<p>Strength training often brings to mind toned arms and powerful legs. But new research suggests that the benefits extend much further. Lifting weights may also reshape the trillions of microbes living in our gut, which influence everything from metabolism to immunity.</p>



<p>The <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/studies-learn-the-exact-amount-of-time-you-should-spend-training-to-build-muscle/">gut</a> microbiome is closely linked to both health and aging. Inside of it are microbes like <em>Faecalibacterium, Akkermansia, </em>and<em> Roseburia hominis</em>. These tiny organisms produce short-chain fatty acids that strengthen the gut lining and ease inflammation.</p>



<p>Endurance activities like running or cycling are known to boost these helpful microbes. But when it comes to resistance training, the picture has remained far less clear.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conflicting-past-studies">Conflicting past studies</h2>



<p>Until recently, research painted a mixed picture. Some trials found that weight training shifted microbial communities, while others reported almost no changes. </p>



<p>Matthieu Clauss of the <a href="https://www.nih.no/english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norwegian School of Sport Sciences</a> in Oslo noted that the existing research remains limited.</p>



<p>To settle this uncertainty, Sven Nahnsen and colleagues at the <a href="https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Tübingen</a> studied 150 sedentary adults. Participants engaged in an eight-week resistance program using advanced machines that adjusted loads in real time and tracked every lift.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracking-strength-and-gut-microbes">Tracking strength and gut microbes</h2>



<p>This digital system created detailed performance records while ensuring progressive, individualized training. Stool samples collected before, during, and after the program allowed researchers to map microbial changes.</p>



<p>When researchers looked at the whole group, they saw no clear changes in microbial diversity. The story shifted, however, once strength gains came into focus. </p>



<p>Participants who made the biggest improvements showed noticeable rises in <em>Faecalibacterium</em> and <em>Roseburia hominis</em>. In fact, these microbes were especially abundant in individuals who gained far more <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strength-training-may-be-the-best-exercise-for-insomnia/">strength</a> than everyone else.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microbes-differ-in-strong-lifters">Microbes differ in strong lifters</h2>



<p>The study revealed clear differences between high and low responders. The strongest gains were linked with distinct changes in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/natures-sweet-remedy-honey-is-a-microbial-marvel/">microbial</a> composition.</p>



<p>High performers also showed enrichment of members of the Lachnospiraceae family, many of which are linked to anti-inflammatory effects.</p>



<p>Notably, an amplicon sequence variant classified as <em>Roseburia hominis</em> showed the most significant increase in high responders by week eight.</p>



<p>Other enriched microbes included <em>Bacteroides massiliensis</em> and certain <em>Prevotellaceae</em>. Meanwhile, taxa like <em>Lachnoclostridium</em> and <em>Oscillospiraceae</em> declined.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gut-shifts-depend-on-training-progress">Gut shifts depend on training progress</h2>



<p>Why do only some people experience these changes? <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/weight-training-shields-the-aging-brain-from-dementia/">Training</a> compliance was similar, and diet surveys showed no clear differences. </p>



<p>This suggests factors beyond effort or food intake. One possibility is that microbial shifts themselves supported muscle gains by increasing production of short-chain fatty acids, which enhance energy metabolism and recovery.</p>



<p>Resistance training did not increase overall microbial richness (alpha diversity), unlike endurance training, but it did remodel microbial composition (beta diversity) in high responders. </p>



<p>This points to a dose-response effect: only when strength improvements cross a certain threshold do microbiome shifts emerge.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-lifting-and-running-converge">Lifting and running converge</h2>



<p>Despite differences between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/why-running-can-help-you-move-think-and-feel-better/">running</a> and lifting, both exercise types seem to converge on similar microbial outcomes. </p>



<p>Enriched short-chain fatty acid producers like <em>Faecalibacterium</em> and <em>Roseburia</em> suggest common pathways that support gut integrity, regulate glucose, and reduce systemic inflammation.</p>



<p>The changes occurred without dietary modification, meaning resistance training alone can act as a driver of gut remodeling. This highlights its role not only for musculoskeletal health but also for metabolic and immune regulation.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exercise-benefits-are-clear">Exercise benefits are clear</h2>



<p>Some mysteries remain. Stool metabolomics showed no significant changes, which may indicate that functional shifts were subtle, localized, or required longer adaptation. </p>



<p>The study also lacked a non-exercising control group, leaving room for further confirmation.</p>



<p>Even so, outside experts remain hopeful. The results suggest that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/exercise-reduces-depression-and-anxiety-in-children-and-teens-with-mental-health-issues/">exercise</a> of any kind can benefit gut health. They also point to the possibility that resistance training sparks unique, health-related shifts in the microbiome.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strength-training-as-gut-medicine">Strength training as gut medicine</h2>



<p>From a public health perspective, resistance training may offer far more than toned muscles. It could serve as a non-drug approach to improving gut health, especially for people facing chronic inflammation or the challenges of aging.</p>



<p>The changes happening inside the gut are striking. Beneficial microbes increase, the gut lining becomes stronger, and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fasting-helps-the-body-fight-inflammation-and-chronic-diseases/">inflammation</a> settles down. These microbes also help regulate blood sugar and energy use, lowering the risk of long-term conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and digestive problems.</p>



<p>What makes this especially interesting is that participants did not need to change their diets. The exercise itself appeared to reshape the gut community, suggesting that strength training works as its own form of medicine.</p>



<p>For many, this shifts how we think about working out. Exercise is not only about muscles or appearance - it is about keeping the body resilient from within. Regular resistance training might help people recover faster, age more gracefully, and carry less risk of disease throughout life.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.08.13.670057v1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">bioRxiv</a></em>.</p>



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Strength training can boost healthy gut bacteria

Strength training often brings to mind toned arms and powerful legs. But new research suggests that the benefits extend much further. Lifting weights may also reshape the trillions of microbes living in our gut, which influence everything from metabolism to immunity. The gut microbiome is closely linked to both health and aging. Inside of it are microbes like Faecalibacterium, Akkermansia, and Roseburia hominis. These tiny organisms produce short-chain fatty acids that strengthen the gut lining and ease inflammation. Endurance activities like running or cycling are known to...

<p>Female sea turtles lay their eggs, cover the nest with sand, and return to the ocean, leaving the eggs to develop and hatch on their own. The journey to survival is fraught with challenges, from nest predators to rising temperatures. The odds are grim, with only about one in 1,000 hatchlings making it to adulthood.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hatchling-size-and-survival">Hatchling size and survival</h2>



<p>Size plays a crucial role in a hatchling's survival. Larger hatchlings, which can move faster, are more likely to survive because they spend less time exposed on the perilous beach sands.</p>



<p>Research shows that both air and sand temperatures significantly influence sea turtle hatchlings. Cooler temperatures tend to produce larger, heavier hatchlings with a higher proportion of males, while <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/nesting-range-of-green-turtles-will-explode-in-a-warmer-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warmer temperatures</a> speed up hatching and offer some protection from predators.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-crucial-role-of-temperature-nbsp">The crucial role of temperature<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>For endangered species like the loggerhead (<em>Caretta caretta</em>) and green (<em>Chelonia mydas</em>) sea turtles, cooler and moister conditions result in stronger hatchlings. However, rising temperatures might shorten incubation periods, and unpredictable rainfall can disrupt growth, potentially threatening their survival.</p>



<p>Maintaining a balance between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earths-global-temperature-exceeded-2c-for-the-first-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperature</a> and moisture is critical for the health of these vulnerable sea turtles. However, too much moisture can be lethal for developing embryos.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-rainfall-and-turtle-hatchling-size">Rainfall and turtle hatchling size</h2>



<p>An international study led by the <a href="https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Tübingen</a> in Germany, in collaboration with <a href="https://www.fau.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Florida Atlantic University</a> (FAU), explores how fluctuating rainfall affects the development of sea turtle hatchlings. The study reveals that rainfall has a more significant impact on hatchling development than changes in air temperature.</p>



<p>This research, which analyzed data from 37 beaches worldwide - including a longitudinal study in Florida and experimental studies on the Cape Verde Islands - demonstrates that precipitation is crucial in determining hatchling body size.&nbsp;</p>



<p><a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-changing-rainfall-patterns-impact-plants-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rainfall</a> cools the beach surface and increases moisture, which is essential for egg development, making it a better predictor of hatchling body size than temperature alone.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-impacts-across-different-species">Impacts across different species</h2>



<p>The results, published in <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12862-024-02290-7" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>BMC Ecology and Evolution</em></a>, show that rainfall's impact varies between species. For loggerhead turtles, heavier rainfall leads to hatchlings with smaller carapaces (shells) but greater weight. In contrast, green turtle hatchlings develop smaller carapaces without a change in body mass.</p>



<p>“Findings from our study highlight the need for more localized data on how regional weather influences incubation and hatchling development,” said co-author Jeanette Wyneken, a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at FAU's Charles E. Schmidt College of Science. “These data are essential for refining conservation strategies to protect sea turtles amidst <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loggerhead-turtles-warming-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">global warming</a>.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-s-impact-on-hatchlings">Climate's impact on hatchlings</h2>



<p>The study began with data collected from Boca Raton, Florida, comparing hatchling size (length, width, and mass) with local climate factors.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers then gathered data from 19 beaches with loggerhead hatchlings and 17 beaches with green turtle hatchlings.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The final part of the study examined hatchlings in Cabo Verde after a few days of rain during the dry season to assess how precipitation affected their size.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-weather-during-the-nesting-season">Weather during the nesting season</h2>



<p>In the Mediterranean, especially on the beaches of Cyprus and Turkey, the dry season brings very little rain from the North Atlantic. For green turtles in these drier regions, the effects of precipitation become noticeable only after the dry season ends.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In contrast, in Florida, precipitation levels remain relatively consistent throughout the nesting season due to local weather patterns, although <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/droughts-threaten-the-delicate-balance-of-painted-turtle-populations/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">droughts</a> and heatwaves are common in July and October.</p>



<p>“It’s not clear exactly how rain affects hatchling size,” Wyneken said. “One idea is that rain cools the nests, which can change the temperature and impact the sex ratio of the hatchlings. This could lead to differences in hatchling size and shape, similar to how male and female hatchlings of other turtles, like the giant river turtle, have different shell shapes.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-local-conservation-efforts-nbsp">Local conservation efforts<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>As climate change alters rainfall patterns - making wet areas wetter and dry areas drier - the impact on sea turtle nesting sites suggests that global conservation strategies for loggerhead and green sea turtles may need updating.</p>



<p>“Effective management units for conservation should focus on regularly updating and including important nesting sites, highlighting the importance of local conservation efforts,” said Wyneken.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Analyzing local data from various nesting sites is crucial for understanding sea turtle nesting patterns. These local databases should be made more accessible and widely shared to improve our knowledge and support local conservation efforts.”</p>



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Rainfall impacts the size of sea turtle hatchlings

Female sea turtles lay their eggs, cover the nest with...

<p>Let's talk about cacti, the prickly plants we adore as quaint household adornments or gigantic landscape wonders. From the towering saguaro reaching heights of up to 18 meters to the petite button cactus barely peaking the soil's surface, the cactus family boasts an impressive range. But what's the secret behind cacti's evolution and stunning diversity?</p>



<p>Researchers from the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath set out to decode this mystery, and their discoveries have turned our existing beliefs on their head.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unearthing-the-climate-misconception">Unearthing the (climate) misconception</h2>



<p>Contrary to the long-held belief that arid climates are the cradle of cactus <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plant-evolution-drastically-changed-earths-composition/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">diversity</a>, these scientists have discovered otherwise. </p>



<p>Intriguing findings from the study suggest that it's not merely the dryness of climate, but factors like the daily temperature swing, the grainy texture of the soil, and the turn of seasons, that play the pivotal roles in cactus evolution.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-vast-diversity-of-cacti">Vast diversity of cacti</h2>



<p>Fascinatingly, even though cacti have become a worldwide favorite as interior decorations, they are originally from the New World, native to North, Central, and South America alone. Mexico seems to be the hotspot of cactus diversity, boasting the highest species richness.</p>



<p>The Bath researchers embarked on a quest to piece together all known published data on cacti, aiming to dig deeper into the roots of their vast diversity. The team has constructed the largest ever evolution tree of cacti using copious DNA sequences.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dynamics-of-cactus-evolution">Dynamics of cactus evolution </h2>



<p>To understand the interplay of various biological factors contributing to cactus diversity, the team used machine learning methods.</p>



<p>Analyzing variables like <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/humans-have-shaped-plant-biodiversity-for-thousands-of-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plant</a> size, geographical range, soil sand content, aridity, and diurnal temperature range, the researchers painted a clearer picture of cactus evolution dynamics - a triumph of data and technology.</p>



<p>In a surprising twist, the team discovered that while Mexico flaunts the highest number of cactus species, it simultaneously exhibits the slowest evolutionary rate, debunking the idea that the arid Mexican climate primarily ejects the new cactus species into existence.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cacti-climate-sensitivity">Cacti climate sensitivity </h2>



<p>After conducting the research at the Milner Centre for Evolution, <a href="https://www.bath.ac.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Bath</a>, study lead author Dr. Jamie Thompson provides some much-needed perspective. He notes that despite their tough exterior, cacti are actually more prone to extinction than other plants.</p>



<p>"Because there is the highest biodiversity in Mexico, it was assumed this was because the conditions there were best for evolution of species," said Dr. Thompson.</p>



<p>"However, our study shows this isn’t the case – instead Mexico has the slowest rate of speciation but has lots of biodiversity because the extinction rates are slower. In other words, the Mexican climate is not necessarily better at producing new species but good at preserving existing ones."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-role-of-climate-in-cacti-survival">Role of climate in cacti survival</h2>



<p>Climatic conditions extend beyond simple aridity; they shape the very survival strategies of cacti. Their adaptations, such as water retention mechanisms and the unique structure of their spines, serve not only as protection from herbivores but also aid in minimizing water loss. </p>



<p>In their quest for survival, cacti have evolved to thrive in environments that oscillate between extremes, showcasing their remarkable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/these-plants-have-maintained-genetic-stability-for-350-million-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resilience</a>. </p>



<p>Understanding how these plants respond to fluctuating climatic variables enhances our comprehension of their ecological roles and resilience in the face of climate change.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-conservation-efforts">Conservation efforts </h2>



<p>As the evolution research highlights the vulnerabilities of cacti, conservation efforts become increasingly important.</p>



<p>Acknowledging the pressing threats of habitat loss, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-triggers-epic-plant-migration-in-brazils-cerrado/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a>, and illegal trade, environmentalists are advocating for protective measures that embrace the delicate balance of ecosystems where cacti flourish.</p>



<p>Future research must focus on developing robust conservation strategies and restoring habitats to ensure the protection of these unique plants. </p>



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



<p>Study co-author Dr. Nick Priest, also from the <a href="https://www.bath.ac.uk/research-centres/milner-centre-for-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milner Centre for Evolution</a>, expressed concern over the future of cacti.</p>



<p>"Our work shows that cacti are not as successful as we thought, and are more vulnerable to climate change. This is concerning – if cacti can’t thrive in our changing climate, what chance do other plants have?" </p>



<p>Funded by a scholarship from Roger and Sue Whorrod, and the University of Bath, this enlightening study has reshaped our understanding of cacti evolution and diversity. </p>



<p>The research sheds light on the intricacies of nature's mechanisms - an invitation for us to adapt our actions in harmony with our environment. </p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-51666-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Communications</a></em>.</p>



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What's the secret behind the stunning diversity of cacti?

Let's talk about cacti, the prickly plants we adore as...

<p>The northern bald ibis, a distinctive bird species that was hunted to near extinction by the 17th century, has made a comeback thanks to breeding and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/success-of-rewilding-efforts-depends-on-the-landscape/">rewilding</a> efforts over the past two decades.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These birds, easily recognizable by their black-and-iridescent green feathers, bald red head, and long curved beak, lack the instinctual knowledge of their migration routes without the guidance of wild-born elders.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-foster-parents-and-flight-instructors-nbsp">Foster parents and flight instructors<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>To address this, a team of scientists and conservationists has taken on the roles of foster parents and flight instructors.</p>



<p>“We have to teach them the migration route,” explained biologist Johannes Fritz.</p>



<p>Historically, the northern bald ibis flew over regions including North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and large parts of Europe, including Bavaria in southern Germany.&nbsp;</p>



<p>However, these <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-migratory-birds-navigate-with-such-accuracy/">migratory birds</a> were once considered a delicacy, leading to their disappearance from Europe, although a few colonies survived elsewhere.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-major-comeback-for-the-bald-ibis">Major comeback for the bald ibis</h2>



<p>Thanks to the efforts of Fritz and the <a href="https://www.waldrappteam.at/en/">Waldrappteam</a>, a conservation and research group based in Austria, the Central European population of these birds has grown from zero to nearly 300 since their project began in 2002.</p>



<p>This achievement has led to the species being reclassified from “critically endangered” to “endangered.” Fritz noted that this is the first successful attempt to reintroduce a migratory bird species that had gone extinct on a continental scale.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-flying-with-the-guidance-of-humans">Flying with the guidance of humans</h2>



<p>Currently, a group of northern bald ibises is being guided across central Europe by a microlight aircraft in a&nbsp; remarkable form of assisted migration. Human “foster parents” raise the birds from chicks and use the aircraft to lead them on their migratory journey.</p>



<p>Although the northern bald ibis retains a natural instinct to migrate, they do not know which direction to fly without the guidance of experienced wild-born elders.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-17th-human-led-migration-of-the-bald-ibis">17th human-led migration of the bald ibis </h2>



<p>Early attempts by the Waldrappteam to reintroduce these birds were largely unsuccessful, as the birds, once released, would fly off in different directions, failing to return to suitable wintering grounds like Tuscany, Italy, and ultimately perishing.</p>



<p>In response, the Waldrappteam took on the dual roles of foster parents and flight instructors for the Central European population, which consists of descendants from various zoo colonies.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These birds were released into the wild in hopes of forming a self-sustaining migratory group. This year marks the 17th human-led migration, and the second time the team has had to navigate a new route to Spain due to the impacts of climate change.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-preparing-the-birds-for-the-journey">Preparing the birds for the journey</h2>



<p>To prepare the birds for migration, the chicks are taken from their breeding colonies just days after hatching. They are then brought to an aviary where foster parents care for them, aiming to “imprint” on the birds so that they bond with and trust the humans who will guide them on their migration.</p>



<p>Barbara Steininger, one of the Waldrappteam’s foster mothers, described her role as being like “their bird mom.”</p>



<p>“We feed them, we clean them, we clean their nests. We take good care of them and see that they are healthy birds,” Steininger said. “But also we interact with them.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inspiration-from-father-goose">Inspiration from “Father Goose”</h2>



<p>Once the birds are ready, Steininger and other foster parents take to the skies in the back of a microlight aircraft, waving and calling out encouragement through a bullhorn as they fly.</p>



<p>It’s an unusual sight: the aircraft resembles a flying go-kart with a large fan at the back and a yellow parachute providing lift. Nonetheless, three dozen birds follow the contraption, piloted by Fritz, as it glides over alpine meadows and foothills.</p>



<p>Fritz was inspired by “Father Goose” Bill Lishman, a naturalist who began teaching <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/canada-geese-keep-calm-and-carry-on-after-flock-reduction/">Canadian geese</a> to fly alongside his ultralight plane in 1988.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Lishman later guided endangered whooping cranes along safe migration routes and founded the nonprofit “Operation Migration.” His work was the inspiration for the 1996 film <em>Fly Away Home</em>, though in the movie, a young girl takes on the role of the geese’s “mother.”</p>



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



<p>Like Lishman’s efforts, Fritz and his team have achieved success. In 2011, the first northern bald ibis independently migrated back to Bavaria from Tuscany.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Each year, more birds follow the same 550-kilometer (342-mile) route, and the team hopes to increase the Central European population to over 350 birds by 2028, aiming for a self-sustaining group.</p>



<p>However, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-has-unpredictable-effects-on-salmon-migration/">climate change</a> has complicated matters, causing the birds to migrate later in the season. This delay forces them to cross the Alps in colder, more hazardous conditions without the benefit of warm air currents, known as thermals, which help birds soar with minimal energy expenditure.</p>



<p>As a result, the Waldrappteam pioneered a new migration route in 2023, leading the birds from Bavaria to Andalusia in southern Spain.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pathways-for-threatened-migratory-birds">Pathways for threatened migratory birds</h2>



<p>This year, the route spans roughly 2,800 kilometers (1,740 miles) - about 300 kilometers (186 miles) longer than last year’s path. Earlier this month, from an airfield in Paterzell, Upper Bavaria, the team guided 36 birds through clear blue skies with a tailwind that boosted their speed.</p>



<p>The entire journey to Spain may take up to 50 days, concluding in early October. However, Fritz emphasized that their work extends beyond just the northern bald ibis: it’s about creating pathways for other threatened migratory species to follow.</p>



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Human ‘foster parents’ guide an extinct bird back to life

The northern bald ibis, a distinctive bird species that was...

<p>Supermassive black holes are the true giants of the cosmos, weighing billions of times more than our sun. What we know about the origin of these monster black holes is constantly changing, and now we're learning that dark matter may play a big role.</p>



<p>Recent findings from the James Webb Space Telescope have brought some surprising news: these massive black holes probably formed much earlier in the universe's history than we thought -- potentially just a few hundred million years <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/visible-matter-dark-matter-evolved-together-big-bang/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">after the Big Bang</a>.</p>



<p>This discovery raises important questions about how these giants came to be and how dark matter influenced the early universe. Understanding when supermassive black holes formed could change our whole perspective on cosmic evolution.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-webb-telescope-weighs-in-once-again">Webb Telescope weighs in once again</h2>



<p><a href="https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Webb Telescope</a> has been our cosmic window, revealing astounding images of the universe’s infancy, including the unexpected presence of supermassive black holes. They appeared when the universe was a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/one-novae-star-explosion-may-be-origin-phosphorus-life/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mere half billion years old</a>.</p>



<p>This discovery, published in the reputable journal <em>Physical Review Letters</em>, has left scientists both intrigued and baffled. </p>



<p>Among them, Alexander Kusenko, a renowned astrophysicist at <a href="https://www.ucla.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UCLA</a> and senior author of the study, was taken aback by the unexpected finding.</p>



<p>“How surprising it has been to find a supermassive black hole with a billion solar mass when the universe itself is only half a billion years old,” Kusenko said. “It’s like finding a modern&nbsp;car among dinosaur bones and wondering who built that car in the prehistoric times.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-traditional-black-hole-formation-theory">Traditional black hole formation theory</h2>



<p>So, how do these cosmic giants come to be? <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-black-holes-become-supermassive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The classic idea</a> is that smaller black holes merge over billions of years, getting closer together thanks to gravitational pull until they form a bigger black hole.</p>



<p>Another way supermassive black holes can form is from the collapse of giant stars. Once they run out of nuclear fuel, they implode under their own gravity, creating a singularity.</p>



<p>Both processes lead to the creation of these massive black holes. However, finding supermassive black holes <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/oldest-black-hole-ever-discovered-dates-back-to-the-dawn-of-time/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">so early in the universe</a> throws a wrench in this traditional view.</p>



<p>Most scientists now believe there might be other ways they form or that these huge entities could have developed way faster than we thought.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dark-matter-enters-the-black-hole-discussion">Dark matter enters the black hole discussion</h2>



<p>What could be the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/origins-of-matter-discovered-by-recreating-the-big-bang/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">key to this cosmic puzzle</a>? The answer may lie in dark matter.</p>



<p>This invisible substance, which makes up a significant slice of the universe’s mass pie, doesn’t interact with light, which makes it tough to detect. However, its existence can be implied through its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/gravitational-waves-dark-matter-big-bang-breakthrough/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gravitational influence on visible matter</a>.</p>



<p>Yifan Lu, a PhD student and the study's first author, and Zachary Picker, a postdoctoral researcher, suggest that dark matter played a pivotal role in the early creation of supermassive black holes.</p>



<p>Their theory? Dark matter prevented hydrogen gas from cooling down too quickly during the universe’s early days.</p>



<p>“How quickly the gas cools has a lot to do with the amount of molecular hydrogen. Hydrogen atoms bonded together in a molecule dissipate energy when they encounter a loose hydrogen atom," Lu explained.</p>



<p>"The hydrogen molecules become cooling agents as they absorb thermal energy and radiate it away. Hydrogen clouds in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-holes-shaped-the-universe-before-galaxies-existed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">early universe</a> had too much molecular hydrogen, and the gas cooled quickly and formed small halos instead of large clouds.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-closer-look-at-hydrogen-gas-cooling">Closer look at hydrogen gas cooling</h2>



<p>In a typical situation, hydrogen gas needs to cool down enough for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/largest-map-of-supermassive-black-holes-unveiled/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">big clumps to collapse</a> into black holes. But if it cools off too fast, it leads to fragmentation, resulting in smaller objects instead of one giant black hole.</p>



<p>Lu and Picker ran some simulations to look at how extra radiation affects this cooling process. They found that adding a specific form of radiation can slow down the cooling rate, helping those<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rotating-wind-fuels-growth-of-a-supermassive-black-hole/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> large gas clouds stay together</a> long enough to form supermassive black holes.</p>



<p>“If you add radiation in a certain energy range, it destroys molecular hydrogen and creates conditions that prevent fragmentation of large clouds,” Lu said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-radiation-conundrum">Radiation conundrum</h2>



<p>The question remains: where does this additional radiation come from? Here's where dark matter's speculative attributes come into play.</p>



<p>Some theorists suggest that it might consist of unstable particles that decay into photons, the particles of light, providing the necessary radiation to alter the cooling dynamics of hydrogen gas.</p>



<p>Picker notes that the existence of early supermassive black holes could be evidence of a particular kind of dark matter and its ability to inhibit hydrogen gas's cooling.</p>



<p>“This could be the solution to why supermassive black holes are found very early on. If you’re optimistic, you could also read this as positive evidence for one kind of dark matter," explained Picker.</p>



<p>"If these supermassive black holes formed by the collapse of a gas cloud, maybe the additional radiation required would have to come from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unending-search-for-elusive-dark-matter-detector-lz-sets-new-record/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">unknown physics of the dark sector</a>," he concluded.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dark-matter-supermassive-black-holes-and-the-future">Dark matter, supermassive black holes, and the future</h2>



<p>This fresh, out-of-the-box perspective opens up exciting possibilities for future research. Understanding how dark matter affects the formation of supermassive black holes could reveal secrets about dark matter and its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-matter-stars-conspiracy-theory-may-have-been-officially-put-to-rest/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">key role in shaping our universe</a>.</p>



<p>As we keep exploring the cosmos, the relationship between dark matter and regular matter remains one of the most fascinating puzzles in astrophysics.</p>



<p>The discoveries from the James Webb Space Telescope and the work of researchers like Kusenko, Lu, and Picker highlight our dynamic and constantly evolving grasp of the universe, or lack thereof, and the still unknown forces behind the proverbial curtain that pull the strings.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.133.091001" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Physical Review Letters</a></em>.</p>



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



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Dark matter linked to supermassive black holes in the early universe

Supermassive black holes are the true giants of the cosmos,...

<p>Did you ever wonder what lies at the heart of a spiral galaxy? It's a roaring, giant black hole known as an active galactic nucleus (AGN). </p>



<p>These particular supermassive black holes are extremely energetic regions that are millions to billions of times the mass of our sun and are surrounded by a rotating disk of gas and dust. </p>



<p>AGNs are important in the study of galaxy evolution, as they can influence star formation and the distribution of matter in their host galaxies through powerful winds and jets.</p>



<p>In a recent report from <a href="https://esahubble.org/images/potw2435a/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ESA</a>, scientists describe an AGN growing within the bright core of a unique galaxy, identified as UGC 3478, and it's putting on quite a show for astronomers. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-heart-of-the-galaxy">In the heart of the galaxy</h2>



<p>So, what exactly sets UGC 3478 apart from its cosmic kin? This galaxy, located in the constellation of Camelopardalis, belongs to a distinct breed called Seyfert galaxies.</p>



<p>Seyfert galaxies hold a special trick up their stellar sleeve - an AGN at their core. Now, this isn't your average, run-of-the-mill galactic nucleus. This black hole is bustling and brimming with so much energy that it significantly outshines the galaxy's surrounding stars.</p>



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



<p>Beneath all that galactic brightness, there's a lurking giant - a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-do-black-holes-become-supermassive/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">supermassive black hole</a>. This black hole consumes a swirling disk of gas, marking a spectacle of cosmic collisions and heated exchanges. </p>



<p>All this commotion causes the release of very high-energy radiation, including hard X-ray emissions, which clearly set it apart from the surrounding stars. </p>



<p>The radiant brightness of the AGN masks this black hole's intimidating presence and creates an alluring contrast with the disc of the galaxy around it - a signature trait of a Seyfert galaxy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-galaxies-that-stand-out">Galaxies that stand out </h2>



<p>Many active galaxies, like UGC 3478, catch astronomers' eyes from far-off distances. Why? Because their brightly glowing nuclei contrast starkly against the backdrop of dimmer galaxies. </p>



<p>But UGC 3478 is practically our next-door neighbor, residing at a fairly close 128 million light-years away.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-structure-of-seyfert-galaxies">Structure of Seyfert galaxies</h2>



<p>To fully appreciate what makes UGC 3478 so intriguing, we must examine the broader family to which it belongs: Seyfert galaxies. </p>



<p>Characterized by their exceptionally bright and variable nuclei, Seyfert galaxies can be divided into two main types: Type I and Type II.</p>



<p>Type I Seyfert galaxies, like UGC 3478, exhibit broad emission lines in their spectra, indicating the presence of gas moving at high velocities. This feature allows scientists to infer the mass and spin of the central <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/largest-map-of-supermassive-black-holes-unveiled/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black hole</a>, providing clues about the galaxy's evolution.</p>



<p>In contrast, Type II Seyfert galaxies display narrow emission lines, hinting at a different orientation of the AGN relative to our line of sight. This structural distinction offers astronomers a unique window into the characteristics and dynamics of these fascinating cosmic entities.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-study-of-active-galactic-nuclei">The study of active galactic nuclei </h2>



<p>The study of active galactic nuclei, particularly those in nearby galaxies like UGC 3478, holds immense significance for our <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/black-holes-may-talk-to-galaxies-through-energetic-winds/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">understanding of the universe</a>. </p>



<p>Active galactic nuclei illuminate the intricate interplay between supermassive black holes and their host galaxies. This relationship is crucial for grasping the process of galaxy formation and evolution, as the energy output from the AGN can influence star formation rates in the surrounding region.</p>



<p>Additionally, by analyzing the high-energy emissions from AGNs, researchers can gain insights into the behavior of matter under extreme gravitational forces.</p>



<p>This knowledge not only enriches our comprehension of cosmic phenomena but also challenges our existing theories about the universe, illustrating how active galaxies like UGC 3478 continue to shape the landscape of modern astrophysics.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-insights-into-galaxy-formation">Insights into galaxy formation </h2>



<p>The data used to create the featured image was collected by a Hubble survey which was designed to study nearby, powerful active galactic nuclei. These black holes are easily identified by their emission of relatively high-energy X-rays. </p>



<p>Sneaking a peek into the lives of these nuclei can provide valuable insights into how galaxies interact with the supermassive <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/flares-shed-light-on-the-milky-ways-supermassive-black-hole/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">black holes</a> at their core.</p>



<p>A detailed understanding of these active galaxies can help us decode the mysteries of our universe. Researchers are eager to uncover how these supermassive black holes influence the galaxies they inhabit and affect their overall structure and evolution.</p>



<p>Image Credit: ESA/Hubble &amp; NASA, M. Koss, A. Barth</p>



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Galaxy with an ultra-bright core is concealing a secret

Did you ever wonder what lies at the heart of...

Digital,Transformation.,Supercomputer.,Quantum,Computer.

<p>In the world of digital security, your most recent email likely benefited from tried-and-true encryption methods. These methods hinge on the idea that even the fastest classical computers cannot easily factorize enormous numbers. But quantum computers, with their radically different approach, promise to change the concepts of encryption and code-breaking forever.</p>



<p><a href="https://news.mit.edu/2023/weird-weird-quantum-world-peter-shor-killian-lecture-0310" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr. Peter Shor</a>, a prominent MIT professor, set the quantum computing world abuzz in 1994 with his quantum factoring algorithm. </p>



<p>His work suggested that quantum computers could one day unravel cryptographic systems like RSA, which are designed to be virtually <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/unbreakable-encryption-brings-quantum-internet-communication-closer-to-reality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">uncrackable by conventional means</a>. </p>



<p>However, despite significant advancements in the past three decades, scientists have yet to build a quantum computer capable of executing Shor’s algorithm at a practical scale.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quantum-computers-from-theory-to-practice">Quantum computers: From theory to practice</h2>



<p>Researchers are now exploring ways to make quantum factoring practical even with smaller quantum systems. About a year ago, <a href="https://www.nyu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York University</a>’s Oded Regev proposed an innovative theoretical improvement. </p>



<p><a href="https://eprint.iacr.org/2023/1501.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">His algorithm</a> promised faster computation but required more memory. This development was a major step forward, but it introduced a new challenge: the increased memory demands.</p>



<p>Building on Regev’s work, a team from <a href="https://www.mit.edu" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MIT</a> has recently introduced a hybrid approach that merges the speed of Regev’s algorithm with the memory efficiency of Shor’s. </p>



<p>This new algorithm is as swift as Regev’s but uses fewer quantum building blocks, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/building-quantum-computers-just-got-easier-with-new-technique/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">known as qubits</a>, and is better at handling quantum noise. The result? A potentially more feasible implementation of quantum factoring.</p>



<p>“If large-scale quantum computers ever get built, then factoring is toast and we have to find something else to use for cryptography," says Vinod Vaikuntanathan, the Ford Foundation Professor of Engineering and a member of MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (<a href="https://www.csail.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CSAIL</a>).</p>



<p>"But how real is this threat? Can we make quantum factoring practical? Our work could potentially bring us one step closer to a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-computer-can-instantly-execute-a-task-that-would-normally-take-47-years/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">practical implementation</a>.” </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understanding-rsa-and-quantum-threats">Understanding RSA and quantum threats</h2>



<p>To grasp the significance of these advancements, let’s take a closer look at RSA encryption. Developed by MIT’s Ron Rivest, Adi Shamir, and Leonard Adleman in the 1970s, RSA encryption relies on the complexity of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/prime-numbers-not-random-can-be-predicted-upending-beliefs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">factoring large numbers</a>. </p>



<p>For example, factoring a 2,048-bit integer -- essentially a number with 617 digits -- would take an impractically long time for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/quantum-computing-outperformed-new-type-traditional-computing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">classical computers</a>.</p>



<p>This scenario changed in 1994 when Shor’s algorithm demonstrated that a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could factor these large integers efficiently. </p>



<p>This revelation was a game-changer, though at the time, building such a quantum computer was far from achievable, and it remains so today. </p>



<p>Estimates suggest that a quantum computer would need around 20 million qubits to run Shor’s algorithm effectively. Currently, the most advanced quantum computers have about 1,100 qubits.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-quantum-computers-and-the-circuit-puzzle">Quantum computers and the circuit puzzle</h2>



<p>Quantum computers operate using quantum circuits, which consist of operations performed by quantum gates. These gates manipulate qubits to perform calculations. </p>



<p>However, the introduction of quantum noise complicates things. More gates lead to more noise, so researchers are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/using-artificial-intelligence-ai-to-make-quantum-computers-reality/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">striving to improve algorithms</a> to work with fewer gates.</p>



<p>Regev’s algorithm from a year ago was significant because it reduced the number of quantum gates required, though it increased the number of qubits needed. This raised a new issue: managing memory efficiently with a high qubit count.</p>



<p>In response, MIT’s research team, led by Seyoon Ragavan, developed an approach that combines the speed of Regev’s algorithm with the memory efficiency of Shor’s. </p>



<p>Their method reduces the number of qubits required and has better tolerance to quantum noise. This advancement is crucial for making quantum factoring more practical.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-efficiency-and-error-correction">Efficiency and error correction</h2>



<p>The MIT researchers addressed two major challenges: the need for extensive quantum memory and error correction. Quantum computations often involve large powers, which can be cumbersome to perform on quantum systems due to their need for reversible operations. </p>



<p>Instead of using squaring, which is not reversible, the MIT team employed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/fibonacci-spirals-an-unexpected-twist-in-plant-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fibonacci numbers</a> to simplify the process, needing only two quantum memory units.</p>



<p>Error correction is another hurdle. <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/trapped-atoms-forced-to-serve-as-transistors-quantum-network/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Quantum circuits</a> are highly sensitive to errors, and traditional quantum gates must function perfectly. The MIT team developed a technique to filter out erroneous results, making the algorithm more reliable and feasible.</p>



<p>“This work resolves the two most critical bottlenecks in earlier quantum factoring algorithms. Although it is not yet practical, it brings us closer to realizing quantum factoring algorithms,” adds Regev.</p>



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



<p>The next steps for this research involve further improving the algorithm and testing it on actual quantum circuits. The ultimate question remains: Will this progress bring us closer to breaking RSA encryption? </p>



<p>As Ragavan notes, "The elephant-in-the-room question after this work is: Does it actually bring us closer to breaking RSA cryptography? That is not clear just yet; these improvements currently only kick in when the integers are much larger than 2,048 bits. Can we push this algorithm and make it more feasible than Shor’s even for 2,048-bit integers?”</p>



<p>As the field of quantum computing continues to evolve, these innovations offer a glimpse into a future where our digital security could be reshaped by the very technology that aims to challenge it.</p>



<p>The full study was published in the journal <em><a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2310.00899" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arXiv</a></em>.</p>



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Code-breaking quantum computers take a big step closer to becoming a reality

In the world of digital security, your most recent email...

<p>Language processing is one of the most complex and captivating abilities of the human brain, enabling us to communicate, comprehend, and connect with one another.</p>



<p>Language allows us to share our thoughts, express our emotions, and convey information, forming the foundation of human relationships and society itself.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mysteries-of-language-processing">Mysteries of language processing</h2>



<p>Despite its central role in human interaction, the intricacies of how the brain processes language remain a mystery. </p>



<p>Understanding the neural mechanisms behind language processing is crucial, as it can shed light on how we learn, how we develop our communication skills, and how various neurological disorders impact speech and comprehension.</p>



<p>Now, a team of neuroscientists from the <a href="https://www.mit.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Massachusetts Institute of Technology</a> (MIT) has made a significant breakthrough in our understanding of language processing. </p>



<p>"Despite long knowing what brain areas support language comprehension, our knowledge of the neural computations that these frontal and temporal regions implement remains limited," noted the study authors. </p>



<p>"One important unresolved question concerns functional differences among the neural populations that comprise the language network."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-unraveling-the-role-of-neurons">Unraveling the role of neurons</h2>



<p>The experts identified distinct clusters of neurons that handle language at various "temporal windows," responding to linguistic context over different timeframes, ranging from a single word to about six words.</p>



<p>The discovery of these temporal windows was made using a sophisticated technique that involves recording <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pink-floyd-song-reveals-that-music-is-recognizable-in-brain-activity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electrical activity in the brain</a>.</p>



<p>With this method, the team was able to identify the specific functions performed by different populations of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/zombie-neurons-shed-new-light-on-learning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">neurons</a>. The research challenges former beliefs that all neurons involved in language processing perform the same functions.</p>



<p>"This is the first time we see clear heterogeneity within the language network. Across dozens of fMRI experiments, these brain areas all seem to do the same thing, but it's a large, distributed network, so there's got to be some structure there," said study senior author Professor Evelina Fedorenko.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-limitations-of-fmri">The limitations of fMRI</h2>



<p>Previously, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a method that measures changes in blood flow, has been instrumental in identifying <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/young-children-use-both-brain-hemispheres-for-language-processing/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brain areas</a> responsible for language processing. </p>



<p>However, Professor Fedorenko pointed out that the resolution of fMRI is not high enough to understand what small populations of neurons are doing. The team overcame this limitation by recording electrical activity using electrodes implanted in the brain.</p>



<p>While the data were hard to obtain, as the procedure is only done in patients undergoing surgery for neurological conditions like severe epilepsy, they provided extensive and precise insights. </p>



<p>"These data, of course, are the best kind of data we can get from human brains: You know exactly where you are spatially and you have very fine-grained temporal information," said Professor Fedorenko. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-language-processing-clusters-in-the-brain">Language processing clusters in the brain</h2>



<p>With the in-depth analysis, the experts discovered that neurons seemed to process <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/reading-nursery-rhymes-to-babies-helps-them-quickly-learn-language/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">language</a> in groups, or clusters, based on temporal windows of one word, four words, or six words.</p>



<p>According to study lead author Tamar Regev, it appears that these neural populations integrate information across different timescales along the sentence.</p>



<p>Another significant finding from the study reveals the anatomical locations of these different clusters. Those with the shortest temporal window were found predominantly in the posterior temporal lobe, while those with longer windows were spread more evenly throughout the temporal and frontal lobes.</p>



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



<p>Now that this differentiation has been established, the next step for the team is to determine if the timescales correspond with specific functions.</p>



<p>"The longest timescale is sensitive to things like syntax or relationships between words, and maybe the shortest timescale is more sensitive to features of single words or parts of them," said Regev.</p>



<p>The study has paved the way for a more comprehensive and detailed understanding of the brain's language processing <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/native-language-is-specially-stored-in-the-brain-for-easy-access/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">abilities</a>. Future studies could employ similar methodologies to investigate other cognitive functions in the brain.</p>



<p>The research was made possible with the support of numerous organizations, including the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the Poitras Center for Psychiatric Disorders Research, and MIT’s Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-024-01944-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Human Behavior</a></em>.</p>



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Neurons coordinate group activities for language processing

Language processing is one of the most complex and captivating...

<p>Viruses preserved in glacial ice hold valuable clues about Earth's ancient climate and environmental changes. </p>



<p>As the world faces the consequences of climate change, looking back at these ancient viral footprints can help us understand the complex interactions between life and the environment over millennia.</p>



<p>Locked away in the cold heart of glaciers, ancient viruses offer a glimpse into the stories of Earth’s past, waiting to be interpreted.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-viruses-as-time-capsules">Viruses as time capsules</h2>



<p>At an altitude above 20,000 feet, the <a href="https://byrd.osu.edu/research/groups/ice-core-paleoclimatology/projects/china/guliya" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Guliya Glacier</a> in the far northwestern Tibetan Plateau harbors an immense repository of our planet's climatic history. From here, scientists have extracted ice cores, which serve as time capsules recording past climate conditions.</p>



<p>By analyzing these ice cores, microbiologists reconstructed pieces of virus DNA and identified nearly 1,700 viral species, with about three-fourths of them previously unknown to science.</p>



<p>These <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-is-unleashing-ancient-zombie-viruses/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prehistoric viruses</a>, rather than posing a health threat to humans, provide insight into the survival capacity of organisms in extreme conditions.</p>



<p>“Before this work, how viruses linked to large-scale changes in Earth’s climate had remained largely uninvestigated,” said ZhiPing Zhong, lead author of the study and a research associate at the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center at <a href="https://www.osu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ohio State University</a>.</p>



<p>The viruses adapted to survive, influencing their hosts' survival strategies and shedding light on the interplay of life and climate throughout history.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-viral-behavior-during-climate-transitions">Viral behavior during climate transitions</h2>



<p>The intensifying effects of global warming have amplified the urgency to collect these ice cores before they vanish, adding to their scientific value. </p>



<p>For instance, the ice samples examined in the study offered clean snapshots of viral behavior during three major cold-to-warm transitions in the last 41,000 years.</p>



<p>“Glacial ice is so precious, and we often don’t have the large amounts of material required for virus and microbe research,” Zhong noted.</p>



<p>Among the various types of new viruses reported, the most unique viral community dates back around 11,500 years ago, during the transition from the cold <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ice-age-data-analysis-reshapes-climate-future-lowers-warming-estimates/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Last Glacial Stage</a> to the warm Holocene.</p>



<p>This suggests that global temperature shifts triggered microbial responses. Zhong cautions that it is still too early to say for certain, although the findings at least indicate the potential connection between viruses and climate change.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-dance-of-viruses-and-climate">The dance of viruses and climate</h2>



<p>Using advanced sequencing technologies to get a closer look at their genetic signatures, the team found that while most of the viruses were specific to the Guliya Glacier, about one-fourth shared traits with organisms from other parts of the world. </p>



<p>“That means some of them were potentially transported from areas like the Middle East or even the Arctic,” said Zhong.</p>



<p>Understanding viral evolution during climatic extremes provides vital clues for predicting how modern viruses might react to future ecosystem warming. </p>



<p>“To me, this science is a new tool that can answer basic climate questions that we couldn’t have answered otherwise,” said Lonnie Thompson, co-author of the study and a professor of earth sciences at Ohio State. </p>



<p>The study's interdisciplinary approach, supported by institutions like Ohio State’s <a href="https://byrd.osu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center</a> and the Center of Microbiome Science, was crucial to its success, noted co-author Matthew Sullivan, a professor of microbiology at Ohio State.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicting-future-virus-behavior">Predicting future virus behavior</h2>



<p>The glimpse into <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-viruses-can-reactivate-and-fuel-cancer-development/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ancient viral DNA</a> could open up a pandora's box of intriguing puzzles and breakthrough revelations.</p>



<p>The techniques used on Earth could also equip scientists with the tools necessary to search for life in outer space, such as microbes frozen in Martian ice fields or beneath the icy shells on distant celestial bodies.</p>



<p>“I'm optimistic about what can be done here, because if we work together, these techniques have much potential to help us start tackling a large array of scientific issues,” said Thompson.</p>



<p>Unfortunately, the clock is ticking. With global warming threatening to melt these invaluable archives, it's crucial to dig deeper into Earth's climatic history.</p>



<p>"Getting to study ancient viruses and microbes in ice with this team is a witness to the support we had to explore new interfaces,” said Sullivan, underscoring the collaborative effort behind the research. </p>



<p>Every ice core retrieved and every virus discovered brings us one step closer to understanding our planet's past and predicting its future.</p>



<p>The study was supported by the National Science Foundation, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the Heising-Simons Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Joint Genome Institute.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-024-01508-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature Geoscience</a></em>.</p>



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Ice age viruses hold clues to Earth's past and future climate

Viruses preserved in glacial ice hold valuable clues about Earth's...

<p>Europe's fascinating history is no stranger to tales of exotic indulgences, and the latest findings add an unexpected layer to this narrative - cocaine use that dates back as far as the 17th century.</p>



<p>This revelation is not just a footnote in history but provides significant insights into the lifestyles and cultures of ancient Europe.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-fully-immersive-exploration">A fully immersive exploration </h2>



<p>In the heart of Italy, researchers at the <a href="https://www.unimi.it/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Milan</a> are expanding our understanding of Europe's past substance use.</p>



<p>Together with colleagues from Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, the research team embarked on a journey to uncover the hidden stories of those who walked the streets of Europe centuries ago.</p>



<p>The study was not merely an attempt at investigating history, but a fully immersive exploration of preserved brains found in a crypt in Milan.</p>



<p>This crypt, lying in the shadows of the historical Ospedale Maggiore, served as the final resting place of many who took their last breath in the famed hospital.</p>



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



<p>Before we dig in further into the findings, it's important to understand the history of cocaine use itself.</p>



<p>For thousands of years, inhabitants of South America's western regions relied on the coca plant for its stimulating effects. </p>



<p>Fast forward to the 19th century, scientists discovered that processing the leaves produced cocaine hydrochloride salts, thus making the euphoric and mind-altering impacts more potent. </p>



<p>This led to the drug's rise in popularity throughout Europe as a recreational substance.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-early-cocaine-use">Early cocaine use</h2>



<p>The Milan team discovered that Europe's rendezvous with the coca plant started much earlier than previously assumed.</p>



<p>Buried beneath the grounds of the Ca’ Granda crypt, a revelation awaited the research team: Europeans were using this drug to experience its mind-altering effects almost 200 years prior to the 19th-century boom.</p>



<p>During their excavation, the researchers came across the remains of two individuals whose bodies had undergone natural mummification. This presented the team with an unprecedented chance to probe deeper into Europe's past.</p>



<p>Remarkably, active components of the coca plant were found in the preserved brains of both mummies - a clear indication that these individuals were partaking in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rosemary-compound-offers-hope-in-combating-cocaine-addiction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">habit</a> of chewing coca leaves.</p>



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



<p>Exploring the historical medical records of Ospedale Maggiore, the researchers found no evidence of medical use of cocaine or the coca plant, dismissing the possibility that the two individuals were using these leaves for medicinal purposes. </p>



<p>Instead, it suggests that the reason behind their consumption was purely <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/recreational-cannabis-use-protects-against-cognitive-decline/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recreational</a>. Evidence also suggested that these two individuals were of modest means, as their burial site and method indicated poverty.</p>



<p>This leads us to imagine a time when coca leaves were not only cheap and abundant, but also served as a readily available recreational outlet for the less fortunate.</p>



<p>The study not only uncovers an intriguing aspect of Europe's past but also poses fascinating questions about the socio-cultural nuances of the time.</p>



<p>It’s an eye-opening reminder that the roots of today's <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/child-maltreatment-triples-the-risk-of-substance-use/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">substance use</a> issues trace back much further than we might imagine.</p>



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



<p>The discovery of early cocaine use in Europe invites us to reconsider the cultural exchanges between continents during the 17th century. </p>



<p>It highlights the profound impact of trade routes that were not just conduits for goods but also for ideas, customs, and substances that shaped societies. </p>



<p>The research prompts a re-evaluation of the socio-cultural dynamics of the time, revealing how global interactions influenced personal habits and leisure activities across different classes.</p>



<p>Furthermore, the study raises questions about the perception and regulation of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/psychoactive-drug-relieves-symptoms-of-traumatic-brain-injury/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">psychoactive</a> substances throughout history. It challenges the notion that modern society's struggles with drug use are solely a contemporary issue, instead suggesting a longstanding human curiosity and relationship with mind-altering substances.</p>



<p>As researchers continue to unearth the layers of Europe’s past, this fascinating glimpse into early cocaine use serves as a witness to the complexity and interconnectedness of human history. The findings highlight the importance of interdisciplinary research in unveiling hidden chapters that challenge our understanding of historical narratives.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0305440324001080" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Journal of Archaeological Science</a></em>.</p>



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<p></p>

Cocaine use detected in the brains of 17th century mummies

Europe's fascinating history is no stranger to tales of exotic...

<p>Microplastics have infiltrated our food, water, and even the air we breathe, and they are increasingly being found in our bodies, from testicular tissue to brain matter.</p>



<p>In response to this growing concern, researchers at the <a href="https://www.ubc.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of British Columbia</a> have developed an affordable, portable device that can accurately measure the microplastic particles released from everyday items like disposable cups and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/hundreds-of-thousands-of-nanoplastics-found-in-bottled-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water bottles</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-microplastic-detection-devices">Microplastic detection devices</h2>



<p>“The accumulation of micro/nanoplastics (MNPs) in ecosystems poses tremendous environmental risks for terrestrial and aquatic organisms. Designing rapid, field-deployable, and sensitive devices for assessing the potential risks of MNPs pollution is critical,” noted the study authors.&nbsp;</p>



<p>‘However, current techniques for MNPs detection have limited effectiveness. Here, we design a wireless portable device that allows rapid, sensitive, and on-site detection of MNPs, followed by remote data processing via <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/machine-learning-could-revolutionize-drug-discovery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">machine learning</a> algorithms for quantitative fluorescence imaging.”</p>



<p>This new device, which works in conjunction with a smartphone app, uses fluorescent labeling to detect plastic particles ranging in size from 50 nanometers to 10 microns - far too small to be seen with the naked eye. The results are provided within minutes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nanoplastics-and-human-health-concerns">Nanoplastics and human health concerns</h2>



<p>“The breakdown of larger plastic pieces into microplastics and nanoplastics presents significant threats to food systems, ecosystems, and human health,” said Tianxi Yang, an assistant professor in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems, who developed the tool. “This new technique allows quick, cheap detection of these plastics, which could help protect our health and ecosystems.”</p>



<p>Nano- and microplastics are the result of degrading <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/biodegradable-plastic-materials-do-not-biodegrade-in-the-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic materials</a> like lunchboxes, cups, and utensils. Due to their tiny size and large surface area, nanoplastics are particularly concerning for human health because they can more easily absorb toxins and penetrate biological barriers within the human body.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fast-microplastic-detection-device">Fast microplastic detection device</h2>



<p>Detecting these tiny plastic particles traditionally requires specialized skills and expensive equipment. Yang’s team aimed to make detection faster, more accessible, and more reliable.</p>



<p>They created a compact, biodegradable, 3D-printed device that includes a wireless digital microscope, a green LED light, and an excitation filter. To measure the plastic particles, they customized MATLAB software with machine-learning algorithms and combined it with image capture software.</p>



<p>The result is a portable tool that works with a smartphone or other mobile devices to detect the presence of plastic particles in a sample. The tool requires only a tiny liquid sample - less than a drop of water - and makes the plastic particles fluoresce under the green LED light in the microscope, allowing them to be visualized and measured.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The results are easy to interpret, whether by a technician in a food processing lab or by someone curious about the microplastic content in their coffee cup.</p>



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



<p>For their study, the scientists tested disposable polystyrene cups by filling them with 50 mL of distilled, boiling water and allowing it to cool for 30 minutes.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The results showed that these cups released hundreds of millions of nano-sized plastic particles, each roughly one-hundredth the width of a human hair or smaller.</p>



<p>“Once the microscope in the box captures the fluorescent image, the app matches the image’s pixel area with the number of plastics,” explained co-author Haoming (Peter) Yang, a master’s student in the Faculty of Land and Food Systems. “The readout shows if plastics are present and how much. Each test costs only 1.5 cents.”</p>



<p>The device is currently calibrated to measure polystyrene, but the machine-learning algorithm can be adjusted to detect other types of plastics, such as polyethylene or polypropylene.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-broader-implications-of-the-study-nbsp">Broader implications of the study<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>The researchers' next goal is to commercialize the device and expand its use to analyze microplastics in various real-world applications.</p>



<p>The long-term effects of ingesting plastic from food, beverages, and airborne particles are still being studied, but early findings indicate cause for concern.</p>



<p>“To reduce <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-microplastic-ingestion-levels-mapped-across-109-countries/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">plastic ingestion</a>, it is important to consider avoiding petroleum-based plastic products by opting for alternatives like glass or stainless steel for food containers,” said Yang.</p>



<p>“The development of biodegradable packaging materials is also important for replacing traditional plastics and moving towards a more sustainable world.”</p>



<p>The development and findings of this tool are detailed in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acssensors.4c00957" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>ACS Sensors</em></a>.</p>



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

Are you drinking microplastic? A new device can tell you

Microplastics have infiltrated our food, water, and even the air...

<p>A comprehensive analysis of global fishery stock assessments has revealed that the sustainability of many fish populations has been overstated, raising concerns about fisheries management and consumer awareness.</p>



<p>Around the world, numerous fish stocks are either severely threatened by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overfishing-and-habitat-degradation-have-devastated-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">overfishing</a> or have already collapsed. A major factor contributing to this alarming trend is that policymakers have often disregarded the catch limits recommended by scientists. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-fish-stocks-are-overfished-nbsp">Global fish stocks are overfished<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>Catch limits were intended as strict thresholds to protect fish populations. However, new findings show that even the scientific recommendations were often set too high.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Four Australian research institutions have uncovered that a significantly greater number of global fish stocks are overfished or have collapsed than previously believed.</p>



<p>The study, published in the journal <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adl6282"><em>Science</em></a>, was led by the University of Tasmania’s <a href="https://www.imas.utas.edu.au/">Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies</a> (IMAS). The research team compared past and recent stock assessments across 230 fisheries worldwide.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-new-approach-to-stock-assessments">A new approach to stock assessments</h2>



<p>To complement this research, two leading fisheries scientists, Rainer Froese from the <a href="https://www.geomar.de/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel</a> and Daniel Pauly from the University of British Columbia, offered their perspectives on the findings. </p>



<p>In a <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adr5487" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Perspective Paper</a> also published in <em>Science</em>, these experts advocate for simpler, yet more accurate models, and suggest adopting a more conservative approach to stock assessments when there is uncertainty.</p>



<p>Stock assessments are regularly conducted to evaluate the impact of fishing on fish and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/shellfish-consumed-by-humans-are-ironically-more-resistant-to-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shellfish</a> populations within global fisheries management regions. These assessments guide efforts to prevent overfishing, rebuild depleted stocks, and protect marine ecosystems.</p>



<p>“Independent scientific monitoring is essential for accurately assessing fish stock sustainability,” said IMAS marine ecologist and lead author Graham Edgar.</p>



<p>“This study was an opportunity to compare the stock status estimated in a given year, such as 2010, with a more recent revised estimate for that same year - and we found that the earlier stock assessments were often too optimistic about the number of fish in the ocean.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inconsistencies-in-stock-assessments-nbsp">Inconsistencies in stock assessments<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>The study revealed a pattern of inconsistencies in stock assessments, particularly with the most depleted fisheries. Fish stock biomass was overestimated by an average of 11.5%.</p>



<p>In the European Union (EU), for example, fisheries are primarily managed through allowable catch limits, known as quotas, which are set by the European Council of Agriculture Ministers based on scientific advice and recommendations from the European Commission.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study by Edgar and his team indicates that even the scientific advice has often recommended catch limits that were too high.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-collapsed-fish-stocks">Collapsed fish stocks</h2>



<p>The research also found that nearly a third of stocks classified by the <a href="https://www.fao.org/home/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Food and Agriculture Organization</a> (FAO) as “maximally sustainably fished” had, in fact, crossed into the “overfished” category. </p>



<p>Moreover, the number of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/without-strong-action-global-fish-stocks-could-collapse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">collapsed</a> stocks - those with less than ten percent of their original biomass - within the overfished category is likely 85 percent higher than previously estimated.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-improving-fish-stock-assessments-nbsp">Improving fish stock assessments<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>The study suggests several ways to improve the accuracy of fish stock assessments, including expanding independent fisheries monitoring and revising stock assessment protocols. </p>



<p>“This could include establishing a ‘red team’ that looks at potential worst-case scenarios and works to prevent the collapse of fish biomass,” Edgar suggested.</p>



<p>“When an assessment finds a stock is overfished, fisheries management needs to make tough decisions about reducing fish catches to reverse the trend in stock declines. This includes reducing catch limits, which will ensure the fish stock can continue to support food and jobs into the future,” he added.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-measures-to-protect-fish-stocks-nbsp">Measures to protect fish stocks<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>The journal <em>Science</em> asked Rainer Froese and Daniel Pauly, two of the world’s most cited fisheries experts, to interpret the study’s findings.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In their Perspective Paper, they call for the revision of current stock assessment models, advocating for simpler, more realistic models based on ecological principles.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-taking-precautions-nbsp">Taking precautions<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h3>



<p>The experts also stress the importance of using the precautionary principle: when there is doubt, conservative estimates should be adopted to protect fish stocks.</p>



<p>“In essence, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sustainable-fishing-gets-a-boost-from-genomics-roadmap/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sustainable fishing</a> is simple,” Froese said. “Less fish biomass should be taken than is regrown.” He emphasized that fish must be allowed to reproduce before being caught, environmentally friendly fishing gear must be used, and protected zones must be established. </p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-reducing-the-catch-of-forage-fish-nbsp">Reducing the catch of forage fish<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h3>



<p>Additionally, it is crucial to preserve the functioning of important food chains by reducing the catch of forage fish such as anchovies, sardines, krill, or herring - principles that form the basis of ecosystem-based sustainable fishing.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“Four of these five principles can be implemented even without knowledge of stock sizes,” Froese concluded.</p>



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Fish stocks are collapsing globally as overfishing continues

A comprehensive analysis of global fishery stock assessments has revealed...

<p>Here on Earth, tomatoes grow best in fertile soil that is rich in nutrients like potassium and phosphorus. But can we grow tomatoes in the weightless environment of space? </p>



<p>Thanks to a dedicated team of scientists, space-grown tomatoes will soon become a reality.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tomato-plants-are-ready-for-launch">Tomato plants are ready for launch</h2>



<p>Imagine biting into a fresh, juicy tomato cultivated on an extraterrestrial station orbiting 260 miles above our planet. </p>



<p>This isn’t a distant futuristic vision but an emerging reality, with specially engineered tomato plants set to embark on a journey to the International Space Station (ISS).</p>



<p>These are no ordinary tomatoes. Compact, engineered to thrive in minimal space, and painstakingly developed for astronomic growth, these plants are setting a course for the International Space Station (ISS). </p>



<p>The tomatoes are currently under observation at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with a payload flight scheduled within the next year or so.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-growing-tomatoes-in-space">Growing tomatoes in space</h2>



<p>The journey will initiate an unprecedented event – these tomato seeds will germinate and bear fruit on the ISS, within its Advanced Plant Habitat laboratory.</p>



<p>The seeds from this first-generation space fruit will then plant the roots for a second generation of tomatoes in the stars.</p>



<p>"So, it’s going to be a seed-to-a-seed-to-a-seed, which has never been done before in space," noted Robert Jinkerson, a professor in the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering at <a href="https://www.ucr.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UC Riverside</a>.</p>



<p>But why tomatoes, you ask? Designed to bear fruit in compact spaces, these plants are potential <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/watermeal-may-become-an-essential-food-for-astronauts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">food sources for astronauts</a> – a development years in the making.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-space-technology">SPACE technology</h2>



<p>The remarkable research was led by Martha Orozco-Cárdenas of UCR's Plant Transformation Research Center. Using CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology, Orozco-Cárdenas downsized ordinary <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tomato-plants-talk-to-one-another-to-signal-danger/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tomato plants</a>, reducing the leaf to fruit ratio.</p>



<p>Backed by an $800,000 grant from the NASA-funded Translational Research Institute for Space Health, further engineering led to the creation of the space-ready tomatoes.</p>



<p>Known as Small Plants for Space Expeditions (SPACE), this technology could extend to other crops on the ISS and future space colonies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-exploring-space-grown-foods">Exploring space-grown foods</h2>



<p>Tomatoes may have company soon. The UCR team is exploring options to grow edible yeast, green algae, and mushrooms in space. Their efforts were recognized when they won $250,000 in NASA’s Deep Space Food Challenge.</p>



<p>The unprecedented research relies on innovative techniques. Eschewing sunlight, a key element for most agricultural cultivation, the team grows mushrooms using acetate, a carbon-based compound. The result - an estimated production of about 4,000 calories per day, surpassing the productivity of biological photosynthesis.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-environment-adaptive-agriculture">Environment-adaptive agriculture</h2>



<p>The research bears significant implications for earthly agriculture too. Compact, indoor-growing crops could be the future of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/some-crops-have-higher-yields-in-an-urban-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">urban agriculture</a>. Vertical farming, with multilayered hydroponically-fed crops, may also play a role in the forthcoming agricultural revolution.</p>



<p>The SPACE tomato, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/scientists-find-genes-that-help-fruit-adapt-to-droughts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">adapted</a> to thrive in confined spaces, could soon become available for urban farming. This innovation becomes crucial in regions experiencing climate changes that make outdoor cultivation untenable.</p>



<p>The research team is working towards cultivating food-producing organisms in the dark using acetate as their sole source of carbon and energy, sidestepping the need for photosynthesis.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gearing-up-for-the-green-revolution">Gearing up for the green revolution </h2>



<p>Despite being able to grow yeast, mushrooms, and green algae in the dark feeding on acetate, growing tomatoes and other crops under these conditions remains a hurdle due to the toxicity of acetate to adult plants.</p>



<p>The researchers are exploring solutions, aiming to engineer metabolic processes found in germinating seeds that can utilize acetate. Such dark cultivation could revolutionize agriculture by enabling more widespread indoor cultivation wherever electricity is available.</p>



<p>This would increase the efficiency of food production, reduce agricultural land use, and mitigate its environmental impact. For space agriculture, this increased energy efficiency could help feed more crew members with fewer resources.</p>



<p>Ultimately, the next technological breakthrough in agriculture might well come from a humble tomato plant, grown in the controlled environment of a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-space-radiation-affect-plants/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space station</a>.</p>



<p>As we grapple with the challenges of climate change and a rapidly expanding global population, the cosmic tomato could be a critical ingredient in the recipe for a sustainable future.</p>



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



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

Space tomatoes are ready for an unprecedented mission

Here on Earth, tomatoes grow best in fertile soil 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=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>



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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-43e218f4-0391-477c-8396-eb777c8c80a3">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 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>



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



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

Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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<p></p>

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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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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Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists discover we age in bursts

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists solve the mystery of tickling

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p></p>



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



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

Retired professor claims he solved time travel

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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