Most of us have heard a parent or grandparent say, “Time goes by faster every year,” while shaking their head at how quickly July 4 seems to roll around. 



When you’re twelve, however, the brain has a different perception of time - the wait for summer vacation feels endless, and a single school day can feel as slow as a traffic jam in August heat.



That gap between the child’s long afternoon and the adult’s lightning-fast month isn’t just storytelling, it’s how our brain's perception of time changes, altering the way it measures all of the moments that make up our lives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-first-vs-fresh-experiences">First vs. fresh experiences</h2>



Children cram their days with firsts: a first dive into the pool, a first try at long division, a first sleepover away from home.



These fresh experiences swarm the brain with new images to file away, stretching the subjective length of a single afternoon.



Adults, by contrast, tend to replay <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-heat-impacts-our-daily-routines-and-transportation/">familiar routines</a>. With fewer novel snapshots to store, the days collapse into something closer to a highlight reel than a feature film.



According to psychologist Marc Wittmann at the Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology and Mental Health <a href="https://igpp.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(IGPP</a>), the feeling that time accelerates is tightly linked to how much new material our brains record each day.



He points out that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/memory-clutter-speeds-up-aging-in-the-brain/">memory</a> and time perception sit on the same neural bench; when one slows, the other shrinks. "Newness" holds the key to this phenomenon.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-brain-and-time-perception">Human brain and time perception</h2>



Whenever a brain encounters something it has never processed before, a quick surge of attention flags the event as worth keeping. The more flags raised, the thicker the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-brains-use-storage-trick-to-keep-your-memories-in-sequential-order/">memory log</a> becomes, and the longer that span later feels.



Kids, still green to nearly everything, throw flags left and right. A lunchroom joke, a new word in science class, or a game of tag - each registers as its own small chapter.



Adults often glide through copy-and-paste days that differ only by the date on the calendar. With fewer chapters recorded, the book of any given week reads as a short story.



Research using immersive virtual reality in 2024 showed that older volunteers underestimated simple time intervals by roughly 15 percent, highlighting how novelty <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S096800042300302X" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sharpens the inner clock</a>.



Routine doesn’t just compress the past; it also drains the present.



Studies tracking holiday seasons in several countries found that people who stuck to predictable daily rhythms felt that Christmas or Ramadan arrived sooner every year, while those who sprinkled in new activities reported a slower march toward the festivities.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brain-processing-speed-linked-with-time">Brain processing speed linked with time</h2>



Every sensation has to travel from eye or ear to cortex. In youngsters, those <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/speech-pattern-wfd-that-is-a-clear-indication-a-person-is-in-cognitive-decline/">neural highways</a> are short and well-paved. As bodies grow, the routes lengthen, and the conduction speed though still quick can’t match its earlier zip.



Add natural age-related slowing of signal processing and the brain starts sampling the world less often each second.



Fewer samples mean fewer “ticks” on the subjective stopwatch, so a morning meeting seems to vanish faster for a forty-year-old than for a fourth grader.



This sampling <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-link-pupil-dilation-to-brains-working-memory-levels/">shows up in the eyes</a>. Our eyes jerk from point to point in rapid saccades, pausing in brief fixations while the brain grabs a visual frame.



Young, rested eyes squeeze in more fixations per minute. Older or fatigued eyes lag, offering the brain fewer still frames to stitch together. With a thinner film strip, the projection of the day speeds along.



Scientists studying eye movements liken perception to a flipbook. Each fixation is a page; flip them fast enough and you see smooth action.



When fixations slow, the flipbook loses pages. Motion still appears, but the storyline gets choppy, and, in recall, it shortens.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sleep-and-alertness">Sleep and alertness</h2>



A single night of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleep-can-boost-memory-in-a-surprising-way/">good sleep</a> can pull the brake on runaway days. When neurons are well-rested, they fire faster, notice more, and form clearer memories.



Athletes know the flip side: stepping onto the field after too little shut-eye makes the whole match blur. The plays happen, but the mind records only a highlight or two before the final whistle.



Students grinding through an all-nighter meet the same fate - an exam that seems to finish moments after it starts.



<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/what-is-the-best-treatment-for-excessive-daytime-sleepiness/">Chronic fatigue</a> magnifies the effect. Continually short-changing rest lowers baseline alertness, trimming snapshots day after day.



Over months, life can feel like it’s slipping through the cracks, not because the clock sped up but because the recorder slowed down.



<a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/dopamine-the-pathway-to-pleasure" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dopamine</a>, a neurotransmitter tied to motivation and time estimation, also dips with sleep debt, further warping the <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1364166/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sense of duration</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-media-and-lost-time-perception">Social media and lost time perception</h2>



Endless feeds promise variety, yet most algorithms serve look-alike posts. Swipe through video after video of the same dance trend, and the brain barely registers a change.



Hours evaporate while the memory log remains nearly blank. Compound that with the blue-light-induced bedtime delay, and you have a double punch: fewer snapshots captured and fewer hours slept.



Cutting back on passive scrolling or swapping it for an activity with genuine novelty - trying a new recipe, learning a chord on guitar - feeds the brain more distinct moments. Those moments stretch subjective time, turning a blur of an evening into something that feels full.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-with-age-comes-responsibility">With age comes responsibility</h2>



Beyond slower processing, adults juggle long lists of responsibilities. Focus narrows to tasks at hand - emails, errands, budgets - scanning less of the environment for new input. Novelty drops, and subjective days shorten.



<a href="https://www.tiaa.org/public/institute/publication/2023/young-adults-their-attitudes-and-outlook-toward-retirement-and-the-future" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A 2023 survey</a> comparing young adults with retirees found that the older group reported the year as “rushing by” nearly twice as often, linking the feeling to the predictability of daily routines rather than to health issues.



Even so, not every senior feels the rush. Researchers tracking so-called “<a href="https://www.nm.org/healthbeat/healthy-tips/4-habits-super-agers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">super-agers</a>” note that those who keep learning new skills and staying socially engaged maintain sharper senses of time, along with stronger memory performance. Variety keeps the brain’s camera clicking.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-use-your-brain-to-slow-time-perception">Use your brain to slow time perception</h2>



Here's the good news - the tools to lengthen your days fit into ordinary life. Go to bed on a schedule that honors the seven-to-nine-hour rule.



Plan at least one activity each week that forces you out of autopilot: a different jogging route, a museum you’ve never visited, a new language app.



While doing it, pay close attention to sights, sounds, and textures. Engagement packs extra snapshots into the mental album.



Stay curious daily. Swap a lunchtime scroll for a short walk and notice five things you’ve never clocked before - a mural, a bird call, the scent of a bakery vent.



Those micro-discoveries add pages to the flipbook, expanding the subjective afternoon. Over time, the habit can "thicken" the memory book that tells the story of a year, making December feel like it belongs twelve full months away, right where the calendar says it should be.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/european-review/article/why-the-days-seem-shorter-as-we-get-older/2CB8EC9B0B30537230C7442B826E42F1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">European Review</a>.



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Scientists explain why time seems to move faster and 'fly by' as we age

Most of us have heard a parent or grandparent say, “Time goes by faster every year,” while shaking their head at how quickly July 4 seems to roll around. When you’re twelve, however, the brain has a different perception of time - the wait for summer vacation feels endless, and a single school day can feel as slow as a traffic jam in August heat. That gap between the child’s long afternoon and the adult’s lightning-fast month isn’t just storytelling, it’s how our brain's perception of time...

Have you ever gazed up at the night sky and wondered if humans are the only intelligent life in this vast universe? The twinkling stars, distant galaxies, and the sheer expanse above us evoke a sense of mystery and awe.



It's a question that has intrigued humanity for centuries, driving scientists, philosophers, and dreamers to explore the cosmos and seek answers to one of our most profound questions. 



What lies beyond Earth in our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/newly-discovered-stars-milky-way-are-old-as-universe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way galaxy</a>? Are there other forms of life out there, sharing the same curiosity and wonder?



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-does-intelligent-life-need">What does intelligent life need?</h2>



New research brings us closer to understanding why we lack evidence of advanced extraterrestrial civilizations. 



Dr. Robert Stern, a geoscientist at the <a href="https://nsm.utdallas.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Texas at Dallas</a>, and Dr. Taras Gerya from the <a href="https://ethz.ch/en.html">Swiss Federal Institute of Technology</a> in Zurich, led the study.



“Life has been around on Earth for about 4 billion years, but complex organisms like animals didn’t appear until about 600 million years ago, which is not long after the modern episode of plate tectonics began,” said Stern. “Plate tectonics really jump-starts the evolution machine, and we think we understand why.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-the-drake-equation">Understanding the Drake Equation</h2>



In the 1960s, Dr. Frank Drake, a pioneer in the search for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aliens-dont-exist/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extraterrestrial intelligence</a>, developed an equation to estimate the number of intelligent civilizations in our galaxy capable of communication.



N = R*&nbsp;x&nbsp;fp&nbsp;x&nbsp;ne&nbsp;x&nbsp;fl&nbsp;x&nbsp;fi&nbsp;x&nbsp;fc&nbsp;x&nbsp;L



N:&nbsp;The number of civilizations in the Milky Way galaxy whose electromagnetic emissions (radio waves, etc.) are detectable.



R*:&nbsp;The number of stars formed annually.



fp: The fraction of those stars with planetary systems.



ne: The number of planets per solar system with an environment suitable for life.



fl: The fraction of suitable planets on which life actually appears.



fi: The fraction of life-bearing planets on which intelligent life emerges.



fc: The fraction of civilizations that develop a technology that produces detectable signs of their existence.



L: The average length of time (years) such civilizations produce such signs.



The above equation is known as the Drake Equation. Now famous in both scholastic and scientific circles, it considers variables like the rate of star formation and the fraction of stars with life-supporting planets.



Despite its optimistic predictions, we still have no contact with extraterrestrial civilizations. This mystery is called the Fermi Paradox. Named after nuclear physicist Dr. Enrico Fermi, it asks, "Where is everyone?"



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-prerequisites-for-intelligent-life">Prerequisites for intelligent life</h2>



Dr. Stern and Dr. Gerya suggest that the Drake Equation may have overlooked the vital role that large oceans and continents play in fostering intelligent life.



According to their research, active, communicative civilizations (ACCs) not only need a stable environment but also long-term geological processes that shape and sustain their planet's surface.



Specifically, they argue that plate tectonics, the slow but powerful movement of a planet's outer shell, is crucial for the evolution of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alien-life-could-reside-in-dyson-spheres-across-1000-galaxies/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">complex life forms</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deconstructing-plate-tectonics">Deconstructing plate tectonics</h2>



Plates aren’t just for dinner. In the realm of geosciences, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/long-lost-mega-plate-pontus-resurfaces-after-160-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plate tectonics</a> refers to the Earth's crust and upper mantle, which are fragmented into pieces that move ever-so-slowly over geological time scales.



Imagine continents as colossal rafts, floating and colliding, causing mountains to rise and oceans to form.



“It is much more common for planets to have an outer solid shell that is not fragmented, which is known as single-lid tectonics,” Stern said.



“But plate tectonics is much more effective than single-lid tectonics for driving the emergence of advanced life-forms.”



Without such dynamic processes, life may struggle to evolve beyond simple, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbial-life-thats-8-billion-years-old-may-exist-on-nearby-exoplanets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbial forms</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-refurbishing-the-drake-equation">Refurbishing the Drake Equation</h2>



In their study, Stern and Gerya suggest refining a Drake equation factor, fi. This factor represents the fraction of life-bearing planets where intelligent life emerges.



They argue it should consider the necessity of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asteroid-bennu-hints-at-the-possibility-of-life-on-an-ancient-planet/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">large oceans</a>, continents, and plate tectonics for over 500 million years on those planets.



“In the original formulation, this factor was thought to be nearly 1, or 100% - that is, evolution on all planets with life would march forward and, with enough time, turn into an intelligent civilization,” Stern said. “Our perspective is: That’s not true.”



To put it simply, not every planet with life will necessarily develop an intelligent civilization. They suggest that the factor should consider the presence of significant continents, oceans, and long-lived plate tectonics.



This adjustment could drastically alter our estimates of the number of planets where advanced civilizations might arise.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-intelligent-life-and-galactic-conditions">Intelligent life and galactic conditions</h2>



Their revised formula starkly shrinks the potential fraction of exoplanets with optimal conditions for advanced life.



According to Stern, the fraction of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-finds-17-exoplanets-that-have-oceans-and-possibly-alien-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exoplanets with enough water</a> and prolonged plate tectonics is likely much tinier than previously thought.



How tiny? Well, they estimate the values range from as low as 0.0002 to 0.01 for the volume of water and less than 0.17 for the duration of lasting plate tectonics.



“When we multiply these factors together, we get a refined estimate of fi&nbsp;that is very small, between 0.003% and 0.2%, instead of 100%,” Stern said.



“This explains the extreme rareness of favorable planetary conditions for the development of intelligent life in our galaxy and resolves the Fermi paradox.”



These numbers imply that the conditions necessary for the emergence of intelligent life are exceedingly rare.



Our role in the cosmos might just be a stroke of extraordinary luck. Stern's research suggests that the perfect alignment of geographical and geological factors required to birth intelligent life forms like us is more of a rare cosmic jackpot than a universal rule.



This understanding could potentially solve the Fermi Paradox by explaining why we haven't encountered other advanced civilizations despite the vast number of stars and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pluto-may-not-be-real-planet-but-has-real-big-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planets in the universe</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-searching-the-galaxy-for-intelligent-life">Searching the galaxy for intelligent life</h2>



NASA has confirmed well <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/alien-worlds-unraveling-the-mysteries-of-exoplanets/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">over 5,000 exoplanets</a> in the Milky Way alone, but currently, we aren't equipped to detect plate tectonics on these alien worlds.



Despite this limitation, scientists, including UT Dallas planet hunter Dr. Kaloyan Penev, continue their relentless pursuit of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-have-identified-85-new-exoplanets-that-could-harbor-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitable planets</a>.



The findings of Stern and Gerya might just shine a new light on their search, offering new parameters and considerations for identifying planets that could host advanced life.



“Biogeochemistry posits that the solid Earth, particularly plate tectonics, speeds up the evolution of species,” Stern said. 



“Studies like ours are useful because they stimulate thinking broadly about larger mysteries and provide an example of how we can apply our knowledge of Earth systems to interesting questions about our universe.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-expanding-our-cosmic-comprehension">Expanding our cosmic comprehension</h2>



This research reminds us how much we still have to learn about the universe. It encourages us to think beyond Earth and consider how our planet's geological systems can offer insights into cosmic mysteries. 



Earth's history, with its tectonic movements, volcanic eruptions, and changing atmosphere, reflects processes that might happen on faraway worlds. 



By studying our planet, we learn about the potential for life and the workings of other planets.



The next time you look at the stars, remember that each one might have its own world, full of stories to tell. 



Picture the possibilities: planets with unique landscapes, climates, and maybe even life forms different from ours. The universe is vast and full of wonders. 



Our journey to understand it has just begun. As we learn more, we find more questions and discover that the cosmos is more complex and beautiful than we ever imagined.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-54700-x">Scientifi</a><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-54700-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">c</a><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-54700-x"> Reports</a>.



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New theory claims humans are 'probably' the only intelligent life in our galaxy

Have you ever gazed up at the night sky and...

The saying "you are what you eat" is more relevant than ever. New research reveals the health benefits of reducing processed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/12-of-americans-are-responsible-for-over-half-of-all-u-s-beef-consumption/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meat consumption</a>. 



In the United States alone, a reduction in the consumption of processed meat could potentially prevent hundreds of thousands of cases of chronic disease within a decade.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-processed-meat-and-health">Processed meat and health</h2>



In a recent study, experts designed an innovative simulation tool that projects the health impacts of lowering processed meat and red meat consumption.



The research team, hailing from the <a href="https://www.ed.ac.uk/global-agriculture-food-systems" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Edinburgh's Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems</a> and the <a href="https://www.unc.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill</a>, used the tool to predict multiple health outcomes.



The team's microsimulation, the first of its kind, utilized data from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) national health survey. 



The simulation estimated the health effects of a range of meat consumption reduction -from five to 100 percent - on the U.S. adult population.



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



“Cardiovascular disease and cancer are the two most common causes of death in the USA, including during the COVID-19 pandemic,” wrote the study authors.&nbsp;



“High processed meat consumption is associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease; type 2 diabetes, and some cancers, particularly colorectal cancer.”&nbsp;



The researchers noted that in 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified consumption of processed meat as “carcinogenic to humans,” the same classification as tobacco and asbestos.&nbsp;



“The association of processed meat consumption with these chronic diseases is thought to be due to high haem iron, sodium, nitrites, nitrates, and saturated fat.”



“Compounds generated from high-temperature cooking - namely advanced glycation-end products, heterocyclic aromatic amines, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons - have also been implicated in chronic disease outcomes.”



Despite these findings, intake of processed meat in the United States has not been reduced over the past 20 years, said the researchers.



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



The findings of the study are nothing short of impressive. The experts found that a 30 percent reduction in processed meat intake would have significant health benefits over a decade. 



This level of change would prevent more than 350,000 cases of diabetes. Additionally, it would result in 92,500 fewer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/red-meat-consumption-linked-with-poorer-heart-function/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cardiovascular disease</a> cases. There would also be 53,300 fewer colorectal cancer cases.



The microsimulation suggests that the health benefits of this scenario are very significant. White males would experience the most considerable benefits. Individuals with an annual household income of $25,000 to $55,000 would also see substantial health improvements.



Furthermore, the researchers considered the impact of cutting unprocessed red meat consumption alone, as well as reducing both processed and unprocessed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dietary-shift-to-forage-fish-could-prevent-millions-of-deaths/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">red meat intake</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impact-of-processed-meat-reduction">Impact of processed meat reduction</h2>



The study shows that empowering the public to reduce red meat consumption by 30 percent could have significant health benefits. 



A reduction in both processed and unprocessed red meat could result in 1,073,400 fewer diabetes cases. There would also be 382,400 fewer cardiovascular disease cases. Additionally, it could lead to 84,400 fewer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seven-major-risk-factors-predict-colorectal-cancer-in-men/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">colorectal cancer</a> cases.



Moreover, reducing unprocessed red meat intake by 30 percent has a simple implication. It would mean eating around one less quarter-pound beef burger each week.



Interestingly, more disease cases were prevented by reducing unprocessed red meat compared to processed meat. This observation is attributed to the higher daily consumption of unprocessed red meat at 47g a day, compared to the 29g a day of processed meat.



The researchers caution that less is known about the effect of eating unprocessed red meat on chronic disease risk. They recommend interpreting these estimates with care and advocate for more research on the subject.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-climate-and-meat-consumption">Health, climate, and meat consumption</h2>



This research goes beyond the realm of public health, according to Professor Lindsay Jaacks, Personal Chair of Global Health and Nutrition at the University of Edinburgh.



"Cutting consumption of meat has been recommended by national and international organizations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including the Climate Change Committee here in the UK and the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change or IPCC," said Professor Jaacks.



"Our research finds that these changes in diets could also have significant health benefits in the U.S., and so this is a clear win-win for people and planet."



This study presents a compelling case for individuals to consider less meat in their diets. The potential rewards are two-fold, promising a healthier population and a healthier planet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-encouraging-healthier-dietary-choices">Encouraging healthier dietary choices</h2>



Beyond individual efforts, public policy can play a crucial role in guiding healthier dietary choices. Implementing educational campaigns about the benefits of reducing meat consumption, along with incentives for choosing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-based-diets-lower-the-risk-of-major-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant-based</a> alternatives, could amplify the positive health outcomes detailed in the study.



Governments should consider adopting policies like meat taxes and subsidies for healthier food options. These measures can make it easier for people to make beneficial dietary changes.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(24)00118-9/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lancet Planetary Health</a>.



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Diseases linked to processed meat could easily be prevented

The saying "you are what you eat" is more relevant...

Ever been caught in a web of confusion when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/we-usually-end-up-with-partners-who-look-as-attractive-as-we-are/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deciding on a date</a> for Friday night? You're not alone! A recently surfaced sociological study suggests that the majority of young adults feel perplexed about their dating decisions due to social media influence.



Over half of our youth are scratching their heads when it comes to choosing a life-partner. Surprisingly, women seem to be more baffled than men.



The primary suspect causing all this hullabaloo? It's the omnipresent social media and the myriad of digital dating platforms. With a plethora of potential suitors at your fingertips, courtesy of popular dating apps, the line between reality and illusion in the dating world has never been blurrier.



The study was led by Chayan Munshi, founder and executive director of the Ethophilia Research Foundation in Santiniketan, India.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-media-and-dating-choices">Social media and dating choices</h2>



"Human mate selection is a complicated psychological process, which is effectively influenced by multiple societal factors including appearance, personality and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/personality-is-more-important-than-finances-when-it-comes-to-dating/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">financial situation</a>," said Munshi.



"More recently, this has become significantly influenced by&nbsp;social media, where constant exposure to sexually stimulating or attractive content creates certain perceptions of reality in the young mindset, which ultimately creates confusion in terms of selecting potential <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/having-a-sense-of-purpose-makes-you-more-likely-to-find-love/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mating partners</a>."



Taking the digital bull by the horns, the Ethophilia Research Foundation is now researching how our increasingly digitized society is sculpting human behavior.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-romantic-partner-selection">Romantic partner selection</h2>



The initial findings emerging from this ongoing project are based on a survey of young adults in India, most of whom are between 18 and 30 years old. 



The questionnaire delved into the nitty-gritty of romantic partner selection, asking questions like, "Do you feel confused when selecting a life-partner?" and "Do you like to switch to a 'better option' when selecting a life-partner?"



The preliminary results bring to light a potentially significant trend. People's perception of potential mate availability, influenced by the omnipresence of social media and dating platforms such as Tinder, Bumble, and Match.com, seems to be skewing how they judge their life-partner options.



The shift in perception might lead individuals to hold unrealistic expectations about relationships. This change can result in people continuously searching for better options. Consequently, this behavior affects long-term relationship satisfaction and stability.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-media-and-dating-apps">Social media and dating apps</h2>



Constant exposure to endless choices might influence how people make decisions. This exposure could impact their decision-making processes. As a result, the dynamics of modern romantic relationships might undergo significant changes.&nbsp;



This altered decision-making can lead to difficulties in maintaining stable, satisfying long-term relationships. For example, when someone is constantly exposed to a variety of potential partners through dating apps, they may struggle to commit to one person, always thinking there might be someone better out there.



Therefore, the abundance of choices and heightened expectations might negatively affect modern romantic relationships by causing individuals to be less satisfied with their current partners and more prone to looking for alternatives.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-price-of-impulsiveness">Price of impulsiveness</h2>



Interestingly, young people are increasingly showing impulsive behavior, with a drop in face-to-face social interactions.



"Our hypothesis strongly indicates that the 'pleasure index' or 'adrenaline rush' of relationships is taking more prime importance in the younger generation over long-term stability," noted Munshi.&nbsp;



"It is alarming that impulsiveness or confusion can lead to instability in the human relation-maintaining behavior, which is actually affecting the normal social behavior in humans."



"The pattern now is notable enough to indicate that this might modify the social norms of partner choice behavior in young humans, which might have significant effect on the brain-behavior circuit."



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



As these new social norms evolve, we may observe changes in relationship dynamics, communication styles, and emotional connections among the younger generation. 



Understanding these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gen-ai-and-social-media-divert-peoples-attention-from-climate-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trends</a> is crucial for comprehending the broader implications on societal and individual levels.



"In the long-run, this may eventually alter the fundamental protocol of evolutionary mating strategies," said Munshi.



So, the next time your fingers itch to swipe right on that dating app, remember that a moment's decision could have more far-reaching implications than you ever imagined.



The research was presented at the annual meeting of the <a href="https://www.sebiology.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Society for Experimental Biology</a>.



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Dating apps make it difficult to find true love

Ever been caught in a web of confusion when deciding...

Ever wondered where your favorite chocolate comes from? A consortium of scientists from around the globe have discovered three new species closely linked to the cherished chocolate plant, Theobroma cacao.



This research not only broadens our understanding of plant biodiversity but could also swing open the door to climate-resistant cocoa - a vital ingredient for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthier-chocolate-created-by-using-the-entire-cocoa-fruit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chocolate</a> lovers.



This operation has been spearheaded by Dr. James Richardson from the <a href="https://www.ucc.ie/en/bees/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University College Cork</a> School of Biological, Earth &amp; Environmental Sciences and the Environmental Research Institute, along with other notable experts from the <a href="https://www5.usp.br/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of São Paulo</a> and the <a href="https://www.nybg.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York Botanical Garden</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cacao-plant-species">Cacao plant species</h2>



The newly unveiled <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cacao-trees-5000-year-odyssey-global-domestication/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">species</a> - T. globosum, T. nervosum, and T. schultesii - are residents of the lush South American rainforests. They belong to the section Herrania, closely related to the Theobroma cacao, the cocoa-bearing tree revered for its economic impact.



"These new species were discovered as a result of studying specimens in herbaria and demonstrate the importance of maintaining these natural history collections as many more species remain to be discovered within them,” said Dr. Richardson.



"That there were recently unknown species closely related to Theobroma cacao, which is of huge importance for the production of chocolate and other products, shows how much more work there is to be done to catalog the vast amount of unknown biodiversity across our planet."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-silver-lining-for-the-chocolate-lining">A silver lining for the chocolate lining</h2>



With climate change looming like a dark cloud over global industries, the cocoa sector is no exception. However, each silver cloud has a chocolate lining. 



This scientific breakthrough could lead to the development of more climate-resilient cocoa trees, promising a more sustainable future for our beloved chocolate production.



"Cacao prices have trebled in recent months due to low production as a result of a prolonged period of drought in West Africa, which is the area of greatest production," noted Dr. Richardson.



"The discovery of new species, in addition to those already known, expands the genetic resources available to us that might allow us to produce drought-tolerant or disease-resistant cocoa trees."



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



The discovery of these new species opens numerous avenues for future research. Scientists are now keen to sequence the genomes of T. globosum, T. nervosum, and T. schultesii to uncover genetic markers for traits such as drought resistance and disease tolerance.



The research team conducted meticulous examinations of leaves, flowers, and fruits and liaised with multiple botanical institutions on their quest to uncover these new species. 



Like detectives leafing through a case file, they scanned through samples, cross-reference data, and eventually hit the jackpot.



Such knowledge and techniques could be instrumental in breeding programs aimed at developing robust cocoa varieties. 



Collaborative projects are expected to spring up between institutions worldwide, driven by a collective goal: to secure the future of chocolate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deadly-virus-threatens-global-chocolate-supply/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">production</a> in the face of climatic and environmental changes.



The journey of these new species from the hidden depths of herbaria to the forefront of scientific progress exemplifies the limitless potential of human curiosity and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/chocolate-with-less-sugar-still-tastes-great-with-a-secret-ingredient/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">innovation</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-on-theobroma-cacao-species">More on Theobroma Cacao species</h2>



Theobroma cacao, often hailed as the "food of the gods," is more than just a plant. It's a cornerstone of global agriculture and culture. 



Native to tropical regions of Central and South America, this evergreen tree produces cacao beans. These beans are the heart of the chocolate-making process. 



They undergo a fascinating journey of fermentation, drying, roasting, and grinding to become the chocolate we love.



Botanically, Theobroma cacao is a marvel. Its flowers bloom directly on the trunk and branches, a rare phenomenon called cauliflory. This leads to pods filled with prized seeds. 



With a diverse range of flavors and pest resistances, cacao presents exciting opportunities and challenges. Researchers aim to unlock its full potential.



So, what's next for the team? There's plenty more to explore in this green-and-brown world of chocolate. Who knows, maybe next time you bite into a chocolate bar, you'll be tasting the sweet success of scientific discovery. After all, science is a lot like chocolate – the more you know, the more you enjoy it!



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12225-024-10171-x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kew Bulletin</a>.



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New discovery will help 'climate-proof' chocolate

Ever wondered where your favorite chocolate comes from? A consortium...

As we navigate life, our habits and lifestyle choices in early adulthood, including those that affect inflammation, may have more bearing on future health than once believed. 



In particular, decisions made during our 20s could play a significant role in our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mediterranean-diet-keeps-the-brain-sharp-even-in-old-age/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental acuity</a> during middle age.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-hidden-consequences-of-inflammation">The hidden consequences of inflammation</h2>



Obesity, physical inactivity, chronic illness, stress, and smoking in our youth do not just affect our physical health, they are also linked with inflammation. 



What's more, a recent study out of <a href="https://www.ucsf.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC San Francisco</a> has discovered a connection between higher levels of inflammation in young adulthood and reduced cognitive function in midlife.



Historically, scientific research has connected higher inflammation in older adults with <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/anti-inflammatory-foods-lower-the-risk-of-dementia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dementia</a>. However, this groundbreaking study is one of the earliest to draw a link between early-adult inflammation and middle-aged cognitive abilities.



"Late-life inflammation has been linked to dementia risk and preclinical cognitive decline, but less is known about early adult inflammation and whether this could influence cognition in midlife," wrote the researchers.



"We aimed to identify inflammation levels through early adulthood and determine association of these trajectories with midlife cognition."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-slow-march-of-cognitive-decline">The slow march of cognitive decline</h2>



"Brain changes leading to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias may take decades to develop," noted study first author Dr. Amber Bahorik of the UCSF Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences



It is suggested that health and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/lifespan-is-influenced-more-by-lifestyle-than-genetics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lifestyle habits</a> formed in early adulthood could potentially affect cognitive skills in midlife that may later influence the incidence of dementia in one's senior years.



The study revealed that only 10% of participants with low inflammation performed poorly on tests measuring processing speed and memory. Comparatively, about 20% of participants with moderate or higher levels of inflammation scored poorly on the same tests.



Even when the researchers factored in variables such as age, physical activity, and total cholesterol, the disparities in processing speed remained. They also discovered differences in executive functioning, which includes capabilities like working memory, problem-solving, and impulse control.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-study-a-long-term-view">The study: A long-term view</h2>



The study followed 2,364 adults in the CARDIA study, which focuses on identifying factors in young adulthood that could lead to cardiovascular disease later in life. 



Participants were aged between 18 to 30 years old at the start of the study and tested four times over an 18-year period for the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP). 



Their cognitive tests were taken five years after their last CRP measurement when most participants were in their forties and fifties.



The experts concluded that inflammation plays a significant role in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/daily-multivitamins-slow-cognitive-aging-and-improve-memory/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive aging</a> and may begin in early adulthood.



It was also discovered that higher levels of inflammation were correlated with physical inactivity, high BMI, and current smoking habits.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-inflammation-for-a-healthier-future">Reducing inflammation for a healthier future</h2>



The silver lining in this study is the potential for prevention. By reducing inflammation through healthier lifestyle choices like increased physical activity and eliminating smoking, individuals may be able to protect their cognitive abilities later in life.



"Fortunately, there are ways to reduce inflammation that might be promising paths for prevention," said study senior author Dr. Kristine Yaffe, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, neurology, and epidemiology and biostatistics at UCSF.



So even facing these findings, there's hope for us all to age with grace and mental clarity by making mindful decisions in our youth.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-stimulation-and-social-engagement">Mental stimulation and social engagement</h2>



Mental stimulation and social interaction are other significant factors that contribute to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/food-for-the-aging-brain-mediterranean-diet-protects-cognitive-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive health</a> as we age.



Engaging in intellectually challenging activities such as learning a new language, solving puzzles, or playing musical instruments can enhance cognitive reserve - the brain's ability to improvise and find alternative ways of completing tasks.



Social engagement acts as a protective barrier against cognitive decline by reducing stress, fostering emotional support, and promoting neuroplasticity - the brain's ability to adapt and reorganize itself.



Studies have found that individuals who maintain strong social ties and participate in community activities tend to exhibit better cognitive performance in midlife. 



Therefore, nurturing a socially active and mentally stimulating lifestyle in young adulthood could be a decisive factor in sustaining cognitive health in later years.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000209526" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neurology</a>.



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Lifestyle choices in young adulthood impact cognitive ability in midlife

As we navigate life, our habits and lifestyle choices in...

Imagine a world where gold is not just found on the surface, but also deep below the ocean floor. This idea may sound straight out of a fantasy novel, but recent research hints at this fascinating possibility. 



Scientists have discovered a vital role that seawater plays in the formation of gold, one of our planet's most precious <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/golds-glow-luminescence-caused-quantum-realm-effects/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">materials</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-the-ocean-soil-gold-link">Exploring the ocean-soil-gold link</h2>



A team of scientists journeyed to the isolated Brucejack gold deposit in northwestern British Columbia, where they set out to gather and study ancient ore-bearing rocks. 



The deposit, now on land as a result of plate tectonic processes, originally formed in a submarine oceanic island arc about 183 million years ago. The rigorous analysis revealed that these valuable geological relics bore the mark of the mighty seas.



The team discovered that seawater had seeped into the Earth’s crust, mingling with ore fluids and eventually leading to the formation of gold.



Study co-author Anthony Williams-Jones is a professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at <a href="https://www.mcgill.ca/eps/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McGill University</a>.



"These rocks, dating back to the Early Jurassic period, are hosted in volcanic and sedimentary formations," said Professor Williams-Jones.



"Using high-resolution mass spectrometry, we decoded their unique chemical signatures. The finding of seawater-triggered gold deposition is novel and surprising."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-finding-gold-in-curdled-milk">Finding gold in curdled milk</h2>



This discovery is not a standalone revelation. It builds upon earlier research that drew an unexpected parallel between gold formation and the everyday process of milk curdling. 



The researchers found that gold nanoparticles clump together, similar to proteins in milk, forming gold deposits.



The cause of this golden congregation, it turns out, can be traced to sodium ions present in seawater. The ions provoke the gold nanoparticles to merge, akin to the action of acid in souring milk.



"In our new study, we discovered that sodium ions in seawater cause gold nanoparticles to clump together, acting like the acid in souring milk and eventually forming gold veins," noted lead author Duncan McLeish.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-golden-opportunities-below-the-sea-surface">Golden opportunities below the sea surface</h2>



This revolutionary research was carried out in collaboration with experts from the University of Alberta. The study offers new insights into how gold forms and opens up exhilarating prospects for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/illegal-gold-mining-dumps-mercury-in-the-peruvian-rainforest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gold mining</a>.



The work suggests that veins of gold could develop in the seabed, indicating that submarine island arcs and deep ocean trenches ideal for gold formation might be home to unexplored gold resources.



Gold holds immense value - not just for its age-old status as a precious metal - but also for its role in modern applications such as green-energy technologies, electronic devices, and medical equipment.



Land-based mines often offer low-grade ore that demands intensive processing, posing significant environmental costs. Discovering high-grade deposits in the ocean's depths could help mitigate the environmental effects of gold mining.



"Our findings suggest it may be easier to form the rare but spectacular concentrations of gold found in high-grade gold veins in sub-seafloor settings," said Professor Williams-Jones.



"With recent interest in mining submarine mineral deposits, our research suggests that Earth's oceanic crust may indeed contain resources, many of which are required for the green-energy transition, at a level never before appreciated."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-challenges-of-deep-sea-mining">Challenges of deep-sea mining</h2>



While the potential for discovering high-grade gold deposits under the sea is thrilling, it also comes with significant challenges and ethical considerations. 



<a href="https://www.earth.com/search-results/?search=Deep%20sea%20mining%20&amp;start=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Deep-sea mining</a> poses risks to marine ecosystems, which are often less understood than terrestrial ones. The disruption of the sea floor could affect the habitats of various <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/deep-sea-mining-has-deadly-consequences-for-marine-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine species</a>, many of which are yet to be studied.



Additionally, the logistics of extracting minerals from such remote and harsh environments present technical and financial hurdles.



Environmentalists urge caution, emphasizing the need for comprehensive impact assessments and stringent regulations to protect marine biodiversity. 



As we advance toward potential underwater mining, balancing technological progress with environmental stewardship will be crucial. 



The dialogue between scientists, environmentalists, policymakers, and industry stakeholders will shape the future of this burgeoning field, ensuring that the treasures of the deep are managed responsibly for generations to come.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2402116121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.



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The secret role of seawater in gold formation

Imagine a world where gold is not just found on...

Plastic pollution is a burgeoning global crisis that leaves no corner of our planet untouched. From the deepest corners of our oceans to the otherwise pristine Norwegian coastlines, traces of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coca-cola-pepsi-among-top-contributors-to-plastic-waste/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic waste</a> are an unfortunate sight.



This waste not only marks the invasion of an unnerving pollutant but reflects a far-reaching systemic problem that demands global attention.



For many years, scientists worldwide have been sounding the alarm on the consequences of unrestrained plastic pollution, emphasizing the need for immediate intervention. Despite this, we've continued to witness a surge in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-plastics-treaty-tackles-the-pollution-problem-directly-at-the-source/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global plastic</a> production and consumption.



Norway, known for its rigorous environmental advocacy, has been pushing for a global agreement to halt the relentless flow of plastics into the environment.



However, it's essential to note that even Norway has a role to play in generating plastic pollution. 



Based on a high-resolution study conducted by researchers from the <a href="https://www.ntnu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)</a> along with the <a href="https://nilu.no/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norwegian Air Research Institute (NILU)</a>, we now have a comprehensive mapping of the intricate plastic cycle within Norway, right down to individual product and polymer types.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-norway-s-plastic-footprint">Unraveling Norway's plastic footprint</h2>



Despite its green reputation, Norway discharges approximately 15,000 tons of plastic into the environment annually. 



The new study reveals that a staggering 758 kilotons (kt) of plastics find their way into the Norwegian market every year, with 632 kt ending up as waste.



While nearly half of this waste is incinerated, a seemingly minor 2.4% ends up in the environment. Yet, this "minor" percentage equates to a significant 15 kt, which translates to an average of 2.8 kg per capita.



To put this into perspective, Norwegians consume 21% more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-win-the-battle-of-planet-vs-plastic-drastic-changes-are-needed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastics</a> compared to Europeans and generate twice the amount of plastic pollution as their Swiss counterparts.



This level of plastic consumption corresponds to a concerning 1.5 billion plastic bottles reaching the environment annually.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-consumer-packaging-and-tire-wear-rubber">Consumer packaging and tire wear rubber</h2>



The researchers identified consumer packaging, including bottles and bags, as the most significant source of macroplastics. Moreover, tire wear, particularly from electric and hybrid vehicles, emerged as a leading contributor to microplastic pollution.



Despite efforts to limit the release of these products, high consumption rates prevail. We simply use more than we can collect. As such, it's essential to reduce plastic consumption to curb the pollution at its source.



Tire wear, on the other hand, poses a unique challenge due to the nature of these emissions.



Approximately 6 kt of tire wear rubber is released annually, calling for a rethinking of our mobility and transport choices. Public transport and designing lighter vehicles suggest possible solutions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-devastating-impact-of-marine-plastic-pollution">Devastating impact of marine plastic pollution</h2>



Given the high population concentration along fjords and long coastlines, land-based plastics in Norway easily find their way into the ocean.



While most of the plastic waste released to the environment ends up in the soil, nearly one-third infiltrates the marine environment, causing irreversible impacts on ecosystems.



Marine animals, for instance, often ingest or become entangled in plastic fragments. Moreover, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-floor-harbors-up-to-11-million-tons-of-plastic-debris/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic debris</a> interferes with the marine carbon cycle, further exacerbating climate change.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-toxicity-of-plastic-pollution">Toxicity of plastic pollution</h2>



Adding to the growing list of concerns, plastic products often contain a myriad of toxic additives introduced during production, such as phthalate esters and organophosphate esters. 



Through field studies, high amounts of these toxic additives have been found in the livers of Norwegian herring gulls after ingesting plastics. Furthermore, these high additive amounts make their way into recycling processes.



This means recycled plastics can contain elevated levels of additives, posing an additional risk to human health and the environment.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-path-forward-urgent-action-needed">The path forward: Urgent action needed</h2>



The research underscores the urgent need to curb <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plastic-production-increases-create-identical-plastic-pollution-increase/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic production</a>, consumption, and the use of hazardous chemical additives.



Achieving this will require the implementation of stringent policies to mitigate the catastrophic environmental consequences of the plastic economy.



"We emphasize that upstream measures, such as consumption reduction and changes in product design, would result in the most positive impact for limiting plastic pollution," wrote the study authors. 



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.3c09176" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Environmental Science &amp; Technology</a>.



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Norway's battle against plastic pollution represents a global plague

Plastic pollution is a burgeoning global crisis that leaves no...

Have you ever wondered how mosquitoes, those pesky little buzzing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mosquito-habitats-are-expanding-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">creatures</a> that keep you up at night, choose their mates? Interestingly, it's all about listening for the right buzz.



Researchers from the esteemed <a href="https://en.nagoya-u.ac.jp" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nagoya University</a> in Japan have recently decrypted the mystery behind how the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), differentiate their own kind from others. 



How do they do it? By tuning into the unique frequencies of sound generated by the flapping wings of opposite-sex mosquitoes from their own species.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dusk-ritual-swarm-and-mosquito-buzz">Dusk ritual, swarm and mosquito buzz</h2>



During twilight, male Aedes mosquitoes congregate in large flying swarms. It's like a buzzing singles bar where they wait patiently for fertile females to fly in. 



Study co-author Dr. Matthew Su noted that as soon as a female enters this airborne gathering, the male mosquitoes - equipped with an exceptional sense of hearing - listen for her distinctive wing-sound, approach her and attempt to woo her.



“In the past few decades, the territories of the two types of mosquitos have increasingly overlapped,” said Dr. Su. “Mainly at dusk, male Aedes mosquitoes form a swarm, a large group of flying males waiting for fertile females to fly in." 



"When a female enters the group, the male uses his excellent hearing to hear her wing sound, approach her, and attempt to mate. But females of other species could enter the group too, so we became interested in how males avoid mating with the wrong species.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-art-of-listening-to-the-buzzing-mosquitos">Art of listening to the buzzing mosquitos </h2>



This curiosity led the team to investigate further. They installed microphones in mosquito breeding cages to capture the frequencies of wingbeats from both sexes, and compared these frequencies between species. 



An intriguing pattern was discovered - both the males and females of the Asian tiger mosquito produced higher wing sound frequencies than their yellow fever counterparts.



The researchers hypothesized that this difference in sound frequency is the secret behind how mosquitoes avoid misdirected romance. 



To prove this theory, synthetic female wing sounds were played back to male mosquitoes. Without fail, the Asian tiger mosquito males responded to higher frequencies than the yellow fever males, clearly demonstrating species-specific sound recognition.



“We believe the males have optimized the vibratory properties of their ‘ears’ to match the frequencies of females of the same species,” said Professor Azusa Kamikouchi, the joint corresponding author of the study.



 “This suggests that males are finely tuned to the specific wingbeat frequencies produced by females of their species.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tuning-into-the-right-frequency">Tuning into the right frequency</h2>



“Mosquito mating depends on male hearing of female sounds,” noted Dr. Su. “Even though the difference in female sounds may sound small at 40 Hz, for mosquitoes - and humans in fact - this gap is huge." 



"They modulate their hearing function via signals sent from their brains to their ears to listen for the right frequency. Humans actually do something similar to help tune out background noise to sleep or hear a friends’ voice in a noisy bar.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-approach-to-mosquito-control">New approach to mosquito control?</h2>



Understanding this wing-sound phenomenon could open a new avenue for mosquito control. Currently, most traps are designed to attract females to lay eggs, which are then killed off. 



However, the Nagoya researchers have an additional idea. By playing specific flight sounds, these traps could also lure in male mosquitoes.



“I could see our research being used to combine oviposition and sound traps,” said Dr. Su. “Oviposition traps exist, but they mostly catch females, so we thought why not capture males at the same time?" 



"It’s good to plan ahead for potential outbreaks especially as the effects of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bad-news-mosquitoes-prefer-heat-and-thrive-in-the-warming-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> are increasing the number of people affected by mosquitoes.” 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-symbiotic-coexistence-with-buzzing-mosquitos">Symbiotic coexistence with buzzing mosquitos </h2>



The researchers underscore the fact that completely eliminating mosquitoes would harm the ecosystem. Despite being a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mosquito-borne-diseases-are-a-growing-threat-in-a-warming-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nuisance</a> to humans, these creatures play important environmental roles as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pollinators-face-extinction-risk-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pollinators</a> for plants and feeders for amphibians.



“Elimination may not be a good idea because we don’t know the effects on the ecosystem. Instead, we feel that limited biocontrol is better,” Dr. Su explained. 



“Ultimately, we will have to live together with mosquitoes, ideally separately. Therefore, we have to understand them and drive numbers down to levels where diseases are less likely to be transmitted.”&nbsp;



So the next time you’re bugged by a mosquito’s incessant <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mosquito-hearing-could-be-targeted-to-combat-deadly-diseases/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">buzz</a>, remember that it’s not just noise, it’s intricate insect communication at work.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(24)01489-5?" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">iScience</a>.



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Mosquitoes listen for a specific buzz to find mates

Have you ever wondered how mosquitoes, those pesky little buzzing...

The world of cryptocurrency holds fascination for many, a perplexing enigma for some, and an alternative investment strategy for others. But, is there more to this digital currency than meets the eye?



A recent study dives into the intricate mesh of politics, psychology, and social traits that appear to define cryptocurrency enthusiasts. 



In the whirlwind <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gen-ai-and-social-media-divert-peoples-attention-from-climate-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digital landscape</a>, this study provides a beacon for understanding the diverse characteristics of crypto owners.



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



Launched into the annals of the finance world, the cryptocurrency market, with its hallmark features of anonymous trading and unregulated markets, gained swift momentum. 



Despite a reputation of financial unpredictability in some circles, it boasts hundreds of millions of worldwide investors who beg to differ.



The said study sets out to demystify the crypto enthusiasts' cluster, seeking to differentiate them from non-crypto investors based on certain political, psychological, and social traits. 



Past research with narrower sample sizes hinted at these investors treading the paths less traveled – psychologically non-normative and politically non-mainstream.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-defining-the-cryptocurrency-aficionado">Defining the cryptocurrency aficionado</h2>



In a significant leap from previous studies, an extensive survey involving 2,001 American adults was conducted in 2022. 



Approximately 30% of these respondents were current or former crypto owners. They self-reported demographic details and other responses that painted a vivid picture of their political leanings, psychological nuances, and social traits.



A detailed statistical analysis ensued, encompassing bivariate (two-variable) correlational analyses and a multivariate (multi-variable) regression analysis. 



This helped measure the strength of association between crypto ownership and other individual variables, ultimately leading to the identification of variables critical in predicting cryptocurrency ownership.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-psychology-of-the-crypto-investor">The psychology of the crypto investor</h2>



The analysis revealed intriguing associations. Cryptocurrency ownership correlated with a belief in conspiracy theories, support for political extremism, and affiliation to non-left-right political orientations (such as Christian nationalism).



Crypto investors were also more likely to self-report the “Dark Tetrad” of personality traits: narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism.



A broader, more holistic analysis pinpointed the qualities that are most likely to predict crypto ownership. The strongest association was found with reliance on fringe social media sources for news.



Other associated traits included masculinity, argumentativeness, higher income, and a heightened sense of victimhood. 



Interestingly, political orientations and identities reported by crypto owners spanned a wide spectrum from left to right.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-caveats-and-the-way-forward">Caveats and the way forward</h2>



The researchers, hailing from the <a href="https://www.utoronto.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Toronto, Canada</a>, and the <a href="https://welcome.miami.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Miami, USA</a>, caution against broad generalizations.



The results are inevitably restricted by the sample characteristics and self-reported data, eschewing any causal interpretations.



The conspicuous association between social media and crypto ownership warrants further examination into the specific media and rhetoric's impact on crypto ownership. 



“Though our results certainly do not apply to every crypto user out there, on average, we found that crypto investment and ownership tends to appeal to people who are more argumentative, anti-authoritarian, and prefer to get their news from non-mainstream social media sites," noted the researchers.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cryptocurrency-and-traditional-financial-systems">Cryptocurrency and traditional financial systems</h2>



As cryptocurrency continues to grow in popularity and significance, its impact on traditional financial systems cannot be overlooked. 



Financial institutions, once skeptical of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-hidden-and-destructive-environmental-impact-of-bitcoin-mining/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digital</a> currencies, are now exploring ways to integrate blockchain technology and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-is-a-virtual-world-and-humans-play-the-roles-of-its-characters-new-study/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">digital</a> assets into their operations. This shift is driven by the increasing demand for more transparent, efficient, and secure financial transactions.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-regulatory-challenges-and-innovations">Regulatory challenges and innovations</h2>



The rise of cryptocurrency also presents significant regulatory challenges. Governments worldwide are grappling with how to effectively monitor and control this new financial frontier.



Balancing the need for regulation to prevent illicit activities while fostering innovation remains a delicate task. 



In response, some countries are developing frameworks to regulate cryptocurrency exchanges and Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), aiming to protect investors while encouraging technological advancements.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-of-cryptocurrency-and-traditional-finance">Future of cryptocurrency and traditional finance </h2>



The future relationship between cryptocurrency and traditional finance is still unfolding. While some predict a harmonious integration, others foresee ongoing tensions as traditional systems adapt to the disruptive potential of digital <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-bitcoin-transaction-uses-as-much-water-as-filling-a-swimming-pool/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">currencies</a>.



Regardless of the outcome, it is clear that cryptocurrency is reshaping the financial landscape, challenging long-held notions of money, value, and economic power.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0305178" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">PLoS ONE</a>.



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Cryptocurrency investors linked to dark personality traits

The world of cryptocurrency holds fascination for many, a perplexing...

The thought of black holes can send shivers down our spines. The idea of a region in space where gravity is so strong that nothing (not even light) can escape, is both awe-inspiring and chilling.



Yet, black holes occupy a pivotal position in the cosmos. Recently, scientists at the California Institute of Technology (<a href="https://www.caltech.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Caltech</a>) have unveiled new insights into these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mechanism-discovered-that-creates-the-gas-disks-around-black-holes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mysterious entities</a>. Thanks to a revolutionary computer simulation, the team has provided a look into the evolution of a black hole and its disks.



The research was led by Phil Hopkins, the Ira S. Bowen Professor of Theoretical Astrophysics at Caltech. Over the years, Profeesor Hopkins has led multiple projects, with this simulation being the apex of intense collaborative efforts.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-simulation-and-its-surprising-findings">Simulation and its surprising findings</h2>



The researchers have successfully simulated the journey of primordial gas from the early universe, tracking its path until it gets caught up in the vortex towards a supermassive black hole.



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="Mw0O3Xwhrl-3723416-12187" type="single"]</div>



This stellar project represents an unprecedented leap in resolution - over a thousand times greater than the previous record in the field!



The team's work has stirred up the world of astrophysics. Why? Because the results turned the existing theories around accretion disks - those <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-holes-may-talk-to-galaxies-through-energetic-winds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">swirling</a>, galactic disks that feed black holes - on their heads.



"Our theories told us the disks should be flat like crepes," said Hopkins. "But we knew this wasn't right because astronomical observations reveal that the disks are actually fluffy - more like an angel cake. Our simulation helped us understand that magnetic fields are propping up the disk material, making it fluffier."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-supermassive-black-holes-and-their-fluffy-disks">Supermassive black holes and their fluffy disks</h2>



Chances are, you've heard about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-black-holes-become-supermassive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supermassive</a> black holes before. These beasts lie at the heart of most galaxies, our Milky Way included, and they're absolute gluttons for cosmic matter. 



They attract and devour gas and dust, forming a swirling accretion disk as material gets pulled towards them. Just before plunging into the black hole, this material emits a vast amount of energy, making these cosmic objects shine brighter than almost anything else in the universe.



The problem? We still know very little about these fascinating systems. While black hole disks in our own galaxy and Messier 87 have been imaged, these are far tamer than the disks around distant, more active black holes. This is where computer simulations come in handy.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-power-of-black-hole-disk-simulation">Power of black hole disk simulation</h2>



Simulations offer researchers a way to recreate these cosmic activities. They incorporate all the physics at work in these galactic settings - from the basics of gravity to the behavior of dark matter and stars - into computing algorithms.



These algorithms allow scientists to model complex phenomena, like star formation or the behavior of galaxies, with great detail. However, Hopkins noted that it's not as simple as saying "gravity pulls everything down."



For a simulation to truly work, it needs to account for the complicated ways stars interact with their surroundings. 



For instance, they emit radiation that can heat up or push the surrounding gas. They blow stellar winds that can sweep up material, and they can explode as supernovae, dramatically altering their surroundings.



So, the team at Caltech developed a simulation that could cover all the relevant scales, from larger galactic scales to the level of a single accretion disk around a supermassive black hole. This ambitious project was a monumental computational challenge.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-discovery">Unexpected discovery</h2>



The researchers discovered that the pressure from the magnetic fields of the accretion disks was actually 10,000 times greater than the pressure from the heat of the gas.



In simpler terms, the magnetic fields were doing most of the work in supporting the disks, reshaping our understanding of their structure and function.



The team's discovery opens a new chapter in the exploration of black holes and galaxies. Their simulation enables us to delve deeper into complex questions about galactic collisions, the formation of diverse types of stars, and even the nature of the universe's first generation of stars.



So, what's next in the incredible world of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/star-debris-can-be-used-to-measure-the-spin-of-black-holes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cosmic research</a>? Only time will tell. But you can bet that the dedicated scientists at Caltech will be at the forefront, bridging the mysteries of the cosmos with our earthly understanding.



The study is published in <a href="https://astro.theoj.org/article/94757-forge-d-in-fire-resolving-the-end-of-star-formation-and-structure-of-agn-accretion-disks-from-cosmological-initial-conditions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Open Journal of Astrophysics</a>.



Video Credit: California Institute of Technology



Image Credit: Caltech/Phil Hopkins group



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Black hole disks are unexpectedly 'fluffy' as they grow and evolve

The thought of black holes can send shivers down our...

High up on the Tibetan Plateau, inside the Baishiya Karst Cave, unfolds a fascinating ancient human survival story. A recent study reveals that the Denisovans, an extinct human species, called this place home for countless millennia.



Other than their notable genetic contributions to modern humans, very little is known about the Denisovans. 



Somehow, these enigmatic <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/early-humans-used-lava-tubes-for-homes-middle-east-saudi-arabia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early humans</a> adapted to the harsh, high-altitude conditions of the Tibetan mountains, leaving behind clues that give us a captivating glimpse into their lifestyle and resilience.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-who-were-the-denisovans">Who were the Denisovans?</h2>



Remember them from science class? They're an extinct species from our ancient lineage that lived on Earth with us, Homo sapiens, and our other long-lost cousins, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/neanderthal-genes-still-influence-modern-humans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neanderthals</a>. 



Unlike the Neanderthals, though, the Denisovans are more mysterious. We've only found a few pieces of their puzzling existence so far.



The mystery deepened with an incredible discovery by a determined international research team. 



Their endeavor? To probe more than 2,500 bone remains found in Baishiya Karst Cave, one of only two known Denisovan habitats.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-findings-lead-to-more-questions">New findings lead to more questions</h2>



Published in the Nature, their fascinating analysis identifies a fresh Denisovan fossil. It also illustrates the species' incredible resilience in the face of fluctuating climatic conditions, including the ice age. 



Consider this: these predecessors of ours survived on the Tibetan plateau from around 200,000 to 40,000 years ago. Can you fathom that?



Dr. Geoff Smith, a zooarchaeologist at the <a href="https://www.reading.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Reading</a> and co-author of the study, expressed enthusiasm about their findings regarding Denisovan behavior.



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Denisovans-tools_bones_discovered_tibetan-plateau_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Denisovans-tools_bones_discovered_tibetan-plateau_1s.jpg" alt="Denisovan tools and bones discovered at Baishiya Karst Cave in Tibetan Plateau. Credit: Nature" class="wp-image-1938266"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Denisovan tools and bones discovered at Baishiya Karst Cave in Tibetan Plateau. Credit: Nature</figcaption></figure>



The research team uncovered evidence of the diverse diet of this ancient human species. 



"We were able to identify that Denisovans <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-ancient-humans-hunted-elephants-with-stone-tools/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hunted, butchered and ate</a> a range of animal species," Dr. Smith explained.



He further emphasized the significance of their discoveries, noting that the study provides insights into how Denisovans adapted to challenging environmental conditions. 



"We are only just beginning to understand the behavior of this extraordinary human species," Dr. Smith concluded, highlighting the nascent state of our knowledge about this species. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-uncovering-details-of-denisovan-life">Uncovering details of Denisovan life</h2>



The bone remains were shattered into many fragments, rendering identification very challenging. Nevertheless, the team developed a novel scientific method to determine which species the bone remains belonged to. It uses differences in bone collagen between animals.



Dr Huan Xia, of <a href="https://en.lzu.edu.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lanzhou University</a>, sheds light on this innovative technique, "Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry (ZooMS) allows us to extract valuable information from often overlooked bone fragments, providing deeper insight into human activities."



The introduction of <a href="https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-1-4419-0465-2_2418" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ZooMS</a> represents a quantum leap in archaeological studies. This cutting-edge technique allows scientists to extract identifiable collagen peptides from minute bone fragments, rendering an otherwise obscure and convoluted puzzle into a clearer picture of the past.



Most of the bones, the researchers discovered, belonged to blue sheep (bharal), wild yaks, equids, the extinct woolly rhino, and the spotted hyena. There were also bone fragments from small mammals, like marmots, and birds.



"Current evidence suggests that it was Denisovans, not any other human groups, who occupied the cave and made efficient use of all the animal resources available to them throughout their occupation," explained Dr Jian Wang of Lanzhou University.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-denisovans-were-resourceful-and-resilient">Denisovans were resourceful and resilient</h2>



Moreover, the researchers' meticulous analysis of the fragmented bone surfaces indicates the Denisovans weren't just preying on these animals. They were also adapting their remains into useful tools.



The team identified a rib bone, dating between 48,000 and 32,000 years ago, as belonging to an unknown Denisovan individual. 



This person lived at a time when our ancestors, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-evolution-may-be-the-biggest-roadblock-to-solving-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">modern humans</a>, were beginning to spread across the Eurasian continent.



The researchers believe that Denisovans weathered two cold periods, as well as a warmer interglacial period between the Middle and Late Pleistocene eras.



Together, the fossil and molecular evidence indicates that Ganjia Basin, where Baishiya Karst Cave is located, provided a relatively stable environment for Denisovans, despite its high-altitude. 



Dr Frido Welker, of the <a href="https://www.ku.dk/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Copenhagen</a>, leaves us with a lingering question, "The question now arises when and why these Denisovans on the Tibetan Plateau went extinct."



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



In summary, this latest discovery prompts a wave of new queries. Why did these resilient beings go extinct? What lessons can we learn from their survival amid changing climates?



The insights gathered from studying Denisovans resonate with pressing contemporary issues. In today’s world, where climate change shifts the environmental parameters at an unprecedented pace, understanding how Denisovans adapted to severe climatic fluctuations could offer valuable lessons.



Their ability to endure harsh, high-altitude conditions mirrors the contemporary challenges faced by communities in similarly extreme environments.



Reflecting on their resourcefulness and resilience, we might draw parallels to the importance of sustainable living and adaptive strategies.



As we delve deeper into the remnants of these ancient humans, perhaps we'll find more than just the echoes of our ancestry. Perhaps, we'll find a guide for our future.



The <a href="http://english.itpcas.cas.cn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research</a>, CAS, China, also contributed to this study.



The full study was published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07612-9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.



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Mysterious Denisovan species of humans lived undisturbed in the mountains for 160,000 years

High up on the Tibetan Plateau, inside the Baishiya Karst...

Your diet in midlife can shape your health after 70. It may sound surprising, but new research backs this claim. The study suggests that maintaining a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-healthy-diet-your-secret-weapon-against-aging-and-dementia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthy diet</a> in your 40s could significantly increase your chances of healthy aging.



Less than 10% of individuals manage to maintain strong physical, cognitive, and mental health past the age of 70, but the keys to join this elite group may be on your plate.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-midlife-diet-and-future-health">Midlife diet and future health</h2>



The research, which was focused on an extensive data set of over 100,000 people tracked for 30 years, brought to light some fascinating insights.



It was found that individuals maintaining a healthy diet from their 40s were considerably more likely to enjoy a high-functioning physical and mental state at age 70. In fact, their likelihood of healthy aging was boosted by up to 84% compared to those who did not maintain a healthy diet.



“People who adhered to healthy dietary patterns in midlife, especially those rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats, were significantly more likely to achieve healthy aging,” said Dr. Anne-Julie Tessier, postdoctoral fellow at <a href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health.</a>



The research provides an all-important clue: "Your midlife diet can significantly impact the quality of your aging process."



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-is-there-a-magic-diet-for-healthy-aging">Is there a magic diet for healthy aging?</h2>



Certain foods were linked to higher probabilities of healthy aging, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, unsaturated fats, nuts, legumes, and low-fat dairy products. Conversely, high intakes of trans fat, sodium, total meats, and processed meats were linked to lower odds of healthy aging.



While many studies have explored diet's impact on chronic diseases, this research uniquely focuses on healthy aging. 



In this context, healthy aging is not merely the absence of disease but the ability to live independently while enjoying a good <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/active-aging-physical-activity-has-a-direct-impact-on-life-quality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">quality of life</a> as one grows older.



“Traditionally, research and derived dietary guidelines have focused on preventing chronic diseases like heart disease,” said Tessier. “Our study provides evidence for dietary recommendations to consider not only disease prevention but also promoting overall healthy aging as a long-term goal.”



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reimagining-the-dietary-guidelines">Reimagining the dietary guidelines</h2>



The research analyzed data from over 106,000 people starting from 1986, with participants being at least 39 years old and free from chronic diseases. Unsurprisingly, only 9.2% of those surveyed had fully maintained their physical, cognitive, and mental fitness by age 70.



Based on eight <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-eating-patterns-reduce-the-risk-of-premature-death/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthy dietary patterns</a> from previous scientific studies, some striking trends were noted.



The alternative healthy eating index, closely adhering to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, displayed the strongest correlation. People who followed this dietary pattern were 84% more likely to achieve healthy aging than those who did not.



The experts also found that a diet similar to the one in the EAT Lancet Commission's report - the "planetary health diet" - had a substantial impact on healthy aging.



“A finding that stood out was the association between the planetary <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/healthy-diet-positively-influences-the-brains-structure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">health diet</a> and healthy aging,” said Tessier. “This diet is based on the EAT Lancet Commission’s report which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, plant proteins and healthy fats from sustainable sources." 



"The fact that it emerged as one of the leading dietary patterns associated with healthy aging is particularly interesting because it supports that we can eat a diet that may benefit both our health and the planet.”



These findings held up even when factors such as physical activity, known to impact health, were taken into account. Each healthy dietary pattern was linked to overall healthy aging and to its physical, cognitive, and mental components. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-supplements-in-midlife-diets">The role of supplements in midlife diets</h2>



While the primary focus is on whole foods, supplements can also play a supportive role in a midlife diet aimed at <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fasting-and-feeding-cycle-is-crucial-for-healthy-aging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthy aging</a>.



Certain vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin D, Omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants, have been shown to benefit cognitive and physical health. 



As the focus of the study was on midlife dietary patterns, future research may help to clarify the potential impact of switching to a healthier diet later in life. However, one thing is made clear from the results of this study - the seeds of healthy aging are sown in midlife. 



The research was presented at <a href="https://nutrition.org/N24/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NUTRITION 2024</a>, the flagship meeting of the American Society for Nutrition.



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The secret ingredient to healthy aging: Your midlife diet

Your diet in midlife can shape your health after 70....

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. 



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



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



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



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



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. 



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).



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



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.



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.



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>.

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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Today’s Video of the Day 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.



"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.



"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."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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Today's Video of the Day 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.



"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.



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.



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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.

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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Today’s Video of the Day 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;



"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.



"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."



"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."



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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Today's Video of the Day 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;



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;



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.



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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



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.

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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

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



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;



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;



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. 



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.



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. 



Video/ Image Credit: European Space Agency&nbsp;



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



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.

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.igb.illinois.edu/">Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology</a> reveals how scientists can modify common crops like soybean, rice, and wheat to protect them from heat stress.



“We need to double crop production by 2050 to feed a growing global population, and not only are we not on track to do that, but climate change is further complicating things,” said Amanda Cavanagh, a lecturer at the University of Essex. 



The study is part of Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency (RIPE), an international research project that aims to develop food crops that turn the sun’s energy into food more efficiently.



“Using an engineering approach we designed multiple alternative metabolic pathways to photorespiration. Testing them in the field showed increases in productivity which led Amanda to significantly move the project forward by showing our engineered plants can withstand pretty extreme temperature stress,” said study co-author and RIPE researcher Paul South.&nbsp;



“As the climate changes and temperature stresses increase the pressure on our global food supply, farmers will need every tool available including engineering approaches like the synthetic biology used here to maintain safe and productive harvests.”



The experts tested plants modified to have more efficient photorespiration to see if they were better adapted to warmer temperatures.&nbsp;



The team found that the engineered plants produced 26 percent more biomass than the wild-type plants exposed to the same temperatures, and had 15 percent less yield loss under the higher temperatures.



Video Credit: Amanda Nguyen/University of Illinois



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



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.

Designing crops that can beat the heat

[sendtonews key="QGPzYnXEtN-1712599-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from Carl...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> explores the ability of salt to transform the way that foods and beverages taste. Salt is known to cover up undesirable flavors, such as bitterness in coffee or beer, but how exactly does sodium chloride change the taste of other compounds?



One previous study showed that, not only does salt suppress bitterness, but also enhances sweetness and sourness. Another study revealed that bitterness reduction by salt seems to be happening at the tongue receptor level as well as in the brain.&nbsp;



While it is known that salt taste is mediated by the presence of sodium channels in the form of taste buds, experts believe that there is also an unknown receptor responsible for how we taste salt that has not yet been identified.&nbsp;



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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



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.

How does salt makes things taste better?

[sendtonews key="X0f6OHYoI4-2310561-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Santiago, the capital city of Chile. The city is located in the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which has a population of about eight million people.&nbsp;



'The weather of Santiago resembles the Mediterranean climate with dry and warm summers with temperatures reaching up to 35°C (from October to March) and cool and humid winters that can drop to 0°C (from April to September)."



"The city lies in the centre of the country’s central valley around 80 km from the Pacific Ocean to the west and borders Argentina to the east. A tiny part of Argentina is visible in the top-right corner of the image where the mountain crest of the Andes Mountains acts as a divider between the two countries," says ESA.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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.

Santiago, Chile in South America

[sendtonews key="JRaP49ISmm-2357509-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

Spiral,Galaxy,,Illustration,Of,Milky,Way

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Astronomers at <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/">Johns Hopkins University</a> have created an interactive map of the universe, including the actual position and real colors of 200,000 galaxies. The map allows the public to access data that was previously only available to scientists.



The map was developed using data collected by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. For over two decades, a telescope in New Mexico was aimed at slightly different locations to capture the night sky.&nbsp;



"Growing up I was very inspired by astronomy pictures, stars, nebulae and galaxies, and now it's our time to create a new type of picture to inspire people," said map creator Brice Ménard, a professor at Johns Hopkins. "Astrophysicists around the world have been analyzing this data for years, leading to thousands of scientific papers and discoveries. But nobody took the time to create a map that is beautiful, scientifically accurate, and accessible to people who are not scientists. Our goal here is to show everybody what the universe really looks like."



"In this map, we are just a speck at the very bottom, just one pixel. And when I say we, I mean our galaxy, the Milky Way which has billions of stars and planets. We are used to seeing astronomical pictures showing one galaxy here, one galaxy there or perhaps a group of galaxies. But what this map shows is a very, very different scale."



"From this speck at the bottom, we are able to map out galaxies across the entire universe, and that says something about the power of science."



The <a href="https://mapoftheuniverse.net/">interactive map</a> is available online, where it can be downloaded for free.



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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



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.

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

[sendtonews key="e4ZG0Jawp3-2374785-12187" type="single"] Astronomers at Johns Hopkins University have created...

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes the first comprehensive estimate of carbon density in the Saharan, Sahel, and Sudanian zones of Africa. In an effort to measure the amount of carbon stored across these drylands, a team of scientists used high-resolution satellite images and artificial intelligence to map nearly 10 billion individual trees. 



"The high spatial resolution (50 cm) combined with AI and field measurements used in this study is key to improving tree inventories in drylands," said Pierre Hiernaux, a French researcher working for NASA. "The ever-increasing availability of very high-resolution satellite imagery will make it possible to assess carbon pools and their dynamics at the individual tree level on a global scale."



"This study is exceptional because it is pioneering a type of approach that will revolutionize the monitoring of trees and forests on a global scale: in the short term, it will be possible to map the world's trees from the centre of the Amazon to our schoolyards," said <a href="https://www.inrae.fr/en">INRAE</a> researcher Jean-Pierre Wigneron.



"Many fields of application will become much more efficient and accurate, such as tracking carbon stocks, biodiversity, monitoring logging and protection against illegal forest degradation, in near real time.”



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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.

Remote sensing will revolutionize the way we monitor trees

[sendtonews key="EjmSP20gQK-2593093-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Dublin, the capital and largest city of Ireland. Beyond its pub culture, Dublin is known as a modern culinary destination and a UNESCO City of Literature.



"Dublin is located near the midpoint of Ireland’s east coast in the province of Leinster. The city, which covers an area of around 115 square kilometers, is bordered by the Dublin Mountains, a low mountain range to the south, and is surrounded by flat farmland to the north and west," says ESA.



"The city straddles the River Liffey, which rises in the Wicklow Mountains and flows around 80 kilometers eastwards through the city of Dublin, in which it is canalised and bordered with quays. It then empties into Dublin Bay, an arm of the Irish Sea."



Dublin has an abundance of green spaces, including one of the largest enclosed public parks in any European capital city. Phoenix Park, which was originally formed as a royal hunting park in the 1660s, includes 707 hectares of green space.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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



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.

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

[sendtonews key="qjvhBOBnY8-2426650-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.



"Together with the provinces of Huesca and Teruel, Zaragoza formed the old kingdom of Aragon. Its capital, also called Zaragoza (not visible in this image) is home to around half of Aragon’s population," says ESA.



"The Ebro River can be seen winding its way through the province from west to east in this image. Between its source in the Cantabrian Mountains in the northwest and its delta on the Mediterranean coast, the Ebro River is fed by more than 200 tributaries as it flows 910 km across much of northern Spain."



Since rainfall is very scarce in this region, irrigation in the Ebro basin is critically important. In the valleys surrounding the Ebro River, many fields are used for growing crops such as corn, wheat, and barley.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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



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.

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

[sendtonews key="oL4FnPTGCV-2384527-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> features a visual dataset of.methane emissions from wetlands across the globe. Atmospheric methane levels have reached record highs in recent years, and wetlands are a major source of these emissions.&nbsp;



"Methane is an important greenhouse gas that contributes substantially to global warming. On a molecule by molecule basis, methane is much more efficient at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, the main driver of warming," says NASA.



"Though human activities, including agriculture, oil and natural gas production and use, and waste disposal, collectively contribute the majority of methane to the atmosphere, about a third of total methane emissions comes from wetlands."&nbsp;



According to NASA, understanding methane emissions from wetlands and other natural sources is critically important for scientists and policymakers who are working to combat climate change by reducing emissions from human activities.



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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.

Wetlands are a major source of methane emissions

[sendtonews key="f8fukm28Vz-2491833-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> reveals the evolution of the Columbia Glacier in southeastern Alaska. Columbia is among the fastest shrinking glaciers in the world, and the video documents its rapid retreat over the years.&nbsp;



Columbia Glacier is a large, multi-branched calving glacier that flows out of the Chugach Mountains to the Prince William Sound.&nbsp;



According to USGS, Columbia had a long history of stability prior to 1980, with a length 41 miles, and small, short-lived advances or retreats.



In the years since 1980, however, satellite images have captured Columbia’s alarming retreat. By using false-color images, scientists can distinguish between snow and ice, open water, vegetation, and rocky debris on the glacier’s surface.



The series of false-color images featured in today's video were acquired over the span of 35 years. You can see that by 2021, the glacier’s main branch had retreated about 15 miles from its initial position.



The Columbia Glacier has also lost more than 50 percent of its volume, mostly due to calving. <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/nasa-reveals-3d-visual-of-an-atmospheric-river/">NASA</a> reports that while climate change likely started the retreat, mechanical processes kept the disintegration going.



The NASA images are provided by Jesse Allen, Robert Simmon, Joshua Stevens, and Lauren Dauphin using data from Landsat satellites, from the U.S. Geological Survey, and data from MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite. The structure of Columbia’s moraine played a large role in the stability of the glacier before 1980. 



Like other tidewater glaciers, the Columbia built up a moraine over time, and the mixture of ice and rock functioned like a dam keeping out the sea. It was supported on one end by the shoreline and by the underwater terminal moraine at the other.



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio



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



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.

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

[sendtonews key="0879czfG3k-1785905-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Pyrenees Mountains, which form a natural boundary between France and Spain in southwest Europe.



The mountain range is 430 kilometers in length. It stretches from the Mediterranean Sea on the east to the Atlantic Ocean on the west.



At an elevation of 3404 meters, Pico de Aneto is the highest mountain peak in the Pyrenees, and the third-highest peak in Spain. Pico de Aneto is located in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park, which spans more than 82,000 acres.&nbsp;



"Geological studies have revealed that the Pyrenees Mountains have been around for longer than the Alps, with their sediments first deposited in coastal basins during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras," reports ESA.



"The entire mountain range formed due to the upwelling of large sedimentary rocks by the collision of the Iberian and the Eurasian plate around 100 to 150 million years ago, followed by intense erosion from ice and water."



The western Pyrenees receive more precipitation due to moisture blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean. The mountain range contains many lakes, several small glaciers, and some of the highest waterfalls in Europe.



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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



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.

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

[sendtonews key="6HyfrAJTBI-1831843-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.stowers.org/">Stowers Institute for Medical Research</a> describes why experts are studying zebrafish to gain a better understanding of how the immune system responds to injury. Zebrafish have the ability to repair and regenerate organs.



“Organ regeneration offers an exciting opportunity for studying the immune system and to inquire why some species can regenerate organs like the heart or missing limbs while others like humans cannot,” explained Dr. Tatjana Piotrowski.



Zebrafish sensory organ hair cells are an ideal system to investigate the pathways and cell types involved in regeneration since they are easily destroyed with antibiotics and begin regenerating within five hours. This enabled the researchers to identify the exact timing and genetic programs for each anti-inflammatory macrophage activation state.&nbsp;



“Our hypothesis is that human macrophages do not receive the proper chemical activation 'cocktail' to instruct pro-regenerative processes,” said Dr. Nicolas Denans. “Identifying the molecular recipe of macrophage activation in zebrafish may one day enable us to design regenerative immunotherapies in humans.”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



“The new evidence is a valuable resource for comparative studies on the genetic programs involved in macrophage-mediated repair and regeneration. In other words, different types of injuries may induce different kinds of inflammatory responses. We want to decipher whether this 'language' is universal or if there are a variety of dialects."



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research&nbsp;



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



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.

How the immune system responds to injury

[sendtonews key="0dEcERCq61-2283382-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from Stowers...

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes how record-breaking heat expressed itself around the world in 2022.



Scientists have determined that 2022 was the 5th warmest year since 1880. Furthermore, the last nine consecutive years have been the warmest on record.



From devastating floods and wildfires to natural disasters like Hurricane Ian, 2022 showed us yet again how a warming climate affects people across the globe.&nbsp;



"As we look back at 20:22 and years past, we see that each year we better understand the challenges we face and how important it is to meet them," says NASA.



Video/ Image Credit: NASA Goddard



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



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2022 illustrated the consequences of a warming climate

[sendtonews key="3UUsNkFOuS-2487333-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes two exoplanets that are orbiting a star 218 light-years away. A team of researchers led by the University of Montreal has found evidence that these planets are "water worlds."



The experts used data from NASA’s Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes. They discovered that exoplanets Kepler-138 c and Kepler-138 could be composed largely of water.



"We previously thought that planets that were a bit larger than Earth were big balls of metal and rock, like scaled-up versions of Earth, and that's why we called them super-Earths," explained study co-author Björn Benneke.&nbsp;



"However, we have now shown that these two planets, Kepler-138 c and d, are quite different in nature and that a big fraction of their entire volume is likely composed of water. It is the best evidence yet for water worlds, a type of planet that was theorized by astronomers to exist for a long time."



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and Leah Hustak (STScI)



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



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.

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

[sendtonews key="QIoVYJqRBi-2434608-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from NASA...

<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"]</div>



Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes Earth’s interconnected systems, and how this network is affected by rising temperatures.&nbsp;



During 2020, average global temperatures matched the hottest year on record. The hurricane season was also record-breaking, with many of the storms intensifying at extraordinary speeds. Hot water in the ocean is fuel for hurricanes. The satellite data shows that it's all one interconnected system showing how Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected.



According to NASA, dust swept up from Northern Africa plays a major role in the formation of hurricanes, and is also a key source of fertilization in the Amazon rainforest. As a result of<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-wasting-disease-is-fueled-by-climate-change/"> climate</a> change, dust plumes are expected to decline, which will have an effect on vegetation far away.&nbsp;



Images from Earth-observing satellites show how the world’s plant life is affected by natural disasters, fires, and deforestation. Satellites also reveal how widespread changes in vegetation impact waterways,&nbsp; the climate, air quality. Satellites communicate by using radio waves to send signals to the antennas on the Earth. "Earth From Space" is a groundbreaking two-hour special that reveals a spectacular new space-based vision of our planet. 



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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



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.

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

[sendtonews key="JbW4VsY53O-1632195-12187" type="single"] Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected...

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