<p>Think about sipping a sugar-free drink that still tastes sweet. Many of us have puzzled over this illusion. Now scientists at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden reveal how our brains transform smell into taste.</p>



<p>The research, published in <em>Nature Communications</em>, shows that the brain encodes certain <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/your-dna-may-explain-why-you-love-or-hate-certain-smells/">aromas</a> as if they were flavors themselves.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-flavor-and-smell-form">How flavor and smell form</h2>



<p>Flavor is more than taste. It comes from a combination of gustatory signals and retronasal odors, those aromas drifting from the mouth to the nose. </p>



<p>The insula, known as the taste cortex, was found to integrate these signals earlier than expected. This means the brain does not wait for higher regions to combine <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-your-brain-decides-what-smells-good-or-bad/">taste</a> and smell but merges them immediately into one experience.</p>



<p>Study lead author Putu Agus Khorisantono is a researcher in the Department of Clinical Neuroscience at <a href="https://ki.se/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Karolinska Institutet</a>. </p>



<p>“We saw that the taste cortex reacts to taste-associated aromas as if they were real tastes,” explained Khorisantono. "The finding provides a possible explanation for why we sometimes experience taste from smell alone, for example in flavored waters." </p>



<p>"This underscores how strongly odors and tastes work together to make food pleasurable, potentially inducing craving and encouraging overeating of certain foods.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-the-brain-links-flavor-and-smell">How the brain links flavor and smell</h2>



<p>The researchers tested 25 adults. First, participants learned to identify sweet and savory flavors through combinations of taste and smell. </p>



<p>Later, inside a scanner, they received either tasteless odors or odorless tastes. Algorithms trained on brain responses to actual tastes were then tested on <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/radio-waves-can-boost-our-sense-of-smell-without-contact/">odors</a> alone. The surprising outcome was that odours mimicked the brain’s taste responses.</p>



<p>The study revealed that sweet or savory odors activated the same neural patterns as the corresponding tastes.</p>



<p>This overlap was strongest in the ventral anterior insula, a region connected to olfactory areas. Importantly, the researchers ruled out simple pleasure ratings as the cause. Instead, the brain genuinely encoded odors in a way that matched taste perception.</p>



<p>“This shows that the brain does not process taste and smell separately, but rather creates a joint representation of the flavor experience in the taste cortex,” said senior researcher Janina Seubert. </p>



<p>“This mechanism may be relevant for how our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/our-sense-of-smell-and-different-odors-can-influence-how-we-see-colors/">taste</a> preferences and eating habits are formed and influenced.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-flavor-and-smell-matter">Why flavor and smell matter</h2>



<p>The findings highlight the insula as a hub for flavor integration. They also reveal that taste representations can drift over time. Neural patterns of taste identity were less stable across days, echoing results seen in rodent studies. </p>



<p>This suggests that our flavor experiences are dynamic, adapting with exposure, context, and internal states such as hunger, mood, or attention. </p>



<p>A flavor that feels vivid and distinct one day may blur or even shift the next, depending on what the brain has recently learned or anticipated.</p>



<p>This fluid quality points to a system designed not for rigid coding but for flexibility, helping us adjust to changing diets, environments, and cultural influences on taste.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flavor-identity-and-reward-value">Flavor identity and reward value</h2>



<p>The study also observed cross-modal decoding in other regions, such as the orbitofrontal cortex, which is known to encode the value of food. </p>



<p>The researchers propose that the insula forms a shared flavor identity, while the orbitofrontal cortex evaluates its reward value. This dual process could explain why certain odors make foods irresistible and shape long-term eating habits.</p>



<p>The team now wants to test external smells, or orthonasal odors. These are the scents we encounter before eating, like walking past bread or pastries.</p>



<p>“We want to find out whether the activation pattern in the brain’s taste cortex changes from salty to sweet when we walk from the cheese aisle to the pastries in the supermarket,” said Khorisantono. “If so, this could have a significant impact on the foods we choose to consume.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-flavor-and-smell-affect-health">How flavor and smell affect health</h2>



<p>This research reframes flavor as a deeply integrated brain process. Smell and taste are not separate streams but overlapping codes that can trick the brain into tasting without tasting.</p>



<p>Beyond solving everyday mysteries like sweet-tasting flavored water, the work raises questions about cravings, overeating, and how our diets are shaped by environments filled with powerful aromas. </p>



<p>The research also suggests that everyday exposure to food-related smells in supermarkets, restaurants, offices, and even advertising spaces may influence us more than we realize.</p>



<p>These aromas may prime the brain to expect certain tastes, creating a loop where scent alone can nudge us toward food choices we might not otherwise make. </p>



<p>Over time, this subtle influence could shape eating habits, nutritional patterns, and even health outcomes, revealing how deeply our sensory world directs behavior long before conscious decisions take place.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-63803-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a>.</em></p>



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



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

How smell tricks the brain into tasting flavors

Think about sipping a sugar-free drink that still tastes sweet. Many of us have puzzled over this illusion. Now scientists at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden reveal how our brains transform smell into taste. The research, published in Nature Communications, shows that the brain encodes certain aromas as if they were flavors themselves. How flavor and smell form Flavor is more than taste. It comes from a combination of gustatory signals and retronasal odors, those aromas drifting from the mouth to the nose. The insula, known as the...

<p>Generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) is known for its innovative and realistic outputs based on billions of data points. It's a powerful tool in many sectors that can also assist in daily tasks such as online shopping or creating content.</p>



<p>The applications of Gen AI in healthcare are just beginning to be realized. The technology has the potential to revolutionize medical imaging, predict disease progression for individual patients, and even assist in discovering new vaccines.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gen-ai-and-patient-safety">Gen AI and patient safety </h2>



<p>A recent study conducted by researchers at the <a href="https://www.bumc.bu.edu/camed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BU Chobanian &amp; Avedisian School of Medicine</a> has produced some remarkable results. </p>



<p>The experts subjected an advanced publicly available Gen AI model, known as GPT-4, to a rigorous 50-question self-assessment from the Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS) exam. This is a standardized multiple-choice certification exam for professionals.</p>



<p>Impressively, GPT-4 demonstrated a high level of performance, answering 88% of the questions correctly.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gen-ai-performance-in-the-real-world">Gen AI performance in the real world</h2>



<p>Study co-author Dr. Nicholas Cordella is an assistant professor of medicine at BU Chobanian &amp; Avedisian School of Medicine.</p>



<p>"While other studies have looked at genAI's performance on exams from different healthcare specialties over the past year, ours is the first robust test of its proficiency specifically in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-can-predict-health-deterioration-in-hospital-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">patient safety</a>," said Dr. Cordella.</p>



<p>GPT-4's impressive performance was achieved without any additional technical training or medical fine-tuning. </p>



<p>The AI model performed notably well in the domains of Patient Safety and Solutions, Measuring and Improving Performance, and Systems Thinking and Design/Human Factors. </p>



<p>These results prompted the team to encourage further testing of AI's real-world strengths and weaknesses.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-glimpse-into-the-future">A glimpse into the future</h2>



<p>The study shows considerable promise for the integration of AI into healthcare safety systems. </p>



<p>The research hints at <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-intelligence-proves-very-useful-to-doctors-when-diagnosing-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI's potential to assist doctors</a> in recognizing, addressing, and preventing mistakes in hospitals and clinics.</p>



<p>"While more research is needed to fully understand what current AI can do in patient safety, this study shows that AI has some potential to improve healthcare by assisting clinicians in addressing preventable harms," said Dr. Cordella.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-the-issue-of-medical-errors">Addressing the issue of medical errors </h2>



<p>The researchers also explored how AI might help tackle the serious problem of medical errors, which dramatically affect healthcare outcomes and are believed to cause around 400,000 deaths every year.</p>



<p>However, it's crucial to be aware of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-beats-doctors-in-clinical-reasoning-but-is-more-error-prone/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">limitations of current AI technology</a>. Vigilance must be maintained against biases, false confidence, and the potential for fabricated data, particularly with large language models like GPT-4.</p>



<p>"AI has the potential to significantly enhance patient safety, marking an enabling step towards leveraging this technology to reduce preventable harms and achieve better healthcare outcomes," said Dr. Cordella.</p>



<p>"However, it's important to recognize this as an initial step, and we must rigorously test and refine AI applications to truly benefit patient care."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exciting-opportunities-ahead">Exciting opportunities ahead</h2>



<p>As <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-ai-artificial-intelligence-changing-health-diet-fitness-exercise-approach/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">artificial intelligence continues to advance</a>, its integration into healthcare systems presents both exciting opportunities and significant challenges. </p>



<p>While AI models like GPT-4 have demonstrated impressive capabilities, such as their potential to improve patient safety, there are hurdles that must be addressed before AI can become a reliable component in clinical settings. </p>



<p>Ensuring that AI systems operate with transparency and accuracy is paramount, especially in high-stakes environments where errors can have severe consequences.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-overcoming-significant-challenges">Overcoming significant challenges </h2>



<p>One major challenge is the inherent bias present in AI models. Since these systems are trained on vast amounts of data, they can inadvertently replicate the biases found in their datasets. </p>



<p>In healthcare, where decisions impact patient outcomes, such biases can lead to unequal treatment or unintended harm. </p>



<p>Additionally, AI's tendency to produce "hallucinations" or generate plausible but incorrect information poses a risk that must be mitigated through rigorous testing and oversight.</p>



<p>However, with ongoing research and development, AI's ability to support healthcare professionals could evolve rapidly. </p>



<p>By identifying patterns in data that humans might overlook, AI can assist in diagnosing complex conditions, personalizing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-is-the-next-frontier-in-cancer-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">treatment plans</a>, and predicting potential complications. </p>



<p>As the technology evolves, AI could play a key role in minimizing preventable errors and enhancing the overall quality of care.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1553725024001673" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety</a></em>.</p>



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



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

The future of AI: Enhancing patient safety

Generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) is known for its innovative...

<p>Mental health has become an overlooked casualty in the ongoing debate about climate change. While we focus on the tangible losses - wildfires, rising seas, and extreme weather - the silent impact on our mental well-being often goes unnoticed. </p>



<p>The time has come for us to face the question: Is the changing climate influencing our mental health in unseen ways?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mental-toll-of-extreme-weather">Mental toll of extreme weather</h2>



<p>Extreme weather events and relentless heatwaves not only threaten the environment but also place immense strain on mental health.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Communities across the globe are confronting the harsh reality of more frequent flooding from stronger storms and enduring seemingly endless days of triple-digit temperatures. The mental strain of these climate-driven events can be as intense as the heat itself.</p>



<p>This critical issue has drawn the attention of a dedicated team at&nbsp;<a href="https://tulane.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tulane University</a>, who have been awarded $1 million from the National Academy of Sciences’ Gulf Research Program.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The mission is to uncover how climate-induced factors may be affecting mental health outcomes in five vulnerable southern states: Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-and-mental-health">Climate change and mental health</h2>



<p>Over the next three years, this pioneering project aims to dissect the relationship between climate change and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fear-and-anxiety-the-mental-health-impacts-of-wildfires/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mental health</a>.</p>



<p>The experts will pinpoint the communities which are most vulnerable to various climate-induced factors, such as heat, air pollution, tropical cyclones, power outages, precipitation, drought, and humidity.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research team will then compare these data with mental health-related emergency room visits among Medicare and Medicaid patients to identify patterns and trends.</p>



<p>"The Gulf South is one of the most vulnerable places for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-takes-a-major-toll-on-childrens-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change impacts</a>&nbsp;in the United States," noted Mostafijur Rahman, the study’s principal investigator.&nbsp;</p>



<p>"However, there is a lack of comprehensive epidemiological research examining these impacts on the region. This study aims to fill that critical gap."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mitigating-mental-health-impacts">Mitigating mental health impacts</h2>



<p>As part of the multifaceted examination, the study will evaluate access to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/surprising-mental-health-benefits-of-living-near-green-spaces/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">green spaces</a>&nbsp;and air conditioning to examine any potential mitigating effects on mental health challenges.</p>



<p>"The key goals are to identify which climate factors have the strongest association with mental health outcomes and map the most vulnerable communities and populations,” said Rahman. </p>



<p>“By pinpointing the most at-risk communities and effective interventions, this research will help inform targeted policies to mitigate the mental health impacts of our changing climate."</p>



<p>Launched this summer, the study is expected to continue through July 2027. The research will provide valuable insights about how the changing climate is silently shaping our mental health.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-critical-public-health-challenge">Critical public health challenge</h2>



<p>As the world continues to warm, the mental health impacts of climate change are emerging as a critical&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-smoke-is-an-underestimated-threat-to-public-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">public health</a> challenge.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The increased frequency of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natural-disasters-are-on-the-rise-but-hazard-plans-are-inadequate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural disasters</a>, rising temperatures, and deteriorating air quality are all taking a toll on individuals and communities. These climate-induced stressors don’t just cause physical destruction but also leave lasting emotional and psychological scars.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Losing homes, jobs, and loved ones in extreme weather can lead to anxiety, depression, and post traumatic stress disorder.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gradual-changes-and-long-term-effects">Gradual changes and long-term effects</h2>



<p>In addition to acute mental health challenges brought on by natural disasters, there are longer-term effects associated with the gradual changes in climate. </p>



<p>People living in areas prone to prolonged heatwaves may experience chronic stress due to ongoing discomfort, disrupted sleep patterns, and a decrease in productivity. </p>



<p>Research shows that higher temperatures can increase aggression and violence, adding to community stress. Social isolation, especially in rural or low-income areas lacking resources like air conditioning and safe public spaces, worsens mental strain.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-addressing-climate-related-stress">Addressing climate-related stress</h2>



<p>While most people recognize the physical dangers of extreme weather, we often forget about its impact on mental health. We need to improve environmental policies and offer mental health support for those facing climate-related stress.</p>



<p>Integrating mental health support into climate adaptation strategies will be essential for helping populations build resilience against both the immediate and long-term psychological effects of a changing climate.</p>



<p>Beyond the need for research, addressing the mental health effects of climate change will require innovative public policy and community engagement to help individuals prepare for an uncertain future.</p>



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

Mental health is a hidden casualty of climate change

Mental health has become an overlooked casualty in the ongoing...

<p>From the crack of dawn to the late hours of the night, the life of a father is filled with a myriad of sights, sounds, and yes - even smells. In a fascinating twist, a recent German study reveals that dads might not just tolerate, but actually prefer the scent of their own children.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pleasant-scent-of-children">Pleasant scent of children</h2>



<p>Scientists at the Technical University of Dresden stumbled upon a remarkable discovery. It turns out that fathers can not only detect the unique scent of their own brood, but they also rate their children’s smell as more pleasant compared to that of other kids. </p>



<p>We're not talking about gently perfumed lullabies here but instead the unique aroma that wraps around your child, like their clothing after a day of play. Nonetheless, it seems that there's no smell quite as sweet for a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fathers-diet-impacts-the-health-of-his-future-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">father</a> than that of his own offspring.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dads-can-sniff-out-the-details">Dads can sniff out the details</h2>



<p>The nose-knowing dads weren't just picking out the scent of their own children now and then. </p>



<p>The data showed that fathers were successful in identifying the smell of their own children's worn clothes one-third of the time. That's quite a successful sniffing ratio.</p>



<p>There is an interesting caveat to this finding. The pleasantness of a child's scent, according to the dads, seemed to decline when the kids hit puberty.</p>



<p>But, what does this dip in perceived pleasantness tell us about <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/parents-who-use-humor-have-better-relationships-with-their-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolutionary biology</a>?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-not-just-perception-but-recognition">Not just perception but recognition</h2>



<p>Researchers at the <a href="https://tu-dresden.de/?set_language=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Technical University of Dresden</a>, further explored this olfactory mystery.</p>



<p>During the study, dads were asked to rank the pleasantness, sweetness, intensity, and attractiveness of their child's odor, and how much they were inclined to smell it again. They were also tasked with the challenge of identifying which of the odor samples belonged to their child.</p>



<p>Interestingly, the fathers' accuracy in recognizing their child's scent was higher when the children were younger - with a success rate of 37% for infants and 33% for prepubescent children.</p>



<p>While these percentages might seem somewhat low, it's worth noting that they're significantly higher than the 17% success rate expected if the dads were merely taking a stab in the dark.</p>



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



<p>What underlies this remarkable ability to identify and prefer the scent of our own children? Experts believe that the smell of one's offspring activates certain areas in the brain associated with pleasure and reward. </p>



<p>This could help to create and strengthen that all-important bond between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/children-who-watch-screens-in-bed-have-the-most-disrupted-sleep/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">parents and their children</a>. The sense also seems to act as a stress-reliever for the parents.</p>



<p>However, much like that ability to distinguish their kids by scent alone, this preferential treatment takes a steep dive once the children reach puberty, especially in the case of daughters. But, why does this happen?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changes-in-dad-s-scent-perception">Changes in dad's scent perception </h2>



<p>According to the researchers, this could be an evolutionary mechanism – a "barrier," if you will, against any potential incestuous behavior between fathers and their pubescent daughters.</p>



<p>Intuitively, this makes sense, given that mothers seem to exhibit a similar decrease in preference for the scent of their pubescent sons.</p>



<p>However, the team also points out that these changes in how <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fatherhood-takes-a-toll-on-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dads</a> perceive their children's smell could be influenced by the hormonal shifts that come with puberty, and might not be linked necessarily to any latent sexual attraction.</p>



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



<p>Hormones likely play a pivotal role in the changing dynamics of scent preference throughout a child's development. </p>



<p>During puberty, hormonal fluctuations lead to altered body chemistry, which fundamentally changes the body's natural scent. </p>



<p>This transformation is particularly pronounced as sweat glands <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/feeding-children-healthy-diets-can-be-very-challenging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">develop differently</a>, contributing to a variant often described as less pleasant. </p>



<p>This could explain the reduction in preference that parents have for the scent of their teenage children.</p>



<p>From an evolutionary stance, these hormonal changes might act as cues for parents to reassess their roles and boundaries as their children mature, fostering independence during the transition to adulthood.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-implications-of-child-scent-preferences">Implications of child scent preferences</h2>



<p>The findings from this study have intriguing implications that extend beyond familial bonds and evolutionary biology. </p>



<p>Understanding why and how parental scent preferences change offers valuable insights into the psychological underpinnings of scent as a medium for communication and bonding. </p>



<p>This knowledge could inform future research aiming to strengthen familial relationships or improve parental responses to stress. </p>



<p>Furthermore, the study suggests potential applications in other fields, such as improving caregiving strategies or enhancing therapeutic environments. </p>



<p>By going deeper into the connections between scent, emotion, and social interactions, these studies may unravel new ways to harness our sense of smell to benefit social and family dynamics.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal Physiology &amp; Behavior.</p>



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

Dads can recognize the scent of their child

From the crack of dawn to the late hours of...

<p>Oceans are more than vast expanses of water that exceed the horizon. They are home to millions of creatures. Among those creatures, nesting deep underwater, are the vibrant, colorful coral reefs. </p>



<p>These magical marine ecosystems are the unsung heroes of our planet. But did you know that coral reefs survival is intricately tied to our very own human rights?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-coral-survival-matters-to-humans">Why coral survival matters to humans</h2>



<p>An estimated billion people depend on healthy coral reefs for their basic needs. From food to coastal protection and even tourism revenue, coral reefs make a massive contribution to our lives.</p>



<p>If the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/feeding-corals-can-help-them-recover-from-heat-stress/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reefs crumble</a> and their ecosystems vanish, the human cost might be too hefty to bear. The loss of marine ecosystems would mean a blow to our health and financial welfare.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-time-to-protect-reefs-is-diminishing">Time to protect reefs is diminishing</h2>



<p>Enter Dr. Emma Camp from the University of Technology Sydney (<a href="https://www.uts.edu.au" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UTS</a>). She has been exploring the murky waters of marine conservation.</p>



<p>Dr. Camp warns that the time we have to save coral reefs is diminishing quickly. Despite numerous protective actions, coral reefs worldwide continue on their path of degradation.</p>



<p>In 2024, a global coral bleaching event affected more than half of the world's coral reefs. Add to this the relentless onslaught of pollution, and we've got a time bomb ticking away. As Dr. Camp noted, “the loss of coral ecosystems negatively impacts both humans and nonhumans.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-last-hope-for-coral-reef-rescue">Last hope for coral reef rescue?</h2>



<p>So how do we untangle this knotty issue? According to Dr. Camp, we need to change our approach. We need to tackle coral conservation through the lens of human rights.</p>



<p>Consider it the human face of coral loss. This way, we can inspire a profound transformation in governance at all levels - local, national, and global.</p>



<p>Dr. Camp is the lead author of a paper titled "Coral reef protection is fundamental to human rights," which is co-authored by experts from the <a href="https://www.buffalo.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University at Buffalo</a>, State University of New York (<a href="https://www.suny.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SUNY</a>), and the <a href="https://www.uni-konstanz.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Konstanz</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-reef-conservation">Rethinking reef conservation </h2>



<p>Just this year, the United Nations General Assembly affirmed our human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. However, this right is hanging by a thread in the face of a rapidly changing climate, pollution and biodiversity loss.</p>



<p>The International Coral Reef Society’s elected President, Professor Christian Voolstra, elaborated on the issue. He highlighted the findings of a recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report. If the Earth heats up to even 1.5°C, most of our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dead-coral-skeletons-prevent-reefs-from-recovering/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coral</a>-dominated systems will be a thing of past.</p>



<p>Hence, we urgently need to rethink our strategy for reef conservation. We need to shift gears and hasten our efforts to shield these crucial ecosystems for present and future generations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-rights-based-approach-to-conservation">Human-rights based approach to conservation </h2>



<p>“In other fields, applying a human-rights based approach to environmental protection has advanced both social and environmental conservation,” said co-author Dr Genevieve Wilkinson from UTS Law, a founder of the Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Network.</p>



<p>“A rights-based approach embeds non-discrimination, empowerment and participation so that litigation is not the only available avenue for participation and empowerment of vulnerable rightsholders. States must be accountable to obligations to protect human rights and find just solutions.</p>



<p>Dr. Wilkinson noted that a human rights-based approach to coral reef protection is an important opportunity to expedite reef protection while simultaneously advancing climate justice for humans and non-humans.</p>



<p>With numerous governments failing to address climate change effectively, our rights are under threat. But Dr Wilkinson believes that implementing a human rights-based approach to coral reef protection might just be the game-changer we need.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-human-rights-of-low-lying-reef-nations">Human rights of low-lying reef nations</h2>



<p>The study highlights the 2022 decision in Billy v. Australia. It's the first successful climate litigation framed through the language of rights. </p>



<p>“The case was submitted by a group of eight Torres Strait Islanders, and six of their children. It demonstrates how states’ failure to effectively address climate change can threaten the human rights of low-lying reef nation inhabitants who rely on healthy coral reefs to ensure their way of life," said Dr. Wilkinson.</p>



<p>“Coral bleaching and its damaging impact on crayfish habitats were specifically identified as a harmful climate change impact by the Human Rights Committee."</p>



<p>“The Committee determined that failure to implement adequate climate change <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/crown-of-thorns-starfish-thrive-in-degraded-coral-reefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adaptation measures</a> by the Australian Government violated the Torres Strait Islander inhabitants’ rights to culture and to private and family life, contrary to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coral-reefs-and-human-rights">Coral reefs and human rights</h2>



<p>The United Nations’ High Commissioner for Human Rights calls the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution the greatest future challenge for human rights worldwide.</p>



<p>As we navigate these troubled waters, it's important to remember that protecting our coral reefs is more than an environmental issue. It's a matter of safeguarding our human rights. </p>



<p>Will we rise to the occasion and fight for our future or will we watch as our vibrant marine ecosystems turn into lifeless, bleached skeletons? The choice is ours.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.17512" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Change Biology</a>.</p>



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

Protecting coral reefs is a matter of humans rights

Oceans are more than vast expanses of water that exceed...

<p>This summer, Arctic sea ice has retreated to near-record lows in the Northern Hemisphere, continuing the decades-long trend of shrinking and thinning ice cover in the Arctic Ocean. </p>



<p>This is the conclusion of researchers at <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a> and the <a href="https://nsidc.org/home" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Snow and Ice Data Center</a> (NSIDC).&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-melting-and-less-ice-formation-nbsp">More melting and less ice formation&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The amount of frozen seawater in the Arctic changes throughout the year as ice melts and refreezes between seasons. Scientists monitor these fluctuations to understand how the Arctic responds over time to rising air and sea temperatures and longer melting seasons.</p>



<p>Over the past several decades, satellites have consistently observed more melting during the summer and less ice formation in the winter.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Tracking sea ice changes in real time has revealed wide-ranging impacts - from losses and changes in polar wildlife <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-is-tracking-endangered-animal-habitats-from-space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habitats</a> to effects on local Arctic communities and international trade routes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-minimal-extent-of-arctic-sea-ice-nbsp">Minimal extent of Arctic sea ice&nbsp;</h2>



<p>This year, Arctic sea ice shrank to a minimal extent of about 1.65 million square miles (4.28 million square kilometers).&nbsp;</p>



<p>That's approximately 750,000 square miles (1.94 million square kilometers) below the 1981 to 2010 end-of-summer average of 2.4 million square miles (6.22 million square kilometers).&nbsp;</p>



<p>To put it in perspective, the reduction in ice cover spans an area larger than the state of Alaska. Sea ice extent is defined as the total area of the ocean with at least 15% ice concentration.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-downward-trend-in-arctic-sea-ice-nbsp">Downward trend in Arctic sea ice&nbsp;</h2>



<p>While this year's minimum remained above the all-time low of about 1.31 million square miles set in September 2012, the overall trend since the late 1970s has been a downward one. According to NSIDC, the Arctic has been losing about 30,000 square miles of sea ice per year.</p>



<p>Scientists measure sea ice extent using data from passive microwave sensors aboard satellites in the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, along with historical data from the Nimbus-7 satellite, jointly operated by NASA and the <a href="https://www.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> (NOAA).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sea-ice-is-getting-younger">Sea ice is getting younger</h2>



<p>Nathan Kurtz, lab chief of NASA's Cryospheric Sciences Laboratory at the agency's <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Goddard Space Flight Center</a>, noted that sea ice isn't just shrinking - it's also getting younger.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Today, the overwhelming majority of ice in the Arctic Ocean is thinner, first-year ice, which is less able to survive the warmer months. There is far, far less ice that is three years or older now,” said Kurtz.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Measurements collected with spaceborne altimeters, including NASA's ICESat and ICESat-2 satellites, have found that much of the oldest, thickest ice has already been lost.&nbsp;</p>



<p>New research from NASA's <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jet Propulsion Laboratory</a> in Southern California shows that in the central Arctic, away from the coasts, fall sea ice now averages around 4.2 feet thick, down from a peak of 8.8 feet in 1980.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-downward-trend-in-antarctic-sea-ice">Downward trend in Antarctic sea ice</h2>



<p>Meanwhile, sea ice in the southern polar regions has also been unusually low. Around <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-ice-levels-in-antarctica-have-reached-an-unprecedented-low/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antarctica</a>, scientists are tracking near-record-low sea ice at a time when it should have been expanding during the Southern Hemisphere's darkest and coldest months.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Ice around the continent is on track to be just over 6.6 million square miles (16.96 million square kilometers), compared to the average maximum extent of 7.22 million square miles (18.71 million square kilometers) between 1981 and 2010.</p>



<p>This meager growth prolongs a recent downward trend. Prior to 2014, Antarctic sea ice was increasing slightly by about 1% per decade.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shifting-conditions-in-the-southern-ocean">Shifting conditions in the Southern Ocean</h2>



<p>However, following a spike in 2014, ice growth has declined dramatically. Scientists are working to understand the cause of this reversal. The recurring loss hints at a long-term shift in conditions in the Southern Ocean, likely resulting from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-warming-permafrost-melt-devastating-role-accelerating-global-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global climate change</a>.</p>



<p>“While changes in sea ice have been dramatic in the Arctic over several decades, Antarctic sea ice was relatively stable. But that has changed,” said Walt Meier, a sea ice scientist at NSIDC. “It appears that global warming has come to the Southern Ocean.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vicious-cycle-of-sea-ice-loss">Vicious cycle of sea ice loss</h2>



<p>In both the Arctic and Antarctic, the loss of sea ice accelerates further ice loss. This happens because bright sea ice reflects most of the sun's energy back into space, while open ocean water absorbs about 90% of it.&nbsp;</p>



<p>With more ocean exposed to sunlight, water temperatures rise, further delaying sea ice growth - a cycle known as ice-albedo feedback.</p>



<p>Overall, the decline of sea ice contributes to increased heat in the Arctic, where temperatures have risen about four times the global average, Kurtz concluded.</p>



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



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<p></p>

Arctic sea ice is headed toward a historic low

This summer, Arctic sea ice has retreated to near-record lows...

<p>An ancient log buried for nearly four millennia is providing scientists with critical insights into how nature can preserve carbon for thousands of years. </p>



<p>The research has the potential to transform our climate change mitigation strategies by offering a low-cost option for carbon storage.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preservation-of-an-ancient-log">Preservation of an ancient log</h2>



<p>The log's preservation offers a glimpse into a technique that could reshape the way we think about carbon sequestration and help address one of the most pressing issues of our time - global warming.</p>



<p>"Six-times more carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) is removed each year by terrestrial photosynthesis than fossil fuel emissions. However, the carbon is mostly returned to the atmosphere by decomposition," wrote the researchers.</p>



<p>"We found a 3,775-year-old ancient wood log buried 2 meters belowground that was preserved far beyond its expected lifetime."&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-remarkable-storage-capacity">Remarkable storage capacity</h2>



<p>Led by Professor Ning Zeng in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science at the <a href="https://umd.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Maryland</a>, the study revealed that the log had lost less than 5% of its carbon dioxide content. </p>



<p>According to the researchers, this remarkable carbon storage capability is <span style="color: initial; font-size: revert;">mainly due to the log being buried in low-permeability clay soil.</span></p>



<p>“The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-super-black-wonder-wood-called-nyxlon-absorbs-almost-all-light/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wood</a> is nice and solid - you could probably make a piece of furniture out of it,” noted Zeng.</p>



<p>During a pilot project in 2013, Zeng and his team stumbled upon the ancient log while digging a trench to test the wood vaulting concept in Quebec.</p>



<p>“When the excavator pulled a log out of the ground and threw it over to us, the three ecologists from <a href="https://www.mcgill.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">McGill University</a> immediately identified it as Eastern red cedar,” said Zeng. “I remember standing there thinking, ‘Wow, here’s the evidence that we need!’”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wood-vaulting-a-new-climate-solution">Wood vaulting: A new climate solution?</h2>



<p>This surprising discovery has opened up new possibilities for a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/beccs-a-divisive-energy-technology-hailed-as-a-climate-solution-by-some-and-worse-than-coal-by-others/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate solution</a> called "wood vaulting." </p>



<p>The strategy involves burying non-commercially viable wood - such as old construction materials, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dead-trees-in-the-arctic-store-massive-amount-of-carbon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diseased trees</a>, or even discarded furniture -- under specific conditions to prevent its decomposition and stop carbon dioxide from being released back into the atmosphere.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ancient-log_eastern-red-cedar-log_Zeng_Wood_credit-UMaryland_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/ancient-log_eastern-red-cedar-log_Zeng_Wood_credit-UMaryland_1s.webp" alt="Excavated in Canada, this Eastern red cedar log turned out to be remarkably well-preserved for its age: 3,775 years old. Credit: University of Maryland" class="wp-image-1946127" style="width:300px;height:auto"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Excavated in Canada, this Eastern red cedar log turned out to be remarkably well-preserved for its age: 3,775 years old. Credit: University of Maryland</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>“People tend to think, ‘Who doesn’t know how to dig a hole and bury some wood?’ But think about how many wooden coffins were buried in human history. How many of them survived? For a timescale of hundreds or thousands of years, we need the right conditions," said Zeng. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vital-role-of-soil-conditions">Vital role of soil conditions</h2>



<p>The study highlights the importance of soil conditions in preserving the wood of ancient log. The low-permeability clay soil in Quebec was crucial in keeping out oxygen, fungi, and insects that typically cause wood to decompose.</p>



<p>“There is a lot of geological and archeological evidence of preserved wood from hundreds to millions of years ago, but the focus of those studies was not ‘How can we engineer a wood vault to preserve that wood?’” Zeng noted. </p>



<p>The research demonstrates that wood vaulting could be a viable, low-cost climate solution, especially in regions where clay soil is abundant.</p>



<p>Shortly after the Quebec excavation, Zeng’s collaborators at Montreal’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) helped determine the log's age through <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/radiocarbon-could-be-key-in-predicting-earths-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carbon dating</a>. </p>



<p>In 2021, UMD Professor Liangbing Hu analyzed the log’s microscopic structure, revealing that it had retained much of its original carbon content. This confirms the effectiveness of the clay soil preservation method.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-of-the-wood-vaulting-technique">Potential of the wood vaulting technique </h2>



<p>As Zeng continues to refine the wood vaulting technique, he remains optimistic about its potential to help mitigate climate change, noting that this approach works best in conjunction with other strategies like reducing greenhouse gas emissions. </p>



<p>“It’s quite an exciting discovery,” Zeng said. “The urgency of climate change has become such a prominent issue, so there was even more motivation to get this analysis going.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-solutions-from-an-ancient-log">Climate solutions from an ancient log</h2>



<p>As research progresses, Zeng and his team will continue to explore the broader applications of wood vaulting as a viable climate solution.</p>



<p>The ancient log’s remarkable preservation offers valuable insights into how we might slow the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/canadian-fires-have-released-a-billion-tons-of-carbon-dioxide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">release of carbon dioxide</a> on a larger scale. </p>



<p>By replicating the natural conditions that preserved this log for nearly four millennia, researchers aim to implement wood vaulting in regions with suitable soil conditions, potentially providing an affordable and effective method for carbon sequestration.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adm8133" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science</a></em>.</p>



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



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Ancient log inspires a simple yet effective climate solution

An ancient log buried for nearly four millennia is providing...

<p>Scientists recently used paramotoring to uncover new plant species and support desert conservation.</p>



<p>We've all heard about scientists exploring the ocean's depths and mountain heights. But have you ever heard of paramotorists, airborne in the sky, teaming up with scientists to explore the rich biodiversity of Peru's desert ecosystems? </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-paramotoring-to-discover-plants">Paramotoring to discover plants</h2>



<p>Historically, off-road vehicles have been the go-to mode of transportation for researchers conducting fieldwork in challenging terrains. </p>



<p>However, with our planet's health in dire straits, the need for more sustainable methods has become a pressing concern. Enter paramotoring - a faster, less intrusive, and more environmentally-friendly alternative.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-peru-s-fog-oasis-desert">Peru’s fog oasis desert</h2>



<p>What does a desert, a paramotor, and a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-plants-make-life-and-death-decisions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant</a>-loving scientist have in common? The thrilling, unique expedition to the fog oasis desert of Peru. </p>



<p>Here, the fusion of cutting-edge technology and traditional botanical research led to the discovery of unique plant species, enriching our understanding of this fragile ecosystem's biodiversity.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-planting-seeds-for-a-greener-future">Planting seeds for a greener future</h2>



<p>Partnerships often breed success, and the joint efforts of renowned scientists from RBG Kew and local Peruvian organization Huarango Nature resoundingly prove this. Their tireless efforts resulted in the declaration of a conservation reserve in Peru. </p>



<p>"Plants are often ignored or outright taken for granted when we think about wildlife conservation, which is unfortunate as every single aspect of our lives depends on them," said Oliver Whaley, Honorary Research Associate at RBG Kew.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inspiring-people-to-take-action">Inspiring people to take action</h2>



<p>"The planet is in serious trouble and with botanical sciences facing a precipitous decline just when we need it most, we have to think of new ways in which we can inspire people to take action."</p>



<p>"Our study shows that through an exciting and multidisciplinary collaboration, today's extreme sports enthusiasts can work alongside scientists to help monitor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/newly-discovered-fairy-lantern-plant-thismia-malayana-fungus-parasite/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystems</a>, and with some basic training, gather crucial environmental data, protect species and aid conservation efforts. </p>



<p>"By engaging local and international adventurers in our scientific work, we're not only empowering them to take nature-positive action, but helping to safeguard our amazing planet - our Pachamama!"</p>



<div class="wp-block-sendtonews-playerselector">[sendtonews key="rjHWXssJ8r-3884348-12187" type="single"]</div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-plants-from-the-air">Exploring plants from the air</h2>



<p>Dr Justin Moat, senior research leader at <a href="https://www.kew.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RBG Kew</a> and <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.org/society/national-geographic-explorers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Geographic Explorer</a> said this study was a unique and exciting experience for everyone involved.</p>



<p>"For many years we have attempted to reach some suspected large areas of endemic vegetation in the Peruvian desert, but found it very difficult to access without major damage to the desert surface using 4x4s, due to the harsh desert conditions and soft shifting sands," said Dr. Moat.</p>



<p>"To overcome this challenge, we would have had to mount a major expedition, probably lasting weeks. Meanwhile, the paramotorists had flown great distances and returned with plant specimens and aerial photographic evidence of the vegetation within the space of two hours."</p>



<p>Bringing in the muscle for this innovative conservation effort was Forest Air, an international non-profit organization. Their sturdy paramotor pilots volunteered their skills and time for the challenging, yet rewarding, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/evidence-of-ancient-plant-farming-found-in-east-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">conservation projects</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-botanical-science-and-plant-conservation">Botanical science and plant conservation </h2>



<p>The experts hope that their innovative approach will ignite interest in botanical science and conservation efforts. Now, here's a thought - what can we do as individuals to contribute to these efforts too?</p>



<p>As the saying goes, 'Change starts at home.' So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work. Your own backyard might be the starting point of the next big plant discovery or conservation effort. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-accessing-remote-areas">Accessing remote areas </h2>



<p>Understanding the mechanics behind paramotoring is essential to grasp its role in conservation efforts. A paramotor, often tethered to a pilot's back, combines a paraglider wing with a lightweight motor, granting the capacity to soar effortlessly and silently above diverse landscapes. </p>



<p>This ingenious technology, leveraging simplicity and efficiency, allows scientists and conservationists intimate access to otherwise unreachable terrains without disturbing the delicate ecosystems below. </p>



<p>Its low fuel consumption not only epitomizes sustainability but also reveals a fascinating convergence of aerodynamics and ecological science creatively applied to field research.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-paramotoring-for-plant-conservation">Paramotoring for plant conservation </h2>



<p>The success of this research project paves the way for future advancements in plant exploration and conservation. By integrating cutting-edge technology like paramotoring with robust scientific inquiry, the horizon promises groundbreaking discoveries, crucial for protecting our plant biodiversity.</p>



<p>The constant evolution of tools and methods highlights the adaptability of scientific fields in response to ever-present <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-pandemic-looms-as-pathogens-move-from-wild-plants-to-crops/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental challenges</a>. </p>



<p>Already, these efforts hint at a paradigm shift where traditional fieldwork methods are paired with innovative technology.</p>



<p>As academic interest and public support grow, such dynamic projects will likely become cornerstones of sustainability endeavors worldwide.</p>



<p>The research is published in the journal&nbsp;<em><a href="https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ppp3.10571" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plants, People, Planet</a></em>.</p>



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



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Extreme botany: How paramotoring assists in plant conservation

Scientists recently used paramotoring to uncover new plant species and...

<p>A new study sheds light on the birthplace of asteroid Ryugu, which is now believed to have formed near Jupiter<strong>.&nbsp;</strong>Previous studies suggested that the asteroid originated beyond the orbit of Saturn. </p>



<p>The return of samples from Ryugu to Earth by the space probe Hayabusa 2 in 2020 set the stage for a new wave of research. </p>



<p>Since then, the samples have journeyed through research facilities around the globe. The tiny, jet-black grains have undergone a variety of tests such as weight measurement, chemical analysis, and exposure to infrared, X-ray, and synchrotron radiation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracing-the-origins-of-ryugu">Tracing the origins of Ryugu</h2>



<p>At the <a href="https://www.mps.mpg.de/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research</a> (MPS), one method of analysis proved to be particularly useful. The experts tested the ratios of certain metal isotopes present in the samples.</p>



<p>Isotopes function as distinct signatures of elements, with variants differing only in the number of neutrons contained in their nucleus. </p>



<p>This meticulous study of isotopes has been instrumental in tracing the origins of Ryugu back in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-objects-spotted-in-the-outer-solar-system-beyond-pluto/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Solar System</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ryugu-s-journey-through-the-solar-system">Ryugu's journey through the solar system</h2>



<p>Ryugu, an intriguing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asteroid-samples-could-reveal-how-earth-was-formed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">near-Earth asteroid</a>, is not originally from the inner Solar System but is believed to have traveled there from the asteroid belt between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mars-and-jupiter-will-have-a-close-encounter-in-the-sky-this-week/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mars and Jupiter</a>. </p>



<p>Some scientists suggest its birthplace might even be farther away, beyond Jupiter's orbit.</p>



<p>To decipher Ryugu's ancient family ties, researchers compared its characteristics with meteorites - the terrestrial breadcrumb trail left by asteroids.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unique-composition-of-ryugu">Unique composition of Ryugu</h2>



<p>Detailed studies of Ryugu's composition have unveiled quite a surprise. While Ryugu matches the carbon-rich structure of the expected carbonaceous chondrites, it belongs to a rare group known as CI chondrites or Ivuna-type <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/asteroid-ryugu-may-be-a-leftover-from-the-suns-formation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">chondrites</a>.</p>



<p>Only nine of these exotic specimens have been discovered to date, and they are thought to contain particularly pristine material formed at the outermost edge of the Solar System.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rethinking-the-origins-of-ryugu">Rethinking the origins of Ryugu</h2>



<p>Previously, scientists believed that the specific isotopic composition of CI chondrites suggested their birthplace was beyond Saturn's orbit, but the new analyses challenge this assumption.</p>



<p>The researchers' recalculation suggests that a missing fourth component - tiny iron-nickel grains - must have played a part in Ryugu's formation, leading to a drastic re-evaluation of its origins.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-birth-of-ci-chondrites">The birth of CI chondrites</h2>



<p>The proposed theory suggests that a process of gas evaporation, influenced by the Sun, led to an accumulation of dust and iron-nickel grains outside of Jupiter's orbit, giving birth to the CI chondrites. </p>



<p>This would place their formation around two million years after that of the Solar System. The new results have shocked even the researchers themselves.</p>



<p>"The results surprised us very much. We had to completely rethink - not only with regard to Ryugu, but also with regard to the entire group of CI chondrites," said study co-author Dr. Christoph Burkhard.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-formation-history-of-the-solar-system">Formation history of the Solar System </h2>



<p>The findings reframe the CI chondrites not as distant relatives of the other carbonaceous chondrites, but rather as younger siblings that formed through a different process and later in time.</p>



<p>The ongoing exploration of Ryugu and its samples will continue to provide new insights into the formation of our Solar System.</p>



<p>“The current study shows how crucial laboratory investigations can be in deciphering the formation history of our Solar System,” said Dr. Thorsten Kleine, Director of the Department of Planetary Sciences at MPS.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-missions-to-sample-asteroids">Future missions to sample asteroids</h2>



<p>As the analysis of Ryugu’s samples continues to unfold, researchers are eagerly anticipating what further secrets the asteroid may hold. </p>



<p>Beyond understanding Ryugu’s birthplace, the findings could have broader implications for future <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spacex-sending-four-civilians-dangerous-private-space-mission-polaris-dawn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space missions</a>.</p>



<p>With more space agencies turning their attention to asteroid mining and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nasa-dart-mission-proves-humanity-can-be-saved-from-asteroid-collision/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planetary defense</a>, Ryugu’s composition and journey through the Solar System offer a valuable case study. </p>



<p>Future missions could target similar asteroids, seeking to unlock more about the building blocks of planets and the potential for harnessing these celestial bodies for resources.</p>



<p>Moreover, Ryugu’s successful sample return mission sets a precedent for future exploratory missions that will collect, study, and perhaps even manipulate celestial material. </p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adp2426" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a></em>.</p>



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Asteroid Ryugu has unexpected 'family ties' near Jupiter

A new study sheds light on the birthplace of asteroid...

<p>Mount Everest is between 15 to 50 meters taller than it would be without the uplift caused by a nearby eroding river gorge, and it continues to grow as a result. This is the conclusion of a recent study led by a team of researchers from University College London (UCL).</p>



<p>The research, published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41561-024-01535-w" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Geoscience</em></a>, reveals that erosion from a river network located approximately 75 kilometers from Mount Everest has carved away a significant gorge - causing the mountain to rise by up to two millimeters per year.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This process has already added between 15 and 50 meters to Everest's height over the last 89,000 years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tallest-peak-grows-even-taller">Tallest peak grows even taller</h2>



<p>Mount Everest, which stands at 8,849 meters, is the highest mountain on Earth and rises about 250 meters above the next tallest peak in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/himalayan-glaciers-retreating-threat-is-much-worse-than-previously-believed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Himalayas</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This elevation is considered unusually high for the range, especially when compared to the next tallest peaks - K2, Kangchenjunga, and Lhotse - which differ by only about 120 meters.</p>



<p>Part of this anomaly is attributed to a process known as isostatic rebound. This occurs when <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fish-evolution-and-biodiversity-is-shaped-by-river-erosion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">erosion</a> reduces the mass of the Earth's crust in an area, causing the underlying mantle's pressure to push upwards, as the downward force of gravity is reduced.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This gradual uplift happens at a rate of a few millimeters per year, but over long periods of time, it can significantly alter the landscape.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mount-everest-springs-upwards-nbsp">Mount Everest springs upwards&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The experts determined that Everest's height increase began approximately 89,000 years ago when the Arun River merged with the Kosi river network.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Mount Everest is a remarkable mountain of myth and legend and it’s still growing. Our research shows that as the nearby river system cuts deeper, the loss of material is causing the mountain to spring further upwards,” said co-author Adam Smith, a doctoral student at <a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCL</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unsteady-river-alters-mount-everest-s-height-nbsp">Unsteady river alters Mount Everest's height&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Currently, the Arun River runs east of Everest, joining with the Kosi River downstream. Over time, it has carved out a deep gorge, washing away billions of tons of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/solar-system-chaos/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sediment</a> and contributing to the ongoing uplift of the region.</p>



<p>“An interesting river system exists in the Everest region,” said co-author Jin-Gen Dai of the China University of Geosciences.</p>



<p>“The upstream Arun river flows east at high altitude with a flat valley. It then abruptly turns south as the Kosi river, dropping in elevation and becoming steeper. This unique topography, indicative of an unsteady state, likely relates to Everest's extreme height.”&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-neighboring-peaks-are-also-growing">Neighboring peaks are also growing</h2>



<p>The uplift caused by isostatic rebound affects not only Mount Everest but also neighboring peaks, including Lhotse and Makalu, the fourth and fifth tallest peaks in the world.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The process elevates all of these mountains by a similar amount, with Makalu, being closer to the Arun River, experiencing slightly faster uplift.</p>



<p>“Mount Everest and its neighboring peaks are growing because the isostatic rebound is raising them up faster than erosion is wearing them down," said co-author Matthew Fox, an earth scientist at UCL.</p>



<p>"We can see them growing by about two millimeters a year using GPS instruments, and now we have a better understanding of what’s driving it.” </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-merging-rivers-accelerated-the-uplift">Merging rivers accelerated the uplift</h2>



<p>By studying the erosion rates of the Arun, Kosi, and other <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-warming-is-disrupting-the-seasonal-flow-of-rivers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rivers</a> in the area, the researchers determined that the Arun River merged with the Kosi river network 89,000 years ago in a process known as drainage piracy.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This increased the water flow through the Kosi, amplifying its erosive power and washing away more of the surrounding landscape. This erosion accelerated the rate of uplift, pushing the mountains even higher.</p>



<p>“The changing height of Mount Everest really highlights the dynamic nature of the Earth’s surface,” said study lead author Xu Han of the China University of Geosciences, who conducted the research while visiting UCL on a China Scholarship Council fellowship.</p>



<p>“The interaction between the erosion of the Arun river and the upward pressure of the Earth’s mantle gives Mount Everest a boost, pushing it up higher than it would otherwise be.”</p>



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What is making Mount Everest grow taller?

Mount Everest is between 15 to 50 meters taller than...

<p>Exposure to certain pollutants, such as fine particles (PM2.5) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), during pregnancy and childhood has been linked to alterations in the microstructure of the brain's white matter.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Some of these effects persist into adolescence, according to a new study led by the <a href="https://www.isglobal.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barcelona Institute for Global Health</a> (ISGlobal). </p>



<p>White matter is an essential brain structure responsible for connecting different brain regions. The findings highlight the urgent need to address <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/air-pollution-will-increase-dramatically-in-a-hotter-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">air pollution</a> as a public health concern, particularly for pregnant women and children.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-air-pollution-and-brain-development">Air pollution and brain development</h2>



<p>There is mounting evidence suggesting that air pollution negatively impacts neurodevelopment in children.&nbsp;</p>



<p>While earlier research using imaging techniques has explored how air pollutants affect white matter, these studies were limited to snapshots at a single timepoint. They also failed to track participants over the course of childhood.</p>



<p>“Following participants throughout childhood and including two neuroimaging assessments for each child would shed new light on whether the effects of air pollution on white matter persist, attenuate, or worsen,” explained study senior author Mònica Guxens. This is precisely what her team set out to investigate.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-childhood-exposure-to-various-pollutants-nbsp">Childhood exposure to various pollutants&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The study examined over 4,000 children who had been followed from birth as part of the Generation R Study in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The research team estimated the children's exposure to 14 different air pollutants during <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pregnancy-may-speed-up-aging-in-women/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pregnancy</a> and childhood based on where their families lived. </p>



<p>For 1,314 of these children, the researchers were able to analyze data from two brain scans - one at around age 10 and the other at age 14 - to assess changes in the microstructure of white matter.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-changes-in-white-matter-development-nbsp">Changes in white matter development&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The analysis revealed that exposure to pollutants like fine particles (PM2.5) and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reducing-nitrogen-oxide-pollution-could-boost-crop-yields/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nitrogen oxides</a> (NOx) was associated with differences in white matter development. </p>



<p>Specifically, higher exposure to PM2.5 during pregnancy, and to PM2.5, PM10, PM2.5-10, and NOx during childhood, correlated with lower levels of fractional anisotropy (FA) - a measure of how water molecules diffuse within the brain.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In more developed brains, water flows more in one direction, leading to higher fractional anisotropy values. The study found that this impact persisted into adolescence, with evidence of long-term effects on brain development.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Each increase in air pollution exposure corresponded to a developmental delay in fractional anisotropy equivalent to over five months.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-small-particles-reaching-the-brain">Are small particles reaching the brain?</h2>



<p>“We think that the lower fractional anisotropy is likely the result of changes in myelin, the protective sheath that forms around nerves, rather than changes in the structure or packaging of the nerve fibers,” said lead author Michelle Kusters, a researcher at ISGlobal.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The exact mechanism by which air pollutants affect myelin remains unclear, but it may involve small particles reaching the brain or inflammatory responses triggered by particles entering the lungs.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This process could lead to neuroinflammation, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exposure-to-green-space-reduces-oxidative-stress-in-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">oxidative stress</a>, and, ultimately, neuronal death, as seen in animal studies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-additional-impacts-on-white-matter">Additional impacts on white matter</h2>



<p>The experts also discovered that some pollutants influenced another measure of white matter, called mean diffusivity (MD), which typically decreases as the brain matures.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Higher exposure to pollutants like silicon in fine particles (PM2.5) during pregnancy was associated with initially higher mean diffusivity, which then decreased more rapidly as the children aged. This suggests that certain effects of air pollution may lessen over time.</p>



<p>“Even if the size of the effects were small, this can have a meaningful impact on a population scale,” Guxens said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stricter-pollution-guidelines-are-needed">Stricter pollution guidelines are needed</h2>



<p>The researchers also found that these effects occurred at levels of PM2.5 and PM10 above the World Health Organization's recommended limits but below those currently allowed by the European Union.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Our study provides support to the need for more stringent European guidelines on air pollution, which are expected to be approved soon by the European Parliament,” Guxens added.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lasting-changes-in-white-matter">Lasting changes in white matter</h2>



<p>In a previous study, Guxens and her team demonstrated that white matter microstructure could also be affected by early exposure to heat and cold, particularly among children living in lower-income neighborhoods.</p>



<p>“Even though we found an attenuation of the initial association between air pollution and higher MD in early adolescence, residential outdoor air pollution exposure during pregnancy and childhood was also associated with lasting changes in white matter microstructure across adolescence,” wrote the study authors.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Each increase in exposure to air pollution corresponded to more than a 5-month delay in the development of fractional anisotropy, noted the researchers.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2024.119828" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Environmental Research</em></a>. </p>



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<p></p>

Air pollution impacts brain development in children

Exposure to certain pollutants, such as fine particles (PM2.5) and...

<p>In our modern world, the sight of forest fires, and their devastating impacts, is becoming all too common, a stark contrast to the past. We're not just talking about an uptick in the number and frequency of these occurrences, but also their intensity and the severity of the burn. </p>



<p>There's been a significant upward trend, particularly in places like the western United States and the eastern side of Spain, where fire events have come close to doubling or tripling in size in the recent past.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-do-forest-fires-leave-behind">What do forest fires leave behind?</h2>



<p>We know how damaging forest fires can be, their effects aren't just limited to the destroyed vegetation and the loss of habitats. </p>



<p>Our focus here, however, is on a specific aftermath that has received lesser attention -- the increased exposure of land brought upon by these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/droughts-and-fires-diminish-forests-carbon-storage-ability/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fires</a>. But what does this exposure mean for our planet’s climate?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-satellite-data-and-forest-fires">Satellite data and forest fires</h2>



<p>Chao Yue, along with his team of dedicated researchers, decided to tackle this question by analyzing satellite data. </p>



<p>They took a deep dive into more than a decade worth of data (from 2003 to 2016) involving wildfire events across northern temperate and boreal forests (from 40° N to 70° N). </p>



<p>What they discovered has implications for how we view the link between forest <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfires-threaten-the-recovery-of-the-ozone-layer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fires</a> and global warming.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unseen-impact-of-forest-fires">Unseen impact of forest fires</h2>



<p>After a year following a fire event, the surface starts to warm up, a finding consistent with previous research. </p>



<p>However, Yue and his team went a step further and developed a mathematical model to show fire sizes successfully amplified surface warming in North America and eastern boreal Asia. </p>



<p>This discovery was a game-changer, unearthing an aspect of surface warming that had previously been hiding in plain sight.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reflectivity-and-evapotranspiration">Reflectivity and evapotranspiration</h2>



<p>The team found decreased evapotranspiration and surface reflectivity a year after the fires, with larger fires leading to greater decreases. </p>



<p>This means, the surface, now devoid of much of its vegetation and exposed to incoming radiation, was <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/wildfire-season-of-2023-redefined-what-is-possible/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">getting warmer</a>, making the planet a tad hotter than before. </p>



<p>However, this was not the case in certain regions, like western, central, and southeastern Siberia and eastern Europe.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-deciduous-broadleaf-trees">Deciduous broadleaf trees</h2>



<p>There's a reason why these regions weren't experiencing the same surface warming effects. They predominantly house mixed forests or forests filled with deciduous broadleaf trees. </p>



<p>These trees, the authors speculate, may be moderating fire vulnerability, and could be pivotal in our future fire mitigation strategies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-potential-solution-a-leafier-future">Potential solution: A leafier future?</h2>



<p>Could planting more broadleaf trees be the answer to combating post-fire surface warming? The concept does offer a potential solution. </p>



<p>Yet, it's not without its challenges and needs more research to determine just how effective broadleaf trees might be in suppressing surface warming in forests across Eurasia.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carbon-dynamics-and-forest-fires">Carbon dynamics and forest fires</h2>



<p>The relationship between forest fires and carbon dynamics presents another intricate layer of their impact on climate. </p>



<p>As forests burn, they release vast amounts of stored carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, exacerbating greenhouse gas concentrations and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-people-attribute-extreme-heat-and-wildfires-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">contributing to global warming</a>. </p>



<p>However, the role of regrowth in carbon sequestration following a fire is equally significant.</p>



<p>When forests regenerate, they can reabsorb some of the carbon released during the burning, potentially mitigating these emissions over time. </p>



<p>Yet, the pattern of regrowth is highly variable and depends on factors like fire intensity, frequency, and forest type.</p>



<p>Understanding this balance is crucial, as future forest management and reforestation strategies could greatly benefit from insights into optimizing carbon recapture capabilities of post-fire landscapes.</p>



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



<p>The findings of Chao Yue and his research team open up a myriad of opportunities for further exploration and the refinement of strategies to combat climate change. </p>



<p>Future research could delve deeper into the efficacy of increasing broadleaf tree populations, assessing their true potential in mitigating post-fire surface warming. </p>



<p>Simultaneously, policy-makers are being urged to consider these insights as they formulate wildfire management strategies and climate action plans.</p>



<p>Integrating this knowledge into environmental policies could not only help in reducing the adverse impacts of forest fires but also enhance our approach to sustainable forestry and land management. </p>



<p>Moreover, it underscores the importance of developing international collaborations to address this global challenge, ensuring the deployment of informed and effective solutions on a larger scale.</p>



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



<p>The relationship between forest fires and climate change is complex and multifaceted. As we unravel more about this interplay, we're left with more questions than answers. </p>



<p>Fire mitigation measures and future climate projections need to take into account these newly discovered dynamics. </p>



<p>If there’s a lesson to be learnt here, it’s that the after-effects of forest fires can be as significant as the fires themselves. This becomes not just an <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/international-day-of-forests-2024-new-solutions-for-a-better-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">environmental issue</a> but a global one that affects us all.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07918-8" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a>.</p>



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<p></p>

Intense forest fires leave scorched earth, heating the planet faster

In our modern world, the sight of forest fires, and...

Spaceship,Approaching,Asteroid,,Dwarf,Planet,Mission,,Deep,Space,Exploration,(3d

<p>"Space, the final frontier," is a sentiment that has been echoed for generations, ever since we first set our sights on exploring the universe. With the help of the scientists at the University of Southampton, a new technology that uses metal-fueled thrusters could take spacecraft further than we've ever imagined.</p>



<p>The research team is currently putting this new rocket propulsion system through rigorous trials, developing a thruster fueled by metals that promises to push the boundaries of human exploration.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-metal-fueled-journey-among-stars">Metal fueled journey among stars</h2>



<p>This innovative propulsion system boasts the power to propel spacecraft using any type of metal as a fuel source. Hard to believe, yet completely true.</p>



<p>The ramifications are fascinating. If a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/voyager-1-spacecraft-team-accomplishes-tricky-thruster-swap-from-15-billion-miles-away/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spacecraft</a> is fitted with this kind of system, theoretically, it could fly without pause. </p>



<p>How? By simply refueling from the abundance of minerals that are just waiting to be harvested from asteroids or distant moons.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mining-metals-for-fuel-in-space">Mining metals for fuel in space</h2>



<p>Asteroids and moons are packed with valuable metals and minerals that we could use on Earth or for space exploration. </p>



<p>These cosmic bodies are home to precious <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psyche-asteroid-is-worth-10000-quadrillion-and-nasa-is-sending-a-space-probe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">metals like platinum, gold, and silver</a>, which are rare and expensive to mine here on our planet. </p>



<p>Platinum group metals are especially in demand because they're used in electronics, catalysts, and even renewable energy tech. </p>



<p>Plus, many asteroids have plenty of iron and nickel, opening up possibilities for large-scale space manufacturing and construction.</p>



<p>The presence of silicate minerals like olivine and pyroxene in these space rocks could also come in handy for fueling spacecraft that use this new propulsion system.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-metal-fueled-space-travel">Metal-fueled space travel</h2>



<p>Dr. Minkwan Kim from the <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southampton</a>, the lead scientist on the project, is in charge of testing the propulsion system in the lab, calculating its thrust. </p>



<p>His sights are set on the farthest regions of space, ones we previously thought were unreachable. The limitations of traditional fuel are no small hurdle.</p>



<p>"<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/draco-mission-spacecraft-is-built-for-spectacular-destruction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spacecraft</a> have limited amounts of fuel because of the enormous cost and energy it takes to launch them into space. But these new thrusters are capable of being powered by any metal that can burn, such as iron, aluminum or copper," Dr. Kim explained.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-space-odyssey">New space odyssey</h2>



<p>Imagine a future where spacecraft can land on a moon or comet, rich in these burnable metals, and extract what they need to refuel. </p>



<p>It's a vision that can rewrite our understanding of space, tearing down frontiers and expanding our knowledge of the universe.</p>



<p>At present, once <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sentinel-2c-satellite-delivers-first-breathtaking-images-of-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spacecraft</a> are launched and get past Earth's atmosphere, they are mostly powered by rare gas phase fuels like krypton or xenon. One example of spacecraft using these types of fuels are the <a href="https://www.starlink.com/us/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Starlink satellites</a>.</p>



<p>The scientists are collaborating with British space firm Magdrive on the development of this game-changing propulsion system, dubbed the <a href="https://www.magdrive.space/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Super Magdrive</a>. </p>



<p>It's an exciting step forward, and one that promises to have far-reaching effects.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-metal-fueled-thruster">Beyond metal fueled thruster</h2>



<p>Dr. Kim, whose commendable career includes the creation of a plasma thruster design for the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, is on an ambitious mission. </p>



<p>He envisions this technology being utilized for future deep-space missions, quite possibly revolutionizing our approach towards space exploration.</p>



<p>"This system," Dr. Kim mentioned, "could help us explore new planets, seek out new life, and go where no human has gone before -- enabling never-ending discovery."</p>



<p>This might be the beginning of a new era of exploration, marking a shift in the way we aim to understand our universe, and maybe even our place in it.</p>



<p>The possibilities this revolutionary propulsion system presents are limitless. A future where space travel isn't restricted by the limited availability of fuel. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-science-fiction-vs-reality">Science fiction vs reality</h2>



<p>Science fiction has long imagined a future where humanity explores the stars using <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/take-a-glimpse-at-our-planets-new-ai-satellite-phsat2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">advanced technologies</a>. </p>



<p>At the University of Southampton, projects like the Super Magdrive system are making this vision a possible reality. </p>



<p>Science fiction greatly influences scientific progress, inspiring scientists and engineers to dream big and explore new possibilities.</p>



<p>As we approach this new era of space exploration, society should embrace the challenges and opportunities it brings, bringing us closer to our greatest interstellar adventures.</p>



<p>Could a metal fueled thruster be the next big leap in our space odyssey? As we strap in and set our sights on a future filled with celestial possibilities, all we can do is wait and see.</p>



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



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Spaceship thruster technology fueled by any type of metal could fly 'indefinitely'

"Space, the final frontier," is a sentiment that has been...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What caused the planet's longest ice age

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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<p>—–</p>

Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p></p>

Social modeling affects our food choices

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists discover we age in bursts

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists solve the mystery of tickling

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p></p>



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



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

Retired professor claims he solved time travel

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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