<p>In Uganda’s Kibale National Park, scientists have spent years doing the slow, unglamorous work of catching tiny wasps. The payoff is big: a clearer map of “dark biodiversity” - the vast share of species that are poorly known or not yet described - and practical clues for how to protect it before it disappears.</p>



<p>Most of Earth’s species have never been formally documented, making them easy to overlook in conservation plans. Biologists call these overlooked lineages “dark taxa.” They are especially abundant in tropical forests, where species, habitats, and ecological roles remain thinly studied.</p>



<p>The Biodiversity Unit at the <a href="https://www.utu.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Turku</a> has made a specialty of unveiling this hidden diversity, describing new species each year, and building tools to slow global biodiversity loss.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-living-lab-for-biodiversity">A living lab for biodiversity</h2>



<p>Kibale National Park offers a mosaic of habitats. These include tracts of largely undisturbed forest, areas recovering from past logging, and nearby farmland. That patchwork allowed researchers to ask a simple but powerful question: where, exactly, is the unknown diversity concentrated?</p>



<p>The team focused on ichneumonid <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/invasive-parasitic-wasps-quietly-crossed-oceans-now-thriving-in-u-s-oak-trees/">wasps</a> - one of the most diverse animal groups on the planet - and, within it, the subfamily Pimplinae.</p>



<p>These wasps don’t just buzz around flowers. They regulate other species by parasitizing the immature stages of insects and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fossil-with-spiders-brain-suggests-arachnids-originated-in-the-sea/">spiders</a>, linking them tightly to the health of entire food webs.</p>



<p>“Ichneumonids are a very poorly known taxon in Africa - we estimate that over half of the species we found are new to science,” said doctoral researcher Emil Österman. </p>



<p>With so little baseline knowledge for tropical ichneumonids, the team used long-term, standardized sampling to see how Pimplinae diversity is distributed across Kibale’s different habitats.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wasps-link-species-and-ecosystems">Wasps link species and ecosystems</h2>



<p>Because parasitoid wasps sit high in food webs, they are sensitive to disruptions below them. If the insects and spiders they rely on decline, parasitoids tend to follow. </p>



<p>That sensitivity makes Pimplinae useful indicators: shifts in their richness and abundance often mirror broader changes in biodiversity. The new work confirms what many ecologists have suspected but struggled to quantify in tropical Africa. </p>



<p>“Many of our finds weren't unexpected, but we didn't have data based on long-term collecting in the field," said Tapani Hopkins, a researcher with the Biodiversity Unit. </p>



<p>"Now we can tell in greater detail how many more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-owl-species-discovered-in-africa/">species</a> there are in natural forest, and to what extent disturbed or logged tropical forest can harbor species.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-farmland-cannot-match-forest-life">Farmland cannot match forest life</h2>



<p>The headline result is encouraging for conservation: intact forest in Kibale harbors especially rich Pimplinae communities. Secondary forest that is regrowing after logging also supports far more species than adjacent farmland.</p>



<p>In other words, protecting remaining forest is essential, and letting disturbed forest recover pays real biodiversity dividends.</p>



<p>“Our results clearly show that African forest, including forest that is recovering from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rainforests-replanted-seedlings-after-logging-do-not-recover-well/">logging</a>, maintains a species-rich Pimplinae fauna compared to, say, nearby farmland," Österman said. "Species-rich habitats can be considered especially valuable in conserving unknown dark biodiversity.” </p>



<p>That matters for policy and on-the-ground management. If you want to safeguard the most unknown species, prioritize forests - and don’t write off recovering stands. They’re already doing important work.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-forests-store-hidden-diversity">Global forests store hidden diversity</h2>



<p>The team also asked a bigger biogeographic question: how does African tropical diversity stack up against the New World? </p>



<p>Drawing on their parallel long-term collections in western Amazonia and Brazil’s coastal forests, the researchers found hints that South American rainforests may host even higher Pimplinae richness than Africa. However, African forests still harbor a rich fauna.</p>



<p>“Conserving dark taxa effectively requires a detailed knowledge of how biodiversity is distributed, both locally and at a global scale,” said Professor Ilari E. Sääksjärvi, who leads the Biodiversity Unit.</p>



<p>The comparison underscores a simple lesson: tropical forests on multiple continents are irreplaceable reservoirs of poorly known life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forest-biodiversity-loss-accelerates">Forest biodiversity loss accelerates</h2>



<p>Parasitoid wasps are only one window into dark biodiversity. But they tell a familiar story: clearing or simplifying forests causes losses to ripple upward. Protecting or allowing forests to recover lets complex communities rebound - including species we haven’t named yet.</p>



<p>The Kibale study shows <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biodiversity-leaks-conservation-efforts-may-shift-harm-elsewhere/">conservation</a> can succeed despite limited taxonomy: protect habitats that concentrate hidden diversity. It also highlights the value of patient, long-term fieldwork in places where biodiversity is vanishing fastest.</p>



<p>“We will continue our field studies at different tropical forest sites, because that is where biodiversity is disappearing especially quickly. It is a fight against time. When a rainforest is destroyed, we lose countless species which we know nothing about,” Sääksjärvi concluded.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/icad.70017" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Insect Conservation and Diversity</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Wasps shine a light on 'dark biodiversity' in rainforests

In Uganda’s Kibale National Park, scientists have spent years doing the slow, unglamorous work of catching tiny wasps. The payoff is big: a clearer map of “dark biodiversity” - the vast share of species that are poorly known or not yet described - and practical clues for how to protect it before it disappears. Most of Earth’s species have never been formally documented, making them easy to overlook in conservation plans. Biologists call these overlooked lineages “dark taxa.” They are especially abundant in tropical forests, where species,...

<p>Recent observations using the ultra-widefield prime focus camera of the Subaru Telescope have shown that there may be a population of small astronomical objects further out in the Kuiper Belt still waiting to be discovered. </p>



<p>According to the experts, the findings are essential for a better understanding of the formation of the solar system.</p>



<p>The research was made possible through an international collaboration between the Subaru Telescope and the New Horizons spacecraft traveling through the outer <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-water-travel-through-our-solar-system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">solar system</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kuiper-belt-what-you-should-know">Kuiper Belt: What you should know</h2>



<p>The Kuiper Belt is a huge area in our solar system that lies beyond Neptune, packed with icy bodies and leftovers from the solar system’s early days. </p>



<p>Think of it as a distant, cold junkyard orbiting the Sun, filled with things like dwarf planets, comets, and rocky debris.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pluto-got-its-heart-in-a-violent-collision/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pluto</a>, which used to be our ninth planet, is the most famous inhabitant of the Kuiper Belt, but it's just one of many. These objects, known as Kuiper Belt Objects (KBOs), come in all sizes, from tiny rocks to massive ones that could compete with small planets.</p>



<p>The belt stretches from about 30 to 55 astronomical units (AU) from the Sun -- that’s 30 to 55 times the distance between Earth and the Sun!</p>



<p>Scientists think the Kuiper Belt might hold key insights into how our solar system formed. It’s like a frozen time capsule, keeping materials that haven’t changed much in billions of years.</p>



<p>By studying KBOs, astronomers hope to figure out the conditions that were around when the Sun and planets were just getting started.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-horizons-flew-through-the-kuiper-belt-nbsp">New Horizons flew through the Kuiper Belt&nbsp;</h2>



<p>NASA's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-horizons-ultima-thule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Horizons</a> spacecraft was launched in 2006 in order to observe the surfaces of outer solar system bodies up close for the first time in our history. </p>



<p>The spacecraft successfully completed a flyby of the Pluto system (2015), and later on (2019)  it made a flyby of one of the Kuiper Belt objects, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/space-snowman-arrokoth-celestial-objects-become-ice-bombs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">(486958) Arrokoth</a>.</p>



<p>Although there were four other spacecraft which have flown to the outer solar system, New Horizons is the only one that has flown through the Kuiper Belt.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-viewing-objects-in-the-kuiper-belt-nbsp">Viewing objects in the Kuiper Belt&nbsp;</h2>



<p>When examining Kuiper Belt objects from the ground, we can only observe them at small solar phase angles (the angle between the sun, the object, and the observer).&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, when looking at an object in the outer solar system from a spacecraft in the Kuiper Belt, these objects can be observed at different phase angles and their reflection characteristics can be utilized to estimate their surface properties.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Yet, the camera on the New Horizon spacecraft has a narrow field-of-view and cannot find Kuiper Belt objects on its own.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Fortunately, the Subaru Telescope can use its wide-field camera to discover a variety of Kuiper Belt objects and then narrow down the collection of objects which the spacecraft can fly by and examine.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-horizons-and-the-subaru-telescope-nbsp">New Horizons and the Subaru telescope&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The collaboration between the New Horizons spacecraft and the Subaru Telescope was initiated in 2004.</p>



<p>During the 2004–2005 observations with the Subaru Telescope’s prime focus camera (Suprime-Cam), the orbital alignment between Pluto and the spacecraft caused a portion of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/milky-way-galaxy-is-surrounded-by-massive-magnetic-fields/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milky Way</a>’s center to appear in the background of the search area for Kuiper Belt objects.</p>



<p>While it was highly difficult to search for solar system objects with multiple background stars, the scientists were able to localize 24 Kuiper Belt objects.</p>



<p>Unfortunately, the Kuiper belt objects discovered until now require too much fuel for New Horizons to flyby, but new ones at greater distances might fall within the available fuel reach of the spacecraft.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In 2020, deeper observations with the Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) on the Subaru Telescope began, and, by 2023, 239 Kuiper Belt objects were discovered.</p>



<p>“The most exciting part of the HSC observations was the discovery of 11 objects at distances beyond the known Kuiper Belt,” said team member Fumi Yoshida, a scientist at the <a href="https://www.uoeh-u.ac.jp/english.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences</a> and the Planetary Exploration Research Center at the <a href="https://www.it-chiba.ac.jp/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chiba Institute of Technology</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unexpected-discovery-of-mysterious-objects-nbsp">Unexpected discovery of mysterious objects&nbsp;</h2>



<p>A large number of objects discovered with HSC are located at distances ranging from 30 to 55 astronomical units (au) from the Sun (with one au corresponding to the distance between the Sun and Earth) and are thought to belong to the known Kuiper Belt.</p>



<p>However, the experts were not expecting to discover what looks to be a cluster of objects in the 70–90 au region and a valley between 55 and 70 au, where only a small number of objects are distributed.</p>



<p>Is there a new population of Kuiper Belt objects located at 70–90 au?&nbsp;"If this is confirmed, it would be a major discovery. The primordial solar <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unraveling-the-mysterious-origins-of-the-crab-nebula/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nebula</a> was much larger than previously thought, and this may have implications for studying the planet formation process in our solar system,” Yoshida explained.</p>



<p>“This is a groundbreaking discovery revealing something unexpected, new, and exciting in the distant reaches of the solar system; this discovery probably would not have been possible without the world-class capabilities of the Subaru observatory,” added New Horizons mission principal investigator Alan Stern.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-solar-system-formation-nbsp">Understanding solar system formation&nbsp;</h2>



<p>In order to determine the precise orbits of these objects, the scientists are continuing observations with HSC. </p>



<p>“I think the discovery of distant objects and the determination of their orbital distribution are important as a stepping stone to understanding the formation history of the solar system, comparing it with exoplanetary systems, and understanding universal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/planet-formation-new-insights-mechanics-physics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">planet formation</a>,” Yoshida said.</p>



<p>New Horizons is currently traveling further out, at approximately 60 au from the Sun, hoping to discover many more distant objects.</p>



<p>The findings will be published in two articles in the <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/journal/2632-3338" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Planetary Science Journal</em></a> and are currently available on the <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2403.04927" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arXiv</a> preprint server.</p>



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Mysterious objects spotted in the outer solar system beyond Pluto

Recent observations using the ultra-widefield prime focus camera of the...

<p>Black holes are squaring off in a cosmic dance that scientists have captured in extraordinary detail, thanks to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory. </p>



<p>These massive celestial objects, pulling in everything around them with their immense gravitational force, are locked in a dramatic gravitational tango, offering a rare glimpse into the powerful forces shaping our universe.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-twin-supermassive-black-holes">Twin supermassive black holes</h2>



<p>The closest confirmed <a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/black-holes-merging_galaxy-MCG-03-34-064_hubble_NASA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pair of supermassive black holes</a>, located about 300 light-years apart, are buried deep within galaxies on the verge of collision. They're shining brightly as active galactic nuclei (AGN), fueled by infalling gas and dust.</p>



<p>The intense brightness is a result of the energy released as matter spirals into the black holes, heating up and emitting radiation across multiple wavelengths.</p>



<p>This cosmic encounter offers valuable insights into the complex interactions driving galaxy mergers and the evolution of black holes over time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dual-black-holes-headed-for-collision">Dual black holes headed for collision </h2>



<p>This AGN pair, detected in the gas-rich galaxy MCG-03-34-64, is the closest one observed in the local universe using multiwavelength observations. </p>



<p>"Like two Sumo wrestlers squaring off, the closest confirmed pair of supermassive black holes have been observed in tight proximity," noted <a href="https://hubblesite.org/contents/news-releases/2024/news-2024-022.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>.</p>



<p>Previous discoveries of "dual" black holes have shown greater separations, but this pair provides a unique glimpse into a nearby cosmic merger, situated about 800 million light-years away.</p>



<p>Study lead author Anna Trindade Falcão is an expert in the <a href="https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Center for Astrophysics | Harvard &amp; Smithsonian</a> in Cambridge, Massachusetts. </p>



<p>"We were not expecting to see something like this<strong>,"</strong> said Falcão. "This view is not a common occurrence in the nearby universe, and told us there's something else going on inside the galaxy."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-powerful-sources-of-high-energy-emission">Powerful sources of high-energy emission </h2>



<p>The discovery was serendipitous. Hubble's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/insta360-cameras-have-captured-stunning-images-of-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">high-resolution</a> imaging revealed three optical diffraction spikes within the host galaxy, suggesting a concentration of glowing oxygen gas. Falcão's team followed up with the Chandra X-ray Observatory to investigate.</p>



<p>"When we looked at MCG-03-34-64 in the X-ray band, we saw two separated, powerful sources of high-energy emission coincident with the bright optical points of light seen with Hubble," Falcão explained. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full"><a href="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/black-holes-merging_galaxy-MCG-03-34-064_illustration_NASA_1m.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/black-holes-merging_galaxy-MCG-03-34-064_illustration_NASA_1s.webp" alt="This is an artist's depiction of a pair of active black holes at the heart of two merging galaxies, MCG-03-34-64. They are both surrounded by an accretion disk of hot gas. Some of the material is ejected along the spin axis of each black hole. Confined by powerful magnetic fields, the jets blaze across space at nearly the speed of light as devastating beams of energy. Credit: NASA/ESA" class="wp-image-1944388"/></a><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>This is an artist's depiction of a pair of active black holes at the heart of two merging galaxies, MCG-03-34-64. They are both surrounded by an accretion disk of hot gas. Some of the material is ejected along the spin axis of each black hole. Confined by powerful magnetic fields, the jets blaze across space at nearly the speed of light as devastating beams of energy. Credit: NASA/ESA</em></figcaption></figure>



<p>"We put these pieces together and concluded that we were likely looking at two closely spaced <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-black-holes-become-supermassive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supermassive black holes</a>."</p>



<p>Further confirmation came from archival radio data from the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array. The energetic duo emits powerful radio waves, further solidifying the theory. </p>



<p>"When you see bright light in optical, X-rays, and radio wavelengths, a lot of things can be ruled out, leaving the conclusion these can only be explained as close black holes," said Falcão.</p>



<p>The origin of a third light source seen by Hubble remains a mystery. </p>



<p>"That might be gas that is shocked by energy from a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/supermassive-black-hole-jet-points-straight-toward-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">jet</a> of ultra high-speed plasma fired from one of the black holes, like a stream of water from a garden hose blasting into a pile of sand," said Falcão.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-cosmic-collision-of-black-holes">A cosmic collision of black holes</h2>



<p>As these two black holes spiral closer over millions of years, they are destined to collide, sending ripples through space in the form of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gravitational-waves-dark-matter-big-bang-breakthrough/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gravitational waves</a>.</p>



<p>While current detectors like LIGO capture waves from stellar-mass black hole mergers, the upcoming LISA mission is designed to detect the longer wavelengths produced by supermassive black holes. </p>



<p>Partnering with NASA, the European Space Agency is leading the mission, which is scheduled to launch in the mid-2030s.</p>



<p>"The next-generation gravitational wave detector, called the LISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) mission, will consist of three detectors in space, separated by millions of miles, to capture these longer wavelength gravitational waves from deep space," noted <a href="https://hubblesite.org/contents/news-releases/2024/news-2024-022.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-fate-of-merging-black-holes">The fate of merging black holes</h2>



<p>As the two supermassive black holes continue their slow spiral toward one another, they will eventually collide in a cataclysmic event that will reshape their surrounding galaxies. </p>



<p>The black hole collision, expected to take millions of years, will likely eject massive amounts of energy and material and alter the cosmic environment.</p>



<p>Though the final merger is far off, ongoing observations of this pair provide a rare opportunity to study the dynamics of merging black holes and how they influence galaxy evolution.</p>



<p>The study is published in <em><a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ad6b91" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Astrophysical Journal</a></em>.</p>



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Hubble spots two supermassive black holes spiraling on a collision course

Black holes are squaring off in a cosmic dance that...

<p>Warm waters in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico can power massive hurricanes. However, the level of destructiveness of such hurricanes does not depend only on the climate, but also on the people and properties that are in harm's way.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For instance, in various coastal cities, fast population growth has left an increasing number of people inhabiting areas at high risk of flooding.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-socially-vulnerable-communities-nbsp">Socially vulnerable communities&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Wanyun Shao, an associate professor of geography at the <a href="https://www.ua.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Alabama</a>, studies precisely this human dimension of climate change and related <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-risk-natural-disasters-doubled/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">natural disasters</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Her research shows that socially vulnerable communities - which are least capable of preparing for disasters or recovering afterward - are usually concentrated in regions which are more susceptible to flooding, especially on the Gulf Coast.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coastal-populations-nbsp-exposed-to-hurricanes">Coastal populations&nbsp;exposed to hurricanes </h2>



<p>Nowadays, almost 40% of the U.S. population lives in coastal areas, many of which are increasingly exposed to hurricanes and high tide flooding that have been worsened by sea level rise.</p>



<p>Particularly, the Gulf of Mexico is prone to multiple climate change-induced severe weather events. For instance, when Hurricane Beryl hit Texas in July 2024 and caused heavy rain and flooding, three million homes and businesses lost power for several days - at the same time when they were exposed to an intense heat wave.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Furthermore, over one-fifth of the population in Harris County (home to Houston), is socially vulnerable, so they are more susceptible to harm from extreme weather.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vulnerable-cities-on-the-gulf-coast-nbsp">Vulnerable cities on the Gulf Coast&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Socially vulnerable populations include the elderly, persons with disabilities, people living in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/satellite-imagery-used-to-map-global-poverty/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">poverty</a>, and mobile home dwellers. These people don't have the necessary resources or physical ability to prepare for storms, or the means to rebuild their homes in the wake of such natural disasters.</p>



<p>Many cities along the Gulf Coast, including Houston, New Orleans, Mobile, Alabama, and Tampa, Florida, have large socially vulnerable populations. In addition, in some of these cities, land development and political decisions have increased the risks posed by hurricanes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extreme-challenges-from-urban-sprawl-nbsp">Extreme challenges from urban sprawl&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Houston is a clear case study that shows the extreme challenges arising from unbridled urban sprawl in coastal cities, particularly those most threatened by hurricanes.</p>



<p>From 2000 to 2023, Harris County grew by one-third, adding 1.3 million residents. While the economic boom related to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-population-10-9-billion/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">population growth</a> brought new jobs to the county, many of these jobs do not pay well, making Harris County's poverty rate 16.5% (compared to the national average of 11.5%).</p>



<p>After Hurricane Harvey's massive flood damage in 2017, a heated debate started. Many people pointed out a problematic reality - Houston was built on a swamp.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In these conditions, the laissez-faire mentality of Texas politics, which prioritizes not intervening in population growth, has contributed to unbridled urban development, turning what once was a wetland to concrete land. Thus, with wetlands just paved over, heavy rain cannot be easily absorbed, making new neighborhoods highly vulnerable to flooding.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urgent-need-to-rethink-urban-development-nbsp">Urgent need to rethink urban development&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Previous research by Shao’s research group that focused on risk decision-making has found that, among all land use and land cover types in the county, developed land has increased fastest, from 35% of the county's land in 2000 to 50% in 2020.</p>



<p>Hurricane Harvey provided a good example of the importance of planning for extreme weather events in urban development. Unfortunately, as the hurricane’s devastation fades in the collective memory, increasingly more people are now moving to Houston.</p>



<p>According to Shao and her colleagues, coastal communities cannot afford to wait for a natural disaster's wake-up call to start investing in protecting themselves. To prepare for future such disasters, they must urgently rethink urban development, while keeping the realities of climate change in mind.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hurricane-resilience-in-coastal-cities">Hurricane resilience in coastal cities</h2>



<p>Building resilience involves strengthening flood control systems and upgrading emergency response strategies to account for increasingly severe <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coastal-hurricanes-are-intensifying-faster-due-to-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">storms</a>. This also requires implementing zoning regulations that restrict construction in high-risk flood zones.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In some cases, it may even be necessary to consider managed retreat, where buyouts are used to relocate vulnerable communities to safer areas.</p>



<p>Raising public awareness is equally crucial. Educational campaigns can inform people about disaster risks, while accurate <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/can-we-outrun-the-flood-risks-of-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">flood</a> risk maps can encourage individuals to purchase insurance, select safer locations, and better safeguard their homes against local hazards.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Effective awareness efforts often collaborate with grassroots organizations to expand their reach, ensuring that vulnerable populations are informed and prepared.</p>



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Coastal cities are increasingly vulnerable to hurricanes 

Warm waters in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of...

<p>Recent discoveries of Neanderthal remains in a cave in southern France have provided new insights into why Neanderthals became extinct around 40,000 years ago.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A study by researchers at the University of Copenhagen’s <a href="https://globe.ku.dk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Globe Institute</a> suggests that Neanderthals' isolated lifestyle may have contributed to their demise, a hypothesis that has long been considered by scientists.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-isolation-of-neanderthals-nbsp">Social isolation of Neanderthals&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The study, which involved the analysis of a Neanderthal male's remains, supports the idea that Neanderthals may have gone extinct due to inbreeding and limited social interaction.&nbsp;</p>



<p>According to Professor Martin Sikora, one of the researchers behind the study, the Neanderthal genomes reveal a pattern of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/inbreeding-is-more-common-today-than-45000-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">inbreeding</a> over generations, reducing their genetic diversity and weakening their chances of long-term survival.</p>



<p>“When we look at these genomes from Neanderthals, we see that they are quite inbred and therefore don’t have much genetic diversity. They have been living in small groups for many generations. We know that inbreeding reduces <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/south-africas-leopards-have-the-highest-genetic-diversity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genetic diversity</a> in a population, which can be detrimental to their ability to survive if it occurs over a longer term,” explained Professor Sikora.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-genome-discovered">New genome discovered</h2>



<p>The newly discovered Neanderthal <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-and-neanderthals-may-belong-to-the-same-species/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">genome</a> differs from other late Neanderthals previously studied, further supporting the theory that Neanderthals lived in small, isolated groups. In contrast, early modern humans appeared to have been more socially connected, which may have contributed to their survival. </p>



<p>The ability to communicate and exchange knowledge between groups would have been advantageous for early humans, especially as they formed networks that helped prevent inbreeding, as seen in Siberia.</p>



<p>“This is in the more speculative end, but even just the notion of being able to communicate more and exchange knowledge is something humans do that Neanderthals to some extent might not have done, due to their isolated lifestyles by organizing themselves in smaller groups. And that is an important skill to have,” said study co-author Tharsika Vimala, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Copenhagen.</p>



<p>“We see evidence of early modern humans in Siberia forming so-called mating networks to avoid issues with inbreeding, while living in small communities, which is something we haven’t seen with Neanderthals.”&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-limited-amount-of-dna">Limited amount of DNA </h2>



<p>Although Neanderthal remains have been found across Eurasia, only a limited amount of their DNA has been successfully recovered.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Some of the oldest known Neanderthal DNA, dating back 120,000 years, has been extracted from specimens in the Altai Mountains, Belgium, and Germany. The “new” Neanderthal genome from France is one of only five such discoveries in Western Europe that are less than 50,000 years old.</p>



<p>“Our team in Copenhagen extracted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mystery-solved-how-neanderthal-dna-got-diluted-in-europe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DNA</a> from his tooth, sequenced the DNA and analyzed his nuclear genome, which is the DNA found within the core of the cells. The DNA was analyzed along with other known Neanderthal genomes to understand their shared history,” Sikora explained.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-multiple-neanderthal-communities-in-isolation">Multiple Neanderthal communities in isolation </h2>



<p>The researchers also re-analyzed the genome of another late Neanderthal from France, finding that this individual came from a different lineage than the newly discovered genome. This suggests that multiple isolated Neanderthal communities coexisted in Western Europe until their extinction.</p>



<p>This discovery adds an important piece to the puzzle of Neanderthal history. Previous studies of Neanderthals in more remote regions, like the Altai Mountains, had already hinted at the possibility that isolation played a role in their extinction, but the genomic evidence from Western European Neanderthals was lacking until now.</p>



<p>“It is something that we have talked about for a while. But we needed more evidence, and this is some of the evidence that we were looking for and needed to figure out how likely this hypothesis of them going extinct because of their isolated lifestyle is. We do, however, need much more genomic data to paint a better picture of their history,” Vimala said.</p>



<p>The study, published in the journal <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell-genomics/fulltext/S2666-979X(24)00177-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Cell Genomics</em></a>, provides a crucial step toward understanding the reasons behind the Neanderthals' extinction and how their isolated way of life may have contributed to it.</p>



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New evidence may explain what caused the Neanderthal extinction

Recent discoveries of Neanderthal remains in a cave in southern...

<p>Cannabis agriculture is experiencing a revolution brought on by genetic research, propelling a new era in the cultivation and production of this globally sought-after crop.</p>



<p>At the heart of this transformation is the ability to manipulate plant genetics for optimized growth and productivity. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cannabis-genetics-and-enhanced-production">Cannabis genetics and enhanced production </h2>



<p>A recent breakthrough centers around a key gene called CsMIKC1, which influences the number of flowering sites in Cannabis sativa.</p>



<p>The role of this gene in the development of the inflorescence, the flowering part of a plant, presents brand new opportunities for enhancing productivity in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/infectious-pathogen-has-spread-to-90-percent-of-cannabis-farms-in-california/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabis farming</a>.</p>



<p>Through meticulous <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/boosting-crop-colors-with-gene-editing-can-improve-weed-control/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gene editing</a> and functional analysis, scientists have uncovered the substantial impact of CsMIKC1 on flower production. The discovery could lead to transformative change in agricultural practices.</p>



<p>The research may ultimately pave the way to the creation of highly productive and resilient cannabis strains that are custom-designed to maximize both medicinal and industrial uses. This would help to address the growing global demand for specialized <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabinoids-as-pesticides-study-reveals-potential-of-hemp-compounds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cannabinoids</a> and hemp-based products.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-demand-for-cannabis-products">Global demand for cannabis products</h2>



<p>The perceived value of Cannabis sativa is largely hinged on its cannabinoids, derived chiefly from female inflorescences. However, optimizing flower and grain yield has been a daunting task due to inadequately explored genetic control of inflorescence development. </p>



<p>As the global demand for cannabis-derived products escalates, it is vital to understand the regulatory mechanisms that lie beneath the surface.</p>



<p>Research into the genetic influences on inflorescence development can lay the fundamental groundwork for developing strategies to meet global production requirements.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inflorescence-in-cannabis-sativa">Inflorescence in Cannabis sativa</h2>



<p>A collaborative team of scientists led by the <a href="https://www.caas.cn/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences</a> has gained significant insights into the genetic makeup of inflorescence.</p>



<p>"Female inflorescence is the primary output of medical cannabis. It contains hundreds of cannabinoids that accumulate in the glandular trichomes," noted the researchers. "However, little is known about the genetic mechanisms governing cannabis inflorescence development."</p>



<p>The experts identified the CsMIKC1 gene as a controlling factor in cannabis flowering. They examined how mutations and overexpression of CsMIKC1 influenced flower and grain production. The study highlights the gene’s potential for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reducing-nitrogen-oxide-pollution-could-boost-crop-yields/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">amplifying crop yields</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-extensive-genetic-network">Extensive genetic network </h2>



<p>In their investigation, the scientists identified a key quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 8 linked to the number of inflorescences per branch, leading to the discovery of the CsMIKC1 gene. </p>



<p>This gene works as a transcription factor, influencing inflorescence growth by interacting with proteins CsBPC2 and CsVIP3. </p>



<p>When the CsMIKC1 gene was overexpressed in transgenic plants, there was a significant hike in the number of inflorescence, flower production, and grain yield. </p>



<p>Conversely, mutants with CsMIKC1 showed stunted growth and lower yields, highlighting the regulatory significance of this gene. </p>



<p>The study also revealed the influence of ethylene signaling pathways on CsMIKC1. By mapping key genes regulated by CsMIKC1, the researchers identified an extensive genetic network that governs inflorescence formation, providing crucial insights for future crop enhancement strategies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-optimizing-crop-performance">Optimizing crop performance </h2>



<p>Study co-author Dr. Jianguang Su is an expert at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.</p>



<p>“The identification of CsMIKC1 as a regulator of inflorescence development marks a significant step forward in cannabis genetics. This gene is crucial in determining flower yield, which has profound implications for both medicinal and industrial uses," said Dr. Su. </p>



<p>"By utilizing genetic modification techniques, we can develop targeted approaches to optimize crop performance, enhancing the Cannabis industry’s potential. This research not only deepens our understanding but also opens up exciting possibilities for developing high-yielding strains.”</p>



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



<p>Looking ahead, it's clear that the discovery of CsMIKC1 and its influence on inflorescence development opens up a whole new domain for genetic engineering to boost cannabis yields.</p>



<p>This newfound knowledge can stimulate the creation of novel cultivars with improved flower and grain production, optimizing agricultural efficiency. </p>



<p>Furthermore, the involvement of ethylene signaling pathways presents opportunities for refined agronomic practices, such as ethylene treatments, to further amplify flower yield.</p>



<p>These advancements hold enormous promise to escalate cannabis production, keeping pace with the accelerating demand for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/cannabis-may-be-a-highly-effective-treatment-for-cancer-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">medicinal</a> and industrial applications globally.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://academic.oup.com/hr/article/11/8/uhae161/7691881" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Horticulture Research</a></em>.</p>



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



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Cannabis production may soon get a major boost

Cannabis agriculture is experiencing a revolution brought on by genetic...

<p>Imagine having a crystal ball that could predict the next volcanic eruption. For millions of people living near active volcanoes, such a tool would be invaluable. </p>



<p>Interestingly, some crystals formed deep within the Earth can indeed help forecast volcanic activity. These crystals, which are created as molten rock travels from beneath the Earth's surface, hold vital clues about past eruptions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crystals-hold-a-record-of-eruptions-nbsp">Crystals hold a record of eruptions&nbsp;</h2>



<p>By employing advanced scientific methods, researchers can extract a hidden record from these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stars-turning-crystals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">crystals</a>, uncovering the reasons, locations, and timings of previous eruptions. This historical information can help interpret early signs of volcanic unrest, such as earthquakes, which often signal magma moving toward the surface.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In a new column in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-024-01509-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Geoscience</em></a>, Teresa Ubide, a geoscientist at the <a href="https://www.uq.edu.au/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Queensland</a>, discusses how we are getting closer to having crystal balls - at least for volcanoes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crystals-formed-by-cooling-magma">Crystals formed by cooling magma</h2>



<p>When <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/volcanic-magma-traced-to-melting-in-earths-crust/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">magma</a>, the extremely hot molten rock that powers eruptions, forms tens of kilometers below Earth's surface in the mantle, it begins a complex journey upward.&nbsp;</p>



<p>During this trip, magma may pause in reservoirs and travel through a winding path before eventually erupting. As magma ascends, it cools, forming small crystals that can be carried to the surface during eruptions.</p>



<p>Once magma reaches the surface, it can either flow as lava or explode into fragmented particles known as pyroclasts. As these materials cool, they solidify into volcanic rocks, which preserve the crystals formed deep within the Earth. These crystals serve as “crystal balls,” preserving the memory of everything they experienced inside the volcano.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-distinct-appearance-of-volcanic-crystals">Distinct appearance of volcanic crystals</h2>



<p>The appearance of these crystals depends on their mineral composition. For instance, the green olivine found in Hawaiian lavas and the white plagioclase crystals in the Tweed volcano's lavas on the Queensland-New South Wales border are distinct examples.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, one of the most critical minerals for studying volcanoes is clinopyroxene. This mineral produces shiny black crystals that hold essential information about the inner workings of volcanoes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chemical-changes-within-the-crystals-nbsp">Chemical changes within the crystals&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Clinopyroxene crystals may be as tiny as a grain of sand, but under a microscope, they reveal extraordinary details about volcanic activity. They grow in concentric zones, similar to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-largest-ever-solar-storm-discovered-through-tree-rings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tree rings</a>, with each zone documenting changes in the magma environment within the volcano.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The outermost growth zone is particularly important, as it can indicate if an eruption was triggered by fresh magma rising from deep within the Earth.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By analyzing the chemical changes within these crystals, scientists can estimate how long it took for magma to reach the surface - information that could help predict future eruptions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-indications-of-potential-volcanic-eruptions">Indications of potential volcanic eruptions</h2>



<p>These crystals sometimes grow with different compositions in various directions, a phenomenon called sector zoning, which resembles an hourglass inside the crystal.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Sector zoning provides further clues, suggesting that the magma underwent complex processes such as mixing with other magma, releasing gas, or rising quickly before an eruption.&nbsp;</p>



<p>By identifying these processes in the crystals, volcanologists can watch for similar signs at the surface, offering early indications of potential volcanic activity.</p>



<p>It’s also critical to identify where within the volcano these eruption triggers occur. This information can help determine if certain depths, where earthquakes or ground deformations occur, are particularly significant for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-research-enhances-predictions-on-volcanic-eruptions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">predicting an eruption</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pressure-conditions-during-crystal-formation-nbsp">Pressure conditions during crystal formation&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The chemical makeup of clinopyroxene crystals also provides clues about the pressure conditions during their formation, which can be translated into the depth of magma storage below the surface.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Analyzing these chemical variations requires cutting-edge laboratory techniques, such as using lasers the width of a human hair or focusing intense synchrotron light from particle accelerators like the one in Melbourne, Australia.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These tools enable scientists to extract detailed information about the magma’s journey from the microscopic structures of the crystals.</p>



<p>Next time you hike near a volcano, whether it's in Hawai'i, Iceland, or the Glass House Mountains in Australia, look closely at the rocks for colorful specks. These tiny crystals are the keys to unlocking the history of the volcano - and they might also offer insights into its future.</p>



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Crystals can help predict volcanic eruptions

Imagine having a crystal ball that could predict the next...

<p>Air samples collected at altitudes up to 2,000 miles above Japan held an astonishing variety of living microbes, such as bacteria and fungi, many of which are toxic to humans.</p>



<p>Not just the homegrown ones either. Some of these microbial stowaways traveled over 1,000 miles with the help of aerosols, originating from regions lush with fertilizers and pesticides.</p>



<p>This has launched the scientific world into a wave of questions about the journey of human, animal, and plant pathogens across vast geographical terrains, invisible to the naked eye. </p>



<p>Leading this microbial exploration was the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (<a href="https://www.isglobal.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ISGlobal</a>) with support from the Daniel Bravo Andreu Private Foundation (<a href="https://www.fundaciodanielbravo.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FPDBA</a>).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microbes-travel-in-the-air">Microbes travel in the air</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-laid-the-foundation-for-early-life-on-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pathogens</a> hitching a ride on the wind isn’t unheard of. But the diversity of microbes that can survive at high altitudes, where conditions could give even an Everest mountaineer pause, is a fresh revelation.</p>



<p>“We know that above a certain point in the troposphere (called the planetary boundary layer), certain materials can be transported over long distances because the air in that region is isolated from the surface and there is less friction. But we did not suspect that viable microorganisms could be there also,” says&nbsp;Xavier Rodó, ICREA researcher at ISGlobal.</p>



<p>Rodó and his team carried out ten tropospheric flights to examine microbial diversity at high altitudes -- a significant jump from studies usually executed just a few meters above the ground or the ocean.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracing-the-microbial-travel-path">Tracing the microbial travel path</h2>



<p>Rodó and his international team boarded a Cessna aircraft and conducted air surveys above Japan, tracing wind currents from mainland Asia. </p>



<p>These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-deadly-microbes-travel-around-the-world-so-quickly/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">transcontinental airways</a>, known as tropospheric bridges, connect air from distant parts of the world.</p>



<p>For context, think about air that lifts in mainland China and then descends over Tokyo, courtesy of typical winter weather conditions. </p>



<p>A total of 22 aerosol filter samples were gathered during two periods (in February and April 2014), methodically analyzed for their chemical and biological composition.</p>



<p>Sequencing DNA from the samples, the team identified over 266 fungal and 305 bacterial genera associated with the aerosols. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-types-of-microbes-in-the-air">Types of microbes in the air</h2>



<p>This microbial soup included potential pathogens for humans, animals, and plants -- familiar names like <em>Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Haemophillus parainfluenzae</em>, and several <em>Staphylococcus</em> species were among the bacterial mix.</p>



<p>The fungal factions included genera like Candida and Cladosporium, to name a couple.</p>



<p>“Surprisingly, the <em>Micrococcus luteus</em> strain isolated was resistant to multiple drugs, including carbapenems, glycopeptides, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole," says Sofya Podzniakova, co-first author of the study.</p>



<p>"Our findings suggest that antimicrobial resistance could spread over long distances via this previously unrecognized route", </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tropospheric-travel-tunnel-of-air-microbes">Tropospheric travel tunnel of air microbes</h2>



<p>If you're curious about the origin of these airborne pathogens, the answer could be right underneath our noses -- or rather, our feet.</p>



<p>The presence of elements such as zinc sulfate and potassium, usually found in fertilizers and pesticides, implies an agricultural source. A scenario quite consistent with the extensively farmed croplands in northeast China.</p>



<p>The high-altitude and ground samples from the days examined showed a striking similarity in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-microbes-can-tell-us-about-global-changes-in-the-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">microbial diversity</a>. A consequence of air descending from altitudes to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/microbes-activities-underground-revealed-by-new-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ground</a>, perhaps? </p>



<p>The particle transport models simulated by Roger Curcoll, currently a researcher at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya -- BarcelonaTech (<a href="https://www.upc.edu/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UPC</a>), would certainly support this theory.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-new-chapter-in-microbe-transport-study">New chapter in microbe transport study</h2>



<p>The implications of this study are profoundly impactful. “Our findings uncover a rich and unprecedented diversity of microbes that are dispersed by wind currents thousands of kilometers away from their sources by intense tunnels of wind that form high in the troposphere,” Rodó emphasized.</p>



<p>“They represent a paradigm shift in our understanding of how human health can be affected by pathogens thriving in the environment, particularly in the air."</p>



<p>Though there's no direct trace yet linking the presence of known human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-pandemic-looms-as-pathogens-move-from-wild-plants-to-crops/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pathogens</a> in aerosols and health effects, the study affirms the pressing need for further exploration of air microbes and microbial pathogens' long-distance travel.</p>



<p>So, the next time you feel the wind against your face, remember, it has stories to tell -- tales of microbial hitchhikers scaling the heights of the troposphere and crossing continents. Globe-trotting pathogens show us how interconnected our world truly is, even in ways we can't see.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2404191121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a>.</em></p>



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Toxic microbes can travel thousands of miles through the air

Air samples collected at altitudes up to 2,000 miles above...

<p>Whether your favorite pastime is cooking or solving crossword puzzles, your hobby may be doing more than just providing joy and relaxation. It turns out, the enchanting pursuits we so dearly cherish might be our secret weapons against the gradual cognitive decline associated with aging.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hobbies-and-mystery-of-cognitive-aging">Hobbies and mystery of cognitive aging</h2>



<p>Cognitive aging, an inescapable process that slowly chips away at our cognitive abilities as we age, is a matter of significance. </p>



<p>It's certainly troubling to know that each year, around 10% of individuals demonstrating signs of mild cognitive impairment progress towards Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.</p>



<p>Now, it has been proposed that active participation in cognitively demanding activities could provide a shield against mental deterioration over time. But the extent to which these activities could delay <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pupil-size-reveals-hidden-cognitive-fatigue/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive</a> decline has been a riddle that has kept us guessing.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cognitive-impairment-and-hobbies">Cognitive impairment and hobbies</h2>



<p>In a recent study led by the Texas A&amp;M University School of Public Health, fresh perspectives have emerged. </p>



<p>The research points out that older adults with mild cognitive impairment, who indulge regularly in high levels of activities such as word games and hobbies, show an improvement in memory, working memory, attention, and processing speed compared to their less active counterparts.</p>



<p>“Today, nearly six million people in the United States have dementia, and this number is projected to grow to about 14 million by 2060 - with minority populations affected the most,” said Dr. <a href="https://sph.tamu.edu/directory/kim.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Junhyoung “Paul” Kim</a>, an associate professor of health behavior at <a href="https://www.tamu.edu/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Texas A&amp;M</a>. “We sought to help fill the gap in our understanding of cognitive decline.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cognitively-stimulating-hobbies">Cognitively stimulating hobbies</h2>



<p>Along with his colleagues from the <a href="https://www.usm.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Southern Mississippi</a> and <a href="https://www.iu.edu/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Indiana University</a>, Dr. Kim meticulously analyzed data relating to 5,932 participants who were 50 years or older in 2012. The individual showed signs of mild cognitive impairment, and were part of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) conducted from 2012 to 2020.</p>



<p>The researchers paid close attention to answers to seven questions that gauged the frequency of participants’ involvement in cognitively stimulating activities such as reading, game playing, and other hobbies. Their participation levels were divided into low, mid, and high, which is in line with standards adopted in previous studies.</p>



<p>“The participants with high-level engagement consistently showed advanced cognitive function levels throughout the study and maintained a similar level of cognitive abilities compared to the other groups,” said Dr. Kim.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-working-memory-attention-and-processing-speed">Working memory, attention, and processing speed</h2>



<p>Those active in the high-level category demonstrated enhanced memory, working memory, attention, and processing speed compared to those in the mid- and low-level groups.</p>



<p>In addition, the mid-level group displayed higher levels of working memory, attention, and processing speed compared to the low-level participation group.</p>



<p>Dr. Kim and his team hope the results will encourage healthcare providers to recommend elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment to partake in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/stress-eats-away-our-brains-cognitive-defenses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitively</a> stimulating activities, preferably three to four times a week.</p>



<p>“We also found significant differences in all three cognitive functions between years with a declining slope, but the differences between 2014 and the other years of the data set that were examined were not significant,” said Dr. Kim.</p>



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



<p>While the findings are encouraging, further research is needed to fully grasp the mechanisms behind hobbies and cognitive resilience.</p>



<p>Future research should investigate how different forms of activities distinctly influence <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/predicting-the-rate-of-cognitive-decline-in-alzheimers-patients/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive functions</a> and whether certain demographics might respond better than others. </p>



<p>Furthermore, conducting longitudinal studies across diverse cohorts could be helpful in applying these findings to larger segments of the population.</p>



<p>If you're interested and wish to incorporate more cognitively stimulating activities into your everyday routine, some achievable, enjoyable, and science-backed options are:</p>



<p>• Reading on a regular basis</p>



<p>• Engaging in word games</p>



<p>• Learning new skills</p>



<p>• Being social</p>



<p>• Exercising regularly</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cognitive-health-and-hobbies">Cognitive health and hobbies</h2>



<p>Even though cognitive aging is a part of our life, a growing body of research suggests that we can take proactive steps to soften its impact. It seems that staying mentally active isn't just a way to pass time but a route to preserving our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mental-maps-help-the-brain-remember-places-and-paths/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cognitive abilities</a> well into our golden years.</p>



<p>In conclusion, keeping our minds engaged as we age could potentially yield significant benefits for maintaining cognitive health. It's surprising to think that our leisure activities could wield such power.</p>



<p>So, the next time you pick up that crossword puzzle or captivating novel, remember - you're not simply killing time - you're boosting your brain health too.</p>



<p>The study is published in the <em><a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41465-024-00293-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Cognitive Enhancement</a>. </em></p>



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Hobbies keep the brain sharp and slow cognitive aging

Whether your favorite pastime is cooking or solving crossword puzzles,...

<p>Understanding the complexities of the infant brain is crucial to unlocking the mysteries of early cognitive development. </p>



<p>By studying the brain of infants, experts gain key insights into how fundamental processes like learning, memory, and emotional regulation begin to form in the earliest stages of life.</p>



<p>Researchers are continually exploring new methods to observe how infants respond to their environment, from basic sensory experiences like hearing and seeing to more intricate brain processes. </p>



<p>A revolutionary wearable brain imaging device developed by researchers from <a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University College London</a> and <a href="https://www.bbk.ac.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Birkbeck</a> now offers unprecedented insight into infant brain activity, revealing a clearer picture of neurodevelopment and paving the way for early interventions for neurodiverse conditions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comprehensive-view-of-infant-brain-activity">Comprehensive view of infant brain activity</h2>



<p>Unlike conventional neuroimaging techniques, this portable and harmless device uses light waves to measure neural activity across the entire surface of an infant's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nutrition-for-neurons-the-role-of-breast-milk-in-shaping-our-brains/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain</a>. By providing real-time, non-invasive insights, the technology marks a significant leap in the field of pediatric neuroscience and neurodevelopmental research.</p>



<p>Dr. Liam Collins-Jones is the study's first author from UCL Medical Physics &amp; Biomedical Engineering. </p>



<p>"Previously, we developed a wearable imaging approach that could map activity in specific areas of the brain. But this made it difficult to get a complete picture as we could only focus on one or two areas in isolation," noted Dr. Collins-Jones.</p>



<p>This latest iteration offers a comprehensive view of brain functions, revealing unexpected activity in the prefrontal cortex (the brain’s emotional processing hub) in response to social stimuli.</p>



<p>"The new method allows us to observe what’s happening across the whole outer brain surface underlying the scalp, which is a big step forward," said Dr. Collins-Jones.</p>



<p>This breakthrough could deepen our understanding of neurodevelopment during early childhood, offering insights into conditions like autism, dyslexia, and ADHD.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-leap-forward-in-neurodevelopment-studies">A leap forward in neurodevelopment studies</h2>



<p>The wearable device was tested on 16 infants, aged five to seven months, as they engaged in different scenarios such as listening to actors sing nursery rhymes or observing motion-oriented toys.</p>



<p>The researchers observed localized brain activity in response to social stimuli, confirming earlier optical neuroimaging and MRI findings.</p>



<p>"This is the first time that differences in activity across such a wide area of the brain have been measured in babies using a wearable device," said Professor Emily Jones from Birkbeck. "With this, we should be able to see what’s happening in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/odors-influence-newborn-brain-growth-in-the-first-week/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">babies’ brains</a> as they play, learn, and interact with other people in a very natural way."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flexible-way-to-observe-brain-activity">Flexible way to observe brain activity</h2>



<p>Traditional methods like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/post-covid-brain-changes-detected-by-advanced-mri-technology/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MRI</a> scanning present significant limitations when studying infant brain activity. The subject must remain perfectly still for an extended period, making it particularly challenging with young children who are naturally more active and less likely to stay still.</p>



<p>This new wearable technology, based on high-density diffuse optical tomography (HD-DOT), offers a more natural and flexible way to observe brain activity in real-world settings, allowing infants to move freely and interact with their surroundings without the restrictive environment of a scanner.</p>



<p>Dr. Rob Cooper is the study's senior author from UCL Medical Physics &amp; Biomedical Engineering.</p>



<p>"This device is a great example of academic research and commercial technological development working hand-in-hand," said Dr. Cooper.</p>



<p>The portable and affordable device offers exciting possibilities for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/most-advanced-brain-mapping-yet-reveals-how-we-think/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mapping the brain</a> and identifying neurodevelopmental conditions at an early stage. </p>



<p>By capturing brain activity during natural interactions, this technology opens the door to more personalized early-life support for neurodiverse children.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-future-implications-for-brain-monitoring">Future implications for brain monitoring</h2>



<p>The potential applications of this wearable brain imaging technology extend beyond early childhood neurodevelopment. </p>



<p>As researchers continue to refine the device, it could eventually be used to monitor <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ultrasound-waves-can-enhance-mindfulness-and-brain-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain health</a> across various stages of life, including adolescence and adulthood. </p>



<p>This opens up new possibilities for studying brain plasticity, mental health disorders, and the effects of early interventions on long-term cognitive and emotional well-being.</p>



<p>By expanding our understanding of how the brain develops in its earliest stages, this technology could pave the way for early intervention strategies that improve cognitive and emotional outcomes. </p>



<p>The ultimate goal is to create a more personalized approach to supporting neurodiverse individuals, helping them thrive from infancy through adulthood.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://direct.mit.edu/imag/article/doi/10.1162/imag_a_00244/123636/Whole-head-high-density-diffuse-optical-tomography" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Imaging Neuroscience</a></em>.</p>



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Wearable imaging device reveals infant brain activity

Understanding the complexities of the infant brain is crucial to...

<p>As we bid farewell to the sweltering summer of 2024 and welcome the crisp fall, the twilight of September 17th offers us a celestial treat -- the Harvest Moon.</p>



<p>But what makes this particular full moon special? Unlike other full moons, the Harvest Moon rises soon after sunset for several consecutive evenings, providing extra light. This effect is due to the moon's orbital path.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-harvest-moon-in-the-september-sky">Harvest Moon in the September sky</h2>



<p>On September 17, as the sun takes its final bow, the Harvest Moon will rise - reaching its pinnacle of brilliance at 10:34 P.M. Eastern Time. The moon will alao appear full the night before and the night after its peak.</p>



<p>This year, the Harvest Moon is a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-supermoon-blue-moon-will-outshine-and-outsize-all-other-moons-this-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supermoon</a>, which means it will look much larger and brighter than usual as it reaches its closest point to Earth, known as perigee.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">A supermoon and a lunar eclipse&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The 2024 Harvest Moon also coincides with a partial lunar eclipse, providing a rare opportunity to witness an eclipse during a supermoon.</p>



<p>During this event, only a small part of the Moon (about 3.5%) will pass through Earth's umbra, creating a slight darkened area, as if a "bite" has been taken out of the Moon.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Much of the event will appear as a penumbral eclipse, where the Moon's disk will subtly darken as it passes through Earth's penumbral shadow.&nbsp;The eclipse will begin at 8:41 PM Eastern Time on September 17, with the peak at 10:14 PM. </p>



<p>The entire eclipse will be visible from western Europe, South America, and parts of North America, with partial visibility across most of the world.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-timing-of-the-harvest-moon">Timing of the Harvest Moon</h2>



<p>Each full moon bears a name that encapsulates the essence of the time in which it occurs. </p>



<p>The Harvest Moon is the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox, making its grand entry either in September or October.</p>



<p>Thanks to its well-timed arrival with the harvest season, farmers can bask in the moon's light to gather their crops before the onset of the first frosts of fall.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-names-of-the-september-full-moon">Names of the September full moon</h2>



<p>Occasionally, a game of musical chairs happens in the lunar calendar. When October's full moon is closer to the equinox, it inherits the Harvest Moon title, and September's full moon becomes known as the Corn Moon.</p>



<p>This term refers to corn harvesting season in the late summer to early fall in the northern United States.</p>



<p>Native American tribes like the Western Abenaki and Dakota also used similar names in their languages. The Cree call it the Autumn Moon, while the Ojibwe refer to it as the Falling Leaves Moon. </p>



<p>The names for the September full <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-supermoon-blue-moon-will-outshine-and-outsize-all-other-moons-this-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">moon</a> also echo the mating season of wildlife like deer, elk, and moose, with some tribes calling it the Mating Moon or the Rutting Moon.</p>



<p>According to <a href="https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/skywatching/the-next-full-moon-is-a-partial-lunar-eclipse-a-supermoon-the-corn-moon-and-the-harvest-moon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a>, the first known written use of the name Harvest Moon in the English language was in 1706.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-harvest-moon-a-time-of-celebration">Harvest Moon: A time of celebration </h2>



<p>The Harvest Moon has traditionally been a time of celebration in many cultures around the world.</p>



<p>For centuries, communities have celebrated the abundance of food, giving thanks for the successful harvest. In Europe, this was often marked by harvest festivals, where feasting, singing, and dancing were common. </p>



<p>In some Asian cultures, the Harvest Moon signals the Mid-Autumn Festival - a time for families to unite, share mooncakes, gaze at the moon, and reflect on unity and togetherness.</p>



<p>Simply put, the Harvest Moon is not just an astronomical showstopper; it's an invitation to bond with nature, loved ones, and age-old traditions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-get-ready-to-view-the-2024-harvest-moon">Get ready to view the 2024 Harvest Moon</h2>



<p>Eager to make the most of the Harvest Moon spectacle? Start by picking an open area, free from the intrusion of light pollution. </p>



<p>Find a spot with a clear view of the eastern horizon, as the Harvest Moon will appear low and large near the horizon just after sunset. A wide, open space like a hilltop, beach, or park away from buildings and trees is ideal.</p>



<p>Binoculars could further enhance your stargazing experience, unveiling the moon's craters and seas.</p>



<p>The Harvest Moon may appear orange or reddish when it first rises due to the scattering of light through the atmosphere. As it climbs higher, it will shift to its usual bright white or yellow.</p>



<p>Its glowing presence reminds us of the natural rhythms that shape our journey on Earth. Isn’t it amazing how our lives are so connected to the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-moon-had-active-volcanoes-just-120-million-years-ago/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stars</a> and planets above us?</p>



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Harvest Moon 2024 will feature a partial lunar eclipse

As we bid farewell to the sweltering summer of 2024...

<p> Fathers with unhealthy, high-cholesterol diets can predispose their daughters to cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a new study led by the University of California, Riverside.</p>



<p>Diets play a critical role in shaping overall health, and poor dietary habits - especially those high in cholesterol and saturated fats - have been linked to numerous chronic conditions.</p>



<p>The research demonstrates that unhealthy diets can carry profound consequences for future generations, particularly by increasing the risk of heart disease in offspring. The study is the first to demonstrate this effect, which seems to be exclusive to daughters.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fathers-diets-alter-sperm">Fathers' diets alter sperm</h2>



<p>Changcheng Zhou is a professor of biomedical sciences at <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Riverside</a> and the study's lead author.</p>



<p>"It had been previously thought that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mysterious-sperm-structure-offers-new-insights-on-infertility/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sperm</a> contribute only their genome during fertilization," said Zhou.</p>



<p>"However, recent studies by us and others have demonstrated that environmental exposures, including <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unhealthy-diet-leaves-brain-feeling-foggy-frazzled-sad/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unhealthy diets</a>, environmental toxicants, and stress, can alter the RNA in sperm to mediate intergenerational inheritance."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unhealthy-diets-and-heart-disease">Unhealthy diets and heart disease</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/depression-and-cardiovascular-diseases-are-genetically-linked/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CVD</a>, the leading cause of death globally, impacts the heart and blood vessels - with conditions like hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart attacks being primary contributors.</p>



<p>These conditions often develop silently over time, fueled by poor lifestyle choices, including unhealthy diets high in fats and cholesterol, which can lead to significant blockages in the arteries. </p>



<p>In 2022, nearly 703,000 people in the United States died from <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/heart-conditions-linked-hidden-brain-changes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart disease</a>. This highlights the urgent need for better dietary awareness and prevention strategies.</p>



<p>The study sheds light on how fathers' diets, specifically high-cholesterol intake, can have long-lasting effects on the health of their children.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-role-of-small-rna-molecules-in-sperm">The role of small RNA molecules in sperm</h2>



<p>The researchers found that small RNA molecules in sperm are significantly altered by exposure to a high-cholesterol diet.</p>



<p>Small RNAs, which play a critical role in gene regulation, can be reshaped by paternal dietary habits, potentially setting off a chain reaction of changes in biological processes.</p>



<p>These modifications influence gene expression in embryonic stem cells, which can have lasting effects on the health of offspring.</p>



<p>The altered small RNAs increase the offspring’s vulnerability to conditions like atherosclerosis, a serious disease characterized by plaque buildup in arteries, which raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-paternal-health-factors-are-often-overlooked">Paternal health factors are often overlooked </h2>



<p>Zhou further emphasized that paternal factors must be considered in chronic disease studies, as research has historically centered on maternal influences, leaving the impact of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/a-fathers-diet-impacts-the-health-of-his-future-children/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fathers' health</a> on future generations underexplored.</p>



<p>"Men who plan to have children should consider eating a healthy, low-cholesterol diet and reducing their own CVD risk factors," said Zhou. "These factors appear to affect their sperm in influencing the health of their female offspring."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gender-specific-findings-in-the-lab">Gender-specific findings in the lab</h2>



<p>According to the researchers, it is unclear why only female offspring are affected with cardiovascular disease. </p>



<p>In laboratory experiments, genetically engineered mice were fed a high-cholesterol diet. This caused the mice to develop hyperlipidemia, a disorder that can lead to heart disease and stroke. </p>



<p>These male mice were then mated with female mice that were on low-cholesterol diet. Even though the offspring were also fed a low-cholesterol diet, he females were found to have double or triple the risk of atherosclerosis.</p>



<p>The team, including researchers Rebecca Hernandez, Xiuchun Li, Junchao Shi, and Tejasvi R. Dave, will continue their investigations to better understand the gender-specific effects observed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-implications-of-the-study">Further implications of the study</h2>



<p>The research opens the door to further investigations into the role of paternal health in shaping future generations' risk of chronic diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease.</p>



<p>"Our study contributes to understanding the etiology of chronic diseases originating from parental exposures," Zhou concluded. "We hope our findings stimulate investigations of the impact of paternal exposures on offspring cardiovascular health in humans."</p>



<p>The findings of this study highlight the lasting consequences that unhealthy diets can have, not just on the individual but across generations.</p>



<p>With cardiovascular disease continuing to be a major global health concern, these results emphasize the importance of early intervention and dietary changes, particularly for those planning to have children. </p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.179291" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">JCI Insight</a></em>.</p>



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Fathers’ diets impact the heart health of their daughters

Fathers with unhealthy, high-cholesterol diets can predispose their daughters to...

<p>Experts at Klick Labs have developed a novel, non-invasive technique that taps into the health screening potential of our voices. The researchers have demonstrated that it is possible to detect chronic high blood pressure (hypertension) with impressive accuracy using just a person's voice.</p>



<p>With its effortless simplicity, the new method could lead to substantial advancements in early detection of hypertension, a widespread health condition.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-voice-biomarkers-and-blood-pressure">Voice biomarkers and blood pressure</h2>



<p>In this unique study, 245 individuals were assigned a straightforward task. Over two weeks, they recorded their voices multiple times a day using a specialized mobile app.</p>



<p>This app, a homegrown project from the Klick scientists, works on the principles of machine learning. The voice technology has exhibited an impressive 84 percent accuracy for females and 77 percent for males in detecting high <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sleeping-less-than-seven-hours-high-blood-pressure-risk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blood pressure</a>.</p>



<p>The magic lies in its unique capability to analyze vocal biomarkers that escape human ears. This includes pitch variations, patterns in speech energy distribution, and the distinctness in sound alterations.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-high-blood-pressure-and-voice-recordings">High blood pressure and voice recordings</h2>



<p>Yan Fossat is the senior vice president of Klick Labs and principal investigator of the study.</p>



<p>"By leveraging various classifiers and establishing gender-based predictive models, we discovered a more accessible way to detect hypertension, which we hope will lead to earlier intervention for this widespread <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-from-plastic-bottles-raises-your-blood-pressure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global health issue</a>," said Fossat.</p>



<p>"Hypertension can lead to a number of complications, from heart attacks and kidney problems to dementia."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-battle-against-the-silent-killer">Battle against the silent killer</h2>



<p>Hypertension, referred to as the "silent killer" by the World Health Organization (WHO), is a global health concern affecting over a quarter of the world's population.</p>



<p>Alarmingly, half of these people are not even aware of their condition. Furthermore, over 75 percent of those diagnosed with hypertension live in low or middle-income countries.</p>



<p>Traditionally, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/high-blood-pressure-drug-called-rilmenidine-dramatically-slows-aging-in-animals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blood pressure</a> is measured using an arm cuff or an automatic device, methods that need specialized equipment and expertise. Unfortunately, these are often inaccessible for people in disadvantaged areas. </p>



<p>"Early diagnosis and behavioral interventions have been shown to mitigate morbidity and mortality associated with this condition," noted the researchers.</p>



<p>"However, conventional methods of measuring blood pressure and accordingly identifying hypertension, such as sphygmomanometry, require technical expertise and may not be readily accessible, particularly in remote or underserved areas."</p>



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



<p>The introduction of voice-based high blood pressure detection extends beyond individual health assessments; it has significant implications for public health strategies. </p>



<p>With the ability to uncover undiagnosed cases of hypertension through a simple app, healthcare systems can redirect resources toward prevention and education initiatives. </p>



<p>The technology could empower individuals with the information they need to seek further evaluation and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/genes-influence-blood-pressure-from-early-childhood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">treatment</a>. This is particularly the case in regions where traditional access to healthcare is limited.</p>



<p>By promoting greater awareness and early intervention, communities could effectively mitigate the risks associated with hypertension, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs over time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-blood-pressure-detection">Beyond blood pressure detection</h2>



<p>Klick Labs is not a newcomer in the field of health tech. With a track record of using voice technology for detecting conditions like diabetes, the lab is continually expanding its research base.</p>



<p>Collaborations with numerous hospitals, academic institutions, and public health authorities globally are a testament to the lab's commitment to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/study-reveals-over-2000-genetic-markers-that-affect-blood-pressure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">healthcare advancements</a>.</p>



<p>Klick Labs previously demonstrated the effectiveness of AI algorithms combined with voice analysis in accurate screening for Type 2 diabetes. The research was published in <a href="https://www.mcpdigitalhealth.org/article/S2949-7612(23)00073-1/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Digital Health</a> in October 2023. </p>



<p>The lab also identified a link between blood glucose levels and voice pitch. The research was published last week in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-69620-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scientific Reports</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-the-study">Significance of the study</h2>



<p>"Voice technology has the potential to exponentially transform healthcare, making it more accessible and affordable, especially for large, underserved populations,” said Jaycee Kaufman, <a href="https://appliedsciences.klick.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Klick</a> Labs research scientist.</p>



<p>"Our ongoing research increasingly demonstrates the significant promise of vocal biomarkers in detecting hypertension, diabetes, and a growing list of other health conditions.”</p>



<p>By subtly wearing the cloak of technology, healthcare is quietly tiptoeing into the future. Only time will tell how these advancements will shape our lives.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10669945" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">IEEE Access</a>.</em></p>



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AI can detect high blood pressure by listening to your voice

Experts at Klick Labs have developed a novel, non-invasive technique...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

What caused the planet's longest ice age

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

[sendtonews key="LvS8v8bp9z-2564889-12187" 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 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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