<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>The twilight zone, a mysterious ocean layer below the surface where light is scarce, plays a crucial role in shaping marine ecosystems. </p>



<p>As global warming intensifies, understanding the impact of this zone on the ocean's tiniest lifeforms such as phytoplankton becomes increasingly important.</p>



<p>These microscopic organisms are essential for maintaining balance in the marine food chain, meaning any shifts in their population could trigger a ripple effect throughout the entire ecosystem. </p>



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



<p>Given their position in the ocean's upper layers, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/arctic-heatwaves-have-complex-effects-on-phytoplankton-food-web/">phytoplankton</a> are directly influenced by changes in sunlight and temperature.</p>



<p>However, recent research reveals that the twilight zone's influence of equally critical, particularly through its role in nutrient cycling.</p>



<p>This zone affects surface-dwelling phytoplankton mainly due to warmer temperatures that influence bacteria, which decompose organic matter and release inorganic nutrients essential for phytoplankton photosynthesis.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-coupling-of-ocean-layers">Coupling of ocean layers</h2>



<p>A recent study highlights the coupling between two oceanic domains: the well-lit surface water and the twilight zone beneath.</p>



<p>This interaction can significantly alter the response of surface ecosystems to climate change, primarily through a process known as "thermocline renewal," where warmer ocean waters across the upper 300-500 meters are renewed by circulating through the surface ocean.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-observations-and-models">Observations and models</h2>



<p>To test the theory that warming strengthens nutrient recycling between these ocean layers, an international team of climate scientists from Japan, France, and the United States used a combination of ocean observations and three-dimensional ecosystem models.</p>



<p>The experts identified large reserves of inorganic nutrients in the twilight zone, resulting from bacterial decomposition of organic matter.</p>



<p>The study's projections, which extend up to the year 2300, emphasize the critical role these nutrients play in sustaining phytoplankton photosynthesis at the surface through thermocline renewal.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-twilight-zone-s-role-in-nutrient-recycling">Twilight zone's role in nutrient recycling</h2>



<p>The analysis of ocean observations revealed that under current climate conditions, bacterial and other low-latitude processes in the twilight zone contribute to at least half of the nutrient recycling between the mesopelagic domain and the surface layers, a process driven by upwelling.</p>



<p>These findings emphasize the importance of subsurface nutrient pools in supporting surface ecosystems.</p>



<p>"Our study highlights a mechanism that we believe can help to advance our understanding of what has been an overlooked aspect in projections of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/overfishing-and-habitat-degradation-have-devastated-marine-ecosystems/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marine ecosystem</a> health," said Olivier Aumont from <a href="https://www.sorbonne-universite.fr/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sorbonne Universités</a> in France.</p>



<p>"Understanding the coupling between the mesopelagic twilight zone and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/surface-water-can-penetrate-earths-deep-interior/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">surface waters</a> is an area where improved mechanistic understanding can help to further improve our climate change projections, which still indicate some disagreement."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-stimulating-further-research">Stimulating further research</h2>



<p>"We hope that our work will stimulate novel research to further understand the ocean circulation pathways of thermocline renewal," said Keith Rodgers, a researcher from Tohoku University.</p>



<p>These insights could catalyze further investigations into how these ocean circulation pathways impact marine nutrient dynamics and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/groundwater-plays-critical-role-ecosystem-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ecosystem health</a>.</p>



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



<p>Beyond contributing to our understanding of climate modeling, this study has significant implications for marine resource conservation, such as fisheries. </p>



<p>With ongoing trends of gradual ocean deoxygenation and warming, creating accurate models to project the future of marine ecosystems and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/marine-protected-areas-lack-critical-fish-habitats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">fish habitats</a> becomes even more critical. </p>



<p>As the ocean's environmental conditions continue to change, the insights gained from this research will be vital for predicting and mitigating the impacts on marine biodiversity and resource sustainability.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-twilight-zone-and-carbon-cycling">Twilight zone and carbon cycling</h2>



<p>The insights gained from this study also have significant implications for global carbon cycling and climate regulation.</p>



<p>Phytoplankton are known as vital players in the ocean's biological carbon pump, a process where carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is absorbed by these microorganisms through photosynthesis and then transported to deeper ocean layers when they die and sink.</p>



<p>The twilight zone acts as a critical intermediary in this process. By decomposing organic matter that sinks from the surface and releasing nutrients back into the upper ocean, bacteria in the twilight zone influence how efficiently carbon is sequestered in the ocean depths. </p>



<p>This microbial recycling process can affect the overall balance of carbon dioxide between the ocean and the atmosphere, impacting global climate patterns.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-07779-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nature</a></em>.</p>



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Ocean's twilight zone stabilizes the marine food chain

The twilight zone, a mysterious ocean layer below the surface...

<p>Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming our understanding of climate change, particularly about how global warming influences extreme weather events.</p>



<p>Unprecedented heatwaves have scorched the United States and other parts of the globe in recent years, highlighting the urgent need for accurate methods to measure this impact.</p>



<p>Scientists have been on a relentless search for ways to quantify the influence of global warming on these extreme phenomena.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ai-uncovers-global-warming-s-impact">AI uncovers global warming's impact</h2>



<p>Now, a game-changing methodology has emerged from a collaborative study at <a href="https://www.stanford.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford University</a> and <a href="https://www.colostate.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Colorado State University</a>. </p>



<p>The innovative approach leverages AI to rapidly and cost-effectively determine how much global warming has contributed to recent <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/human-activities-are-fueling-more-extreme-heatwaves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heatwaves</a> in the U.S. and beyond.</p>



<p>This method could revolutionize climate change studies. It also holds significant potential for guiding adaptation strategies. Additionally, it supports legal actions related to climate-induced damages.</p>



<p>“We’ve seen the impacts that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/extreme-weather-is-becoming-more-difficult-to-predict/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">extreme weather</a> events can have on human health, infrastructure, and ecosystems,” said study lead author Jared Trok, a PhD student in Earth system science at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability. </p>



<p>“To design effective solutions, we need to better understand the extent to which global warming drives changes in these extreme events.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-efficient-low-cost-prediction-method">Efficient, low-cost prediction method </h2>



<p>The concerted efforts of researchers from Stanford and Colorado State University have resulted in an efficient, low-cost method for studying the impact of global <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-models-underestimate-sea-ice-melt-and-global-warming/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warming</a> on individual extreme weather events. The intriguing element is the use of artificial intelligence in their methodology.</p>



<p>“We’ve shown that machine learning is a powerful and efficient new tool for studying the impact of global warming on historical weather events,” said Trok. </p>



<p>“We hope that this study helps promote future research into using AI to improve our understanding of how human emissions influence extreme weather, helping us better prepare for future extreme events.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-varying-levels-of-global-warming">Varying levels of global warming</h2>



<p>Trok and his co-authors trained <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ai-model-gives-air-quality-forecasts-that-are-similar-to-weather-forecasts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI models</a> to predict daily maximum temperatures based on regional weather conditions and the global mean temperature. </p>



<p>For training the AI models, they utilized an extensive database of climate model simulations extending from 1850 to 2100. </p>



<p>Once trained and verified, the AI models were tested with real-world weather conditions from specific heatwaves to predict the severity of these events under varying levels of global warming. </p>



<p>This innovative application of AI allowed the researchers to estimate how climate change influenced the frequency and severity of historical weather events.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-making-a-case-texas-heat-wave-of-2023">Making a case: Texas heat wave of 2023</h2>



<p>The first case study for this groundbreaking method was the Texas heatwave in 2023, which led to a record number of heat-related deaths in the state that year. </p>



<p>The results? Global warming increased the severity of the heatwave by 1.18 to 1.42 degrees Celsius (2.12 to 2.56 Fahrenheit). </p>



<p>The researchers also found that their new technique accurately predicted the magnitude of record-setting heatwaves in other parts of the world, and the results were consistent with previously published studies of those events.</p>



<p>“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/machine-learning-could-help-save-mangrove-forests/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Machine learning</a> creates a powerful new bridge between the actual meteorological conditions that cause a specific extreme weather event and the climate models that enable us to run more generalized virtual experiments on the Earth system,” said study senior author Professor Noah Diffenbaugh.</p>



<p>“AI hasn’t solved all the scientific challenges, but this new method is a really exciting advance that I think will get adopted for a lot of different applications.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-predicting-the-unpredictable">Predicting the unpredictable</h2>



<p>Using this AI tool, researchers took a step further into the future. They concluded that similar weather patterns could lead to recurring severe heatwaves if global temperatures rise to 2.0°C above pre-industrial levels. </p>



<p>Global warming is currently inching towards 1.3°C above pre-industrial standards. Events similar to some of the worst heatwaves in Europe, Russia, and India over the past 45 years could happen multiple times per decade under these conditions.</p>



<p>The new AI method addresses some limitations of existing approaches – including those previously developed at Stanford – by using actual historical weather data when predicting the effect of global warming on extreme events. </p>



<p>The technique does not require expensive new climate model simulations because the AI can be trained using existing simulations.</p>



<p>Together, these innovations will enable accurate, low-cost analyses of extreme events in more parts of the world, which is crucial for developing effective climate adaptation strategies. The research also opens up new possibilities for fast, real-time analysis of the contribution of global warming to extreme weather.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-future-of-ai-in-meteorology">The future of AI in meteorology</h2>



<p>The team plans to extend the application of this method to a broader range of extreme weather events and fine-tune their AI networks for more accurate predictions. </p>



<p>“We’ve shown that machine learning is a powerful and efficient new tool for studying the impact of global warming on historical weather events,” said Trok. </p>



<p>“We hope that this study helps promote future research into using AI to improve our understanding of how human emissions influence extreme weather, helping us better prepare for future extreme events.”</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adl3242" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances</a></em>.</p>



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

AI predicts global warming's impact on extreme weather

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming our understanding of climate change,...

<p>Imagine a camera so powerful that it operates at attosecond speed, which is one quintillionth of a second! The world's newest, fastest microscope can capture the motion of an electron -- a particle so fast it could circle the Earth several times in just one second. </p>



<p>This is not just a fantasy; it’s the new reality achieved by researchers at the University of Arizona. They developed the world's fastest electron microscope, a tool that promises to open new doors in the fields of physics, chemistry, bioengineering, materials sciences, and beyond.</p>



<p>Mohammed Hassan, an associate professor of physics and optical sciences, is at the helm of this project. </p>



<p>"This transmission electron microscope is like a very powerful camera in the latest version of smartphones; it allows us to take pictures of things we were not able to see before -- like electrons," Hassan explains. </p>



<p>With this innovative tool, Hassan and his team hope to help the scientific community delve deeper into the quantum physics that govern electron behavior and movement.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-transmission-electron-microscopes">Transmission electron microscopes</h2>



<p>Transmission electron microscopes (TEMs) have long been a staple in scientific research. These devices can magnify objects up to millions of times their actual size, revealing details far beyond the capabilities of traditional light microscopes. </p>



<p>Instead of using visible light, TEMs direct beams of electrons through a sample. The interaction between these electrons and the sample generates detailed images, captured by a camera sensor.</p>



<p>The principle of ultrafast electron microscopy, which uses a laser to generate pulsed beams of electrons, was first developed in the early 2000s. </p>



<p>This method significantly enhanced the temporal resolution of microscopes -- their ability to observe changes in a sample over time. </p>



<p>Unlike conventional cameras where image quality depends on the shutter speed, in a TEM, the resolution is determined by the duration of the electron pulses. The shorter the pulse, the clearer the image.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-attosecond-electron-pulses">Attosecond electron pulses</h2>



<p>Even with these advancements, there was still a gap in capturing the most fleeting moments of electron behavior. Previous ultrafast electron microscopes operated with electron pulses at speeds of a few attoseconds -- an attosecond being one quintillionth of a second. </p>



<p>These pulses could produce a series of images, much like frames in a movie, but scientists were still missing the minute changes in electron behavior that occur between these frames.</p>



<p>To overcome this limitation, Hassan and his team achieved a significant breakthrough by generating a single attosecond electron pulse. This pulse is as fast as the electron’s own movement, allowing the microscope to capture these elusive particles in a freeze-frame. </p>



<p>This achievement enhances the microscope's temporal resolution, making it akin to a high-speed camera that can capture movements invisible to the naked eye.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-on-nobel-winning-research">Building on Nobel-Winning Research</h2>



<p>This innovation didn’t emerge from a vacuum; it builds on the Nobel Prize-winning work of Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz, and Anne L’Huillière, who were recognized in 2023 for generating the first extreme ultraviolet radiation pulse measured in attoseconds. </p>



<p>Hassan’s team took this concept further by creating a microscope that splits a powerful laser into two components: a fast electron pulse and two ultra-short light pulses.</p>



<p>The first light pulse, known as the "pump pulse," injects energy into the sample, causing electrons to move or undergo rapid changes. </p>



<p>The second light pulse, the "optical gating pulse," acts as a gate, creating a brief window in which the single attosecond electron pulse is generated. </p>



<p>The speed of this gating pulse dictates the resolution of the image. By precisely synchronizing these pulses, researchers can capture ultrafast processes at the atomic level.</p>



<p>"The improvement of the temporal resolution inside of electron microscopes has been long anticipated and the focus of many research groups -- because we all want to see the electron motion," says Hassan. </p>



<p>"These movements happen in attoseconds. But now, for the first time, we are able to attain attosecond temporal resolution with our electron transmission microscope -- and we coined it 'attomicroscopy.' For the first time, we can see pieces of the electron in motion."</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-significance-of-attosecond-electron-microscopy">Significance of attosecond electron microscopy</h2>



<p>The implications of this breakthrough are profound. Understanding electron behavior is fundamental to many scientific fields. </p>



<p>In chemistry, for instance, it could lead to new insights into how atoms bond and interact, paving the way for novel chemical reactions and materials. </p>



<p>In bioengineering, this technology could offer a closer look at biological processes, potentially leading to new treatments for diseases.</p>



<p>Moreover, in the field of materials science, attomicroscopy might reveal how materials behave under stress or change at the atomic level, leading to the development of stronger, more resilient materials. </p>



<p>The ability to observe these processes in real-time could drive innovations in technology and medicine that were previously out of reach.</p>



<p>The development of the world’s fastest electron microscope is a leap forward in our ability to observe and understand the fundamental building blocks of the universe. Kudos to Mohammed Hassan and his brilliant team!</p>



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



<p>Hassan led a team of researchers in the departments of physics and optical sciences that published the research article "Attosecond electron microscopy and diffraction" in the <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adp5805" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Science Advances journal</a>. </p>



<p>Hassan worked alongside Nikolay Golubev, assistant professor of physics; Dandan Hui, co-lead author and former research associate in optics and physics who now works at the Xi'an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Husain Alqattan, co-lead author, U of A alumnus and assistant professor of physics at Kuwait University; and Mohamed Sennary, a graduate student studying optics and physics.</p>



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Watching electrons move in attoseconds with the world’s fastest microscope

Imagine a camera so powerful that it operates at attosecond...

<p>Lunar exploration has long been a focal point for scientists, and with the dream of human habitation on the Moon becoming more tangible, finding sustainable resources has become more critical than ever. </p>



<p>Water, a vital component for survival, has been at the center of this quest, driving extensive research into innovative ways to secure it on the lunar surface. A dedicated research team has now brought us closer to realizing this ambitious goal. </p>



<p>The team was led by Professor WANG Junqiang at the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).</p>



<p>The researchers have developed a pioneering strategy for large-scale water production on the Moon, utilizing a unique chemical reaction between lunar regolith and endogenous hydrogen to extract usable water.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-turning-lunar-regolith-into-water">Turning lunar regolith into water</h2>



<p>“We used lunar regolith samples brought back by the Chang’E-5 mission in our study, trying to find a way to produce <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-water-reservoir-found-on-the-moons-surface/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water on the Moon</a>,” said Professor WANG, emphasizing the importance of using authentic lunar material to ensure the reliability of their findings.</p>



<p>The experiments demonstrated that by heating the lunar regolith above 1,200 K with specially designed concave mirrors, one gram of molten lunar regolith could generate between 51 to 76 mg of water.</p>



<p>This implies that one ton of lunar regolith could produce more than 50 kg of water, equivalent to about a hundred 500-ml bottles of drinking water. </p>



<p>Such a quantity would be sufficient to provide enough <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ancient-moon-volcanoes-may-provide-astronauts-with-drinking-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drinking water</a> for approximately 50 people for an entire day, highlighting the practicality of this method for sustaining human life on the lunar surface.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-mineral-for-lunar-water-production">Key mineral for lunar water production</h2>



<p>In addition to these findings, the researchers identified lunar ilmenite (FeTiO3) as a critical mineral for water extraction.</p>



<p>This mineral, abundant in the lunar regolith, was shown to contain the highest amount of solar wind-implanted <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-water-reservoir-found-on-the-moons-surface/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hydrogen</a> among the primary minerals present on the Moon. </p>



<p>Its unique lattice structure, which features sub-nanometer tunnels, allows it to store significant amounts of hydrogen, which can then be released and used to produce water when the regolith is heated. </p>



<p>These groundbreaking discoveries emphasize the immense potential of utilizing in-situ <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/turning-moon-soil-lunar-regolith-space-debris-into-building-materials/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">resources on the Moon</a>, not only for drinking water but also for other essential life-supporting functions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sustaining-life-on-the-moon">Sustaining life on the moon</h2>



<p>The water generated through this innovative method could also be electrochemically decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen, providing both a renewable energy source and breathable air for future lunar inhabitants. </p>



<p>This process is vital for the long-term sustainability of human life on the Moon, making it possible to establish self-sufficient lunar bases. </p>



<p>The research by Professor WANG’s team opens new doors for lunar water exploration, setting the stage for the construction of permanent lunar research stations.</p>



<p>The work brings us one step closer to making the dream of sustainable <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/grow-plants-on-moon-by-2026-nasa-artemis-iii-mission/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lunar habitation</a> a reality, demonstrating that with the right technology and approach, life beyond Earth is not just a distant fantasy but an achievable future.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beyond-water-production">Beyond water production</h2>



<p>The implications of this water extraction method extend far beyond just providing drinking water and breathable oxygen for astronauts. By efficiently harvesting water from lunar regolith, this approach can support various aspects of long-term lunar colonization.</p>



<p>For instance, the extracted water can be used to grow plants in lunar greenhouses, providing a sustainable food source and enhancing the quality of life for future lunar inhabitants. </p>



<p>This not only ensures self-sufficiency but also reduces the need to transport large quantities of supplies from Earth, significantly cutting down costs and logistical challenges.</p>



<p>Additionally, the capability to split water into hydrogen and oxygen on the Moon opens up new avenues for energy production. </p>



<p>Hydrogen can be used in fuel cells to generate electricity, powering lunar habitats, scientific instruments, and exploration vehicles. The oxygen produced can be used to support human respiration and to create a safer living environment.</p>



<p>These developments could lead to the establishment of a more permanent human presence on the Moon, and lay the groundwork for future missions to Mars and beyond.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.xinn.2024.100690" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Innovation</a></em>.</p>



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Chinese scientists have harvested water from lunar soil

Lunar exploration has long been a focal point for scientists,...

<p>If you've been sensing something feverish about the Earth recently, you're far from alone. The symptoms of climate change are alarmingly clear, and worsening every year. The climate report for the year 2023 was no respite, echoing this fevered sentiment.</p>



<p>Escalating sea levels, record-smashing temperatures, swelling greenhouse gas levels, and a spike in extreme weather calamities are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.</p>



<p>If you're looking for a hard evidence suitcase, the 34th annual State of the Climate report is your go-to resource, packed with a comprehensive international review of climate indicators.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-alarming-annual-climate-report-issued">Alarming annual climate report issued</h2>



<p>The annual international review of the world’s climate, led by scientists from NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information (<a href="https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NCEI</a>) and published by the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society (<a href="https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/bams/bams-overview.xml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BAMS</a>), brings together nearly 600 scientists from 60 countries.</p>



<p>It offers a comprehensive update on Earth’s climate indicators, key weather events, and other data collected from monitoring stations and instruments on land, water, ice, and even in space.</p>



<p>“The BAMS State of the Climate report is the product of an international effort to more fully understand global climate conditions in 2023,” said NCEI Director Derek Arndt. “This report documents and shares a startling, but well established picture.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-global-climate-change">Global climate change </h2>



<p>The year 2023 hoisted some discomforting 'first-place' flags - greenhouse gas accumulation, land and sea temperatures, the global sea level, and oceanic heat content; they all reached new all-time highs.</p>



<p>Here are the stats to take note of: the annual global surface temperature registered an increase of 0.99 to 1.08 degrees F (0.55 to 0.60 degrees C) against the 1991–2020 baseline. </p>



<p>This <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-records-shatter-2024-set-to-be-hottest-year-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">temperature spike</a> makes 2023 the warmest year since record-keeping began in the 19th century, toppling 2016 from its reigning pedestal.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-decoding-the-record-warmth">Decoding the record warmth</h2>



<p>But what's heating up our home planet to this extent? The transition from La Nina conditions early in 2023 to a potent El Nino witnessed sea surface temperatures ascend to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-make-your-hometown-feel-like-somewhere-else/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">record levels</a>. </p>



<p>From June through December, every month shattered previous warmth records. On August 22, 2023, a staggering globally averaged daily sea-surface temperature of 66.18 degrees F (18.99 degrees C) was clocked.</p>



<p>Making matters less cozy, the atmospheric big three - carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide - reached unprecedented spikes. </p>



<p>Over the prior decade, the annual global mean CO2 growth skyrocketed, averaging 2.5 parts per million (ppm) per year, a steep climb from the 0.6 ± 0.1 ppm per year rise in the early 1960s.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-change-rippling-effect">Climate change rippling effect</h2>



<p>The repercussions from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/earth-days-getting-longer-rotation-slows-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolving climate landscape</a> are strikingly clear. Extreme weather episodes are increasingly becoming the new normal. From scorching heatwaves to harsh droughts to wild fires blazing across the globe. </p>



<p>In Canada, approximately 37 million acres were scorched during the late spring and record-warm summer, forcing nearly 232,000 people to evacuate their homes.</p>



<p>Europe and Australia's Northern Territory were no exceptions, experiencing their largest wildfire since 2000 and long-lasting bushfires, respectively.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-arctic-alarm-and-antarctic-anxiety">Arctic alarm and Antarctic anxiety</h2>



<p>The polar frontiers weren't exempted from the heat wave either. The Arctic posted its fourth warmest year, while Antarctic sea ice levels slumped to new record lows throughout 2023. </p>



<p>The Arctic ice, particularly multiyear ice (ice that survives at least one summer melt season), is melting at a frighteningly rapid pace. Since 2012, the Arctic has been nearly devoid of ice older than four years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-cyclones-decelerate">Cyclones decelerate </h2>



<p>In an unexpected turn of events, the year 2023 saw below-average tropical cyclone activity, reporting a total of 82 named storms. </p>



<p>While this might suggest a quieter season, it's crucial not to let the statistics create a false sense of security.</p>



<p>Among these 82 cyclones, a noteworthy seven escalated their intensity, reaching the formidable Category 5 status on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. </p>



<p>This category signifies winds of 157 mph or higher, indicating that these storms were exceptionally powerful and destructive. </p>



<p>Such intensity can lead to catastrophic impacts on coastal communities, emphasizing the importance of preparedness, awareness, and respect for the unpredictable nature of weather patterns.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-climate-damage-dossier">Climate damage dossier</h2>



<p>The live-action drama of climate change is far from a pleasure watch. However, it's a reality we cannot shirk. </p>



<p>This yearly report serves as an indispensable guide in our fight, chronicling the evolving facades of our planet with a <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/capable-countries-must-take-the-lead-on-climate-goals/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">comprehensive climate overview</a>.</p>



<p>Reflecting on the 2023 State of the Climate Report, it's abundantly clear that our actions bear consequences. </p>



<p>"We are experiencing a warming world as I speak, and the indicators and impacts are seen throughout the planet," stated NCEI Director, Derek Arndt.</p>



<p>To put it plainly, Earth is running a high fever, and we're the ones who cranked up the thermostat. Now, it's up to us to take the necessary steps to dial it down. So, the question that remains is - are we ready?</p>



<p><a href="https://www.ametsoc.org/index.cfm/ams/publications/bulletin-of-the-american-meteorological-society-bams/state-of-the-climate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The full State of the Climate Report 2023</a> is readily accessible online as published by the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.</p>



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



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Record-high temperatures, greenhouse gases, and sea-level rise reached in 2023

If you've been sensing something feverish about the Earth recently,...

<p>Have you ever considered how a python, after possibly months without feeding, can consume something larger than itself without any adverse effects? </p>



<p>The answer lies in an extraordinary process that scientists from CU Boulder have been investigating.</p>



<p>In the first 24 hours after a python devours its massive prey, its heart grows by 25%, its cardiac tissue softens dramatically, and the organ squeezes harder and harder to more than double its pulse.</p>



<p>Meanwhile, a vast collection of specialized genes kicks into action to help boost the snake’s metabolism forty-fold.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-larger-and-stronger-heart">Larger and stronger heart </h2>



<p>Remarkably, once the feast has been fully digested – usually within two weeks – the python's biological systems revert back to normal, with the heart slightly larger and stronger than before.</p>



<p>This extraordinary process has been described by CU Boulder researchers this week in the journal <em>PNAS</em>. </p>



<p>The python's ability to strengthen its heart could ultimately inspire novel treatments for a host of modern-day ailments that the monstrous snakes seem to miraculously resist.</p>



<p>For example, the python's cardiac transformation process could inspire treatments for cardiac fibrosis - a common human <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-genetic-condition-may-offer-protection-from-heart-disease/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart condition</a> characterized by the stiffening of heart tissues.</p>



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



<p>The fascinating journey of transformation in the python isn't just an amazing spectacle, but potentially a key to unlock revolutionary <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/snake-venom-may-be-key-to-treating-high-blood-pressure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">therapies for various human ailments</a>.</p>



<p>“Pythons can go months or even a year in the wild without eating and then consume something greater than their own body mass, yet nothing bad happens to them,” said senior author Leslie Leinwand, professor of molecular, cellular, and developmental biology at the <a href="https://www.colorado.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Colorado Boulder</a> and chief scientific officer of the BioFrontiers Institute. </p>



<p>“We believe they possess mechanisms that protect their hearts from things that would be harmful to humans. This study goes a long way toward mapping out what those are.”</p>



<p>With almost twenty years spent observing pythons, Leinwand’s lab remains one of the few places in the world exploring these creatures with the aim of enhancing human health. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-learning-from-pythons">Learning from pythons</h2>



<p>As much as 20 feet long, depending on the species, pythons are typically found in resource-scarce regions of Africa, South Asia, and Australia. They fast for extended periods, but when they do have the opportunity to eat, they can swallow a deer whole.</p>



<p>"Most people who use animal models to study disease and health typically focus on rats and mice, but there is a lot to learn from animals like pythons that have evolved ways to survive in extreme environments,” noted Leinwand.</p>



<p>Heart growth in humans can be classified into two categories: healthy (with endurance exercise) and unhealthy (stemming from disease). Interestingly, pythons exhibit the kind of healthy heart growth we see in elite athletes.</p>



<p>Leinwand's previous work has shown that about a week to 10 days after a meal, a python's heart significantly increases in size, its <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/increased-heart-rate-makes-us-feel-time-passing-faster/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heart rate</a> doubles, and its bloodstream becomes laden with circulating fats. Surprisingly, these fats nourish rather than damage their heart tissue.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-python-s-eating-habits-and-heart-health">Python's eating habits and heart health</h2>



<p>Through their most recent study, the CU Boulder team sought to further understand this phenomenon. The researchers fed pythons who had fasted for 28 days a meal of 25% of their body weight and compared them to snakes who had not been fed.</p>



<p>The experts discovered that as the well-fed snakes’ hearts grew, specialized bundles of cardiac muscle called myofibrils - that help the heart expand and contract - radically softened, and contracted with roughly 50% greater force.</p>



<p>In addition, the well-fed <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/move-over-burmese-pythons-these-snakes-are-the-true-eating-champions/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">snakes</a> exhibited profound epigenetic differences compared to those who had fasted, particularly in terms of which genes were activated or inactivated. </p>



<p>It is speculated that some of these genes might encourage the python's heart to use fat instead of sugar for fuel - a key process which diseased human hearts struggle to accomplish. Further research is required to identify the exact genes and metabolites involved.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-potential-of-nature-inspired-therapies">The potential of nature-inspired therapies</h2>



<p>Looking beyond the heart, stiff or fibrotic tissues can also drive diseases in other human organs, such as the lungs and liver. Therefore, lessons learned from pythons can potentially extend to <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/finasteride-regrows-hair-heals-prostate-boosts-heart-health/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">treatments</a> for these organs as well.</p>



<p>“We found that the python heart is basically able to radically remodel itself, becoming much less stiff and much more energy efficient, in just 24 hours,” stated Leinwand. "If we can map out how the python does this and harness it to use therapeutically in people, it would be extraordinary."</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2322726121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</a></em>.</p>



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Pythons can make their heart stronger, and we need to know how

Have you ever considered how a python, after possibly months...

<p>Aging is an inevitable part of life, shaping our physical and mental well-being as we journey through the years. </p>



<p>Over the centuries, the institution of marriage has been both revered for its emotional support and scrutinized for its complex dynamics.</p>



<p>Today, a fascinating new study adds yet another dimension to marriage's significance: its potential role in promoting optimal aging, particularly in men.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-matrimony-and-optimal-aging">Matrimony and optimal aging </h2>



<p>A recent Canadian research project has come up with some interesting findings related to matrimony and the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/pregnancy-may-speed-up-aging-in-women/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aging process</a>. The study examined over 7,000 individuals, predominantly middle-aged and older, for approximately three years.</p>



<p>"This study investigates the prevalence of successful aging among older Canadians who were never married, divorced, separated, or widowed and the sex differences of trajectories of marital status on successful aging in the Canadian context," noted the researchers.</p>



<p>The results were eye-opening. Men who were either married or got married during the study period were twice as likely to experience optimal aging compared to their never-married counterparts.</p>



<p>In contrast, among women, respondents who had never been married were found to age optimally compared to those who experienced widowhood or divorce during the research period. Intriguingly, the researchers found no significant difference in optimal aging between married and never-married women.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-optimal-aging-in-men-and-women">Optimal aging in men and women </h2>



<p>Study lead author Mabel Ho is a recent doctoral graduate from the <a href="https://socialwork.utoronto.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work</a> (FIFSW) and the Institute of Life Course and Aging.</p>



<p>"Little is known about the relationship between marital trajectories in old age and successful aging. Our goal was to see whether different marital trajectories were associated with physical health and well-being, and whether these relationships varied for men and women," said Ho. </p>



<p>The concept of optimal aging, as defined by the researchers, involves an absence of any serious physical, cognitive, mental, or emotional conditions that inhibit daily activities. </p>



<p>Moreover, it incorporates high levels of self-reported happiness, robust physical health, and sound mental health. </p>



<p>The study focused on the top 40% of participants who were earmarked as successfully aging at the onset of the study.</p>



<p>"Previous studies have shown that <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/want-a-happier-marriage-try-the-loving-talk-you-use-with-your-dog/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">marriage</a> is associated with better health outcomes for both men and women, while men who were never married generally had the poorest health outcomes," said study co-author Professor David Burnes.</p>



<p>He suggests that the mutual encouragement between spouses to pursue positive health behaviors can be a driving factor behind this phenomenon.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-social-connections-and-healthy-aging">Social connections and healthy aging</h2>



<p>The study highlights the significance of social connections and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/eight-healthy-lifestyle-habits-could-extend-your-life-by-decades/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lifestyle</a> factors in aging optimally. Senior adults who had regular contact with family, friends, and neighbors were more likely to age optimally compared to their socially isolated peers.</p>



<p>Similarly, maintaining a healthy body weight, staying physically active, eschewing insomnia, and abstaining from smoking were pivotal in fostering optimal health during the twilight years.</p>



<p>Eleanor Pullenayegum, a senior scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), noted the importance of regular social interaction, especially in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loneliness-drops-in-middle-adulthood-but-then-grows-with-age/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">old age</a>.</p>



<p>"Having regular contact with relatives, friends and neighbors can help older adults feel connected, reduce their sense of loneliness, and improve their overall well-being," said Pullenayegum.</p>



<p>Senior author Esme Fuller-Thomson, director of the Institute for Life Course &amp; Aging at FIFSW, emphasized the importance of sticking to healthy habits such as quitting smoking.</p>



<p>"In our study, those who were former smokers were much more likely to be aging optimally than those who continued to smoke," said Fuller-Thomson.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-creating-supportive-environments-for-everyone">Creating supportive environments for everyone</h2>



<p>The study highlights the need to consider sex-specific differences when developing programs and services for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/loneliness-impairs-memory-in-older-adults/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">older adults</a>.</p>



<p>"Our findings can inform the development of programs and services to engage and support older adults, particularly those who were never married or experienced widowhood, separation, and divorce in later life," said Ho.</p>



<p>The study paves the way for further investigations and potential policy changes that can help us create environments where everyone, irrespective of their marital status, can age optimally.</p>



<p>"Additional research is needed to illuminate the causal pathways between marital trajectories and successful aging, and to further clarify the implications of this research for gerontological social work practice," concluded the researchers.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <em><a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/00208728241267791" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International Social Work</a></em>.</p>



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Men who are married are more likely to achieve optimal aging

Aging is an inevitable part of life, shaping our physical...

<p>New research from Northwestern University has demonstrated that a mild electrical current can significantly strengthen marine coastlines, providing a potential long-term solution to combat sand erosion caused by climate change and rising sea levels.</p>



<p>In this study, the researchers were inspired by marine organisms like clams and mussels, which use dissolved minerals in seawater to build their shells.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The researchers applied a similar concept, using naturally occurring dissolved minerals to create a natural cement between grains of sand, transforming them into a rock-like solid. However, instead of using metabolic energy as mollusks do, they used electrical energy to trigger the chemical reaction.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-combating-sand-erosion-with-electricity">Combating sand erosion with electricity </h2>



<p>Laboratory experiments showed that a mild electrical current instantly altered the structure of marine sand, making it a solid, immovable material. The researchers believe this method could offer a sustainable, low-cost solution for reinforcing coastlines around the world.</p>



<p>Study senior author Alessandro Rotta Loria is a civil and environmental engineer at <a href="https://www.northwestern.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northwestern</a>. </p>



<p>“Over 40% of the world’s population lives in coastal areas. Because of climate change and <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/sea-level-rise-will-cost-coastal-cities-over-1-trillion-in-damages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sea-level rise</a>, erosion is an enormous threat to these communities,” said Rotta Loria.</p>



<p>“Through the disintegration of infrastructure and loss of land, erosion causes billions of dollars in damage per year worldwide. Current approaches to mitigate erosion involve building protection structures or injecting external binders into the subsurface.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-strengthening-the-coast-without-structures">Strengthening the coast without structures</h2>



<p>Rotta Loria said that his goal was to develop an approach capable of changing the status quo in coastal protection - one that didn’t require the construction of protection structures and could cement marine substrates without using actual cement.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“By applying a mild electric stimulation to marine soils, we systematically and mechanistically proved that it is possible to cement them by turning naturally dissolved minerals in seawater into solid mineral binders - a natural cement.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-rise-of-coastal-sand-erosion">The rise of coastal sand erosion</h2>



<p>As <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/burdens-of-climate-change-sea-level-rise-and-the-risk-of-isolation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">climate change</a> intensifies storms and raises sea levels, coastal erosion is becoming a more severe problem. According to a 2020 <a href="https://nature.com/articles/s41558-020-0697-0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a> by the European Commission’s Joint Research Center, nearly 26% of the Earth’s beaches could disappear by the end of this century.</p>



<p>Communities typically respond to this threat by building sea walls or injecting cement into the ground to strengthen the sandy marine substrates. However, these conventional methods have significant downsides: they are extremely expensive and often fail to last.</p>



<p>“Sea walls, too, suffer from erosion. So, over time, the sand beneath these walls erodes, and the walls can eventually collapse. Oftentimes, protection structures are made of big stones, which cost millions of dollars per mile. However, the sand beneath them can essentially liquify because of a number of environmental stressors, and these big rocks are swallowed by the ground beneath them,” said Rotta Loria.</p>



<p>“Injecting cement and other binders into the ground has a number of irreversible environmental drawbacks. It also typically requires high pressures and significant interconnected amounts of energy.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-solutions-inspired-by-nature">Solutions inspired by nature</h2>



<p>To avoid these problems, Rotta Loria and his team developed a new technique inspired by coral and mollusks. Seawater is naturally rich in ions and dissolved minerals, and when a mild electrical current (two to three volts) is applied, it triggers chemical reactions that convert some of these constituents into solid calcium carbonate, the same mineral that mollusks use to build their shells.&nbsp;</p>



<p>A slightly higher voltage (four volts) can convert these constituents into magnesium hydroxide and hydromagnesite, common minerals found in various stones.</p>



<p>When these minerals form in the presence of sand, they act like glue, binding the sand particles together. In lab tests, the process worked with all types of sands, from common silica and calcareous sands to iron sands, which are often found near volcanoes.</p>



<p>“After being treated, the sand looks like a rock,” Rotta Loria said. “It is still and solid, instead of granular and incohesive. The minerals themselves are much stronger than concrete, so the resulting sand could become as strong and solid as a sea wall.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-long-term-protection-for-coastlines-nbsp">Long-term protection for coastlines&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The minerals form instantaneously once the current is applied, but longer electrical stimulation produces more substantial results. “We have noticed remarkable outcomes from just a few days of stimulations,” he added. “Then, the treated sand should stay in place, without needing further interventions.”</p>



<p>The treated sand is expected to maintain its durability for decades, providing long-term protection for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/coastal-erosion-is-picking-up-speed-across-the-arctic/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coastlines</a>. The process is also eco-friendly and reversible. The mild voltages used in the process are harmless to sea life, and the process can be undone if necessary by switching the battery’s anode and cathode, which dissolves the minerals.</p>



<p>“The minerals form because we are locally raising the pH of the seawater around cathodic interfaces,” Rotta Loria explained. “If you switch the anode with the cathode, then localized reductions in pH are involved, which dissolve the previously precipitated minerals.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-less-cost-more-protection-nbsp">Less cost, more protection&nbsp;</h2>



<p>This method offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional erosion control methods. Rotta Loria’s team estimates that their process costs just $3 to $6 per cubic meter of electrically cemented ground, compared to up to $70 for similar methods that use binders.</p>



<p>This approach also shows promise for repairing cracked structures made of reinforced concrete, commonly found in existing shoreside infrastructure that is deteriorating due to sea-level rise, sand erosion, and extreme weather. A single pulse of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/plants-generate-electricity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">electricity</a> could heal potentially destructive cracks without the need to rebuild the entire structure.</p>



<p>“The applications of this approach are countless. We can use it to strengthen the seabed beneath sea walls or stabilize sand dunes and retain unstable soil slopes. We could also use it to strengthen protection structures, marine foundations, and so many other things. There are many ways to apply this to protect coastal areas,” Rotta Loria concluded.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01604-3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Nature Communications Earth &amp; Environment</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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



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Fighting coastal erosion: Electricity turns sand into a sea wall

New research from Northwestern University has demonstrated that a mild...

<p>Billions of years ago, our Moon was a seething, tumultuous body of liquid molten rock. Molten rock, also known as magma, then slowly solidified to form the Moon's surface. </p>



<p>This is a hypothesis scientists call the 'Lunar Magma Ocean' theory. The recent Chandrayaan-3 mission, by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), uncovered evidence supporting this theory.</p>



<p>The remnants of this magma ocean were found on an uncharted territory -- the Moon's South Pole. This once enigmatic and isolated region has been explored for the first time by the Chandrayaan-3 mission -- a historic achievement in humankind's lunar exploration saga.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chandrayaan-3-and-the-moon-s-surface">Chandrayaan-3 and the Moon's surface</h2>



<p>As the Moon began to cool down, a lighter mineral called ferroan anorthosite floated to the surface. </p>



<p>This mineral forms when magma cools down, and it essentially became the artist that sculpted the Moon's surface. The <a href="https://www.isro.gov.in/Chandrayaan3_Details.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chandrayaan-3</a> team found evidence of this ferroan anorthosite at the South pole.</p>



<p>“The theory of early evolution of the Moon becomes much more robust in the light of our observations,” noted Dr. Santosh Vadawale from the Physical Research Laboratory, co-author of the paper about these discoveries.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mission-control-and-the-rover-s-journey">Mission control and the rover’s journey</h2>



<p>Chandrayaan-3's rover, named Pragyaan, took us where none had been before. </p>



<p>“They were really exciting times. Sitting in the control room, moving the rover around on the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/contact-lost-with-chandrayaan-3-placing-the-moon-mission-in-jeopardy/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">lunar surface</a> -- that was really a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” says Prof Vadawale.</p>



<p>With the celebrated soft landing of Vikram, the spacecraft carrying Pragyaan, a new chapter began. As Pragyaan navigated the uneven and dusty lunar surface, it was built to withstand dramatic temperature changes. </p>



<p>All the while, Prof. Vadawale and his colleagues were working tirelessly, guiding Pragyaan on its lunar expedition.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scientific-analysis-of-the-moon-s-surface">Scientific analysis of the Moon's surface</h2>



<p>Pragyaan took 23 measurements using an alpha particle X-ray spectrometer. This unique instrument can get atoms excited and then analyze the resulting energy to identify soil minerals. </p>



<p>But the surprises didn't stop there. The team also found evidence of a massive meteorite crash from four billion years ago. </p>



<p>They discovered magnesium which they believe had been thrown up from deep inside the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mays-full-moon-will-eclipse-a-giant-red-star/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moon</a> due to this cosmic collision.</p>



<p>“This would have been caused by a big impact of an asteroid, throwing out material from this big basin. In the process, it also excavated a deeper part of the Moon,” said Professor Anil Bhardwaj, director of India’s <a href="https://www.prl.res.in/prl-eng/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Physical Research Laboratory</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chandrayaan-3-s-geological-insights-on-moon">Chandrayaan-3's geological insights on moon</h2>



<p>The findings from Chandrayaan-3 extend beyond mere geological curiosities; they unlock clues about the Moon's tumultuous history and the broader dynamics of our solar system. </p>



<p>By analysing the lunar surface material, scientists can reconstruct the processes that shaped both the Moon and its interactions with Earth. </p>



<p>This includes understanding how both celestial bodies influenced each other's geological histories, which is vital for piecing together the narrative of our shared cosmic past. </p>



<p>As the data continues to be interpreted, the rich tapestry of the Moon’s formative years becomes clearer, providing insight not only into its evolution but also into the environmental conditions prevalent during its infancy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-moon-s-surface-shaping-future-exploration">Moon's surface shaping future exploration</h2>



<p>The triumph of Chandrayaan-3 ignites interest in further lunar exploration missions, both by India and other nations. </p>



<p>The successful landing and operational achievements of Pragyaan in previously uncharted territory highlight the potential for <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rare-supermoon-blue-moon-will-outshine-and-outsize-all-other-moons-this-year/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">exhilarating discoveries</a> yet to come.</p>



<p>Future missions could focus on more extensive sampling of lunar materials, and even potential human habitation on the Moon, providing a stepping stone for deeper space exploration. </p>



<p>Collaborations among countries and private enterprises are also on the horizon, fostering a new era of international partnership in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/worlds-first-lunar-earth-flyby-gave-juice-spacecraft-successful-gravity-boost-to-jupiter/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">space science.</a> </p>



<p>As we look ahead, each revelation from the Moon propels humanity not just towards understanding our celestial neighbor but also paves the way for exploration beyond, to Mars and beyond.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chandrayaan-3-a-stepping-stone-for-moon-exploration">Chandrayaan-3: A stepping stone for moon exploration</h2>



<p>This mission's findings are critical steps towards a future dream -- the construction of a human base on the Moon. As Chandrayaan-3 continues to collect data, it also hopes to eventually discover ice water on the South Pole.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.isro.gov.in" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ISRO</a> plans to continue this exploratory journey with another lunar mission in the coming years. Their hopes hover around collecting more samples from the lunar surface and bringing them back to Earth for thorough analysis.</p>



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



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Evidence of a magma ocean discovered on the Moon's surface

Billions of years ago, our Moon was a seething, tumultuous...

Adorable,Smiling,Little,Girl,Drinking,Water,In,Kitchen.,Health,And

<p>Are we unwittingly feeding our children the fluoride-laden water of woes? Could the very thing we’ve long hailed as our oral health savior be the silent culprit behind lower IQ scores in children? It appears that we might just be, according to a recent government report.</p>



<p>In a startling revelation that’s stirring up waves, a comprehensive government report suggests that high levels of fluoride in tap water could be linked to decreased IQ scores in children. </p>



<p>This news is particularly troubling because it involves hundreds of thousands of kids who are drinking tap water that might be chipping away at their intellectual potential.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fluoride-content-in-water">Fluoride content in water</h2>



<p>In what has been noted as one of the most in-depth studies of its kind, the report points the finger at high levels of fluoride consumption as a possible enemy of brain development in youngsters. </p>



<p>More precisely, scientists found an association between <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/drinking-from-plastic-bottles-raises-your-blood-pressure/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drinking water</a> with more than 1.5 milligrams of fluoride per liter and a drop of up to five IQ points. Now, that's not just small beer.</p>



<p>To put things into perspective, no less than 1.9 million individuals depend on water systems with fluoride levels above 1.5mg. </p>



<p>These startling revelations mark the first time a federal agency has acknowledged that there may indeed be a connection between fluoride and IQ.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fluoride-and-dental-treatment">Fluoride and dental treatment</h2>



<p>Fluoride has been an active component in the US water supply for years. This was in response to studies demonstrating its role in strengthening teeth and reducing cavities. To many people, it was one of the most outstanding public health achievements of the 20th century.</p>



<p>The fluoride addition to drinking water is estimated to save a whopping $6.5 billion annually in dental treatment costs and cuts down the occurrence of cavities by up to 25 percent, as per the CDC.</p>



<p>However, several counties across Illinois, Texas, New Mexico, and others may soon be hearing the alarm bells ringing loud and clear. Research reveals that fluoride levels in these locations are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/over-4-4-billion-people-lack-access-to-safe-drinking-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">particularly high</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pick-your-poison">Pick your poison</h2>



<p>Let’s put our cards on the table. The safe limit for fluoride, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (<a href="https://www.epa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">EPA</a>), should not exceed four milligrams per liter, primarily to avoid skeletal fluorosis. </p>



<p>This disorder can lead to weaker bones, stiffness, and pain. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization claims that the safe limit is approximately 1.5 milligrams of fluoride per liter.</p>



<p>In spite of these guidelines, the controversy over fluoride in the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-solution-removes-over-98-percent-of-nanoplastics-from-water/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">water supply</a> has been brewing for years, leading to many communities voting against its use. </p>



<p>This newest report only adds fuel to the fire, unveiling links between fluoride and anxiety, temper problems, and headaches in children as young as three.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-levels-of-fluoride-in-water">Levels of fluoride in water</h2>



<p>At the helm of this 324-page government report is none other than the <a href="https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Toxicology Program</a>, part of the Department of Health and Human Services. </p>



<p>As per the numerous studies reviewed in the report, kids exposed to higher levels of fluoride exhibited lower IQ levels, somewhere between 2 to 5 points lower, to be exact.</p>



<p>However, the team was not able to conclude the impact of lower doses of fluoride or its effect on adults.</p>



<p>These findings support previous research from Canada, China, India, Iran, Pakistan, and Mexico, which delivered similar results -- that higher levels of fluoride in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/strict-pfas-limits-will-make-drinking-water-safer-for-100-million-americans/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drinking water</a> are linked with lower IQ in children.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-muddying-the-waters">Muddying the waters</h2>



<p>The study did not mention how many people are on water systems where fluoride is artificially added and where concentrations are above the 1.5 milligrams per liter mark.</p>



<p>Interestingly, fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral in water and soil. However, about 80 years ago, a lightbulb moment happened. </p>



<p>Scientists discovered that people whose water supplies naturally had more fluoride also had fewer cavities. They believed fluoride was replacing minerals in teeth that were lost due to decay and wear.</p>



<p>Fast forward to today, where about 70 percent of US households have access to fluoridated drinking water. This percentage is considerably higher than in many other nations, including the UK (10 percent), Spain (10 percent), and Canada (40 percent).</p>



<p>This study is a stark reminder that even something as commonplace as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/global-source-water-exceeds-safe-drinking-limits-of-pfas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">drinking water</a> can have unforeseen repercussions. </p>



<p>With IQ scores in America falling for the first time in a century, it's time we took a hard look at this fluoride debacle and asked ourselves -- are we doing more harm than good?</p>



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



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Too much fluoride in tap water might lower kids' IQ by a few points

Are we unwittingly feeding our children the fluoride-laden water of...

<p>The sky tells its own tales with stars as protagonists, planets as supporting characters, and meteor showers and comets as special effects that add sparkle to this cosmic script. </p>



<p>Now, scientists have uncovered a new plot twist, one with meteors that shines a light on where comets formed in the early solar system.</p>



<p>According to an international team of 45 researchers studying meteor showers, comets don't all disintegrate alike as they approach our Sun. </p>



<p>In a paper published in the scientific journal Icarus, they attribute these differences to varied conditions within the protoplanetary disk, the birthplace of comets nearly 4.5 billion years ago.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-showering-new-insights">Showering new insights</h2>



<p>“The meteoroids we see as meteors in the night sky are the size of small pebbles,” said lead author and <a href="https://www.seti.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SETI Institute</a> and NASA's <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/ames/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ames Research Center</a> meteor astronomer Peter Jenniskens. “They are, in fact, the same size as the pebbles that collapsed into comets during the formation of our solar system.”</p>



<p>Flashback to 4.5 billion years ago, when our solar system was in its infancy, particles in the protoplanetary disk around the young Sun gradually grew from dust to pebbles. </p>



<p>“Once pebbles grow large enough to no longer travel along with the gas, they are destroyed by mutual collisions before they can grow much bigger,” said <a href="https://www.nasa.gov" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NASA</a> Ames planetary scientist and co-author Paul Estrada. </p>



<p>“<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/dark-comets-hidden-near-earth-ice-giants-can-be-both-friend-and-foe/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Comets</a> and primitive asteroids instead were formed when clouds of these pebbles locally collapsed into kilometer-sized and larger bodies.”&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-sun-soaked-comets-and-meteors">Sun-soaked comets and meteors</h2>



<p>Fast forward to present day, and we see comets, as they approach the Sun, crumbling into smaller fragments called meteoroids. </p>



<p>These meteoroids co-orbit with the comet for a while, and can later delight us with glorious meteor showers when they hit <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/aerosol-formation-earths-lower-atmosphere-soas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Earth’s atmosphere</a>.</p>



<p>“We hypothesized that comets crumble into the sizes of the pebbles they are made of,” said Jenniskens. </p>



<p>“In that case, the size distribution and the physical and chemical properties of young meteoroid streams still contain information about the conditions in the protoplanetary disk during this collapse.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-worldwide-surveillance">Worldwide surveillance</h2>



<p>Jenniskens and his team of professional and amateur astronomers use special low-light video cameras in a project called "<a href="http://cams.seti.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CAMS</a>" – short for Cameras for Allsky Meteor Surveillance.</p>



<p>The team set up networks of these cameras globally to track meteoroids' paths, the height at which they first ignite, and how they slow down in Earth's atmosphere. They also gleaned insights into the chemical composition of some of these meteoroids.</p>



<p>Studying 47 young <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/two-meteor-showers-delta-aquarids-alpha-capricornids-light-up-night-skies-august-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meteor showers</a>, they found fascinating differences in the crumbles of two types of comets: Jupiter-family comets from the Scattered Disk of the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune and long-period comets from the Oort Cloud surrounding our solar system.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-different-crumbles-for-different-comets">Different crumbles for different comets</h2>



<p>Jenniskens and his team found that long-period comets often crumble into sizes suggesting gentler accretion conditions, while Jupiter-family comets usually crumble into smaller, denser <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/two-meteor-showers-delta-aquarids-alpha-capricornids-combine-this-week/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meteoroids</a>, showing more diversity in their content.</p>



<p>So how does this all fit into the grand cosmic story? As the giant planets were growing, Neptune moved outward, scattering comets and asteroids out of the remaining protoplanetary disk. </p>



<p>This movement likely created both the Scattered Disk of the Kuiper Belt and the Oort Cloud, which host our long-period and Jupiter-family comets, respectively.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-meteors-and-comets-solving-the-puzzle">Meteors and comets: Solving the puzzle</h2>



<p>However, this story has some plot holes. If the scattering by <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/mors-somnus-provides-clues-neptune-evolution/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neptune</a> was responsible for creating both types of comets, they should have similar properties.</p>



<p class="has-text-align-left">But our diligent researchers found otherwise, suggesting that the long-period <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/devil-comet-is-visible-in-the-northern-hemisphere/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">comets</a> only survived in their long orbits after the Sun had moved away from the stars and molecular clouds in the Sun’s birth region. </p>



<p class="has-text-align-left">In contrast, Jupiter-family comets have always been on shorter orbits and represent<strong>&nbsp;</strong>all&nbsp;objects scattered by Neptune on its outward journey.</p>



<p>Weaving together these complex pieces of our cosmic history, the researchers have shed light not just on the birthplaces of comets, but also on the dynamic and fascinating process that led to the structured, beautiful solar system we call home. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-wrapping-up-the-cosmic-journey">Wrapping up the cosmic journey</h2>



<p>So, what's next in this celestial saga? Will there be more plot twists as we unravel the secrets held by meteor showers? </p>



<p>As the mystery unfolds, one thing is clear: the night sky isn't just a splattering of stars. It's a living, breathing tale of our universe’s past, present, and future.</p>



<p>So, sit back, look up, and enjoy the cosmic show -- it's been billions of years in the making.</p>



<p>The study is published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0019103524002896?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Icarus</em></a>.</p>



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



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Meteor showers help scientists learn where comets came from

The sky tells its own tales with stars as protagonists,...

<p>A recent study has explored the ecological relationships and evolutionary adaptations of tarantulas, uncovering surprising details about these often-feared spiders. </p>



<p>The research revealed that tarantulas frequently form mutually beneficial partnerships with various species, including amphibians, reptiles, and even army ants - predators typically known to feed on spiders. </p>



<p>Notably, the study suggests that the dense hair covering tarantulas may have evolved as a defense mechanism against these predatory <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ants-are-shifting-to-new-habitats-to-cope-with-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ants</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tarantula-partnerships-with-other-species-nbsp">Tarantula partnerships with other species<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p>An international team of scientists conducted an extensive literature review and examined how tarantulas interact with other species.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This study is the first to report associations between tarantulas and animals such as snakes, whip spiders, and harvestmen. Additionally, the researchers documented over 60 new cases of partnerships between tarantulas and amphibians from ten different countries.</p>



<p>According to the experts, the interactions and even cohabitation between tarantulas and other species are often mutually advantageous.</p>



<p>“Apparently, the frogs and toads that live within the retreats of tarantulas benefit from the shelter and protection against their predators. In turn, they feed on insects that could be harmful to the spider, its eggs, and its juveniles,” said lead author Alireza Zamani, a biologist at the <a href="https://www.utu.fi/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of Turku</a>, Finland.</p>



<p>“It seems that tarantulas might not be as scary and threatening as their reputation suggests.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-are-tarantulas-so-hairy">Why are tarantulas so hairy?</h2>



<p>One of the most significant insights from the study is the proposal of a new hypothesis regarding why tarantulas are so hairy. The researchers posit that the hirsuteness - or hairiness - of tarantulas may have evolved as a defense mechanism against predatory ants.</p>



<p>“Observations indicate that army ants tend to ignore both adult tarantulas and spiderlings. This is quite interesting, since army ants are known to attack and feed on a wide variety of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/how-does-urbanization-shape-arthropod-communities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">arthropods</a>,” Zamani said.</p>



<p>The study observed that ants interacting with tarantulas would enter the spider’s burrow, gather food remains, and clean the burrow, which benefits the tarantula. Only a few ants attempted to attack the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/spiders-turn-to-cannibalism-when-food-sources-are-limited/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spiders</a>, but these attacks failed because the tarantulas' legs were protected by a fringe of stiff hairs.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evolutionary-strategies-of-tarantulas-nbsp">Evolutionary strategies<strong> </strong>of tarantulas&nbsp;</h2>



<p>“The dense hair covering the tarantula's body makes it difficult for the ants to bite or sting the spider. Therefore, we believe that hairiness may have evolved as a defense mechanism,” said Zamani.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This hypothesis is supported by findings that many burrowing New World tarantulas cover their egg sacs with urticating hairs, Zamani noted.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-barbed-hairs-for-defense-nbsp">Barbed hairs for defense<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h3>



<p>“The tarantulas typically release these barbed hairs as a defense mechanism, deterring and sometimes even killing their attackers. Covering their egg sacs with these hairs, however, effectively hinders the movement of small injurious arthropods, such as ants, that might try to attack the eggs.”</p>



<p>The study also suggests that the hirsuteness of tarantulas could be a trait that is still evolving and may be more developed in certain tarantula species. Spiders with less dense body <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/caterpillars-use-their-hair-to-detect-predators-static-electricity/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hair</a> could be more vulnerable to ant attacks.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-evading-predatory-ants-nbsp">Evading predatory ants<strong>&nbsp;</strong></h3>



<p>In addition, the researchers documented a unique escape strategy employed by New World arboreal tarantulas when threatened by ants.</p>



<p>“In a field study in Peru, a female <em>Avicularia hirschii</em> was observed leaving its silken retreat and hanging from the edge of a leaf by the tips of its front legs after sensing the approach of army ants in search of live prey,” Zamani recounted.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-defensive-secretions">Defensive secretions</h3>



<p>The scientists also proposed that tarantulas might have another defense strategy involving a previously unknown chemical mechanism. They suggest that tarantulas may possess specialized epidermal glands in their cuticles that could secrete predator-repellent substances.</p>



<p>“This hypothesis is supported by the observation that cats and dogs, animals with highly developed sense of <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/bumblebees-have-an-incredible-sense-of-smell-to-find-their-way-home/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">smell</a>, tend to wince and move away after sniffing a tarantula. Tarantulas have slit-like epidermal gland openings of unknown function, which may produce defensive secretions responsible for this reaction,” Zamani said.</p>



<p>While more evidence is needed to confirm the chemical defense mechanism hypothesis, this study represents a significant advancement in understanding the behavior of tarantulas, including their surprising partnerships.</p>



<p>The study is published in the <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2024.2382404" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Journal of Natural History</em></a><em>.</em></p>



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Tarantulas have beneficial partnerships with other species

A recent study has explored the ecological relationships and evolutionary...

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

Traffic fumes may trigger Alzheimer's

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p>—–</p>



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<p>—–</p>

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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What caused the planet's longest ice age

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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<p>—–</p>

Greenland's ground rises while coasts worldwide face higher seas

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

AI agent training boosts mental health and profits

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Revolutionizing agriculture through microbiome engineering

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p></p>

Social modeling affects our food choices

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Worms dominated seas before dinosaurs

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Earth's oldest forest found in the United States

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists discover we age in bursts

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Scientists solve the mystery of tickling

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



<p></p>



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



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

Retired professor claims he solved time travel

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

The environmental problem we actually solved

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

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

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



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



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



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



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



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

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

[sendtonews key="3upvlAaHgO-2256633-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from the...

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



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



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



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



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



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

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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



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

Kainji Lake in north central Nigeria

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