibetan-survival-code">Tibetan survival code</h2>



<p>The credit for unraveling this mystery goes to a team led by Cynthia Beall, a Distinguished University Professor Emerita at <a href="https://case.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Case Western Reserve University</a>. </p>



<p>The study uncovers how Tibetan women's physiological adaptability allows them to reproduce efficiently in such an oxygen-poor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cascading-oxygen-loss-could-endanger-our-oceans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environment</a> -- an environment that would wind most of us in no time.</p>



<p>Beall asserts that these findings not only highlight the impressive resilience of Tibetan women but also offer valuable insights into how humans might adapt in extreme environments. </p>



<p>These insights could potentially guide us to respond to future environmental challenges and shed light on the pathobiology of people suffering from illnesses related to hypoxia (low oxygen levels) at all altitudes.</p>



<p>"Understanding how populations like these adapt gives us a better grasp of the processes of human evolution," notes Beall.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-oxygen-delivery-traits-in-tibetan">Oxygen delivery traits in Tibetan</h2>



<p>The focused study revolved around 417 Tibetan women aged between 46 to 86, who live between 12,000 and 14,000 feet above sea level in Upper Mustang, Nepal. </p>



<p>The research team comprised of Beall and her colleagues collected data on the women's reproductive histories, physiological measurements, DNA samples, and social factors.</p>



<p>Their goal was to comprehend how oxygen delivery traits amidst high-altitude hypoxia influence the number of live births -- a key metric to measure <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-life-and-environment-co-evolved-over-500-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary fitness</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-breathing-in-thin-air">Breathing in thin air</h2>



<p>Beall and her team made an interesting discovery. The women who had borne the most children exhibited unique blood and heart traits that enhanced their bodies' oxygen-delivery efficiency. </p>



<p>These women reported higher oxygen saturation, leading to efficient oxygen delivery to cells without increasing blood's viscosity (thickness). And the less the blood's viscosity, the less strain on the heart—quite a neat trick.</p>



<p>"This is a case of ongoing natural selection. Tibetan women have evolved in a way that balances the body's oxygen needs without overworking the heart," Beall affirms.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tibetan-adaptation-to-low-oxygen">Tibetan adaptation to low oxygen</h2>



<p>The remarkable physiological adaptations to low oxygen observed in Tibetan women are underpinned by unique genetic variations that have been naturally selected over millennia. </p>



<p>Studies utilizing genomic analysis have identified particular alleles associated with hemoglobin concentration and efficient oxygen uptake, which are less prevalent in populations residing at lower altitudes. </p>



<p>One significant gene, EPAS1, often dubbed the "super athlete gene," has been highlighted for its role in enabling these populations to thrive in oxygen-scarce environments. </p>



<p>This genetic distinction is a testament to how human populations can evolve distinct biological traits in response to environmental pressures, thus contributing to our understanding of human genetic diversity and evolution.</p>



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



<p>Understanding these adaptations of Tibetan women to low oxygen environments not only enriches our comprehension of evolutionary biology but also holds promise for advancing medical science. </p>



<p>Insights from this research could be critical in developing treatments for conditions caused by hypoxia, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and certain cardiovascular ailments. </p>



<p>Moreover, studying genes like EPAS1 may spur innovations in enhancing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/at-what-age-do-olympic-athletes-perform-their-best/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">athletic performance</a> or aiding in the safe habitation of high-altitude regions. </p>



<p>Future research could explore how the integration of traditional Tibetan lifestyle practices with genetic predispositions contributes to these adaptive traits, potentially revealing further genetic markers involved in high-altitude survival.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tibetan-evolution-and-low-oxygen">Tibetan evolution and low oxygen</h2>



<p>In 2019, Beall's interdisciplinary research team, which includes Brian Hoit and Kingman Strohl from the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine and other U.S. and international researchers conducted fieldwork. They collaborated with local communities in the Nepal Himalayas and hired local women as research assistants.</p>



<p>The team's investigation centered on a genetic trait likely inherited from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-denisovan-species-humans-lived-undisturbed-tibetan-plateau-160000-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Denisovans</a>, who lived in Siberia approximately 50,000 years ago.</p>



<p>The descendants of these Denisovans later migrated onto the Tibetan Plateau. The studied trait is a variant of the EPAS1 gene, unique to the indigenous populations of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-snow-leopards-and-nomads-coexist-on-the-tibetan-plateau/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tibetan Plateau</a>. It regulates hemoglobin concentration.</p>



<p>Other traits enhancing oxygen delivery, such as increased blood-flow to the lungs and wider heart ventricles, were also examined. These traits contributed to greater reproductive success.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inspiration-from-tibetan-women">Inspiration from Tibetan women</h2>



<p>So, this is the story of how Tibetan women with their unique physiological traits have been showing us a live demonstration of survival, adaptation, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/embracing-stress-mindset-is-actually-a-good-thing-for-athletes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolution</a> in action for the last 10,000 years, despite having less oxygen around. </p>



<p>Isn't it fascinating to see how the human body can adapt and evolve to survive and thrive with such low levels of oxygen? It indeed offers a glimpse into seeing evolution in action and the remarkable tenacity of the human spirit.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2403309121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.</em></p>



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



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

Tibetan women have quickly evolved to thrive in low oxygen and high altitudes

Imagine, if you can, a place where every lungful of...

<p>A special collaboration between NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and New Horizons spacecraft had them simultaneously focus their viewfinders on Uranus.</p>



<p>The goal? To gather data from two distinct perspectives and enhance the knowledge of exoplanets -- planets outside our solar system, similar to Uranus.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stellar-duet">Stellar duet</h2>



<p>The astronomers used Uranus as a proxy for similar planets outside the solar system.</p>



<p>They utilized <a href="https://stsci-opo.org/STScI-01J99DT656ES1S81V71V8ND40R.png" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">high-resolution images</a> from Hubble and contrasted them with the distant perspective of New Horizons.</p>



<p>The intention was to better predict what scientists see when imaging <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/many-exoplanets-could-have-enough-water-to-be-habitable/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exoplanets</a> through future telescopes.</p>



<p>"While we expected Uranus to appear differently in each filter of the observations, we found that Uranus was actually dimmer than predicted in the New Horizons data taken from a different viewpoint," said Samantha Hasler, the lead scientist from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (<a href="https://www.mit.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MIT</a>) and <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/new-horizons/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Horizons</a> science team collaborator.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shedding-light-on-exoplanets">Shedding light on exoplanets</h2>



<p>One of the primary methods to learn more about exoplanets is direct imaging.</p>



<p>This process involves gathering light from the observed planet and comparing its brightness at different wavelengths. The exoplanets extreme distance from Earth makes imaging difficult. </p>



<p>Scientists chose Uranus because many known exoplanets are <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">gas giants</a> and New Horizons was on Uranus's far side, approximately 6.5 billion miles away. </p>



<p>This acreated a unique opportunity to study the planet’s twilight crescent -- an impossible feat from Earth's perspective.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-different-perspective-on-uranus">Different perspective on Uranus</h2>



<p>New Horizons could only perceive Uranus as a few pixels in its camera. Hubble is stationed in its low-Earth orbit and captured detailed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stunning-photo-of-uranus-and-its-rings-and-moons-captured-by-the-webb-telescope/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">atmospheric features on Uranus</a>.</p>



<p>"Uranus appears as just a small dot on the New Horizons observations, similar to the dots seen of directly-imaged exoplanets from observatories like Webb or ground-based observatories. Hubble provides context for what the atmosphere is doing when it was observed with New Horizons," Hasler further noted.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-planetary-atmosphere">Understanding planetary atmosphere</h2>



<p>The gas giant planets in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-the-delicate-balance-of-our-solar-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar system</a> have dynamic and unpredictable atmospheres with changing cloud formations.</p>



<p>This collaborative mission compared Hubble's detailed view of Uranus to the observational data from New Horizons. This improved scientists' understanding of atmospheric changes in exoplanets.</p>



<p>New Horizons distinct vantage point allowed researchers to discover that planets reflect light differently, depending on their phase.</p>



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



<p>NASA has several major observatories in development to advance humanity's understanding of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-telescopes-can-directly-detect-signs-of-alien-life-in-exoplanet-atmospheres/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exoplanet atmospheres</a> and their potential habitability.</p>



<p>Optimism surrounds these upcoming missions as they promise to shed light on distant worlds and refine the search for habitable planets beyond the solar system.</p>



<p>"Studying how known benchmarks like Uranus appear in distant imaging can help us have more robust expectations when preparing for these future missions," Hasler said. "And that will be critical to our success."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-horizons-contribution">New Horizons contribution</h2>



<p>NASA launched New Horizons in January 2006. It has contributed to a better understanding of the solar system and its farthest regions.</p>



<p>It conducted a historic pass of Pluto and its moons in 2015, providing detailed close-up images and data.</p>



<p>In 2019, New Horizons followed up with an in-depth exploration of Arrokoth, a remote planetary building block in the Kuiper Belt, offering insights into early solar system formation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-using-uranus-to-understand-exoplanets">Using Uranus to understand exoplanets</h2>



<p>This collaborative exploration of Uranus by Hubble and New Horizons is a step towards enhancing scientists' understanding of exoplanets.</p>



<p>This exploration provided information to better understand Uranus and equipped scientists with insights on what to expect from future missions to exoplanets.</p>



<p>The results of this collaborative study will be presented at the upcoming 56th annual meeting of the American Astronomical Society Division for Planetary Sciences.</p>



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



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New photos of Uranus from Hubble and New Horizons

A special collaboration between NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and New...

Multiwavelength View of a Turbulent Stellar Nursery

<p>Deep within the constellation Orion lies a tumultuous spectacle: the genesis and growth of newborn stars. This grand display features glowing clumps known as Herbig-Haro objects (HH 1 and HH 2), approximately 1,250 light-years away from our planet.</p>



<p>The incandescent cloud floating above the radiant star at the top-right corner of the <a href="https://cdn.esahubble.org/archives/images/large/potw2242a.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spectacular image</a> is HH 1. Its counterpart, HH 2, manifests as the cloud on the lower left side.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stars-are-born">Stars are born</h2>



<p>However, the pride of place in this image is neither of these visible objects, but a clandestine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/uma3-u1-faintest-star-system-found-orbiting-milky-way-galaxy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">star system</a>, responsible for their creation. </p>



<p>This system is shrouded in an intense veil of dust clouds at the very heart of the image.</p>



<p>A riveting scene unfolds through the thick cloud -- a luminous gas outflow streaming out from one of the stars obscured within the cloud. </p>



<p>This swift <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/garden-sprinkler-s-shaped-jet-found-distant-neutron-star-circinus-x1/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">jet</a> of energetic particles was once believed to emanate from the bright star nestled between the gas jet and the HH 1 cloud.</p>



<p>Contrary to this presumption, this twinkling entity is now known to be an irrelevant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mini-neptune-toi-4633c-habitable-zone-binary-star-system-puzzles-astronomers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">double star</a> that took form in the vicinity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-herbig-haro-objects">Herbig-Haro objects </h2>



<p>Named after American astronomers George Herbig and Guillermo Haro, these objects are vivid clumps sprung around some nascent stars. </p>



<p>A result of violent collisions between high-speed jets of gas expelled from <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/messier-78-young-stars-carve-cavities-in-the-clouds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">young stars</a> and the surrounding gas and dust. </p>



<p>In an event documented in 2002, Hubble's keen observations unveiled that sections of HH 1 were propelling at a staggering speed exceeding 400 kilometers per second (approximately 248 miles per second)!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-orion-stars-through-hubble-s-lens">Orion stars through Hubble's lens</h2>



<p>The <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hubble/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hubble Space Telescope</a>'s Wide Field Camera 3 captured this turbulent scene using 11 varied filters at infrared, visible, and ultraviolet wavelengths.</p>



<p>Each filter is designed to be sensitive to a particular slice of the electromagnetic spectrum. </p>



<p>This specificity enables astronomers to zero in on intriguing processes emitting light at distinct wavelengths, thereby unlocking mysteries of the universe.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-discoveries-of-orion-stars">Future discoveries of Orion stars</h2>



<p>Two groups of astronomers requested these Hubble observations for separate studies. </p>



<p>The first was an attempt to explore the structure and motion of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/webb-captures-supersonic-outflow-of-young-star-hh-211/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Herbig–Haro</a> objects visible in the image, providing a more profound understanding of the physical processes occurring when outflows from young stars collide with the surrounding gas and dust.</p>



<p>Meanwhile, the second study took a different route and examined the outflows themselves, setting the stage for future observations. </p>



<p>These endeavors are crucial in preparing for the impending launch of the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope (<a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JWST</a>).</p>



<p>The Webb, with its sophisticated ability to peer beyond the dust clouds that swaddle young stars, is anticipated to revolutionize the study of outflows from young stars.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lifecycles-of-stars">Lifecycles of stars</h2>



<p>The life of a star is nothing short of dramatic. Born within thick clouds of gas and dust, these stars go through a chaotic and explosive start. </p>



<p>In regions like the one pictured in <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/skywatching-in-february-2022-venus-jupiter-and-orion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Orion</a>, newborn stars are often hidden, shrouded by dense clouds as they struggle to emerge. </p>



<p>As they grow, they release streams of material that interact with their surroundings, carving out the intricate structures we see in these stellar nurseries.</p>



<p>But what makes this journey even more intriguing is how different tools reveal different parts of the story.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-orion-stars-discovery">Significance of Orion stars discovery</h2>



<p>Hubble has given us a beautiful snapshot of these early stages, but the Webb telescope, with its advanced technology, will be able to see even deeper into these dusty cocoons. </p>



<p>Webb will provide a clearer picture of how these young stars evolve from tiny sparks to fully-fledged celestial objects.</p>



<p>Astronomers are eagerly awaiting the next big discovery. Every bit of knowledge we gain about these star-forming regions brings us closer to solving the cosmic puzzle of our universe’s past. </p>



<p>It’s amazing to realize that by studying Orion stars, we’re also uncovering clues about how solar systems, planets, and possibly even life itself came to be.</p>



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



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Beautiful stellar nursery in the Orion constellation captured by Hubble

Deep within the constellation Orion lies a tumultuous spectacle: the...

Primeval,Caveman,In,Animal,Skin,And,Fur,Holds,Stone,Tipped

<p>Tam Pà Ling is a hidden cave nestled in the jungles of Southeast Asia and holds answers to some of humanity's oldest mysteries.</p>



<p>People often look to the stars to understand our origins, but this underground site reveals secrets that illuminate mankind's history and evolution.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deeper-into-past">Deeper into past</h2>



<p>For over 14 years, a group of persistent and dedicated scientists devoted their time to exploring and analyzing this site.</p>



<p>The team consists of researchers from various corners of the world including Laotian, French, American, and Australian scientists.</p>



<p>Their efforts resulted in significant discoveries including some of the earliest tangible proof of homosapiens’ presence in the region.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hidden-truths-of-tam-pa-ling">Hidden truths of Tam Pà Ling</h2>



<p>Led by Ph.D. candidate Vito Hernandez and Associate Professor Mike Morley from the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences of <a href="https://www.flinders.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Flinders University</a>, they developed a technique called microstratigraphy that sheds light on the cave's past conditions.</p>



<p>Deployed at the Flinders Microarchaeology Laboratory, the team recreated the environmental canvas from 52,000 to 10,000 years ago.</p>



<p>"Microstratigraphy enabled us to delve into the dungeon of the past, reconstructing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/inside-caves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cave</a> conditions and identifying traces of human activities in and around Tam Pà Ling," Hernandez said. "It also gave us insight into the circumstances surrounding the deposition of the earliest modern <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossils-found-in-china-belong-to-a-previously-unknown-human-ancestor/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human fossils</a> found in Southeast Asia."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mystery-of-human-fossils">Mystery of human fossils</h2>



<p>The human fossils unearthed inside Tam Pà Ling are the subject of intense speculation.</p>



<p>Ancient people deposited the remains between 86,000 and 30,000 years ago. Researchers were unable to gain a comprehensive understanding of the conditions or deposition process.</p>



<p>The conditions within the cave varied greatly, transitioning from a temperate climate characterized by frequent wet conditions to seasonally dry periods.</p>



<p>"This environmental shift affected the interior cave topography, influencing how sediments, including human fossils, were deposited within the cave," notes Associate Professor Morley.</p>



<p>Scientists solved the mystery of how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-hunter-gatherer-ancestors-did-much-more-gathering-than-hunting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early ancestors</a> came to rest within the cave.</p>



<p>Analysis suggests loose sediments and debris containing the fossils washed into the cave by heavy rainfalls from surrounding hillsides.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-traces-of-human-presence-in-tam-pa-ling">Traces of human presence in Tam Pà Ling</h2>



<p>The team's research also highlighted micro-traces of charcoal and ash within the cave sediments.</p>



<p>This sediment layer indicates possible forest fires during the drier periods or the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-were-using-fire-to-cook-food-780000-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">use of fire by human visitors</a>, either within the cave or at its entrance.</p>



<p>Scientists uncovered fresh perspectives on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stone-age-hunter-gatherers-had-a-very-organized-domestic-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancestors' lives</a> and their movement through Southeast Asia's shifting forest covers.</p>



<p>The research provided "unprecedented insights into the dynamics of our ancestors during periods of variable regional climate instability," said study co-author and paleoanthropologist Assistant Professor Fabrice Demeter from the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Copenhagen</a>.</p>



<p>The findings from the Tam Pà Ling cave help unravel the complex tapestry of humanity's past and reshapes our understanding of human history..</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-exploration-of-tam-pa-ling">Further exploration of Tam Pà Ling</h2>



<p>The discoveries at Tam Pà Ling sparked a renewed interest in Southeast Asia's role in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/persian-plateau-fills-20000-year-gap-early-human-history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human history</a>, prompting researchers to expand their studies.</p>



<p>The team plans to employ more advanced techniques such as DNA analysis and isotopic studies to gain deeper insights into the lives of cave inhabitants.</p>



<p>Tam Pà Ling is a living archive where each uncovered layer brings researchers closer to understanding how early humans adapted to their environment and migrated across ancient landscapes.</p>



<p>As exploration continues, scientists hope the cave will reveal further clues about early human history and how the populations interacted with a changing world.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0277379124004839" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quaternary Science Reviews</a></em>.</p>



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<p></p>

Tam Pà Ling cave reveals early human presence in Asia

Tam Pà Ling is a hidden cave nestled in the...

<p>If you’ve ever found it challenging to cut back on carbs, ancient DNA might offer an explanation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>New research reveals that humans have carried multiple copies of a gene responsible for breaking down starch, allowing us to efficiently digest foods that are high in carbs like bread and pasta. </p>



<p>This genetic adaptation dates back far longer than previously thought, suggesting that our capacity to process starchy foods was an essential part of human evolution.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modern-human-diets-and-carbs">Modern human diets and carbs </h2>



<p>A study led by scientists from the <a href="https://www.buffalo.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Buffalo</a> (UB) and <a href="https://www.jax.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Jackson Laboratory</a> (JAX) sheds new light on how duplications of the salivary amylase gene (AMY1) began over 800,000 years ago, long before the advent of agriculture. </p>



<p>These early duplications set the stage for the genetic diversity seen today, influencing how effectively modern humans digest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-starchy-foods-shaped-human-genomes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">starch</a>. </p>



<p>The study's findings, published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adn0609" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Science</em></a>, offer critical insights into our evolutionary history and the role of diet in shaping our genomes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-enzyme-for-starch-digestion">Key enzyme for starch digestion</h2>



<p>The AMY1 gene produces amylase, an enzyme that starts breaking down starch in the mouth. More AMY1 copies mean higher amylase production, which can improve the digestion of starches.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Study senior author Omer Gokcumen is a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at UB.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“The idea is that the more amylase genes you have, the more amylase you can produce and the more starch you can digest effectively,” said Gokcumen.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Amylase also plays a role in giving bread its characteristic taste as it breaks starch down into sugars.</p>



<p>The research team, including co-author Charles Lee, professor and Robert Alvine Family Endowed Chair at JAX, used advanced genome sequencing techniques, such as optical genome mapping and long-read sequencing, to study the AMY1 gene region in detail.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Traditional sequencing methods struggled to differentiate between the nearly identical gene copies in this region, but long-read sequencing enabled the researchers to map these variations with greater accuracy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-diversity-of-ancient-hunter-gatherers-nbsp">Genetic diversity of ancient hunter-gatherers&nbsp;</h2>



<p>By analyzing the genomes of 68 ancient humans, including a 45,000-year-old sample from Siberia, the team discovered that pre-agricultural hunter-gatherers already had a wide range of AMY1 copies, typically between four and eight per diploid cell.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This genetic diversity suggests that early humans in Eurasia were equipped to digest starchy foods well before they began domesticating plants.</p>



<p>The study also revealed that AMY1 gene duplications were present in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-and-neanderthals-may-belong-to-the-same-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neanderthals</a> and Denisovans, indicating that these genetic variations began more than 800,000 years ago, long before the evolutionary split between modern humans and these ancient relatives. </p>



<p>“This suggests that the AMY1 gene may have first duplicated more than 800,000 years ago, well before humans split from Neanderthals and much further back than previously thought,” said co-author Kwondo Kim, a scientist at the Lee Lab at JAX.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-genetic-ripples-of-variation">Genetic ripples of variation</h2>



<p>The initial duplication of the AMY1 gene served as a starting point for further genetic variation, allowing humans to adapt to diverse <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-diets-early-humans-richer-berries-nuts-plants-than-expected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diets</a> over time. </p>



<p>As populations spread across different regions, having flexibility in the number of AMY1 copies provided an evolutionary advantage, especially in environments where starchy foods became more available.</p>



<p>“Following the initial duplication, leading to three AMY1 copies in a cell, the amylase locus became unstable and began creating new variations,” said co-author Charikleia Karageorgiou, a scientist at UB.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“From three AMY1 copies, you can get all the way up to nine copies, or even go back to one copy per haploid cell.” This variation enabled humans to adapt to different dietary needs as they encountered new food sources.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-farming-influenced-genetic-variation">How farming influenced genetic variation</h2>



<p>The shift from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to farming had a profound impact on the evolution of AMY1 copy numbers. While early humans already possessed multiple AMY1 copies, the rise of agriculture brought a surge in starch consumption, leading to further increases in gene copies. </p>



<p>In particular, the average number of AMY1 copies among European farmers rose significantly over the past 4,000 years as their diets became increasingly starch-rich.</p>



<p>“Individuals with higher AMY1 copy numbers were likely digesting starch more efficiently and having more offspring,” Gokcumen explained.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Their lineages ultimately fared better over a long evolutionary timeframe than those with lower copy numbers, propagating the number of the AMY1 copies.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>This trend mirrors findings from a recent study led by the <a href="https://www.berkeley.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of California, Berkeley</a> and published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07911-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature</em></a>, which reported that European populations expanded their average AMY1 copy number from four to seven over the last 12,000 years.</p>



<p>Interestingly, this genetic adaptation is not limited to humans. Gokcumen’s earlier research found that domesticated animals like dogs and pigs, which lived alongside humans, also developed higher AMY1 copy numbers compared to their wild counterparts, suggesting a parallel adaptation to starch-heavy diets.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-for-metabolic-health-insights">Potential for metabolic health insights</h2>



<p>The study’s findings open new avenues for understanding how variations in AMY1 copy numbers may affect <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ketogenic-diet-improves-mental-and-metabolic-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">metabolic health</a> and glucose metabolism in humans. </p>



<p>“Given the key role of AMY1 copy number variation in human evolution, this genetic variation presents an exciting opportunity to explore its impact on metabolic health and uncover the mechanisms involved in starch digestion and glucose metabolism,” said lead author Feyza Yilmaz, an associate computational scientist at JAX.</p>



<p>Future research could investigate how different AMY1 levels influence individual responses to high-carb diets, providing critical insights into nutrition and health. </p>



<p>Understanding the evolutionary timeline of AMY1 gene duplications might also help researchers pinpoint when and how these genetic changes were most beneficial for human populations, shedding light on the interplay between genetics, diet, and adaptation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-legacy-of-carbs-written-in-dna">A legacy of carbs written in DNA</h2>



<p>This groundbreaking study highlights how ancient genetic adaptations continue to shape human biology today.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By tracing the evolution of the AMY1 gene across thousands of years, researchers have revealed the deep roots of our ability to eat carbs and digest starch, a skill that has been essential for survival across diverse environments and changing lifestyles. </p>



<p>These insights not only deepen our understanding of human evolution but also pave the way for exploring the connections between ancient DNA, diet, and modern health.</p>



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Our love of carbs may date back to the Neanderthals 

If you’ve ever found it challenging to cut back on...

<p>Suspended 80,000 feet above New Mexico by a weather balloon, a pair of antennas juts out from a Styrofoam cooler, listening intently for signals that might improve air travel safety.&nbsp;</p>



<p>From this altitude, the transition between Earth's blue atmosphere and the darkness of space is visible, but the focus of these antennas is not the view; it's the experimental navigation technology being tested by researchers from <a href="https://www.sandia.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sandia National Laboratories</a> and <a href="https://www.osu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ohio State University</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The goal is to develop a backup system that could keep <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/modern-airplanes-are-worse-for-the-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">airplanes</a> on course when GPS signals are unavailable or unreliable.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cell-phone-signals-to-assist-gps">Cell phone signals to assist GPS</h2>



<p>The idea behind this research is to use alternative signals - radio frequencies from cell phone towers and non-GPS communication satellites - to calculate a vehicle’s position and velocity.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“We’re not trying to replace GPS,” said Jennifer Sanderson, Sandia's lead researcher. “We’re just trying to assist it in situations where it’s degraded or compromised,” which can pose risks to pilots and passengers if not addressed.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-consider-a-gps-backup">Why consider a GPS backup?</h2>



<p>GPS remains the gold standard for navigation due to its speed, precision, and reliability, so why explore alternatives? “I worry about relying too heavily on it without a backup,” Sanderson, an expert in navigation algorithms, explained.&nbsp;</p>



<p>GPS is deeply embedded in the modern world, influencing activities ranging from aviation to agriculture and financial transactions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This heavy reliance raises concerns about the impact of potential disruptions. “The impacts of losing GPS could be felt throughout society,” Sanderson noted.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-service-interruptions-and-air-safety">Service interruptions and air safety</h2>



<p>Interruptions to GPS service are not rare, especially near conflict zones, where pilots may find GPS unreliable or unavailable.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Prolonged GPS outages increase the risk of accidents. One threat is GPS jamming - devices that emit disruptive signals on GPS frequencies.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Commercial GPS receivers are susceptible to a couple different threats, one being jamming,” Sanderson said, adding that while such jamming devices are illegal, they can still be obtained.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Another issue is spoofing, where false signals are sent to mislead GPS receivers. Although spoofing is often associated with gaming, Sanderson highlights that it can have serious consequences in aviation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Pilots might not be able to tell if a signal is spoofed or genuine, leading them in the wrong direction,” she said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-navigating-with-signals-of-opportunity">Navigating with “signals of opportunity”</h2>



<p>The concept of using non-GPS signals for navigation, known as “signals of opportunity,” isn't entirely new, but it has typically been studied near the ground, such as in urban areas where buildings block GPS signals.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Unlike GPS, where location information is embedded in the signal, signals of opportunity often require measuring the physical properties of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-radio-waves-disrupt-the-magnetic-compass-of-migratory-birds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">radio waves</a>, like the Doppler effect.&nbsp;</p>



<p>When a satellite moves toward a receiver, the radio waves compress, and as it moves away, they stretch. Using these changes, researchers can calculate their location relative to the signal source.</p>



<p>Sanderson’s team is pioneering the study of signals of opportunity at much higher altitudes. By collecting signal data from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/space-travel-has-left-a-metal-mark-on-earths-stratosphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stratosphere</a>, they hope to develop a navigation method that uses a network of radio frequency waves at those heights.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“So, we strap our payloads to these weather balloons and launch them into the air,” Sanderson explained. These payloads consist of electronic equipment housed in an insulated foam cooler, containing antennas that collect data high above the clouds.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inconsistent-cell-phone-signals-nbsp">Inconsistent cell phone signals&nbsp;</h2>



<p>This new method faces challenges, such as identifying and characterizing satellite and cell tower signals at these altitudes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While satellite signals are strong, there can be gaps due to the cone-shaped transmission patterns that become narrower closer to the source.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Coverage over rural areas, like parts of New Mexico, may be inconsistent. Cell tower signal strengths can be estimated theoretically, but real-world conditions need to be tested.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“So far, the highest altitude we’ve reached is about 80,000 feet. In comparison, other studies we’ve seen have focused on 5,000 to 7,000 feet,” Sanderson said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-precision-in-navigation-research-nbsp">Precision in navigation research&nbsp;</h2>



<p>As the team continues to analyze their initial data, they are focused on overcoming technical challenges and refining their methods.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Sanderson emphasized the importance of precision in navigation research. “The not-sexy but very important side of navigation is understanding all your error sources.”&nbsp;</p>



<p>Her aim is to build a comprehensive dataset that can be used to create algorithms for real-time navigation systems, leading to hardware tests with actual data gathered from these high-altitude flights.</p>



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



<p>A key part of the project’s future is developing a system that can automatically match incoming signals to their transmitters and calculate a vehicle's position and speed in real-time.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Currently, the team is manually matching signals to satellites, which is time-consuming. “It can be quite tedious. So, one big aspect we need to address is automating this process,” Sanderson said.</p>



<p>Despite these challenges, the scientists remain hopeful about the potential of their work.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“While we are still processing the flight data, we believe our preliminary findings indicate that we detected cell tower signal beacons at our peak altitude of about 82,000 feet,” noted Sanderson.</p>



<p>“If these signals are clean enough for navigation, it will significantly change what we thought was possible for alternative navigation.”</p>



<p>The team's efforts could pave the way for a robust backup navigation system, providing a safety net for aircraft in situations where GPS is compromised, ultimately enhancing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aviations-contribution-to-climate-change-is-expected-to-intensify/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aviation</a> safety and resilience.</p>



<p>The team's preliminary findings were shared at the <a href="https://www.ion.org/gnss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute of Navigation GNSS+ conference</a> in Baltimore, from September 16-20.&nbsp;</p>



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



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Can cell phone signals help airplanes land safely?

Suspended 80,000 feet above New Mexico by a weather balloon,...

<p>Why does the rooster crow while the hen remains silent? This intriguing question led scientist Arnold Adolph Berthold, in the mid-19th century, to castrate a rooster. The result was telling: the rooster's morning crow ceased.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While Berthold did not know the exact substance responsible, we now understand that the sex hormone testosterone plays a key role in such male-specific behaviors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-testosterone-and-the-androgen-receptor">Testosterone and the androgen receptor</h2>



<p>Although <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/men-with-low-testosterone-have-a-higher-risk-of-mortality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">testosterone</a> is present in females and has important functions, it is classically referred to as the “male hormone.” It significantly contributes to sexual development, appearance, and aggressive behavior in males. </p>



<p>To exert its function, testosterone binds to the so-called androgen receptor. This binding activates the receptor and triggers the production of certain proteins within the cell.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, testosterone can also be metabolized into estrogen - the “female hormone” - which binds to a different receptor. This complexity raises the question: when we talk about testosterone and its effects, what is the role of the androgen signaling pathway?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hormone-signaling-in-birds">Hormone signaling in birds</h2>



<p>A team of scientists led by Benjamin Schusser (<a href="https://www.tum.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Technical University of Munich</a>) and Manfred Gahr (<a href="https://www.bi.mpg.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence</a>) delved deeper into this question using birds as a model. </p>



<p>The researchers noted that, unlike mammals, avian cells possess cell autonomous sex identity, allowing somatic cells to develop sexual traits independent of hormonal influence due to the absence of sex chromosome dosage compensation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“This unique characteristic has significant implications, potentially leading to the manifestation of sexual traits differing from gonadal sex expectations,” wrote the study authors.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The experts pointed out that male chickens with experimentally reversed gonads develop complete sexual ornaments typical of roosters, challenging the notion that these traits are driven by testicular hormones.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Our study aims to unravel the intricate interplay between hormonal and cell autonomous mechanisms in avian sexual development by investigating the role of androgen signaling through androgen receptor knockout in chickens.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-focus-of-the-research">Focus of the research</h2>



<p>Using the CRISPR-Cas method, the researchers created genetically modified chickens lacking the androgen receptor. This allowed them to study, for the first time, the effects of androgen signaling on the development, appearance, and behavior of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chicken-domestication-humans-timeline-silk-road-evidence/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chickens</a>.</p>



<p>Chickens were particularly well-suited for this study. They are intelligent and social animals exhibiting gender-specific behaviors, such as roosters crowing in the morning. This made them ideal subjects to observe the consequences of disrupting the androgen signaling pathway.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-outcomes-in-modified-chickens">Surprising outcomes in modified chickens</h2>



<p>As expected, examinations of the young roosters showed they were infertile. Additionally, some typical external sexual characteristics were underdeveloped, including the comb, wattle, and earlaps.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Interestingly, other traits remained unaffected by the genetic modification: the tail feathers and the spurs were comparable to normal roosters.</p>



<p>“We were surprised to find that the male traits were only partially lost. The outer appearance of roosters is therefore not solely determined by the androgen signaling pathway,” explained Mekhla Rudra, a co-lead author of the study.</p>



<p>Young hens without the androgen receptor showed a very similar pattern. They were also infertile, and their typical head ornaments were much smaller than normal.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Consequently, young roosters and hens were almost indistinguishable in appearance - quite unlike chickens that carry the androgen receptor.</p>



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



<p>Surprisingly, although adult females continued to produce testosterone, without the androgen receptors they never laid eggs nor ovulated, showing that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/did-the-reptile-or-the-egg-come-first-scientists-have-changed-their-minds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">egg</a> formation and laying are androgen-dependent.</p>



<p>The results demonstrate that testosterone plays an important role in both sexes. It is therefore too simplistic to describe it as a pure male hormone. The way the hormone works is complex and not yet fully understood.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-complex-interplay-in-sexual-development">Complex interplay in sexual development</h2>



<p>The study provides general insights into the sexual development of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polygamous-birds-carry-fewer-harmful-genetic-mutations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">birds</a>, revealing a complex interplay of hormone-dependent and hormone-independent mechanisms. </p>



<p>By understanding these processes, scientists can better comprehend how hormones influence development and behavior across different species.</p>



<p>“These findings highlight the significance of androgen receptor mechanisms in fertility and sex-specific traits in chickens, challenging the concept of a default sex in birds and emphasizing the dominance of androgen signaling in avian sexual development,” the authors concluded.</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-52989-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Communications</em></a>.</p>



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Female birds need a ‘male hormone’ for sexual development 

Why does the rooster crow while the hen remains silent?...

<p>Since its launch in 2021, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has opened new possibilities for detecting signs of life on exoplanets, planets beyond our solar system.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A prime focus in this search is rocky planets orbiting low-mass stars called M-dwarfs, the most common type of stars in the universe. </p>



<p>Among the nearby candidates is TRAPPIST-1, an M-dwarf located about 40 light years away, hosting a system of planets that has become a focal point in the search for extraterrestrial life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-to-planet-habitability">Challenges to planet habitability</h2>



<p>Past research raised concerns about the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/habitable-worlds-new-strategy-to-identify-planets-that-may-host-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitability</a> of planets around TRAPPIST-1, suggesting that intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation could strip these planets of surface water. </p>



<p>This desiccation would leave dry surfaces, and if the hydrogen from water vapor escaped into space while oxygen remained, it could result in an atmosphere rich in reactive oxygen, potentially hindering the chemistry needed for life to develop.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rocky-planets-with-stable-atmospheres-nbsp">Rocky planets with stable atmospheres&nbsp;</h2>



<p>However, a new study published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-52642-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Communications</em></a> suggests that certain rocky planets around M-dwarfs might have atmospheres that remain stable over time.</p>



<p>Study lead author Joshua Krissansen-Totton is an assistant professor of Earth and space sciences at the <a href="https://www.washington.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Washington</a> (UW).</p>



<p>“One of the most intriguing questions right now in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exoplanet-discovery-nasa-identifies-over-5500-distant-worlds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exoplanet</a> astronomy is: Can rocky planets orbiting M-dwarf stars maintain atmospheres that could support life?" </p>



<p>"Our findings give reason to expect that some of these planets do have atmospheres, which significantly enhances the chances that these common planetary systems could support life," said Krissansen-Totton.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rocky-planets-in-the-habitable-zone-nbsp">Rocky planets in the habitable zone&nbsp;</h2>



<p>So far, the JWST has observed some of the hotter rocky planets close to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trappist-1-has-seven-earth-like-planets-that-may-support-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TRAPPIST-1</a> and found that these do not have significant atmospheres. </p>



<p>However, the telescope has not yet been able to fully study planets in the “Goldilocks zone” - regions where conditions might allow for liquid water and thus increase the potential for life. </p>



<p>In this zone, temperatures are just right, not too hot or too cold, making it a prime area for further exploration.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-modeling-the-formation-of-rocky-planets">Modeling the formation of rocky planets</h2>



<p>The new study modeled the evolution of a rocky planet from its molten beginnings to its cooling over hundreds of millions of years.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The results indicated that while light gasses like hydrogen initially escaped into space, those further from their star retained some hydrogen through reactions with oxygen and iron in their interiors.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This process led to the formation of water and heavier gasses, creating a stable atmosphere over time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-searching-for-temperate-exoplanets">Searching for temperate exoplanets</h2>



<p>The researchers also found that on planets in the Goldilocks zone, water tends to condense and rain out of the atmosphere, making it less likely to escape. This increases the possibility of maintaining a stable climate and liquid water on the surface.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“It's easier for the JWST to observe hotter planets closest to the star because they emit more thermal radiation, which isn't as affected by the interference from the star. For those planets we have a fairly unambiguous answer: They don't have a thick atmosphere,” said Krissansen-Totton.</p>



<p>“For me, this result is interesting because it suggests that the more temperate planets may have atmospheres and ought to be carefully scrutinized with telescopes, especially given their habitability potential.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-prospects-in-the-search-for-life">Future prospects in the search for life</h2>



<p>While the JWST has not yet confirmed the presence of atmospheres on planets slightly farther from TRAPPIST-1, such a discovery would imply the potential for surface liquid water and a climate favorable for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-expands-the-habitable-zone-where-we-may-find-alien-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">life</a>. </p>



<p>“With the telescopes that we have now, the James Webb and the extremely large ground-based telescopes coming soon, we’re really only going to be able to look at a very small number of habitable zone rocky planets’ atmospheres - it’s the TRAPPIST-1 planets and a couple of others,” Krissansen-Totton said.</p>



<p>He emphasizes that the study supports the value of using current technology to continue exploring the habitability of these planets rather than waiting for future, more advanced telescopes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Given the huge interest in the search for life elsewhere, our result suggests that it’s worthwhile investing telescope time to continue studying the habitability of these systems with the technology we have now.”</p>



<p>The findings provide a more optimistic outlook for the possibility of life on exoplanets orbiting M-dwarfs, suggesting that some planets in these systems could harbor conditions suitable for life, making them compelling targets for ongoing and future astronomical research.</p>



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



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Rocky planets: A new target in the search for extraterrestrial life

Since its launch in 2021, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope...

<p>North Atlantic right whales are at the crossroads of endangerment and proactive resolutions. The latest estimates from the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium point to a population that is teetering on the brink of extinction.</p>



<p>The data for the year 2023 reveals an alarming number of only approximately 372 of these gentle giants. This is a slight increase from the previous year's figure of 356, but it's clear that the situation is still dire.</p>



<p>These whales face numerous threats, primarily from vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. In 2024 alone, at least four North Atlantic right whales were killed.</p>



<p>This urgent situation demands immediate action from global authorities like the <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> (NOAA), Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Transport Canada. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-voice-for-the-whales">A voice for the whales</h2>



<p>The troubled plight of North Atlantic right whales triggered hard-hitting reactions from <a href="https://oceana.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oceana</a>, a leading ocean advocacy group.</p>



<p>“While an increase in population is hopeful, the North Atlantic right whales washing up dead on our shores speak for themselves - we must stop killing them," said Gib Brogan, campaign director at Oceana in the United States.</p>



<p>"Five of this year’s <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shrinking-north-atlantic-right-whales-have-fewer-offspring/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">calves</a> were killed or are missing and presumed dead, including the first calf of the season who was struck by a boat and died a slow, painful, and preventable death."</p>



<p>Brogan noted that NOAA’s proposed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ships-are-disregarding-efforts-to-protect-north-atlantic-right-whales/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">vessel speed rule</a> to update slow zones for ships would have protected these whales when they were at their most vulnerable, but this plan is gathering dust&nbsp;after more than 800 days. </p>



<p>"President Biden must approve and implement the updated vessel speed rule soon, before we see moms and calves on our shores this calving season instead of in our waters."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-halting-two-major-threats-to-whales">Halting two major threats to whales</h2>



<p>Kim Elmslie, campaign director at Oceana Canada, emphasized the need for action. "Today’s news that the North Atlantic right population has increased slightly is positive, but the threats of vessel strikes and entanglement remain present." </p>



<p>Elmslie noted that right whales have faced a devastating year, with nine deaths and five entanglements. She said that more must and can be done to stop the two major threats to right whale’s survival - vessel strikes and entanglements in fishing gear. </p>



<p>"To ensure whales and fisheries can coexist in Canada, the government must implement ropeless fishing gear in high-risk areas. Additionally, all vessel slowdowns must be mandatory and be applied throughout the range where right whales are found to reduce ship strikes."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-once-thriving-but-now-struggling">Once thriving, but now struggling </h2>



<p>The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/north-atlantic-right-whales-critically-endangered-relocated/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">North Atlantic right whales</a> were once a frequent sight off the shores. Moving at a leisurely pace, they were easy targets for aggressive whalers. Their population spiraled sharply downwards from 21,000 to less than 100 individuals by the 1920s.</p>



<p>Whaling was banned for this species in 1935. By 2010, they showed a promising rebound to about 483 individuals. But their numbers have been dwindling since, placing them back on the endangered list.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deadly-dangers-faced-by-whales">Deadly dangers faced by whales</h2>



<p>Ship strikes are a significant threat, given that these whales swim slowly, close to the surface, and their dark color makes them difficult to spot. This, along with the inability to maneuver quickly, leads to fatal encounters with boats.</p>



<p>The tragic saga continues with many of the whales getting entangled in fishing gear, causing severe physical damage and hindering their mobility, reproduction, and feeding abilities. </p>



<p>A shocking 85% of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/right-whale-populations-reach-new-low/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">population</a> has experienced entanglement at least once, making it critical that changes are made in fishing practices.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-overwhelming-public-support">Overwhelming public support</h2>



<p>A recent national poll conducted in 2024 by nonpartisan polling company Ipsos captured the sentiment of the American public. </p>



<p>The results depicted a unified voice, stating that 86% of American voters believe it is vital to protect North Atlantic right whales from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/killer-whales-face-a-number-of-threats-and-most-are-human-related/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">human-caused threats</a>.</p>



<p>Overall, 83% of respondents agreed that human activities, specifically those involving shipping, boating, and vertical-line fishing, should be adapted to ensure they do not harm these marine creatures.</p>



<p>This public opinion shines a light on the path forward. We must bring about significant policy changes and implement proactive measures to save these incredible creatures from the brink of extinction. </p>



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Can we stop the extinction of North Atlantic right whales?

North Atlantic right whales are at the crossroads of endangerment...

<p>Life, as we know it, relies on the balance of energy and essential nutrients. Omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), found in insects and arachnids, play a critical role in this equilibrium. </p>



<p>These organisms are particularly crucial to birds, hedgehogs, and lizards, although the advantages hinge heavily on the kind of insects and spiders consumed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insects-with-fatty-acids">Insects with fatty acids</h2>



<p>You may be surprised to learn that aquatic insects like dragonflies or caddisflies are richer in omega-3 long-chain PUFA than their land-based counterparts.</p>



<p>Why? The base of the food chain in aquatic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/polar-light-sustains-biodiversity-over-millions-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a> is algae that are rich in omega-3 LC-PUFA.</p>



<p>Fatty acids pile up in food chains. Take mayflies, for instance, which consume the algae and are subsequently eaten by fish. The mayfly tends to contain more fatty acids than the algae it feeds on; however, the fish that preys on mayflies often has even more. </p>



<p>There are a plethora of studies on this topic, as well as those exploring how plant or algal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-are-the-biggest-drivers-of-biodiversity-loss/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">biodiversity</a> impacts the biomass in ecosystems.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-biodiversity-insects-and-fatty-acids">Biodiversity, insects, and fatty acids</h2>



<p>Cornelia Twining is the leader of the Food Web Ecophysiology group at the aquatic research institute Eawag and a professor at ETH Zurich.</p>



<p>"Unfortunately, knowledge about how insect and arachnid biodiversity might influence the availability of fatty acids in a food web is rather scant," said Twining. She, alongside her colleagues, is working hard to bridge this knowledge gap.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-land-use-and-nutrient-availability">Land use and nutrient availability </h2>



<p>Based on data including over half a million observations of approximately 7,600 insect and spider species across Switzerland, the research spanned 400 aquatic ecosystems and 300 terrestrial ecosystems.</p>



<p>These ecosystems varied in terms of land usage, ranging from natural habitats such as meadows and forests to city-center sites and agricultural areas.</p>



<p>“We were interested in how land use shapes energy and nutrient availability and whether there are key differences between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems,” said Ryan Shipley, researcher at the<a href="https://www.wsl.ch/en/about-wsl/locations/slf-davos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> WSL institute for snow and avalanche research SLF</a> and lead author on the study.</p>



<p>“Land use change ranks among the most urgent global challenges, making it essential to understand how human activities impact fundamental ecosystem functions."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fatty-acid-content-in-insects">Fatty acid content in insects</h2>



<p>The data analysis showed that in the studied communities, a decrease in insect and spider biodiversity resulted in a decline in biomass and key fatty acids content. </p>



<p>"In terrestrial communities, we also see significant differences depending on land use," said Twining. Even when biodiversity is the same, insect and spider communities in a city park typically provide fewer omega-3 LC-PUFA than those in a forested area.</p>



<p>"This is partly due to the different species composition of these populations, and partly because the biomass is smaller in urban areas: there are also fewer predators like spiders or large beetles, which accumulate LC-PUFA in terrestrial systems," explained Twining.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-land-use-and-aquatic-ecosystems">Land use and aquatic ecosystems</h2>



<p>What came as a surprise to scientists was that the land use effect is much less pronounced in aquatic communities. </p>



<p>On land, the differences are more stark if predators like spiders, which accumulate high amounts of essential fatty acids, vanish from the ecosystem, the impact is substantial. "Yet, this does not imply that the diversity of aquatic insects is not equally important," Twining stresses.</p>



<p>Aquatic organisms are crucial sources of fatty acids for terrestrial food webs. In urban areas, where loss of insects and spiders is high due to increased human land use pressure, aquatic insects become an even more important source of essential fatty acids for birds, bats, or lizards. </p>



<p>But these important "superfoods" are often tainted with pollutants in streams, rivers, and lakes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-importance-of-protecting-biodiversity">Importance of protecting biodiversity </h2>



<p>“Our study shows how important it is to protect biodiversity, especially in agricultural and urban areas, and to improve water quality in order to preserve food webs for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/we-know-far-less-about-four-footed-animals-than-expected/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystem</a> functioning," said Twining.</p>



<p>The research contributes to the Blue-Green Biodiversity Research Initiative - an Eawag-WSL collaboration focusing on biodiversity at the interface of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.</p>



<p>Funded by the ETH Board, the initiative reminds us why biodiversity is so crucial to the interconnectedness of our natural world.</p>



<p>So, next time you swat away a persistent fly or squash a crawling spider, remember, they're an essential link in the food chain, providing valuable nutrients for a multitude of creatures, including ourselves. </p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adp6198" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Science</em></a>.</p>



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



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Insects provide essential fatty acids to other animals

Life, as we know it, relies on the balance of...

<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>



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What caused the planet's longest ice age

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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<p>—–</p>

Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p></p>

Social modeling affects our food choices

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<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...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p></p>



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



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

Retired professor claims he solved time travel

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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